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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari’s aide to APC members: Don’t undermine Tinubu’s reconciliatory assignment

    Buhari’s aide to APC members: Don’t undermine Tinubu’s reconciliatory assignment

    An aide to President Muhammadu Buhari has advised members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seize the opportunity of the reconciliation efforts by the National Leader of the party as assigned to him by the President.

    Abdulrahman Sumaila, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), who emphasized that he was not speaking for the Presidency but as a founding member of the party said the advice became necessary if the party is aiming to retain power with the election year fast approaching.

    Sumaila, in a press conference on Tuesday at the National Assembly said it was most important for the party to avoid the pitfalls that led to the ouster of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with the 2015 general election.

    Ahead of the party’s national convention, he warned against imposition of delegates.

    Read Also: Daura youth groups visit Buhari

    He said: “First, I welcome the development and commend the courage of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the love he has for Nigeria. He has sacrificed a lot for the party during formation, pre and post-elections period.

    “Therefore, I believe he is the best person to handle the assignment of reconciling aggrieved members of the party.

    “The most important thing is for the members of the party to embrace this golden opportunity and join hands for proper reconciliation to take place.

    “I urge members of the party to stop compounding issues and creating unnecessary atmosphere that may undermine the reconciliation process and make it difficult to achieve the desired results.

    “We should remember what Nigerians did to us by rejecting the then ruling party, which ruled for 16 years and voting out a sitting president.

    “We should also remember the promise we made to Nigerians during the formative stage and electioneering campaigns of our party.

    “The only way to appreciate what God did to us is to respect the tenets of democracy. As a founding member of the party who served in various organs of the party, I want to remind us that 2019 is very close and Nigerians are watching all our actions and inactions. We should tell ourselves the truth and desist from sycophancy.

    “The success of our party and the government depends on how the stakeholders work together for the common interest of Nigerians and for better Nigeria. We must fight impunity and sycophancy.

    “Ahead of our congresses, national convention and party primaries, we must make sure that we put a process that will make it transparent and participatory.

    “We need to avoid whatever that will lead to imposition of candidates both in the delegates selection and the party primaries”.

  • Buhari leaves Katsina for Yola

    Buhari leaves Katsina for Yola

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday departed Katsina State, for Yola after a five-day private visit to his home in Daura.

    The president was in Daura to commiserate with members of his extended family, who were bereaved recently.

    The presidential aircraft took off from Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, Katsina, about 10.30a.m. And headed for Yola where he is expected to declare open an anti-corruption conference.

    The conference theme is “Performance Based Governance: Transparency, Accountability and Social Value’’.

    While in Daura, Buhari received hundreds of sympathisers at his private residence to console the president over the deaths of two extended family members, Hajiya Halima Dauda and Hajiya Ai’sha Alhaji Mamman.

    They also sympathised with him over the auto-crash involving his son, Yusuf.

    Among the early callers were state governors from All Progressives Congress (APC), including the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Zamfara Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari.

    Others were Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Aminu Masari (Katsina State); Abubakar Muhammed (Bauchi State); Kashim Shettima (Borno); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo State) and Malam Nasir El-Rufa’I of Kaduna State.

    Also Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano State); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger) and Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State.

    The governors of Benue, Osun and Ogun were represented by their deputies at the meeting.

    The governors of Yobe and Plateau were also represented at the meeting.

    Okorocha, who spoke to newsmen after the visit, said their mission to Daura was to condole with the president over the loss of two members of his extended family.

    He said the governors also used the opportunity to commend the president for appointing Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as APC Chief Mediator in the party’s conflicts.

    The governor, however, dismissed the assertion that their meeting with Buhari which was held behind closed doors, was politically motivated and aimed at convincing the president to seek re-election in the 2019 presidential election.

    He said: “We are yet to discuss that. That would be in next the meeting where we will discuss whether we want to support him to run or not.

    “But for now we came on the issue of the death of his two relatives and to commend him for action taken on Tinubu as a conciliator.’’

    Similarly, the Emir of Maradun in Zamfara, Alhaji Garba Tambari, on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the president.

    Tambari, shortly after the visit, pledged the unflinching support of the traditional institution to Federal Government policies and programmes geared toward improving the welfare of Nigerians.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Awolowo-Dosunmu at 70

    The emir said that some traditional rulers across the country had resolved to ensure the re-election of  Buhari in 2019.

    “Anybody who wishes this country good, who wishes this country well, will want Mr President to continue after 2019. So, we wish he will continue by the grace of God,’’ he added.

    Also on Sunday, Buhari received Katsina Senior Citizens led by Masari where he called on all citizens, particularly the elite, to be prepared to make sacrifices as a foundation for national growth and development.

    Masari, after the meeting, said they were in Daura to condole with the president over the death of his two relatives.

    He said the forum would soon issue an advertorial on the letter written to Buhari by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    On Monday, Buhari met with members of Daura Emirate coalition who also condoled with him over the demise of two relatives.

    The president, at the meeting, disclosed that all unclaimed looted assets, including landed property recovered by the Federal Government, would be sold and the proceeds deposited into government treasury.

    The president said he would not allow a repeat of what happened in the 1980s when buildings and other ill-gotten property seized by his military administration were returned to corrupt officials following his ouster as Head of State.

    The president told the groups that the APC-led government would consolidate on the gains and monumental achievements in the development of infrastructure across the country.

    “For most ordinary Nigerians, if you give them good roads, railway and stable electric power they will be happy to carry on with their lives.

    ‘‘We are doing so much for our country and we will continue to do more out of the fear of God,” the president said.

    The president promised that the Federal Government would sustain the provision of funds, improved seedlings and fertiliser to farmers to ensure that the sector remained the largest employer of labour to Nigerians.

    He said records of achievements on security, war against corruption and the revival of the economy had remained very impressive.

    The president is expected to return to Abuja later in the day.

    NAN

  • Buhari: All recovered assets to be sold-off

    Buhari: All recovered assets to be sold-off

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Daura, his hometown, said all mismanaged and misappropriated national assets recovered will be sold off and proceeds paid to the treasury for the benefit of the country.

    Buhari who gave the assurance when he received representatives of social groups in Daura Emirate said his administration will continue to pursue a robust, effective and legitimate anti-corruption campaign that safeguards the treasury and commonwealth of all Nigerians.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said he would not allow a repeat of what happened in the 1980s when buildings and other ill-gotten property seized by his military administration were returned to corrupt officials following his ouster as Head of State.

    The President told the groups that the APC-led government will consolidate on the gains and monumental achievements in the development of infrastructure across the country.

    He said “For most ordinary Nigerians, if you give them good roads, railway and stable electric power they will be happy to carry on with their lives.

    ‘‘We are doing so much for our country and we will continue to do more out of the fear of God,” the President said.

    On agriculture development, the President promised that the Federal Government will sustain the provision of funds, improved seedlings and fertilizer to farmers to ensure that the sector remains the largest employer of labour to Nigerians.

    On the key priorities of the administration, the President maintained that the records of achievements on security, war against corruption and the revival of the economy have remained very impressive.

    Read Also: Buhari advises TETFund on interventions to institutions

    He expressed delight that more young people are venturing into agribusiness while security, especially in the northeast, had remarkably changed from what he met in 2015.

    Alhaji Mohammed Saleh, the spokesman of the delegations, commended President Buhari for implementing policies and programmes that have created gainful employment to thousands of young Nigerians under the Social Investment Programme.

    Saleh said improved electricity supply in their communities and growing foreign reserves are clear indications of good management of the economy under the present administration.

    The delegations also congratulated the President on his appointment as the continental Champion against corruption by the African Union, noting that it underscored the global appreciation of the good work he is doing in fighting corruption.

    They also commiserated with the President on the recent loss of his close family members.

    The groups represented at the meeting were the Daura Emirate Coalition of Associations; the Amalgamation of Daura Emirate Political Associations; the Buhari Group; the Daura Emirate Development Forum; Women in Politics in Daura Emirate and the Daura Emirate Consultative Forum.

     

  • Yola agog as Buhari visits Tuesday

    Yola agog as Buhari visits Tuesday

    Yola was on Monday wearing a new look ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the state on Tuesday.

    The President will inaugurate various projects and present an address at the opening of the state maiden Anti-Corruption Summit.

    Majo streets in the capital city were decorated with new paint and bill boards welcoming the president.

    Deputy Governor Martins Babale who is the Chairman, Organising Committee for the visit, said all necessary arrangement had been concluded to receive the President.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted to come here personally to declare the summit open, this is indeed historic for both Adamawa State and Nigeria as a country,” he said.

    Read Also: Yola market on fire

    He said the event, with the theme `Performance  Based Governance: Transparency, Accountability and Social Value,’ would be chaired by Alhaji Ahmed Joda.

    Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu and ICPC Chairman, Prof, Bolaji Owasanoye are expected to make presentations, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha would be the lead discussant.

    Meanwhile, the Adamawa Police Command has announced restriction of movement by motorists on some streets during the President’s visit.

    A statement by the command spokesman, Othman Abubakar said the measure was to allow for free flow of traffic for the presidential convoy.

     

  • Buhari advises TETFund on interventions to institutions

    Buhari advises TETFund on interventions to institutions

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETFund ) to continue to offer meaningful and purposeful interventions to all public owned tertiary institutions in the country.

    The president said this would help his administration to create a knowledge based economy in the country.

    Buhari, according to a statement from TETFund, spoke at the 2nd and 3rd Combined Convocation of Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State. The institution graduated a total of 837 students while 42 bagged first class degree.

    The president, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Abubakar Rasheed, described the interventions of the agency as the catalyst for achieving the desired knowledge-based economy for Nigeria.

    He said: “I am also happy with the special role of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in the physical and academic development of this young university. It is clear, that since the establishment of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma. TETFund has remained the single, largest development agent in the institution.

    “I urge the TETFund to continue to offer meaningful and purposeful interventions in Nigeria’s higher education institutions to help in realizing our government’s desire to create a knowledge based economy in Nigeria.”

    He expressed delight over the completion and commissioning of multi-billion naira physical infrastructure projects sponsored by TETFund at the University.

    He explained that the physical projects ranging from Senate Building, Buildings for Faculties of Agriculture and Science, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Complex, Library building, Faculty of Agriculture Laboratories, Students’ Hall of Residence (Hostels) for Male and Female which were commissioned by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa as part of the convocation ceremony was clear indication of the resolve of his administration to tackle the problem of access to tertiary education in the country.

    Buhari promised that he would continue to fight the challenge of unemployment, particularly graduate unemployment through the creation of a thriving and dynamic labour market that would enable young people achieve their full potentials as self-employed entrepreneurs and employers of labour rather than merely job seekers.

    “I want to challenge all Nigerian Universities to come out of their shell to build constructive linkages and collaborations with the industrial sector of the society. This remains the vibrant way we can enhance the socio-economic and technological transformation of our society.

    “Government on its part will continue to give maximum support to University Education despite dwindling resources available to it. However, all Universities should seriously consider more efficient ways of resource mobilization and also find ways of attracting funding for research from across the world,” he said.

    Dr. Baffa, in his remarks, said the agency would continue to pursue interventions that would meet the desires of the Federal Government under the direction of the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.

    He explained that provision of infrastructure for conducive teaching and learning activities were aimed at ensuring that the dream of increased access to quality higher education for all Nigerians by the minister became a reality.

    The university since inception have benefitted about N5billion as Special Intervention for Take-Off Grant, Proto-type Hostels, Academic Buildings etc.

    NAN

  • Corruption: Buhari needs support not insults – Activist

    Corruption: Buhari needs support not insults – Activist

    An activist and public affairs commentator in Adamawa, Alhaji Suleiman Baba-Jada has urged Nigerians to render more support to the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle corruption and other challenges facing the nation.

    Baba-Jada told News men in an interview on Monday in Yola that what Buhari needed to address the various challenges was support from Nigerians not insults and unwarranted criticisms.

    “The president needs support instead of inciting criticisms mostly from those who are perceived as corrupt people with cases to answer in EFCC.

    “The whole thing looks more like corruption is fighting back, and that is the more reason why Nigerians must stand up and support the president.

    “The situation we have now with many people with corrupt cases occupying elected positions means that definitely the fight against corruption won’t be that easy for the president,” Baba-Jada said.

    According to him, the inciting criticisms are meant to distract the president.

    He warned that such people “risk the wrath of the silent majority that is yearning for an end to the menace of corruption and other acts of criminality in the country.”

    Baba-Jada backed the setting up of special courts to try corruption cases, saying it would eliminate the delay being experienced in dispensing of such cases, a situation which has been denting the image of the country.

    Read Also: Catholic bishops confront Buhari over performance

    “I also want to declare my support for Magu, the EFCC boss, who I believe has good intention and commitment to deliver in his job.”

    The septuagenarian, who spoke on hate speech, cautioned journalists against being used by unpatriotic politicians and ethnic champions to heat up the polity.

    “We are seeing how politicians who lost out in elections or were not given appointment are using the media to insult their perceived enemies in the name of freedom of expression.

    “The media need to be careful from being used to create problems by such politicians and ethnic champions.

    “We are seeing how such politicians who used to be close to Buhari are now attacking everything thing he does in an attempt to settle personal scores just, because they were not given appointments or carried along.

    “Some of them have access to the president but they rather chose to get to him using the media in a combative and derogatory language,” Baba-Jada said.

    He also urged Buhari to change his approach to issues “by being more firm and decisive to prove wrong the impression being given by his traducers that he is being controlled by a cabal.”

    NAN

     

  • Kalu urges Tinubu to accelerate reconciliation of aggrieved APC members

    Kalu urges Tinubu to accelerate reconciliation of aggrieved APC members

    Former Abia governor, Dr Orji Kalu has called on the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress ( APC ), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to accelerate efforts toward reconciling aggrieved members of the ruling party.

    Kalu made the call on Sunday night while speaking with newsmen at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

    He said the task given by President Muhammadu Buhari to Tinubu was very apt because there was an urgent need to reconcile feuding members of the party.

    According to him, the situation whereby a serving governor and a minister who belong to APC are engaged in bickering at a time concerted efforts are needed to return the party to victory in 2019 is not good.

    Kalu said: “I have reported this to the highest authority of the party that it is not proper for a governor and minister in Ibadan to go two parallel ways.

    “It is not to the benefit of the president and neither is it to the benefit of the party, it is not the benefit of Nigerians; the synergy needed to accelerate cohesion in the ruling party will not be there.

    “We need to thank Mr President in his wisdom in giving the mandate to the national leader of APC the opportunity to reconcile members of the party.

    “I am very excited that such a thing is happening. I am confident it will be a good beginning for my brother and friend, Tinubu to execute the reconciliation task very well.

    “I am confident Tinubu will be blunt to settle feuding members of the APC.”

    He noted that Buhari had the constitutional right to seek for re-election, adding that the only reason the president might not run in 2019 would be solely on health grounds.

    According to him, Buhari is an honest man and will let Nigerians know whether he will contest or not at the appropriate time.

    “Buhari is an honest man. If he is interested in running, he will tell Nigerians that he will run. We pray that his health gets better and that his doctors give him a clean bill of health.

    “You know Buhari is also a man of conscience; if he feels his health will not allow him to seek re-election he will not go ahead, but if he feels he is capable of running, he will seek re-election.

    “It is his decision, it his right, he is entitled to second term,” he said.

    The ex-governor, who commended the president for the ongoing construction of the Second Niger Bridge, stressed that he had done well in his first term and there was also room for improvement.

    Kalu also asserted that Buhari would win the 2019 election if he decides to run with or without the support of the Northern elite because he had a huge following by the masses.

    “If the elite refuse to support Buhari, the masses will support Buhari. The elite are few in number, the people that will support Buhari are the masses, who sincerely believe in Buhari.

    “They are people who not know any other thing other than Buhari. By my assumption, If President Buhari had 12.5 million supporters in the last general election; there is an additional 10 million supporters in the bank.

    “That is what we call reserve, it is still there,” he said.

    NAN

  • Oyegun to Nigerians: Shun detractors of Buhari, APC

    Oyegun to Nigerians: Shun detractors of Buhari, APC

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Saturday called on Nigerians to shun those casting aspersions on President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and the party.

    Oyegun made the call at a grand rally to welcome People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) members who defected to the APC on Saturday in Lokoja.

    The National Chairman said the President was God sent to heal the wounds of Nigerians adding that his administration has made tremendous improvement in the socio-economic and political development of the country.

    He said that the administration has diversified the Nigerian economy from being  oil-dependent to being an agriculture-based.

    He said there was an ongoing expansion of the rail network and power generation has stabilised at 7,000 Megawatts from 3,000 megawatts at the inception of the administration.

    “It is only the beginning of good things that are yet to come,” he said.

    Oyegun urged Nigerians not to listen to detractors of the President but be patriotic and support him to achieve more and make life worth living for every Nigerians.

    “Kogi will be one of the major sponsors on the day President Muhammadu Buhari decides to go for second term. They say we are quarrelling, they say we are fighting,  but credible people are trooping into APC”, he added.

    He advised Kogi people to support the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello,  saying the governor has positively affected every facet of the state economy.

    “I am happy to be here today. I noticed one of the billboards when I was coming in saying, ‘A New Dawn for Kogi State’.

    “Kogi People, I want to congratulate you for having an energetic governor in Yahaya Bello.  This is a governor that is a good organiser, restless, energetic and full of ideas. I can feel a new energy in Kogi State”, Oyegun said.

    Speaking Gov Yahaya Bello urged Buhari to run for a second term in 2019.

    “We urge Mr President to run and fly in 2019. Twenty-four APC governors are ready to support you under the leadership of the National Chairman of the party, Mr John Oyegun.”

    Bello welcomed PDP members from the three senatorial districts of the state who defected.

    He said the APC was where they belonged in the first place adding, “come and sin no more.”

    He urged those still in PDP to come back home.

    Prof. Stephen Ocheni, Minister of State for Labour and Employment said the crowd was a testimony of the strength of the party in the state.

    Mr Edward Onoja, Chief of Staff to the governor said the party started with nine members of the state House of Assembly and 100,000 members,  but now has 19 legislators and  500,000 members.

    NAN

  • Buhari meets APC Governors in Daura

    Buhari meets APC Governors in Daura

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed doors with 18 state governors in the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Daura, Katsina State.

    Three of the governors were represented by their deputies at the meeting which started at 2: 45 p.m.

    Those at the meeting were – Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Abubakar Muhammed (Bauchi), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna).

    Others were – Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger) and Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa).

    Governors of Benue, Osun and Ogun were represented by their deputies.

    The governors of Yobe and Plateau were also represented at the meeting.

    NAN

  • Buhari condemns Zamfara killings

    Buhari condemns Zamfara killings

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned Thursday’s massacre of innocent persons in Birane village, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, commiserated with families of victims of the heinous and inhuman attacks on defenceless citizens which left many injured.

    President Buhari also directed the Minister of Defence, Brigadier-General Mansur Dan Ali (Rtd) to proceed immediately to the state to undertake an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and report back.

    Read Also: Buhari, security chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    In addition, he also directed security agencies to immediately mobilize and deploy their members to the vulnerable areas of the state, and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to face the full wrath of the law.

    The President assured the Zamfara State government, victims of the mayhem and residents in the state, that the Federal Government will continue do all it takes to support security agencies to secure lives and property, not only in the affected state but all parts of the country.

    President Buhari restated his administration’s determination to put an end to the spate of senseless spilling of innocent blood in parts of the country, and calls for restraint to allow the nation’s security apparatus to stem the undesirable trend.

    The President prayed that almighty God will receive the souls of the departed, and comfort their families.