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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • N4.7b Election Fund: Protest erupts in Ekiti

    N4.7b Election Fund: Protest erupts in Ekiti

    The alleged involvement of Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State in the sharing of N4.7 billion released for the 2014 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun State Friday sparked a massive protest in Ado Ekiti,the state capital.

    Thousands of protesters stormed the streets condemning what they termed the looting of the treasury in the midst of wide spread suffering by the majority of the people.

    They asked the governor to resign having failed to pay civil servants for the sixth month running while he has billions of naira in his own personal account.

    The protesters declared their support for the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari and called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to bring Fayose and others who have been indicted to book.

    The anti-corruption agency during the week named Fayose as a major beneficiary of the slush fund.

    Consequently it restricted the governor’s Zenith Bank accounts which it said were used in sharing the alleged loot.

    Fayose has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the bank funded offered to sponsor his election campaign.

    The governor’s denial made no impression on the protest organizers – Be The Change Organization (BCO) – which mobilized labour unions, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), artisans, market women, youth organizations and student bodies to join in the Fayose-must-go rally.

    They took off from the  Fajuyi Roundabout in Ado Ekiti at about 8.50am ,carrying placards with inscriptions such as: ‘Support Anti-Corruption Crusade, Probe Executive Looting in Ekiti’; ‘What Happened to Ekiti Airport Fund?’; ‘Fayose Must Go’; ‘ Fayose is a Disgrace to Ekiti People’; among others.

    From the Fajuyi Roundabout, they moved to Okesa, Ojumose and finally  Okeyinmi Roundabout throwing jibes at the governor.

    They distributed leaflets to traders, commercial drivers, pedestrians and bystanders detailing how the state treasury is being allegedly looted and the personalities and corporate organizations believed to be involved.

    Officers and men of the Ekiti State Police Command were on hand to ensure that the rally did not get out of control or hijacked by hoodlums.

    Executive Director of BCO, Mrs. Omotunde Fajuyi, said Ekiti people are embarrassed by the EFCC allegation against the governor and declared that all Nigerians must support any move to recover the people’s commonwealth from looters.

    Mrs. Fajuyi said: “We support President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade. We have come out to protest the looting of our money, corruption in government and scandals dodging this government in Ekiti.

    “Workers are dying at home. We want Fayose to explain what he has done with the allocations he has so far collected because he has received more than N50 billion as allocation since he came to power.

    “Fayose claims to be a Christian, he must come out clean and give account to the people of Ekiti State and he must submit himself and all his aides and associates to the anti-corruption agencies for investigation.”

    A youth leader, Adeoye Aribasoye, challenged Fayose to explain what he did with the ecological funds and the N9.6 billion bailout funds he received from the Federal Government.

    Aribasoye said: “We have a governor who has over N4 billion in his account .He is the only one who can explain what he has done with all the funds he has received from the federal authorities.

    “He must explain the N2.4 billion ecological funds because we don’t know what has happened to the money. He must answer for the revelations of Ekitigate.

    “Pupils and students of public schools have been out home for over four weeks due to the strike embarked upon by civil servants and teachers.”

    The court-validated Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Kolawole Olaiya, urged the EFCC to probe the whereabouts of the N9.6 billion bailout money released for the payment of workers, pensioners and past political office holders.

    Olaiya said: “Corruption is responsible for the inability of Ekiti State government to pay workers’ salaries for six months.

    “Ekiti workers still believe that the N9.6 billion bailout is kept somewhere and we urge the EFCC to institute a probe into this fact so that workers can receive their six month salary arrears and secure their future.

    “Government is created for the welfare and security of the people and Governor Fayose has done nothing to improve the lives of the people and secure their today and their future. Enough of these lies, Ekitk people must be liberated.

    “Today in Ekiti State, public primary and secondary school students, including those in private schools are now paying taxes. This must stop. It is at variance with the 1999 Nigerian Constitution; imposition of obnoxious taxes in Ekiti State must stop.

    “We want Ekiti State workers to note that Fayose is nobody’s friend.Teachers, civil servants, public servants, local government workers, artisans, driver unions etc must note that Fayose is not your friend.

    “Workers are dying for non-payment of salaries for six months including pensioners. Fayose must be brought to book not minding Section 308 immunity.

    “It is criminal not to pay workers and pensioners for six months. The federal government sent N9.6 billion to Ekiti State as bailout, how was the bailout expended and who are the beneficiaries? What accrues to the state as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is not known to the people.”

    Speaking on behalf of artisans, Idowu Ayegbe said: “We regret all the burden the governor has imposed on us in Ekiti in form of levies and taxes on our pupils. We are not happy with what the governor is doing including his attacks on the President.”

    The state CNPP spokesman, Ayo Adelabu demanded Fayose’s resignation from office in the face of new evidence of alleged corruption .He also asked  the management of Zenith Bank to come out and explain the role  of the bank in the alleged funding of Fayose’s  campaign.

    Adelabu said : ” Fayose should resign  from office over his failure to live up to people’s expectations.He should come out and defend himself in the N4.7 billion arms deal scandal and we also challenge him to explain to Ekiti people how he has spent six months allocation without payment of workers’ salaries.

    “The CNPP warns Fayose to stop abusing Mr. President who has been enjoying the full support of the majority of Ekiti people.

    “The CNPP strongly condemns Ekiti State legislators who have turned themselves to political slaves in the hand of Fayose. The governor should also come out and explain the N2.3 billion loan he took from bank.

    “The CNPP advises Governor Fayose to immediately stop the flyover bridge project and caution his political thugs against the attack of innocent people in the state.”

    Meanwhile, an interest group, Ekiti Redemption Group (ERG), has called on Fayose to pay all the six month arrears of workers’ salaries or face a legal action and “unending protests”.

    The group gave Fayose a seven-day ultimatum to pay all arrears of salaries and pensions failure of which the administration will be dragged to court to explain how treasury is being managed.

    ERG National Coordinator, Morakinyo Ogele, in a statement yesterday  said Fayose’s campaign was anchored on stomach infrastructure but expressed surprise that his administration has unleashed hunger, hardship and untimely death on the people through poverty and financial recklessness.

  • Be more patriotic, Buhari urges elites

    Be more patriotic, Buhari urges elites

    …Says elites have failed the nation

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday urged Nigerian elites to be more patriotic and partner with his administration in order to make life more meaningful for the ordinary Nigerians.

    He made the appeal during the breaking-of-fast dinner with retired and serving Justices of the Supreme Court at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Buhari frowned at the selfish attitudes of some individuals who are bent on stifling the nation’s economy through illegal and sharp practices.

    According to him, God has been good to Nigeria in terms of material and human resources but the elites had failed woefully in translating this to prosperity for the country.

    The President therefore urged the Justices to assist in re-educating and convincing the elites on the need to be more patriotic in their actions and deeds to create a just, fair and stable society.

    He said: “So, at this age, at the position we are, more demand is made on us to persuade those we know, the elites to please pity this country and make more sacrifices.

    “At whatever forum, please persuade our fellow elites to be more patriotic because which kind of country are we leaving for our children and our grand children.

    “Everybody in the world believed Nigeria has been favoured by God Almighty in terms of material and human resources.

    “But, we have failed, woefully failed so far to explore it and thank God for these gifts.

    “Let us pray to God Almighty that our colleagues outside there that are having the influence with the rest of people and holding the economy sit and reflect and make sure that this country gets what it deserve from its leadership at various stages. I hope this will help to digest what we have just eaten,’’ he said.

    He reminded them that Nigeria was in a difficult position occasioned by the dwindling oil revenue as he urged them to continue to pray for the betterment of the country.

    Buhari was optimistic that the country would survive the current socio-economic challenges.

    “We are in a very, very difficult position now. We came at a time when suddenly we realized,  unfortunately that we have through our personal incompetent as Nigerian elites ended up as a mono-economy in spite of the potentiality of this country, which the rest of the world seemed to know more.

    “We have observed what happened in the last 15 years. We have enjoyed so much prosperity.

    “But, eventually, the thing we looked for most, security, first in the North East, threatened us, secondly, in Niger Delta. But we know we get the strength to survive it and survive it we must.” He said

    The Retired Justice Salihu Belgore, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the president for inviting them for the dinner and assured that they would continue to partner with the government to ensure speedy transformation of the country.

     

  • Nigeria to end fuel importation in 2019- Kachikwu

    Nigeria to end fuel importation in 2019- Kachikwu

    Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, yesterday said Nigeria would end fuel importation by 2019.

    He said it requires $50billion dollars to fill the infrastructural gap in the industry and get it functioning optimally.

    He said by 2019, Nigeria expects to become a net exporter of refined products, adding that an investment drive is ongoing to meet the infrastructure requirement.

    Kachukwu was a guest speaker at the 10th Annual Business Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) in Abuja, with the theme: Law reform and economic development.

    Speaking on the sub-theme: Future prospects for the oil and gas industry, the minister said the refineries are currently working at about 40-50 per cent capacity.

    He said the aim is to get them working at 90 per cent capacity or more and build the needed infrastructure as investors come in.

    On why refineries are working at low capacity, he said: “How does a refineries work if the pipelines supplying them are out most of the year and so they can’t supply crude? You can’t refine an empty space.

    “How does it work when you don’t do your turnaround maintenance or if when monies are budgeted for them they are diverted? How does it work if your contracting process is so long that you never meet the turnaround days you’re supposed to? How does it work when you send the wrong set of people with the wrong set of skills to what should have been very important portfolios in the establishment?” he said.

    The minister said engagements with militants in the Niger Delta has been successful, resulting in a ceaseful and rise in crude production.

    He said he visited the creeks and met with the local chiefs with a view to finding a short, medium and long term solution to the crisis.

    Kachukwu praised President Muhammadu Buhari for not employing force in solving the problem, adding that when he visited the creeks, the militants “never fired a gun” while he was there.

    The minister said oil production has picked up as the Niger Delta crisis is being resolved.

    According to him, 1.89million barrels was produced as at Wednesday. He said he expects it to hit 2.3million barrels by next month.

    Kachikwu said reforms in the petroleum industry required “bold thinking to challenge the status quo”.

    According to him, it required balancing interests of several groups with conflicting demands, some of which he said appeared valid.

    He said: “The deregulation was a very bold thinking. Removal of subsidy was a bold thinking. Restructuring (the NNPC) was a bold thinking.

    “We are working on a fairly fast-paced track where every month has a major new issue that we have to deal with.

    “We’re looking at a template of two years in which to do so much in terms of changing this industry and recreating the opportunities that are inherent in the system.

    “The greatest challenge for someone who is initiating policies is how to satisfy all the interest groups. It was why we couldn’t pass the PIB and in trying to get the militants to back out so we can have some peace in the place.

    “Timing of reforms is key and should have been yesterday. In most of the areas we are far behind time and our competitors and that is basically why we’re in a virtual race position today. We need to do all this to be able to get to where we should be.”

    On how the government is dealing with issue of militancy, Kachikwu said it is deploying a wholistic solution.

    “The problem has been that most times when these things (pipeline bombings) happen, we find an interim solution that stabilises production for a while and then we drop off the table and it comes right back.

    “There are lots of things that need to be done. In the short term is to stabilise the conversation so that some civility will replace adversarial norms.

    “I think we’re getting very close to that. At least parties have pulled back for 30 days for more talks. Those 30 days are going to be a fire-engine type racing to do something.

    “We need to set up, for example, a real engagement team that will be able to take up the larger stakeholders – the kings, the community leaders to clearly understand what they want and decide on the minimum standards of what is needed.

    “We also need to set up a much more practical team that deals practically with the individuals who are out there exercising the mantra of militancy.  We need to set up a body that focuses on the development of the Niger Delta.

    “One of the reasons why I took time to fly into some of the creek areas wasn’t for publicity. It was to get a firsthand feel of what it is really like there. Once you get into an area where there are no roads, no light, no water, it’s a different mindset. And you need to spend time to understand that mindset.

    “In the three of the locations that I visited, I could relate the villagers who are living there with the militants who are living next door in the forest and who were respectful enough not to fire guns while I was there.

    “What it showed, as my father used to say, is that ‘mad men have rules of engagement.’ It doesn’t matter what you think of militants, they do the things they do because hopefully they have burning passions for the positions they take and we need to understand that kind of psychology.”

  • Buhari wades into Edo APC crisis

    Buhari wades into Edo APC crisis

    There were indications Thursday that President Muhammadu Buhari may have directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal to interface with stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Edo state with a view to resolving the crisis in the party.

    Sources close to the party told journalists that the President has asked the SGF to meet with all the aspirants in the last governorship primaries and other stakeholders within 24 hours.

    The Edo State APC governorship primaries which was held on June 18 and won by Mr. Godwin Obaseki is being challenged by two of the aspirants who alleged irregularities in the conduct of the primary.

    In his petitions to the Appeals Committee, Ogiemwonyi alleged over voting at the primaries, while Imansuagbon claimed that the primary was rigged electronically.

    It was gathered that the two aggrieved aspirants have threatened to drag the party to court if they fail to nullify the primary.

    The source said, “The two aggrieved aspirants are waiting the recommendation of the Committee, threatening to go to court and work against the party in the event of any last minutes endorsement”.

    Chairman of the Primary Committee and  governor of Katsina, Aminu Bello Masari who was invited to appear before the committee was said to have been represented by a Director at the National Secretariat of the party.

    Chairman of the Appeal Committee, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele stated that the committee was compiling its recommendations, adding that all the stakeholders invited met with the Committee members and made oral presentations of the primaries.

    He however deny knowledge of the proposed meeting between the aspirants and the SGF.

  • Nigeria, Norway to deepen cooperation on fisheries development

    Nigeria, Norway to deepen cooperation on fisheries development

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said Nigeria will work together with Norway, a major fish exporting country, to deepen agricultural cooperation, particularly on fish farming and fisheries development.

    Speaking at a farewell audience with the outgoing Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria, Ambassador Rolf Ree, President Buhari said his administration will continue to promote agriculture as an alternative revenue earner for the country.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President also welcomed the humanitarian aid provided by Norway and some European Union member countries in support of Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria.

    He reaffirmed the Federal government’s commitment to exploring opportunities to ensure the rehabilitation and safe return of affected persons to their communities.

    Also receiving the outgoing Ambassador of Mexico, Mr Anthonio Garcia Blanco, he commended the cordial relations between both countries in the forty years of their diplomatic relations.

    The President congratulated both envoys for a successful completion of their tour of duty to Nigeria and wished them well in their future endeavours.

    In his remarks, the Norwegian ambassador praised the Buhari administration for the clean-up of Ogoniland and other oil impacted communities in the Niger-Delta.

    On his part, the Mexican Ambassador underscored the historic and economic similarities between Nigeria and Mexico, stressing the need for deeper and more productive ties between both countries.

  • Freezing of Fayose’s account: PDP accuses Buhari of tyranny, witch-hunt

    Freezing of Fayose’s account: PDP accuses Buhari of tyranny, witch-hunt

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the freezing of the personal bank account of Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose as tyrannical and a witch-hunt.

    The party said it has been observing with dismay, the  dangerous trend of politically motivated trials and tyrannical administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC) demanding that the ruling party must stop the witch-hunt in the interest of peace and stability of the nation.

    In a statement Wednesday by PDP’ interim spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party said the freezing of the governor’s account was unlawful, undemocratic, autocratic, oppressive, draconian “and to say the least, the height of desperation by the Buhari administration to cover up for its failure to deliver on his campaign promises to Nigerians”.

    Adeyeye said events in the country in recent times have shown that President Buhari and the APC have no agenda for nation building but on a revenge mission.

    He said, “This government is all out to silence any voice of the opposition. Nigerians will recall that Chief Olisa Metuh, the former National Publicity Secretary of our great party is today standing trial for receiving campaign funds and since his arrest and prosecution by the anti-graft agency, Chief Metuh could not challenge the APC government on policy issues until he left office.

    “Nigerians will also recall that one of the known opposition voices, apart from some individuals and governors of our party that have exposed the APC led administration for running the country aground in the last one year is the former spokesman of the PDP presidential campaign organisation, Chief Femi Fani Kayode.

    “He is now standing trial for receiving campaign funds from the Director of Finance of the campaign. It’s now the turn of the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose who has been consistent in condemning the woes the APC government brought upon Nigerians and for remaining critical of the APC and President Buhari’s administration”.

    The party asked the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to free Fayose’s bank account immediately, saying that the action violated Section 308 of 1999 Constitution as a sitting governor cannot stand trial until after his tenure.

    “President Buhari and his party, the APC have introduced a dangerous trend in our polity and if this is not checked or curtailed immediately, Nigeria may be heading to an imperial-rule where the leader of the nation is a supreme ruler dictating who survives at the expense of the Nigerian Constitution”, the spokesman added.

    The PDP called on well-meaning Nigerians and all stakeholders in the Nigerian project who are still alive to rise up to the occasion and call the APC government to order before President Buhari “destroys our hard earned democracy”.

  • Buhari vows to end fraud, corruption in Nigeria

    Buhari vows to end fraud, corruption in Nigeria

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday vowed to leave no stone unturned to rid Nigeria of fraud and corruption.

    He made the remark while addressing State House staff that gathered at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa to formally welcome him back from his medical vacation.

    According to him, those that take whatever does not belong to them will be made to face prosecution.

    He said: “All fraud must stop. If they don’t believe us, they should go try and see those we caught red handed with public funds. This exercise will continue as long as this leadership is here.

    “Whoever takes anything that does not belong to him or that he is not entitled to, it will be documented and the person will be taken to court. This is the only way I think we can bail ourselves out.

    “I am asking you to dedicate yourselves more to your country because I said more than 30 years ago, that there is no other country we can call our home, but Nigeria,” he said.

    He added: “We are determined to rehabilitate our country for the sake of our children and our grandchildren. I have never in my life from class monitor to this place, twice in different forms, believed in corruption.

    “But we don’t touch anybody who did not touch public funds, you should behave yourself. If you don’t have houses in Abuja and the whole of Europe, you will sleep soundly. You and your family will earn respect. But if you shortchange the treasury, you will be caught and I pity your family because people will be abusing them.

    “People will be calling you big thieves that how did you raise money to build all the houses in Abuja and Europe with your meager salary? I think personal integrity is something to be encouraged. I assure you that I am absolutely dedicated to serve Nigeria. Those who behave themselves will never regret, but those who don’t behave themselves, will have problem,” he added.

    He noted that one of the greatest challenges his administration is facing is not meeting any savings on ground despite the huge income from sales of oil which crashed as low as $30 per barrel since 2014.

    Picking on power, he said that there was virtually no improvement in the sector since 1999 despite the billions of Naira spent.

    The President also said that it was shameful that most states in the country can’t pay workers’ salaries.

    He said: “27 out of the 36 states couldn’t pay salaries. This is a disgrace to Nigeria. It is a disgrace up till now most of the states cannot pay salaries. What happened to all we have gotten over the years? We look up and down, left, right and centre, what have we saved? There was nothing because we developed a consumption culture that we were not supposed to develop. Most of your colleagues that have left service, I doubt if they are getting benefits. That is the situation we find ourselves in.”

    Noting that the army has made remarkable improvement against insurgency in the northeast part of the country, he observed that militants in the Niger Delta are competing on destroying oil installations.

    He said: “Unfortunately, the other unstable part of the country, the Niger Delta, with their myriads of organizations that are competing over which one can do more damage to the country and the oil companies and oil wells. For how long are we going to do this?”

    Stressing that it is not easy to preach change to the people for what they are used to since 1999, he however said that there is no going back on the change agenda of the administration.

    He said: “The change must take place because as I said, when we were used to getting $100 par barrel… this reflects on the economic predicament the country finds itself. This has affected the morale and integrity of a lot of people who bother to ask what is happening to their country.

    “The fact that you work here, no matter what level, people expects you to know and they expect you to discuss with them intelligently and show your concern for your country and what we are going to leave for our children and grandchildren. Let’s not lose the opportunity for the future so that we can build infrastructure.”

    On the power sector, he said: “Look at power, how much did we spend on power? from barbers to factories, shops, we all depend on power. There is virtually no improvement from 1999 till now no matter how many billions they have spent.

    According to him, the immediate alternative to revamp the economy is to embrace agriculture and the solid minerals sectors.

    He said: “That was why we voted a lot of money for agriculture so that we can at least feed ourselves. And once we can feed ourselves, we can say okay let the struggle continue. At a least we can eat two to three meals par day.

    “We have to quickly go back to the farm. It is too late for this year. But next year, we will make a better arrangement to make sure next year, we can feed ourselves.” He said

    Changes aimed at reducing costs of governance, he said, included pruning down of the number of ministries from 42 to 24.

    On his medical vacation, he said: “I thank you for welcoming me back from my health break. You are the judges, perhaps I look healthier than I left or I came worse.”

    Speaking earlier on behalf of the staff, the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Jalal Arabi, said: “We are here to welcome you back from your well-deserved vacation.

    He reassured the President of the staff’ commitment and loyalty to his core value of integrity, transparency, accountability and fear of God.

    The Permanent Secretary also promised that the staff will continue to do their best on what is expected of them.

    He also prayed for good health, God’s guidance and wisdom to continue to lead the nation.

  • Pray more for Nigeria, Buhari urges cabinet members

    Pray more for Nigeria, Buhari urges cabinet members

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night urged members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to redouble their efforts in praying to God for a better and peaceful Nigeria.

    He spoke during the breaking of fast dinner for members of FEC at the new banquet hall of the State House, Abuja.

    He said the Month of Ramadan was a special time when God listens and answers prayers of the faithful.

    According to him, the Ramadan period provides leaders the opportunity to be more conscious of their responsibilities to the people they governed.

    He said: “It strengthens our resolve to build our country to make it stronger and to make sure that the incoming generations are sufficiently motivated to be patriotic.

    “It is no news that we are the biggest country in Africa, we are the economic engine of Africa, which are true by the way.

    “But, we must always be patriotic in our dealings with others. This (Ramadan) month of prayers and service to God, let us keep on these prayers all the times, believing that God in His infinite mercy will listen to our prayers, give us peace, security and better the economy once more, so that we can quickly rebuild and even do more for the  country.

    “Let me assure that the time of Ramadan is making us more conscious of what leaders at every level ought to do, and leading the people is not a joke. It means accepting responsibilities for good or wrong,’’ he said.

    The president stated that the country needed a lot of prayers in view of the economic and security challenges facing the nation.

    He, particularly, cited the activities of the militants and those agitating for the state of Biafra, reminding such people and their sponsors of the calamities that befallen the country during similar agitations between 1967 and 1970 were about two million lives were lost.

    “We need a lot of prayer. Certainly, with the nation’s economy going down. Haven’t developed the agriculture, we are still trying to talk about those who will come and develop the solid mineral for us.

    “The militants in their various homes. We need to reflect very seriously on what happened between 1967 and 1970 were about two millions Nigerians lost their lives.

    “And at that time, as young military officers, you hardly heard of anything about petroleum or whatever money you got from it.

    “Look at what Gen. Gowon said; ‘To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done’ and every soldier, whether he has been to school or not knew what the General meant.

    “But, we were quarrelling with our brothers, we were not fighting an enemy and then somebody is saying that once again he wants Biafra.

    “I think this is because he was not born when there was Biafra. We have to reflect on the historical antecedence to appreciate what is before us now and what we intend to leave for our children and our grandchildren,’’ he warned.

    He thanked the ministers and other members of the cabinet for accepting to serve, and to identify with the APC-led Federal Government.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who spoke on behalf of members of the FEC, thanked President Buhari for inviting them for breaking of fast dinner.

  • Photos: Buhari resumes duty

    Photos: Buhari resumes duty

    Buhari Res
    L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

     

    Buhari Resumes

  • Buhari delivering on Change agenda, says Oshiomhole

    Buhari delivering on Change agenda, says Oshiomhole

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has responded to critics of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, saying the President is already delivering on his electoral promises and the APC Change agenda.

    Speaking at the National Executive Committee Meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association where President of the Association, Mr. Augustine Alegeh asked the Niger Delta Avengers to sheathe their sword and embrace dialogue, Oshiomhole said “I know that right now, everybody is talking in the country. Is this the change we asked for? And my answer is Yes. It is the change we asked for. For all of us in this hall, you know that the challenge of fixing a house that has been destroyed is much more cumbersome than even building a completely new house because for the one that has been destroyed; you have to start by removing the debris. You have to check whether the foundations are weak so that you remove them. You must first do a lot of cleansing and excavation.

    “That is what President Muhammadu Buhari is doing. And people expect that in twelve months, you would have fixed what was destroyed in sixteen years. It is simply not possible and in any case, you must also recognize that even the pressure on the naira is the result of the so much dollars that was taken out and it will require a lot of efforts at a time of collapsed prices and the challenge of oil export to fix what was completely mismanaged.

    “So, I asked us as elite, we have a duty to explain to the Nigerian people: Changes will come, but they won’t come by trying to remove a house with smoke under. You must extinguish the fire and make sure the foundations are strong, and start the process of rebuilding gradually.”

    “Is this the Change we asked for? Yes. It’s the Change we asked for. There is no way miracles can occur in the life of a nation. The challenge of re-fixing the house has been destroyed is much more cumbersome.

    “People expect that in twelve months, the President would have fixed what was destroyed in 16 years. Even the pressure on the naira is because so much dollar was taken out.”

    He called on the NBA to join the government in the fight against corruption, saying “the NBA has a very important role to play in the national effort to combat and defeat corruption. But I asked my Lord the Chief Judge, by the time the President of the NBA said the Bar has been fighting the war, and I said to my lord, are you aware of any casualty in the war the NBA has been fighting against corruption? Is it possible to fight a war without casualties? I think now we are beginning to see casualties because there is a renewed determination by the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to demonstrate that if it is true that corruption is as rampant as everybody claims, and if it is true that we have set up institutions to fight it, it cannot also be true that we are fighting and nobody is falling.

    “I think right now people are beginning to fall, and with your help, they can fall faster. Corruption is fighting back and I regret to have to say this in your presence, I should say this after you have left, that it appears that corruption is fighting back, and a section of the Bar is supporting this effort, because we have seen needless adjournments, needless amendments to charges and needless preliminary objections, leading to endless adjournments. I think that the Bar in your business section agrees on a code that if as Buhari said, if we don’t kill corruption, it will kill us, and we don’t want to die, then we must allow justice to have its way without delaying it.”

    He charged members of the Bar to ensure that the law is always tilted to the side of justice, saying that people will continue to depend on courts only if they believe they will get justice, not judgment from the law courts.

    He said: “I ask you as officers in the temple of justice to try to tilt the law, the practice of the law more to the side of justice rather than judgment. Very often, we see real tension between justice and judgment. Mr. President, you have just advised, and I believe it is a very common sense advice that as we approach the elections in Edo State and Ondo State later this year, that we should play by the rules.

    “Those rules must be rules of justice and fairness, not technicalities. The point I want to make is that people will continue to depend on courts for as long as they can perceive that there will be justice at the end of the day, not judgment. When more and more people believe that there is tension between justice and judgment, the temptation to resort to other forms will gain more currency.”

    Oshiomhole continued, “When justice is subverted, there is danger to democracy. Therefore, I want to plead with the Bar that you are in a position by the quality of your argument to persuade judges to resolve issues more on the basis of facts, rather than technicalities. When Donald Trump, we are all familiar with him, said that justice should not only be done, it should be seen to have been done, the eyes with which it  is seen are not legal eyes, they are the eyes of very ordinary people, including motor mechanics, sweepers, thugs, cooks and even comrades. If all of these people feel that justice has been murdered, and you celebrate that you got a judgment, honestly the burden is yours because ordinary people believe justice was sacrificed, and when more and more people also believe it, then our system will be under severe pressure.”

    On allegations that the anti-corruption war is one-sided, Oshiomhole said: “the truth is if you monopolize power for sixteen years, and you monopolize the sharing of the national treasury for sixteen years, should you not monopolize the burden of being prosecuted for sixteen years? Is it the victims of the sharing that should be prosecuted? You dominated power for sixteen years, you have operated in the name of Boko Haram and you spent the money and shared the money. Who else should be prosecuted? So, I think the Bar needs to be bold in dismissing those who are seeking to trivialize the anti-Corruption war. Just now, we are beginning to see all kinds of groups coming up under the guise of one protest or the other. They want to harass and intimidate the system.”

    Speaking earlier, President, Nigerian Bar Association Mr. Augustine Alegeh lauded Governor Oshiomhole for the hospitality accorded members of the association and expressed gratitude to him for all the support.

    He promised that the association would support the State through voter education, “We know that they will have elections in Edo State and Ondo State in the next few months, our election monitoring group, our voter education and our voter mobilization group will be working in those states, because what is involved in election is to understand that there is only one seat, even though there are a hundred candidates, only one person will win.

    “They should eschew violence, they should understand that all elevation comes from God and that if there is any infraction during the elections, there will be no need to fight or employ thugs. We have enough competent lawyers in the NBA to take up your case to the tribunal. So, in the coming elections, no violence, no fighting, let us move our country forward. Let us accept the rules; let us play by the rules, and if there is a breach of any rule, let us approach the courts that are equipped to deal with these issues.”

    On the Niger Delta Avengers, the NBA President said: “we are in the Niger Delta, and we have been hearing of Niger Delta Avengers. We believe any persons who are fighting against the collective interest of the State must stop. The price of crude oil has dropped so badly, and for us to be inflicting additional pains on Nigerians by breaking pipelines and thereby reducing the volume of crude that we produce will impoverish our nation and bring hardship on the Nigerian people.

    “We urge all those involved to seek alternative means of dealing with their grievances so that our nation can move forward.”

    The 3-day National Executive Committee Meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association ended on Friday.