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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Imo shutdown as youths hold solidarity rally for Buhari, Nwosu

    Thousands of Imo youths Friday held a solidarity rally in support of the reelection bid of President Muhammadu Buhari and governorship ambition of former Chief of Staff to the Imo state Governor, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu.

    The youths adorning customized T-shirts embossed with President Buhari and Nwosu’s pictures marched through major streets in the state capital, chanting pro-Buhari slogans.

    Read Also:Police rescue woman’s body from abductors in Imo

    The rally resulted in heavy gridlock along major roads as vehicular and human movement were grounded.

    Receiving the youths at his Campaign Headquarters, Nwosu, who is a fulfilled online governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), assured the them that the APC led administration is doing everything possible to ensure that Nigerian youths are given opportunity to achieve their goals through the provision of sustainable employment.

    He commended the youths particularly for supporting the reelection bid of President Buhari, stating that it is the surest way to Igbo Presidency in 2023.

    The governorship aspirant also promised the youths that if elected governor, his priority will be to create wealth for the teeming youths and women in the state.

    He commended the youths for purchasing his nomination form and expression of interest forms, pledging that he will not disappoint them when he assumes office as governor.

    Nwosu who received intermittent ovation from the mammoth crowd also stated that the APC will retain power in the state in 2019, adding that none of the opposition party has the capacity to unseat APC in the state.

    According to him, “I want to thank the youths for your unflinching support for me and President Buhari and I want to say it again that the reelection of President Buhari is the surest and shortest route to Igbo Presidency”.

    He continued that, “I want to assure that I will not let you down, my administration will create wealth for the youths and women and we will sustain the free education programme which has benefitted our people so much. I want to also appeal to you to extend the support to all other APC aspirants”.

    Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Imo Youth Council, Hon Jeff Nwoha, said that Imo youths have come to thank him (Nwosu) for accepting the clarion call to join the governorship race.

    He said their decision to draft him into the race was influenced by the fact that he will sustain the legacies of the Rochas Okorocha’s administration, which they said has brought unprecedented development to the state.

    According to him, “we want a generational shift in power equation in the state. Imo youths are insisting that it is time a youth governed the state and we have implicit confidence that Ugwumba Uche Nwosu has the vigour, strength and capacity to govern the state and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people”.

    He continued that, “the youths have resolved to resist the reshuffling of the same old politicians that misgoverned the state and managed it like their private estate”.

    Nwoha also said that the youths are fully committed to the reelection project of President Buhari, noting that his achievements, especially in the fight against corruption need to be supported by every Nigerian Youth, “as Igbo youths we are convinced beyond that President Buhiari’s reelection will guarantee Igbo Presidency in 2023 more than any other political permutation”.

  • Buhari names new DG DSS

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved with effect from the 14th of September, the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi (fwc), as new Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS).

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that the appointee is a core Secret Service operative.

    He attended Danbatta Secondary School, the Kano State College of Advanced Studies and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.

    Read Also:Court awards N10m damages against DSS

    The new Director-General began his career in the security division of the Cabinet Office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organization (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS.

    Bichi has undergone training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling recruitment and intelligence processing in the UK, as well as strategic training at the National Defence College.

    It added; “The new DSS boss comes to the job with skills in intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counter intelligence and protective operation and human resources management.

    “In the course of his career, Mr. Bichi has worked as the State Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia States.

    “He was at various times the Director, National Assembly Liaison, (National War College), Director at National Headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection and Directorate of Administration and Finance,” it stated.

    The new appointee also served as Director at State Service Academy.

    “Mr Bichi is married and with children,” the statement said.

     

  • 2019: Buhari’s candidacy has narrowed APC’s chances -PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has narrowed its chances of winning the 2019 presidential election with President Muhammadu Buhari as its sole presidential candidate.

    In a statement Thursday by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party observed that President Buhari has become grossly unpopular among Nigerians.

    Read Also:Buhari hiding under democracy to hold on to power – Atiku

    The party predicted crushing defeat for Buhari and the APC in the 2019 general elections, adding that the President and the APC avoided competitive primary election with high nomination fees.

    This, according to the PDP, has scared away good candidates within the APC for the 2019 presidential contest.

    The statement said, “Had President Buhari shed his desperation for power and allowed for internal democracy within the APC, particularly when it became clear that Nigerians across board have become averse to his re-election, due to his incompetence and insensitivity to the plight of the citizens, there would have been little hope for the APC.

    “In muzzling contest in APC and gleefully emerging a sole candidate, President Buhari has merely won a pyrrhic victory; a General without a troop, with no capacity to face a general election, as the army of stakeholders and the masses that supported him in 2015 have since left him because of his unfulfilled promises and many failures in governance.

    “Now that Mr. President has confirmed by his body language that he had no chance in a party he leads, how then can he stand a chance in the general elections where millions of Nigerians, who are suffering untold hardship because of his misrule are only waiting to deal him a blow with their votes?

    “Owing to Buhari’s incompetence, Nigerians’ purchasing power has become abysmally low, industries have wound up with attendant mass job losses, foreign direct investments have hit all time low, international partners have totally lost confidence in doing business with our compatriots, while this administration has no economic blueprint except borrowing.

    “Since President Buhari’s declaration to contest the 2019 election, true democrats and other well-meaning citizens have continued to leave the APC in droves to the repositioned PDP, which has now become the rallying platform for all Nigerians, in their collective quest for a new President among the array of very credible aspirants in the PDP.

    “Moreover, while it is settled that President Buhari is no match to any of our presidential aspirants, all indices points to his imminent defeat as the PDP remain committed to a credible, free, fair and transparent Presidential primary, where Nigerians will freely participate to throw up that President that will lead our nation to the path of unity, peace, good governance and economic prosperity for our people”.

  • Osinbajo to Young aspirants: Nigeria’s future depends on you

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has commended Nigeria’s youths for their desire to contribute to nation building in their various constituencies through active involvement in politics.

    He also called on them to make the needed sacrifices to ensure the ideals they want to see in the country are realised.

    Read Also:How to stop illicit financial flow, by Osinbajo

    Prof. Osinbajo said this on Wednesday night during a meeting with young aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Noting that the country’s future depends on the commitment of young people who are willing to play their part and make positive differences, the Vice President said that it was important to encourage young people to participate at all levels of the party.

    He said, “I also want to say that your courage is exceptional. If you aspire to be anything in a country of about 200 million people, you are a courageous person, no question about that, because when you count the number of people who hold elective offices in this country, they are very few when compared to the population.

    “So, what you are searching for is really coveted, and is not a walk in the park. I really salute your courage,” he said.

    Osinbajo then congratulated the aspirants for having gone this far in the game.

    “That you are not just sitting down at home, not just getting upset with yourself on Social Media. You are putting your money, resources and your time where your mouth is. So, consider yourself in very exceptional company.

    “This is a group of people who have not lost hope, but are very determined to ensure that things work.”

    Prof Osinbajo said that young people should not lose hope in the country as things would continue to change for the better if they remain committed to the ideals.

    He said, “I strongly believe that the future of our party depends on people who are committed to see that we build a party that is based on ideals that you and I think are important.

    “As a young person, I belonged to several pressure groups. I graduated at the age of 21. And when I graduated, I began to participate in various pressure groups, human rights organisations, anti-corruption, civil society groups of every kind.

    “When political parties started forming, we could not aspire, but we remained involved. My first involvement in government was when I was appointed as Attorney General in Lagos State.

    “For seven years – after serving as Lagos Attorney-General – I was part of the party, I did not have a board appointment or anything, but I kept working for the party. I kept working for the party as a lawyer.

    “Most of those cases we were not paid a dime. But we went from place to place. Sometimes we didn’t even have a place to stay when we went to court the next morning. So, there is a measure of paying the price, it depends on how serious or committed we are to some of the things we say we are committed to,” he said.

    Prof. Osinbajo further called on young people to stay committed and remain within the party to help to build the party structures.

    “I believe that, in party politics, we must go beyond positions, whether elective or appointed, but we must be committed to something, the principles and beliefs of those who are the forebears of that party,” he said.

    The Vice President added, “We are in a place where we are the ones who can make the difference. Nothing is going to change overnight, but we can make efforts to change the process. We can do a lot more, but it depends on our commitment.

    “I like the idea of young people getting a quota in the party structure to run for office on some level, such as the state houses of Assembly.”

    Some of the aspirants had earlier raised the issue of allowing quotas to young people in elective offices.

    According to Osinbajo, “It is up to us to fight at every stage to see the ideals that we desire; we will win, in the end, if we are consistent.  Our party is stronger if our young people are determined to make a change and a difference, even from within. We would see what can be done to ensure that women and youths are more involved in party politics.”

    Young aspirants in the APC across the country who attended the forum last night had requested for audience with the Vice President ahead of the party primaries later this month.

     

  • PDP alleges round-tripping in Buhari’s N45m nomination form

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Presidency of round-tripping the N45 million claimed to have been contributed by a group to buy the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination form for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to the opposition party, President Buhari’s inability to explain the registration status, membership and source of funding of the group has exposed the charade in the said endorsement stunt.

    Read Also:PDP governors disagree on consensus presidential candidate

    A statement by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the Buhari Presidency failed to realise that such stunts have become out-worn and cannot sway opinion in a country with citizens as enlightened as Nigerians.

    “Most Nigerians already know how some officials at the Buhari presidency, made up of corrupt individuals, racketeers and certificate forgers, hurriedly assembled the group and mobilised them with N45 million for the APC presidential nomination form, which was hiked to scare away other contestants.

    “How members of the group were settled for the stunt as well as the issues and disagreements that arose from the deal are also known to many Nigerians.

    “What Mr. President’s handlers are hiding from him is the fact that Nigerians do not believe the falsehood that a set of individuals, facing the challenges of abysmally low purchasing power, put together a wholesome N45m to buy him a form.

    “Nigerians are still waiting for him to make public the proof of registration, membership, list of individual contributors and amount contributed by these shadowy individual members.

    “We also challenge President Buhari to make public the official correspondences of the 12 million members of the Rice Farmers Association, members of the Fertilizer Producers Association and the members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association who, he claimed, offered to buy nomination form for him”.

    The opposition party described as unpresidential, the outbursts credited to President Buhari against those who left the ruling APC for other political parties, calling them as “weak and selfish”.

    The PDP said the verbal attack against the defectors was unwarranted for politicians who chose to abandon the ruling party.

    “Finally, the PDP counsels President Buhari to forget the idea of painting himself as a lover of youths and asking for funds from them, as his “lazy youth” comment and talking down on young persons not to contest against him in the 2019 election, amply conveyed his disdain for the Nigerian youths”, the statement added.

  • Don’t allow those who wrecked Nigeria back to power – Buhari

    …APC now have 15.6 million members, says Oshiomhole

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday submitted his nomination and expression of interest form to contest the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a message that Nigerians must not allow those that brought the country to its knees between 1999 and 2015 to take the country back.

    There was however a mild drama at the NEC hall of the APC national secretariat as the party National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, who presented a digital membership card of the party to the President, insisting however that President Buhari must pay N100 before collecting the membership card.

    Read Also:APC: Heavy security at secretariat as Buhari submit forms

    Oshiomhole also told the President that the party now has over 15.6 million members across the country.

    Buhari who expression appreciation to those who contributed money to but the form for him assured that if given the mandate and reelected in 2019, he will continue to serve the country to the best of his ability.

    He said “I am here in person among friends and colleagues to put my name forward to my party, the APC seeking nomination to contest the presidential election next year 2019.

    “Fellow party members, I’m taking this step with all humility, sense of responsibility and unquestionable desire to serve and protect the interest of all Nigerians.

    “I am very grateful to those dozens of organisations who have teamed together and contributed funds to purchase these forms, I assure them and rest of Nigerians that if nominated, and if elected, I shall continue to serve you to the best of my abilities.

    “Let me today, appeal to party members not to be complacent but to prepare, strategize and win 2019 elections. We must not allow those who brought the country to it’s kneels from 1999 to 2015 to come and take us back”.

    Speaking, APC national Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole informed the President that within the last two month, the present leadership of the party has been able to digitalise the party membership register and come up with a digital membership card which cannot easily be forged.

    He also informed the President that as at the last count, the party has membership strength of 15.6 million across the country, adding that the membership register has been done in a such a way that anybody who want to verify the membership of any party member can easily do it within the comfort of his room.

    He said “We want to present to you some of the effort we have been making since our assumption of office. We promised to activate the membership data, update it, register more members because party a mass movement and because be able talk about the size of our party, we need to have evidence that can be verified by members and all.

    “We have taken advantage of modern technology to produce what we think is the best or the first in Nigeria. As at last week when they started printing the membership register, we now have about 15.6 registered APC members across the country.

    “The system has been designed in such a way that from the comfort of any member’s seating room, you can crosscheck your membership and membership of any one you want to verify without any effort”

    Presenting the membership card to the president, he said “Mr. President, this your card which I am proud to say cannot easily be forged or duplicated or printed by road side printers. We are very proud of this achievement because it fits into our mantra of change. We now have a digital membership register.

    “The card will expire December 31, 2013. It is our belief that by then, technology would have improved ad we will be able to improve on the card. You have to pay N100 to acquire this because we have to pay for it.

    “For the purpose of a direct primary, every member coming to vote will show his membership card which must correspond with the details on the register before he can vote. We decided display these openly so that people will know that we have basis to conduct direct primary based on a membership register.

    “Before I am misunderstood or misquoted, it goes to say that inspite of the fact that we have these credible membership register, it does not in any way modify or change the decision of NEC regarding the flexibility that was agreed to.

    “At the NWC, we try to give practical expression transparently as possible so that the party will not only be the largest, it will be smartest, the most democratic and the most cohesive.”

    The President arrived the APC secretariat at exactly 3.44 pm and emerged with a shout of said Baba by supporters who defiled security cordons to her to the fence of the secretariat.

    However Journalist covering the party were harassed by Presidential guards and locked inside the APC Press Centre, with a few television stations allowed into the Hall.

    The president departed the secretariat at about 4.22, throwing up the usual brisk business that has been associated with the party secretariat in the last two weeks.

  • FEC sets up panel to investigate tremor in Abuja 

    The Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday set up a ministerial committee to investigate the tremor witnessed in some parts of Abuja last week.

    The Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

    Read Also:Residents panic as fresh tremor rocks Abuja

    According to him, the committee has four ministries including Science and Technology, Power, Works and Housing, Mines and Steel, and FCT.

    Stressing that there is no cause for alarm in the FCT, he said the Council is awaiting comprehensive report from the committee on the issue.

    He said that the order stopping blasting and other related works in the city stands until a decision is taken after the committee’s report.

    Details Later…

  • FG to disburse Paris Club Refund to States in tranches

    The Federal Government Tuesday said the payment of the approved amount from Paris Club refunds will be made in phased tranches to the States.

    For state governments to access the final approval of US$2.689 billion refund, the federal government gave the following conditions:

    Salary and staff related arrears must be paid as a priority; Commitment to the commencement of the repayment of Budget Support Loans granted in 2016, to be made by all States; Clearing of amounts due to the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative, Commitment to clear matching grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) where some States have available funds which could be used to improve primary education and learning outcomes.

    Read Also:Fayemi faults Fayose’s claim on Paris Club refund denial

    A statement from the Federal Ministry of Finance on Tuesday provided some clarifications on the Paris Club Refund approved for the 36 States of the Federation.

    According to the statement signed by Hassan Dodo, Director (Information) “the issue of Paris Club loan over-deduction had been a long standing dispute between the Federal Government and the State Governments which dated back to the period of 1995 to 2002.”

    In response to the dispute, President Muhammadu Buhari he said “directed that the claims of over-deduction should be formally and individually reconciled by the Debt Management Office (DMO). This reconciliation commenced in November 2016.”

    As an interim measure to alleviate the financial challenges of the States during the 2016 recession, President Buhari, Dodo noted, “had approved that fifty percent (50%) of the amounts claimed by States be paid to enable the States clear salary and pension arrears.”

    Dodo said this was released between 1st December, 2016 and 29th September, 2017. This refund was part of the Government’s fiscal stimulus to ensure the financial health of Sub-National Governments.

    The DMO led the reconciliation process under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

  • Weakest politicians have left APC, says Buhari 

    …Receives 2019 nomination form

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said that a chain of weakest politicians have left the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

    Buhari was referring to the series of defections that engulfed the party.

    Read Also:NBA to Buhari: don’t fight selective anti-graft war

    He spoke while receiving the Presidential nomination form bought for him by the Nigeria Consolidation Ambassador Network (NCAN).

    According to him, those who left the party could not place national interest above their selfish interest in line with the objectives of the administration.

    Details Later…

  • 2019: Buhari receives nomination form Tuesday 

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday receive his Presidential nomination form for the 2019 election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It was gathered on Monday that the nomination form will be delivered to the President by 11:30am at the New Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Last week, it was reported  that a group under the auspices of National Consolidation Ambassadors Network (NCAN), had bought the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination Form for President Buhari for the 2019 presidential election at the cost of N45 million.

    Read Also:Buhari not against e-voting, card readers, says Presidency

    National Coordinator of the group, Sanusi Musa in company of his members, had last week said, “We are members of NCAN. Our resolve, since our formation over a year ago, is primarily to ensure that president Buhari seeks another term as well ensure that the president emerges victorious in the 2019 poll.

    “Our reason for embarking on this project is based on the recognition of the fact that the president has started laying a foundation for a better Nigeria and there is need to consolidate on the gains so far made.

    “It is for this reason; we pride ourselves as Network of Consolidation Ambassadors. From September 2017 up till April 2018, NCAN was in the forefront of calling on president Buhari to seek re-election; in order to consolidate on the good work he has been doing, by building on the foundation he has laid for a prosperous Nigeria.

    “As God will have it, Mr. President acceded to the voice of reasoning and declared his intention to seek re-election in 2019. We believe in the leadership of president Buhari; we can count on him to consolidate the good work he has started for another four more years.

    “It is for this reason that we have decided to pull our meagre resources together and purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination Form for president Buhari as he presents himself to our party members; to be chosen as its candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

    “Our members, from various villages, local governments and states, have contributed to making this happen.

    “It is my singular honour and rare privilege to present to you a cheque of N45 million, as payment for the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for president Buhari.”

    Speaking in an interview, weekend, Musa said they could not handover the documents to the President immediately after purchase as the president was then outside the country.

    “The president is just back, so we have not yet presented the form to the president. We are in the process of sending it. We will send it to him,” he stated.