Politics

Southwest governors join Buhari to commission projects in Ogun

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Governors in the six South-West region of Nigeria have joined President Muhammadu Buhari on his one-day visit to Ogun State for the commissioning of five projects by the state governments.

The governors in attendance at the ongoing commissioning ceremony are: Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun; Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State), Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo State), and Gboyega Oyetola (Osun State). Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state was represented by his deputy, Rauf Olaniyan.

Other dignitaries in attendance include Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State; and former governors of Ogun state, including Chief Olusegun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel, and Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

The President is commissioning the 14km Epe/ Ijebu-ode Expressroad, Ogun Gateway City at Sagamu interchange and the 42km Abeokuta/ Sagamu road.

Other projects to be commissioned include two housing projects. 527 units of a low and medium Housing Scheme at Kobape and the high-brow, 83 duplexes at the Kings Court Estate at Oke Mosan in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Buhari, while speaking at the ceremony in Ijebu Ode hailed the state governor for his infrastructural development efforts since he became governor in 2019.

“The last time I was here was in 2019 to campaign for him as our party’s candidate for governor. I must say, so much have changed since then. I wonder how he could deliver the projects despites the constraints caused by coronavirus,” Buhari stated.

Politics

Bandits controlling Nigerian territories under Buhari’s watch – Shehu Sani

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A former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, on Tuesday decried the menace of bandits and Boko Haram insurgents in the country.

Sani, a staunch critic of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, said in a post on his Facebook page the bandits had established a governance structure, imposed taxes and levies on the people, kidnapped for ransom and installed traditional rulers and Imams, while the government continued to deceive Nigerians with claims of success in the fight against the criminals.

He wrote: “Virtually now, bandits in the North-West have become a state within a state.

Bandits have been able to establish governance structure in the sense that they don’t just kidnap and extort money, it has reached a point where they even install.

“They even install traditional rulers and Imams in these communities. And all of these are happening under the watch of President Buhari.

“And they will continue to lie to Nigerians that they have defeated the bandits and terrorists.”

Politics

Buhari’s rejection of state police authoritative – Clark

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A former federal commissioner for information, Edwin Clark, on Monday described as unconstitutional and authoritative President Muhammadu Buhari’s rejection of state police in the country.

The President had last week declared that state police was not an option in the ongoing efforts at ridding the country of crimes and other social vices.

Buhari, who stated this during an interview on Channels Television, expressed fear that state governors would use state police to their advantage.

However, in a statement he personally signed, the elder statesman insisted that state police was discussed exhaustively and approved during the 2014 National Conference as organised by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

He described state police as one of the chief cardinal points of a true federal system of government.

Clark said: “Mr. President dismissed the call for state police in the country. He said that state police was not an option, that governors will misuse it. He gave an unrelated instance of the relationship between state governors, and local governments, that there is no functional local government in the country.

“While the President is right that no local government in this country truly functions as provided by the constitution, not even the joint account under which state governments receive monies on behalf of the local governments because the accounts are fully controlled by the state governors, it is not enough to dismiss the demand for state police.

As I stated in my recent interview, state police is a popular agitation by Nigerians and was robustly discussed and agreed upon during the 2014 National Conference.

“It is very unfortunate that the state governors who are elected under the party are the ones running the party today. But it is unconstitutional and authoritative for Mr. President to say that state police, which was even recommended by the El-Rufai Committee as one of its items under devolution of power to be transferred from the executive list in schedule 1 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, to schedule II of the concurrent list, should be discarded.

“I totally agree with Mr. President that most state governors have undermined the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, where local government is provided for under Section 8. They do not only abuse the joint account system but also engage in establishing caretaker committees rather than conducting a free, fair, and democratic election.

I also agree with Mr. President that state police could be used by state governors in persecuting perceived political opponents, but it is also true that the federal government is also using the Nigeria Police Force to persecute perceived political opponents, undermining the National Assembly and obstructing free speeches.

“But that does not mean that the whole idea of state police should be discarded? That will mean throwing away the baby with the bathwater.”

Lifestyle

DSS invites Bishop Kukah for saying Buhari is soft on terrorism, banditry

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has invited the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah for questioning, days after the vocal priest criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for failing to curb nationwide insecurity, Peoples Gazette reports.

Kukah had slammed Buhari in his Christmas sermon, saying the president has failed to show competence as terrorists, bandits and other criminals embark on a coordinated and relentless rampage across the country.

“We also have lost count of hundreds of individuals and families who have been kidnapped and live below the radar of publicity. Does the President of Nigeria not owe us an explanation and answers as to when the abductions, kidnappings, brutality, senseless, and endless massacres of our citizens will end? We need urgent answers to these questions,” he had said.

The priest’s comment, which was only the latest amongst several scathing criticisms he had directed at the president in recent years, drew criticism from President Buhari’s supporters.

According to Peoples Gazette, a top source revealed that the secret police ordered Kukah to appear at its headquarters for questioning. Kukah had, however yet to honour the invitation as of Saturday afternoon.

A spokesman for The Kukah Centre did not immediately return a request seeking comments on Saturday afternoon.

DSS spokesman declined to answer questions from The Gazette about the development.

Lifestyle

Buhari mourns victims of Kano auto crash, urges compliance with traffic regulations

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday expressed sadness at the death of 19 passengers in an auto crash along the Kano-Zaria highway.

At least 26 passengers were also wounded in the accident that involved two commercial buses in the area.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President decried the increasing number of road fatalities in the country.

He said: “I’m devastated and saddened by this unfortunate tragedy that claimed the lives of passengers who happily left their homes without any idea that it was going to be their last day on earth.

“The frequency of road accidents is particularly worrisome and it calls for greater reflection on the importance of safety standards.

“I understand that the accident was blamed on over-speeding and this account worries me deeply.

“It’s unfortunate that ours is a country where, despite regular public enlightenment programmes by road safety officials, our recalcitrant drivers treat the issue with indifference.

“Adherence to safety standards and regulations can go a long way to protect lives.”

Politics

Working for 6 to 8 hours daily is not a joke, age telling on me – Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari said on Thursday he was looking forward to May 29, 2023, when his tenure would end.

The President, who stated this in an interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), said age was telling on him, and desperately in need of a deserved rest after ruling the country for about seven years.

President Buhari turned 79 on December 17, 2021.

The President said he had served Nigeria dutifully and expressed the hope that the citizens would acknowledge the efforts at the end of his tenure next year.

He said: “About my age, I see my colleagues, they are now resting, and I assure you that I look forward to the next 17 months when I too will be less busy.

The age is telling on me, working now for six, seven to eight hours per day in the office is no joke — there are questions of executive council, memos from as many states as possible to be considered virtually every week. Really, it’s a lot of hard work, but as I have said, I asked for it and I cannot complain.

“I have been a governor, I have been a minister, and I’m in my second term as President. So, I have gone through all the systems, and really, what else can I do for this country? I have given my best.”

Politics

Buhari reveals problem with restructuring, South-East

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President Muhammadu Buhari said on Wednesday those pushing for the restructuring of Nigeria lacked the basic knowledge of the process.

The President, who stated this in an interview on a Channels Television, also flayed the people of South-East for demanding an additional state.

Several Nigerians including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, among others had in the past demanded the restructuring of the country to prevent its total collapse.

The President said: “Those who talk of restructuring; I want them to define what they mean in their own concept of restructuring.

“Do they want more states? If they want, look at the map of Nigeria, at whose expense?”

“I have a problem with people from South-East; they said they wanted another state, as each of the geopolitical zones has six states.

“I said go and look at the map and see how many of the existing states will contribute to other states. That was the last I heard from them.”

Lifestyle

Buhari picks Gbajabiamila to lead Nigerian govt’s delegation to AFCON

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday picked the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, as the Leader of the Federal Government delegation to the African Nations Cup (AFCON) in Cameroon.

The continent’s premier soccer tournament will begin in the Central African nation on Sunday.

Also on the delegation are Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, the Chairman of the Senate Committees on Sports, Obinna Ogba, and his House of Representatives counterpart, Olumide Osoba.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan; the Ministers of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, and Agriculture, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar, are also on the delegation.

The Ministers of State for Finance, Prince Clem Agba, Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi, and a representative of the Department of State Security (DSS) complete the 13-man list.

Members of the delegation are expected to arrive in Cameroon on Sunday ahead of Super Eagles’ first game against seven-time champions, Egypt, on January 11.

Other teams in Nigeria’s group are Guinea Bissau and Sudan.

Politics

Why Buhari signed 2022 budget despite changes by National Assembly – Presidency

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The Presidency has explained why President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2022 budget despite alterations of the estimates by the National Assembly.

The President, who signed the budget on Friday, expressed concern at the introduction of 6,576 new schemes worth N37 billion in the budget by the parliament.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, who made the clarification in a statement issued on Sunday, noted that although Buhari disagreed with the National Assembly over the changes made in the budget, he was not in conflict with the lawmakers.

He said: “Given Mr. President’s commitment to improving the lot of the common man, it was felt that it would not be wise to throw away the baby with the bathwater.

“Mr. President was clear and candid in expressing his reservations with the numerous changes to the 2022 budget made by the National Assembly, which would hamper its implementation.

However, to respond to critics that question why assent to the budget if it was so severely tampered with, we wish to respond as follows:

“Need to Save Value-Additive Projects, Programs & Policies:

“Although over 10,733 projects were reduced and 6,576 new projects were introduced into the budget by the National Assembly, there are tens of thousands more provisions in the 2022 budget, all of which, when efficiently and effectively implemented, will have a significant developmental impact on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.

“Ongoing Capital Projects, Critical Recurrent Votes, Priority New Projects – all featured in the 2022 budget and Mr. President’s forbearance in assenting to the budget will save these provisions from implementation delays and other challenges.

“President Buhari is a democrat who deeply believes in the supremacy of the Constitution, with its checks and balances across the three arms of government.”

The presidential aide insisted that disagreements amongst the arms of government were normal and would lead to actionable plans to better the economy.

Shehu added: “While we note that there are people who are trying to create a fiasco between the two arms of government on account of the budget, we assure that they will, in the end, be disappointed.

“The Executive and the 9th National Assembly have since moved away from the wild, destructive political games of the past, conducting themselves in a way that puts national interest supreme in their decisions.

“We doubt if there is a patriotic citizen who wants to see the return of the operating environment engendered by the 8th Senate when an elected government was held in chains, held hostage to the desperate political ambitions of a clique, and the public denied needed services including that which impinged on national security.

Happily, this situation has not arisen during the tenure of Mr. President’s administration, and the Executive’s relationship with the Leadership of the 9th National Assembly is much improved over what happened with the 8th National Assembly.

“It is on account of his confidence in the strength of this excellent working relationship that Mr. President has directed that an Amendment of Budget Proposal should be prepared and submitted to the National Assembly, once they return from their recess.

“It is hoped that the National Assembly will carefully consider and approve the 2022 Amendment Budget Proposals, once presented to them in due course, for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“It is important therefore that, in place of ‘anger’ or confrontation, President Buhari showed the democracy-loving side of his personality as he signed the budget at the same time calling for dialogue with the parliament to resolve the contentious issues.

“The Presidency under Muhammadu Buhari and the parliament under Ahmad Lawal and Femi Gbajabiamila are committed to a good neighbourly relationship and this or any other disagreement between the two arms of government will not alter the dynamics of that relationship.”

Politics

Igboho makes appeal, says I’m not at war with Buhari or South-West governors

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Incarcerated Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and governors in the South-West, saying his agitations were not aimed at the government.

In a New Year message through jis lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Igboho who is currently languishing in a prison in Benin Republic, said he was not at war with Buhari or the governors, as his only crime was asking the authorities to address the causes of his agitations.

In the message posted on Olajengbesi’s Facebook page on Friday night, Igboho, urged the President Buhari-led Federal Government to address the genesis of his agitation, explaining that the root of his agitation was the insecurity suffered by the people of Ibarapa area in Oyo State.

In the message, Igboho lamented that the Buhari government failed to resolve the security challenge in the South-West which led to his crying out in the first place.

Part of Igboho’s New Year message reads:

“Let it be abundantly clear that I am not at war with President Buhari, South-West state Governors or anybody in government.

“What I want the government to do is address the genesis of my agitation for a Yoruba Nation.

“The genesis is the insecurity in Ibarapaland and other places in the entire Yorubaland where farmers are habitually maimed, hacked to death, kidnapped and raped as if there are no security agents in the country.

Everybody deserves to be protected and ought to feel safe in their country regardless of their tribe, religion or political leaning.

“At some point, our people became helpless and could no longer go to their farmlands again.

“Scores of farmers were butchered to death in 2021 and the government pretended that all was okay.

“No, this must not continue and this was why I rose to stop the menace. I did not speak up to fight government, I spoke up to ensure the protection of my people and land.

In 2022, the government must rise up and put an end to the havoc caused by herdsmen that are criminals and give everyone a sense of belonging – whether foreigners or locals – and stop the attack on my people in Yorubaland.

“I am not selfish and this has never been about me. I am more concerned about the helpless citizens who buried their loved ones to aimless killings in 2021 and I pray that the Almighty God through divine intervention stops the killings of innocent people in Nigeria in 2022 and beyond.

“In 2022, it would indeed be to my greatest satisfaction to see my people live without fear and with the confidence that their lives matter if no place else, then in their own homes, lands and farms. This is my abiding hope for my people, so help me God.”

Politics

Again, Kukah flays Buhari on nepotism, serial killings

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The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has once again, lampooned President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration over the “nepotism, favoritism and serial killings” that has been going on under his watch.

Father Kukah who has been an ardent critic of the present administration, while addressing journalists in Sokoto on Thursday, said the loss of lives under Buhari has become too much and should get everyone worried.

“All what I have been clamouring for are not personal. There are two issues that bothered me with this administration.

“One is the quantum of loss of lives and I don’t think there is anybody who is happy about this.

The second is the allocation of position with favouritism and nepotism. One thing lacking in this administration is the inability to manage our sense of diversity.

I have always been a critic of government before this administration and I stand on my challenge to those who don’t reason along with me to counter my position with superior argument.

“Nigerians are still to learn how to disagree on the disagreeable. We are still to learn how to debate without argument and we are still to agree that some of our best friends are those that criticise us. Criticism is not an abuse; it is what purifies democracy.”

Kukah further lamented a situation where officials of the government continue to lie to Nigerians on the true position of things while trying to paint the government in a good light when every Nigerian knows the truth.

World News

Falana berates Buhari for opposing direct primaries despite ‘being a beneficiary’

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Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has criticised the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the amendment in the Electoral Bill while noting that he was a beneficiary of direct primary.

Falana made this assertion on Tuesday in the aftermath of diverging opinions on the President’s decision to rule out direct primaries in the electoral process.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the President asked the National Assembly to remove the controversial clause on direct primaries from the bill and return the proposed law to him for assent.

Nonetheless, Falana frowned on the decision explaining how misleading it was and its ramifications for the polity.

The reason adduced for the rejection of the Electoral Amendment Bill is grossly misleading. Section 87 of the current Electoral Act provides for either direct or indirect primaries. In fact, the APC used direct primary for the emergence of its presidential candidate in 2019. In other words, President Buhari is a beneficiary of direct primary.

“By rejecting the Bill on the ground that it provided for direct primary the President decided to throw away the baby and the bathwater. Thus, the President rejected electronic voting which he had endorsed when he admitted that he is a beneficiary of electronic accreditation of voters by the use of card readers.

“With respect, direct primary is in consonance with section 223 of the Constitution which has imposed a duty on political parties to elect their officers through democratic elections. There is no provision in the Constitution for the imposition of candidates by money bags through indirect primaries.

The INEC has submitted a bill of N305 billion for the entire 2023 general elections. So who conjured the figure of N500 billion for the primaries to give the impression that it is an expensive venture?

“In any case, since electronic voting had been adopted by the National Assembly it was going to be used for both primary and general elections.

So the cost would have been significantly reduced. The fear of insecurity is a red herring in that political parties have continued to hold huge rallies even in defiance of Covid 19 restrictions imposed by the Federal Government.

“Having rejected to assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill in 2018 and 2021, President Buhari has confirmed beyond any shadow of a doubt that his administration will not allow the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct credible elections in 2023 and thereafter.
‘”That is going to be the tragic legacy of the President and the ruling party that was campaigning for electoral reforms before the 2015 general elections.

“The challenge before the National Assembly is to invoke the provision of section 58 (5) of the Constitution to pass the Bill into law by the resolution of a two-thirds majority of the members.

However, if the national assembly cannot muster the required two-thirds majority, section 87 of the Act which allows direct or indirect primaries should be left intact so that the other provisions of the Electoral Amendment Bill 2021 can be passed again by the legislators and assented to by the President,” Falana explained.

World News

Buhari vows to bring perpetrators of Nasarawa killings to justice

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The Presidency says President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened over the murder of 45 farmers in reprisal attacks in Lafia, Obi and Awe Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State.

Ripples Nigeria had reported how 45 people were killed in renewed hostility between farmers and herders in the affected local government areas of the state.

Over 20 people were also injured while around 5,000 people were also reported to have been displaced in the crisis which was confirmed by the police in a statement on Monday.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled ‘Nasarawa killings heart wrenching, says President Buhari,’ the President expressed his condolence to the people and government of the state and vowed that those involved will be brought to book.

In the condolence message, Shehu quoted the President as saying:

“I assure the people with all seriousness and sensitivity that this administration is doing its best to safeguard the security of people and will leave no stone unturned in fishing out the perpetrators of this senseless and barbaric incident, and bring them to justice.”

“The President also expressed condolences to the government and people of the State and expressed satisfaction with the immediate response of the State government to the incident,” Garba said.

Politics

Buhari has done his best, don’t expect anything more – Ex-President, Obasanjo

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigerians should not expect anything more from President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, Buhari has done his best, hence, expecting more from him is like beating a dead horse.

Obasanjo stated this at a retreat on inclusive security organized by the Global Peace Foundation and Vision Africa on Monday.

He urged Nigerians to be more concerned about the post-Buhari era, and not what is expected of him.

He said; “The truth is this: President Buhari has done his best. That is what he can do. If we are expecting anything more than what he has done or what he is doing, that means we’re whipping a dead horse and there is no need.

“Then, where do we go from here? We cannot fold our hands. I believe that is part of what we’re doing here and what we continue to be doing.

“How do we prepare for post-Buhari? Buhari has done his best. My prayer is that God will spare his life to see his term through.

“But what should we do to make post-Buhari better than what we have now? That is our responsibility now, because it concerns all of us.”

Politics

Buhari does not value our lives, ex-Gov Bafarawa blasts Buhari for not visiting Sokoto

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Former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of not valuing the lives of the people of the state over his failure to visit and condole with the them following the burning of travelers by terrorists last week.

Bafarawa who spoke on a BBC Hausa Service programme on Saturday, expressed his disappointment over Buhari’s failure to visit and condole with the people of the state over the incident, but chose to visit Lagos to grace the launch of a book by former Osun State Governor, Bisi Akande.

Bafarawa lamented a situation where innocent citizens are burnt to death and the President did not find it imperative to visit and condole with the people but found it convenient to attend a book launch.

The former Governor also bemoaned Buhari’s failed to address the growing insecurity and killings in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and other states in the northern part of the country, accusing the president of not valuing the lives of the people that elected him.

“The way the lives of our people are being treated as worthless is the most disturbing thing. See the lives lost just within the last four to five days,” Bafarawa said.

People were burnt in a vehicle after they were shot, but President Muhammadu Buhari went to Lagos for a book launch, a book that is neither the Qur’an or the Bible. It is just a biography.

“He did not come to Sokoto to commiserate with us over the lives we lost but he sent some people to represent him.

“When he was campaigning, he didn’t send anybody to represent him, he came by himself. That was because he wanted to be elected.

“What stopped him from coming to condole with the people? But he went to Lagos for a book launch. We can only say “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’in” (From Allah we come and to him we shall return). Sabon Birni, Shinkafi and Goronyo are in a very dire situation.

“We only depend on God for protection. It is only on God that we depend for his protection, not anybody. We are sad and disappointed with the way Buhari’s administration is treating our region.

“I was a governor for eight years and I know the responsibilities placed on me. Whenever a governor or a president is sworn in, he swears with the Qur’an or the Bible that he will protect the lives and properties of the people. Nobody says that the people will be responsible for the protection of their lives and properties.

“The leader who swore that, he can do it, by going to the people in their villages and houses and asked them to vote for him, must fulfil that promise.

“The saying that, security is everybody’s business is true, but the onus rests with the leader, like President Muhammadu Buhari who swore with the Qur’an to protect their lives.”

Politics

Buhari has failed the north woefully —Northern Coalition

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The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), says President Muhammadu Buhari has failed the Northern region of the country after they had put so much faith in his ability to curb insecurity by voting massively for him.

The group which was reacting to the escalation of attacks and killings of innocent citizens by terrorists in Northern communities, said it was a confirmation of the failure of the federal governments under Buhari to secure the lives and property of Nigerians.

The CNG, at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, said the “recent burning to death of travelers at Anguwan Bawa in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State by bandits, incessant attacks by ISWAP in the North East and the unabated phenomenon of banditry along Abuja-Kaduna Highway as well as school abductions had exposed the helplessness of the government.”

Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, the spokesman of the Coalition, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, warned that a further escalation of the security challenges bedeviling the North would pose existential threats not only to the region but to the whole nation.

“The CNG is agitated by the recent unchecked escalation of attacks and killings across Northern Nigerian communities, cities, towns and highways that has literally exposed the entire region to the mercy of Boko Haram-ISWAP insurgents to the North East, and ruthless banditry and kidnapping rings to the North West and North Central,” Suleiman said.

“The CNG notes that the following recent escalations of attacks, killings and kidnappings while the presidency appears in total isolation or in deep denial by constantly flaunting victory in the face of glaring failure, has reached an unacceptable and an intolerable point where the urgent citizen action remains the only option.

In the light of the above, the CNG has inadvertently arrived at the following inevitable observations and inferences: That President Muhammadu Buhari whom the north voted for overwhelmingly, with the belief that he would tackle insecurity, has failed us woefully.

The federal and various state governments in the North have woefully failed in the vital area of providing security of lives and properties to citizens, especially in northern Nigeria, where the ruling All Progressives Congress extracted the bulk of its votes in the 2015 and 2019 rounds of elections.

“That the escalation of the security challenges bedeviling the North today are not only existential threats to the region but to the whole nation with our very fragile democracy threatened by the worst insecurity of our lifetime.

“The glaring inability to secure the borders, forests and highways in northern Nigeria are partly a result of incapacity, absence of political will, defence corruption and bad governance.

In recognition of the enormity of these security and socioeconomic challenges, the CNG has resolved to embark on a massive mobilisation of all men and women of goodwill in the region and beyond, to raise their voices to give voice to our voiceless people.

“Consequently, the CNG has resolved to organise a Mega Pan Northern Nigerian Summit under the chairmanship of the convener of the Northern Elders Forum, Professor Ango Abdullahi to look into and proffer definite solutions to the security challenges in the region.”

Entertainment

#BBNaija: Boma calls on Buhari to pay him for keeping ‘jobless youths’ busy

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Big Brother Naija ex-contestant, Boma Akpore has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to start paying him because he is rendering an important service to the nation.

According to the reality TV star, he has been keeping ‘jobless youths’ busy since July 24th, when BBNaija season 6 commenced.

In a post on his Instagram story, Boma said he would also keep pressing the necks of Nigerians who criticise or troll him online.

He wrote; ”Buhari should start paying me salary for keeping this jobless Nigerians busy Since July 24th

Suffocating season, una neck go burst

Misery loves company sadly.

Nigerians and misery na 5&6

Let’s keep praying for God to heal you guys. I feel really bad for all pains and agony amen

Let love lead

I go still press your neck sha lol”

Politics

We will never beg Buhari to release Sunday Igboho –Afenifere

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Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has vowed never to stoop low to beg President Muhammadu Buhari to release Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, who is currently in prison custody in Benin Republic.

The group was reacting to calls by prominent Yoruba individuals and groups urging it to emulate Igbo leaders and approach President Buhari to plead for the release of Igboho.

But in a statement on Friday signed its General-Secretary, Sola Ebiseni, Afenifere said there was no basis to beg the President to release the Oduduwa Republic advocate as he had committed no crime.

We do not have to beg the President to release Sunday Igboho. Sunday Igboho did not commit any offence whatsoever; that’s our position.

“Those who went to invade his house were terrorists in Nigerian security uniform and they have no right whatsoever and that has been tested in a court of competent jurisdiction. Igboho has been absolved and the government was visited with N20bn worth of damages.

“In spite of the impunity of the Buhari government, we insist that Nigeria shall not be governed except by the rule of law,” the statement said.

Politics

Buhari, Lawan meet on Electoral Act Amendment Bill

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

Lawan, who spoke with State House correspondents after the closed-door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, expressed hope that Buhari would sign the bill soon.

The National Assembly forwarded the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to the President last week.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, met with President Buhari on the matter on November 18.

Gbajabiamila also expressed optimism that the amended bill would soon be signed into law by the President.

The Senate President, however, maintained that the National Assembly had done its job by transmitting the bill to the President for him to sign into law.

He said: “Sometimes this kind of disagreement happens. And when they do, I think the best way forward is for people to engage.

“I always believe, and I have conversed over this, that National Assembly members are major stakeholders; governors of All Progressives Congress (APC) are major stakeholders and in fact, the presidency is a major stakeholder.

“In fact, the presidency is the biggest stakeholder because it runs the administration, and our party must always try to bring everybody together.

“I don’t think there will be any day that you will have a political issue that everybody will say the same thing.

“So when we have any section of a party disagreeing with something, we should be engaging; that’s why we are politicians; we must have that kind of a platform where we discuss issues.

I don’t think it is right to say that governors have disagreed. Maybe some governors might have said they didn’t like it this way.

“That’s normal. So it’s for us to engage and engage and engage.”

Politics

Why FG hasn’t implemented recommendations of EndSARS Judicial Panel reports – Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed why the federal government is yet to implement recommendations by the Lagos state judicial panel report on the Lekki tollgate incident and other states’ EndSARS panel reports.

Speaking at a meeting with United States secretary of state, Antony Blinken, in Abuja, on Thursday, Buhari said he will await the steps taken by governors before the federal government takes action on the reports of the judicial panels of inquiry set up by states to investigate incidents of police brutality.

Rivers, Delta, Ogun states, among others, had earlier submitted their reports, but the Lagos panel presented its report to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday. In its findings, the Lagos panel said security operatives “killed unarmed protesters” who had gathered at the Lekki tollgate.

A statement released by Special Assistant to the President on Media and Pubicity, Femi Adesina, quoted Buhari as saying that state governments will have to take steps on the reports of their panels, before the federal government acts on the recommendations.

“So many state governments are involved, and have given different terms of reference to the probe panels.

“We at the federal have to wait for the steps taken by the states, and we have to allow the system to work. We can’t impose ideas on them. Federal government has to wait for the reaction of the states,” he said.

On his part, the US secretary of state described the report of the #EndSARS probe panel as “democracy in action”, and said he looks forward to necessary reforms within security agencies.

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