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Tag: Waziri

  • Waziri: Yobe ‘ll be better under my leadership

    Waziri: Yobe ‘ll be better under my leadership

    Adamu Maina Waziri is a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP in Yobe State. He has served as the Minister of Police Affairs and Agriculture.  In 1999, 2003 and 2007, he was the governorship candidate. He was the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. Now, he has declared his intention to run for the position in next year’s election.  When JOEL DUKU met him in Damaturu, the state capital, he spoke on his past electoral defeats and preparations for another contest.  

    Why are you contesting for the governorship again, despite your failed bid four times?

    I have obtained my nomination form. I am doing it in exercising my inalienable right to seek elective office under our great party, the PDP, and also under the constitution of this country. I am doing it because I have passion for my people and my state. I am a product of public expenditure. I was brought up, educated, exposed to public office and also the treasury. And I feel I have got so much in terms of experience, borne out of my education and my public office, to give to my state so that there will be value addition to the lives of our people.

    I was the state co-ordinator for the creation of this state in 1991 before it was carved out of Borno. We were fighting for development.

    Unfortunately, we have not realised this dream. The reason why the dream has not been realised is that, from the time the state was created, it has not live up to expectation. With all respect to all those people that led this state at the highest level, the expectation is still unfulfilled. Furthermore, I have come across a number of aspirants to the office. With all respect to them, I am convinced that, based on our public records, I can do better than all of them. That is why I want to give this thing another shot. I ask  this simple question, ‘Why can’t you give up’? But, they said, if all good people refuse to participate, you are going to get the worse.

    But, PDP has never won governorship election in Yobe…

    The truth of the matter is that I have been into this thing for some time. I have built supporters and structures in this state. I am proud  as politician that has gone to the nooks and crannies of this state more than any other politician in Yobe State in the quest for leadership. I can contest under any party on my own identity, but I have a moral obligation. I was the one who carried the flag of the PDP in 1998 from the old parade ground in Abuja. We were six. I was one of them. I was the one who carried the flag and the mandate to come to Yobe State and set up the structure of the PDP. It would be absolutely irresponsible to desert the party. I will remain in the party. My dreams may never be fulfilled, but I have an obligation to continue the journey. And that is where I am.

    You have described the government of Ibrahim Gaidam as a bad Government. Why did you say so?

    Yes. I was asked this question before and I said there are two issues involved. One, there is Ibrahim Gaidam, a nice gentleman, whom we respect, who has contributed his quota like his predecessors to the development of Yobe. But, there is also the government involving him and so many people, but he has to take full responsibility, both for his actions and the actions of his subordinates. So, I hold him partly responsible for what is happening in the state. I feel that there are quite a number of things that are bedevilling this state that a focused , courageous, experienced, well educated leadership could do better and I feel I can do better if given the mandate.

     What do you mean by Human Development Indices (HDI) and do you think you still have those structures to pursue your ambition?

    Human Development Indices (HDI) is looking at the standard of education and other performances. If you look at the average pass mark of Yobe students, are they much more qualified to be admitted into tertiary institutions? What is the infant mortality? What is the mortality of our mothers? How many people have access to portable drinking water? How many have access to self-sustainable employment?

    If you become the governor, how are you going to address  these lapses?

    Now, let me give you part of my albatross. Nine out of 10 people in Yobe State still believe I can do the job. Seven out of 10 people are afraid of me. So, I have no problem because  I will not allow what they are used to to continue. But, that will not make me change my mind because I will not be deceiving them. I want to maintain an identity. It  is left for them to choose. But, the ttruth of the matter is that, if I become the governor, I will be sworn with the Holy Book to discharge my duties,  based on my abilities. And I want to take that very serious, and I will do it. So, I assure you that by reputation, based on my antecedents, the moment I was sworn in, there are certain attitudes that will die that moment in Yobe State public service.

    How prepared are you for primaries?

    The fact that there are two or three or five people contesting for the same position is democracy. Is not anti-democracy. It is democracy. Guide the people, tell them this is democracy. There should be an election. If we don’t have election within our party, we will still have election between political parties. So why don’t we get use to a democratic principles to resolve issues rather than otherwise. So in PDP like in all parties, there are two route in choosing candidate. One, there is what we call consensus, this is where few people decides on behalf of the majority. That is one route. The second route is also what we called the democratic route, alright; where the majority decides from the minority which is during primaries or secondary elections. These two options have been used by both PDP and other parties to arrives at political conclusions. Ok; is not an issue of do-or-die.

  • Waziri scores Uduaghan high

    Waziri scores Uduaghan high

    A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, has praised Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for running a transparent administration.

    Speaking at the maiden edition of The Sun Women Leadership Summit in Asaba, Mrs. Waziri gave the Uduaghan administration a ‘pat on the back’ for following due process in its financial transactions.

    The former EFCC boss said: “The governor never crossed my path and I never crossed his when I was in EFCC that is why I have the confidence to come to Delta State.

    “He is a performing governor, following due process and he has done very well for his people.

    “When I was coming, I thought I will land in Benin, but was told there was an airport here. The Asaba International Airport  is one of the best in the country.”

    She stated that the summit was timely and urged women to always put in their best in whatever they do.

     “I want to ask women not to lose their femininity, respect themselves, dress responsibly and at the end, they will earn respect.”

    Uduaghan, who declared the occasion open, urged women to always cooperate among themselves to harness their potential to the fullest.

    “Women must come together to win in a man’s world, they should refuse to be used to pull down or limit their fellow women.”

    Former Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Evelyn Oputu, said for Nigeria to have the status of a developed nation, women’s potential should be unlocked.

    The Managing Director of The Sun, Femi Adesina, said the summit was an important forum to give women the opportunity to discuss on the way forward.

    Majority Leader of the House of Representatives Mrs. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, who chaired the occasion, hoped that the summit would provide women the opportunity to be involved in the decision making process of the country.

  • Muazu, Umar, Gambo, Adamu, Waziri in the race for party chair

    Muazu, Umar, Gambo, Adamu, Waziri in the race for party chair

    Six names are on the cards as the battle to succeed Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who quit as Peoples democratic Party (PDP) chairman yesterday , hots up.

    The President’s men, it was gathered last night, are tinkering with the list, to pick the most ‘politically’ eligible of the lot.

    They are the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar(Gombe State); former Governor Adamu Muazu (Bauchi), a former member of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Wakil (Borno), former National Chairman of the Grassroots Democratic Movement(GDM) Alhaji Gambo Lawan(Borno); former Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) President Ambassador Hassan Adamu(Wakilin Adamawa) from Adamawa State and former Minister of Commerce Ambassador Idris Waziri(Taraba).

    Three groups, it was learnt, have emerged on the search for Tukur’s successor.

    They are the President’s Strategy Team (PST) being coordinated by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson; a group being led by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and the Board of Trustee (BoT) leaders/ PDP Governors Forum headed by Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    The groups have not been able to reach a consensus on the choice of national chairman, a decision which PDP’s National Executive Committee(NEC) has deferred till Monday.

    It was learnt that the Dickson-led PST met yesterday for hours to consider which of the candidates will be most suited for the job.

    The PST, it was gathered, has drawn up seven criteria, which are hinged on the prospective chairman’s ability to deliver the party’s ticket to President Jonathan.

    The criteria are:

    •Being a committed democrat and team player

    •Rich experience in politics and party administration

    •Ability to reconcile aggrieved members of the party

    •Readiness to reorder PDP for electoral victory in 2015 in at least 25 to 28 states

    •A good listener who will have respect for all organs of the party

    •Must be a political asset and not a liability to PDP

    •A candidate who will ensure free and fair primaries

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The search for a new chairman actually started on Wednesday morning when Tukur’s exit became inevitable. I can tell you that we have six candidates so far but the list is inexhaustible due to ongoing permutations.

    “With Tukur in charge, the President’s strategists had taken the second term ticket of Jonathan for granted. But his exit has left this flank open and it has become important to be strategic before the new National Chairman is hijacked by vested interests.

    “This is why Governor Seriake Dickson is leading the strategy team to ensure that all is tactically okay for the President. The team is very strong on Mohammed Wakil.

    “ The First Lady and some National Executive Committee (NEC) members are, however, working on Idris Umar because he is less controversial out of the six.

    “For instance, the choice of Muazu will upset Governor Isa Yuguda and some stakeholders in Bauchi. And there is no point creating crisis in any state again. There is still a cold war between Yuguda and Muazu.

    “The strategists of the President are uncomfortable with Muazu, who is an in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. It is like handing over the party to Atiku. They cannot take such a risk.

    “As for Mohammed Wakil, apart from being a former member of the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003, he has no solid political base because Borno belongs to the opposition. He has limited political clout to win mileage for PDP in 2015.

    “The strategists believe that a PDP National Chairman must have a strong political base. Although Wakil is loved by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State( a loyalist of the President), some PDP leaders said the choice of PDP National Chairman must not be personalised.

    “Regarding the Minister, he is rated as a loyal and contented party man. He was the anointed governorship candidate of the party for Gombe State in 2011 but he was denied the ticket at the last minute. Yet, he accepted his fate and worked with Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.

    “His sincerity, patience and political maturity earned him a ministerial slot. The thinking of the First Lady and some PDP leaders is that he can succeed Tukur.

    “The Minister’s only challenge was his pro-Jonathan 2015 project which landed him in trouble recently when he bought many cars running into millions of naira. There had been pressure on the Minister to account for the fortunes he is spending on the campaign in Gombe State.

    “It is left to NEC to decide who to pick among the six. Horse-trading will continue throughout the weekend.”

    Some BoT members, it was learnt, are pushing for Gambo Lawan, Ambassador Hassan Adamu, and ex-Minister Idris Waziri who was present at the 80th birthday celebration of BoT Chairman Chief Tony Anenih for what a source described as “essentially tactical.”

    Another source added: “The position of some BoT members is that Lawan and Adamu had been tested as administrators either in politics or public office. Lawan was also one of those who contested against Tukur. Adamu’s setback may be his old age and strict disciplinary culture which may not be acceptable to the hawks in PDP.

    “Ex-Minister Idris Waziri is rated as brilliant, intelligent and a peace-building figure. The fears about him have to do with the fact that he served under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has mutual respect for him.”

    A member of the NWC, who played a key role in the ouster of Tukur, said: “By Sunday, we will know who will be the next National Chairman of the party. It is too early for me to tell you now because consultations and horse-trading are ongoing.

    “We are looking at all the candidates that have been thrown up by the North-East. We will screen all of them thoroughly to avoid any slip this time around”.

  • I never knew Ibori, says ex-EFCC chair Waziri

    I never knew Ibori, says ex-EFCC chair Waziri

    A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, has said that ex-Governor James Ibori was not behind her appointment.

    She said she never knew Ibori before she was made the EFCC chair.

    Her position contradicted the claim by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo that Mrs. Waziri was head-hunted for the job by Ibori.

    Mrs. Waziri, who spoke in an interview with EFCC Magazine, “Zero Tolerance”, to mark the 10-year anniversary of the agency, said some groups deliberately fought her and churned out false documents.

    She said: “I never knew him; I never knew James Ibori. When I was appointed, I went to the Villa very often because the President called his staff and told them Farida has free access to him 24/7 whether in the office or Villa.

    “So, I went there very often and I met Ibori; he was always there.”

    On the allegation that she aided Ibori’s escape to Dubai through a tip-off, she said: “It’s all lies of the enemies.”

    “By the time I write my book, the truth will prevail. I never knew Ibori; look, I believe what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. I don’t believe in half measures.

    “By my training and upbringing, I can never betray my country for anyone, for any reason; I never had to go to National Security Adviser with the police to assist, that was when the police was attacked.

    “If I was in league with him, wouldn’t I have said ‘lie low, don’t worry’, that we will just do that and pretend. Let me ask you, if I was in league with Ibori and was not sincerely pursuing him, would he have gone out of this country to Dubai?

    “Of course, I was all out and that was how he ran out and went and got himself in more trouble.”

    Mrs. Waziri also explained that contrary to insinuations, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa (SAN), did not know about her appointment.

    She said Aondoakaa was shocked that the late President Umaru Yar’Adua picked her outside the list submitted to him.

    She added: “I think what happened was that my younger brother, Aondoakaa, the former AGF, was close to Ibori. This former AGF is from my area, my local government, but I never knew him. Well, he might have known me because young people know the elderly.

    “When I was in Turkey with my husband, one of my relations called and said, ‘you know your brother is now the AG’. I said ‘really’. People probably linked me to him and thought he brought me.

    “Believe you me; he was against my becoming the EFCC chairman. When the President picked my CV, that was when he came to my house for the first time and said the President had shocked them.

    “What happened? He said ‘he picked your CV, now are you going to do the job. Because the press will come after you, why don’t you answer now so that I can go back?’

    “I asked him, ‘is it the president that sent you?’ He said ‘yes’. I said ‘I will think about it’. He said ‘no, no, no, I should tell him now.’ I called my husband and told him this is what the AG has said and he said ‘well, you cannot refuse to serve your father land in any capacity, so convey to them the message.”

    On her sack as EFCC chairman, faulted the approach adopted by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    She said: “The manner of the sack was what bothered me. I have done a span of 35 years, fighting for my father land. I deserve some little dignity and respect.

    “When you wake up and you see on AIT, Waziri sacked! ‘NTA, Waziri sacked!’ Channels, ‘Waziri sacked!’ That is the style I am talking about.

    “My predecessor’s case was even worse, but I do hope that the authorities will take note. Except you are removed as a result of gross misconduct, any other way, you should be treated with dignity, respect for human person.

    “So, it’s the style I frowned at, not about leaving; I knew I would one day leave. In fact, the hand writing was on the wall. I knew it was a matter of time.”

  • Why I can’t honour Reps, by ex-EFCC boss Waziri

    Why I can’t honour Reps, by ex-EFCC boss Waziri

    A  former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mrs.

    Farida Waziri yesterday wrote the House of Representatives explaining why she would not be able to appear before its committee probing the status of about N500billion assets recovered by the anti-graft agency.

    She said she is out of the country and might not be able to meet with the timeline for her appearance before the House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes.

    In a letter to the committee through her Confidential Secretary, Alfred I. Oko, the ex-EFCC chairman said she is willing to attend subsequent meetings on the issue at stake.

    The letter said: “I regret my absence at the Public Hearing due to my being out of the country following an earlier schedule that conflicts with the date of the meeting.

     

     

     

     

  • How to curb corruption, by ex-EFCC chair Waziri, Akume

    How to curb corruption, by ex-EFCC chair Waziri, Akume

    Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, and Senate Minority Leader George Akume, have suggested measures that will help in the fight against corruption in the country.

    Mrs Waziri called for new laws with stiffer penalties for corrupt acts and Akume advocated an enhanced pay for diligent public workers.

    They spoke in Abuja yesterday at the public presentation of a book, S. T. Hon’s Law of Evidence in Nigeria, written by Sebastine Hon (SAN).

    Mrs Waziri noted that unless existing laws, which she said have become archaic and ineffective, are repealed, the country will remain handicapped in fighting corruption.

    She said it is wrong for anyone to believe that existing laws in Nigeria could wipe out corruption because their inherent loopholes provide escape routes for corrupt people to escape punishment.

    She said: “It is a notorious fact that corruption is being fought partly with archaic laws, the laws that are no longer suitable for the unpleasant situation we find ourselves.

    “By the time most of our laws were being enacted by the colonial masters, nobody envisaged internet fraud, manipulation of computer to defraud, because those things were not there then.”

    The former EFCC chairman urged the National Assembly to come up with potent laws that can confront corruption and corrupt tendencies.

    She noted that the Evidence Act, for instance, was left for over 40 years to be manipulated in courts, especially in criminal cases, by dubious people.

    “It was not until recently, on June 3, 2011 to be precise, that the Evidence Act was amended. I was particularly happy for the amendment to Section 84 (1) (2),” she said.

    According to her, the section provides for the admissibility of computer and electronic generated evidence.

    Addressing reporters after the event, Mrs Waziri urged Nigerians to shun materialism.

    She noted that there is no need for any Nigerian to steal funds meant for the development of the country to build “big houses” that he or she does not need.

     

  • Waziri leads NGOs to donate drugs, foodstuffsto flood victims

    Waziri leads NGOs to donate drugs, foodstuffsto flood victims

    A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs Farida Waziri has urged well-meaning Nigerians and friends of the country to assist victims of flood ravaging parts of the country.

    Mrs Waziri made the call yesterday when she led some international organisations to donate relief materials such as drugs, foodstuffs, water, mattresses, clothes and others to flood victims in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    The former EFCC boss had on Sunday led top officials of her Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Women, Youths, Children and Crime(WYCC) and its partners Helping Hands Foundation (HHF), Primus International Super Specialty Hospital and others to visit the affected areas and relief camps before handing over the relief materials which were received on Monday by the Deputy Governor, Chief Steven Lawani. Lawani led members of the state executive council to welcome Mrs Waziri and her team.

    Presenting the materials, the former EFCC boss quoted former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, who once said: “you make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give” to challenge other Nigerians, organisations and friends of the country to stand up and identify with the victims of the flood disaster.

    She said: “I am encouraged by the fact that I know I can contribute, and I therefore believe I can volunteer my contribution. This is equally in the spirit of the call by President Goodluck Jonathan that all Nigerians and organisations both local and international should give a helping hand to governments at all levels to alleviate the sufferings of those that have been affected by this natural disaster.

    “As someone committed to service, I believe that in or out of government, we should strive to make a contribution to better the lives of others. As a result, we have to reach out to other like minds who have given us drugs, food stuffs, cloths and other materials necessary for the wellbeing of children and women especially.

    Replying, Lawani thanked Mrs. Waziri and her team for identifying with the displaced persons.

    “We have received a couple of donors but, this is the first time we are having a foundation like this come to support us. Because of the nature of what your organisation is doing, the state government will like to partner with you on how to resettle the victims. Your visit today is a good omen for us because we just learnt that President Jonathan will also be visiting us this week”, he added.

    On Mrs Waziri’s team were Beverly Nelson, Delitta Whitfield and Louisa Walter of Helping Hands Foundation; Dr Nilesh Vishwakarma and Dr Jojo Vaighue of Primus Hospital, among others.