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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari vows punishment for murderous herdsmen, terrorists

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday pledged his administration’s continued political will and determination towards ridding the country of insurgency and other forms of criminalities. He promised that his government will punish murderous herdsmen, terrorists and all other criminal elements in the country.

    Buhari, who was represented by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, made the promise at the grand finale of the 2019 Nigerian Army Day Celebration and Combat Support Arms Training Week at Ikeja Cantonment Parade Ground, Lagos.

    The Nigerian Army Day is an annual event held every July 6, since 1976, in honour of the Nigerian Army with the theme; ‘Professionally Responsive Soldering: A Panacea for Successful Military Operations’.

    The President said the security challenges in the country were being tacked in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    “The challenge for us is to recognise this sick extremism of Boko Haram for what it is and form alliances across faith, ethnicities, to destroy an evil that confronts us all.

    “We will continue to demonstrate the political will and determination towards ensuring that our land is rid of insurgency and that criminality is kept at the barest minimum.

    “There are also other situations of insecurity in our midst, the Fulani Herder and farmer conflicts, random killings, banditry and kidnapping.

    “In different parts of the country, there are challenges that the army has had to intervene in, in many occasions.

    “We assure all Nigerians that these challenges are being seriously tackled by the federal government working with the states through a multi-pronged approach, working with the Nigerian Army and all our security forces and law enforcement agencies.

    “Nobody will be allowed to maim, kill or commit other crimes and escape. It is our duty to apprehend and punish these criminals and we are doing that and we will continue to do so,” he said.

    Buhari urged the judiciary to ensure timely dispensation of justice in the cases of arrested bandits.

    “Several bandits’ hideouts and camps have been destroyed and hundreds of arrests have been made.

    “It is now up to our Judiciary to ensure that justice is meted out, not just comprehensively, but in a timely manner,” he said.

    The president said his administration would intensify efforts to bring back the remaining Chiboks girls, Leah Shuaribu and others who were still in captivity.

    “We want to reassure the affected families and friends that this administration will not relent in its efforts to bring back all the remaining girls, including Leah Shuaribu, who has become a postal child for the heinous activities of Boko Haram insurgency.

    Read Also: Buhari hails Super Eagles for defeating Cameroon

    “We will reunite them with their families and friends by the Grace of God,” he said.

    Buhari appreciated the sacrifices of the Nigerian military in ensuring safety and security in the country.

    “The Nigerian Armed Forces have continued to put in their best with several others who have paid the price in order to keep us safe and secured.

    “We acknowledge and appreciate these sacrifices and as a government and political leaders, we will ensure that they do not die in vain and will continue to give all the moral, material and financial support they require.

    “In this our Next Level administration, we are committed to the welfare of both serving and retired members of the Armed Forces.

    “I urge you to continue to discharge your duties according to the rules of engagement and in line with constitutional provisions,” he said.

    In his address, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. – Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the Army Day was an opportunity to showcase the history, values, achievements and combat capacity of the Army.

    “ We are all aware that the country is facing numerous security challenges and this has necessitated our involvement in conducting operations aimed at tackling the numerous nefarious acts of criminal elements to restore sanity to our dear country.

    “Our efforts must not be relaxed until we have achieved the complete defeat of insurgency and other criminalities in the country,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that the Chief of Army Staff  Commendation Awards were conferred on serving and retired officers for operational excellence, bravery, gallantry, innovative services and contributions to the development of the Nigerian Army.

    Each awardee will get N2 million cash reward. There was also the unveiling of first indigenous Light Armoured vehicles.

    Some dignitaries present at the event were the former Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Retd), Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin.

    Also present were Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, represented by Sen. Solomon Adeola, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu.

  • Setting the agenda for Abba Kyari’s second coming

    On Friday July 5, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari made his first major appointments for his second term. The President gave the nod to Boss Mustapha and Abba Kyari to continue as Secretary to the Federal Government and Chief of Staff respectively. These are said to be positions meant for the President’s most trusted advisers. The operators of the so-called Kitchen Cabinet; where the beneficiaries of the Power and governance decisions in Aso Rock are determined.

    Mustapha, a latter day Buhari appointee is not as popular as Kyari who is always in the news. In fact, Kyari’s media mentions may just trump President Buhari’s. That’s how popular Kyari is. Perhaps never have we had so much interest in an appointee of the President. This makes it imperative for the interest and fixation on Abba Kyari to be constructive and geared towards engendering good governance in Nigeria.

    Prior to Kyari’s re-appointment, the media was awash with several campaigns in his favour as well as those designed to snuff out his influence in President Buhari’s administration. The media frenzy was immense. Several names were touted as possible replacements. Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), Adamu Adamu and Babatunde Raji Fashola were said to be the main contenders to the exalted office of Chief of Staff.

    Ali, the unbending Buharist and current Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, was touted as one that would bring “discipline” while Adamu and Fashola, immediate past ministers of education and minister of works, housing and power respectively, were also considered as “progressives”.

    Several reports quoted “Presidency sources” who “authoritatively” confirmed that President Buhari was set to drop Abba Kyari’s following outcome of investigation into various allegations. Unconfirmed reports were syndicated to instigate public outcry and angst against Kyari. The media war was so apparent to discerning Nigerians, to whom it was crystal clear that the drama was all about political posturing and positioning.

    Yes, we have seen this play out in the polity time and again. Well, the President has elected to keep the services of Abba Kyari. This, regardless of the position of the warring factions, should be viewed as an endorsement of his performance. Consequently, all parties should in the interest of the nation unite and join hands with the President and his advisers to ensure Buhari’s second term is successful.

    While congratulating Abba Kyari on his re-appointment, the Cambridge University trained lawyer must put all the drama behind him. Nigerians are expecting progress at the speed of light. His office is critical to setting the tone for the nation to make strategic and effective strides towards peace, progress and prosperity.

    Abba Kyari needs to shield President Buhari from sycophants and those who are only seeking to feather their nests at the expense of Nigeria’s commonwealth. Kyari needs to coordinate far-reaching stakeholder engagement plans that will give Buhari’s administration access to multiple portals for discharging good governance equitably across the nation.

    This second coming presents Abba Kyari a golden opportunity to help Buhari develop a legacy beyond fighting corruption and insecurity. Although these are essential for development, they do not guarantee sustainable growth. Abba Kyari neees to help Buhari build strong institutions.

    In addition, Kyari should do all within his power to avoid  mainstream politics and focus on policy formulation. As a son of the Borno Kingdom, Kyari must uphold the pride and integrity of the reverred Kingdom. It also will not hurt for Kyari to shed the garb of being introverted;  he needs to be more convivial to engender opportunities of learning from others.

    The onus is on Abba Kyari to ensure a coherent Presidency; one that is forthright, visionary and unwavering. Hopefully, the distractions and agitations that preceded Abba Kyari’s second coming will inspire him to work even harder and serve selflessly in accordance to the expectations of Nigerians.

    Adebayo Olakunle, a Psychologist and spoken word enthusiast lives in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

  • Buhari support organisations hold thanksgiving

    The Buhari Support Organisations (BSO), Southwest Zone, led by Prince Felix Awofisayo, has held a thanksgiving service in Osogbo, Osun State.

    The service was to thank God for the successful and peaceful outcome of the 2019 presidential election in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari, and to offer prayers that the impending Supreme Court judgment on the Osun governorship election will be decided in favour of Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

    Prominent clerics present at the thanksgiving were Dr Taofeek Abdulhameed, Deputy Imam of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede; Special Apostle J. F Ogunsola from the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, and others.

    Governor Oyetola, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Binouyo acknowledged the impact of support organisations in politics, and gave great kudos to the strategic efforts of the organisation.

    Read Also: Buhari assents to Police Trust Fund bill, others

    Prince Awofisayo thanked God for the re-election of President Buhari, who he described as a believer in social justice “and the solidarity of communities”. He also prayed for Oyetola’s success at the Supreme Court.

    He said: “The Next Level will be pivotal for the good health of the republic as well as the consolidation of what President Buhari has already started, which is the creation of a political economy that will benefit the majority. We give thanks that under the guidance of our creator, the president is committed to waging a no holds barred attack on poverty.

    “In the Next level, the war will be fought with rigour, the foundation laid for poverty to be eradicated. When the history of our time is written, those who rallied around the ordained banner of social justice through the Next level will have their names on the pantheon of the honourables.”

  • ‘Buhari, Sanwo-Olu should develop economy’

    Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos East, Kaoli Olusanya has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to show Nigerians clear-cut vision that will enhance development, peace, progress and unity.

    The former Commissioner for Agric and Cooperatives said a leader must lead, and “that is why Mr. President must show us where we are going in the next two, three and four years”.

    Olusanya, who addressed reporters at the party secretariat on ACME road, maintained that there must be equity, justice and fair-play in the actions and in-actions of President Buhari.

    Read Also: Buhari meets Sanwo-Olu over Lekki, Badagry seaports, others

    The ex-commissioner, who called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to maintain the momentum, stressed that the governor has three assignments at the moment. The first is speedy completion of the Lagos/Badagry Expressway and township roads that will provide accessibility to homes, ease traffic gridlock, save manpower and ensure bonding with families.

    According to him, sustainable infrastructure must be put in place as well as clearing of canals and drainages during this raining season to checkmate flooding and unexpected deaths.

    His words: “The number of out-of-school children will become a time bomb if the situation is not succinctly addressed. We have over 10 million out-of-school children in the country and I am sure Lagos, with its large population, could have up to 1 million. These are the root causes of crime and insurgency. We need to revive peoples hope because joblessness and poor living conditions can aggravate tension against the government.”

  • Buhari for prosecution by ICC: Not on anybody’s life!

    Browsing through the internet shortly before the presidential election, my eyes caught a piece by one Abiodun Egunjobi writing on an online platform. It was titled: “Petition to arrest and prosecute President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria for crimes against humanity”, and addressed to the Office of the Prosecutor, Information and Evidence Unit, at the International Criminal Court at The Hague, in the Netherlands.

    “Dear Madame Prosecutor,” the piece began, “May I please seize this opportunity to present to you this very important request on behalf of the country Nigeria. It is a disheartening exposition on both Nigeria and international peace and security that we all cherish.

    ‘’Popular wisdom counsels that it takes the failure, unwillingness or inaction of good people to act for evil men and geniuses to take over and run a country. As the defender of last resort of the free world, the honorable court is called upon, in this instance, to act, not only in defense of seemingly helpless Nigerians but to mitigate the threats to humanity and international peace and security posed by the conduct of current President Buhari.”

    The piece then went on to describe what the writer felt were the shortcomings of President Buhari’s administration in Nigeria, adducing reasons why Mr President should be promptly presented before the ICC for prosecution for “crimes against humanity.” To date several instances of the crimes indicated below had been carried out and continued to be carried on unabated by the Buhari administration:

    • crimes against humanity of murder, enslavement, sexual enslavement, rape and causing serious bodily injury;
    • war crimes of murder, cruel treatment of civilians, attacking civilians, pillage, inducing rape and enlisting child soldiers, cruel treatment of civilians, attacking civilians and pillage survivors were imprisoned in a room filled with corpses, women and girls were sexually enslaved;
    • refusal to order and prosecute armed Hausa/Fulani herdsmen that continue to cause mayhem on the farms of innocent Nigerians because they are his people; and
    • encouraging the use of religion to foster terrorism and conflict, committing murder, sexual slavery and kidnapping of school children and using children under 15 years to participate actively in hostilities.”

    Upon reading the article, I was immediately reminded of two incidents-one about late American president Gerald Ford and, the other, comments and actions attributed to Mike Pompeo, the American Secretary of State on the almost two decades-old American war in Afghanistan.

    At a point in his administration, President Gerald Ford’s then 18- year-old daughter had, in answer to reporters’ question about a policy issue her father just pronounced remarked that ‘the president was stupid’ for adopting the policy in question. Reporters hounded President Ford.  He was asked for his comments on his 18 year-old daughter’s assertion. Ford explained that he saw the clip of his daughter’s comment on television. “She said the president is stupid,” he exclaimed and then proceeded to say that his daughter, as an American citizen with citizenship rights has the right to say whatever she liked or disliked about the president or any policy pronouncements. “She didn’t say my father is stupid. How many 18 year-olds in America pass worse comments about the president and presidential policies on a daily basis, he asked? Millions! It turned out to be a presidential defense of a citizen’s rights. End of story.

    The other incident is recent and it involved the attempts by several human rights activists and organisations to have ICC investigate, allegations of several human rights abuses leveled against American service and other personnel in the prosecution of the war in Afghanistan over a period of years. Secretary Pompeo promptly rejected the calls and placed visa and other travel restrictions on ICC personnel wanting to travel to the US for such investigations.

    Against these backdrops, I thought about the request by a Nigerian citizen to have a sitting Nigerian president docked by ICC. Not in your life, I concluded! Americans defend, not only their presidents to the end, they equally defend their citizenship rights absolutely. How can and why do we Nigerians do this to ourselves?

    A few weeks back, at a celebratory event marking President Buhari’s victory at the polls, the Master of Ceremonies had rhetorically asked the thousand-plus guests at event how many of them have not been beneficiaries of one government largesse or the other; such as using government vehicles to convey children to school, running errands to markets, etc. ‘Let such a person stand up,’ the MC exhorted. Buhari quietly stood up to a thunderous ovation. He was the only person who could stand up. And this is the man, Nigeria’s epitome of integrity, dedicated honest service, decency and what else have you, being requested for prosecution by ICC for the impunities of officers in his administration!

    The moral of the incidents could be summarized as follows: Nigerians have the absolute rights to say anything they wish to say about their president, especially within Nigeria, which no other nationals enjoy; because of this, they are the only ones who can try their president on any allegations. At the same time, no Nigerian has the recourse or right to invite other countries or international agency/ies to come and arrest an ordinary Nigeria not to talk of a sitting Nigerian Head of State for prosecution. It is the height of all that is unpatriotic! For that reason, Abiodun Egunjobi is best advised to try to execute his request all by himself.

    Mr. President must be accorded respect and defended by Nigerians at all times. That is what people in civilised climes do for their presidents, not throw them under the bus! It is an invitation to the security organisations to get to work.

    Long Live Nigeria!

    • Ahmed 300-Level, English Education, Lagos State University (LASU).

  • The imperative of restructuring lest Nigeria unravels

    Given our present security challenges, nothing can be worse than the state commissioner of police not being responsible to state governors.

    I do not think there are too many Nigerians out there who, deep down, are not convinced that President Muhammadu Buhari is a patriot who loves this country dearly. Not even Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who I am sure knows him well enough, would doubt this, no matter the amount of grammar his party people would spew to prove the contrary.

    There is, therefore, in my view, no way in which he would like to be the last president of a united Nigeria as we all know it. President Buhari has a long history of demonstrating that we have no other country we can call our own and that we should, therefore, do nothing to negatively impact it.

    Apart from his incandescent incorruptibility, what further underpinned my support for candidate Buhari then, as a contestant on the APC platform, was his take on corruption.  Declared candidate Buhari: corruption will kill Nigeria if we do not kill it first.

    It was on that basis I, unabashedly, declared then, in an article on these pages, that Nigeria needed Buhari more than the obverse. For full disclosure, that made me an unwavering Buharist.

    In truth my admiration of, and preference, for him over, and above, any contemporary Nigerian politician, goes further back. In an article whose title I cannot now readily remember but which Snooper, The Nation’s inimitable columnist, as well as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and those Atiku’s worried men, who stormed Tinubu’s Bourdillon house that Monday morning would readily remember, I had shredded Atiku’s chances against that of Buhari. It was way back 2007 when he was the presidential candidate of ACN and Buhari was ANPP’s.

    Also Read: Shareholders approve Union Bank’s N54.5b capital restructuring

    It  so happened that in three articles by this columnist, Snooper and another colleague in the same Sunday edition of the paper, all three of us so completely thrashed Atiku’s chances that his minders were beyond convincing that we had  not all sat down with the publisher to plan our onslaught, something that, of course, never happened. And to Bourdillon they rushed, protesting, believing as many Nigerians have wrongly done on several occasions, that Tinubu commissioned the articles. Even now, I shall be very surprised if there are many Nigerians who honestly believe that Atiku can hold the candle to Buhari on incorruptibility.

    But in all seriousness, bad as it is, the truth is that corruption is not Nigeria’s only problem and today, in  its potency and how it daily traumatises Nigerians,  insecurity, massive and pervasive, has beaten corruption to no.2 amongst our major challenges as a nation. So worrisome is it that  we do  not need Britain’s warning to her citizens about Nigeria to appreciate it, even though the way they put the warning, restricting themselves to 21 states , they were only being nicely diplomatic

    Today, not a single section of our country is any longer kidnap proof if kidnappers could lay siege to President Buhari’s own Katsina State as they have done now for almost a year.

    So traumatised am I that some two weeks ago, that in a letter I will slightly edit, I wrote to the highly respected Lt. General Alani Akinrinade (apologies General for bringing this to the public space), as follows:”General Sir. As you well know, eemo ti wo’le Yoruba – meaning, something worse than the devil itself, has entered Yoruba land. I am writing this from Ado- Ekiti. I flew in through Akure three days ago because I no longer have the heart to travel by road and I hardly slept last night as I shall be going by road to Akure this morning to catch a flight back. Am scared stiff, and can only pray for God’s travelling mercies.

    I am sending you a video directly after this.

    What do we do General?

    How do we get Southwest  governors to  mobilise the traditional authorities  to have  groups like OPC, Agbekoya and others, to help in  sanitising  our forests  where news have it that some stranger elements have invaded and now have  hundreds of cells? Add to these our own local, and complicit, criminals and one gets the full picture of our current circumstances. Isn’t it time you convene a summit under the auspices of the Yoruba Assembly so the region can meaningfully interrogate the challenges? Time for action is now, Sir, as all we do in Yoruba land presently is wait for these miscreants  to seize the next person and we, in turn, start running round to source millions to pay as ransom.  This is one hell of a war we cannot delay. And it is far beyond politics”.

    As I indicated above, I think the time has come for traditional authorities in each Yoruba community to be mobilised by each of the six state governments to take ownership of  their own security, using all the  stratagems that have proved  their saving grace even during the  nearly  a century long war that once convulsed Yoruba land. I was not told the story of how an egg was used to burn down the FEDECO office in Akure, the Ondo State capital, in 1983 as I was based in the town then. If that is our technology for now, so be it. It can match sophisticated guns as far as it is men born of women that are ranged against our traditionalists. Every Nigerian community, North or South, certainly has such means. And no time is better than now to leverage on them for their security.

    Please let it be perfectly understood that I am not calling for a rule of the mob. Rather, I am speaking of   thoroughly organised communal responses to partner with our obviously over – stretched police. They will be responsibly led by local leaders who are respected for their valour, ingenuity and knowledge of traditional security practices. Far be it that I am recommending what the presidency  reacted to when it said: “resorting to self help is an invitation to anarchy which in turn will make everyone unsafe; noting that in a cycle  of violence, characterised by revenge and counter revenge, there are no winners”.

    No, I am not asking for a mob rule.

    Instead, I am suggesting something akin to what the civilian JTF has been doing with commendable results in the Northeast for years now. Or how  can our fighting forces on whose performance the COAS recently poured very cold water,  be expected to deal with this corrosive pandemic,  all alone? If the COAS said that of our well motivated soldiers, what would the poorly kitted policemen do, confronting herdsmen or kidnappers whose guns are top of the range?

    The truth is that our fighting men and women are doing their very best. But all these, apparently, have gone to almost nothing, mostly because of our country’s unworkable structure.

    So what has restructuring got to do with this?

    If for nothing else, it will strengthen the hands of state governors who are presently like deputies to state commissioners of police

    Given our present security challenges, nothing can be worse than the state commissioner of police not being responsible to state governors.

    Also as things stand since 1 June, 2019 – no thanks to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) — state governors have gotten their hands literally tied behind their backs with regards to local government finances. Local Government Areas should, in normal circumstances, be the governor’s strongest partner in administering the local communities since there are, in reality, only two federating partners, federal and state; Local Governments being an integral part of the state government. Unfortunately, they are now being ranged in opposition to the governors all in the name of a ferociously centralised federal authority.

    In a restructured Nigeria, every federating component would be at liberty to judiciously harness, and deploy, its resources. You won’t have a teetotaller Zamfara State taking more from VAT than states which generate much more because they do not ban the sale of alcohol. And by the way how has than ban positively impacted on the morality of a people whose youths have mostly turned bandits: kidnapping, raping and killing their own?

    One thing that won me over to the present Emir of Kano, and led me into writing two articles: PSYCO ANALYSING SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI, 1 & 2, on these same pages, supporting his candidature for the CBN governorship position, was his determined opposition to political Sharia. See where it has led Zamfara, especially.

    The time has come for each component part of the country to take its affairs in its own hands while collectively  funding the few functions left in federal hands; details of which the National Assembly, now free of ‘Sarakian’ stultifying tactics, can rapidly work out.

    Happily, President Buhari, once considered the arch foe of restructuring, has now expressly professed his love for true federalism.

  • Buhari signs bill seeking foreign assistance to recover proceeds of crime into law 

    President Muhammadu Buhari has signed a bill titled ‘Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, 2019’ into law.

    The Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, briefed State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said that the law which takes effect from June 20, 2019, specifically seeks to facilitate the identification, tracing, freezing, restraining, recovery, forfeiture and confiscation of proceeds, property and other instruments of crime by Nigerians in other countries.

    Read Also: Buhari signs Polytechnic, National Institute for Security bills into law

    The aim, according to him, is to obtain from other countries, on reciprocal basis, mutual assistance in the prosecution of criminal matters, including the location and identification of suspects, witnesses and other materials for prosecution of criminal matters.

    He said that the new law explained other provisions of the legislation, including the interception of telecommunications and conversion of electronic surveillance,  restraint of dealings in property, or the freezing of assets, that may be recovered, forfeited or confiscated in respect of offences.

    He further explained that the Attorney-General of the Federation is designated as the Central Authority for making, receiving and transmitting requests for assistance to and from other countries as well as performing other functions reserved in the Act.

  • Members-Elect drum support for Gbajabiamila, Wase

    Two members-elect of the House of Representatives, Sha’aban Sharada and Hafiz Ibrahim have called on members to vote massively for Femi Gbajabiamila and Ahmad Wase for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.

    The members, who represent the Municipal and Tarauni Federal Constituencies of Kano State, made the call in a joint statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    The members said that the two candidates were qualified for the positions owing to their track records of knowledge, experience and capacity.

    Read Also: How the phrase ‘my dear’ can put you in trouble

     

    They said that Nigerians would benefit from the leadership of Gbajabiamila and Wase if elected.

    The members-elect said they were optimistic that their leadership would foster synergy between the two Chambers and harmonious relationship between the Executive and the Legislature.

    They said that the Gbajabiamila/Wase ticket would also enable President Muhammadu Buhari to take Nigeria to the next level.

    The inauguration of the 9th National Assembly and election of Presiding Officers is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, June 11.

  • President Buhari’s next cabinet

    With the swearing-in of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term tenure, the next great expectations from Nigerians will be to see the characters that will constitute the cabinet of the president for the next four years.

    Already, the President has assured that unlike what happened during his first tenure, Nigerians will not have to wait six months this time around to see the list of his cabinet members. While the President will be expected to keep to his promise on the early appointment of the ministers, the quality, virtues and moral standing of those to be appointed, especially as related to the character of the government itself must be important considerations in making that decision.

    Of course, the issue of competence cannot also be waived aside. Many Nigerians believed that some of the ministers in the first term cabinet of the President were not only ‘deadwood’ in terms of performance, but in character and moral standing, were the very antithesis of the anti-corruption stance of the administration, and dark stains on the widely acknowledged integrity of the President himself.

    Certainly, the linkage of some members of the outgone cabinet to National Youth Service Corps Certificate scandal, allegations of corruption and ego-driven political struggles back in their homes state to the detriment of their duties in Abuja were definitely out of sync with all the anti-corruption and purposeful bent of the Buhari administration.

    There are already suggestions in the public space on how the President should choose his next set of ministers. To ensure that the country is availed the opportunity of using its vast and rich human resources for its development without limitations of political affiliations, some have argued that the President should look beyond his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in constituting his cabinet this time around.

    But some have also argued that the President cannot shut out party chieftains who traversed the nooks and crannies of the country to ensure he was re-elected for a second term.  Indeed, chieftains of All Progressives Congress, APC, are already positioning themselves for appointment into the cabinet, using different subterfuges.

    But even at that,  the onus on patriotic members of the ruling party who understand what their party stands for to as much as possible help the President make the right choices. It is in this vein that I viewed the recent intervention by a pro- Buhari leadership and integrity advocacy group on the kind of person(s) that should represent Akwa Ibom in the President’s new cabinet as commendable.

    The group, Akwa Ibom Integrity and Servant Leadership Culture Initiative had in a letter to the President, dated May 24, cautioned him against appointing Senator Godswill Akpabio or any other personality with corruption charges into his cabinet for the second term.

    In the letter, entitled “Ministerial Appointments: Why Appointing Akpabio May be Counter Productive”, signed by its national coordinator, Dr. Asuquo  Edidem  Etim, the group had warned the President on why the former governor should not be on his list of consideration for appointment as minister.  The group cited the profligacy with which the former Governor ran Akwa Ibom State for eight years as one of the reasons for the warning.

    It also rightly warned that the former governor’s “corruption case with the EFCC has the potential of exploding into national embarrassment and credibility question for your government, should he be made a minister in a government that prides itself as anti-graft champion. We wish to remind you of your famous words, that ‘if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us’.”

    The group, which seems to be aligned to the APC, also spoke about the potential of Akpabio to become even a more destabilising factor, especially, to the Akwa Ibom chapter of the ruling party if he is more empowered with a ministerial position.

    It’s also apt to acknowledge that the State Working Committee of the APC Akwa Ibom State has disowned the group and its leader which it accused of engaging in “disparaging campaign against l Akpabio and “evil fireworks meant to generate bad blood and disaffection in the party. In the same vein, a chieftain of Akwa Ibom APC,  Mr Umana Okon Umana, who is also the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, has also disowned the group as well as their recommendation that he should be appointed as minister to represent the state in President Buhari’s new cabinet.

    But the group’s assertion of the need for Buhari, the ‘African anti-corruption champion’ to keep off the former governor is one that cannot be faulted. This is more so given the speculations that Akpabio’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC last year was inspired by the former governor’s bid to escape the searchlight of the anti-graft agency. The former Governor has been under the searchlight of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since he left office after serving as governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015.

    Read Also: Why Buhari should intervene in Oshiomhole, Oyegun’s feud, by Kalu

    He was first quizzed by operatives of the anti-graft agency a few months after he left office following a petition by a lawyer who is also an activist.

    It can also be recalled that the former Akwa Ibom governor had during his defection to APC claimed that he was no longer under investigation. But this was swiftly denied by a former spokesman for the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, who in a text message to journalists emphatically stated that Akpabio corruption’s case was still ongoing. “EFCC does not close cases or give clearance to anybody,” Wilson said.

    It’s true that the former governor has not been taken through the judicial process, much less, declared guilty of the allegations.

    But one of the grounds frequently used to dismiss the anti-corruption war of the Buhari administration in the past four years was that it was more or less aimed at ‘persecuting’ politicians in opposition or with opposing views. The inference was that the anti-graft agencies usually become powerless once any top politician under their searchlight identifies with the ruling party. There is the need to put an end to this perception of the noble efforts of the President to fight corruption.

    Therefore, as one of the admirers of Buhari, I believe that the opportunity of the second term should be used by the President to indeed take anti-graft war to the next level with actions aimed at dispelling such insinuations.

    The President can do this by ensuring that actions and initiatives that raise doubt about the intentions of his government on the anti-corruption war are given wide berth. And that take off point should be by ensuring that persons with corruption cases dangling on their necks like gory necklaces are not part of his cabinet. That’s why the President should heed the advice of the Akwa Ibom APC group on Akpabio.

    After all, the Akwa Ibom chapter of APC has in its ranks persons who are not just even more qualified in terms of experience, academic attainments than the former governor but have also worked tirelessly to sustain the party in the state in the past four years.

    • Nkereuweme-Ndiana wrote from Lagos.

  • Winding down

    With about 24 hours to the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term administration, not a few Nigerians expect the movement to the ‘next level’ to start earnestly on May 29.

    The promise to move Nigerians to the next level of progress and prosperity was believed to have played a great role in the electoral victory of the President in the February 2019 Presidential polls.

    So many Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the continuation of the CHANGE agenda of the government that will immediately eradicate poverty and hunger in the land.

    They want fast development of various essential infrastructures and facilities in the country to at least correspond to the huge human and natural resources Almighty God has blessed Nigeria with over the years.

    Above all, they want Nigeria not only to become the real Giant of Africa indeed, but become a true force to be reckoned with globally on all fronts, especially in technology, manufacturing and industrialisation.

    Knowing what Nigerians expect of it, the Buhari administration appeared to be leaving no stone unturned towards shedding every weight that will likely slow it down from moving Nigeria and Nigerians to the next level in the next dispensation.

    To this end, the government towards winding down the first term successfully has held series of emergency Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings in the past few weeks.

    Apart from some of the FEC meetings ending around 10pm in the night, it was also believed that the longest FEC meeting was held in the last few days.

    The outgoing cabinet was believed to be meeting to give the next political heads of the various ministries clean slates to operate without complexities in the next dispensation.

    In efforts to wind down successfully, the ministers were believed to have given account of the various approvals and status of the various projects approved by the government in the first term.

    Also towards winding down the first term administration of President Buhari, valedictory session was held for the outgoing cabinet members last week Wednesday.

    One common point all the 31 ministers revealed during the valedictory session was that Buhari’s integrity, humility and leadership style have impacted their lives in the past three and half years.

    Seeing the valedictory session as graduation ceremony, they felt  the tenure was a unique school that will reshape their lives and careers for the rest of their lives.

    But none of them, during the valedictory session, gave any indication they wanted to repeat the Buhari’s school of integrity, unlike in the past when ministers shed tears during such valedictory sessions and won’t want the experience to come to an end.

    The outgoing ministers, last Wednesday, appeared to be ready to move ahead and face what the future holds for them.

    The valedictory session, however, did not end without kind words for them from President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whose positions are already guaranteed in the next dispensation.

    Buhari said, “Our first meeting in this chamber was in November 2015. Over the past three and a half years, we worked together to deliver our campaign promises.

    “I strongly believe that it is this team work that led to the successes recorded during our first term.

    “Many would have given up. Indeed, many outside commentators said our situation was well-nigh hopeless. However, we all came together and pushed forward to deliver our campaign promise to rescue our country from its parlous state.

    “Although we all had a common vision, we frequently had heated debates in this room on the best way to achieve our goals.

    “These differing views are what made the decisions we took all the more rational. It is this quality that made me retain my cabinet for the full term. Each of you in this room has a unique skill and strength.

    “We are a reflection of the Nigeria we aspire to achieve. A diverse but tolerant nation where no one is silenced and where every opinion should be heard and considered.

    “I want you all to leave this meeting proud to have served your nation to the best of your ability. You should be proud to have been part of the Government that liberated the local governments previously under Boko Haram rule.

    “You should be proud to have contributed to our food security and economic diversification agenda which led to the revival of our rural agrarian economy

    “You should be proud to have been part of the team that developed the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan which led Nigeria exiting its worst recession in decades.

    “You should be proud to have introduced the social investment program that enhanced livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.

    “You should be proud to have participated in settling outstanding pensions of many senior citizens abandoned by previous governments while supporting state governments to meet their salary arrears.

    “And of course, you should all be proud to have overseen the most ambitious road, rail and airport rehabilitation programs in the history of our country.

    “I want to put on record, that your achievements in the last three and a half hears has guaranteed your position in the history books of this nation. You have certainly built the foundations for an improved economy and a more purposeful government.” he stated

    Also the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo said “I thank Almighty God for preserving our lives to serve our nation this past four years.

    “I will like to thank Mr. President for the opportunity to serve as your vice president and your running mate twice. My deepest gratitude come from the great trust that you reposed in me at all times.

    “I want to use this opportunity to greet our cabinet colleagues, this has been an exceptionally patriotic and talented team.

    “Everyone brought experience, knowledge, wisdom and selflessness to council deliberations at all times.

    “I pray that you will all go from glory to glory, that you will never fail or fall. As we all depart from council, I pray that the lord that has guided us this far will be our help in the years to come, in Jesus name.”

    While the President and Vice President have commended the outgoing cabinet members, some Nigerians have continued to guess how the next cabinet will be made up.

    With the way the ministers have been commended for their contributions in the last three and half years, some Nigerians believed that the President may eventually retain all the ministers, even though they are first expected to submit their handover letters to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation today.

    Other Nigerians want only the ministers that have performed excellently well to be retained.

    Some Nigerians also want complete new set of technocrats for the next dispensation.

    While the President is at liberty to pick any of the options to constitute the next cabinet, and as usual keep the list to his chest, this should be done in a way that will urgently speed up Nigeria’s movement to the next level as promised.

    The next cabinet members should be ready to hit the ground running as no time should be wasted from 29th of May, 2019, knowing that four years will move like a twinkling of an eye given the enormity of work to be done.

     

    • This instalment was meant for publication last week