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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Court urged to void Buhari’s Executive Order 6

    Lawyers argue it infringes citizens’ right to own properties

    Judge fixes hearing for August 8

     

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to void the Executive Order 6 issued on July 5 this year by President Muhammadu Buhari, which allows the government to seize of assets linked to ongoing criminal trials and investigations.

    The request forms the core relief in a suit filed by two lawyers – Ikenga Ugochinyere and Kenneth Udeze – with President Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as defendants. The suit is marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/740/2018.

    The plaintiffs contended that by the provisions of sections 5, 36 and 43 of the Constitution, the President lacked the power to issue the Executive Order.

    They argued that by issuing the Executive Order, the President allegedly encroached on the constitutionally guaranteed right of citizens to own properties, a right to which persons, who are standing trial or being investigated, but yet to be convicted, are also entitled.

    Read Also: We did our best to stop defection – Buhari

    The plaintiffs added that by virtue of the provisions of sections 5, 36 and 43 of the Constitution, the President lacked the power to issue such an order “on matters not connected with the ‘execution and maintenance of the Constitution, all laws made by the National Assembly and to all matters with respect to which the National Assembly has, for the time, being power to make laws.”

    They urged the court to restrain both defendants from enforcing it and prayed for a declaration that “the act or conduct of the president in issuing the order interfere with, or encroach into the ownership, or otherwise of the assets or properties of any person without such person being found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, is unconstitutional, null and void.

    The plaintiffs equally want a declaration “that the president cannot validly exercise his constitutional powers by deliberately undermining, limiting and/or inhibiting the entrenched constitutional rights of any citizen of Nigeria to fair hearing vide the issuance of the Order.”

    When the case was called on Wednesday, Obed Agu, announced appearance for the plaintiffs, while Bashir Mohammed appeared for the defendants.

    Mohammed informed the court that he has filed a memorandum of conditional appearance and that he intends to file a preliminary objection to challenge the competence of the suit.

    Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu adjourned to April 8 for hearing.

  • Kwankwaso’s defection to PDP, blessing to Ganduje – Iliyasu Kwankwaso

    The Kano State Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Alhaji Iliyasu Musa Kwankwaso, on Tuesday described the defection of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the ruling APC to the PDP, as both a blessing to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    While reacting to the defection of Senator Kwankwaso to the Opposition party, (PDP), Iliyasu Kwankwaso, said his defection is longer news because he has been echoing it for the past six months, as such, his sudden defection will not affect the fortunes of Governor Ganduje’s re-election, come 2019.

    According to him, Kwankwaso’s dumping the APC for the PDP is rather a blessing in disguise for the ruling party in the state, because Senator Kwankwaso’s ploy politics is to capture the already established structure of the PDP in the State, as well as installing his preferred candidates.

    Kwankwaso’s return to the PDP will only succeed in capturing  60 per cent of the party’s structure, pointing out that the former Foreign Minister, Ambassador Aminu Wali and the erstwhile Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim  Shekarau, including Senator Bello Hayyatu will take the remaining 40 per cent.

    Read Also: Kano has over Three Million out of school Children – Ganduje

    The implication of the development, he said is that Senator Kwankwaso will never endorse the candidature of Aminu Wali and Shekarau, just as he emphasized that the embattled Senator will attempt to manipulate  the already existing structure for his personal gain.

    He said: ”I want you all to wait for the next one month,  after the defection of Senator Kwankwaso from the ruling APC and be on the watch out for what would happen, as there would be mass defection of numerous PDP members, as Kwankwaso will neither support Wali’s candidature nor Shekarau.”

    He  said: ” I have re-echoed about six months ago that Kwankwaso is no longer a member of our party, the APC and here we are today, my projections have been confirmed.

    Kwankwaso’s presence would only end up driving away a lot of people from the PDP, as it has always been the case wherever he goes.”

    Similarly, he noted that Kwankwaso would attempt to impose a gubernatorial candidate, as well as other key positions on the people of Kano and once that is achieved, he would end up using the party to his own advantage going by his antecedents and this, would bring about great misunderstandings within the party, leading to mass exodus of supporters of PDP, whom will end up with the APC.

    He said, Kwankwaso would attempt to change PDP structures in the state, and I am telling you that this would force major stakeholders to move out of the party.

    ”Let me make it abundantly clear to you that Kwankwaso is just deceiving the public, with his Presidential ambition, what he’s after is to maintain his Senatorial seat.”

  • Biafra groups to Southeast politicians – Forget election in 2019

    A coalition of pro-Biafra groups has warned political parties and aspirants of various political parties planning to campaign in the southeast in 2019 to forget embarking on such mission. This is even as they insisted that there won’t be any election in the entire Old Eastern region in 2019.

    The groups; Biafra Defence Council”, All Youths for Biafra, among others said that they want the restoration of the Biafra republic which would liberate the people of the former Eastern region from oppression from the Nigerian government.

    The groups lamented that the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari had failed to protect lives and properties of Biafrans and urged the President to free Biafrans from oppression.

    Briefing newsmen in Aba, spokesmen for the groups Comrade Sunny Okeh and Chidi Otah, said, ”Politicians from the former Eastern region should not be deceived , there will be no election anywhere in Biafra land in 2019.

    “We are issuing this warning to our politicians that what ought to be paramount to them should the restoration of the Biafra republic. Election is not the solution to the problem of Biafra.

    Read Also: Biafra Day: IPOB issues sit-at-home order in South East

    “We have been electing people to political offices, but this has only brought untold suffering and hunger to the people.

    “We are using this medium to warn political parties and aspirants to stop any form of campaign in Biafra land.

    ”We want to re-emphasize that there will no election in Biafra land in 2019.The international community has been informed and Biafrans sensitized. No force can challenge out resolve. It is our determination to restore Biafra where its people will greater freedom and accommodation.”

    The groups added that they have mapped out strategies to ensure that no electoral activity is held in all the territories of the Eastern region.

  • Forth coming elections and the rise of political propaganda

    One of the ravaging masks of deceit that our so-called politicians wear whenever the day of reckoning is fast approaching is that of political propaganda.

    Propaganda is a collection of persuasive techniques or skills which are devised to often create false impression or perception about a phenomenon, and when it becomes political, it is often applied as a means to a deceitful end.

    Propaganda paints a black phenomenon; white and makes what is old; look new. As the quest for the seizure of political power at the highest rung of the Nigerian political ladder builds up day by day, several politicians are increasingly utilizing the deceitful technique called “Plain folks”; which involves identifying with the lifestyle and norms of ordinary people/the masses.

    It is therefore not surprising to see many of the potential political candidates and incumbent leaders (who are seeking re-election) among poor people in public spaces, eating in local cafeterias, dancing with a group of common men, and identifying with major ethnic cultures in other to gain sympathy and widespread acceptance. Whenever elections draw nearer, it always seems our politicians suddenly realize it’s time to identify with the plight and lifestyle of the common men whenever their insatiable desire for power begins to push them for more.

    “Name calling” is another form of political propaganda that is so common within our political clime; it involves the utilization of undesirable terms (dictator, poverty, clueless etc) and negative descriptions to qualify the activities of a particular individual or party. In Nigeria, the PDP has ceased every opportunity at its disposal to put out its stinking mouth of criticism into the affairs of the current seemingly ineffective ruling party (APC), despite its (PDP) previous corruption laden leadership tenure. Terms such as; ‘’witch-hunting’’ corruption campaigns, ‘’figurehead’’ leadership and so on and so forth are Name Calling terms used to black out the pedigree and intents of the ruling party, with the ruling party also doing same to the former.

    The current minister of information and culture has also shown how consistent he can be in fashioning out terms that over – clouds the real situation or nature of events or things at hand. In December 2016, the Sir; utilized the political propaganda technique called “Euphemism” as he tried to cover up for his Master; after President Muhammadu Buhari gave the December ultimatum to the Nigerian armed forces for the eradication of Boko Haram insurgents from the Nigerian soil. In the Closing half of December 2016,  Mr Lai.M came out on a live broadcast and stated confidently that the Boko Haram insurgents had been totally defeated and eradicated from the Nigerian soil. But to the utmost surprise of many, Boko Haram insurgents came back striking and bombing in the early parts of the month of January 2017. Also, the exchange of terms such using “economic restructuring” for “economic recession” and many other word /term manipulations, word – tension reduction and falsification, are “euphemisms” used by political players with the aim of dosing down tensions and building a false reputation for themselves.

    “Glittering Generalities” involves the use of undue praises and commendation – driven terms to describe the activities or nature of an individual or a party. The “change” mantra utilized by the APC in the 2015 election has so far turned out to be an element of glittering generalities – used to create good impression or image, burdening on bragging about the ability of that political party which eventually made them gain massive support from the Nigerian masses.

    “Card stacking” is also one of the viable techniques Nigeria politicians and parties utilize to gain undue access to the seat of authority. Newly ambitious individuals and incompetent old politicians called – godfathers, form an alliance, and these so-called godfathers utilize the fresh cum ambitious political candidates as a cover up to get political position for themselves too.

    All the above listed and described political propaganda techniques are not exhaustive of the many lists, but the above seems very much accustomed to the Nigeria political field. And as we have observed a lot in the recently held gubernatorial elections in Ekiti state, and as other major political elections draw nearer, the psychological resistance and will of the Nigerian masses will further be put to test by desperate political actors and parties, but we cannot choose to fall for their deceitful ways.

    Bolaji Olaniba.

    Lives and work in Lokoja,

    Kogi state        Enter Content Here

  • Buhari salutes renowned pharmacist, Dahiru Wali, at 83

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with renowned Pharmacist and community leader, Alhaji Dahiru Wali, who turns 83 on July 23.
    In a statement by the President’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday, Buhari said he joined the family, friends and professional colleagues of the highly resourceful pharmacist in celebrating the milestone.
    According to him, this has been lined with many years of achievements and recognitions for his contributions to knowledge and an extensive practice to ensure a healthy country.
    The president commended the exceptional brilliance of the pharmacist, whose training predated the Nigerian independence.
    He noted that Wali had maintained a rising influence in his field by working for a long period and setting up a pharmacy, Tsamiya, since the 70’s that had continued to cater for many with quality drugs.
    Buhari affirmed that Wali, who travelled widely to acquire knowledge in Pharmacy, was magnanimous in returning to Nigeria with his family to offer his services to citizens and inspire a generation of community pharmacists committed to promoting healthy living.
    “The legacy of being your brothers’ keeper which Wali instituted with the community pharmacy will become the hallmark of pharmaceutical practice in the country, with stronger focus on providing quality health care and safe guarding the lives of the people,’’ he added.
    The president prayed that the almighty God would grant the pharmacist longer life, good health and more strength to keep serving the nation and humanity.

  • Buhari sympathises with victims of Jos terminus market fire

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday sympathised with the victims of Jos Terminus Market where more than 200 shops were destroyed by fire.

    Buhari expressed his feelings in a statement issued by Malam Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Sunday.

    NAN reports that properties worth millions of naira, were on Saturday morning destroyed in Jos Terminus Market as traders wept and counting their losses.

    The Chairman of the traders association in Plateau, Mr Abdulrahman Yusuf, told journalists in Jos that over 270 shops with property worth millions of naira were destroyed.

    “We have one trader in this market that lost goods worth over N20 million. It is a huge loss and it’s quite devastating,” he said.

    The president said he was devastated by the scale of economic losses suffered by “hard working and ordinary Nigerians who believe in self-reliance to support themselves”.

    He observed that trading and agriculture had remained “the mainstay of these hard working businessmen and women and every democratic leader would genuinely feel the pains of the victims of this fire disaster.

    “With profound sense of empathy, I am touched by the large scale economic losses suffered by the victims of this fire disaster.

    “The role of these enterprising Nigerians in the economy of our country cannot be underestimated.’’

    Buhari said he was worried that the latest fire disaster at the Jos Terminus Market was the third in less than 10 years.

    “As you count your losses, I send you my heartfelt commiserations over this devastating disaster.

    “I am confident that your enterprising spirit would help you rebuild your lives. May God replenish you with more prosperity,’’ he said.

    The president also appealed to the local authorities concerned to take every necessary measure to forestall frequent fire incidents.

    He said the incidents were taking a heavy toll on people’s means of livelihood and the intervention of all three tiers of government would go a long way to alleviating the hardships.

  • Respite in Rivers

    • Amaechi, Wike make counter-claims as navy conquers militant oil thieves

    Residents of Rivers State in the Niger Delta are heaving a sigh of relief over the hazardous soot which for years has caused the death of many people and held others down with various forms of diseases. Worried by the menace, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari took drastic The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, was also unhappy with the situation, which was the result of illegal oil bunkering and refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta region, particularly in Rivers State. He declared zero tolerance for soot.

    Taking up the challenge, the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Rumuorlumeni, Port Harcourt, Commodore Sam Bura, had deployed soot hunters made up of naval personnel in the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, to stamp out the menace by apprehending criminals involved in oil theft and illegal refining defiling the atmosphere. They were also charged with the responsibility of locating illegal bunkering/refining sites in the creeks of Rivers State while also detecting items meant for illegal refining and confiscating them.

    Residents of Rivers State had in the last three years been battling with the deadly soot to no avail until the intervention and change of strategy by NNS Pathfinder, particularly in the last three months.

    In the heady days of the soot menace in the state, cars parked outside were covered with black particles by daybreak. Household items were messed up by soot while merely inserting a white handkerchief in the nostrils revealed the penetration of black particles/substances, which health experts say can cause cancer and respiratory diseases, among other ailments.

    Security personnel were initially burning down illegal refining sites, the equipment, refined products and stolen crude oil. But that approach was also polluting the environment, prompting the navy to opt for the use of swamp buggies, which have put an end to the pollution while the criminals responsible for it were sent out of business.

    In the era when illegal refining sites were burnt, the criminals would either return to the same sites or relocate to other parts of the creek after a few weeks, making use of the relics of the burnt items. But swamp buggies proved to be more effective in tackling the menace.

    Amaechi, Wike make counter-claims

    The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, had said for the eight years that he reigned as the governor of Rivers State, there was nothing like soot in the state because his administration dislodged the illegal oil bunkerers involved in illegal refining. He accused his successor and current governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, returned the criminals to the state.

    Amaechi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also alleged that the criminals were used by Wike to rig the 2015 elections, but the guns given to them were not retrieved, aiding their return to crime to survive, with deadly soot as the result.

    But Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged discerning minds not to take seriously the allegations levelled against him by his former boss (Amaechi), saying that his administration bought many gunboats for the navy to frontally tackle criminal activities on the state’s waterways, while also supporting other security agencies.

    The Rivers State governor stressed that the battle against soot was also being fought by his government, but with different approaches like preventing the burning of tyres, campaigning against burning of seized tankers, crude oil and illegally-refined products, as well as empowering the youth as a way of discouraging them from going into illegal activities.

    Crude oil stolen by armed illegal bunkerers are refined illegally in the creeks to produce diesel, petrol and kerosene, all fondly called Kpo-fire. The products have been damaging vehicle engines while the explosion resulting from the use of their kerosene has led to deaths and injuries.

    The making of illegal refineries

    Setting up an illegal refining site is very expensive. Pipes, tanks, drums and other items must be purchased while experts are needed to couple them and build boats, particularly big Cotonou boats which can convey many drums of crude oil or illegally-refined products. Speed boats are also needed for easy movement.

    It was learnt that heat from illegal refining could kill while a little mistake made by the illegal refiners and their “boys” could lead to instant death, in spite of the free money they get from stolen crude oil.

    With their illegal refining sites destroyed with swamp buggies, the scraps of their equipment are now being sold in order to minimise their losses.

    A visit to one of the destroyed oil refining sites in the creek of Bolo, the headquarters of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State via a naval gunboat revealed the huge damage done to the environment by pollution resulting from the activities of economic saboteurs.

    Regular speedboats not accompanied by security personnel would easily be overrun by illegal bunkerers/refiners. But they fear the 12.7 mm bullets from the naval gunboat which could easily tear a human being into pieces.

    The high-calibre weapons of the gunboat would not respect the amulets won by criminals, and they would quickly surrender when caught in illegal refining, crude oil theft/illegal bunkering and sea piracy, with the military’s weapons being regularly upgraded.

    With the criminals also aware that bullets from naval gunboat can bring down aircraft, they dare not run when caught in action in spite of being always fully armed.

    Travelling by water is hazardous, because besides being attacked by criminals who would dispossess travellers of their valuables and money, the expensive engines of their boat could also be removed and taken away by sea pirates, leaving the boat driver and his passengers to struggle with paddle until they get help. Some of the passengers may be kidnapped while the ladies among them could be raped right inside the boat.

    Feeling the people’s pulse

    To feel the pulse of the dwellers of the coastal communities affected by soot from illegal refineries, our reporter moved into Bolo community after leaving the illegal refining site near the ancient community.

    Surprisingly, many of the youthful respondents in the community admitted to being involved in illegal refining and crude oil theft but decided to quit in view of the losses caused by the frequent destruction of their expensive equipment and other materials by navy’s swamp buggies.

    An indigene of Bolo, Mr. Tubonemi Nyengibi, who fearlessly admitted to being involved in illegal refining, said: “In the days of illegal bunkering/refining, before the destruction of the equipment by naval personnel, we faced many health challenges. Then, between 6 pm and 7 am, it was always difficult to open windows, because of the dangerous soot which would make the nostrils and household items to turn black.

    “It was impossible then to spread white clothes outside till daybreak as they would turn black. Illegal bunkering and illegal refining are not good. The people, especially the youths, should desist from getting involved, as they are against Nigerian laws. Before now, I was involved, but I am no longer taking part. I later decided to go to school to become a better person.”

    Another indigene of Bolo, Tamuno-Okwein Godwin, corroborated Nyengibi, saying that using the swamp buggies was the most effective method of sending the criminals out of business and putting an end to the pollution of the environment, thereby improving the health of the inhabitants of the various communities.

    The Crown Prince of Bolo, Tamunotonye Abolo, urged the Federal Government to assist members of the community, especially the well-educated youths who are jobless and opted for illegal refining to survive despite knowing that it was hazardous to their health and would destroy their sources of livelihood, especially fishing.

    Abolo added that the youths must be employed, adequately empowered and given scholarship in order to stop getting involved in illegal refining and illegal bunkering.

    A resident of one of the riverine communities in Rivers State, Agbede Oloye, admitted that he and others were involved in illegal bunkering and refining in order to help themselves. But he said in the last three months, patrolling naval personnel had made it impossible for them to operate, especially using swamp buggies to destroy their equipment and other items at the sites.

    Oloye said: “In view of the destruction of our illegal refining sites by naval personnel, we are now at home doing nothing. I must admit that if it was in the days of illegal refining, I cannot wear this white T-shirt because of soot, as it would have turned black and the river would have been stained because of pollution from crude oil.

    “Without anything to feed on, we are now selling to Hausa people the scraps of the oven, pipes and other equipment from the destruction of illegal equipment carried out by naval personnel. We are also selling our speed boats. Illegal bunkering is now difficult to do in Rivers State these days. Federal Government should assist us.”

    For about two months, personnel of NNS Pathfinder were involved in day and night operations across the 23 LGAs of Rivers state to destroy the illegal refining sites with swamp buggies.

    NNS Pathfinder’s Executive Officer, Captain Victor Choji, admitted that the biggest concerns in Rivers State lately were illegal refining of stolen crude oil and the resultant soot.

    He noted that the soot affected everybody, adding that the proactive soot hunters put in place by NNS Pathfinder were already producing results through regular patrols and expansion of intelligence network to identify where materials for illegal refining were being purchased.

    Choji said: “Illegal refining is central to other criminal activities like illegal bunkering, sea piracy, cultism and armed robbery, because money from illegal refining is mostly used to buy speed boats, arms and ammunition for sea piracy and armed robbery. Once illegal refining is stopped with the use of swamp buggies, soot will end and other criminal activities will be curtailed.

    “The ingenuity and intellect of the illegal refiners can be utilised for legitimate businesses or activities. Every human being has the option of doing the right or wrong thing. Government cannot provide everything for everybody.

    “Persons who are involved in illegal activities are either lazy or greedy and want free money. Nigeria is so blessed that there are many legitimate things that hardworking people can do, thereby positively contributing to societal development. People, especially the youth, must look inward. There is no excuse for getting involved in criminal activities.”

  • Why I declared early for 2019 elections – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja said he made his intention to contest the 2019 Presidential Elections known early in order to douse rising speculations and give the party, All

    Buhari, who received members of the Buhari Support Group Centre (BSGC) at the State House, said he noticed that speculations were already constituting distraction to governance and stirring tensions, so he had to declare during the National Executive Committee meeting of the party.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said “I had to announce before the National Executive Committee of our party about my intention to ask for the party’s nomination for next year’s election so that we can save a lot of time and cool tempers.

    “A lot people were trying to make it a habit of being a nuisance to themselves and many Nigerians, so when I came out I said those who are serious let them come out.

    “And I tried to make sure that the party is organized and consolidated so that we start from the bottom to the top, and that Nigerians will be involved in a way that each constituency will pick those that are going to represent them at various levels, whether as Local Government chairmen, in the State Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and finally the president,’’ he said.

    The President said early declaration guaranteed more participation and inclusivity within the party, and further strengthened the bond with supporters and Nigerians.

    “Some of the people thought to be uneducated and unsophisticated are very educated and sophisticated during elections; for those who have money to give they say bring the money we will still do what we want to do,’’ he added.

    Read Also: Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki, APC governors meet in Aso Villa

    President Buhari noted that God’s divine intervention and the use of technology during the 2015 elections exposed the weakness of previous processes where a privileged few sat and allocated figures to constituencies during elections.

    “They just sit and look at a constituency and they award the numbers, then they say anybody who disagrees should go to court; now for somebody who is looking for the next meal where does he get money to pay Senior Advocates of Nigeria?

    “Thank God for technology, with the PVC you know where you registered and it can be shown whether you voted or not,’’ the President said.

    He advised Nigerians to get their voters card for the 2019 elections, and ensure that they vote to please their conscience with pride as citizens.

    The President commended the BSGC for all the sacrifice and steadfastness in championing his candidacy.

    “I thank you very much for the sacrifice you have been making. I am happy to use this opportunity to meet you and thank you for the sacrifices and steadfastness. I don’t think I can thank you enough because by identifying yourself as a group for all these years and getting nothing for it visibly I think its worthy of commendation,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, the Coordinator of the BSGC, Umaru Dembo, said “through thick and thin, rain or sun shine, hot or cold we are here to assure Mr President that since 2014 we have been working, expanding and helping to explain the new life that your government has ushered in for the good people of Nigeria.’’

    He said the BSGC had initiated the documentation of the President’s achievements in a book authored by Dr Sani Muktar Bichi and himself.

    Dembo assured the President of a bottom-up process of mobilising more supporters for the administration, while appreciating him for reversing the trend of impunity, corruption and lawlessness that reigned before 2015.

    Dembo said the BSGC was an umbrella organisation encompassing “Women for Buhari and Osinbajo’’, “A Kasaa Tsare’’, “Northern Youth Assembly,” “Buhari Renewal mandate’’ and others in support of good governance in Nigeria.

  • Nigeria glad to give assistance to African countries – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja said that it is a thing of joy for Nigeria to lend a helping hand to any African country in distress.

    He made the remark while receiving the outgoing High Commissioner of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency, Mrs Haja Afsatu Kabba, at the State House, Abuja.

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said brotherly assistance extended to the West African country during the Ebola epidemic and the recent mudslide natural disaster, was the least Nigeria could do.

    Read Also: There is too much bloodshed in Nigeria – Sultan

    “I congratulate your new President on his election, and believe that our long-standing relationship, which dates back to almost 60 years, will continue to flourish,” President Buhari said.

    He wished Mrs Kabba, who had spent two years in Nigeria, the best of luck in her next assignment.

    The outgoing High Commissioner expressed gratitude to the government and people of Nigeria for the support granted her and her country, pledging that the good bilateral relations would continue.

  • Presidency to Nigerians: Ignore crocodile tears of selfish leaders

    The Presidency on Friday urged Nigerians to ignore tears being shed by some selfish leaders in the country.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the Presidency considered a communiqué issued by some ethnic and sectional groups assembled in Abuja recently as the shedding of crocodile tears by selfish leaders, who felt alienated after a transparent and accountable system halted their disproportionate survival on resources of the state.

    He said “The communiqué issued by the leaders of some socio-cultural organizations led by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and some ethnic and sectional groups had accused the Muhammadu Buhari administration of incompetence in handling the security situation in the country.

    “The Presidency urges Nigerians to ignore the unholy alliance by these groups who are stepping up their assault on the All Progressives Congress administration as it expands its national dominance and moves closer to securing an outright victory in the elections next year.

    “The Presidency notes with dismay that the refrain about President Buhari not doing anything about security in the country had turned into the number one fake news item being peddled in the media.

    Read Also: Presidency releases timeline steps against insecurity

    “The Presidency refers all the purveyors of falsehood to a State House press release published a few days ago and signed by Special Adviser the President, Femi Adesina, which clearly outlined the government’s major achievements and initiatives in tackling security challenges from January to July, 2018.

    “The press release which was titled: “Combating Insecurity in the Country: Lest We Forget – Presidency’’ listed out on going security operations: (1) Nigerian Army’s Exercise Ayem Akpatuma covering Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States launched in February to tackle cases of kidnappings, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, among others; (2) Nigerian Air Force establishment of three new Quick Response Wings (QRW) in Taraba, Nasarawa and Benue States respectively, and deployment of Special Forces personnel.”

    He said that the press release also noted President Buhari’s approval for the establishment of a new Battalion of the Nigerian Army, as well as a new Police Area Command, in Birnin Gwari Local Council in Kaduna State, as part of measures to scale up security in response to the banditry affecting the area.

    “We advise Nigerians to read Adesina’s statement if they haven’t yet, or re-read it for better understanding of the efforts to ensure peace in the country.

    “It is sad and misleading for anyone to say that President Buhari had not responded to the security challenges in the country

    “No one can honestly say that President Buhari is doing nothing about security. It’s just a fake news item being peddled by selfish politicians with vested interests in keeping Nigerians incensed, and it risks being entrenched as reality if we don’t educate ourselves with the truth.” he stated