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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • IGP Idris was invited by Senate because of Dino Melaye – Police

    The Nigeria Police Force has alleged  that the Inspector-General of Police ( IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris was invited by the Senate because of Sen. Dino Melaye and not the killings across the country as claimed.

    The senate at plenary recently, declared the IGP as enemy of democracy and unfit to hold any public office within and outside the country for failing to honour its invitation thrice.

    The senate had refused the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of operations and other senior police officers to represent the IGP when he was invited on April 26.

    “The recent claim by the Senate that the reason for inviting the IGP is to brief them on the recent killings in some part of the Country is an afterthought which can be seen from the headings of their invitation letters”, ACP Jimoh Moshood, police spokesman said in Abuja on Saturday.

    Moshood said that if the invitation was for him to brief the senate on strategies adopted in tackling killings in the country, it would not have been planned for a national television.

    “The Senate’s action to cover the appearance of the IGP on National Television is against National Security, unconventional and it negates global security practice,”he said.

    The spokesman said that the letter the senate wrote inviting the IGP clearly showed that the invitation was not about the killings but about Dino.

    “From the headings of the invitation letters, it is very clear that the IGP was invited on those occasions by the Senate purposely because of Senator Dino Melaye’s criminal indictment,”he said.

    Moshood said that the purported list of killings in Nigerian this year by the senate, was shocking, unfortunate and capable of worsening the security situation in the country.

    “It is mischievous and heinous to play politics with people’s lives; even if it is a soul.

    “The release is speculative and not supported by any fact. Office of the Senate President does not receive or process security report from State commands,”he said.
    He said that the Force as a law abiding entity would continue to uphold the rule of law in all its ramifications.

    “The Force insists on due process of the law and once again implores the Senate not to whip-up sentiments or resort to self-help but to allow the rule of law and justice to prevail on the whole matter, “he said.

  • NBA threatens to sue Buhari over constitutional dereliction

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Friday threatened  to institute a legal action against President Muhammadu Buhari, should he continue with what it described as  “constitutional dereliction” in governance.

    NBA President, A. B. Mahmoud, who gave the warning in his address, during the opening of the association’s two-day National Executive Committee meeting in Kano, accused President Buhari of neglecting to act on the recommendations of the National Judicial Council to appoint 13 justices of the Court of Appeal since November 2017.

    “Similarly, several recommendations for appointments to the Bench of the Federal High Court and other Federal courts are still pending many months after these recommendations to the President.

    ”Acting on the recommendations of the NJC is not a matter of presidential discretion, to be exercised whenever the President deems fit. It is a constitutional duty.

    ”Whilst the President is not bound to accept the recommendations, failure to act is a breach of the Constitution. I therefore call on the President to act without further delay! This failure to act is causing unnecessary delays and avoidable negative consequences on the administration of justice across the country.

    However, the Publicity Secretary of the Kano branch of the NBA, Yusuf Abdulsalami told Reporters at the event that the gathering of the leaders of the Bar in Kano is a “quarterly constitutional requirement in our association, and the aim has always been to review the state of affairs in the association, in the judiciary and in the country at large.

    According to him, ‘The Kano meeting is peculiar because it is about the last to be held under the leadership of A. B. Mahmoud.”

    Read Also: NBA honours criminal justice ‘gladiators’

  • Senate set to approve Buhari’s N2tr promissory note request

    The Senate Wednesday constituted a seven member Committee to consider President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for approval of over N2 trillion for the issuance of promissory note.

    President Buhari said that the approval of the promissory note would enable government to offset inherited local debts and bond issuance to civil servants as well as contractors.

    The setting up of the committee followed an Executive Communication by President Buhari to the Senate on the matter.

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, read the communication at plenary which sought ” the approval of a Promissory Note programme and a Bond Issuance to settle inherited Local Debts and Contractual Obligations.”

    Promissory Note is a financial instrument that contains a written promise by one party (the note’s issuer or maker) to pay another party (the note’s payee) a definite sum of money, either on demand or at a specified future date.

    Lawan suggested that the Senate refer the matter to the appropriate committee to deliberate.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu disagreed and suggested that an ad-hoc committee be set up to consider the request.

    Ekweremadu said, “People are depending on our approval of these funds. There are a number of issues involved. Some are the pensions, some have to do with salaries, subsidy and then some are for payment to states.

    “In view of the multi-dimensional nature of the issues and the controversy regarding borrowing money to fund recurrent items which is forbidden under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, what we should do on the matter is to set up an appropriate ad-hoc committee to be able to look at this together and see which of them that can be recommended to the Senate for approval.

    “While the other ones that are technically deficient or are controversial will now be sent back to the Executive for them to decide what to do depending on what that committee will recommend because under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, there is no way you can borrow money to finance a recurrent item.

    “We need to set up an appropriate committee so that we are able to look at these things efficiently and be able to advice this Senate which of them that should be approved within the ambits of our law and the ones which we need to further dialogue with the Executive.”

    Senator. Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi) in his contribution recalled that “during recession, this Senate recommended to the Executive among other things that all outstanding contracts, particularly local debts that the government should endeavour to as much as possible to settle them. We need to settle these debts so that some of these firms can start employing labour.”

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki named Senator Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) as chairman of the committee.

    Other members are Senators Samuel Anyanwu, PDP, Imo East; Shehu Sani, APC, Kaduna Central; Emmanuel Paulker, PDP, Bayelsa; Danjuma Goje, APC, Gombe Central; Rafiu Ibrahim, APC, Kwara South and Monsurat Sunmonu, APC, Oyo Central.

    President Buhari, had in March, written to the Senate, seeking for the approval of a promissory note programme and a bond issuance to resettle inherited local debts and contractual obligations.

    President Buhari explained the obligations which he believed establishment of the promissory note and bond issuance will clear long standing obligations inherited by his administration include: a) Unpaid obligations to pensioners, salaries and promotional arrears of civil servants. b) Obligation to petroleum marketers. c) Contractors and suppliers debt. d) Unpaid power bills and obligation from tariffs reversal in 2014. e) Export expansion grant IMBET. f) Judgement debt; and g) Refunds to state government for projects undertaken on behalf of federal government.

    He noted that the decision to seek the approval of the Senate is that of the Federal Executive Council, in fulfilment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

    The letter read, “I wish to convey the resolution of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, requesting the National Assembly to pass a bill to effect the promissory note and bond issuance programme to clear the long standing obligation inherited by this administration.

    “The promissory note and bond issuance programme become imperative to clear all the obligations, which include unpaid issuance obligations to pensioners, salaries and promotional arrears to civil servants, obligations to pay oil marketers, contractors and suppliers.”

     

  • Buhari’s ill health affecting his performance, says PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has noted that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot effectively discharge his official duties as a result of his ill health.

    Buttressing this point of view, the PDP said the President’s latest medical trip to the United Kingdom was a confirmation that “President  Buhari is unwell, ailing and unfit to attend to state matters.

    Addressing the media in Abuja on Tuesday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said it’s very unfortunate that the President and his handlers had chosen to shroud the issue of his persistent illness in secrecy whereas the government prides itself on claims of transparency and integrity.

    “Nigerians will recall that shortly before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in April, Mr. President, without transmitting a letter to the National Assembly, as required by the constitution, undertook a private visit to the UK, where his doctors are known to reside, five clear days ahead of CHOGM. Nigerians were left in the dark for the period despite demands for full disclosure by the PDP.

    “Only last week, two days after his departure from the United States where he had gone for a state visit, Mr. President went ‘missing’ again. When concerns began to mount on his whereabouts, the Presidency claimed he had a ‘technical stopover’ in the UK, citing flight issues, only for revelations to emerge from the same Presidency, on Monday, that Mr. President was actually in the UK to see his doctors.

    “In these circumstances, Nigerians were taken for granted, deceived and treated like lesser men and women without reasoning capacity, while our nation, at those periods, was left with no leadership as Mr. President refused to transmit power as required by the 1999 Constitution, as amended”.

    While stating that it has no objection to the President taking care of his ailing health, the party said Nigerians have come to detest the deception, lies and beguiling that have trailed the handling of Buhari’s  health issues.

    The PDP said it’s more concerned that Nigerians are being kept in the dark about the nature of the President’s ailment and the identity of the doctors and the hospital attending to him.

    The main opposition deplored a situation where a siting President would continue to embark on medical tourism abroad when his administration has completely refused to address the poor state of the health sector in the country, even as medical personnel are currently on strike across the nation.

    “In conclusion, we urge the Presidency to note that shrouding the issue of President Buhari’s illness in secrecy, just for political gains, is neither in the interest of the President nor that of our nation at large.

    “Sordidly, the handlers of Mr. President appear to be more concerned about the next election instead of the consequences of a failing health and the blatant breaches of our constitution. The PDP therefore counsels President Buhari to be well guided and take charge of his health challenges”, the PDP added.

    Read Also:Breaking: Buhari on a four-day U.K trip to see his doctor

     

  • Election sequence: Buhari, AGF back suit against NASS

    President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Enugu that they were not opposed to the suit, challenging the attempt by the National Assembly to re-order the sequence of the 2019 elections through amendment of Electoral Act.

    The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Akpata, made the position of both parties known at the hearing of the suit brought before the court by a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Anike Nwoga.

    The suit has the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the 1st and 2nd defendants while President Buhari and AGF are 3rd and 4th respondents respectively.

    Addressing the court presided over by Justice A.M. Liman, Akpata who came to court with a team of lawyers from the Federal Ministry of Justice, explained that by virtue of Section 4 Subsection 8 of the Nigerian constitution, the court has jurisdiction to entertain the matter, adding that the exercise of legislative powers of the National Assembly must be subject to review by the court.

    Citing relevant cases including Habib vs. AGF, AGF vs. ANPP and Attorney General of Bendel State vs. Attorney General of the Federation, Akpata argued that if in the exercise of legislative powers conferred on the National Assembly by the constitution, there is a defect, as to say that a bill is not passed according to the law, the bill is null and void.

    The Solicitor General of the Federation maintained that the Supreme Court could legislate on this issue, which constitutes a limitation to legislative powers.

    On whether the plaintiff (Nwoga) has the locus standi to institute the suit, Akpata made it clear that every citizen of the country has the right of access to justice when there is a breach of the constitution

    He also drew attention of the court to the fact that the affidavit filed by the plaintiff has not been controverted.

    On whether the subject matter is still a life issue, since it may have been overtaken by events, Akpata said, “the case of Amechi vs. Omehia makes it clear that constitutional issue can never be termed an academic exercise.”

    Buttressing his argument with the case of CBN vs. Oladele Amao, he said a declaration could be made even where a matter has been rendered dead, if the issue in question has to do with the constitution.

    Akpata added that the recent decision of the Abuja Federal High Court also looked at the same issues.

    Making submissions earlier, counsel to the plaintiff, Godwin Onwusi, urged the court to grant the five reliefs sought by his client.

    Onwusi asked the court to determine whether the National Assembly has the powers to compel INEC to conduct election in a particular sequence and even if they could, whether they could by law change the timetable already released by the electoral body before the passage of the bill.

    The plaintiff counsel argued that case laws show that the National Assembly do not have such powers, as the powers given to INEC to supervise, conduct and organize elections is not subject to control by either the executive or the legislative arms of government.

    Making his own submission, counsel to INEC, the 2nd respondent, Chineme Onuoma, said the commission was neither opposed or in support of the suit.

    The National Assembly was however not represented in court and did not file any documents.

    After listening to the submissions of the parties in court, Justice Liman reserved judgment for May 18.

    Read Also: Breaking: Court voids NASS attempt to alter election sequence

  • Climate Change: Buhari seeks support from international community

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja reiterated the need for sustained financial, technical and capacity building support from the international community to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in the country.

    Receiving a Letter of Credence from Mr Robert Jan Petri, the Ambassador of Netherlands to Nigeria, President Buhari said Nigeria would continue to vigorously pursue the replenishment of the Lake Chad Basin, which has dried up to 10 percent of its original size.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity  Femi Adesina, the President said ”With the population growth in Nigeria and the drying up of the Lake Chad, we have to move faster and adapt to the impacts of climate change through technological solutions, ”

    The President told the Dutch Ambassador that following Nigeria’s active participation in UN-organized Climate Change conferences in 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Nigerian government successfully hosted a high-level international conference on Lake Chad in February 2018.

    He noted that the high-level conference provided an opportunity to push further options to restore the Lake Chad, including the inter-basin water transfer project from Ubangi River in Central Africa to the Lake.

    On agriculture, the President welcomed the interest by some Nigerian doctoral students studying in the Netherlands on developing the sector through research and innovation, particularly the livestock sector.

    In separate remarks, while receiving the Letter of Credence from the High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana, Mr Pule Mphothwe, President Buhari commended the Southern African country for its consistent support to Nigeria in the international fora.

    Recounting Nigeria’s leadership role in the liberation of African countries from colonial domination, the President said: ”It is a national duty to support our African brothers in their time of need.”

    The President who also received Letter of Credence from Mr Houssam Diab, Ambassador of Lebanon to Nigeria, commended Lebanon for successful parliamentary elections, commitment to stability and security in the Middle East, as well as assistance to Syrian refugees.

    In their separate remarks, the Ambassadors while highlighting the existing and cordial relations between Nigeria and their countries, called for increased trade and economic cooperation.

    The Dutch Ambassador said, ”we are in the process of intensifying our cooperation, particularly on agriculture where we can offer our expertise, being the second largest exporter of food after the United States.”

    Notably, the Botswana High Commissioner told President Buhari that several companies from his country had indicated interest to invest in Nigeria’s mining, agriculture, sports and creative arts sectors.

    ”Sequel to the visit to my country (Botswana) by your predecessor in 2011, there is a great desire for my President to visit Nigeria,” Amb.  Mphothwe said.

  • Invasion: Panel may impose more sanctions on Omo-Agege

    The Senate may have concluded arrangements to impose fresh sanctions on suspended Delta Central senator, Ovie Omo-Agege, over his alleged role in the invasion of the Senate chamber by thugs.

    This is coming as the upper chamber Tuesday referred the report of its panel on the investigation of the April 18 invasion to the chamber to the Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition Committee to review.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday met President Muhammadu Buhari over the invasion, the alleged ill treatment of Senator Dino Melaye by the police and the 2018 budget.

    After the invasion, Saraki on April 25 constituted an adhoc committee chaired by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah to investigate the circumstances that led to the incident.

    The committee was given two weeks to report back to the Senate in plenary for further action

    Saraki Tuesday announced that the Na’Allah led adhoc committee had concluded its assignment.

    He further told the Senate that the report of the adhoc committee had been assigned to the committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to scrutinize and make recommendations for more legislative action.

    Saraki said, “The report on the invasion of the Senate is ready. It has been given to the Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. The committee is to review the report and come up with recommendations for the consideration of the Senate.”

    Sources close to the leadership of the Senate noted that “there is no doubt that Senator Omo-Agege will be in for more trouble following the perceived role he was said to have played in the invasion of the Senate chamber.

    The source said that “Omo-Agege may not escape the recommendation that he should proceed on indefinite suspension.”

    According to the source, “the role of Omo-Agege during and after the invasion of the hallowed chamber of the Senate was too glaring to be ignored.”

    Findings further showed that security agents said to have found “culpable” during the invasion would not be scolded.

    Some of the security personnel, he said, will be redeployed “for dereliction of duty.”

    He said that the committee is also expected to come up with ways and means to strengthen security in and around the National Assembly.

    On the masked operatives of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) which took over the internal security of the National Assembly last week, he said that the development was part of the new security architecture in the National Assembly which may be permanent.

    Read Also:Omo-Agege takes Senate, AGF to court

     

  • Keyamo, six others appointed as NDIC board members

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday appointed SAN, and six others as members of the board of the NDIC board members

    Senate, Bukola Saraki, disclosed on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Saraki read the letter from Buhari at the plenary on Tuesday after which he sought legislative approval for the appointments.

     

    Details shortly…

     

  • Buhari to inaugurate Abuja hotel

    President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to launch a hotel at the seat of federal power, Abuja.

    The nation’s capital attracts daily visitors from sundry places, a development investors are capitalising on to provide them good resting places at a tidy price.

    Marketing Communications Advisor of Fraser Suites, Mr. Haroun Audu, a lawyer, said President would inaugurate the hotel located in the territory’s central area on May 9.

    He said, “Nigeria’s freshest and distinctively iconic Fraser Suites Abuja, the newest luxury hotel by Frasers Hospitality in Africa, is set to be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari at an exclusive, guests-only ceremony, on Wednesday 9th May 2018. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Musa Bello will be the chief host.

    “The grand opening party will then continue on Thursday 10th May 2018, with a distinguished array of diplomatic, corporate and business executives taking their turn to savour and experience the uniquely Fraser model of ‘sustained commitment to excellence in [the hospitality industry] and outstanding achievement in the international luxury hospitality industry.

    “Developed and promoted in Nigeria by the international real estate developer and investor Royal Pacific Group, Fraser Suites Abuja demonstrated its world-class credentials from the get-go: in less than six months of starting operations, it won the globally acclaimed World Luxury Hotel Awards in December 2017, as well as the award for Global Winner for Luxury Business Serviced Apartments also in 2017.

    “The grand opening events of Fraser Suites Abuja will feature the formal unveiling of the historic commissioning plaque by President Muhammadu Buhari on day 1; to be supported by members of the diplomatic corps, heads of international multilateral agencies, regional bodies and international NGO’s accredited to Nigeria. On Day 2, Fraser Suites Abuja will welcome Nigeria’s vibrant, and quality-conscious private sector-led corporate and business executives, specially invited to the full, luxurious taste of an exciting afternoon of facilities viewing, refreshments, soft entertainment, and networking.

    “As Fraser Suites Abuja is formally commissioned, customers’ evolving expectations will be continually anticipated and met through innovation and intuitive services to deliver memorable experiences.”

  • OPC demands Melaye’s release

    Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) President, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has kicked against police arraigning Senator Dino Melaye on a hospital stretcher, saying, it represents a gross violation of human rights by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    OPC further called for the immediate release of the Senator.

    In a statement issued in Lagos at the weekend, the Yoruba socio-cultural group vilified the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, over the incident and others that, OPC complained, were contributing to the government’s sordid human rights records.

    Fasehun said: “Transporting Senator Melaye on a stretcher from Abuja for arraignment in Lokoja, Kogi State, the IGP is behaving like a Gestapo police chief in Adolf Hitler’s Germany. That action is unacceptable. It is man’s inhumanity against man. The Distinguished Senator’s arraignment in a stretcher is degrading, dehumanising and draconian, and it deserves universal condemnation by all right-thinking persons.”

    The Senator reportedly suffered back injuries as he tried to escape tear-gas fumes in a police vehicle transporting him to Lokoja, following which he was admitted in an Abuja hospital, from where police brought him to court on a stretcher in the Federal capital and subsequently to Lokoja, Kogi State.

    “Senator Dino Melaye must not die!” Fasehun warned. “Whoever is maltreating him can only hide under the cover of this regime, but that person will surely account for this gross misdeed not only to Nigerians but the international community.”

    Fasehun said, it was clear that the police were mishandling and maltreating the Senator as part of an ongoing script designed to silence the opposition.

    “They just want to cow everyone into silence. This is one more attempt to stifle the patriotic voices that have tried to hold the PMB regime accountable in the National Assembly, in the Judiciary, in the social and traditional media, in civil society and in opposition political parties,” OPC said. “It is a throwback to the era of Decree 4 of 1984, when as maximum dictator; General Muhammadu Buhari made it dangerous to exercise your Freedom of Speech.”

    He recalled that the IGP similarly displayed this tendency in the Benue killings, where the police chief disobeyed the President’s specific directive to relocate to Makurdi, the capital, to stem the wave of attacks from Fulani herdsmen.

    Fasehun cited the continuing detention of Dambo Dasuki, Nigeria’s former Chief Security Officer, despite court rulings for his freedom, and the case of Sheikh El-Zakzaky, whose Shiite members have been killed by police during peaceful demonstrations.

    OPC said that despite his theatrics outside the chambers and in the social media, Melaye by his contribution to House sessions reflects the best traditions of parliamentary democracy, with his bold, energetic, researched, cerebral and oratorical contributions to plenary.

    OPC said, “Senator Melaye certainly does not deserve the inhuman treatment he is suffering at the hands of agents of the government. He should be released on self-recognition to take care of his health.”

    According to OPC, it was a pity that rather than take advantage of its clear majority in the National Assembly to improve the welfare of Nigerians, the Buhari regime had spent the last three years in needless grandstanding and unfruitful battles with potential partners in progress.