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Tag: National Rescue Movement

  • I’ll make Zamfara the envy of other states -Dansadau

    Senator Saidu Dansadau is a frontline politician from Zamfara State. He is the Chairman of the newly registered National Rescue Movement (NRM). Until he declined to return to the Senate in 2007, he was a member of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He is at present the governorship candidate of the NRM in Zamfara. In this chat with newsmen he explained why he is contesting the election, what his party is offering the Nigerian public, especially on the issue of restructuring, among others, reports Gbenga Aderanti

    MANY people would want to argue that we have enough political parties right now and that there is no reason for INEC to register more parties. Why did you and your like minds form National Rescue Movement?

    Of all the 93 political parties registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) now under the leadership of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the National Rescue Movement (NRM) is the most creative and the most resourceful. We have planned to change and introduce new approach to the style of governance and change the process of governance.

    We have introduced, through our constitution, manifesto and other party policies, novel ideas that have never been in the Constitution, manifesto and policy [[[of any political party in Nigeria from independence to date. We are the only political party in Nigeria today whose registration is online and whose structure is up to polling unit level. A Nigerian in China or any part of the world can register as member of NRM in his home polling unit. National Rescue Movement model of restructuring is the party miracle.

    All revenues accruing to the party shall be shared to the five levels of the party structure, national level 10%, state level 5%, local government 5%, ward level 10% while 70% shall be deployed to the polling unit level. The plan, when we get to the presidency, is that our capital budget structure will take the same pattern. That is 70% of our budgetary capital allocation shall be deployed for executing development projects and provision of basic amenities and other social developments at the grassroots level. This is the NRM restructuring programme. This is our own type of true federalism in which the federating units are more powerful and more beneficial of the nation’s   resources. It is as well in the NRM Constitution that local government chairmanship is for retired bureaucrats and technocrats who are credible and have adequate experience and exposure to ensure prudent, just and fair management of the local government funds.

    One of the early bills NRM presidential candidate will send to the National Assembly is a bill for an act to amend the existing revenue allocation formula in such a manner that state shall get more than the federal government allocation while Local Government Areas shall get more than the states.

    NRM planned to increase the share of derivation funds from 13% to 15%. However, in our effort to ensure justice and fair play at all levels of government, 70% of the derivation funds shall be spent on the development of oil producing areas within every oil-producing state while 30% and statutory allocation shall be deployed for the entire state.

    The essence of this NRM model of restructuring is to fast track the provision of basic amenities, equitable distribution of nation resources, justice and fair play as well as the development of rural areas in the country.  That is devolution of power and resources of the nation from the center to the other components.

    In party administration, by way of leadership for example under NRM Constitution, we have devolved the power of disciplinary action from the National Executive Committee to the polling unit level. By the provision of NRM constitution, disciplinary actions to be administered against erring members of the party shall be administered by the polling unit executive committee, unlike what is obtainable in all the political parties where disciplinary action is only taken by the national and state executive councils.

    You served as a senator, why are you now vying for governorship?

    My motive for contesting the governorship is because of the socio-economic challenges Zamfara State experienced from 1999 till date. Zamfara is one of the unfortunate states in Nigeria that since 1999 till date has never got a leader that attempted to provide good governance. That is why the state is going through the insecurity and other challenges it has faced so far. There is no state in the country that has gone through agony, ordeal, and predicament of insecurity like Zamfara State. I also want to mentor the youth in Zamfara in such a way that through my politics, my behavior, attitude, character and my leadership by example, will culminate to the provision of good governance. I also want to show Nigeria and Nigerians and in fact Africa that it is quite possible to provide good governance in Nigeria. My hope and prayer is that if God, in his mercy, wisdom and power, gives me the governorship of the state in 2019 and helps me to get to the 2nd term and helps the party to govern the state for minimum of three terms, I am going to make Zamfara the envy of the remaining states in the federation. There is a plan to make Zamfara State Africa’s center for commerce and SMEs. I will as well, make Zamfara State the model of mechanized agriculture, not only in Nigeria but Africa. If you govern well, you earn respect of your people. However, that respect would come when you act according to the rule of law. A leader must be ‘untribalistic’ and unbiased. He must be just, fair, equitable to all, irrespective of political inclination, religion, sex and geographical location. Everyone will be treated the same in all respects.

    What are your chances against the already established parties like APC and PDP?

    For anybody who knows me, especially those who know me as far as when I was in school, I have a character such that I don’t believe there is anything that is impossible. Whatever I plan to do, I will always put justice, fairness and equity as my watch word; that is why when I was in Teachers Training College, when my class mates were given all kinds funny nick names mine was justice. Why? Because at that time, whatever I was doing with my peers, I always insisted that justice must be done and people should be truthful, reliable, trustworthy and honest. So, I have the character and uprightness; I have no iota of discriminative tendencies.  The manifesto and constitution of the NRM makes the party unique and if implemented, in no time the country shall get out of its current socio-economic and political challenges. Our performance in the first four years   will enable us win the subsequent presidential elections.  However, even if we don’t win, I am optimistic that by God’s grace, the worst that may happen to us is to win two states.

  • NRM warns leaders against heating up polity with inflammatory remarks

    The National Rescue Movement (NRM) on Wednesday urged Nigerian leaders to tread carefully not to overheat the polity and aggravate the current security challenges facing the nation.

    The party asked the National Assembly to initiate a law which will limit military roles in civil unrest.

    NRM made its position known in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Chinedu Obi

    The statement said: “NRM believes the prevailing tension in the land as a result of economic down turn, unemployment, poverty and armed banditry, already posed serious challenge.

    “The NRM views the recent statements credited to an elder statesman, Gen. T.Y. Danjuma calling on Nigerians to defend themselves as uncalled for and capable of aggravating the security situation although it is a reaction to frustration over failure of government to adequately protect lives and property of Nigerians as enshrined in the constitution.

    “Danjuma’s statement was not necessarily meant to incite the people to carry arms and defend themselves, but a call for people to be vigilant and the military to see the need to change strategy in dealing with the security situation where people don’t feel safe before they adopt self-protection which is the first law of nature.

    “The NRM recalls the categorization of Nigeria by Google as  “a failed state”, ranking it the 15th among ‘’the worst failed states’’ in an exercise in which 180 countries across the world were surveyed based on internationally accepted indicators of failure of government to provide peace, security and safety for its citizens.

    “This is validated by the spiraling rate of killings, destruction of properties and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Nigerians.

    “The NRM believes we got to this stage in our nationhood because of cumulative injustices, gross inequities as well as the aloofness of various political interests to the unfolding consequences.

    “The PDP’s recent confession of driving the country aground and plea for forgiveness coupled with the ruling APC’s glaring lack of capacity to address the current socio-economic crises, makes an alternative credible political vehicle for the country inevitable for a timely and effective restoration of peace and stability.”

    The party urged the National Assembly to initiate a law which will limit military roles in civil matters.

    It recommended the floating of a Volunteer Security Fund to assist volunteer groups to complement the efforts of

    The statement added: “It is our view that over-exposure of our military to civil security duties is substantially responsible for whatever lapses noticed in their operation and we therefore call on the national assembly to as a matter of urgency initiate an act that will review and define situations requiring deployment of the military to assist Police whose constitutional duty is to enforce the laws.

    “Our internal security agencies should also be strengthened, well-equipped and given incentives to enhance their capacity to deal with internal security issues to enable the military concentrate on its traditional mandate.

    “NRM appeals to the Federal Government to set-up a Volunteer Security Fund that shall be used to assist volunteer groups to enable them acquire the necessary skills and capacity to assist security agencies.”

  • Zamfara killings: Party urges state government to restore order

    The National Rescue Movement ( NRM ) has urged the Zamfara Government to restore order to halt further killings in the state.

    The Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Bello Galadi made the call while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Gusau.

    Galadi expressed concern over the manner people were being killed in the state and accused the state government of not doing enough to end the killings and protect residents.

    He said that the party had suspended its activities in order mourn with the families of victims of the recent attacks in Anka Emirate.

    Read Also: Air Force deploys Special Forces in Zamfara to contain attacks

    The scribe said there was need for government to identify the root causes of the killings and take necessary measures to end it.

    He also blamed the Federal Government for not taking proactive measures toward protecting lives in the state.

    The News men reports that Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara recently directed security agents to shoot and kill anyone caught carrying firearms in the state after the killing of 30 persons in Bawan Daji village.

    NAN

  • 2019: Vote out corrupt politicians, Senator urges Nigerians

    2019: Vote out corrupt politicians, Senator urges Nigerians

     

    National Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Alhaji Sa’idu Dansadau has urged Nigerians not to vote for corrupt politicians in 2019.

    Dansadau, who was a former Senator, made the call while addressing supporters of the party in Kano on Saturday.

    “No corrupt politicians should be voted in the upcoming general elections in 2019 as anybody found to have stolen public funds should not be allowed to hold any political office,” he said.

    He said there was need for Nigerians to avoid politicians who don’t have the interest of the country at heart but are only interested in amassing public funds through corrupt practices.

    According to him, any politician or political office holder found to have stolen N1 billion should be considered as an insane because no sensible person will steal such a huge amount of money and claim to be a leader.

    The National Chairman said that the party would not give opportunity to anybody found to have record of corruption to contest for any political office under its platform.

    He urged Kano people to embrace the new party in view of its good policies and programmes that are meant to improve the living standard of Nigerians, especially the common man.

    “Kano people should lead other Nigerians in accepting and embracing the party. Only people who have strong faith in God will embrace NPM, “Dansadau said.

    The National Chairman said that the party would give priority attention to youths in view of the fact that, if given the necessary mentorship, they would take the country to great heights.

    He expressed appreciation over the large turnout of the party members at the meeting despite the short notice and commended them for propagating the ideals of the party in the state.

    He said the essence of the visit was to meet with traditional rulers, religious and community leaders as well as other stakeholders to explain the ideals of the party.

    NAN