Tag: Muhammadu Buhari
-
Photo: Mbeki, Abudulsalami meet Buhari
Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki (middle) APC Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (right) and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (extreme left). Behind is them is Buhari’s Press Secretary, Alhaji Ya’u Darazo after Mbeki and Abdulsalami met with Buhari in Kaduna on Monday. Photo by ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE -
CAN of worms
•The allegation that the Jonathan campaign gave CAN at least N6 billion bribe does the image of Nigerian Christendom no good
Governor Chibuike Amaechi, the director-general of the Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign, first made the allegation: that the Jonathan campaign had bribed the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to prevail on Christians, on religious basis, to vote against Gen. Buhari.
CAN denied the charge. That mere allegation also made an obviously embarrassed Pastor Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, to warn whoever received bribe from Jonathan to return it, or risk being consumed by the fire of God.
Shortly after, however, Kallamu Musa-Dikwa, a Maiduguri-based pastor, restated the allegation, further claiming the alleged bribe money was indeed N7 billion, and not N6 billion, as Governor Amaechi alleged. He claimed the Jonathan campaign handed over the money to CAN, which then proceeded to share the money N3million per CAN branch nationwide.
Pastor Musa-Dikwa, who claimed he was neither for nor against Jonathan and Buhari, claiming both were not good enough for Nigeria, said he fell out with CAN because of its alleged itchy fingers. He recalled a visitation from CAN-Americas, who came on a compassionate visit to Boko Haram victims, and donated US$ 50, 000 to aid the comfort and rehabilitation of the victims. But to his dismay, Pastor Musa-Dikwa claimed, CAN gave the local CAN only N100, 000 and allegedly pocketed the rest! He went further to claim that when the N7 billion bribe scandal broke, “I (sent a) text (message) to the leadership of the CAN to repent or be exposed.”
But Sunday Oibe, the public relations officer (PRO) for the CAN northern chapter, denied the allegation as ridiculous, claiming it was a fib by alleged mischief makers to rubbish the image of CAN. If-you-Tarka-me-I’ll-Daboh-you fashion, Emmah Isong, Cross River State Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) chairman, also claimed Governor Amaechi allegedly bribed 500 pastors to support Gen. Buhari. Joseph Tarka and Godwin Daboh (both dead) were involved in mutual bribery allegations, in a big scandal, under the Yakubu Gowon regime in the 1970s.
Still, Bishop Isong’s intervention is not clear. If indeed Amaechi bribed CAN as he alleged — and the Bishop did not say CAN refused the alleged bribe — are we now to believe CAN was also game in the Amaechi allegation that the body received from Jonathan N6 billion, or indeed N7 billion as Pastor Musa-Dikwa also claimed, insisting that the conduit for the money was through the National CAN, headed by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor?
Whatever the truth in these allegations and counter-allegations, Christendom Nigeria must be sorely worried about its image. A politician, no matter how highly placed (as President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Amaechi are in this particular case) can be charged with a bribe-for-vote allegation. It definitely is not right but he could claim some electioneering cover. Besides, even the best of politicians are still politicians — and politicians, as a bloc, are nobody’s moral paragon worldwide.
But to accuse the men of God of racketeering in campaign season slush funds — and also go to the extent of using the alleged money to poison the minds of their members against fellow Nigerians on strictly religious basis? It is a CAN of worms indeed, and the founding fathers of this Christian body will be thoroughly ashamed; while succeeding generations would look back and damn the present CAN, long after this period of madness has passed.
President Jonathan is at the centre of this grievous allegation. Alleged bribery of voters is bad enough. But the real danger is a president perceived, for electoral purposes, to be driving a religious wedge between Nigerian Christians and Muslim. That will surely blight his memory, whatever happens on March 28. Still, CAN and the whole body of Nigerian Christians should fervently pray that this little rascality of sweet money secretly changing hands does not land Nigeria in big religious trouble. No country ever survives a religious war sane.
Whoever CAN chooses as its president is its business. But even the body should by now be questioning the wisdom of Ayo Oritsejafor as president. His era of scandals has brought CAN nothing but odium among right-thinking Nigerians, Christian or Muslim.
-
Ex-Ohaneze president backs Buhari
The former President- General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, has endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
Ikedife, the ex-presidential liaison officer during former President Shehu Shagari’s administration in 1979, said the APC candidate possessed the qualities to give Nigeria the leadership it deserved.
Ikedife, who briefed reporters yesterday in Nnewi, described those who questioned Gen. Buhari’s certificate as being naïve.
He said the APC standard-bearer, while serving in the military, attended courses that were equivalent to today’s master’s degree.
Ikedife said with his 56 years medical practice and experience, he vouched that Buhari had mental and physical capacity to lead the country.
-
Buhari: Call Fayose to order, APC tells Jonathan
The All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to call the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose to order over his continued pestering of the party’s candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari with falsehood and death wishes.
In a statement issued on Saturday signed by Malam Garba Shehu, APC Directorate of Media and Publicity said the Party had learnt on good authority that Governor Fayose has hired people in London who have been trailing the movements of the General Buhari while on his working visit in London.
“Let it be on record that knowing Governor Fayose’s antecedents, we are not leaving anything to chances. The Governor who has published death-wish advertorials on Buhari will stop at nothing.
” If anything should happen to General Muhammadu Buhari while in London or anywhere, the authorities over there in the UK and at home should know who to hold responsible,” Shehu stated.
Shehu confirmed that he will honour his speaking engagement at the Royal Institute Of International Affairs, Chatham House in London scheduled for Thursday, February 26.
He said Chatam House will post the event and send out invites on Monday, February 23.
According to him, General Buhari as part of his ongoing engagement in the United Kingdom, had an interview on Saturday with a local medium, the “All Eyes on Africa TV Show” with Kemi Fajodutimi and met with Tony Blair on Saturday, February 21 morning.
Shehu disclosed that Buhari left the London residence of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona at about 1.30 pm UK time and returned to his rented flat in the city. -
Buhari faults poll shift, calls for calm
The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), General Mohammadu Buhari has called for calm and restraint by Nigerians over the postponement of the general elections by six weeks.
In a statement issued by Buhari on Sunday, he said the postponement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a crude and fraudulent attempt to subvert the electoral process.
The full text follows:Following the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the 2015 general elections by six weeks, I wish to appeal for utmost restraint and calm by all Nigerians, especially the teeming supporters of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This postponement, which comes on the heels of the bogey of the National Security Adviser that half of the registered voters were being disenfranchised was exposed as a crude and fraudulent attempt to subvert the electoral process. The PDP administration has now engineered a postponement using the threat that security will not be guaranteed across the length and breadth of Nigeria because of military engagement in some states in the North East. It is important to note that although INEC acted within its constitutional powers, it is clear that it has been boxed into a situation where it has had to bow to pressure. Thus, the independence of INEC has been gravely compromised.
As a Nigerian and a presidential candidate in the elections, I share in the disappointment and frustration of this decision. This postponement coming a week to the first election has raised so many questions, many of which shall be asked in the days ahead. However, we must not allow ourselves to be tempted into taking actions that could further endanger the democratic process.
Our country is going through a difficult time in the hands of terrorists. Any act of violence can only complicate the security challenges in the country and provide further justification to those who would want to exploit every situation to frustrate the democratic process in the face of certain defeat at the polls.
If anything, this postponement should strengthen our resolve and commitment to rescue our country from the current economic and social collapse from this desperate band. Our desire for change must surpass their desperation to hold on to power at all cost. We are clearly dealing with people who feel they can get away with placing their personal interest over those of our nation and its citizens. What is at stake is the very survival of our country. We must not allow this temporary delay to abort this great opportunity. While I share the pains and frustrations of my fellow citizens over this development, my deep faith in the democratic process assures me that this country, with your support, will overcome.
We must remain resolute and rise above all provocations. We must continue to trust in the entire democratic process and in INEC, which has been brought under so much pressure in the last few days. Our trust can only serve to encourage the electoral body to remain steadfast and remain committed to the rule of law. I wish to state strongly that our party will not tolerate any further interference with the electoral process. The rescheduled elections of March 28th and April 11th, 2015 must be sacrosanct.
Nigeria is definitely greater than any of us, and much more important than our individual ambitions. Before us there was Nigeria, and long after we are gone there will still be Nigeria. Let us continue to do our part to make it thegreat country that it should be. We must rescue our dear country. God being on our side, we shall salvage Nigeria together.
-
Nigerians await forensic audit report on missing $20b, says Buhari
All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari yesterday described corruption and insecurity as obstacles to economic growth, stressing that his administration will tackle the vices, if elected on February 14.
Gen. Buhari challenged the Jonathan administration to account for the missing $20 billion, adding that Nigerians are waiting for the report of the forensic audit ordered by the government. He said, if the cash cannot be accounted for, it is the greatest form of corruption.
The former military leader, who also promised to provide jobs through massive investments in agriculture and mining, said the key to economic recovery and poverty eradication is regular power supply and abolition of corruption.
Gen. Buhari said: Corruption affects our ability to secure ourselves and it also undermines the performance of the economy.”
He added: “Twenty billion dollars at N210 to one dollar is equal to N4.2 trillion, which is nearly a year’s federal budget. If it is true that this sum cannot be accounted for, this is the greatest form of corruption. Just think at N5 million per vehicle, this money would have bought 840,000 patrol vehicles. This will improved security in every town and village in this country.
“At N13.5 nillion for a high capacity bus, this money would have bought 311,000 buses. This would have revolutionalised the transport and production side of the economy. From the information at my disposal, Lekki Bridge in Lagos cost N29 billion to construct. N4.2 trillion would have built 145 Lekki bridges. This would have revolutionalised transport, infrastructure, construction, and employment in the economy.
“If the average cost of generating one mega-watt of power is about US 1.5 million dollar, excluding gas and distribution costs, 20 billion dollars would have bought us over 13,333 mega watts of power. What a difference that would make up and down the country.”
Gen. Buhari flayed the Federal Government for borrowing money to fight Boko Haram in a country that successfully fought a civil war without incurring debts. He said: “When Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the Vice Chairman of the Federal Executive Council and Federal Commissioner for Finance, we did not borrow money to fight the civil war. But, they are now borrowing to fight Boko Haram.”
The APC standard bearer unfolded his economic blue-print at a meeting with the organised private sector hosted by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola. The theme of the meeting was: “GMB means Business.” Gen. Buhari was accompanied by party leaders, including the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the Chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Committee, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the Chairman of the Directorate of Policy and Programmes, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Mr. Audu Ogbeh, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, and Director of Media Mallam Garba Shehu.
Fayemi, who welcomed the businessmen to the parley, reflected on the yearning for economic revival for the progressive transformation of the country. He said through creative interventionist initiatives by the government, countries in distress have always risen to economic progress in the period of grave crisis and adversity.
Fashola highlighted the difference between the APC and the PDP, saying that the APC manifesto is people and research-based. He added: “APC manifesto is designed to address 2015-2019 problems. PDP has 1999 manifesto. The naira has weakened. Interest rate has skyrocketed. We need to choose whether we should change Jonathan or we need continuity. The necessity now is to halt the downturn. If they couldn’t do much at 100 dollars per barrel, they cannot do better when the resources are decreasing.”
Gen. Buhari, who promised to encourage periodic and regular meetings with the business community, said his administration would be committed to economic growth, job creation and restoration of the dignity of labour among Nigerians.
He said: “Our policies for implementing our commitments will be governed by the highest consideration of how they create jobs. Equipping and resourcing our security personnel, for example, will not be limited to the provision of arms alone, but uniforms, boots and accoutrements, are enormous opportunities for textile production, garment making and shoe making.
Buhari explained why power generation and transmission have been erratic, despite the privatisation of power utilities. He said: “Power supply is the minimum that we can seriously commit to in order to quickly galvanise the economy back to productivity. We agree with the privatisation of the power utilities, but we believe it must go further to transmission. After the signing and handing over ceremonies of the power assets, the real work of producing, transmitting and distributing power is really just beginning.
“The reason why the success seems elusive is that, apart from the signing ceremony and handing over of the power assets, the hard work to connect the various parts of the power chain, supply gas, install transformers, complete substations has not been done. Our studies show that we will require no less than 200,000 trained personnel to support the initiative to provide power and light up Nigeria.”
Gen. Buhari said apart from the inherent direct employment that the revival of the sector will create, the reduction in the cost of production, the savings from self-generation by Nigerians, who currently spend their income on purchase of diesel and petrol to generate their own electricity, will reduce the burden on their disposable income.
He said these savings will be spent by Nigerians on other basic necessities of life, thereby reducing poverty.
Gen. Buhari said his administration would support the initiative to build a refinery in Lagos, adding that the move will lead to job creation, local fuel supply and national security as well as reduce importation, lessen demand for foreign exchange and strengthen the naira.
The former Head of State, who promised to fight the infrastructure battle, emphasised that road construction will be a major priority of his administration.
He stressed: “Road construction alone will unlock a value chain of opportunities in the built industry for construction companies, builders, engineers, architects, quarry operators, cement and iron rod production and supply.
“The successful opening up of Nigeria by the construction of new roads and highways will revive road transportation, truck manufacture, tyre manufacture, engine oil, and brake pad production. It will also create a demand for jobs for mechanics, drivers, and those engaged in transport support business. We expect a revival of inter-state economies that used to thrive across Nigeria, providing support to travellers by way of canteens, restaurants and farm produce.”
Gen. Buhari promised to promote discussions between the business community and his economic team to explore options of reducing taxes and Customs duties without too much disruption to government finances and private sector business plans.
He also spoke on the APC manifesto and campaign message. In his view, they reflect the yearnings of Nigerians for change. Nigerians, said Gen. Buhari, should expect positive change, if he is elected.
According to him, during the survey that took place in 36 states, Nigerians indicated that insecurity, corruption and the economy were their biggest worries.
He added: “That is why I have been talking about insecurity and corruption on one hand and minning, agriculture, infrastructure and jobs on the economic side.”
Noting that corruption has almost become a culture in Nigeria, Gen. Buhari said: “They are so inter-connected and the Nigerian people are right in their identification of these problems. We cannot build an economy in an insecure environment. We cannot build an economy when the playing field is not level. We cannot build an economy where corruption is the working capital. Corruption affects our ability to secure ourselves and it also undermines the performance of the economy.”
Gen. Buhari spoke on the importation of fuel, saying that the country should be ashamed because it is an oil-producing country.
He said: “If you also factor the N2.2 trillion spent on subsidising fuel import, which became a huge scandal, you may then understand why our manifesto focuses on the issues of security, corruption and the economy. We are too vulnerable as a nation at this moment, if we have to import fuel to move our planes, our tanks and our men. We are too vulnerable as you can see that we also have to import arms. We are vulnerable because our troops also depend on imported food.”
Gen. Buhari, who served as the Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), recounted his achievements, saying he upgraded refineries in Port-Harcourt and Kaduna.
He added: “We got tankers off the road and saved lives. When I became the Head of State, we fought bunkering. We increased the exportation of refined products. But, Nigeria is now importing fuel.”
Gen. Buhari gave an ultimatum to corrupt officials and other Nigerians, saying that he would confront them, if he becomes the president.
He said: “The courts will continue to fight corruption. The legislature, executive and judiciary will fight corruption. But, from the day an APC Federal Government is in place, those corupt people will have to behave themselves.”
At the meeting, Mr. Funso Phillips of the Nigeria Economic Council (NEC) wanted to know what Gen. Buhari would do differently, if elected as the President. The former Head of State said that, while he will not discontinue any policy that is good, he will change what is not good.
Another informal operator, who emphasised the importance of land in economic development, wanted to know Buhari’s position on land accessibility for industrial growth. He promised to promote an atmosphere that is conducive to investment promotion and development.
Another participant wanted to know who the General will fight corruption differently. Buhari replied that the three organs of government will be involved in the fight against fraud in high places.
The APC candidate urged members of the business community who have questions to ask from the campaign team to forward their enquiries to Chief Odigie-Oyegun and Dr. Fayemi, promising to respond to them.
-
Buhari’s disqualification suit: Court fixes Feb. 9 for hearing
•Judge orders APC, INEC served
A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the service of court documents on the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen Muhammadu Buhari, in relation to a suit seeking to, among others, restrain him from participating in the February 14 election.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola ordered a substituted service of the court documents on Buhari and INEC yesterday after hearing the plaintiff’s application to that effect.
Hearing in the case has been fixed for February 9.
In the suit filed by Max Ozoaka, the plaintiff raised eight questions for the court’s determination and prayed for among others, an order disqualifying Buhari from contesting or participating in the election.
The suit has Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
The plaintiff contends that INEC FORM CF 001 that the APC candidate submitted to the electoral body was incomplete because he allegedly failed to accompany the form with all relevant academic credentials.
He also faulted some information contained in other documents he possessed, including Buhari’s voter’s card.
The plaintiff wants the court to restrain INEC from permitting Buhari to participate “in the presidential election fixed for February 14, 2015 or any other date the 2nd defendant (INEC) may fix.”
He also urged the court to declare “that the said INEC FORM CF 001 submitted by the 1st defendant to the 2nd defendant for the 2015 presidential election” as incompetent, inchoate and not in conformity with the form prescribed under the Electoral Act.
The plaintiff equally urged the court to declare that information contained in INEC voter’s card attached to INEC Form CF 001 submitted to INEC by Buhari “is false on the ground that as at when the voter’s card was issued, the 1st defendant was not a public servant.
Ozoaka, in a supporting affidavit to the originating summons, stated that the INEC Form submitted by Buhari did not meet the requirements under sections 31(1)(2) & (3), and 31(8) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
He stated that the failure of Buhari to accompany the INEC Form with evidence of his educational qualification and evidence of his birth certificate or affidavit of declaration of age have combined to render the form inchoate.
The plaintiff queried the authenticity of the statement of result or result sheet presented by Buhari on the ground that they bear ‘Mohamed’ Buhari as against ‘Mohammadu.’
-
APC presidential candidate begins town hall meetings
•Won’t participate in debate
Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has commenced another phase of his engagement with the people with town hall meetings.
This started in Lagos yesterday with a meeting between the candidate and the Organised Private Sector (OPS).
The APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) said yesterday that meetings have been rescheduled with other critical groups across the geo-political zones.
It ruled out his participation in any debate.
In a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the organisation said the party was compelled to chart this course because of the need to have a person-to-person interactive sessions during which pertinent questions will be posed to the candidates and responses provided.
He said: “Our campaign decided to chart this path because we cannot afford to shy away from the more pressing urgency to have one-on-one interactions with Nigerians through town hall meetings.
“The town hall meetings kicked off today (yesterday) in Lagos with a public interaction between the General Buhari, his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and representatives of Organised Private Sector.
“On Tuesday, the town hall meeting will hold in Kano with traders and market associations. Thereafter, the meeting will hold in Benin with labour and civil society leaders.
“The focus of the town hall meeting will then shift to Ibadan, where students and youth groups will be engaging General Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo, while Enugu and Port Harcourt will follow suit.
“The direction the that the campaign will be moving in the countdown to the election day is to have as many as possible person-to-person interactive sessions for Nigerians to hear directly from the presidential candidate and his running mate”.
-
Buhari in Edo
Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on arrival at the Benin Airport for the Presidential rally of the APC in Benin City, Thursday,
