President Mohammad BUHARI- request for a loan of 350USD

The <b>President Mohammad BUHARI</b>- request for a loan of 350USD<br /> - The political quagmire between Nasir El-tinged governor of Kaduna state and the three senators representing the Senatorial districts of the state, took another dimension on Thursday as the senate rejected Kaduna State Development Policy Operation (DPO) in the sum of USD350 million as contained in the 2016 - 2018 External borrowing (Rolling) Plan of <b>President Mohammad BUHARI</b>. Buhari and El-tinged The three senators, Shehu Sani, PC, Kaduna Central; Suleiman Hunkuyi and APC, Kaduna North La'ah Danjuma, PDP, Kaduna South said that it became imperative for the credit facility to be rejected because critical stakeholders from the State were never consulted and for the fact that the State was already heavily indebted. The rejection <b>President Mohammad BUHARI request as </b><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSv0XfYf5mx4mRFcFORN4Ocpnb44I5bqaPP8XStQsvlDP_l0MpTi7bFbH1NSyapu6IgD0Huwq_4iusCsdJT_UZzXBSUDJkriPfc1zO_ZDnx-Hxh3OgAdKKAnQKK6QD71qjVEM6FEjX8P8/s1600/Buhari-Elrufai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="412" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSv0XfYf5mx4mRFcFORN4Ocpnb44I5bqaPP8XStQsvlDP_l0MpTi7bFbH1NSyapu6IgD0Huwq_4iusCsdJT_UZzXBSUDJkriPfc1zO_ZDnx-Hxh3OgAdKKAnQKK6QD71qjVEM6FEjX8P8/s320/Buhari-Elrufai.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div> followed the presentation of the Report of the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts Kaduna State Development Policy Operation (DPO) Credit Facility of USD 350 by its Chairman, Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) According to Senator Sani, the Committee recommended that "the Senate do reject the request of USD350 million for Kaduna State as contained in the 2015 2018 External borrowing (Rolling) plan of Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. "That with the high total debt stock of Kaduna State at the moment, the new borrowing sought, will make the debt service to revenue ratio high, thereby worsening the State Government's ability to meet its other basic obligations to the people and further erode the economic viability of the state. "That the Senate do reject Kaduna State Development Policy Operation (DPO) in the sum of USD350 million only as contained in the 2016 - 2018 External borrowing (Rolling) plan of Mr. President Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. "Speaking further, Senator Sani said that in its findings, the Committee discovered" that the Development Policy Operation, DPO (budget support) of USD 350 million for Kaduna State was approved by World Bank in 2016 and captured in 2016 - 2018 borrowing plan as approved by the National Assembly. "That the credit facility has an attractive financing given low of 1.25% interest; moratorium of 5 years and a 25 year maturity tenor. "That the facility is already captured in the 2016-2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). "That according to the latest figures, Debt Management Office, Kaduna State has a total debt stock of USD232.1 million. "That run approving the loan request of USD350 million for Kaduna State will bring its total debt stock to USD582.1 million. "That if this loan request is approved, the new total debt stock of USD582.1 million for Kaduna State will be unsustainable and necessarily attract huge financial burden on the meager federal allocation to the State. "With the new borrowing, the debt service to revenue ratio of Kaduna State will further be increased and thus impact negatively on the ability of the State to meet other basic needs of its people. "The new debt stock will likely further erode the economic viability of the State."

President Mohammad BUHARI- request for a loan of 350USD

The President Mohammad BUHARI - request for a loan of 350USD - The political quagmire between Nasir El-tinged governor of Kaduna state and ...

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Aisha Buhari, The First Lady spoke truth to Nigeria

<span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Aisha Buhari</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIBeF8mRgeoPQXYa0offuaMAwpTOm35D2eeabNsdcntkE6IneJMCy2fAjK3QGVmN8uABZKIqIN8-9XWdAYSbb94WBWOnyBb5OUHtfBvEeZZyT8r9SDvKPMI_hlHENeGF0S9_sMG6Ocoo/s1600/Aisha-Buhari-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="412" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIBeF8mRgeoPQXYa0offuaMAwpTOm35D2eeabNsdcntkE6IneJMCy2fAjK3QGVmN8uABZKIqIN8-9XWdAYSbb94WBWOnyBb5OUHtfBvEeZZyT8r9SDvKPMI_hlHENeGF0S9_sMG6Ocoo/s320/Aisha-Buhari-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">, President’s wife as the people’s advocate By Ochereome Nnanna Chairman, Editorial Board LURKING in the shadow of every Nigerian leader (President or Head of State) has been a wife who was officially addressed as First Lady or Wife of the President (or Head of State). Aisha Buhari Before the coming of Military President Ibrahim Babangida, these ladies were mostly in the background, manning the “home front” and occasionally accompanying their husbands on official visits to important events at home and abroad. It was during Babangida’s regime (1985 to 1993) that our First Ladies assumed more visible, quasi-official roles. They became more dominant within the ruling circles. They started wielding enormous influences, not only through the gravitational pull they exerted on their husbands but also through the “pet projects” they initiated and prosecuted, mostly with public funds which were not accounted for. With our return to democracy in 1999, these women also became integrated into their husbands’ political structures and unabashedly engaged in the electioneering campaigns. Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua and Dame Patience Jonathan, for instance, wielded very strong influences in their husbands’ governments. In fact, Turai was even reported to have coordinated the “cabal” of her husband’s government when President Umaru Yar’Adua became too sick to rule Nigeria, to the point of allegedly sidelining the then Vice- President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, until her husband died. Hajiya Aisha Buhari, whose husband prefers the title of “Wife of the President” for her, had initially preferred to hold the home front while her husband as the presidential candidate of the APC, worked the campaign trail and the soapbox with the rest of the political gang. It was not until January 13, 2015 that she joined her husband’s campaign during the Abeokuta rally after Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, one of the frontline leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), persuaded her to join the fray. Since she made that decision to come out, she has brought something fresh, unique and people-friendly to an office whose former occupants were contented with manipulating the elite, government machinery and political class for personal aggrandisement. Number one advocate She has strongly established herself as the number one advocate for the people, pricking the conscience of the APC Federal Government and fighting almost a lone battle to ensure that the party delivers its campaign promises to the people. Shortly after assuming power, some officials of the party and the Buhari government had started distancing the President from some of APC’s campaign promises. Indeed, some APC senators in November 2015, had disowned the N5,000 the party promised to pay 25 million poor Nigerians, but Aisha Buhari would have none of that. She directed her media office to issue a public statement calling on the APC not to renege on its promises to the people, especially the payments to the most vulnerable. Eventually, the Federal Government put Mrs. Maryam Uwais, one of Buhari’s Special Advisers, in charge of the Social Intervention Fund and voted N500 billion in the 2016 budget for the programme, though the exact level of its coverage and implementation remains something of a mystery. Aisha Buhari has stood firm as a purist of APC’s touted progressive ideals. She is a strong advocate of the anti-graft war of the Buhari government. It is no longer news that Aisha has been locked in several battles with the inner core of the Buhari government, which is made up of very close, highly-placed members of the Buhari family, friends and old associates. Widely referred to as “the cabal,” elements of this group have openly sabotaged Buhari’s anti-graft war while some of them have corrupted efforts being made to care for the displaced persons of the Boko Haram insurgency. It was this group that on two separate occasions allegedly got the Department of State Services, DSS, to write reports damaging the integrity of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on which the Senate based its decision not to confirm him. To save his job, Magu clung to the Wife of the President and even persuaded her to headline the call for women to join the anti-graft war. Aisha and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo are linked to the Presidency’s decision to keep Magu on the job as the main anti-graft Czar of the regime even after the Senate disqualified him based on the DSS report. Some Nigerians believe, rightly or wrongly, that the removal of Magu from office would have signposted a capitulation by the Buhari regime on the anti-graft war. Perhaps the greatest evidence that Aisha Buhari is a fearless fighter always on the side of the Nigerian people was the bombshell revelation by her in an interview she granted the BBC on October 14, 2016. She said her husband’s government had been hijacked by “the cabal” of people who did not play any role in the processes that brought him and the APC to power. Husband’s health  challenges She was worried that those who worked for the party to win in 2015, including those who knew what the party promised Nigerians, had been sidelined by the “cabal” which had not only taken control of managing her husband’s health challenges but also taken over the reins of power in his absence. A visibly angry Aisha told the BBC: “He is yet to tell me, but I have decided as his wife, that if things continue like this up to 2019, I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote like I did before. I will never do it again…I may not back him at the next election unless he shakes up his government…the President does not know 45 out of 50, for example of the people he appointed, and I don’t know them despite being his wife for 27 years.” Of course, her husband has not conducted any shake-up of his government. In fact, he heavily foot-dragged before bowing to massive public pressure to sack former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal, who was seen as a prominent member of the Buhari cabal. The President reacted to his wife’s BCC interview with a remarkable sound bite that immediately went viral in the social media: “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room.” Medical  vacation The “shootouts” between the President’s wife and the “cabal” has mostly been carried out in the public arena. Saharareporters once quoted some elements of the “cabal”, in an alleged leaked phone call, as referring to the President’s wife as “the suicide bomber from Yola” (she originally hails from Yola in Adamawa State). Aisha returned the “compliment” by making reference to “jackals and hyenas.” While announcing the imminent return of her husband from his protracted medical vacation, she airily tweeted on July 7, 2017: “Now the hyenas and the jackals are scheming and talking to each other in whispers; still doubting whether the Lion King will be back or not. Now the Lion king is asleep and no other dare to confirm if he will wake up or not. It’s the wish of the hyenas that the Lion King never wakes or come back so that they can be kings. It’s the prayers of the weaker animals that the Lion King comes back to save the kingdom from the hyenas, the wolves, and other predators.” Hajiya Aisha Buhari is seen as a woman who would not condone evil or keep quiet when the wrong things are being done by people in her husband’s ruling circles, no matter who it involves. It has never happened before, at least here in Nigeria. In more ways than one, the wife of the President is something of a surprise package. As a professional beautician, she is highly fashionable. Professional beautician She expertly blends the Islamic and Western motifs in her approach to dressing up. And she is not shy to put on very expensive attires, such as the raiment and wristwatch she wore to her husband’s inauguration on May 29, 2015 which caused some stampede in the social media. Another eye-popping surprise came when she donated N135 million to internally-displaced persons in Yola camps on February 12, 2015 as the wife of the presidential candidate of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari. Yet, Buhari had on October 12, 2014, disclosed that he took a bank loan to pay for the N27.5 million APC presidential form. It left quite a few Nigerians baffled as to the real status of the Buhari family whose patriarch was famously reputed to dwell solely on his pension as a retired general and former head of state before he got elected as President. Recently, Senator Isa Misau alleged that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had “donated” two Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to the wife of the President. It turned out, however, that the Police IG allocated the vehicles to Aisha Buhari’s official convoy at the request of her ADC, Sani Baba-Inna. Aisha clarified that she still uses her own personal vehicles. So, the attempt to smear her did not quite stick. Born on February 17, 1971, Aisha, whose grandfather, Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu, was Nigeria’s first indigenous Minister of Defence, got married to Buhari on December 2,1989 at the age of 18. She completed her education in her husband’s house and now holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Strategic Studies, with a couple of post-graduate diplomas in cosmetology. </span>

Aisha Buhari, The First Lady spoke truth to Nigeria

Aisha Buhari , President’s wife as the people’s advocate By Ochereome Nnanna Chairman, Editorial Board LURKING in the shadow of every Nig...

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The Senate stop the amount of $1bn for Boko Haram fund

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="entry-thumb" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; float: left; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 0px; position: relative; width: 240px;"> <img alt="" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" height="175" src="http://www.sunnewsonline.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/senate.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 240px;" width="288" /></div> <header style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><h4 class="entry-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Rokkitt, serif; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"> Senate stops $1bn Boko Haram fund</h4> <span class="entry-date" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #f22a0c; font-style: italic;">— 22nd December 2017</span></header><div class="elements-box" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"> <div class="p1" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <b>Th</b>e Federal Government to withdraw $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to fund the war against insurgency in the North East and other security concerns across the country, yesterday, caused a row on the floor of the Senate.</div> <div class="p4" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Senate President, Bukola Saraki, however, assured that the  money will not be spent until the Senate considers the processes involved.</span></div> <div class="google-auto-placed ap_container" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; height: auto; text-align: center; width: 240px;"> <ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4454686729706359" data-ad-format="auto" data-adsbygoogle-status="done" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: auto;"><br /></ins></div> <div class="p4" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Trouble started when Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, drew the attention of lawmakers to the fact that yesterday’s Senate Order Paper did not list a motion on the $1 billion, despite the fact that the Senate had on Wednesday agreed to debate it.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sam Anyanwu had on Wednesday, drawn the attention of his colleagues to the fact that the planned withdrawal of the sum had become a matter of urgent national importance and demanded for a serious debate. He asked the Senate to allow him sponsor a proper motion on the matter for debate the following day which was supposed to be Yesterday.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Shortly after Ekweremadu raised the matter, many lawmakers started agitating and wanted a positive response from Saraki.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saraki did not explain why the motion was not on the Order Paper, but stated that the fact that Anyanwu was not in the chamber made it difficult for the debate to commence.</span></div> <div class="google-auto-placed ap_container" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; height: auto; text-align: center; width: 240px;"> <ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4454686729706359" data-ad-format="auto" data-adsbygoogle-status="done" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: auto;"><br /></ins></div> <div class="p4" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The announcement caused rowdiness, mostly from PDP Senators, as the next legislative day will unavoidably be in 2018.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box;">They raised the fear that the fund would have been withdrawn and spent before it would be slated for consideration.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Senate President, however, doused their fear by them assurance that the funds would not be spent without Senate consideration.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box;">“We are pushing for the next legislative day but we will take it. I can assure you that we will take it. I give you assurance that we will take it,” he said even as jeers from PDP Senators continued.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Realising that Senators were insisting, Saraki added: “No no, no, no, no. Our party does not do things like that. We will not spend money that does not follow due process. I am assuring you that that money will not be spent until we come back here and debate it.”</span></div> <div class="p4" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Curiously, Anyanwu who was said to have been absent, resurfaced shortly after the Senate adjourned session till January 16, 2018 to attend a committee meeting without a word on why he stayed away from the chamber to present his motion.</span></div> </div> </div>

The Senate stop the amount of $1bn for Boko Haram fund

Senate stops $1bn Boko Haram fund — 22nd December 2017 Th e Federal Government to withdraw $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account (...

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I’m not good at making money –Buhari

<div align="left"><p dir="ltr"><img src="http://www.sunnewsonline.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/buhari-300x162.jpg"><b><i>In</i></b><i> this  concluding part of the interview President Muhammadu Buhari granted Eric osagie, The SunMD/Editor-in-Chief in company of Paulinus Aidoghie in 2012, he explains why he is not super rich despite being former Head of State.</i><br></p></div> <p dir="ltr"><b> But don’t you think you went too far?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">What do you mean by going too far?</p> <p dir="ltr">But you went to the extreme that public officers could do no wrong, as if they were saints. You called the decree ‘Protection of Public Officers Against False Accusation,’ and clamped down on the media.  </p> <p dir="ltr">Those who did it, the editors, the reporters, we jailed them. But we never closed a whole institution, as others did. We investigated and prosecuted according to the laws, because shutting a newspaper, it is an institution and we lose thousands of jobs. But we found out who made that false report, who was the editor, who okayed it and then, we jailed them.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b>No regret?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">No regret, because we did it according to the laws we made.  We neither closed a whole institution and caused job losses.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Then, you left power, 20 months after…</b></p> <p dir="ltr">No. I was sent packing from power.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Ok, you didn’t leave on your own volition?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">No.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> That is a good one. For Nigerians, they remember War Against Indiscipline you brought. What was the philosophy behind it?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">Well, I think we realised that the main problem of Nigeria, then and now, was indiscipline and corruption. When I say we, I mean the Supreme Military Council. Those two, are Nigeria’s Achilles heels. And I believe the Nigeria elite knew it then and they know it now.  So, we started to discipline them. People must realise their level in the society and accept it. If you go and read hard and get a PhD, certainly you will get the best of life than somebody who hasn’t been to school at all or who has been a drop-out. And then, in the public, people must behave responsibly. If you go to bus stops, it is step-by-step or turn-by-turn,  and not to force your way. If you go to bank, you find out if people were there before you. Why can’t you go behind them?</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Or you come early and be number one.</b></p> <p dir="ltr">Exactly! I think that was accepted. And up till now, I think it is the only thing that survived out of our administration, the queue culture. People accepted it with calmness. And in Lagos, they wouldn’t like to associate themselves with the military, so they call it KAI. That is right. Kick Against Indiscipline. But it is still the same thing. It is the same. The only difference is that one was brought by the military and this one is through democratic system.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> When you were eased out of power and you had time to reflect for three years, what did you then see that was wrong?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">We gave them the opportunity in the three councils I told you. Those rules are supposed to be in the Nigerian archives, except somebody destroyed them, destroyed the evidence. Otherwise, what did we do wrong to warrant being sacked? For example, when we overthrew the Second Republic, we had what we called the SIP, the Special Investigation Panel that comprised the police, the National Security Organisation (NSO) then and the intelligence community of the military. We did nothing by impulse or ad hoc. We went through the system.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> And then, you handed down long jail terms, some 100 years. That was something else.  Why did you do that?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">They would never see the daylight again to commit another crime against humanity.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Would you say your detention period made you a new person?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">I think I have always been the same person. When I came out, I was amazed, amazed in the sense that people in my immediate constituency didn’t seem to bother about the major setback I had. They were still coming to me, expecting me to help them in a way. Not in terms of material help, because they knew that I didn’t operate any money house or any petroleum bloc or any filling station…</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> How can you say a whole oil minister like you didn’t have any oil licence?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">No. Not one, and not any for any blood relation or anybody close to me. Really, somehow, people in my community felt that I can still help them. But with that setback, I was wondering how. So, the only way for me, I think, was to join  partisan politics so that I can have a platform to speak about the opinion of my constituency, immediate constituency. But the thing that convinced me more than the pressure from immediate locality was the change in 1991, the collapse of the Soviet Union. I have said this so often that an empire in the 20th century, collapsed and a lot of people ran back home, leaving strategic installations behind, like missile sites, nuclear formation and so on. And now, there are about 18 to 19 or 20 republics. It was then that I believed,  personally, in my own assessment, that multi-party democratic system was and is still superior to despotism.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> That was your turning point?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">That was the turning point. But there is a big caveat: elections must be free and fair! And that is what we need. Elections must be free and fair, otherwise, the whole thing will be something else.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> During your tenure, one case kept coming up: the 53 suitcases. You had ordered the border shut and your Aide de Camp (ADC), Major Jokolo, was alleged to have escorted 53 suitcases into the country. What happened? Why were you selective?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">There was nothing like 53 suitcases. What happened was that there was my chief of protocol; he is now late. He had three wives, and I think about 12 children. He was in Saudi Arabia as Nigeria Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. He was in Libya before, as ambassador and later, he was posted to Saudi Arabia. And then, I appointed him as my chief of protocol and he was coming back. Three wives, about 12 children. And then, by some coincidence, the late Emir of Gwandu, the father of Jokolo, who was my ADC then, was coming back with the same flight. And somehow, some mischievous fellows, everything, including the handbag of maybe, their small daughters, were counted as suitcases. Atiku then was the Commandant of Murtala Muhammed Airport as customs officer. And that day, we were playing squash. Jokolo my ADC and I. At some point, I said to him, ‘Mustapha, is your father not coming back today again?’ He said, ‘yes, sir, he is coming.’  I said, ‘what are you doing here? Why can’t you go and meet your father?’ He said yes, sir. He went to wash and meet his father. I am telling you there was no 53 bags of suitcases. It was a bloody lie. It was a bloody mischief.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> So, not that he was detailed?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">No, he was not detailed. He was not even about to go. I was the one who made him to go and meet his father. He was a respected emir, in fact, if not the most respected emir in the North then. He was learned, he had fantastic credibility and personal integrity. And this man was just coming on posting with his wives and children and they counted every imaginable thing, they said 53 suitcases.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Was that why Atiku was retired?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t think I retired Atiku. I can’t recall because I had nothing against anybody.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> But the argument was that the border was ordered shut. So, how did those people then come in?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">They came by air. We didn’t stop aircraft coming in. They came by air, from Jedda to Lagos. They didn’t drive through Chad to Maiduguri and… People just say 53 suitcases when all borders had been ordered shut because that is how you can sell your papers.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Then you came into politics and every election you are there. Would you still do politics at 70 years, elective politics, offering yourself for election?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">This is what I told the audience that came to listen to my address before we started the campaign for the 2011 elections. But my party and supporters were sending representatives. Up till today, they haven’t stopped. But what I told them was that we are in the process now of reorganising the party and perhaps, come into an alignment with other parties. Whatever the parties decide, whether my party or the new party that align and we are hoping to develop; if they give me the ticket or recommend me, I will consider it. That is the position we are now.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Until you get to that stage you can give a definite answer?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">Until we get to that stage, there is no clear answer now. Let’s wait and see.</p> <p dir="ltr">Is it that you don’t like money? Anytime somebody sees you, they say General Buhari is so austere. What gave you that kind of lifestyle? Nobody is associating you with millions. My reporter here was pointing to one mansion of a former governor who just ruled for eight years. So, how did you develop this frugal lifestyle? Is it that you don’t like good life? How do you unwind? Well, some of us have heard that you used to smoke. Do you still smoke? What are those things you have given up?</p> <p dir="ltr">I used to smoke, but of course, I abandoned it I think in 1977.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Oh really? Before you became head of state?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">Yes, I stopped smoking.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Have you ever taken alcohol?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">No.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Never?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">Never.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Even as a young man and all that?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">No, no. Even in the military tradition, how they break you in, I said well, the military did not stop anybody practising his religion. My religion said no alcohol and no alcohol. So, that was respected. I was never forced to take alcohol and I have never voluntarily taken it because I want to remain alert all the time. There is a tendency that when you drink, you would want to have a bottle more, or a glass more and do something stupid.</p> <p dir="ltr"> As a young man, very handsome because I saw some of your old pictures, did you have women flocking around you? And women like soldiers, people who have power…</p> <p dir="ltr">I also thought women ought to have taken more interest in me but I don’t know why they didn’t. I must have something they didn’t like. I assure you of that. I didn’t drink, I smoked, I had girlfriends; it was true.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> How many did you have?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">I hope you won’t publish this because my wife will read the interview. So, you will be very kind to me if you don’t publish that (general laughter).</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> You joined the army and there was coup and counter-coup and civil war. You still had time to unwind?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">You can create it but we had too much eventful time, professional career. It was too eventful. There were too many things happening almost at the same time. If I could recall, the 30 months civil war that we had, I was just having two weeks after every six months to come back home just to see my old mother and some of my relatives because I refused to get married till after the war.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Was it deliberate?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">It was deliberate.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b> Why? I thought that would have been the reason to get married.</b></p> <p dir="ltr">No, no. Some of our colleagues, like late Vatsa, like Babangida, they were more adventurous than myself. They took a weekend and had a quick marriage and went back to the front. I thought I would be putting the poor girl or the poor woman under a lot of stress. So, I said if I survived the war, I would get married, but if I didn’t survive, no woman should cry for me other than my relatives.</p> <p dir="ltr"><b>Some of your General-colleagues became stupendously rich. Today, they have means. I am not a lawyer taking inventory of your assets or preparing your will, but tell me what property do you have now at 70? I am sure you have a house in Abuja, you have one in Lagos.  You have one in Daura and you have one here (Kaduna). So, if I count your property, maybe five. Am I right or wrong?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">You are right but am not going to read or declare with you. My assets were on record, I told some of your colleagues when they came. When Murtala/Obasanjo regime came, they made sure that certain grades of public officers must declare their assets when they assumed that office and they must declare when they were leaving. So, when I was sworn in as governor of North East, I declared my assets.</p>

I’m not good at making money –Buhari

In  this  concluding part of the interview President Muhammadu Buhari granted Eric osagie, The SunMD/Editor-in-Chief in company of Paulinus ...

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Fayose receives N4.76b Paris Club refund/

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The Ekiti State governor,</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pDA-VY7kaT-doQIBH0JClhM8yGX1TZYsLMq99-vCbPKIMm8lnMZNkG1kShNkzIPIkqu-KIc9AqICcYYkyh6EiO8irOyZBAYE0cQPybCMI-cp1B6dAnCz0vmE4sHDIom1GjWw7uHxUSg/s1600/fayose-igbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pDA-VY7kaT-doQIBH0JClhM8yGX1TZYsLMq99-vCbPKIMm8lnMZNkG1kShNkzIPIkqu-KIc9AqICcYYkyh6EiO8irOyZBAYE0cQPybCMI-cp1B6dAnCz0vmE4sHDIom1GjWw7uHxUSg/s320/fayose-igbo.jpg" width="293" /></a></div> Mr Ayodele Fayose, has confirmed receiving the sum of N4.76 billion as the last tranche of Paris Club refund. In a tweet on Monday, he said: “I have received N4.76 billion Paris Club Refund. Fayose “It will be shared between the state and Local governments next week,’’ he said. Fayose also said that civil Servants would get their Christmas bonus latest Thursday. “Salary will come, leave bonus will come, Xmas bonus will come, Everything will come,’’ he tweeted. In an earlier tweek, Fayose in his twitter handle, @GovAyoseFayose, said that Ecobank was back and in operation in Ekiti after paying the stipulated tax. He said that GtB refused to pay tax to the State government and the moment the bank pays, it can start operation. The federal government had announced the release of the refund to 27 states out of the 36. The government explained that the remaining nine states would be paid after concluding some procedures.<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br /></div>

Fayose receives N4.76b Paris Club refund/

The Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has confirmed receiving the sum of N4.76 billion as the last tranche of Paris Club refund. ...

9jalik.blogspot.com

Bad weather forces Buhari to ply Daura road, inaugurates 2 manufacturing plants in Kano

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8A8VVlssAc9F9PqeFyzNIePpSCWhClme64eqvwyAjJHrAMp-62PhoLlE2Qo4YTtoE8EyZpEtIRaXUYlezkhOrOKjEiNMpxnC7z9T_n0hAPnahROs7i6n8X8vZaUK_7XmP97hTgRKgk_M/s1600/buhari-jordan1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="412" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8A8VVlssAc9F9PqeFyzNIePpSCWhClme64eqvwyAjJHrAMp-62PhoLlE2Qo4YTtoE8EyZpEtIRaXUYlezkhOrOKjEiNMpxnC7z9T_n0hAPnahROs7i6n8X8vZaUK_7XmP97hTgRKgk_M/s320/buhari-jordan1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Bad weather has forced President Muhammadu Buhari to abandon the presidential aircraft and ply the road to Daura his hometown after his visit to Kano. However, President Buhari says his administration’s trade and investment policies will help the nation to diversify the economy, attract more foreign investments and speed up the country’s industrialization. File: Buhari Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, said Buhari stated this at the commissioning of two newly-established agro-based industries, shortly before he ended his two-day State Visit to Kano on Thursday. The President noted that the overall effect of these achievements would lead to job creation and better living conditions for citizens as promised by the governing All Progressives Congress (APC). At the newly-built 1,200-tonne capacity solvent extraction plant of Gerawa Oil Mills Limited, the biggest oil mill plant in West Africa, located at Tokarawa Industrial Estate, the president commended the owner of the plant for taking full advantage of the prevailing investment climate in the country. The President also commissioned and inspected Fullmark Rice Mills, the biggest rice mill in West Africa, at Kwanar Gunduwawa, Hadejia road. While touring the facilities, Buhari expressed delight at the wholly-owned indigenous companies and assured agro-investors of his administration’s commitment to creating the right policies for agriculture to thrive. At the solvent extraction plant of Gerawa Oil Mills, the Chairman of the company, Alhaji Isa Gerawa, commended the policies of the Buhari administration on agriculture, describing them as key to Nigeria’s exit from recession and upward attainment of food security. The industrialist, however, appealed to Buhari to urgently address the issue of poor access to finance for farmers and agro-investors in the country. The President, who was accompanied to Daura, his hometown by Govs. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, was received on the border between Jigawa and Katsina States by Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk. The presidential media aide revealed that the condition of the weather necessitated the president’s trip to Daura by road.</span></div>

Bad weather forces Buhari to ply Daura road, inaugurates 2 manufacturing plants in Kano

Bad weather has forced President Muhammadu Buhari to abandon the presidential aircraft and ply the road to Daura his hometown after his v...

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Atiku to Saraki, Amaechi, Goje: Return to PDP, rebuild Nigeria

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKocpeYWMcXSDPV36em5zwLpAQ8nZdKn4yqQ19kkxpQ-7bN8EjPX4x5pWyvKyN9EnzE7JkejbK3RjW6kD27ThJRwH0oRItg7Txfidsl8VJmxFsbOCcQOc8ETnE2H5jyWnRxsinE3j-mJI/s1600/atiku-saraki-goje.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="412" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKocpeYWMcXSDPV36em5zwLpAQ8nZdKn4yqQ19kkxpQ-7bN8EjPX4x5pWyvKyN9EnzE7JkejbK3RjW6kD27ThJRwH0oRItg7Txfidsl8VJmxFsbOCcQOc8ETnE2H5jyWnRxsinE3j-mJI/s320/atiku-saraki-goje.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><span id="goog_178346631"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_178346632"></span>By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor; Festus Ahon & Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA — Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, made a practical return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, with a courtesy call on the national leadership of the party and called on former party members, who left the party with him, to return. Without referring to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Atiku affirmed that no government had performed up to half of what the PDP achieved in its time in government. Goje, Atiku and Saraki Among those who left the party with Atiku were Senate President Bukola Saraki, Transport Minister, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; Senators Rabiu Kwankwanso, Danjuma Goje, Aliyu Wamakko, among others, now holding prominent positions in the All Progressives Congress, APC- led government. Atiku’s call was received with quiver among some of the former PDP chieftains, most of who preferred to be left out of the issue.</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VsHO6QgpeJzWA6f7x2-OZXfPt7HSDUvDbATkshvNCI-SrDsBNTMSBdejolmkAxUS4F-_6yFJ1sBGhraFaf9ktNHgjhyphenhyphenXCZ8fkTvJ9Nz4NhJLJ5P2sOeoCZDVVexU_n73CzOlNqW_78I/s1600/edo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="412" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VsHO6QgpeJzWA6f7x2-OZXfPt7HSDUvDbATkshvNCI-SrDsBNTMSBdejolmkAxUS4F-_6yFJ1sBGhraFaf9ktNHgjhyphenhyphenXCZ8fkTvJ9Nz4NhJLJ5P2sOeoCZDVVexU_n73CzOlNqW_78I/s320/edo5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> The call came as the race for the national chairman of the PDP, yesterday, got on a knife-edge, with the leading aspirants sweeping across the states in a last-minute rush for delegates. As the leading candidates swept across the states, party chieftains including governors headed to Abuja for crucial caucus meetings expected to commence today on harmonising positions ahead of the convention. There were also indications that some of the party’s presidential hopefuls were also unwittingly gravitating towards one of the national chairmanship candidates (names withheld). Govs won’t foist chairman on PDP  — Okowa On his part, the chairman of the PDP Convention Planning Committee, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, has assured that PDP governors would not force a national chairman on the party, contrary to insinuations in some circles. Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) and his Edo State Counterpart, Mr Godwin Obaseki (right) and Publisher of ThisDay Newspaper, Nduka Ogbaigbena , during the 80th anniversary of ECOBA in Benin City, Edo State Prince Uche Secondus, one of the leading national chairmanship candidates, was headed to Abuja last night for the series of meetings commencing today, following a sweep through Taraba, Gombe and Benue States. Another leading candidate, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi after going to Ebonyi and Enugu, was last night, canvassing for delegates’ support in Abia with his delegation and is also expected in Abuja today for  final consultations with party leaders.</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">high-level party source said, yesterday, that the meetings starting today among governors and other party senior officials would be directed towards streamlining the candidates for the various positions and notably, the office of national chairman. “If we are unable to harmonise, then we will go to the convention ground to determine the leadership, reflective of the PDP as a truly democratic party and not like the APC that has not been able to hold a convention,” the party source said. PDP presidential hopefuls, it was learnt, are also delicately engaging around the contests for positions in the new National Working Committee, NWC of the party. Atiku, whose bearing had been speculated to be towards Prof. Tunde Adeniran, and Prince Uche Secondus, absented himself from a scheduled meeting with Northern Elders on Monday night at Ibro Hotel, Abuja. The Northern elders, who had taken position against Secondus, waited for Atiku’s arrival for the scheduled meeting to no avail. Meanwhile, Atiku was, however, at the PDP national secretariat yesterday, during which he called on those who left the party to return home. The former vice-president was accompanied by a huge crowd made up of men and women, with a group of young people decked in specially-made T-shirts, with the inscription: ‘Atiku 100%.’ Shortly after being handed the microphone, shouts of ‘Baba oyoyo’ rented the air as the former number two citizen had a difficult time trying to prevail on praise singers to spare him a few minutes to make his remarks. In the melee, a pickpocket made his way into the crowd but was quickly arrested by a team of security operatives who promptly handcuffed and took him away. Why I came to Wadata House — Atiku In a seven-minute speech, Atiku said he was at the PDP National Secretariat to ‘come and show face,’ having earlier announced his decision on social media a few days ago. “All that I have come to do today is to come and show my face. Many people have read in the media that I have returned home. This is the home. Chairman PDP National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Mekarfi (l) discussing with Former Vice Presidenty Atiku Abubakar while the Secretary, Senator Ben Obi (r) looked on during the courtesy visit of the Atiku Abubakar on the NCC at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida</span><br /> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Mr. Chairman, I want to congratulate you for a wonderful work which you have been doing to redeem the image of this party, to reform it, rebrand it and return it to its original form. “I want to assure you of my support and cooperation at all times, to make sure that these objectives are achieved by you and subsequently by your successors,” he said. He also called on those who left the party at one time or the other to return home without further delay. Return to PDP and rebuild Nigeria “Let me pay tribute to past leadership of this great party; where ever they may be and to call upon them to, please return home as I have done. It is only by their returning home that we will build a stronger, more united party that can again return to government and continue to deliver the dividends of democracy,” he said. He lauded the achievements of the PDP saying “I can bet you the records we have achieved so far in governance, no government has yet even done 50 per cent of what we have achieved in government, not to talk of equalling our performance in government. “We should remember that those of us who founded this party, founded it on the principles of democracy, good governance, unity of this country and the prosperity of its people. “Now that we have learnt our lessons, I hope that we will be guided by the lessons we have learnt. And that is to make sure that we build an all-inclusive party, where every part of this country will have a sense of belonging and sense of participation. “To achieve all these, there must be sacrifices, understanding, and compromises in the process of achieving that. And that is what I speak to members to imbibe. But as you know, one thing that I will never compromise is the internal democracy process in a given political party,” he assured. More returnees expected — Makarfi Responding, chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi said with Atiku’s formal return to the party, more returnees were being expected. “Your Excellency, you have opened the flood gates, and we expect many more high profile returnees and new entrants into the PDP. So, PDP must be prepared for this, and be ready to reconcile and reintegrate in such a way and manner that everybody will be treated and given a level playing field to pursue his or her personal aspiration. “You have returned in good time, and you should continue to contribute in this reinvention, remodeling of our party so that come 2019, we can reclaim what we can claim is ours because we remain the only truly democratic party in the true sense of the word. “You will also help us reinvent the vehicle that will take us to Aso rock in 2019. We are not just targeting Aso Rock; we are targeting the federal legislature, the states, both the executive and legislature. We are targeting the local governments. “We want to sweep elections all across the party. As a united party, we have the capacity, and we have the ability to do so,” Makarfi said. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Governor Okowa has ruled out any reason for fear by  the candidates that the governors would foist a national chairman on the party. Okowa spoke in a television interview on Channels Television monitored in Asaba. “In most of the states, the convention delegates are already known, and the party will ensure it gives a level playing ground to all the aspirants”, expressing hope that “the party will be more united, following its upcoming convention on December 9. “I believe that the National Caretaker Committee of the party is doing a lot to ensure that things are put in place, as for the national planning committee that I lead, we were inaugurated this afternoon, and we have held our inaugural meeting. “We do know that in any elective convention, all kinds of views do come into play but ours as a planning committee is to ensure that we deliver a convention that is credible and in which all the processes are such that will be blameless, we will deliver on a free fair and transparent primary; that is our aim.” “For the reconciliatory process we’ll be looking up to the party leadership to deal with that but our major task is for us to deliver a convention that is truly credible and all can attest to. That will enable us to heal faster, and unify faster after the convention.” On reports that the Chairman of the electoral panel and former Governor of Benue state, Mr. Gabriel Suswan had declared support for a candidate, Okowa said: “I’m not aware that he has declared support for any particular candidate, but even if he has any sentiments for anyone, he will not be in a position at all, on the convention day to do anything that is unjust. We are going to adopt the open secret ballot system of voting. On Atiku’s defection to the party, he said: “We believe that as many persons that come into the PDP are good for us because it will help to strengthen the party because politics is one that is inclusive; the more persons you get into the party, the greater the strength of the party. So we will welcome him into the party just as we will look forward to many more persons who will want to come over to join us as a family it will be a welcome idea because it will help to strengthen us going into 2019″. Meanwhile, Secondus one of the national chairmanship candidates has vowed that his chairmanship would be inclusive if he is elected on Saturday. “We will not engage in winners take all. </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCw55ysOoaF7qurq66slqWq1Vtar9vyBqoOaZR2ArDMB_48MRud3xgkYHX5djSTlOjoiHVXOJMliIn5SJ1l5tQNu5_COa2WSuv8oxnYL-eJ2k2ESzrnwWWS5APkvQ7324F9NVhZxHU1g/s1600/atiku-pdp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="412" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCw55ysOoaF7qurq66slqWq1Vtar9vyBqoOaZR2ArDMB_48MRud3xgkYHX5djSTlOjoiHVXOJMliIn5SJ1l5tQNu5_COa2WSuv8oxnYL-eJ2k2ESzrnwWWS5APkvQ7324F9NVhZxHU1g/s320/atiku-pdp1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">All stakeholders will have a sense of belonging as we will enforce the party constitution. Please ignore those spreading fears and alarms about my </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">candidature. “Those spreading rumours about what the party will look like under my leadership are mere blackmailers.I have occupied that chair before, and our records of glowing performance speak for us. We performed creditably in all capacities we have been opportune to serve,” the aspirant said. “I am a team player right from the beginning of my political career. Winning as a political party demands a team playing attitudes. I not only know this but I have practised it all along as a political leader. “Those spreading falsehood are scared of their shadows.I am running on my records as a leader with achievements to showcase.There is no doubt I am the best man for the PDP leadership,” the statement noted.</span></div>

Atiku to Saraki, Amaechi, Goje: Return to PDP, rebuild Nigeria

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor; Festus Ahon & Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA — Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, made a practical ret...

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Assembly to legislate against ritual killings in Kwara /

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxB4xpHU9-H7l70AW2M2I40VMQjUrxiJXZbXRacOy39hLzPNQ8XeeEXwHHixNJ2GQ6G7cJpzZd0GNMQkOERWeUSlw7gCbiEuT9vjzAOZ_oOo8Qi4RgIHE3TzRdSgyj6K5pxU9oyNsKbU/s1600/Rowdy-reps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="412" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxB4xpHU9-H7l70AW2M2I40VMQjUrxiJXZbXRacOy39hLzPNQ8XeeEXwHHixNJ2GQ6G7cJpzZd0GNMQkOERWeUSlw7gCbiEuT9vjzAOZ_oOo8Qi4RgIHE3TzRdSgyj6K5pxU9oyNsKbU/s320/Rowdy-reps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The Kwara House of Assembly is to pass a bill into law prohibiting ritual killings and exhumation of corpses in the state. The Speaker of the House, Dr Ali Ahmad, made this disclosure in Ilorin while receiving members of the ‘Concerned Muslims of Kwara’ led by Prof. Lanre Badmus. Ahmad expressed disaffection on the rate at which some individuals engaged in inhuman activities such as selling of human parts, exhumation of corpses and ritual killings. File: House of Reps. He said the lawmakers would collaborate with other concerned organisations and individuals to ensure the passage of the bill and restore sanity to the state. The Speaker lamented that the illegal act was becoming a daily occurrence and increasingly embarrassing to responsible people of the state. Ahmad pledged to mobilise his colleagues towards ensuring that anti-social activities are stamped out of Ilorin and Kwara as a whole. ‘‘It is worrisome that some people can be tarnishing the good image of Ilorin by rubbishing the legacies of our founding fathers with their dastardly acts,’’ he said. Earlier, Prof. Lanre Badmus, the leader of the delegation, had decried the high rate of ritual killings and exhumation of corpses in the state. Newsmen report that Badmus is also a lecturer at the Department of Islamic Studies, University of llorin. Badmus said the group would soon present a bill to the House to ensure that the negative tendencies are curbed in Ilorin and other parts of the state. The don lauded the foresight of the House for passing a resolution against nude dance in hotels in all parts of the state.</span></div>

Assembly to legislate against ritual killings in Kwara /

The Kwara House of Assembly is to pass a bill into law prohibiting ritual killings and exhumation of corpses in the state. The Speaker of...

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Breaking: President Buhari sets 500 inmates free in Kano

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKgMJ3IazvBPljwLTVjbWO16dLAekTA0Ha7mHp8j81K0yBiBCxbdBNzScLdVllZbXcdqu_4VFRpggm6eEEGEqVs25l5PxTqRapD0mB0xERq9dlPTHQdy5CfXgdCWSQMA6YHqVlgjSD8U/s1600/buhari.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKgMJ3IazvBPljwLTVjbWO16dLAekTA0Ha7mHp8j81K0yBiBCxbdBNzScLdVllZbXcdqu_4VFRpggm6eEEGEqVs25l5PxTqRapD0mB0xERq9dlPTHQdy5CfXgdCWSQMA6YHqVlgjSD8U/s1600/buhari.jpeg" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday pardoned 500  inmates of the Kurmawa Central Prisons in Kano metropolis as part of Federal Government’s efforts to decongest prisons. Buhari Buhari granted the pardon when he arrived at the place in company with the state Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje and others. Newsmen report the president was on a two-day official visit to Kano State. The prisoners include males and females. The president advised the affected inmates to be of good behaviour and shun anything that could bring them back to prison. He charged them to engage in lawful ventures to enable them to become useful members of the society. The president also gave the inmates an undisclosed amount of money to transport themselves to their respective homes. In his remarks, Ganduje also advised the inmates to conduct themselves well and contribute meaningfully to societal development. Newsmen report that Buhari earlier visited the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II.</span></div>

Breaking: President Buhari sets 500 inmates free in Kano

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday pardoned 500  inmates of the Kurmawa Central Prisons in Kano metropolis as part of Federal Govern...

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PDP National Chairman: Why rivals are after me – Secondus

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XpQ7er01L4gGgx8PoNzv8TbXcKamdtPLfWMl8hXycM9i4p8HMW7Pu7DeBih1er3eM-VsaqFjXNIElQZescrULIVodqRoCEFoYRpgVY51L7dCVtdR9wnwosh-Pf3g7BGmY-vW3H5qKjc/s1600/PDP-Chair-e1454012185180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XpQ7er01L4gGgx8PoNzv8TbXcKamdtPLfWMl8hXycM9i4p8HMW7Pu7DeBih1er3eM-VsaqFjXNIElQZescrULIVodqRoCEFoYRpgVY51L7dCVtdR9wnwosh-Pf3g7BGmY-vW3H5qKjc/s1600/PDP-Chair-e1454012185180.jpg" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Peoples Democratic Party, PDP national chairmanship candidate, Prince Uche Secondus has alleged a gang-up by some of his rivals against him saying that his antecedents make him the best qualified candidate to lead the party into the 2019 elections. In a statement from his media office and signed by Bisi Ezekiel, Secondus lashed out at his critics describing his candidature as that of courage, experience and determination for repositioning the party for victory in 2019. Prince Uche Secondus,  Noting his records as a party leader and activist, Secondus dared other aspirants to tell the party what political battles they had won and what political school they passed out from, stressing that he has passed through tough political baptism. “We have passed through political hell in the hands of the opposition. We are not scared of them. We are ready to lead our party to victory. How many of my colleagues aspirants can lay claim to our records and courage in the face of political persecution? “In 2019, the race is for the compassionately tough as the ruling party will go after our party. We need a leader of my records and background for total victory. We are not lily livered politicians. We have faced political fire and we have survived. They attack us because they know we are the leading contender and I challenge them to compare their records with my own”, the statement said. The statement accused other aspirants of running a campaign of falsehood and character assassination, insisting that with a solid home base and regional support alongside wide network of friends,” I have the credential and the antecedents to take our party to Aso Rock. “My accusers are scared of me and party delegates know why they are. They attack me severally because they don’t have my records. I have been the chairman before and I know what it takes to reposition the party. “We are not worried about the gang up as we have reached out to all delegates. They know my capacity, they know my plans and they know we are the winning camp. We premise our campaign on merit, not ethnicity and religious sentiments’, the statement noted. The statement affirmed that “PDP needs  leaders who have taken and are still willing to take political bullet for the party; leaders who have refused to be intimidated and are still tackling intimidation from oppressive federal officials; and  leaders who have sworn to symbolically die for the party to make it regain power come 2019. “Who is more qualified to lead the opposition to the next electoral battle than a graduate of a political war front with winning records?  For the PDP to make it to power, leaders who have faced and survived baptism of political fire must lead it. To most delegates, winning and returning to power in 2019 is the focus and they are in for a leader with the courage and the tenacious determination for victory’, the statement concluded.</span></div>

PDP National Chairman: Why rivals are after me – Secondus

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP national chairmanship candidate, Prince Uche Secondus has alleged a gang-up by some of his rivals against h...

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Atiku’s return will add value to rebuilding party – PDP

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxeLezkGt0agSgV_CCdApHgClp7cdARVRhKfnc_kbPCi7Xf13rcI-2EZCJLOR20wS88yaW7hzvkVXsR2G93DNqjZ4isA83hZNU6nrNEJuwBCWx3_zh1hQ7bkdnlUks35633qsMJayw-8/s1600/Adeyeye-Dayo-PDP-National-Publicity-Secretary-e1490271616571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="412" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxeLezkGt0agSgV_CCdApHgClp7cdARVRhKfnc_kbPCi7Xf13rcI-2EZCJLOR20wS88yaW7hzvkVXsR2G93DNqjZ4isA83hZNU6nrNEJuwBCWx3_zh1hQ7bkdnlUks35633qsMJayw-8/s320/Adeyeye-Dayo-PDP-National-Publicity-Secretary-e1490271616571.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the return of the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, would add value to the process of rebuilding the party for greater heights. In a statement issued by Mr Dayo Adeyeye, National Publicity Secretary of its National Caretaker Committee, the party described the return of Abubakar as “welcome development”. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye “We are indeed glad that he has realized the unbridled lies and deceit of his former party, the All Progressive Congress (APC). “The PDP remains his home; a house he was part of building and which he helped to nurture. We believe his return will add value to the process of rebuilding our party to greater heights. “This is another milestone recorded by the current leadership of our party in its quest to reconcile, rebuild and restructure the PDP ahead of the 2019 general elections and beyond. “We will continue to remain transparent and dedicated to the service of this party,” the statement said. The party called on all its members still in the APC or other parties as well as others frustrated in the party to return. “Anyone who is desirous of a return to the era of abundance and freedom under the PDP administration is welcome. “The Umbrella is big enough to accommodate all.” The PDP urged members nationwide to come together as one family “as we march to Eagle Square, Abuja, on Saturday and Sunday to elect new leaders who will manage the affairs of our party at the national level.</span></div>

Atiku’s return will add value to rebuilding party – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the return of the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, would add value to the p...

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Buhari: The battle ahead

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9Urcfb7hobceTmFzEuwKQONCZGCYp9N6CxdAyEnpb3LbYIDO-EfrYyVNBa_YERF27GR9uYmo_bLSYhgY-afBO5_5_pJnsoVe3gEsT8WhhKAETUw5S8lbOG2vcfoy5M2eelQlFw-T4tw/s1600/buhari2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9Urcfb7hobceTmFzEuwKQONCZGCYp9N6CxdAyEnpb3LbYIDO-EfrYyVNBa_YERF27GR9uYmo_bLSYhgY-afBO5_5_pJnsoVe3gEsT8WhhKAETUw5S8lbOG2vcfoy5M2eelQlFw-T4tw/s1600/buhari2-1.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="p3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buhari </td></tr> </tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">one</span><span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;"> year and three months to the 2019 presidential election, scheduled to hold on February 16, 2019, the speculation that President Muhammadu Buhari would seek re-election is growing stronger by the day. Although the President has not openly declared his intention to contest in 2019, he has had a rash of endorsements from his admirers and loyalists including state governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). There are also indications that the President has started reaching out to some of his estranged political benefactors, especially the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who many people believed had given up on the Buhari presidency. But in the last one month, Tinubu has had at least three close interactions with the President, suggesting that he has been restored as a relevant stakeholder in the present administration. The first of such contacts was last October 30 when he (Tinubu) held a closed door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He also gave the keynote address at the public presentation of a book, “Making Steady, Sustainable Progress for Nigeria’s Peace and Prosperity” also at the Presidential Villa. The 360-page book is a mid-term scorecard of the Buhari administration authored by the Presidential Media Team. Also, last Tuesday,</span></div> </div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Tinubu was among Buhari’s entourage to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, for the 5th European Union-African Union (EU-AU) Summit.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Interestingly, the President gave the clearest hint so far that he would seek re-election in 2019 while on that trip. He had reportedly arrived late to an interactive session with the Nigerian community in Cote d’Ivoire last Tuesday night and explained that he had to wait for the two governors (Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi) to accompany him to the meeting because of their electoral value.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“First I want to apologise for keeping you for too long sitting, this is because I insisted on the governors attending this meeting.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">“This is why I came along with them so that when we are going to meet you, when you are going to meet the rest of Nigerians, if you tell them that their governors were in the company of the President, I think that will be another vote for me in the future. I’m very pleased that they were able to turn up,” Buhari said.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Buhari also told the audience that he had just received “a beautiful piece of information” from Tinubu, which he (Buhari) was never aware of. And while thanking the APC leader for the information, which he did not disclose, he reportedly said: “I also thank our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has brought me a very beautiful piece of information, which I was not aware of it until I sat down and read it this evening (Tuesday night). Thank you very much for your hard work and I will discuss that paper with you.”</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The foregoing is a clear indication that Buhari has effectively wooed the former Lagos State two-term governor back to his camp, if the perceived rift between them actually existed. And if political calculations remain largely the same until February 2019, Buhari’s victory in the South-west geo-political zone of the country would be guaranteed once again.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But Buhari’s relationship with Tinubu is just one of the many factors that would come into play in the next presidential election. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There are other battles he must win if he must remain in Aso Rock beyond May 29, 2019. These include:</span></div> <div class="p5" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Age:</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">During the 2015 presidential elections, one of the issues that proved a major hurdle for the President was his age. He was then 72 years. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which then paraded a younger candidate in the person of former president Goodluck Jonathan, had urged the youth to reject Buhari at the poll on account of his age. Even though Buhari surmounted the hurdle, the issue would no doubt crop up in 2019, when Buhari would have turned 76. Already, one of the founding fathers of APC, Atiku Abubakar, who recently resigned from the party and might contest for the presidency on the platform of the PDP, had begun to woo the youth to his side, as he noted in his resignation letter: “The party we put in place has failed and continues to fail our people, especially our young people. How can we have a federal cabinet without even one single youth? A party that does not take the youth into account is a dying party. The future belongs to young people.”</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Meanwhile in the North, the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) led by Alhaji Yerima Shettima has been mobilising forces against presidential aspirants from the region that are older than 60 years. In a recent interview, Shettima declared: “Never again will we allow anybody up to 60 years and above to be at the helms of affairs in the country, anywhere. We will no longer be looking up to any old man of 60 and above again and be hoping that something good will come out of him.” It remains to be seen how Buhari will confront this battle.</span></div> <div class="p5" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ill Health:</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Although Buhari appears to be in good health at the moment, the protracted ill health he suffered for the better part of this year will be surely thrown up when the 2019 electioneering begins in earnest. Like the age issue, his health status also formed part of the 2015 campaigns with Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State openly alleging that he was ill and would die in power. Buhari overcame that barrier though; but sooner had he assumed power than he had a spell of illness that took him out of the seat of power at frequent intervals. It could be recalled that on June 6, 2016, he traveled to the United Kingdom (UK) for 10 days to attend to an ear infection. On January 19, 2017, he also left for UK on medical vacation to resume on Februry 5. He later asked the National Assembly to extend the medical leave. He returned to the country on March 10 but could not resume work immediately. He missed three cabinet meetings before traveling back to the UK on May 7 for further treatment. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Amid speculations that he was incapacitated, he returned to the country on August 19 after spending 104 days. He has apparently handled state affairs with speed and firmness since his return, indicating that his health has stabilised. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But the opposition will certainly put him on the defensive over the issue during the 2019 campaigns.   </span></div> <div class="p5" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Economy:</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The APC “Change” mantra in the build up to the 2015 elections gave Nigerians the assurance that there would be better deals for them if the party was voted into power. But to their chagrin, the economy took a downward swing shortly after Buhari was sworn into office. Under Buhari’s watch, there was depressed GDP growth, rising inflation, depreciation of the exchange rate, depletion of the country’s foreign exchange reserves, decline in average foreign exchange inflows and massive job loss. In August 2016, figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) confirmed that the Nigerian economy had entered recession. The result could be felt in the increasing poverty and hunger in the land. But the government has maintained that the decline in government’s revenue occasioned by the fall in global oil prices, the destruction of oil and gas pipelines by militants in the Niger Delta region and the failure of past administrations to save for the rainy day paved way for the hardship in the land. Although the government has been able to pull the economy out of recession with 0.55 per cent growth reported in the second quarter of 2017, the fact remains that it is not yet uhuru for the citizens. Buhari and many officials of his government had severally acknowledged this but also pleaded for more time. It is obvious that Buhari must work hard enough to turn the tide in favour of the masses or be faced with scathing criticisms that might impact negatively on his electoral fortunes in 2019.</span></div> <div class="p5" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Restructuring:</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The clamour for the restructuring of the country and enthronement of true federalism gained momentum under Buhari’s watch, mainly based on allegations that his appointments were lopsided in favour of the North. The agitation has often been mixed up with calls for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference. The main opposition party in the country, the PDP, convened the conference under the leadership of former president Jonathan. The APC, which promised to restructure in its manifesto, has been unable to do anything in that regard since assumption of power. Meanwhile, some sections of the country are passionate about re-setting Nigeria to achieve a true federal structure. The PDP may woo such sections with a promise to implement the confab report, which Buhari has declared, “belongs to the archives”. Restructuring is therefore one of the issues Buhari and his party will contend with in the 2019 presidential campaigns if the status quo remains unchanged till then.</span>Atiku factor:</div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Many loyalists of the President say the recent resignation of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, from the APC did not come to them as a surprise; and as such have dismissed it with a wave of the hand. But the fact remains that Atiku is a major force in the Nigerian political landscape. He still has strong followership across the country. Some of his loyalists, who followed him to the APC when he dumped the PDP in 2014, are occupying strategic positions in this government and may choose to pitch tent with him when the chips are down. Although many of them have declared that they would remain in the APC, to say that the party will not suffer a backlash against Atiku’s exit is to underrate the Waziri Adamawa and his political empire. The development has, no doubt, put Buhari’s political sagacity to test. How he handles it will surely count for or against him at the poll.</span></div> <div class="p5" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Buhari’s strengths:</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Nevertheless, Buhari’s loyalists believe the achievements of his administration will persuade Nigerians to keep him in Aso Rock till 2023 in spite of the odds. They quickly point at the recoveries the administration has made through the anti-corruption drive, which they argue have freed funds for the development of the country. They also believe that the administration has executed the war against Boko Haram satisfactorily, with no Nigerian territory now on the grip of the notorious sect. Particularly, the people of the North-east geo-political zone, who are deeply affected by the activities of the insurgents, are reportedly happy with the Buhari administration for restoring relative peace in the region. As such, they are unlikely to turn against him in 2019.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A chieftain of the APC and immediate past governor of Edo State, while commenting on Buhari’s chances in 2019 recently, summed it up thus: “If the PDP were still at the centre, I bet you, it would have been case closed for Nigeria. Boko Haram got up to Benin and had a base in Kogi. Who wants to return to that path? Who wants to go back to the era when the Nigerian Army were said to be running away from battle? Who wants to return to the era of abuse of subsidy?</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“Again, in all fairness who wants to return to the era of crude oil theft? Who was in government when companies such as Michelin, Dunlop and Nestle, etc, started relocating to Ghana? Here in Nigeria, a government spent $16 billion on power and at the end of spending the last dollar, the country degenerated from 4,000 megawatts to 2000 megawatts. Who wants to return to an era where in the name of privatisation, the PDP government handed over sensitive national assets to brothers, friends and cronies who neither have the competence nor the wherewithal to invest in power distribution, which has further compounded our problem today? So, honestly for me, the facts and choice are clear ahead of 2019.”</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Besides, if Buhari decides to run, it is unlikely that the North would queue behind Atiku, who is also speculated to be interested in the race. Although Buhari’s popularity has allegedly waned, having tasted power and stepped on some toes, Atiku has been at the vanguard of the agitation for restructuring the country, which a good fraction of the northern political elite is said to be opposed to. Thus, the issue might count against Atiku in the North and pave way for Buhari to hold sway in the region again.</span></div> <div class="p4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s4" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Meanwhile, the unwritten power rotation arrangement between the North and the South also counts in Buhari’s favour. The South will be more favourably disposed to supporting Buhari in 2019 and regaining power in 2023 than another candidate from the North, who is likely to remain in power till 2027. If that should play out, the road to 2019 might not be too rough for Buhari. His strengths and weaknesses appear to be at par, but how he pulls his political strings will determine where the pendulum would swing.</span></div> </div>

Buhari: The battle ahead

Buhari  one  year and three months to the 2019 presidential election, scheduled to hold on February 16, 2019, the speculation that ...

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Buhari never banned from entering America – Presidency

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCTfLjDCHhFt3DsYCfUDX6ilBKBBOqkcu4OzEUl48NxHSm2ZxTYrX4IfF8ovLg13eromin-aI9kg-6PgNfEKbmiSCxr6VQGEEWpUTaFIBoWLK_MHLVbzrnJmXqy5NdSqwCxew53mXuVo/s1600/buharii-changed-.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="412" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCTfLjDCHhFt3DsYCfUDX6ilBKBBOqkcu4OzEUl48NxHSm2ZxTYrX4IfF8ovLg13eromin-aI9kg-6PgNfEKbmiSCxr6VQGEEWpUTaFIBoWLK_MHLVbzrnJmXqy5NdSqwCxew53mXuVo/s320/buharii-changed-.png" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Following the report credited to the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar against president Muhammadu Buhari, titled “for about 15 years, Buhari could not enter America on account of religious considerations”, presidency on Saturday refuted the alleged report, noting that there has never been a time president Muhammadu Buhari was banned from entering America. Buhari jetting out This was made know to newsmen via a statement issued by the Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the president, Mr. Femi Adesina on Saturday evening. Read his full statement bellow: BUHARI NEVER BANNED AT ANY TIME FROM ENTERING AMERICA Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, claims in an interview published Saturday that “for about 15 years, Buhari could not enter America on account of religious considerations.” This fictive concoction being passed off as truth is mind boggling, coming from a former Number Two man of Nigeria, who should know the truth. At no time was President Buhari, as a private person, ever forbidden from entering any country in the world. Rather, the rest of the world has always held Muhammadu Buhari as a man of sterling qualities, strong on integrity, transparency and accountability. The same testimony is still borne of the Nigerian President by many world leaders today. It is curious that former VP Abubakar had been asked why he had not visited America for over a decade, something that had been a stubborn fact dogging his footsteps. Instead of answering directly, he begged the question, saying Buhari also had been disallowed from entering the same country for 15 years, before becoming President. We hereby make it resoundingly clear that what the former Vice President said only exists in the realm of his imagination. If he has issues to settle with American authorities, he should do so, rather than clutch at a straw.</span></div>

Buhari never banned from entering America – Presidency

Following the report credited to the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar against president Muhammadu Buhari, titled “for about 15 years...

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I will definitely beat Buhari in 2019 – Atiku

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbaB-i6dmJU8aHKsmS802i1H1Q3-K1aN-l08zx9TKSidkrKp221vlF39QbXjQNAwKCs51tPwGez9h_r_TCRs8abScKkcVinJDIKbZFVXF-EKT7TP7vbRswREq5d9yPhgfKnT7RdxTPD8/s1600/atiku-dele.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="412" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbaB-i6dmJU8aHKsmS802i1H1Q3-K1aN-l08zx9TKSidkrKp221vlF39QbXjQNAwKCs51tPwGez9h_r_TCRs8abScKkcVinJDIKbZFVXF-EKT7TP7vbRswREq5d9yPhgfKnT7RdxTPD8/s320/atiku-dele.png" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ex Vice President has said that he will will definitely beat President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election becuse according to him Buhari has wasted a lot of his massive goodwill and that Nigerians are tired of leaders who cannot think big and work big. Ovation Magazine’s Dele Momodu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Atiku speaking with Ovation Magazine’s Dele Momodu in One On One Session said: A lot of people are disgruntled but keeping quiet and lying low. ‘Our youths are suffering terribly and now they are being sold into slavery. Everyone knows my track record of inviting and attracting a good team and giving them the opportunity to work professionally. Nigerians are tired of leaders who cannot think big and work big. Dele, I will be ready from day one…” “There is nothing wrong with it. Ours is a fledgling democracy of barely two decades since the end of the last military regime. What it means is that the political parties are yet to mature and are going through constant transformations and changes. That is why even President Buhari has been able to move from party to party, including ANPP, CPC and now APC. And for those who read about world history and political books like I do, they will know that Abraham Lincoln, Sir Winston Churchill and others went through so much before achieving their dreams…” He went further: “I’m not different. I know what I want for my country. I’ve served Nigeria in different capacities and I am one of the most experienced leaders around today. There is no part of Nigeria I’m not familiar with. I have friends everywhere. They know me and I know them. The benefit of being around for so long is that they have come to know me for certain principles and know that I have a rich knowledge of Nigeria and what it would take to move us to the height of greatness. They can also trust me that I’m not coming to government to steal their money. God has blessed me with business acumen. How can you run a nation if you cannot run your own business? I run my businesses to international standards. Let any of those who want to compete with me show what they have managed successfully. I’ve lifted over 45,000 families out of joblessness and poverty through my microfinance company in my State Adamawa and we’ve have empowered mostly women. The good news is these women have been very honest. Returns on our loans have been about 98 percent. They have not disappeared with the loans given then. We plan to replicate this nationwide…” Asked if he was obsessed with being President at all costs. He said: No! He asked rhetorically why he should not give back some of his experience and exposure to a country that has given him so much? Why should he allow incompetent people to run down the country when God has given him the talent and wherewithal to lift up Nigeria? “I have the highest regards for my boss. He gave me eight years to serve Nigeria under him. We had our differences but we both tried our best. But on the issue of corruption, I have challenged anyone, anywhere, who has any evidence of corruption against me to come forward. I’m sure they would have combed everywhere trying to find anything incriminating against me, but they have not found it, or they are still searching. Dele, I’m throwing that challenge again, let them bring out whatever they have on me…” “I will definitely beat him this time. He has wasted a lot of his massive goodwill. A lot of people are disgruntled but keeping quiet and lying low. Our youths are suffering terribly and now they are being sold into slavery. Everyone knows my track record of inviting and attracting a good team and giving them the opportunity to work professionally. Nigerians are tired of leaders who cannot think big and work big. Dele, I will be ready from day one…” Asked if he not afraid of Buhari he said: “No, definitely not. Buhari is free to contest and I’m free to contest. And Nigerians will make their choice.”</span></div>

I will definitely beat Buhari in 2019 – Atiku

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ex Vice President has said that he will will definitely beat President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential el...

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Fayose, Umahi absent at PDP NEC

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYR_ZHYWXXxiu5o55WqLriD6b5fKnxbBzTZXEX3zRA04xNLupKksUuYeCrpNhULvfCJacF0id4QAKhqufOjdw21ry1M0UrEkj6lAX5ZcM_EGEreGF5J9h8u7wwbglRDbAgP09LJv4X2g/s1600/fayose-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYR_ZHYWXXxiu5o55WqLriD6b5fKnxbBzTZXEX3zRA04xNLupKksUuYeCrpNhULvfCJacF0id4QAKhqufOjdw21ry1M0UrEkj6lAX5ZcM_EGEreGF5J9h8u7wwbglRDbAgP09LJv4X2g/s1600/fayose-5.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="p2" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s2" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">There</b></span><span class="s3" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> appears to be cracks in the opposition party as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose;  his Ebonyi State counterpart,  David Umahi, as well as the governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade stayed away from the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, yesterday.</span></div> <div class="p3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s3" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Other PDP governors absent at the beginning of the meeting were Governor Ishaku Darius of Taraba State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.</span></div> <div class="p3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s3" style="box-sizing: border-box;">The meeting was  attended by Governors Ibrahim Dakwambo,  Nyesom Wike, Emmanuel Udom and Ifeanyi Okowa of Gombe,  Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta states respectively. While the governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Serieke Dickson and Abia State governor , Okezie Ikpeazu were represented by their deputies.</span></div> <div class="p3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s3" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Others in attendance at the NEC meeting are former Senate President,  David Mark, former PDP chairmen,  Prince Vincent Ogbulafor,  Ahmadu Ali,  Okwesilieze Nwodo, among other party big wigs.</span></div> <div class="p3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s3" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee(NEC) yesterday</span></div> <div class="p3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s3" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Regardless, the NEC has ratified plans for <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>party’s national convention scheduled for December 9.</span></div> <div class="p3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s3" style="box-sizing: border-box;">National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye stated this when he briefed newsmen <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>on the outcome of the 77th NEC meeting held at the PDP National Secretariat , Wadata Plaza,  Abuja.</span></div> <div class="p3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s3" style="box-sizing: border-box;">He said over 2,800 delegates,made up of special and statutory delegates, are expected to participate at the convention.</span></div> <div class="p3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s3" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Adeyeye said the NEC also approved the composition of the Convention Planning Committee and the amended guidelines for the event.</span></div> <div class="p3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s3" style="box-sizing: border-box;">He, however, refused to disclose the names of members of the convention committee.</span></div> <div class="code-block code-block-4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 8px 0px;"> “We are going to organise a free fair and credible party convention. Nigerians still believe in the PDP.  Nobody will have any issue.  We are not under any threat that there will be a parallel convention.  We are optimistic that we are going to have a successful convention,” he said.</div> <div class="p3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <span class="s3" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Speaking earlier during the opening ceremony, Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, commended the NEC for standing by it in the last 18 months.</span></div> </div>

Fayose, Umahi absent at PDP NEC

There  appears to be cracks in the opposition party as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum and Governor of ...

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2019: Buhari hints on contesting again

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="412" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGz7Q2qQo0ZeA23GOPclfmQuFpLT_MX0TvhTc80vWt2s8aHxS2duGLMLWAbbvElj6GlAER_NV2-8nr6RzBdA87rVdjYVFznmBjqKuIWapB08YM0UdktBTQrdKgw3UO7UStiGBkHQXIIOk/s320/buhari-tinubu-cote.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; text-align: center;" width="320" /> Explain  his support for Adesina, AfDB President By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – IN what appears to be his subtle way of announcing his willingness to seek re-election in 2019 presidential election, President Muhammadu Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night explained the reason behind having the governors of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel and that of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar to be present when he (Buhari) addressed the Nigerian community in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. President Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) President Buhari specifically said the presence of the two governors during his interactive session with the Nigerian community in the country will be another vote for him when the time comes. The President is in Abidjan, for the 5th European Union-African Union (EU-AU) Summit and was accompanied by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu who was instrumental in Buhari’s emergence in 2015 after three unsuccessful attempts to become civilian president. While apologizing for keeping some members of Nigerian community in Abidjan who had come for the interactive session waiting, President Buhari explained that he insisted on having governors Emmanuel and Abubakar present so that Nigerians in Côte d’Ivoire from the two states will be happy that he was accompanied by their governors and that might end him votes in future. He said, “First I want to apologize for keeping you for too long seating, this is because I insisted on the governors attending this meeting. This is why I came along with them so that when we are going to meet you, when you are going to meet the rest of Nigerians if you tell them that their governors were in the accompany of the president, I think that will be another vote for me in future. I’m very pleased that they were able to turn up.” This subtle way of announcing his intentions to contest in the 2019 election attracted laughter and accolades for him. The President also said that his support for the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, despite serving as minister in a PDP-led government was to further confirm his remarks at his inauguration on May 29th, 2015, that he belonged to everybody and nobody in particular. The President was reacting to Adesina’s gratitude to his administration for supporting him to get the job, leading to him becoming the first Nigerian to head the continental bank since it was set up in 1964. He said, “the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), who forgot to mention that he was serving in the PDP government as minister but all the same I picked him and recommended him for AfDB. I think it emphasized what I said during my swearing in that I’m for everybody, I’m for nobody. As long as you are a Nigerian be prepared to be on the receiving end from me.” President Buhari also thanked the national leader, of the All Progressive Congress Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for bringing him a beautiful piece of information which he was not aware of until now. Buhari however did not disclose what piece of information it was but promised to discuss it in detail with Tinubu. According to him, “I also thank our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has brought me a very beautiful piece of information which I was not aware of it until I sat down and read it this evening (Tuesday night). Thank you very much for your hardwork and I will discuss that paper with you.” Adesina in his remarks noted that the economy picked up soon after the President’s health, adding that “so it seems there is a correlation between the President’s health and the improved economy.“ On security, Adesina said the bank has released $250 million for the construction and rehabilitation of the Northeast, destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents. He also said that the AfDB has constructed a big building behind the Yar’Adua centre that started in 2016 and completed. He said it is the first of such building by AfDB outside its Abidjan headquarters which he will want President Buhari to commissioned. Adesina said, “I want to thank you immensely. I want to thank God for your health because I must say that for all of us that has been a big concern. But seeing you fit as a fiddle and seeing you back in action, we thank God for that and may God continue to give you great strength. “Mr. President as you must have noticed, there is a very strong correlation between your health and the economy and when you came back the economy picked up after that. So we wish you great health so that the the economy can continue to pick. “I also want to congratulate you for the economic growth and recovery plan that you have put in place and the incredible plan that you have put in place to bring the economy out of recession and also in terms of the fact that Nigeria has moved up in the World Bank ease of doing business index. “Is to your leadership, vision and commitment that we want to from the African Development Bank commend you Mr. President and to assure you of our strong support behind you and your government for the efforts to try and move Nigeria forward. We are solidly behind you, you can count on that. “I also want to thank you for your leadership on the Boko Haram issue because to draw investments into Nigeria, you absolutely have to have security. I think that securing our borders is very very important thanks to your leadership for that. I also thank you for all the efforts you have made in the Lake Chad Basin Area. “I was with you in Paris where you led the efforts in reviving the Lake Chad Basin. As you know Mr. President, the bank is very strongly behind that. We put in $250 million to support the northeast of Nigeria rebuilding. I know you were criticize for rebuilding but I don’t see anything wrong, if things get destroyed they have to be rebuilt and the African Development Bank has contributed $250 million towards that.” Governor Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State is of the Peoples Democratic Party, one of the states it was alleged that the ruling APC was interested in winning because of its large deposits of oil.</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div> </div>

2019: Buhari hints on contesting again

 Explain  his support for Adesina, AfDB President By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA – IN what appears to be his subtle way of announcing his wi...

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