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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • 2019: N/Assembly joint committee okays N143bn election budget

    A National Assembly joint committee has okayed the N143 billion component of the N189 billion requested by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    Rising from a meeting at the National Assembly complex in Abuja Monday, the lawmakers said they chose to adopt the N143 billion as presented to the federal legislature by President Muhammadu Buhari in July.

    Read Also:Furore over INEC’s N198bn election budget proposal

    Citing funding constraint, the President had, in his letter to the legislature, asked the lawmakers to first consider the N143 and wait for the remaining N45 billion to be co-opted into the 2019 national budget.

    Going by the electoral commission’s schedule for the 2019 elections, the N143 billion ought to have hit INEC’s coffers by August 15, to meet up with a minimum of 180 days to the first round of election (February 16, 2019).

    The INEC had, during previous deliberations, pleaded with the joint committee to process the entire N189 billion at once, citing the usual delay in the passage of the annual national budget.

    But the lawmakers had countered that doing so would overshoot the 2018 budget template, stating however, that the executive could as well present the N45 billion through supplementary budget as soon as possible.

    Speaking after a closed door session that lasted about 40 minutes, the chairman of the panel, Senator Suleiman Nazif, called on the INEC to prioritise its expenditure schedule on the N143 billion.

    Nazif said, “The joint committee sat and has come up with the resolution to adopt the N143 billion presented by Mr. President.

    “It is also the wish of this committee that INEC present their budget of N143 billion as requested by Mr. President.

    “Therefore, INEC has an opportunity to prioritise its expenditure on the N143 billion and this committee is ready to receive them tomorrow.

    “This committee will be reconvening tomorrow (today) by 1pm so that we can consider the presentation by INEC”.

  • My 800m trek not to score cheap political goal – Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Daura broached the issue of his opting to trek some distance after observing Eid prayers at Kofar Arewa Eid Ground and the humbling hero’s welcome from the well-wishers that lined the street.

    In a meeting with representatives of the 5 local governments in Daura Emirate, the President explained that the walk was not about proving his fitness level or scoring cheap political capital.

    Read Also:Buhari battling cheats to protect poor, says Keyamo

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said “This is my constituency, the people came out in their large numbers to see me and the car in which I was being driven had tinted windows.

    ‘‘They were not seeing me so I came down so they could see me. I didn’t need to convince anyone about my health and the decision to contest for a second term- a decision that I made public in April this year,’’ he said.

    The President used the opportunity of his meeting with his kinsmen to inform them that he has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and the CBN to review the processes on the issuance of loans to smallholder farmers.

    ‘‘We want to make it easier for them to assess the loans, particularly the underprivileged people in the society. It has become necessary for the government to do this because banks will insist on collaterals which majority of farmers do not have.

    ‘‘For our agriculture policy to succeed, we must be able to reach small farm holders with loans without collaterals.  Collaterals are always a problem with smallholder farmers,’’ he said.

    The President also highlighted the achievements of the administration on local rice productions which had expectedly led to the reduction of imports by over 90 percent.

    He expressed delight that young people are returning to the farms and reaffirmed the Federal government’s commitment to implement policies to promote agriculture.

    Speaking on behalf of the civil society groups in Daura Emirate, the spokesman of the group, Yusuf Bello Maiadua, applauded the President on his numerous achievements.

    ‘‘You have made us proud, the economy is back on the path of growth and you have laid a solid foundation for the development of the country.”

    Maiadua who hinted the President of plans by the Daura Emirate to organise a massive rally for his 2019 campaign, as soon as the ban on political campaign is lifted, invited him to make out time to attend.

     

  • Recent APC victory is sign of things to come -Buhari

    …Says APC will win 2019 elections

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura on Friday said that the string of victory recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in bye-elections in Bauchi, Katsina and Kogi States is sufficient proof that 2019 elections will be won by the party.

    He spoke while receiving the representatives of the 34 Chairmen of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Katsina State.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said: “coming against the backdrop of the victory in Ekiti governorship election, the string of victory by our party, the APC, is a clear indication of the way things will go in 2019.

    Read Also:Buhari canvasses economic support for rural women

    ‘‘For those who are discerning; those who have ears and eyes they will see, hear and understand. Those who don’t understand are entitled to their mistaken assumptions.” he said

    Buhari, therefore, emphasized that the victories in the recent polls are indeed “the sign of things to come.”

    He thanked the leaders of the association for paying Sallah homage to him and for their message of congratulations on the performance of the party and the administration, assuring them that he would continue to do his best for the nation.

    Speaking on behalf of the members, the Chairman of ALGON in the State, Alhaji Mohammed Na’Allah, expressed their support and commitment to the success of the Buhari Administration.

    At another meeting with the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Katsina State, President Buhari expressed his continued determination to respect the diversity of the country, saying that he will run a government that is fair and just to all Nigerians.

    The President thanked the CAN leadership in the State for living in peace and harmony with other religious groups, and for supporting his administration in its policies and programmes

    The CAN leaders who spoke during the visit, the State Chairman, Rev. Nelson Onyeakachukwu, and an elder and coordinator of the Christian Pilgrimage in the State, Haruna Danjuma expressed happiness with the President’s performance.

    They described him as the State’s good ambassador who had made everyone proud.

    “Christians in Katsina are happy with both Governor Masari in the State and yourself at the center. We will continue to support both of you,” the CAN leaders told the President.

  • Nigerians appreciating our social intervention programmes – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said that it is heart-warming that more Nigerians are appreciative of the implementation of policies and projects of the Federal Government aimed at improving the standard of living in the country.

    He made the remark while receiving the leadership of Kano Traders Association led by Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Sani, Chairman of Kanti Kwari Traders Association on Friday in Daura, Katsina State.

    Read Also:Sultan to Nigerians: choose your leaders wisely

    According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President pledged that his administration will not relent in doing the needful to create jobs, expand trade and encourage greater productivity.

    He told members of the business community that under the Government Enterprises and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) and the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), more traders and farmers have expanded their trade and increased food production.

    He said that while the GEEP provides free interest loans to farmers, the N40 billion ABP targets rice farmers across the country to boost their production.

    According to the President, some of the policies and projects were misconstrued by some critics at the beginning of this administration but with steady and rigorous implementation they have realized that these interventions are very beneficial for the development of the country.

    The President promised to look into the concerns of the traders on the GEEP programme as well as the influx and dominance of foreigners in the retail sector.

    Speaking earlier, Sani had commended the President for reviving the $2.8 billon Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, which was abandoned by the previous administration due to corruption and mismanagement.

    The market leader also applauded the Buhari administration for the ongoing works at river ports in Baro, Niger State, Lokoja, Kogi State and Oguta in Imo State which were abandoned for about a decade but will now be completed before May 2019.

    ‘‘It is also another gesture of Mr. President in fulfilling his promise to end fuel problem in Nigeria by signing the Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a new 150,000 barrels per day refinery in Katsina State,’’ Sani said.

  • Bello laud Buhari’s anti-corruption stance

    Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has declared the support of the people of the state for the fight against corruption by the present administration in Nigeria.

    The governor in statement issues in Lokoja on Friday urged the Media to support the anti-corruption war of the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Read Also:Buhari canvasses economic support for rural women

    He commended President Buhari for his “unwavering fight against corruption,” saying that his administration has keyed into the vision of the president for Nigeria as a nation renowned for “incorruptibility and development”.

    He stated: “A set of leaders held the nation down for many decades; destroyed our public schools, public transport system, public healthcare system and almost endangered our generation with wanton corruption.

    “The leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has restored our pride as a nation. He has made a bold statement to the International community, that we are not all about corruption and that we have leaders who can live above corruption.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari is not just a pride to our nation, but to the entire African continent. With him at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, the world is beginning to regain their trust in our dear nation”.

    Governor Bello thanked the President for remaining undaunted by the “sustained resistance of corrupt people against his administration,” adding that the corrupt people are beginning to “settle in the same bucket to fight Africa’s most incorruptible President”.

    He thanked the people of the state for supporting his administration, assuring them of more democracy dividends in the months ahead.

    “Our administration is working hard to put the right foot forward for the betterment of our dear State. We have made tremendous progress in the sectors of agriculture, healthcare, education and transportation.

    “The seeds we have sown in the past two and a half years are beginning to yield fruits. We have ensured security of lives and property like no other administration in the history of Kogi State. We shall continue to work for the greatness of our dear State.

    “I urge the people of our dear state to remain steadfast on the part of truth, development and transparent governance. We have made a big difference from the years of no-clear-direction”, he said.

  • I won’t be distracted by defectors, opposition – Buhari

    …Says his government is focused

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said that the efforts of defectors and their backers in the opposition will not distract his administration from the good work it has been doing for the benefit and development of Nigeria.

    He spoke during lunch with some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and some members of the National Assembly and Commissioners in Daura, Katsina State.

    Read Also:Buhari forecloses former DSS boss Daura’s return

    According to him, his administration is focused in delivering the 2015 campaign promises in the area of improved economy, security and fight against corruption.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said that the APC has the full understanding of Nigeria’s challenges and was encouraged by the support of Nigerians in addressing them.

    He said, ‘‘We are always encouraged when all our constituents are happy with the work we are doing and our genuine efforts to make sure that what we campaigned for in 2015 is still very much in our minds and we have not lost focus.

    ‘‘In terms of security, economy and the fight against corruption we have maintained focus. Even the opposition with all their resources cannot fault our identification of Nigeria’s priorities and the efforts being made to better them.

    ‘‘We will continue to do what we ought to do in the leadership position God has placed us and we thank the constituents for the support,” he added

    On the defections within the major political parties, Buhari reiterated his earlier message to them: saying ‘‘for those who have decided to change camp for whatever reason, we wish them good luck.’’

    The leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State commended the President for his great efforts in keeping the nation together through visionary leadership.

    He noted that President Buhari had remained focused and unshaken by situations and circumstances, adding ‘‘it shows that your administration is approved by God.’’

    Okorocha said ‘‘we are here to encourage you to keep doing what you are doing as Nigerians are very pleased with you.

    ‘‘We also want to inform you that we had wonderful and peaceful Sallah celebration across the country because of security of lives and property you have guaranteed in our nation.’’  he said

    Governor Okorocha was accompanied by the Governors of Katsina, Kebbi, Kano and Niger States.

  • Lalong, Shittu, Kalu meet Buhari in Daura

    Plateau State Governor, Solomon Lalong, Communication Minister, Adebayo Shittu and former Abia state Governor, Dr. Orji -Uzor Kalu, Wednesday in Daura , Katsina state, held  a closed door meeting which lasted for more than 30 minutes, with President Muhammadu Buhari at his country home.

    The meeting was held shortly after Kalu was conferred with a chieftaincy title “Danbaiwan Hausa”, meaning: ‘Gifted son of Hausa Land’ by the Emir of Daura, Dr. Farouq Umar Farouq.

    Read Also:2019: Saraki, Kwankwaso, Tambuwal, others can’t stop Buhari

    Both Plateau state Governor and the Communication minister were among the dignitaries who accompanied the former Abia Governor to the Emir’s palace for the conferment of the title at a turbanning ceremony held earlier

    The trio, shortly after the event, left for President Buhari’s residence.

    They were ushered in to see the President at about 2.40 p. m. The Plateau Governor was the first to depart the residence at 3.30p.m while Kalu and Shittu followed suit five minutes thereafter.

    Shittu however told journalists that they were at President’s residence to “pay obeisance”.

    He said” We were here to pay obeisance .You know the President recently returned from medical trip abroad, and were unable to see him because soon after the security meeting on Monday he left for Daura’’

    “Contrary to the claim by his detractors that he is not fit to run a second time, the President is not only fit to trek 800 meters as reported by the media, he is fit mentally and physically to continue to pilot the affairs of our great country even for the next four years after 2019 elections.”

    Shittu said he attended Kalu’s event to reciprocate his kindness and liberal attitude to all Nigerians irrespective of tribes or religions.

    He blamed the Ibos for ‘’ostracizing’’ themselves from mainstream Nigerian political life, urging them to queue behind Buhari this time around

    Earlier, the Emir had said, during the event, that Kalu was conferred with the title because of his contribution to the unity of Nigeria and his (Kalu) love for President Buhari’s administration and championing his reelection bid.

  • Buhari signs instrument of accession to International Cocoa Agreement 2010

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, at the State House, Abuja, signed the Instrument of Accession to the International Cocoa Agreement, 2010.

    It followed the Federal Executive Council approval for Nigeria to accede to the International Cocoa Agreement, 2010.

    Read Also:Buhari, service chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that following the execution of the instrument of accession, Nigeria undertakes “faithfully to abide by all the stipulations therein contained” in the Agreement.

    Among other benefits, the Agreement, he said, is to strengthen cooperation between exporting and importing member countries; improve their cocoa economies through active and better focused project development and strategies for capacity-building.

    The 2010 Agreement is also expected to build on the successes of the 2001 Agreement by “implementing measures leading to an increase in the income of cocoa farmers and by supporting cocoa producers in improving the functioning of their cocoa economies.”

    It will also “deliver cocoa of better quality, take effective account of food-safety issues and help establish social, economic and environmental sustainability, so that farmers are rewarded for producing cocoa that meets ethical and environmental considerations.

  • Ogun 2019: Oil magnate, Abiodun declares for governorship

    …Lauds, PMB, Tinubu on direct primary

     

     

    Oil magnate and entrepreneur, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has declared for the Ogun State governorship race, expressing the confidence that he would not only clinch the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket, but also succeeds Governor Ibikunle Amosun on May 29, 2019.

    Abiodun who lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and APC national leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, for their position on direct primary as the right approach to select its candidates for electives offices, said he would focus on “mass centric” programmes and not “ones that cater for the elites or “have only visibility value,” if he emerges  as Governor in 2019.

    Read Also:Ogun 2019: Isiaka dumps PDP, cites intractable crisis as reason

    The APC chieftain and Real Estate investor, made this known to reporters in Iperu, his home town, Ogun State on Thursday evening while declaring his ambition to succeed Governor Amosun.

    He urged the Ogun State chapter of the APC to adopt direct primary system as the right approach for selecting governorship candidates, saying it remains the way to give party members the unfettered freedom to pick the right person from the pool of aspirants.

    According to him, the pronouncement of the party leaders like President Buhari and Tinubu – on direct primary as advocated by both, actually saves the party from further hemorrhage due to defection, since direct primary assured every party member equal chance of participation in the race in a fair and free level playing field, devoid of impositions.

    Abiodun assured that he has the intellectual capacity, experience, pedigree to govern the state and “raised the bar” because of veritable leadership and management skills garnered over the years from the private sector, adding that it would be “laughable” for anybody sit in a “corner of somewhere and appoints who should be Governor of Ogun State.”

     

  • No date for National Assembly resumption, says Saraki, Dogara

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Tuesday said that no date has been fixed to reconvene the two chambers of the National Assembly to consider the budget for the 2019 elections.

    Saraki and Dogara in a joint statement informed Senators, House members and Nigerians that no date has been set for the reconvening of the Senate and the House of Representatives to consider the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 2019 elections budget request forwarded by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 17, 2018.

    Read Also:INEC Budget: NASS cannot reconvene now -Saraki, Dogara

    The statement by the media aides of Saraki and Dogara, Yusuph Olaniyonu and Turaki Hassan respectively, said that “the leadership of the two chambers had met and agreed to reconvene to consider the proposal this week before which a meeting between the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters and officials of the INEC must have held on or before Monday August 13, 2018.”

    The joint committees, it said, were also expected to meet with the joint Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Loans and Debts on the Eurobond loan request after which two reports would have been ready for presentation in the two chambers.”

    “However, no such meeting had taken place yet as a result of which both Senate and House of Representatives cannot reconvene as there is no report to consider.

    “Until the Committees have a ready report for the consideration of the two chambers, it will be most irresponsible to recall members from recess especially those that may have travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj,” the statement said.