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Tag: PRESIDENCY

  • Northern elders, Afenifere, Ohanaeze shedding crocodile tears – Presidency

    The Presidency on Friday lashed out at the Northern Elders Forum, the  Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Pan Niger Delta Forum  for railing at President Muhammadu Buhari over his handling of security in the country.

    The Presidency dismissed the leaders of the “ethnic and sectional groups” as selfish people who were only shedding crocodile tears.

    It asked Nigerians to ignore them.

    The Presidency was reacting to the communique issued on Wednesday by the groups at the end of a conference in Abuja in which they accused Buhari of  incompetence in handling the security situation in the country.

    The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said in a statement that the “unholy alliance by these groups”  was  merely stepping up its  assault on the administration “as it expands its national dominance and moves closer to securing an outright victory in next year’s elections.”

    “The Presidency notes with dismay that the refrain about President Buhari not doing anything about security in the country had turned into the number one fake news item being peddled in the media.

    “The Presidency refers all the purveyors of falsehood to a State House press release published a few days ago and signed by Special Adviser to the President, Femi Adesina, which clearly outlined the government’s major achievements and initiatives in tackling security challenges from January to July, 2018.

    “The press release which was titled: ‘Combating Insecurity in the Country: Lest We Forget – Presidency’ listed ongoing security operations: (1) Nigerian Army’s Exercise Ayem Akpatuma covering Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States launched in February to tackle cases of kidnappings, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, among others; (2) Nigerian Air Force establishment of three new Quick Response Wings (QRW) in Taraba, Nasarawa and Benue States respectively, and deployment of Special Forces personnel.”

    He said the press release also noted President Buhari’s approval for the establishment of a new battalion of the Nigerian Army, as well as a new Police Area Command, in Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, as part of measures to scale up security in response to banditry affecting the area.

    He added: “We advise Nigerians to read Adesina’s statement if they haven’t yet, or re-read it for better understanding of the efforts to ensure peace in the country.

    “It is sad and misleading for anyone to say that President Buhari had not responded to the security challenges in the country.

    “No one can honestly say that President Buhari is doing nothing about security. It’s just a fake news item being peddled by selfish politicians with vested interests in keeping Nigerians incensed, and it risks being entrenched as reality if we don’t educate ourselves with the truth.”

     

     

     

  • What Buhari has done on killings, by Presidency

    The Presidency defended yesterday its response to the killings across the country.

    It gave a timeline of President Muhammadu Buhari’s activities to end it.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole said the party was concerned about the killings. He called on security agents to prove to Nigerians that they can defend them and ensure the safety of lives and properties.

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) advised Nigerians to stop blaming President Buhari for the killings, saying: “Nigerian lawmakers should take the lion’s share of the blame, followed by the citizens and the media”.

    It added that politicians, tribal bigots and a section of the media, which has been spreading wrong information about killings, should also take the blame.

    Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina said: “A popular refrain from some quarters is that the President is not doing enough to combat the insecurity that has beleaguered the country in recent times.

    “Lest that untruth begin to wear a garb of reality, let us consider some initiatives taken under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to rein in the security situation, particularly since January, 2018.

    For January 2018, Adesina said: “Leadership of the police deployed in Benue State, after mass killings reportedly committed by herdsmen. This was followed by a fact-finding team led by the Minister of Interior, and deployment of Special Forces of the military to restore law and order.

    “National Economic Council sets up 10-man committee on farmers/herdsmen clashes, headed by the Vice President.

    “The 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, launched a special operation,Karamin Goro (Small Kolanut), in collaboration with the Air Force, Police, Department of State Services, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC; to tackle kidnapping, robbery and cattle rustling in parts of Kaduna and Niger states (Minna-Birnin Gwari-Pandogari and Minna-Sarkin Pawa general areas).”

    In February 2018, “the Nigerian Army commenced Exercise Ayem Akpatuma covering Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states, in order to tackle kidnappings, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, among others”.

    “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) inducted its first indigenous operational Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV),Tsaigumi. The newly-inducted UAV has day and night capability, an operational endurance in excess of 10 hours, a service ceiling of 15,000 feet and a mission radius of 100km, and is capable of being used for policing operations, disaster management, convoy protection, maritime patrol, pipeline, power line monitoring as well as mapping and border patrol duties.

    “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) established 10 new Units as NAF had concluded plans to set up Quick Response Wings (QRWs) across Nasarawa State, in a bid to tackle the herders/farmers clashes plaguing some states within the axis.”

    In March, Adesina said, the government took some steps, including President Buhari’s sympathy visits to states that had experienced wanton killings in the country.

    “The Nigerian Army extended Exercise Ayem Akpatuma in Taraba State by two months.

    “The committee set up by the National Economic Council on farmers/herdsmen clashes submits report, making far reaching recommendations for peace, including ranching in five states.

    For April 2018, Adesina said the Air Force took delivery of a second batch of two brand new Mi-35N helicopter gunships to boost internal security. It deployed Special Forces to Zamfara State to combat criminality.

    In May 2018, police inaugurated a Mobile Squadron in Takum, Taraba State, the Nigerian Air Force established three new Quick Response Wings (QRW) in Taraba, Nasarawa and Benue states, and deployed Special Forces personnel to these new bases. (Taraba State QRW is located in Nguroje; Nasarawa State QRW in Doma; and Benue State QRW in Agatu).

    Also in May, “Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris ordered the deployment of 200 policemen, and 10 patrol vehicles to Birnin Gwari (Kaduna-Zamfara axis) to tackle armed banditry in the area.

    “President Buhari approved the establishment of a new Battalion of the Nigerian Army, as well as a new Police Area Command, in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State, as part of measures to scale up the security response to the banditry affecting the area. Chief of Army Staff. Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has since flagged off the new Battalion (2 Battalion Forward Operating Base, FOB) in Kanfanin Doka Village, Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.

    “The Defence Headquarters assembled a Special Military Intervention Force comprising more than 1,000 personnel, drawn from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, DSS and NSCDC, to respond to the security challenges in the North Central and North West. On May 8, 2018, the Force launched Operation WHIRL STROKE as a full-scale military operation to completely restore law, order and stability in the affected communities. The Whirl Stroke Operational Force Commander is Major General Adeyemi Yekini.

    “Chief of Army Staff inducted a mix of 49 Toyota Land Cruisers and Innoson gun trucks at the HQ of the 133 Special Forces Battalion of the Nigerian Army at Azare to support the ongoing OPERATION LAST HOLD in Northern Borno.

    “NAF launched newly-constructed accommodation for the 205 Combat Search and Rescue Group (CSARG) — established in 2017 to provide aid and operational assistance to wounded and distressed troops serving in combat units — in Kerang, Plateau State.

    “The Air Task Force of NAF commenced Operation THUNDER STRIKE to attack selected locations of Boko Haram Terrorists in the North-East.

    “The Nigerian Army commissioned its new Forward Operating Base in Epe, Lagos State.”

    Adesina said in June 2018, the NAF deployed combat helicopters to its 207 Quick Response Group (QRG) in Gusau, Zamfara State to support the fight against armed banditry in the town and its environs.

    President Buhari approved the establishment of Operation WHIRL STROKE II, for deployment in Zamfara and Kaduna states.

    Securing the length and breadth of the country, he noted, is a continuing commitment.

    “It is one of the key pledges of the Buhari administration, which it is carrying out night and day,” the spokesman stressed.

    According to him, the security situation in the country in May 2015 when the administration came on board was in tatters.

    Adesina added: “It pulled up its bootstraps, rolled up its sleeves, set to work, and the Boko Haram insurgency was beaten back. It was eventually degraded.

    “Other security challenges are being tackled and will subsequently become history. Not doing enough, as some critics claim, is not part of the deal, nor is it reality, no, not by any stretch of the imagination. A lot is being done, and success is guaranteed,” he said.

    Oshiomhole, speaking after the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting yesterday, said Nigerians must come together with the same vigour they fought the Boko Haram insurgency to defeat the menace of herdsmen killings rather than attaching ethnic and religious sentiments to the killings.

    He told the security agents to wake up to their responsibilities as no one will be satisfied with making explanations or try to explain away why we cannot secure human lives especially of a Nigerian citizen within the borders of Nigeria.

    He said: “We have deliberated on the unfortunate incident that occurred in Sokoto state last week in which a number of innocent Nigerians were killed in cold blood by gunmen.

    “We are worried about this and our preliminary investigations showed that those affected come from a part of the state that can be said to quite rural and probably a place where people don’t even have cattle. All they have is just their farm land.

    “This killings, like other killings across the country is condemnable and the NWC condemn them in the strongest words possible, we believe that every Nigerian, regardless of his location has a right to life.

    “We admit that the minimum obligation of government is to protect lives and property and we urge our security chiefs to do everything possible not only to arrest all those involved in this senseless killing, but to do everything possible to be seen to have the competence to protect lives and property.

    “No one will be satisfied with making explanations or try to explain away why we cannot secure human lives especially of a Nigerian citizen within the borders of Nigeria.

    “We want to strongly appeal to all Nigerians and the media should help us in this process. This is the only country that we have and so, we must do everything to give every Nigerian a sense of security regardless of his accident of birth place which some people refer to as ethnic origin or his choice of residence of religious belief.

    “It is not helpful to national efforts of security lives and property if any Nigerian, including religious leaders and Media seeks to explain criminality in terms of religion or ethnic nationality. This is unhelpful in terms of our collective responsibility to work with security agencies to provide useful information that can lead to the arrest of criminals and also help them to preempt any plan by criminals to undermine our collective security.

    “Those responsible for the wanton killings in Sokoto and those who are victims are of the same ethnic origin and unarguably of the same religious persuasion. It is the same thing in Zamfara state.

    “It is not between one ethnic group or the other and so, if these criminals found themselves in other parts of the country as they have done from time to time, and their victims are of different ethnic origin, we should insist that we treat them for who they are, criminals that government has a duty to pursue and chase out of the territory of Nigeria and all those who are perpetuating crimes be brought to justice in accordance with the provisions of our laws.

    “As a nation, we should all be united, not only in co democracy in this wanton killing, but also in helping government to do what it has to do compel security agents to live up to their mandate. It is clearly unhelpful and it bothers on divisive politics if we seek to disguise criminality either in religious terms or ethnic terms.

    “Government has a duty to protect all citizens regardless of their religious belief. I ask the Media to help us to educate the people that it does not help the process of law enforcement if crime and criminality are identified in terms of their ethnic origin or their religion.

    “But we are together as a party and Nigerians that this killings stand condemned and our security must do everything possible to convince Nigerians that under their leadership, we are safe and secured. They must continue to review their operational modalities in the light of emerging threats.

    “The Buhari government is determined to do everything possible to secure the live and property of every Nigerian. That is one of the key objective that this government committed itself to. Unfortunately , as much as we have made progress, we cannot but commend the President and security agents in decimating Boko Haram.”

    In a statement in Ibadan yesterday, quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) MURIC’s Director Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said “Nigerian lawmakers should take the lion share of the blame, followed by the citizens and the media.

    “They should all accept their culpability in this peculiar mess instead of blaming the executive since the latter has done what is humanly possible within the law.’’

    He said it was unfair to blame Buhari for Nigeria’s inability to stop killings because security was a collective responsibility, particularly the different arms of government.

    “The executive, judiciary, legislature and the press as the fourth estate of the realm also has a vital role to play as well as the citizens.

    “The legislature, instead of cooperating with the executive, is an open enemy even in a sensitive matter like the security of lives and property.

    “As killings occur on a daily basis, Buhari made a move in April to procure more weapons to fight insecurity but the senate turned down the request.

    “National Assembly made so much fuss about Buhari’s request for $1 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, threatening to impeach him for approving its release without its consent.

    “The same self-serving legislature delayed the budget for seven months just to get back at the executive and of course no money can be released before the Appropriation Act is signed into law.

    “The national Assembly also declined to accede to Buhari’s request to approve the sum of $496 million for the procurement of Super Tucano aircraft from the United States.

    “Yet Nigerians failed in their duty to question the right of their lawmakers to endanger their lives,’’ Akintola said.

    Akintola said the recent revelation by Hon. Ahmed Maje that certain politicians sponsored killers and assassins who were trained in Israel has completely absolved President Buhari in the killings.

    MURIC urged Nigerians to adopt a holistic approach to killings occurring in the country.

    “Farmer-herder clashes are common everywhere, particularly in West Africa and Nigeria is not an isolated case but we are behaving as if Nigeria is an island.

    “Take Ghana as an example. Earlier this year, cattle rustlers invaded farmlands in Ashanti, Volta, Brong Ahafo and the Eastern regions leading to killings and the destruction of farms.

    “But Ghanaians did not crucify their president because of the clashes but solve the  problem by establishing their first cattle ranch last week at Afram Plains in the eastern region. It plans to establish more in the Volta and Ashanti regions.

    “It is time to face realities. We must borrow a leaf from Ghana. That country is as multi-religious and multi-cultural as Nigeria,’’ Akintola said.

  • Fayose a street-type thug, says Presidency

    •Victory a credit to Tinubu

    The Presidency yesterday described Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose as a “street-type thug” being mistaken for a “gadfly” by the media..

    It added that the result of Saturday’s Ekit State governorship election won by All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Kayode Fayemi, proved that the PDP is irreparably broken and dismantled.

    The Presidency said the election o remained a credit for the party’s national leader. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The position of the Presidency was contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

    It said it was clear to Nigerians that Fayose had been “a high-powered nothing.”

    The statement said: “For the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which came second in the election in a state that they held sway, it is a loss politically and psychologically.

    “The result of the election has proved that the PDP is irreparably broken and dismantled. They have nothing to offer to the country and its people. The message from Ekiti is that no state in Nigeria will vote PDP. Never again.

    “As for Mr. Fayose and his morbid brand of politics, it is now his time to reconcile himself to the imminent political extinction he faces, his political career sealed for good. Newspapers have mistaken him for a gadfly who creates discomfort for the government at the centre to make it better, but Fayose is a street-type thug.

    “He never fits the role of a gadfly because he thrives on bitter enmity. Opposition does not mean a negative view of everything. Neither does it translate into a licence to abuse your superiors.”

    The presidency described the outcome of the poll as a referendum on President Muhammadu Buhari and a template for his second term aspiration.

    The statement said: “The people of the politically significant State of Ekiti have spoken against their Governor, outgoing governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, who told them that the governorship election they just had was a referendum on President Muhammadu Buhari. He said candidates Kayode Fayemi and Olusola Eleka were pawns and that he and President Buhari were the actual contestants.

    “In what observers said was the most intense, and a most angry campaign, the people gave their verdict: Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the one-time governor, declared persona-non-grata is now persona-grata again.

    President Buhari has won this referendum. The people of the State have sent a clear message. The politics of brinksmanship, assaults, insults, abuses and Robin Hoodism disguised as stomach infrastructure has been rejected in favour of politics of inclusion, development, responsibility and good governance.

    President Buhari’s war against corruption and insecurity; the message of agric revolution and infrastructure development and fidelity in resource allocation and management have struck a chord with Ekiti voters, who had been lied to and deceived by Governor Fayose.

    “While the opposition continued to rant at him, President Buhari’s uprightness, coupled with incorruptibility and personal integrity, unmatched by any politician in the country has again stood the test of time.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) win in Ekiti means that the Party has control over 25 out of the 36 states of the Federation. The party thus becomes the only one in power in the six states of the South-West geopolitical zone.

    The Presidency said the victory of APC was a credit to the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    It added: “Besides reinforcing the APC’s position as the only standing pole in the political landscape, it is a credit to the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, against whom all manner of ethnic and religious opposition is being mounted by former President Obasanjo and some of the Asiwaju’s sworn enemies in the sub-region.

    “With this, the political landscape of the South-West has been transformed. APC’s regional strength has been strengthened and the Asiwaju will be respected even better. Without losing patience and decorum, the Asiwaju has proved that rivals must reconcile and come to terms or lose everything.

    “This win is equally a huge boost to the APC and its new leadership under Chairman Adams Oshiomole, who got their first baptism of fire in Ekiti. It is, importantly, a big boost to the second term ambition of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The winner of the election, Governor Fayemi’s trajectory from a persona-non-grata to a persona-grata again has given a wave of cheer to APC members all over the country. It has given a fresh hope that fake news, lies and propaganda run only short distances, because they have short legs.

    “An old proverb says you can’t beat something with nothing. After all the noise, theatricals and drama, Fayose’s fall came with a thud, not a bang: a high-powered nothing.”

  • Presidency worried over killing of another Nigerian in South Africa

    SENIOR Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa is  disturbed by the killing of another Nigerian in South Africa.

    The Nigeria Mission in South Africa yesterday confirmed the killing of Mr. Ozumba Tochukwu-Lawrence by an unknown gunman.

    The Nigeria Consulate-General in South Africa said the ugly incident occurred at 10 Koppe, Middleburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa, on July 6.

    The mission said Lawrence, who  was shot six times by his assailant, died before reaching the hospital.

    Dabiri-Erewa, in message to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, described the killing as unfortunate.

    She said further enquiry over the issue should be directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa expressed disappointment over an early warning signal put in place by both ministries, which she said had not been implemented.

    She stated that no fewer than 117 Nigerians were extra-judicially killed in South Africa between 2016 and 2018 for one flimsy reason or the other.

    She said many more had followed since then.

    The killing of Nigerians in South Africa had been on the increase in recent times.

     

  • PDP feeling anti-graft heat, says Presidency

    The Presidency on Thursday said that all is now set for the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to wield the big stick against corrupt Nigerians.
    Buhari had earlier on Thursday signed the Executive Order 6 at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, towards improving the fight against corruption in the country.
    The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu in an article entitled ‘Executive Order 6: Buhari acquires a big stick against corruption’, said that the heat the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was facing has made the party to be criticizing any policy of government just to discredit the administration.
    He said “Nigeria’s widespread corruption, which has been eating the eco-system like termites, met on audacious response from President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday afternoon with the signing of a new Executive Order No.6 on preservation of assets connected with corruption. President Buhari holds the view that after three years in office it was another good time to further review the achievements of the administration and set goals in a key policy area, the anti-corruption war.

    “On the basis of the re-appraisals made, the President said that it had become “necessary to re-kit and

    re-tool our arsenal to be able to affectively tackle corruption’s perilous counter-attack against the Nigerian State.”  As a result, the Federal Government of Nigeria had “declared a national emergency to deal with that crisis.” President Buhari came into power in 2015 vowing to fight corruption which had been undermining the country’s economy, politics, governance and entire society.

    “The government is of the understanding that corruption is one of Nigeria’s major challenges; one that had obstructed the country’s drive to realise its full potentials. Most citizens believe that corruption is holding the country by the jugular and must be tackled if we are to make progress and make meaning of our lives. Since the war against corruption unleashed by President Buhari took hold, significant strides had been achieved. Vehicles of fraud and embezzlement have been stopped dead in their tracks; enabled with the implementation of the Bank Verification Number policy and signing the Open Government Partnership and rebuilding the anti-corruption institutions, and generally the country’s highly improved corporate governance.”

    According to him, fifty thousand ghost workers were deleted from monthly payroll, saving an annual N200 billion in payments.

    He added ” Ghost pensioners have in their thousands been fished out and with vigour and precision, millions of bank accounts with suspicious cash deposits are being investigated. A large number of senior public officials are being investigated and a huge sum of money including buildings, estates, ships and automobiles have been seized. Former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha’s money, USD326 million was recovered and will be distributed to the poor.

    “The Buhari administration has so far investigated and jailed ex-governors, ministers, generals and a large number of public officials. All of these efforts are building up to an ecosystem that is pro-poor, people oriented, clean, transparent and one that doesn’t tolerate corruption. Based on all these, Nigeria’s anti-corruption war under President Buhari, striking and visible as it is, has aroused interests both locally and internationally. The President is currently serving as the Champion of Anti-corruption for the entire continent, selected by his peers in the African Union.

    “It is an established fact that, all over the world, deep-rooted corruption is always difficult to deal with. It is mostly hidden. It is hard to detect, and as we have seen in dealing with the world’s economic powers, they love, cherish and nurture it in countries like ours by holding onto stolen assets against all efforts to retrieve them. But there are signs that things are changing.

    “Every day, harsh words against the government are all that the President gets from Wadata House, the Head Office of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, because their leaders, as do some other Nigerians are already feeling the heat. To say the truth, I am not sure if there are many of our citizens who expected any PDP support for the President in his war against corruption.

    “In spite of all the achievements recorded, you still hear complaints that the anti-corruption isn’t as dramatic as Nigerians wished it to be. Some want the country to do it the Chinese way. Others say the government is not arresting the powerful people.

    “For the Buhari administration, concern lies in the fact that corruption has become a big problem because investigation, prosecution and trial in courts are made harder by persons accused of crimes relating to it. They are using the enormous resources in their possession to thwart the system. The President’s view is that, it is only a clean Nigeria that can attract foreign investment, free money for more of the capital projects the administration is executing and creating jobs for our teeming population of young men and women.

    “The President says in the interest of justice and the welfare of the Nigerian state, persons accused of crimes

    relating to corruption must be prevented from utilizing the proceeds and dissipating such assets suspected to be proceeds of corruption (or associated with corruption) pending final determination of any investigation or legal actions related to such assets or owners thereof.

    “In signing the new Executive Order, he said: “I’m bound to restrict dealings in suspicious assets…to preserve

    same in accordance with the rule of law and with guarantee and safeguard of fundamental human rights.” A person who feels that his rights are infringed is free to go to a high court. To understand the threat posed to our democracy and economy by unchecked access to stolen or illicit funds, the President cited the large volume of cash government is fight to retrieve through the legal system.

    “The aggregate value of those funds involved in some of the on-going prosecution of high profile corruption cases is N595,409,838,452.25k. This amount is more than what has been budgeted this year for the all-important Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (N344 billion) and social Investment (N500b), intended for millions of Nigerians through programs such as the N-Power Graduate Employment Scheme, the Conditional Cash Transfer, CCT to the poorest of the power and GEEP (Government Economic Empowerment Programme).

    “The 2018 budget which has made the highest appropriation ever in the sum of N344 billion to the Ministry of Works is to be spent on the following roads:

    – Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway

    – Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani Road

    – Kano-Maiduguri Road

    – Enugu-Port-Harcourt Dual Carriageway

    – Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene Road

    – Sokoto-Tambuwal -Jega-Kontagora-Mokwa Road

    – Dualization of Ojabana to Benin Road

    – Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road

    – Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway

    – Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway

    – Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Sagamu expressway

    phase III

    – Kontagora-Bangi Road

    “The amount of money voted this year for these roads therefore translates to about 57% of the monies recovered by the on-going high-profile corruption cases. The defendants in these cases have unrestricted access to these funds using it as a war chest. They have used it to stall administrative and judicial processes. No gainsaying that it is impossible to achieve any meaningful progress in the fight against corruption where there is no effective law enforcement and prosecution of offenders via an effective justice system. In simple terms, the idea of the new Executive Order is to ensure that criminal elements are prevented from using their illicit resources to “allure, pervert and/or intimidate the investigative and judicial process.”

    The purpose of the Executive Order, he said, is not to forfeit peoples properties but rather temporarily deny access which can be used to corrupt or interfere with the investigative and judicial processes.

    “Equally, it is not intended to, and cannot take over the powers and functions of statutory agencies with prosecutorial powers or create new ones. Rather, this is designed to activate existing provisions of the law on freezing of assets and to establish a system of coordination under the office of the Attorney-General, who has constitutional powers over all prosecutions.

    “Henceforth, it will be a criminal offence to violate the Executive Order. Prosecution authorities will, in all future prosecutions, file application to freeze the assets implicated before, or alongside the charge information sheet. For cases that are on-going, such application shall be filed within seven days of this Executive Order.

    “As provided by the law and the constitution, the President is empowered to “abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power”. It is in his determination to fully execute this function that he declared a national emergency to deal with the threat posed by corruption. While it will definitely take a while for the President Buhari war against corruption to penetrate the lower rungs of government and society, a pervasive canker that had been a part of daily working life of the nation for so long, there is no doubt that the daring response through this Executive Order will go a long way in fast tracking that process.

    ‘Finally, then, is to state that a win for President Buhari in 2019 in next year’s general elections is the best way to provide a good and stable leadership for tackling the problems of corruption in Nigeria.” he said

     

  • Senate to Presidency: expedite action on release of budget funds

    THE Senate yesterday asked the Presidency to expedite action on release of funds for the implementation of 2018 budget projects.

    The upper chamber said expeditious release of funds for the implementation of the budget was the only way Nigerians could begin to appreciate the positive impact of the fiscal estimates.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki, in his address to welcome senators back to plenary yesterday, urged them to “fasten to their seat belts and power on with the work we have been tasked to do”.

    He said posterity is watching them “and history will vindicate us if we do the job with diligence and in truth”

    Saraki said: “Happily, the 2018 Budget has been signed by the President. We call on the Executive to expedite the release of funds for budget implementation, so that our people can begin to see the positive impact in their lives without delay.

    “We as the Senate must continue to exercise our oversight functions to ensure successful implementation and value for money.

    “Naturally, we continue to work towards reforming the budgetary process. Clearly, it is necessary for the Executive and the Legislature to work towards a more robust engagement on the need for a better budget environment and process, going forward.”

    Saraki said it was clear that internal tensions were also reflections of the economic condition of Nigerians.

    He said stakeholders should put economic Bills on the fast lane so that “we may conclude them, so that we can open the door to greater opportunities for our people”.

    He noted that growth and development could only serve to deepen the country’s democracy.

    Saraki said the Senate clocked its third anniversary while they were on break and given the sombre mood of the nation, there was no celebration.

    He noted that they have had occasion to get an overview of the considerable achievements of the Eight Senate since its inauguration on June 9, 2015.

    “Indeed, we have come a long way, and have set a new bar in the legislative history of this country. We have passed 213 Bills in the period under review and cleared 138 petitions – surpassing in three years the records of the entire four-year terms of every previous Senate.

    “This is no mean feat. As we hit the home run, therefore, it is important we do not back-pedal or slow down; we must intensify efforts towards doing all that we are sworn to do for the electorate that voted for us as their representatives.

    “With the backing of the people, we have been able to introduce landmark legislations that have helped boost our recovering economy.

    He added: “We set up the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of Security Infrastructure in Nigeria, chaired by Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan; and we must now take steps to consider the report of that committee and take forward the recommendations therein as may be appropriate.

    “Events have shown that we were right to take these steps in response to the security challenges facing the nation at this time.”

     

  • Senate to Presidency: Expedite action on release of budget funds

    The Senate Tuesday asked the Presidency to expedite action on release of funds for the implementation of 2018 budget project.

    The upper chamber said that expeditious release of funds for the implementation of the budget is the only way Nigerians could begin to appreciate the positive impact of the fiscal estimates.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, stated this in his address to welcome senators back to plenary Tuesday.

    Saraki also charged senators to “fasten to their seat belts and power on with the work we have been tasked to do.”

    Read Also:2018 Budget: Protesters call for Saraki’s, Dogara’s resignation

    He said that posterity is watching them “and history will vindicate us if we do the job with diligence and in truth.”

    Saraki said, “Happily, the 2018 Budget has been signed by the President. We call on the Executive to expedite the release of funds for Budget implementation, so that our people can begin to see the positive impact in their lives without delay.

    “We as the Senate must continue to exercise our oversight functions to ensure successful implementation and value for money.

    “Naturally, we continue to work towards reforming the budgetary process. Clearly, it is necessary for the Executive and the Legislature to work towards a more robust engagement on the need for a better budget environment and process, going forward.”

    Saraki said that it is clear that internal tensions are also a reflection of the economic condition of Nigerians.

    He said that all stakeholders should put economic bills on the fast lane in order that “we may conclude them, so that we can open the door to greater opportunities for our people.”

    He noted that growth and development could only serve to deepen the country’s democracy.

    “To this end, I call on Committees that have not reported on their various mandates to quickly do so, so that we can conclude work on outstanding bills intended to create economic prosperity for Nigerians.”

    Saraki said that the Senate clocked its third anniversary while they were on break and given the somber mood of the nation, there was no celebration.

    He noted that they have had occasion to get an overview of the considerable achievements of the Eight Senate since its inauguration on June 9, 2015.

    Said, “Indeed, we have come a long way, and have set a new bar in the legislative history of this country. We have passed 213 Bills in the period under review and cleared 138 Petitions – surpassing in three years the records of the entire four-year terms of every previous Senate.

    “This is no mean feat. As we hit the home run, therefore, it is important we do not back-pedal or slow down; we must intensify efforts towards doing all that we are sworn to do for the electorate that voted for us as their representatives.

    “With the backing of the people, we have been able to introduce landmark legislations that have helped boost our recovering economy.

    “These include: the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), which is the most significant business reform Bill in Nigeria in nearly three decades. As a result of the signing into law of the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act and the Credit Bureau Reporting Act, for instance, Nigeria was upgraded on the World Bank’s annual Ease of Doing Business ranking.

    “This has been a very welcome development for our economy and for restoring investor confidence in our business terrain. “Other landmark economic Bills include: the Warehouse Receipts Bill, the Nigerian Railways Authority Bill, and the National Transportation Commission Bill.

    “We have given tremendous support to the fight against corruption with the passage of Bills such as: the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, the Witness Protection Bill, the Whistleblower Protection Bill and the Federal Audit Service Commission Bill.

    “You will recall that it was the quick intervention of the 8th National Assembly – through the passage of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Bill (NFIU) – that saved Nigeria from being expelled from the global community of the Egmont Group.

    “It was in the life of this Senate that we finally ‘split the atom’ of the once intractable Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), after almost two decades in the legislative wilderness.

    “We split the Bill into four manageable parts; and, not only have we passed the first of those, the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), we have started work on the remaining three – the Administrative, Fiscal and Host Communities components of the Bill and have already taken them up to Public Hearing stage.

    “The clock is ticking and we must ensure that we conclude work on the remaining PIB Bills as soon as possible. Nigerians deserve no less.

    “Our many interventions over the last three years, have shown that we are a Senate that is responsive to the needs of the people.

    “This is observable in the constitutional amendment Bills that we have passed. Notable among these is the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill, which received Presidential assent on May 31, 2018, to wild jubilation around the country, due to the momentous generational shift it is expected to trigger in national leadership, in paving the way for the greater participation of youths in governance.

    “A youth-oriented focus has similarly informed our engagement with relevant organisations on youth development and empowerment, in order to create jobs that will usefully occupy our teeming youths.

    “We should be rightly proud of the milestones we have reached in this regard, because as we all know, youth inclusiveness is key to sustainable democratic governance.

    “As a people-oriented Senate, we have made major interventions on the drug abuse epidemic afflicting our communities, especially the youth demographic. In so doing, we have helped spark a national debate about drug abuse that is now the subject of major media attention.

    “Additionally, we have drafted two Bills to tackle the problem, namely the Drug Control Bill and the Mental Health Bill. It is now incumbent on us to introduce these Bills and for the legislative process on the two to begin without delay, following their review by the relevant Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders.

    “Among our most transformative achievements, my distinguished colleagues, is the step we have taken to make healthcare a right of Nigerians, and to put it within the reach of our entire population of 180 million people.

    “This we have done through the setting aside of 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) to establish the Basic Healthcare Fund in the just concluded 2018 Budget.

    “This is grounded in our belief that all Nigerians, no matter their economic status, deserve access to qualitative and affordable healthcare, to make for a stronger Nigeria with healthy and vibrant citizens who will, in turn, drive the country’s growth and development.

    “We are resuming plenary today under a pall of national anxiety and apprehension over the state of insecurity in the country.

    “We have been alarmed at so many senseless killings of Nigerians, with the high number of casualties in Plateau being among the most egregious of late.

    “We held a Security Summit some months back, specifically to address the rising insecurity and to work out strategies in collaboration with security agencies on safeguarding Nigerian lives.

    “We set up the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of Security Infrastructure in Nigeria, chaired by Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan; and we must now take steps to consider the Report of that committee and take forward the recommendations therein as may be appropriate.

    “Events have shown that we were right to take these steps in response to the security challenges facing the nation at this time.

    “Let me reassure Nigerians that we are as concerned as they are in the face of this challenge; and we continue to hold government accountable, in order to see to improvement in this area. In addition to the Security Summit earlier mentioned, we held briefings with Security Chiefs in a bid to better understand the problems; and have urged them to table their requests for more funds, so that the legislature can work on that aspect as well, to better equip the security forces to protect lives and property.

    “Through our oversight functions, we can ensure the proper utilisation of such funds and see to it that we have full accountability in the management of the current security crisis.

    “I must say, once again, that the responsibility for ensuring security rests with each and every one of us. Issues of criminality are involved in these heinous acts, and the vigilance of community leaders and the average citizen is crucial, to assist the security agencies do their job.

    “For us as the Senate, it does seem that these issues are also an indication that it is time to revisit the issue of State Police; and to devise a framework for the mopping up of the 350 million pieces of light weapons estimated to be in circulation within our borders – an alarming ratio of three weapons to one person.”

     

  • Corrupt politicians fueling insecurity, says Presidency

    The Presidency yesterday attributed the insecurity in parts of the country to corrupt politicians trying to distract Nigerians.

    It added that the harsh attacks against President Muhammadu Buhari were coming from people who had become used to a life style that they can no longer sustain.

    The Presidency also said there are 2,000 megawatts of electricity which the Distribution copmpnaies DIsCOs are unable to evacuate for use by Nigerians.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, who spoke to reporters during hisvisit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) national secretariat, said the competition for political power in the country had become so fierce, adding that the stakes were very high and opponents of the President ware doing everything possible to bring him down.

    However, he said, the ordinary Nigerian is aware that the Nigerian elite are going places, sitting in posh homes around the world, trying to thwart the good will of the President towards the ordinary Nigerians, adding that the economy is being rebuilt, more foreign investment is coming and more infrastructure being provided for Nigerians.

    He said they were confident that despite the attacks on the President, he would win the 2019 Presidential election especially in places where he did not do win during the 2015 elections.

    He said: “The problem is that the competition for power in the country has become fiercer and fiercer because the stakes are very high and I will give you one example.

    “The President has unleashed on the country a war against corruption, the type that has never been seen before. Assets are being recovered from powerful people. The President is lucky that he has a judiciary which is transforming itself and on the same page with the President in fighting corruption.

    “You know that two former governors are in jail. A lot of people thought that this war against corruption is a joke and that the back and forth that had characterszed the process over time would continue.

    “One of the two cases that we are talking about was determined after eleven years of back and forth between lawyers and Judges, kicking the ball from this court to that court. But now, there is a new era in the country with the conclusion of these cases.

    “A lot of these harsh attacks against the President are coming from people who had become used to life style that they can no longer sustain. We have on record that we have people in this country, that because they were influential, they have permanent suites attached to them in major hotels in Abuja.

    “They will just come, take the key and live lavishly a public expense. When they are leaving, they are accompanied by bags of Ghana must go. The President has blocked access to national resources by lazy people and so, he is being fought not because people are not happy.

    “This is a government that is building long delayed infrastructure. This country will be a country of railways. There is no stage in the country where a minimum of two federal roads are not being constructed or being reconstructed.

    On whether the government will release former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki following the bail granted him by the court, he said “I have not been briefed on that, but I read it in the social media.

    “When I was making inquiries about these things, I came to realize that you may be accused of about five things and you are granted bail on one or two. But I am going to speak with the Attorney General of the Federation and ask him to address the the media on that issue.”

  • PDP shedding crocodile tears over Plateau killings – Presidency

    The Presidency said on Thursday last weekend’s killings in Plateau State had been used to play irresponsible politics, particularly by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The PDP has declared seven days of mourning over the killings.

    A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, said: “These are dolorous times that call for deep introspection on how cheap human lives have become and the proffering of actionable ideas on how to get out of the bind. But the PDP would rather dance on the graves of the dead, playing cheap, infantile politics.

    “The comatose and prostrate party is declaring seven days of mourning, during which flags in its offices would be flown at half-mast nationwide. But unknown to the party, those flags had been forcefully lowered since its 2015 loss at the polls, and may remain so for a long time to come, because Nigerians are politically discerning, and cannot be hoodwinked by cheap antics.

    “A quick checklist of some savage and brutal killings in Nigeria during PDP rule, between 1999 and 2015, for which no national mourning was declared:

    “November 20, 1999, Odi, in Bayelsa State, was invaded on orders of a PDP President. About 2,500 people killed. No national mourning.

    “Between February and May, 2000, about 5,000 people were killed during riots over Sharia law in different parts of the North. No national mourning.

    “In 2001, hundreds of people, including the old, infirm, women and children were killed in Zaki Biam. No crocodile tears.

    “Between September 7-12, 2001, Jos, Plateau State, erupted in internecine killings. Between 500 and 1,000 people were killed. Flags were not flown at half -mast.

    “In February, 2004, at least 975 people were killed in Yelwa-Shendam, Plateau State. No mourning by the then ruling PDP.

    “Between November 28 and 29, 2008, Jos was in flames again, with 381 deaths.  No mourning.

    “In 2010, 992 people killed in Jos. Mum was the word.

    “In 2014 alone, according to Global Terrorism Index, at least 1,229 people were killed in the Middle Belt. No mourning.”

    Boko Haram killings in PDP years, he said, were over 10,000 while PDP flags were still fluttering proudly in the sky.

    He added: “Those who take pleasure in twisting statements from the Presidency may claim we are saying that many more people were killed under PDP than under President Muhammadu Buhari. It would be unconscionable to do so.

    “The intendment of this statement is to show that wanton killings had been with us for awhile; this government is working towards enduring solutions; and should be given the opportunity to do so.

    “Even a single soul is precious, and no man should take a life, which he cannot create. But when tragic situations as had happened in Plateau State occur, such should never be used to play crude politics. Those who wont to do so should have change of hearts, or lose their very humanity.”

     

     

  • PDP shedding crocodile tears over Plateau killings – Presidency

    The Presidency on Thursday said that the sad and unfortunate killings in Plateau State over the weekend is been used to play irresponsible politics, particularly by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The PDP has declared seven days of mourning.over the killings.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said “These are dolorous times that call for deep introspection on how cheap human lives have become, and the proffering of actionable ideas on how to get out of the bind. But the PDP would rather dance on the graves of the dead, playing cheap, infantile politics.

    “The comatose and prostrate party is declaring seven days of mourning, during which flags in its offices would be flown at half mast nationwide. But unknown to the party, those flags had been forcefully lowered since its 2015 loss at the polls, and may remain so for a long time to come, because Nigerians are politically discerning, and cannot be hoodwinked by cheap antics.

    “A quick checklist of some savage and brutal killings in Nigeria during PDP rule, between 1999 and 2015, for which no national mourning was declared:

    “November 20, 1999. Odi, in Bayelsa State, was invaded on orders of a PDP President. About 2,500 people killed. No national mourning.

    “Between February and May, 2000, about 5,000 people were killed during riots over Sharia law in different parts of the North. No national mourning.

    “In 2001, hundreds of people, including the old, infirm, women and children were killed in Zaki Biam. No crocodile tears.

    “Between September 7-12, 2001, Jos, Plateau State, erupted in internecine killings. Between 500 and 1,000 people were killed. Flags were not flown at half mast.

    “In February, 2004, at least 975 people were killed in Yelwa-Shendam, Plateau State. No mourning by the then ruling PDP.

    “Between November 28 and 29, 2008, Jos was in flames again, with 381 deaths. No mourning.

    “In 2010, 992 people killed in Jos. Mum was the word.

    Read Also: Plateau Killings: Residents on guard against attack

    “In 2014 alone, according to Global Terrorism Index, at least 1,229 people were killed in the Middle Belt. No mourning.” he said

    Boko Haram killings in PDP years, he said, were over 10,000 while PDP flags were still fluttering proudly in the sky.

    He added “Those who take pleasure in twisting statements from the Presidency may claim we are saying that many more people were killed under PDP than under President Muhammadu Buhari. It would be unconscionable to do so.

    “The intendment of this statement is to show that wanton killings had been with us for awhile; this government is working towards enduring solutions; and should be given the opportunity to do so.

    “Even a single soul is precious, and no man should take a life, which he cannot create. But when tragic situations as had happened in Plateau State occur, such should never be used to play crude politics. Those who wont to do so should have change of hearts, or lose their very humanity.” he said.