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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Stop complaining, pray for Buhari, CAC President tells Christians

    The President, Christ Apostolic Church. ( CAC ) Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun on Saturday urged churches to stop complaining but pray for President Muhammadu Buhari to overcome challenges facing the nation.

    Akinosun made the appeal while ministering at the Grand Finale of a Seven-Day Fasting and Prayer at Ikoyi Mountain Ero-Omo Village, Osun for the nation on Saturday morning.

    Thenewsmen reports that the prayer was organised by  Evangelist Felix Adunpe, General Overseer, Signs and Wonders Prayer Ministries in collaboration with the CAC, held between April 21 and April 27.

    The prayer, which had hundreds of Christians praying from 11 pm to 4am, was tagged: “Nigeria Must be Redeemed”.

    Akimosun, the former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, said that only God could redeem Nigeria from her present predicaments.

    According to the cleric, who read from Psalm 122: 6 and Jeremiah  29:11, God loves Nigeria and would heal the nation of her current socio-economic and security challenges with prayers.

    “Leaders fail when people fail to pray. Stop abusing and cursing our leaders because as you curse them the consequences will be borne by all citizens.

    “If we pray for our leaders, God will inspire them and everything will be all right. We should not lose hope in Nigeria.

    “Let us pray for peace, progress and prosperity of the nation. We need to pray for economic resurgence and prosperity. We need God’s intervention in this country.

    “We need to pray for this nation because of innocent people that are being slaughtered everyday. Let’s pray for the redemption of this country.

    “It is important we pray for the President. It is our response as children of God to pray for our leaders and the country. If we fail, many evil will be springing up,” he said.

    According to Akinosun, Nigerians must bring to fore sincere love for the country and shun hatred because it is the only country we possess.

    He said that Nigeria required a forthright leadership that would lead her to desired destinations of economic advancement, peace and prosperity.

    The cleric, who cautioned against self defence, said that such step would make killings more rampant in the nation.

    He added:”Let’s cry to God. This is the work of the church. The hope of every nation is the church. People continue to rebuke the church if we fail to do our responsibility.

    “We have God that answers prayers. If we can reverence God by asking forgiveness, God will heal our land. It now clear that this nation needs prayers for the leadership and the followership.”

    The cleric, who urged the Federal Government to restructure the security architecture of the country, expressed dissatisfaction over recurrent killings and economic hardship facing Nigerians.

    Akinosun, who also called for an end corruption, ritualism, kidnapping, urged the political leaders to be alert to their responsibility and be selfless to end crisis.

    “The president must do everything in his capacity to see that the killings stop,” he added.

    He later led the people into serious prayer for nation’s redemption and intervention in her governance, saying sacking the President would not solve Nigeria’s problem.

    Read Also: Buhari leaves Abuja for talks with Trump

    Also Pastor Elisha Alalade, Oke Osun DCC Superintendent and Chairman/Presiding Pastor, CAC Ori- Oke IIkoyi ( Ikoyi Mountain ) said in his address, said that Nigeria’ was facing a battle that must be won spiritually.

    “All these killings are devil’s work to set Nigeria on fire.  Where there is no peace, there will be no prosperity. It’s time to pray.

    “The moment we win the spiritual battle, the nation will move forward. God will intervene and darkness will vanish. Nigeria must be redeemed,” Alalade said.

    The cleric, who led the congregation in fervent prayers for peace and God’s intervention in Nigeria’s governance, asked God to terminate all works of Satan.

    In his remarks, Adunpe, co-host of the prayers noted that God revealed him that the nation had exalted idols through the hostage of Festival of Arts and Culture ( FESTAC ) in 1977 and demoted God.

    He said God directed him to hold the prayers on the mount, adding: “Before Nigeria can enjoy peace and unity and make progress, Nigerians must pray and ask for God’s forgiveness.

    “There is hope for Nigeria as God will intervene, peace will reign after this prayer,’” Adunpe assured.

    The newsmen reports that hundreds of Nigerians across denominations prayed God to forgive the nation’s sins of bloodletting, occultism, ritualism, idolatry among others.

    They also prayed for peace, unity, and end to killings as well as economic prosperity of the nation.

    NAN

  • Breaking: PDP, APC youths clash at Benin Airport over motion to impeach Buhari

    Youths and supporters of both the All Progressive Congress and the People’s Democratic Party have clashed at the Benin Airport over the motion moved by Senator Matthew Urhoghide seeking the invocation of Section 143 of the Nigeria’s Constitution.

    It took the intervention of the State Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo for a free for all not to take place at the airport.

    The PDP supporters were at the airport to give a rousing welcome to Senator Urhoghide for moving the motion for the Senate to begin impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari.

    But the APC supporters who had earlier protested through the street of Benin City disowning Senator Urhoghide were at the airport to express disappointment with the motion.

    Tension was rife as more supporters besieged the airport either for the APC or the PDP.

    Both sides sang anti-Buhari and anti-PDP songs.

    The Police Commissioner had to personally stand between the protesters to prevent a free for all.

     

    More details later…

  • Ogoni cleanup: FG, IOCs, Ogoni leaders sign trust fund agreement

    The Ogoni Trust Fund escrow agreement was signed on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The agreement was signed by the federal government, the international oil companies, IOCs, and representatives of the Ogoni people at a meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

    The agreement signing signaled a major landmark in the Ogoni cleanup exercise.

    It puts in place all the financial arrangements to start draw down of the first tranche of the funding for the Ogoni Trust Fund.

    The total sum expected to be paid by the Nigerian government and IOCs into the fund in the next five years is one billion dollars.

    Speaking during the short ceremony, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said that signing of the escrow agreement “is one that shows clearly that not only are we committed to ensuring that cleanup is done but also that we are committed to ensuring that it’s done transparently.”

    He said the presence of representatives of the international oil companies and the Ogoni leaders at the signing of the agreement showed that government wanted everyone to be carried along in the process as well as to ensure that the process is one that can be audited.

    The Vice President said there had been expressions of interest by companies to be involved in the cleanup of Ogoniland, noting that some of them had been identified as likely parties.

    “We are certainly looking forward to doing something quickly and seeing that this exercise not only begins but is concluded as expeditiously as possible,” he said.

    Professor Osinbajo explained that the cleanup exercise would be expensive while the complete cleanup would take between 25 and 30 years, adding that it showed the “extent of the damage that has been done over decades in Ogoniland.”

    He also spoke on consultations between government and the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, which began in 2017, and has seen him visit oil-producing communities in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s new vision for the Niger Delta.

    He said the new vision “is one that we intend to stick with and one that we intend to execute as faithfully as is humanly possible,” and has resulted in the establishment of the Maritime University in Okorinkoko, Delta State.

    He said the cleanup of Ogoniland is part of the new vision.

    Also speaking, Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jubril, said a complete list of activities has been line up from now to the end of the year for the actual remediation exercise in Ogoniland to begin.

    The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund, Olawale Edun, had earlier in his address, said they were “set for the full roll out of the of the Ogoniland cleanup project.”

    He said the sum of US$170 million has already been put in process as the first tranche to begin the drawdown of money into the Ogoni Trust Fund.

  • Clerics condemn Benue killing, call for serious probe

    Two religious leaders in their separate reactions in Imo condemned the recent killing of two Catholic priests in Benue and called for serious probe into the matter.

    On friday, Pastor Ben Asimobi, the General Oversea of Christ Arena Ministry, urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to allow the issue be swept under the carpet like others.

    He said that Nigeria was in for “very big trouble if the perpetrators of this evil act are not brought to book’’.

    “Nigeria is prone to serious trouble if things continue like this and we all must work together to ensure that peace and unity thrive,” he said.

    Read Also:  Gunmen kill seven in another Benue church attack

    He said that if care was not taken, Nigeria might end up fighting a religious war and but this could be averted if perpetrators were brought to book.

    Another cleric, Pastor Obinna Izuchukwu, appealed to Buhari to focus on the security challenges in the country and not re-election.

    “Now we are having problem of security and people are talking about reelection of the president.

    “Mr President should not be distracted by his reelection bid; he must first face the problem of insecurity squarely,’’ he said.

     

  • Emir of Daura charges NIPSS participants to promote national unity

    The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, on Friday enjoined participants of Course 40 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to shun divisive tendencies that would further polarise Nigeria.

    Farouk gave the charge when the course participants, who were on local study tour of Daura and its environs, paid him a homage.

    The emir described the institute as the melting pot of intellectualism and strategy where excellent and beneficial policy issues were worked out for the socio-economic benefits of the nation.

    He called on the participants to strive at putting national interests above every other consideration for the social, political and economic development of the nation.

    He said that the role of the institute in the promotion of peace and stability was important, adding that “we have for long been playing host to the participants of this great citadel of learning”.

    The monarch described tribalism, sectionalism and religious bigotry as the fault lines impeding Nigeria’s unity and urged participants that they must endeavour to “implement all that you learnt to tackle the problems facing the country.”

    He said the Federal Government would need the intellect, knowledge, experience and the wisdom of the products of the institute in dealing with the security problems facing some parts of the country.

    He described President Muhammadu Buhari as “a man of peace “who always wants the best for Nigeria right from his days in the military up-to the present time.”

    “ I urge you to shun greed and licentious lifestyle as we would all go back to God and account for our deeds.

    “We should focus on issues that would unite us than those that would divide us ” he said.

    Read Also:  Emir of Daura warns youths against drug abuse

    The emir also urged the Federal Government to give the institute adequate funding and logistical supports that will enable it to continue to thrive.

    “Kuru is not for everybody, but only those who made marks in their choose career,” he stressed.

    Earlier, the Acting Director-General of the institute and leader of the team, Mr Jonathan Juma, Mni, said the participants were at the palace to seek for royal blessings and wisdom from the legendary Dunama Palace.

    He said the tour was aimed at interacting with traditional, religious and community leaders on how to strengthen community policing as well as fashion out modalities on how to achieve lasting peace and stability.

    Juma said that after the tour, the participants were expected to report back to Mr President about their findings and recommendations on strategy and policy development.

    Highlights of the tour were visit to the historical sites of the Daura Emirate like the Kusugu well and other places

    The participants of Course 40 started the tour of Katsina State early this week.

    Emir of Daura charges NIPSS participants to promote national unity

    The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, on Friday enjoined participants of Course 40 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to shun divisive tendencies that would further polarise Nigeria.

    Farouk gave the charge when the course participants, who were on local study tour of Daura and its environs, paid him a homage.

    The emir described the institute as the melting pot of intellectualism and strategy where excellent and beneficial policy issues were worked out for the socio-economic benefits of the nation.

    He called on the participants to strive at putting national interests above every other consideration for the social, political and economic development of the nation.

    He said that the role of the institute in the promotion of peace and stability was important, adding that “we have for long been playing host to the participants of this great citadel of learning”.

    The monarch described tribalism, sectionalism and religious bigotry as the fault lines impeding Nigeria’s unity and urged participants that they must endeavour to “implement all that you learnt to tackle the problems facing the country.”

    He said the Federal Government would need the intellect, knowledge, experience and the wisdom of the products of the institute in dealing with the security problems facing some parts of the country.

    He described President Muhammadu Buhari as “a man of peace “who always wants the best for Nigeria right from his days in the military up-to the present time.”

    “ I urge you to shun greed and licentious lifestyle as we would all go back to God and account for our deeds.

    “We should focus on issues that would unite us than those that would divide us ” he said.

    The emir also urged the Federal Government to give the institute adequate funding and logistical supports that will enable it to continue to thrive.

    “Kuru is not for everybody, but only those who made marks in their choose career,” he stressed.

    Earlier, the Acting Director-General of the institute and leader of the team, Mr Jonathan Juma, Mni, said the participants were at the palace to seek for royal blessings and wisdom from the legendary Dunama Palace.

    He said the tour was aimed at interacting with traditional, religious and community leaders on how to strengthen community policing as well as fashion out modalities on how to achieve lasting peace and stability.

    Juma said that after the tour, the participants were expected to report back to Mr President about their findings and recommendations on strategy and policy development.

    Highlights of the tour were visit to the historical sites of the Daura Emirate like the Kusugu well and other places

    The participants of Course 40 started the tour of Katsina State early this week.

    Emir of Daura charges NIPSS participants to promote national unity

    The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, on Friday enjoined participants of Course 40 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to shun divisive tendencies that would further polarise Nigeria.

    Farouk gave the charge when the course participants, who were on local study tour of Daura and its environs, paid him a homage.

    The emir described the institute as the melting pot of intellectualism and strategy where excellent and beneficial policy issues were worked out for the socio-economic benefits of the nation.

    He called on the participants to strive at putting national interests above every other consideration for the social, political and economic development of the nation.

    He said that the role of the institute in the promotion of peace and stability was important, adding that “we have for long been playing host to the participants of this great citadel of learning”.

    The monarch described tribalism, sectionalism and religious bigotry as the fault lines impeding Nigeria’s unity and urged participants that they must endeavour to “implement all that you learnt to tackle the problems facing the country.”

    He said the Federal Government would need the intellect, knowledge, experience and the wisdom of the products of the institute in dealing with the security problems facing some parts of the country.

    He described President Muhammadu Buhari as “a man of peace “who always wants the best for Nigeria right from his days in the military up-to the present time.”

    “ I urge you to shun greed and licentious lifestyle as we would all go back to God and account for our deeds.

    “We should focus on issues that would unite us than those that would divide us ” he said.

    The emir also urged the Federal Government to give the institute adequate funding and logistical supports that will enable it to continue to thrive.

    “Kuru is not for everybody, but only those who made marks in their choose career,” he stressed.

    Earlier, the Acting Director-General of the institute and leader of the team, Mr Jonathan Juma, Mni, said the participants were at the palace to seek for royal blessings and wisdom from the legendary Dunama Palace.

    He said the tour was aimed at interacting with traditional, religious and community leaders on how to strengthen community policing as well as fashion out modalities on how to achieve lasting peace and stability.

    Juma said that after the tour, the participants were expected to report back to Mr President about their findings and recommendations on strategy and policy development.

    Highlights of the tour were visit to the historical sites of the Daura Emirate like the Kusugu well and other places

    The participants of Course 40 started the tour of Katsina State early this week.

    Emir of Daura charges NIPSS participants to promote national unity

    The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, on Friday enjoined participants of Course 40 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to shun divisive tendencies that would further polarise Nigeria.

    Farouk gave the charge when the course participants, who were on local study tour of Daura and its environs, paid him a homage.

    The emir described the institute as the melting pot of intellectualism and strategy where excellent and beneficial policy issues were worked out for the socio-economic benefits of the nation.

    He called on the participants to strive at putting national interests above every other consideration for the social, political and economic development of the nation.

    He said that the role of the institute in the promotion of peace and stability was important, adding that “we have for long been playing host to the participants of this great citadel of learning”.

    The monarch described tribalism, sectionalism and religious bigotry as the fault lines impeding Nigeria’s unity and urged participants that they must endeavour to “implement all that you learnt to tackle the problems facing the country.”

    He said the Federal Government would need the intellect, knowledge, experience and the wisdom of the products of the institute in dealing with the security problems facing some parts of the country.

    He described President Muhammadu Buhari as “a man of peace “who always wants the best for Nigeria right from his days in the military up-to the present time.”

    “ I urge you to shun greed and licentious lifestyle as we would all go back to God and account for our deeds.

    “We should focus on issues that would unite us than those that would divide us ” he said.

    The emir also urged the Federal Government to give the institute adequate funding and logistical supports that will enable it to continue to thrive.

    “Kuru is not for everybody, but only those who made marks in their choose career,” he stressed.

    Earlier, the Acting Director-General of the institute and leader of the team, Mr Jonathan Juma, Mni, said the participants were at the palace to seek for royal blessings and wisdom from the legendary Dunama Palace.

    He said the tour was aimed at interacting with traditional, religious and community leaders on how to strengthen community policing as well as fashion out modalities on how to achieve lasting peace and stability.

    Juma said that after the tour, the participants were expected to report back to Mr President about their findings and recommendations on strategy and policy development.

    Highlights of the tour were visit to the historical sites of the Daura Emirate like the Kusugu well and other places

    The participants of Course 40 started the tour of Katsina State early this week.

    NAN

  • South-East APC commend governors for adopting Buhari for 2nd term

    The leaders of South-East All Progressives Congress (APC) have commendation APC governors for unanimously adopting President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term.

    They made the commendation in a communiqué issued after the meeting of the leaders of APC in that region in Enugu on Thursday.

    The communiqué, unanimously passed by the leaders, was signed by the National Vice-Chairman South-East of APC, Chief Emma Eneukwu and South-East Zonal Publicity Secretary of APC, Chief Hycienth Ngwu.

    The leaders urged South-East governors and the entire people of the zone to support the re-election bid of Buhari.

    “We urge the South-East governors and all the good people of the zone to support President Buhari, to pave the way for the Igbo Presidency in 2023.

    “We commend the President for his massive infrastructure developments, ongoing in the South-East.

    “We commend our members in the national working committee and our state chairmen for the peace and progress they have brought to the party in the zone.

    “We, hereby, pass a vote of confidence on them (members in the national working committee from the zone and state chairmen of the party),’’ it said.

    The meeting was attended by APC stalwarts in the zone, including the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.

    Other are:Deputy Governor of Imo, Chief Eze Madumere and Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Chief Osita Okechukwu.

    Sen. Andy Uba; Sen. C. Ogbunoji; Sen. Ben Uwajumogu; the Leader of South-East APC Caucus in House of Representatives, Chief Raphael Igbokwe also attended the meeting.

    The meeting also include: National Organising Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso; National Auditor, Dr George Moghalu; Deputy National Women Leader, Chief Tina Adike; Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume; Sen. Emma Agboti and Sen. Chris Nwankwo.

    The rest are: former Governor of old Anambra, Chief Jim Nwobodo; former Governor of Ebonyi , Chief Martin Elechi; national officers of the party from the South-East states.

    State chairmen of the party in the zone and prominent party leaders in the zone also attended the meeting.

    NAN

  • Buhari Commissions Air Force Hospital, Bauchi

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday commissioned a new Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital at Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport Bauchi.

    The Airport launched in 2014,besides operating as civil aviation facility is also housing Nigeria Air Force Special Operations Unit.It was  recently by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in the state.

    Speaking at the ceremony,the Chief of Air Staff,Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar said the Nigerian Air Force Hospital is a 60 bed health facility made up of  an Accident, Emergency, Intensive Care units.

    The hospital also has Twin theatres, Radio Diagnostic unit, renal dialysis, ophthalmic, dental, physiotherapy, maternal and new born care and a mortuary.

    He revealed that the hospital is equipped with modern diagnostic and life support equipment intended to provide medical care to critically ill patients such as those wounded in combat.

    Though, the hospital is set up  to provide cater for the Air Force personnel and the Armed Forces,its services have been extended to the host communities in compliance with the NAF tradition.

    The Air Force boss added that “we hope this will further enhance the cordial relationship that already exists between the NAF and the host communities in the state”.

    “On improving the medical health care services available to our troops in the NE,  a medical trauma unit has been created, equipped and attached to medical evacuation helicopters as an integral part of the medical evacuation cell of the air task force of OPERATIONS LAFIYA DOLE”.

    The Chief of Air Staff maintained that NAF has established Emergency field hospitals in Dalori and Bama IDP camps and upgraded the state clinic in Maikohi IDP Camp in Yola.

    “In the same vein, NAF has also organized series of surgical programmes in which over 1, 871 IDPs with eye and other surgical problems were operated and treated free of charge”.

    “The NAF humanitarian activities did not only provide succor to the IDPs, but also filled in the vacuum created by the insurgency in the National Health Care system of the NE”. He stated.

    Giving his blessings, President Muhammadu Buhari commended the Nigerian Air Force for constructing the hospital, noting that “it is of international standards ‘.

    He also charged the Nigeria Air Force to ensure optimal performance,commended Service Chiefs,and military commanders for giving priority to the welfare and well-being of the troops which motivated them to engage terrorists in vigorous battles.

    The President also in Bauchi commissioned road projects,and launched the distribution of 500 farm tractors meant to increase farm produce in Bauchi state and Nigeria at large. Also launched were Agricultural implements.

    In a speech shortly before flagging off the distribution of the tractors and agricultural implements and farm inputs, announced announced his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election on All Progressive Congress (APC)

    He informed that the federal government is committed in its efforts to boost  agriculture, education, security and fight corruption and corrupt practices.

    Commenting on education,Buhari urged  Nigerians to give education priority and urged them to send their children to school to enable them work and become self-reliant and to contribute to the growth and development of the country.

    He joked that if he had not gone to school,perhaps,he would have been less Ke the Herdsmen troubling farmers across the nation with his Cows.

    And assured Nigerians that he will continue to fight all corrupt practices  saying government would continue to provide protect lives and properties to the people.

    Bauchi state Governor Mohammed Abubakar,had earlier announced that his government is committed to boost agriculture by supplying 500 tractors and other farming tools that included power tillers, water pumps, and fertilizers, modern planting of seeds machines, ox-plough to boost agriculture from the grass root.

    He commended president Buhari for his giant stride in the areas of agriculture and his laudable programmes that save the socio economic activities in the country.

    Buhari who arrive at Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport was received  by Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar his Adamawa State counterpart Senator Muhammad Umar Jibrilla Bindow , Chief of Defence Staff General Abayomi Olanisakin, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar Minister of Defence Brigadier General Mannir Dan Ali rtd, Minister of Health Professor Isaac Adewale, Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Jummai Alhassan,  Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris  top government functionaries.

    But in a swift reaction People’s Democratic Party PDP Bauchi State Chapter has announced  that all projects earmarked to be commissioned by Buhari in Bauchi are not worthy of the President visit as the construction work on the roads are ongoing.

    The Publicity Secretary of the Party Yayanuwa Zainabari stated this yesterday while commenting on the Presidential Visit, He said “though we are happy that the  President has visited our state, the projects he came to commission.besides the Air Force Hospital are not worthy of a presidential visit.

    The roads commissioned were still under construction, they are not completed, they were merely decorated by the State Government.

    Zainabari said even workers and pensioners entitlements are yet to be settled by the State government some allowances were not paid and gratuities were not paid despite numerous intervention from the Federal Government.

    He said ahead of president Buhari’s visit Government decorated round about and painted the metropolitan roads as it it’s like Sallah celebrations.

    PDP spokesman said its embarrassing government in three years has no single completed projects went ahead and claimed to have purchased tractors for distribution to farmers , because it s the responsibilities of local government to procured tractors for their farmers not the State.

  • 5000 defect to PDP in Bayelsa

    Dickson forecloses victory for non-PDP members

     

    About 5000 persons on Thursday defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State.

    The defectors were led majorly by former political appointees, who left the PDP for the APC during the last governorship election in the state.

    Receiving the defectors at the PDP Secretariat in Yenagoa, the state Governor Seriake Dickson said their decision to rejoin their former political family was a welcome development.

    He said PDP remained the only political platform that would guarantee victory for persons seeking elections into various positions in 2019.

    Describing the APC as the party of lies and fake promises, Dickson assured the defectors that PDP would create a level playing field and fairness for all them.

    He said the PDP governnent in Bayelsa under his watch placed the state on the path of peace, prosperity and development adding that Bayelsans were happy with the party.

    He told the returnees to abide by the rules of the party promising that thry would be properly integrated with their rights and privileges restored in the party.

    He said:  “The PDP is the only party that has a developmental agenda for the Ijaw people. What we do in PDP is to strategise to win elections and after elections we work for the development of our people because we are in politics to serve our people.

    “The other party comes to kill our people because they lack the vision, they have no agenda for our people except to destroy what our founding fathers have built  and what our Restoration Government is consolidating.

    “Except us, no person, nobody in the South-South in any party won election under the ruling APC. We were the first to win election in the South-South under the Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency.

    “Any person who is deceived to contest election in 2019 on another platform other than PDP will still lose because only PDP can will election in Bayelsa State”.

    Dickson charges the party leadership not to allow any of the returnees suffer on account of their earlier mistakes of jilting the PDP.

    Earlier, state Chairman of PDP, Moses Cloepas,  said only his party had the capacity to defeat federal  might as it did in 2016 when Dickson was reelected against all odds.

    In 2019, the Chairman said PDP would reenact its winning streak by sweeping the polls.

    He said: “Bayelsa PDP is invincible. No force can defeat us. The APC deployed all the repressive apparatus to capture Bayelsa by hook or crook in 2016 but we deployed People’s power to reelect Governor Seriake Dickson, a performing Governor, a visionary leader and leader of the party in the state.

    “All of you returning to the party are welcome. You won’t suffer any loss or discrimination”.

    Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor, Chief Fynman Wilson said the PDP was working hard to mop up the remnants of the remaining opposition in the state back to the PDP.

    The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Kombowei Benson described the governor as God-fearing saying taken Bayelsa from darkness to light.

  • $496m jets fund: Buhari survives impeachment motion in Senate

    Urhoghide’s motion referred to Judiciary, Legal committee for advice

     PDP behind motion, says Ibrahim

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday survived impeachment motion in the senate.

    The motion is not completely dead though.

    The upper chamber resolved to refer the motion to its Judiciary and Legal Matters Committee for advice and guide on whether to activate Section 143 of the Constitution which deals with procedures for impeachment of the President.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki saved the day when he prevailed on his colleagues to refer the contentious matter to the Judiciary and legal Matters Committee for guidance and direction on the way to go.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, Senator David Umaru, was asked to submit his report next Wednesday.

    The controversial motion followed another motion by the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah about the need to include $496,374,470 (equivalent of N151,394,494,335.00) in the year 2018 Appropriation Bill.

    Na’Allah specifically prayed the Senate to consider he request of Mr. President C-in-C on the inclusion of USD 496,374,470 (equivalent of N151,394,494,335.00) only in the 2018 Appropriation Bill for the purchase of Super Tucano Aircraft from the United States Government.

    Saraki was about to refer the request to the Appropriation Committee for further legislative work when Senator Mathew Urhoghide (Edo South) intervened and raised a Point of Order.

    Immediately Urhoghide moved that the Senate should activate Section 143 of the Constitution, the chamber went dead.

    When the chamber came alive once again, there appeared to be sharp division among the senators which Saraki laboured to control.

    Urhoghide who referred to his aborted attempts to argue the matter on Wednesday said:

    “This matter on Thursday was raised by me to say that this request that was sought by M. President is procedurally wrong. What has been read by the leader this morning was that this matter has been referred to the appropriate committee for the inclusion of this amount of money that has already been spent.

    “This ought to have been the first request to this Senate. We must put it on record that this is a violation of procedure as stated in the 1999 constitution….

    “The objective of the expenditure is very well established but the procedure is wrong.

    “There are serious consequences for violation of our constitution. As a consequence, the only thing we can draw from this is that we call on you, Mr. President, 9Saraki) to invoke section 143 of the Constitution. Because, what it means is that this matter is not to be investigated. It is clear that this offence has been committed by Mr. President (Buhari).

    “I want this Senate to resolve that what the President (Buhari) did is procedurally wrong and a violation of our constitution. It must be condemned and of course, the consequences of section 143 of our constitution should be invoked. I so move M. President (Saraki).

    Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North) who seconded the motion said: “Mr. President, a time has come when this Senate has to rise up and do the job which the Constitution has stipulated that we have to do.

    “If we have a Chief Executive who doesn’t want to behave according to the Constitution, we follow the Constitution to handle such Chief Executive. There is no other name to call this than that this is an impeachment offence. It is an impeachable offence and we cannot allow that. We cannot stay here and this assembly will be taken for granted”.

    Senator Abu Ibrahim came forcefully to defend the presidential action. The Katsina South lawmaker said that the Senate should appreciate the fact that President Buhari acted in national interest.

    He described the impeachment motion as out of order especially as the President action was not for any pecuniary interest.

    Ibrahim said, “Mr. President took action based on national interest that is why he authorized this payment.

    “As far as I’m concerned, this is the first time that money drawn from excess crude account is brought to the National Assembly. Since they began to operate this account, I have never seen any expenditure that was brought here for approval.

    “$17.7 billion was withdrawn by Obasanjo from excess crude account to pay the Paris Club and fund two projects without National Assembly approval. Obasanjo left $943 billion in excess crude account but former President Goodluck Jonathan frittered away the money with no recourse to the National Assembly. The Excess Crude account increased from $5.16 billion in 2005 to over $20 billion in 2008 and decreased to less than $4 billion by Jonathan in 2010. It never came to National Assembly for approval.

    “$2 billion was used by previous PDP administration to fight Boko Haram in 2014. Governor Godswill Akpabio was the one who moved the motion at the

    National Economic Council to get the money. $5 billion was taken for power generation whhen they were sourcing for Niger Delta power holding the same process was not taken by Yar’ adua. It was later taken to the National Assembly and it was approved.

    “This is a PDP conspiracy. I will like PDP to tell us which of their governors have taken the money released from excess crude account to the state assembly for approval. If this is a PDP conspiracy to tarnish the image of Muhammadu Buhari, they will not be able to do it because we are coming out with figures.”

    Ibrahim prayed the Senate to consider the matter dispassionately without political colouration.

    He further said that “the payment was government to government without pecuniary interest whatsoever. It was for the security of this country which all of us support. The money should not have come to us in the first instance because the governors approved it. Only 53 per cent of the money should which goes to the Federal Government should come to us for approval because we do not legislate for states and local governments. The PDP has interest in it and wanted to be holier than thou in the way and manner they are going about it. But the same PDP has not sanctioned its governors who have not taken the excess crude account money to their state assembly for approval.”

    Senator Godswill Akpabio raised a Point of Order to cut Ibrahim short.

    Akpabio said that he cannot recall ever moving a motion to withdraw money from the excess crude account as alluded to by Ibrahim.

    He said that the Senate should discountenance the reference to him “because I did not even see Senator Abu Ibrahim in any of our meetings.”

    Ibrahim took the floor again to say that he was totally against the impeachment motion “because it is politically motivated.”

    He prayed the Senate to endeavour to work for the interest of the country.

    In his contribution, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, said that the admittance by the Presidency that the money had already been spent was a vindication of his motion that something was amiss in the purchase of the fighter Jets.

    The Imo East senator recalled that a former Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo was removed from office over alleged anticipatory approval.

    Anyanwu said that he is aware that those who say that truth targeted by the government “but we should continue to say the truth.”

    He insisted Section 143 of the Constitution should be followed to deal with the alleged infraction on the Constitution.

    Anyanwu said, “I wanted to invoke order 53 (6) of our standing rule which states that no senator shall input improper motives for any other senator. What Senator Abu Ibrahim was saying is out of context on the issue of PDP. It is wrong. I think he should withdraw that.

    “This is a motion brought to this Senate by a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as regards to infractions.

    “When I was born by my mother, we were twin. I was born a twin and my elder brother and I don’t know how I would be afraid of my elder brother. What I am saying is that, this is an institution. We should keep every friendship and look at the constitution which I swore to protect.

    “He was talking about PDP; I remember the late Okadigbo was removed from office based on anticipatory budgetary approval. What has been done today is a pure breach of the constitution and we must realize that. I believe as a responsible and responsive institution, we must put things straight. Someone has brought a motion and we are debating the motion, we have commenced it, it is beyond party affiliation but we have agreed that everything we do is based on the provisions of the constitution and our standing rules.

    “The matter has been canvassed and I think we should all contribute on the matter. Yes, when you say the truth, you become a target but you don’t fear to become a target by saying the truth, the truth must be said. What do we do in the case of this issue on the breach of constitution? I think it is important that we look at the issue. I raised this motion and the prayer of this motion and it’s for the appropriation committee to look into the matter. Now, there is infraction what do we do? We have no other thing to do than to follow the constitution which my colleague has spotted section 143 of the constitution.”

    Deputy Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah proposed that the matter should be referred to the Judiciary and Legal Committee to consider and guide the Senate appropriately.

    The Kebbi south senator noted that in view of the controversy surrounding the matter the advice of the Judiciary and Legal Committee would be handy.

    N’Allah said, “I am in a bit of difficulty to understand the purpose of this motion in view of the fact that while the constitution raised certain responsibility for the President, it equally gave the National Assembly to do certain responsibilities. If you have my permission, I would like to read section 83(1-2)

    1. (1) of the Constitution says The National Assembly may by law make provisions for the establishment of a Contingencies Fund for the Federation and for authorising the President, if satisfied that there has arisen an urgent and unforeseen need for expenditure for which no other provision exists, to make advances from the Fund to meet the need.

    (2) Where any advance is made in accordance with the provisions of this section, a Supplementary Estimate shall be presented and a Supplementary Appropriation Bill shall be introduced as soon as possible for the purpose of replacing the amount so advanced.

    “I am aware that in the last budget, there was provision for supplementary provisions but in view of the controversy that this has generated, I would advise that we have a committee on Judiciary and legal matters. Issues of this nature can be referred to that committee. Let them look at it properly and advise the Senate on the way forward. Let us not try to put it as if it is partisan issue. The people who raised the matter, yes, politically they have raised their right to present the matter at the National Assembly on the concern. The advice can suffice to that the Senate can be properly guided on this matter.”

    Saraki agreed with Na’Allah and said, “The contribution from the leader addresses two issues. We must take note of that. The concerns we have, according to Sen. Shehu Sani said and all of us agree is that there is security concern in our country. I think also we all agree that from what has been presented to us; definitely there is a breach of constitution.

    “The question concerned is, what are the circumstances surrounding the breach of the constitution? Whether those circumstances justified the breach of constitution. This issue has some of you realize, I am sure you all remember that it was August last year, we were on recess when I got the message from the US ambassador that the senate committee at the congress of the United States wanted to visit us because they got a request from President Trump to approve the payment of Tucanos but they needed approval. Their congress wanted to come to Nigeria to speak with their counterparts and we all had to come back from our vacation and I led the team with the House of Representatives members and members here and we met the members of congress on this issue.

    “So definitely we were aware that time for this issue. Between September and February, with all due respect, there was ample time for the executive to have carried us along on this issue. So their argument for and against, I think this arguments are valid and I don’t want us to bring it down to partisanship issues.

    “These are not partisan issues. The suggestion of the leader that let us sends it to judiciary to advice if the constitution has been breached, the circumstances surrounding the breach of the constitution and the justification. What do we do going forward in trying to even appropriate because the funds have already been spent, do we go under what the leader has come under or we start the whole process of appropriating. I don’t think this exercise is worth it itself because we endorsed it to the US congress. It was after we agreed in September that the US government now went back to give approval to the executive to pay to their own government so they can go ahead and sell this equipment to Nigeria. If we all agree, I will put it to vote and refer the matter to the judiciary and give them a short period of time, that by Wednesday next week, they submit it.”

    Urhoghide said “In as much as we don’t want to make this issue very contentious, I want to submit Mr. President that what the leader of the senate advised based on his argument, the section he read does not apply.

    Saraki stood his ground and said, “I am not referring it to the judiciary and legal Matters committee because of section 83. He has come up with his own interpretation. I am saying that the only best committee here that can advise us on whether an infraction has taken place or not and how do we move forward to address it normally. By Wednesday, they can bring the report back to us.

     

  • Herdsmen: Buhari urges implementation of ECOWAS protocols

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday blamed the non-implementation of two ECOWAS protocols on free movement of persons, goods and services for the lingering herders and farmers conflicts in West Africa.

    Buhari said this while declaring open the ECOWAS Ministerial Meeting on Conflicts between Herders and Farmers in the region organised in partnership with the countries’ ministries of Agriculture and Interior in Abuja.

    Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the president stated that the protocols were necessary in the discussions to proffer lasting solution to incessant killings in the region as a result of the conflict.

    “Two ECOWAS Protocols are critical to the conversation that we are going to have here today.

    “The 1979 Protocols of free movement of persons, goods, capital and services and the protocol relating to transhumance in 1998.

    “Regrettably, what we have been confronted with over the years is the failure to fully follow and enforce the terms of these protocol and in some cases the failure to activate sections of the protocols.

    “So that where for example transhumance certificates are to be used and endorsed by medical or immigration officials this is not the case; this has to change.

    “We can no longer continue to tolerate the undocumented movement of persons that simply contribute to the escalation of our security challenges.

    “We must be able to track the movement; we must ensure that the protocols are complied with and relevant sections are activated,’’ he said.

    The President said the vision of integration of the ECOWAS founding fathers must not be allowed to be derailed by a failure to comply with the safeguards and conditions that they in their wisdom and foresight embedded in the protocols.

    He said that was why Nigeria had taken the lead in organising the conference bringing together senior government officials with oversight for agriculture and internal security in the region and beyond to proffer solutions to the lingering problem threatening national security and regional security as well.

    Buhari noted that the economic implications were quite worrisome considering that no fewer than 70 per cent of the ECOWAS made a living by agriculture.

    According to him, many of the countries in the region are already struggling with food security and the violence if unchecked will lead to catastrophe.

    The President stated that the grazing of cattle along long distances and the whole transhumance experiences needed to be reviewed in favour of ranching.

    He said ranching was a more productive way of breeding cattle rather than work long distances, adding that the region must explore all the options and look for new and creative solutions to resolve the problem.

    He said the solution should be holistic from law enforcement to climate change and reforms in current methods and practices of crop and animal production.

    “We simply must move with the times and modernise our thinking and approach to the issues that face us,’’ he stated.

    Buhari said that the federal government and states were collaborating to work out an acceptable plan to quell the conflicts by proper management of land resources.

    “We just concluded the work plan jointly put together by the States and Federal governments on the sustainable resolution of herders/farmers’ conflicts and we are now at the point of implementing that plan,’’ he said.

    Gov.Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, told correspondents that he was grateful to the Ministry of Interior and other sister ministries backing the conference as well as the regional governments for participating.

    “There could not have been a better time for this conference having been bedeviled throughout the sub region with the crisis of farmers/herdsmen.

    “There is the need for cooperation/collaboration and synergy amongst all the states and countries within the sub-region to find lasting solutions to this problem.

    “We have been with the farmers/herdsmen crisis from time immemorial and as things are changing daily, urbanisation, population explosion, limited land for farming and difficulties in getting grazing to take place effectively due to climate change.

    “There is need for time-to-time for collaboration between the constituting states to come together to find lasting solution,’’ he said.

    The governor assured that governors, especially those whose areas were being affected by the crisis, would ensure the implementation of decisions of the conference to curb the conflict.

    NAN