Politics

Nigeria will break up if APC wins 2023 presidential election – Obaseki

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Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state has said that Nigeria will break up if the All Progressive Congress (APC) wins the 2023 presidential election.

Obaseki who spoke during the swearing-in of members of the Edo state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign council management committee on Monday, October 25, said that ‘nobody has done the kind of damage the APC administration has done to this country.’

He said;

“I believe that this will be an easy election for us if we campaign right. Our heads should be examined as citizens of Nigeria if we even contemplate voting for a government like APC. God forbid APC comes into power; this country will break up; this country will fail. It has already failed.

“Nobody has done the kind of damage the APC administration has done to this country. I don’t know how we’ll recover. They have destroyed the basis of this country.

“By the grace of God, our candidate will win. We’ll bring back Nigeria; we’ll unify this country. We’ll reduce the differences we have and we’ll begin to build our country to what God says it should be.”

Lifestyle, Politics

Tinubu returns from UK, prepares for campaigns

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There was jubilation in the camp of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Thursday when he returned to the country.

While he was aware, reports were suggesting that Tinubu was ill and could be receiving medical attention in London.

The situation forced the candidate and his handlers to release a series of photographs and videos to dispel the rumour of his ill health.

Elated party chiefs and loyalists were at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday to receive Tinubu.

They were led by his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima; and a former APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, among others.

It was learnt that Tinubu will immediately engage in a series of political consultations.

The former Lagos State governor is expected to host members of his Presidential Campaign Council, Progressive Governors Forum and the National Working Committee of the APC in separate meetings to discuss the contentious campaign list.

A former Minister of Communications and Director General of the Asiwaju Tinubu-Shettima Coalition for Good Governance, Adebayo Shittu, told The PUNCH that the wild jubilation that greeted Tinubu’s arrival was enough to make some people cover their faces in shame.

“They probably thought he won’t return to the country. I told you earlier he is coming today, didn’t I?

“Let us even assume he went for medical treatment abroad, should that be an issue? His fitness video and the eventual return have put an end to all their speculations,” he said.

The Director of Media and Publicity for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, had earlier told The PUNCH that the previous October 10 selected as the date for the launch of the campaign was no longer feasible.

He said,

“Oct 10 date is not certain for the launch of our campaign. It was the date we chose before. It is tentative and not cast in stone.”

When asked about his itinerary, Onanuga said though Tinubu would be busy after his return from London, he is not aware of any nocturnal meeting his principal might be having last night.

Another member of the PCC media team, Biodun Ajiboye, told our correspondent that he didn’t understand what the euphoria and fixation that greeted the candidate’s arrival were about. “Are they expecting Asiwaju won’t return before?” he asked.

He however acknowledged that being the workaholic that he is, Tinubu would hit the ground running.“He is going to start his usual busy schedule from this night.

Naturally, as the presidential candidate of Africa’s largest political party, he should be busy. What do you think? “He has missed a few days of work that he is eager to recover. So I don’t think it is anything to worry about,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has promised that Tinubu will tackle the challenges faced by youths, women and other vulnerable people in society.

The governor stated this on Thursday during an event organised by the Asiwaju Grassroots Talk in Oregun, Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu said his endorsement of the AGT advocacy project stemmed from the proven ability of the group to influence and mobilise real voters, noting that AGT had a strong presence across communities in the state.

He said,

“We are ready to take the gospel out to the electorate and canvass for their support for the Tinubu presidency. Asiwaju has verifiable track records in good governance and service delivery, which canvassers can use to engage and win the support of potential voters.

“We must talk about the transformative leadership, progressive ideals, and vision possessed by Asiwaju to take this country to another level of meaningful development.

“Tinubu is coming to bring hope, bring about change that will translate to real prosperity.” He is coming to address the challenges facing the youth, women, and the vulnerable in our country.

“His programmes will touch the lives of traders, artisans, and those in search of legitimate means of livelihood.

It is because of our strong belief in Asiwaju’s leadership that we are all coming together to endorse this grassroots movement to ensure Lagos is delivered for APC.”

Politics

2023 presidency: Court told to disqualify Atiku from running for president

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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, has been asked to disqualify Alhaji Atiku Abubakar from running for the forthcoming presidential election.

An Abuja-based lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, dragged the former Vice President of Nigeria to court following his victory at the presidential primary election of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Atiku had emerged the presidential standard bearer of the PDP for the 2023 general elections after polling a total of 371 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who garnered 237 votes.

However, Johnmary Jideobi, in his suit, is challenging Atiku’s Nigerian citizenship, despite serving as vice president from 1999 to 2007.

Also joined as defendants in the suit are the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF.

Jideobi, in his suit, argued that Atiku is not a Nigerian citizen by birth as required by the country’s laws and does not qualify to run for the office of the President.

According to him, the former Vice President only “acquired his citizenship of Nigeria by virtue of the 1961 plebiscite which integrated some people of Northern Cameroon into Nigeria as new citizens of Nigeria.”

The plaintiff further told the court that it would amount to a grave desecration of the otherwise sacrosanct and inviolable provisions of Sections 1(1) & (2), 25 and 131(a) of the Constitution if Atiku is allowed to participate in the 2023 presidential election as the PDP candidate.

He also said that the court must ensure that the INEC shall not allow any person or group of persons take control of the government of Nigeria or any part thereof except in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

Furthermore, Jideobi prayed the court to declare that “by virtue of Sections 1(1) & (2), 25 and 131(a) of the Constitution, it is only a Nigerian citizen by birth that is constitutionally eligible to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He further seeks a “declaration that given the circumstances of the birth of the first defendant (Atiku), he is not constitutionally qualified to stand for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The plaintiff seeks an “order of the court disqualifying the first defendant – Atiku Abubakar – from contesting for election to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He also begged the court to declare that the “PDP does not have a candidate for the office of the president in the 2023 presidential election to be organised by the third defendant.”

He sought an order of perpetual injunction stopping the former Vice President and 2019 presidential candidate of the PDP from running for the office of the President of Nigeria or occupying such office by whatever means and throughout his lifetime an order to stop the PDP from fielding Atiku as its candidate for the 2023 presidential election and an order to restrain the INEC perpetually from accepting and or publishing Atiku’s name as a candidate of PDP for the office of the President.

Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.

Politics

Presidency replies Clarke on tenure extension, insists Buhari will leave office in 2023

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The Presidency said on Tuesday President Muhammadu Buhari would handover to an elected President at the end of his tenure on May 29 next year.

The presidency was reacting to a demand by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Robert Clarke, for an elongation of the President’s tenure by six months.

Clarke, who featured in a programme on Arise TV on Monday, said the President required the tenure elongation to enable him to fix the country’s challenges, particularly security.

However, in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, the Presidency said Buhari would not stay another day in office at the end of his tenure in 2023.

The statement read: “Chief Robert Clarke, a very well-respected elder may be sincere in his wish for the President to extend his term by six months.

We wish to categorically restate that the President will step down on May 29, 2023, after serving two terms – as per the constitution.

“Having been the first recipient of a democratic transfer of power from an incumbent administration to an opposition candidate in Nigerian history, the President is committed to extending and entrenching democratic values across the country.

“He shall, in turn, hand the privilege of serving the people of Nigeria to whomever they choose through free, fair and credible elections.

“However, Chief Clarke is right to say that without security, Nigeria would not likely realize its true potential as a peaceful and prosperous nation.

That is why it has been at the core of this administration. The results are there for all to see. Boko Haram insurgents have been forced back from controlling whole swathes of this country.

“Internally Displaced Persons are now returning to rebuild their communities. These achievements have been accomplished through the bravery and determination of the Nigerian armed forces and the fortitude of the people of our nation.

“New challenges have arisen and tackled in turn – whether it’s the National Livestock Transformation Plan to alleviate herder-farmer clashes, the elimination of the leadership of ISWAP, or new efforts to combat banditry.

“Till the last day of the administration, the security of the citizens shall remain the administration’s paramount concern. We shall finish the job. Yet, in any case, respect for the constitution and Nigerians’ democratic rights remains the best path to securing and then maintaining peace.

“Yet there are others, such as Chief Afe Babalola, that believe elections should be suspended, with the current elected government replaced by an interim unelected administration.

“This, he claims, is necessary to create a new constitution for the people, made possible, paradoxically, by ignoring their democratic rights. Down that path lies crisis and instability.

Politics

Presidency slams ‘mischievous’ criticism by PDP over Buhari’s cancelled trip to Zamfara

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The Presidency has slammed the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over its criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari on his cancelled visit to Zamfara few days ago.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by a media aide to the President, Garba Shehu, who accused the PDP of being mischievous.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the PDP criticised the sudden cancellation of the president’s trip to Zamfara, rejecting the reason of bad weather as advanced by the presidency for aborting the trip.

However, Shehu stated that this stance by the PDP showcased an ignorance in the schedule of the President especially “for a party that held that office for 16 years or an act that smacks of mischief.”

He added: ”Whatever be the case, there must be a limit to trivialization.

”All over the world, Commanders-in-Chief, serving or even those that have left office cannot hop into a car and go anywhere they want, at any time of the day. In the United States, for instance, a law going as far back as 1958 prevents past Presidents from traveling on public roads without assured security (how much more of serving Presidents).

”When roads are closed for presidential movements here and elsewhere, consideration is also given to the safety of other road users, not just that of the President or even Governor.

”The statement on the issue by the PDP attacking the President for not making it to Gusau without this being planned ahead of the journey is shameful and disgraceful for a party that held the presidency of the country in the past. What is their own record?”

The spokesman further picketed the PDP for peddling lies in order to score cheap political goals.

”It is sad for the country that the bankruptcy of issues have forced the PDP, so-called leading opposition party, to hang on to life by only telling lies. And their caravan of falsehood has moved even more speedily following the inauguration of their not-so-new national executive at the end of last year.

It is equally important that local political actors who have seized upon the cancellation of the visit to describe it as a victory for this or that faction of the party, accompanied by songs, lyrics, and videos to know that their joy is a short-lived one. As he promised in that broadcast, the visit to Gusau by the President is only a matter of time.

”Given the right conditions of the weather and all other things, he will return, and in time to accomplish his mission,” he added.

Politics

Ortom has broken record as governor with longest unpaid salaries – Presidency

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The Presidency has described Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state as a ‘failed politician’ who offers excuses for his state’s challenges, claiming he currently holds the country’s longest record of unpaid salaries and pensions.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu stated this in a statement titled “The Incongruence of Governor Samuel Ortom on Arise TV” in reaction to Ortom’s interview on Arise News on January 21, 2022.

The governor, who recently signed the amended Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 in Makurdi last Thursday lambasted the Buhari regime for the farmer-herder clashes in the state as well as the unpaid salaries of state government workers.

In reaction, Shehu said Ortom had continued to blame the President who didn’t owe federal workers for his woes, instead of raising money to settle unpaid salaries.

The statement read; “There are two types of politicians in Nigeria today. The first are politicians who are leaders that offer solutions to the challenges facing the voters and the country. They bring forward policies and implement them, to improve the lives of others.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is a leader. He inherited a treasury that successive previous administrations had emptied – and he sought and succeeded in repatriating billions of dollars of stolen funds from overseas. His administration discovered more than 500,000 bank accounts operated by Ministries, Agencies and Departments. In these accounts, the money belonging to the government was kept.

“MDAs are now compelled to use the Treasury Single Account, TSA, domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria. And the President brought forward the first and only plan to address farmer-herder clashes in 100 years, supporting states to rediscover grazing reserves and create ranching lands that have successfully reduced tensions while increasing harmony and saving lives.

“MDAs are now compelled to use the Treasury Single Account, TSA, domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria. And the President brought forward the first and only plan to address farmer-herder clashes in 100 years, supporting states to rediscover grazing reserves and create ranching lands that have successfully reduced tensions while increasing harmony and saving lives.

“Governor Samuel Ortom, office holder, is that other politician. He inherited unpaid salaries and pension arrears – and rather than find a way to raise funds to pay them, he has blamed the President.”

Politics

Buhari’s visit to Tinubu not about 2023 election – Presidency

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The Presidency declared on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Tinubu, in the United Kingdom was not to support his 2023 presidential ambition.

The President visited the ex-Lagos State governor in London on Thursday.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, stated this when he featured in a Channels Television programme, Politics Today, in Abuja.

Adesina said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not given approval for the commencement of the 2023 electoral campaign, adding that the President cannot break the rules.

He stressed that President Buhari would only begin campaign after the APC presidential candidate has emerged.

Adesina said: “The President still has two years in his tenure of office. So for him to start supporting somebody now will just be jumping the gun.

And you know that President Buhari will never do that. Before the 2019 election, people started to campaign for him before INEC blew the whistle for the campaign to start. He was the one who came out to say no, don’t do it. Don’t jump the gun.

“So the President himself will dare not jump the gun in terms of supporting one candidate or the other.

“Also recall that he has said that anybody who wants to be President after him should go out and work. That means the President may not be supporting anybody until maybe when the candidate of the party emerges. Knowing President Buhari, he will never jump the gun.”

Politics

Video: Buhari didn’t attend the Army Chief’s burial because he didn’t want to obstruct traffic – Presidency

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The Presidency says President Muhammadu Buhari did not attend the late Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru’s burial because he did not want to obstruct the free flow of traffic in the Federal Capital Territory.

Presidential aide, Garba Shehu made this known during an interview on Arise TV.

Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo failed to attend the funeral of Attahiru and six other senior military officers who died in a plane crash in Kaduna last Friday.

Many Nigerians questioned the president’s absence at the funeral rites of one of his service chiefs who died while serving the country.

But Shehu, who spoke in defense of Buhari said, “I was in Europe myself on assignment, and I have not spoken to the president on this but let me give you just one example: The president is somebody who is so concerned about the safety and wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians on the streets.

“Do you know why he now prays his Jumaat in the State House and doesn’t go to the national mosque? Because he doesn’t like this idea of closing roads, security men molesting people on the road for the president to have the right of way.

“these are small things for many people, but they are important for President Muhammadu Buhari. So, it is a mourning situation, and the president didn’t want to take away attention from that.”

Watch video:

https://naijapremiumgist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/buhari-army-chief-shehu.mp4

Politics

You can’t abuse everyone in Nigeria and demand presidency – El-Rufai tells Igbos

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Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has said that the emergence of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction will only become reality if the people of the South-East stop threatening the country with secession.

El-Rufai said the regions that have produced Presidents that ruled the country achieved the feats by negotiating with people and political parties, stressing that politics has to do with negotiations and convincing others on why they should vote for the candidates.

The governor said this during a webinar organised by the Africa Leadership Group and tagged: ‘Developing a Viable Nation 2’.

He said Igbo people will not get the presidency by abusing everyone in Nigeria, adding that the region needs to seek alliance with other regions if they want someone from the region to be the next President.

El-Rufai, while responding to a question about why someone of Igbo extraction has not become Nigeria’s president yet, said; “I don’t think anyone has stopped the South-East from going for the Presidency. But you see, you cannot get the Presidency of Nigeria by threats or by shouting victimhood. This is a political process and you have to engage other parts of Nigeria to convince them to support you.

“That is what everyone does. That is what Jonathan did in 2011; that is what Buhari did in 2015 and 2019. That is what every President does. You don’t stay in your corner, abuse everyone in Nigeria and say give me Presidency. It is not going to happen.

Presidency is not by allocation. It is the result of a political process. You join a political party, your party negotiates with other parts of the country and it happens. That is how it is done. And you cannot get it by sitting down or threatening secession. It won’t work.

“I think the South-East is going about it the wrong way because if you look at the APC (All Progressives Congress) for instance, we do not have many footprints in the South-East.”

Politics

Adopt RUGA if you want peace in Benue – Presidency tells Ortom

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The Presidency has urged Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State to accept RUGA and other policies if he wants peace and normalcy to return to his state.

Following a series of killings in the state by gunmen, Ortom had called for the urgent intervention of the federal government.

The governor had said President Muhammadu Buhari’s “action and inaction” was responsible for the insecurity, accusing him of Fulanisation of Nigeria.

However, a statement released by the President’s media aide, Garba Shehu, on Thursday, claimed the recent spate of insecurity ravaging the state resulted from Ortom’s rejection of Ruga settlements.

He said Ortom’s refusal to adopt the controversial Ruga policy showed he did not value people’s interest.

The governor had rejected the policy describing it as deceptive and against the interest of Benue indigenes, who are predominantly farmers.

Buhari, in the statement, also accused the governor of stirring religious and ethnic violence.

The statement read; “Benue under the Ortom administration ought to cooperate with the federal government in the implementation of a number of national strategies programmes in addressing underlying issues militating against peace, progress, and development.

This can still get done when the interest of the people is placed above all other interests. A government voted into office by the people should treat the people as its masters and not as its servants.”

“As Nigerians, we accuse colonial rulers of the policy of divide and rule.

“Today, it is our own leaders who pit region against region, religion against religion, ethnic group against ethnic group, and community against community.

“He also states his disappointment and sadness to hear Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State, make a litany of accusations against his person and his government following the recent unfortunate incidents in the state,” the statement reads.

No responsible government takes pleasure in such events as the killing of the military and that of innocent citizens taking refuge in an Internally Displaced People’s camp.

“President Buhari is deeply pained by the terrible acts of violence happening not only in Benue State but also in other parts of the country and expects that the law enforcement agencies will go to every possible extent to catch the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice.

“The lives of fellow citizens should not be desecrated by deploying them in political diatribe which unfortunately appeared to be the intent of the string of emotional attacks and blame laid at the doors of the President for those killings by Governor Ortom.

“President Buhari took an oath to defend the life and property of every citizen, a duty he takes seriously and is committed to ensuring.

Those citizens, regardless of their affiliations, who either incite, sponsor or are proven to be abettors of these atrocities will face the law squarely and be answerable for their crimes against our fellow citizens and nation.”

Politics

Presidency alleges plot to tarnish Buhari’s image using online media

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The Presidency on Friday said that there was a compelling reason to alert the nation of another alleged orchestrated smear campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari.

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, claimed the plot was to use some online newspapers and blogs to carry out the smear campaign.

“The campaign, scheduled to be launched anytime soon through editorials and purported special investigative stories, is designed to further exacerbate tension in the land, by portraying the President as pandering to ethnic and other primordial tendencies, contrary to his pledge to belong to all Nigerians.

“Impeccable security findings indicate that those behind the plot have procured online blogs and newspapers, which are to launch coordinated publications, alleging subjugation and suppression of a particular religion and ethnic groups.

“A specific medium has so far contacted some opinion leaders, especially those very critical of President Buhari.

“Part of the planned publication is to make unwary readers believe that the President has continually used the powers of his office to shield and protect an ethnic group against crimes of murder, kidnappings, rape and banditry in the southern, middle belt and some northern states.

“The publication will also refer Nigerians to a 58-page document, which chronicles purported atrocities of the ethnic group in the South since 2017, all of which it claims the Presidency has turned blind eyes to.

“Again, the hatchet job will allege that the President has continued to place members of his ethnic nationality in sensitive positions, so as to confer undue advantage on them. This allegation is by no means supported with reasonable facts and figures.

“Just on Thursday, President Buhari, while meeting with the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, restated his even-handedness on the issues of ethnicity and religion,” Adesina said.

He quoted Buhari to have told Sultan and his group that “the Federal Government under my leadership does not, and will not, allow religious prejudice or partisanship to influence any of its decisions and policies. It is my solemn decision to be fair and just to all segments of society.”

Adesina added, “Those who are bent on stoking ethnic and religious unrest in the country remain deaf to reason, and impervious to reality. They are hell-bent on distorting reality, and Nigerians are urged to be wary of them. It is all about quest for power, and filthy lucre.

Politics

Presidency abusing constitution, elevating Fulani herders above law –SMBLF

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The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has frowned at the Presidency’s position on Ondo State government’s order for herders to vacate the state’s forest reserves.

In a statement on Thursday, SMBLF described the Presidency’s position on the quit notice order by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, as a “complete overreach and clear abuse of the constitution in a bid to elevate Fulani herders above the law.”

Akeredolu, in response to the rising insecurity in the state, had ordered herdsmen in Ondo forest reserves to vacate.

But the Presidency, in a statement by Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, kicked against the order.

In its statement signed by Yinka Odumakin (South West), Chief Guy Ikoku (South East), Senator Bassey Henshaw (South South) and Dr. Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt), SMBLF called on the Federal Government to withdraw its unjust order against Ondo government enforcing the vacation order.

“We are supposed to be a Federal Republic and forest reserves in states are fully residual matter to which the Federal Government has no business with.

“The FG’s statement by Garba Shehu that the Governor of Ondo lacks the powers to decide on its reserves in spite of the Land Use Act that vests land in states in the governors was a complete overreach and clear abuse of the constitution in a bid to elevate Fulani herders above the law.

“It is a continuation of the obsessive attachment to Miyetti Allah, like the President instructing Governor Ortom to go and live peaceably with killers after Miyetti Allah killed 78 citizens of the state in January 2019, to prevent Ondo from holding its rights on its reserves in the face of persistent killings of its people by herders occupying the reserves illegally.

“No decent or responsible governor would allow what the FG wants for Fulani herdsmen. The SMBLF therefore asks the Federal Government to withdraw the unjust diktat and allow Ondo to enforce the law,” SMBLF statement read.

Politics

Presidency to spend N4.5bn on allowances, travels in 2021

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The presidency will spend a total sum of N4.5billion on allowances and travels this year.

While the administration has set aside N1.30billion for honoraria and sitting allowances, local and international travels by President Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will consume N3.2billion.

However, the figure budgeted for sitting allowances was 46.3 percent higher than the N892.86 approved for the same purpose in 2020.

The N3.2billion proposed for travel and transportation by the president and his deputy in 2021 was 45.4 percent higher than the N2.27 billion provisions in 2020.

The N3.2billion proposed for travel and transportation by the president and his deputy in 2021 was 45.4 percent higher than the N2.27 billion provisions in 2020.

All these were included in the approved 2021 budget details obtained from the Budget Office by Ripples Nigeria.

The presidency office comprises of Office of the President, Office of the Vice President, Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The breakdown of the expenditure on honoraria and sitting allowances revealed that the State House increased its spending from N327.2 million in 2020 to N478.3 million this year.

The President’s Office also increased its spending from N112.3 million to N164.1 million.

While the Vice President’s Office jerked up its allowances from N13.8million to N20.2 million.

Office of The Chief of Staff to the President also increase expenditure on honoraria and sitting allowances from N9.2 million last year to N13.5 million this year.

OSGF, OHCSF and ONSA all increased budget to N610.6 million, N11.4 million, and N8.4 million respectively.

Although, the budget document is not specific on who can receive honoraria and how the sitting allowance will be shared but for years the presidency plays host to former heads of state and governors.

For the travels, Office of the President will be spending N1, 651,296,576 on international travels and N775, 602,580 on local travels and transport.

The Vice President’s travel bill for 2021 will also gulp N801 million of taxpayers money with N517 million for international travels and N283.9 million for local travels.

2021 budget has been described by the Federal Government as one of Economic Recovery and Resilience designed to deliver on the goals of government’s Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) .

One key principle of the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) approved in June 2020, is an Identification of fiscal measures to reduce non-essential spending.

Politics

Afenifere knocks presidency over comments on quit notice to herdsmen, rallies support for Ondo govt

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The Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, on Wednesday, knocked the presidency for opposing the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu’s ultimatum for Fulani herdsmen to vacate the state’s forest reserves.

The presidency had in a statement issued on Tuesday night by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, kicked against the ultimatum given to herdsmen to vacate the Ondo forest reserves by the state government.

He described the directive as unconstitutional.

However, in statement issued by its spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere urged “all true- born” Yorubas and governors in the South-West to stand behind Akeredolu.

The statement read: “The intervention by what we mistakenly call the Federal Government of Nigeria on behalf of marauding Fulanis in Ondo State against the lawful government in that state did not come to Afenifere as a surprise as it is in line with non–pretence by this regime that it represents only Fulani interests against those of Yoruba, Igbo, Junkun, Ijaw, and other tribes in Nigeria.

“The fact the Federal Government could only hear Ondo State when Governor Akeredolu was very loud and clear about herders to vacate forest reserves in the state is symptomatic that this government has a serious problem with heating the rest of us when the issue involves its anointed Fulanis.

“The Fulani criminals have caused untold hardships in Ondo State and other Yoruba towns and cities in recent time and only an irresponsible government that wants to behave like our Federal Government will continue to fold its arms.

“Are Ondo forest reserves under Ondo State Government or FG and Miyetti Allah?”

“We agree with the Ondo State Government that the insensibility of Garba Shehu violates the corporate existence of Nigeria.

“What has this government done to assure our people that it can protect our lives with the open murders of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, The Olufon of Ifon, and the Deputy Registrar of FUTA among many others?

“The lives of our people and other non-Fulani communities are daily being taken by local and foreign Fulani bandits without any sign that these lives matter to the government with its desire to shield the Fulani from the laws.

“Nobody would ever have believed that it would get to this irresponsible stage that the Federal Government will one day come to this barbaric level Garba Shehu has taken it and the peak of their direct salvos against Amotekun since it started.”

“All true- born Yoruba should stand behind Governor Akeredolu in these trying times.

“He must do all within the law to flush Ondo forests of all criminals. Other governors should emulate their chair and free our land from the Fulanis who have surrounded us with the shield of the federal government.”

Politics

Presidency reaction to quit notice given to herdsmen a brazen display of emotional attachment – Ondo govt

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The Ondo State government on Tuesday described the statement credited to the presidency on the directive given herdsmen to vacate the state’s forest reserves as a brazen display of emotional attachment.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, had in a statement titled: “In tackling crime, Ondo State Government will not act outside the constitution,” issued on Tuesday night, condemned the ultimatum given the herdsmen to vacate the Ondo State forest reserves by the state government.

He, however, said the presidency had carefully monitored events occurring in the state and urged the leadership of the Fulani communities to continue their dialogue with the state government for a good understanding that would bring to an urgent end the nightmarish security challenges.

He said: “It will be the least expected to unilaterally oust thousands of herders who have lived all their lives in the state on account of the infiltration of the forests by criminals.

“If this were to be the case, rights groups will be right in expressing worries that the action could set off a chain of events which the makers of our constitution foresaw and tried to guard against.

“We want to make it clear that kidnapping, banditry, and rustling are crimes, no matter the motive or who is involved. But, to define crime from the nameplates, as a number of commentators have erroneously done- which group they belong to, the language they speak, their geographical location, or their faith is atavistic and cruel.”

In its reaction to the remarks, the Ondo State government in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, insisted that such attachment is inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.

According to Ojogo, the presidency statement had stated “unambiguously, the position of the Federal Government on the matter.

He said: “The Ondo State government did not ask Fulani to leave the state. The governor said herdsmen who are unregistered should leave our forests. The statement from Garba Shehu is a brazen display of emotional attachments and it’s very inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.

“We need clearly defined actions on the part of the Federal Government to decimate the erroneous impression that the inspiration of these criminal elements masquerading as herdsmen is that of power. Our unity is threatened, no doubt.

“It (statement) states in a breath that the governor fights crime with passion while it is prevaricating on the atrocities. The question is, are the herdsmen who are perpetrating murder, kidnapping, and robbery more important than government and even the Federal Government in this case? Ethnic nationality and activism on the part of anyone hiding under the presidency or federal government is an ill wind.”

The commissioner had in an earlier statement declared that there was no going back on the state government’s directives for herdsmen to vacate all the forest reserves in the state.

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#SARSMUSTEND: Buhari’s govt to address protesters’ demands — Presidency

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The demands include halting use of force against protesters and the unconditional release of arrested citizens.

The presidency has released the statement below indicating the government’s readiness to meet the demands of the #ENDSARS protesters.

The demands include halting use of force against protesters and the unconditional release of arrested citizens.

The decision was taken at a meeting between the government, the police, and civil society, a statement by presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina said.

“The Ministry of Police Affairs and Police Service Commission were also present at the meeting that affirmed that the five-point demands of the protesters and the ENDSARS movement are genuine concerns and will be addressed by the Government,” the statement says.

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