The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • 2019: Investigate all electoral infractions now – PANDEF tells FG

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Friday called on the Federal Government under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, to immediately investigate all electoral infractions that took place during the 2019 general elections held on February 23 and March 9, 2019.

    While stressing that there should be no sacred cows in the investigation, PANDEF also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to bring to conclusion the process of collation of the Rivers State Governorship Election Results and the winner declared, so as to douse the political tension in the State.

    In a statement by the National Secretary of PANDEF, Alfred Mulade and made available to the Nation, the group appealed to the Federal Government to de-militarize the Niger Delta, so as to enable every citizen go about his/her lawful endeavors.

    The statement reads: “The reported killings, militarization, intimidation, electoral gangsterism and the attendant security situation in some states in the Niger Delta, particularly, in Bayelsa and Rivers States, has become a source of worry.

    “The Abonnema killings in Rivers State, reportedly orchestrated and perpetrated by the military and political thugs, apparently working on the influence of certain politicians with nefarious tendencies, during the Presidential election held on February 23, 2019, is a classic example of how certain desperate politicians and soldiers could instigate mayhem on innocent and defenceless citizens.

    “It must be noted with  every sense of responsibility  the dastardly act of militarization, intimidation, killings, electoral gangsterism and brinkmanship, during this period, and particularly  heightened during the governorship and House of Assembly polls  on March 9, 2019, as was seen in the case of Rivers State,  is not one anybody should pride himself about.”

    READ ALSO: Hungry old men endorsed Atiku – PANDEF

    PANDEF stated that the show of brigandage allegedly demonstrated in Rivers State, by the Army, the Air Force, the Police and other paramilitary personnel by invading the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) Office in Port Harcourt, in a bid to arm-twist and intimidate the INEC Officials in a bid to swing the results of the election to a predetermined candidate, is very dangerous for democracy.

    The Forum noted that the action by the military, was condemnable, and should be condemned by every lover of the Nigeria project, adding that for the fact that the Army issued a denial of their involvement in the shameful act was not enough to completely exonerate them.

    It added that the more the denials from the Military, the more their professionalism, rules of engagement, efficiency and neutrality becomes foggy and doubtful.

    “Is the military ‘crying’ that bloody civilians’ have taken over their duties?

    “If the Theory of neutrality being canvassed by the military is anything to go by, how come the harassment of innocent Niger Deltans in the likes of  Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, HRM Ateke Tom, Traditional Ruler of Okochiri – Okrika and a host of others?.

    “Why has the Army been so involved and entangled with election matters that they are now being out-smarted by so-called civilians-in-uniform?” the statement querried.

    “It must be placed on record, and the Federal Government must be reminded that, the Army, statutorily, has NO business with election duties, and so should NOT have been so deployed, in the first place.

    This is a matter that has been conveniently laid to rest by the Court of Appeal, in 2015,” the statement read further.

  • Move to IPPIS or face consequences, AGF tells MDAs

    The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) Ahmed Idris has advised Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government to comply with the directive to move their payroll to the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) or be ready for the consequences.

    Ahmed warned the Treasury will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive is fully complied with.

    A statement from the Office of the AGF issued on Friday and signed by Oise D. Johnson, Head Press and Public Relations (OAGF) said the AGF gave this advice while receiving the Ag. Inspector General of Police Mr. Abubakar Adamu who was at the Treasury House on a courtesy visit.

    Ahmed was said to have commended the Police for showing example by complying with the directive of President Bubari.

    He was quoted to have said: “The Nigerian police has been fully integrated into the IPPIS platform and their successful enrollment has paved way for the enrollment of the Nigeria Military, which has further demonstrated the robustness of the platform and our avowed commitment to a transparent, accountable and efficient management of the Nation’s funds in line with global best practice.”

    The AGF underscored the enormous roles the Nigeria Police played in maintaining peace and security in the country, saying there was need for the Police to be supported with adequate funding.

    Read Also: MTN chief faults AGF on $2b tax demand

    He assured the continued support of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation  in ensuring that all approvals due to the Nigeria police are timely released to enable them effectively deliver on  their  mandate to the Nigeria people .

    The Ag Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Abubakar  Adamu, extolled the cordial relationship existing between the Nigerian Police and the OAGF, describing it as “a very  strategic  partnership  in the business of policing the nation”.

    He commended Idris for his exemplary leadership, which has culminated in the effective implementation of the various financial reforms which has helped the Nigeria police in meeting most her financial challenges.

  • Tribunal grants Buhari, APC access to poll items

    The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) in Abuja has granted the request by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the last presidential election, Muhammadu Buhari, to be allowed access to materials used for the election.

    The permission is  to enable the APC and Buhari inspect and obtain the certified true copies (CTC) of the materials to enable them prepare their defence against the petition to be filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the election, Atiku Abubakar.

    A three-man panel of the tribunal, led by Justice Abdul Aboki, in granting the two ex-parte motions filed by the APC and Buhari, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the applicants inspect and obtain CTC of the materials.

    The tribunal, in the two rulings on both motions, granted similar orders.

    The APC had, in a schedule it attached to its motion, listed 12 categories of election materials it sought to be allowed to inspect. They include card readers, card readers reports and incident forms, among others.

    In the lead rulings delivered by Justice Aboki, the tribunal granted the two reliefs in Buhari’s motion, but modified the prayers in the motion by the APC.

    It said: “Leave is granted the applicant to bring this application at this stage.

    “The 1st respondent (INEC) shall forthwith, allow the applicant and or its representatives to inspect polling documents and obtain certified true copies of all polling documents, in the custody of the 1st respondent, used for the just concluded presidential election to enable the applicant defend the petition that may be filed by the 2nd and 3rd respondents (Peoples Democratic Party and Atiku Abubakar).

    Adelani Ajibade (for Buhari) and Olusola Dare (for APC) had, while arguing the motions, stated that it was imperative that the tribunal grants their clients’ prayers.

    Ajibade and Dare argued that the grant of the motion will enable their clients examine the materials used for the election and obtain the CTC for the purpose of preparing their defence to the petitions to be filed by PDP and its candidate in the election, Atiku Abubakar.

    Among the items named in the list attached to the motion by the APC are all results sheets used for the election, voters’ register, stubs of all unused ballot papers, all card readers, card readers reports and data analysis, voters’ registers and all rejected ballot papers.

    It also sought to inspect all incident forms, all other electoral forms or documents used in the presidential election of February 23, held throughout the country.

    On March 6, the PEPT rejected the request by the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and his party for permission to conduct forensic analysis and scanning of materials used for the conduct of the presidential election.

    In turning it down, the tribunal said such request for forensic analysis and scanning by experts, of computers, card reader machines, server, among others deployed for the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was beyond the scope of the provisions of Section 151(1) & (2) of the Electoral Act (as amended), which permits the inspection of election materials.

    In a unanimous ruling on an ex-parte application by Atiku and his party, a three-man panel of the tribunal said Section 151 of the Electoral Act, which allows an intending petitioner to inspect materials used for an election only allows inspection and the obtaining of certified true copies of such materials.

    Justice Aboki, who led the panel, however, said the tribunal granted the prayers which allow the applicants the permission to only inspect the materials and obtain certified true copies (CTC) of the materials.

    The tribunal also granted the applicant’s prayer for leave to be allowed to bring such application at the pre-hearing stage of the tribunal’s sitting.

    According to the tribunal, the request by Atiku and PDP to call experts to engage in forensic analysis and scanning of INEC gadgets, computers, among other materials was outside the scope of the meaning of inspection under Section 151(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act.

    Justice Aboki said: “After a careful examination of the reliefs sought on the motion paper and a perusal of Section 151 of the Electoral Act (as amended), and the decision of this court in cases of Aregbesola v. Oyinlola, Akintayo v. Jolaoye, Senator Hope Uzodinma v. Senator Osita Izunaso,, it is hereby ordered as follows.

    “Leave is granted to the applicants to bring this application at this stage,

    “The first respondent (INEC) shall forthwith, allow the applicants and or their representatives to inspect polling documents and obtained certified true copies of all polling documents in the custody of the first respondent, used for the just-concluded presidential election, to enable the applicants institute and maintain an election petition.

    “Prayers three, four, five and six on the motion paper are hereby refused.

    “Forensic audit, examination and analysis by forensic experts cannot be regarded as an inspection of those documents within the ambit of Section 151 of the Electoral Act (as amended),” Justice Aboki said.

    He agreed with lawyer to the applicants, Chris Uche (SAN) that the Court of Appeal had, in previous decisions, permitted the scanning of election documents used during the election at the stage of hearing in election petition.

    He added that such scanned documents must be certified by INEC as true copies of the documents in its custody or held in the custody of INEC.

    Justice Aboki faulted Uche’s reliance on an earlier decision in the case of Senator Uzodinma and Senator Izunaso, and noted that the Court of Appeal has since set aside the permission granted by a lower tribunal for the scanning and forensic audit and analysis of election materials at pre-hearing stage.

    He said: “In that case, the lower tribunal granted the pervasive orders brought under Section 151 of the Electoral Act.

    “The respondent to the said application, appealed to this court, which found that the excessive orders granted with respect to the inspection of polling documents and sundry other materials, were found to be totally outside the scope of Section 151 of the Electoral Act.

    “This court found that the orders made violated the rights of the respondents to fair hearing under Section 6 of the Constitution (as amended).The orders made by the lower tribunal, in that case were set aside by this court. And orders were made, by this court, within the ambit of Section 151 of the Electoral Act.”

     

  • Fed govt launches mobile app to boost ease of doing business

    The Federal Government through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) on Thursday launched a new Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Mobile App, Nigeria’s official public service feedback and complaints platform for business environment reforms.

    The web-based portal or platform will enable the PEBEC office resolve issues and complaints encountered by private sector operators with government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) within 72 hours of lodging same.

    President Muhammadu Buhari established thee PEBEC in July 2016 with the aim of eliminating the delays and restrictions that come with doing business in Nigeria thereby, making the country a place to start and grow a business.

    On May 18, 2017, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, signed the first executive order (EO1) to promote transparency and efficiency in the business environment. It was aimed at removing the hurdles that stand in the way of a bigger and more productive private sector.

    READ ALSO: Fed Govt launches school enrolment campaign

    The launch of the (EoDB) Mobile App in Lagos, on Thursday, was therefore, a step forward in the Federal Government’s resolve to make the business environment conducive and also boost domestic and foreign investments.

    At the unveiling of the web-based application, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, explained that while the EO1 was all on transparency and efficiency, the app is the other side of the coin, where the private

    sector gets to see what is going on from their end.

    She described the EoDB Mobile App as revolutionary, pointing out that Nigeria has never walked down this road before. “Collaboration has been the cornerstone of this initiative,” she said, adding that PEBEC engaged extensively with various stakeholders.

    While noting that the initiative was aimed at making sure that public and civil servants adhere to Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Oduwole said the PEBEC has spent a lot of time building capacity to ensure that feedbacks and complaints from the private sector are resolved within the 72 hours approved by the president. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, said the launch of the web-based app was in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to being a business enabler and facilitator. “It’s about energizing businesses and making the business environment conducive,” he said.

    He said the app, which is now available for download, is already on Goodle Store, while efforts are being made to also put it on Apple Play Store. He also assured that complaints made on the new app will be quickly resolved, urging users to download it on their mobile

    phones. The Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf, described the app as “A game changer and one of the best things to happen to this country.”

    He said although, the PEBEC office has been doing a lot, it’s still work in progress. “There is still a whole lot more to be done, despite a few progresses that have been made,” he said.

    Yusuf, who spoke during a panel discussion to discuss issues bordering on transparency and efficiency of service delivery in Nigeria, observed, for instance, that there is need for the World Bank to review the indicators for composition of the EoDB Index to reflect the reality of each country.

    He said countries vary in their peculiarities and challenges; that some of the indicators in the EoDB composition do not properly capture the critical variables in the Nigerian environment such as power, transportation and security.

    “We need to address all these other variables that are not on the list of the EoDB parameters,”

    Yusuf said, pointed out, for instance, that the present indicators are about construction permit, ease of starting business, credit, reforms, trading across borders, among others.

    The launch of the Mobile App was the high point of the Third Regulatory Convention organised by The Convention on Business Integrity/The Integrity Organisation in collaboration with ActionAid, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, LCCI and Business Day Newspapers.

    It was held in partnership with the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES) with the theme “Improving Transparency and Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.”

  • End of AIDS in sight, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said that the end of the spread of Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is in sight in Nigeria.

    He made the remark during the announcement of the result of the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    He urged the various agencies and partners to work together collectively towards pushing out the last aspect of the disease in Nigeria.

    He said “Today is a critical turning point in Nigeria for a HIV epidemic that has killed many of our countrymen and women. The end of AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is truly in sight for our country. Let us therefore work collectively and “push for the last mile.”

    READ ALSO: Osinbajo: we’re closer to ending AIDS epidemic

    Over the last two decades, he said, that the Federal Government and development partners have continued to expend significant resources in the fight against HIV with less than commensurate impact on the disease burden.

    He noted that the availability of accurate and reliable HIV data for the country is crucial for planning effective health interventions to arrest the HIV epidemic and ultimately rid the country of the health threat.

    He said “Recently, the national HIV programme and our development partners have faced challenges in measuring progress against targets and efficiently utilizing scarce resources due to gaps in our HIV data.

    “Since my assumption of office, this Administration has paid particular and deliberate attention to careful planning as a way of implementing effective policies and achieving sustained change.

    “The Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey is therefore in line with our government’s determination of ensuring sustainable solutions to our development challenges. The survey and its results have come at the right time as we commence the full implementation of the National Health Act that will ensure that every Nigerian has access to comprehensive health services.

    “The Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey was designed to provide the data we need to plan adequately and consolidate on the progress towards the elimination of HIV in Nigeria. We are already a step ahead in this regard, as the Federal government has ensured that the HIV treatment programme in Taraba and Abia is properly funded this year and accommodation made to resource future expansions in the coming years.

    “I am pleased to report that this survey has provided Government with the crucial information needed to enable the national HIV response to move forward and plan for a more sustainable and accountable programme based on credible scientific data.

     “I am aware that our development partners have committed enormous resources in supporting Nigeria to conduct this survey. I particularly wish to thank the United States Government, the Global Fund, the United Nations agencies and technical partners for their significant contributions towards this survey.

    “The Federal Government was committed to the successful conduct of the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey. The survey was completed in record time to the agreed timetable and budget. I wish to note also the commitment of the people living with HIV, State actors and governments, traditional institutions, religious bodies, civil societies, public and private institutions, the media, and indeed all Nigerians in the support provided toward the successful outcome of this survey.

    “I particularly applaud the dedication and resolve of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, (NACA) and the Federal Ministry of Health in seeing this initiative through to its logical conclusion.

    “The official HIV prevalence for persons aged 15-49 years in Nigeria is now 1.4 per cent. An estimated 1.9 million Nigerians are now living with HIV with about one million persons on treatment.

    “I am delighted that these more accurate figures indicate that fewer Nigerians are affected by HIV. However, we cannot celebrate yet, as almost a million Nigerians living with HIV are currently not on treatment. Now that we have data that will help us target for impact, I urge all of us not to relent in this fight, but to increase the momentum in a concerted effort to end the epidemic ahead of 2030.

    “As we mark this important day in the nation’s HIV response, I will like to reiterate the commitment I made at the UN General Assembly in 2017 to progressively add 50,000 Nigerians on treatment every year using government resources.

    “I also welcome the move by the Nigerian private sector to establish a National HIV Trust Fund in the coming months to support our goal of ensuring that all Nigerians have access to high quality HIV treatment and prevention services,” he said.

    If Nigeria is to achieve epidemic control and end AIDS in Nigeria, he said, the nation needs a more coordinated and funded national response.

    “I am directing NACA and the Federal Ministry of Health to undertake detailed consultations and consensus building with key sectoral Ministries, the legislature, governors of high prevalence states, our development partners and civil society to chart a new strategic path, building on the results of this survey. To guide this process, we are issuing today a “Revised National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework” document,” he stated.

  • Buhari commiserates with families, victims of Onitsha tanker accident

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday sent condolences to families of those who lost their lives in a tanker accident in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Wednesday.

    The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina commiserated with the government and people of Anambra State over the sad incident.

    READ ALSO: Buhari commiserates with victims of Makurdi fire incident

    He urged hospitals to give the survivors effective medical attention.

    President Buhari prayed that the almighty God will grant families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss and grant quick recovery to the injured.

  • Breaking: Tribunal to rule on Buhari, APC requests to inspect election materials

    The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) is about to deliver ruling on two motions by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the last presidential election, Muhammadu Buhari.

    APC and Buhari are asking the tribunal to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow them access to materials used for the election, inspect same and obtain certified true copies of the materials.

    The tribunal took arguments from lawyers to APC and Buhari and rose to write its ruling.

    Details shortly….

  • ‘Nigeria, fourth country with highest HIV/AIDS victims’

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on Thursday said Nigeria had been ranked the 4th country with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS.

    Adewole disclosed this during the presidential unveiling of the 2018 Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) result at the Banquet Hall of Aso Rock, Presidential villa.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the goal of the survey was to examine the distribution of HIV disease and commodities in Nigeria and assess the coverage.

    Also to ascertain the impact of HIV services on the population level and to measure HIV related risk behaviours using a nationally representative sample.

    The survey was conducted within nine months as it commenced June through December 2018 in the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory.

    The result of the survey presented stated that HIV prevalence estimates varied across Nigeria with the highest prevalence in South South zone and the lowest prevalence in North West zone.

    The survey presented for each geopolitical zone in the country for prevalence among persons age 15-64 years reads: North Central 2.1 per cent; North East 1.1 per cent; North West 0.6 per cent; South East 1.9 per cent; South-South 3.1 per cent, and South West 1.2 per cent.

    Also, it was reported that almost half of people living with HIV in Nigeria achieved viral suppression.

    Adewole said this improvement was possible due to the huge committee the present administration had channelled towards the eradication of the disease.

    He said that South Africa, India and Mozambique were ranked ahead of Nigeria with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS.

    According to him, the results of this survey will guide and inform government policies, strategies and programmes on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C.

    “I want to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari, public and private organisations, the U.S. Government that supported the survey and Nigerians for their cooperation during the survey.

    “I want to also seize this opportunity to pay tribute to those who died during the process of the survey.

    “Nigeria has moved from being the second country with the highest number of people living with AIDS which was ranked in 2014 with 3.1 million infected people but now fourth country with about 1.9 million people living with the scourge.

    “From the 1.9 million Nigerians, over 1 million are currently on the live saving treatment,” he said.

    Dr Sani Aliyu, the Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), said that the generated survey would be taken to state governors who would be advised to latch on it to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their states.

    He said the survey was the best in the world because of the non-interference policy employed and the use of better quality laboratories.

    According to him, NAIIS is the largest HIV/AIDS specific single country survey ever done in the world which is truly representative of the entire population.

    He noted that the U.S had also assisted the organisation in its goal of eradicating AIDS in the country as it supported Nigeria with $70 million to undertake the survey.

    “We will ensure that we focus our efforts on ensuring those infected with HIV achieve viral suppression, minimising the risk of HIV transmission and moving Nigeria closer to controlling the HIV epidemic.

    “We truly appreciate the effort of organisations which have supported this survey and made it a reality, we look forward to more collaboration to ensure we achieve 2030 target of eradicating the epidemic.

    “I appreciate Mr President for adequate funding of the survey which was done in the most efficient manner and it is the largest survey done in nine months.

    “Also, we thank the United States of America for assisting us to ensure our goals are achieved,” he said.

    Aliyu assured that the survey would provide programme managers and policy makers with a more detailed and specific understanding of HIV epidemic in the country.

    He said this would guide the scale up of treatment and prevention services across all age groups.

    Mr Michel Sidibe, the Executive Director, Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS), commended NAIIS for a job well done, noting that the result of the survey will be a game changer for Nigeria.

     

  • Buhari sympathizes with families, victims of Lagos building collapse

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed extremely sadness over the collapse of a building housing a school in Itafaaji area of Lagos, which left fatalities, particularly of small children.

    The President, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, sympathized with the parents and relations of the deceased, wishing them God’s comfort.

    Read Also: ‘Buhari must have a workable policy’

    He also wished the injured speedy and complete recovery.

    The President commiserated with the government and good people of Lagos State, and pledged assistance of the Federal Government as may be required by the state.

    “It touches one to lose precious lives in any kind of mishap, particularly those so young and tender. May God grant everyone affected by this sad incident fortitude and succour,” the President said.

    He charged the Lagos State government to do all that is needful, so that such tragic developments do not recur in future.

     

  • Our best will be good enough for Nigeria, Buhari assures

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the Federal Government is doing its best to correct and reverse the terrible mismanagement the country had experienced.

    He added that “with some luck, our best will be good enough.”

    The President spoke while receiving a delegation of non-career Ambassadors, who came to State House, Abuja, to congratulate him on his re-election.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said Nigeria was trying to live within her means, “so we can improve our lot,”

    According to him, the administration was determined to upgrade the country’s profile, both locally and internationally.

    Buhari said it would be inexcusable for government not to take care of its Ambassadors in their various stations, hence the special attention being paid to the country’s foreign missions.

    Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Ambassador Ashimiyu Olaniyi, said the Buhari’s election in 2015, and his recent re-election, are divine interventions in the affairs of the country.

    “You are God-sent. You have always come on stage at the critical moments of our national history to right the wrongs of the past,” Olaniyi said.

    He added the President would be remembered “as an astute political leader who does not interfere in the political affairs of states,” noting that the singular quality has given credibility to all elections conducted since 2015.

    The delegation submitted that apart from records of achievements in the three focal areas of securing the country, reviving the economy, and fighting corruption, “your integrity is responsible for your victory, which we are privileged to celebrate with you today.”

    The Ambassadors appreciated the intervention funds that were released to various missions abroad, and pledged continued loyalty and support to the Buhari administration.