International media organisations have queried the emergence of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar over alleged questionable source of his wealth. Former Nigerian vice-President Atiku Abubakar This development occurred in London during a three day engagements of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, with major media networks and think tanks. Giving a wrap up of the engagements on Saturday in London, the minister said the media houses he visited raised questions as to why Atiku could emerged as presidential candidate, considering the anti corruption stance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Newsmen report the minister, engaged with media organisations including Reuters, Aljazeera, the Economists, AP, New African, African Business and African Review Magazines. The minister said: “One curious issue that kept occurring was that anytime I spoke about how we have waged war against corruption, the journalists kept asking me a question. “They asked me: How can you claim to have succeeded in waging war against corruption, when one of the major contestants in the 2019 general elections is actually a man with stupendous wealth but cannot explain the source of his wealth?. “That baffled me a lot, because it mean that we are still being perceived as a country where corruption thrives. “It was difficult for me to explain to them that yes, we are fighting corruption but these are the same people who have put this country where we are today and who are also trying to come back to power. The minister assured the media organisations that “this will however define the task of choice for Nigerians. “The choice for Nigerians today is either they go back to the corrupt past where our commonwealth was shared by a few elites or move forward and continue with this new trajectory where the national resources are used for the benefit of all Nigerians. “I explained to them that the 2019 elections have been defined, and the choice have been made easy. “We are sure that Nigerians will choose rightly”. NAN reports that the minister during the visit also delivered lecture in Chatham House, a UK based Royal Institute of International Affairs on the topic, “Nigeria’s National Unity: Towards Participation and Shared Values” FG woos UK bitumen investors, promises job security Mohammed also engaged with foreign and Commonwealth Office, All Party Parliamentary Group and Royal African Society, a body founded in 1990 to promote relations between the UK and Africa. On his general assessment of the trip, the minister said that it was exciting and fruitful. “We set out from home to engage the major media networks and the major think tanks and stakeholders here. “The Chatham House platform gave me the opportunity to explain the role of my Ministry in enhancing national unity, participation and share values. “We have in attendance many stakeholders, including the High Commissioners of Nigeria and that of Cyprus to the UK and many people in the diaspora.,” He said the parliamentary visits afforded him the opportunity to explain issues on Boko Haram, the abducted girls and those who were executed. The minister said he gave insight and government position on farmers/herdsmen clashes, the role of the media and the efforts of the government in revamping the economy. “At every occasion, we were able to bring to fore the good narratives on the country and what the government had achieved in the last three and half years. “The kennel of the visit is that we were able to tell the whole world that we do not need to do anything extra because we have delivered on all our promises and Nigerians are quite happy and satisfy with the government,” he said. Mohammed said the government was aware of conspiracy by disgruntled elements to bring down the Administration at all cost. “This government has actually adversely affected the fortunes of many people who were simply parasite, people who sucked the blood of the nation doing nothing. “These are people who amassed unexplained wealth just by being agents or consultants to none existence projects. “We are not surprised by the kind of bitterness and hatred such people has for the government, but they will not succeed,” he said. The minister stressed that the administration will never be distracted in its policy of zero tolerance for corruption to move the nation forward. NAN
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/2019-international-media-query-emergence-of-atiku-over-suspicious-source-of-wealth/
Saturday, 20 October 2018
ON PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI'S ADMINISTRATION.
"Even though I still believe they used the mole called Saraki to frustrate his efforts at NASS, making sure we got budgets approved half way into the year and always delaying his requests.
May I add too that almost 1 year off the saddle as he got poisoned to die also contributed...
I believe his next 4 years will be much remarkable".
- *Genevieve Mbama*
May I add too that almost 1 year off the saddle as he got poisoned to die also contributed...
I believe his next 4 years will be much remarkable".
- *Genevieve Mbama*
Major Crisis In PDP.
A major crisis appears to be brewing in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of next year’s presidential election.
The party still appears divided over the choice of its running mate. The party is currently going through hard times as several stakeholders are not happy with the emergence of Peter Obi as the Vice-presidential Candidate of the party.
This much was confirmed by the Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, who also doubles as Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, who confirmed that South-East leaders were not consulted before the emergence of Obi.
“Nobody is against Peter Obi, because he is my friend, competent and you must have seen our pictures together on the social media. We must take decisions against the marginalisation of Ebonyi people because if we have to vote, we must be treated with equity.
“Two names of the nominees came from Anambra, two from Abia and one from Enugu, but none came from Ebonyi and Imo.
“What is wrong with somebody from Ebonyi and Imo? If you must know, one of the reasons an Ebonyi man is against regions in the country is the fear of further marginalization.
“If Atiku just picked his running mate without people from other regions seeing the list and making choices, there could have been no complaints. I am talking about the South-East people and if six people can come from other regions and take decisions, there must be somebody from the South-East zone.
“There is nothing like the South-East governors’ stand on the matter; but we are only saying that when decisions are taken and people from other regions are invited, those from the South-East must be invited,” Umahi said.
The man at the centre of the fresh crisis, which insiders say was capable of eroding all the gains the party may have recorded so far in its march towards 2019 is the deputy president of the senate, Ike Ekweremadu.
Former vice president and PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, returned to the party, himself and Ekweremadu had been meeting over 2019.
It was the leaks from one of such meetings that made some of the party leaders at the time to allege that Ekweremadu was scheming to hand over the party to Atiku. But that at every of such meetings, even when Atiku was said to have out rightly offered the deputy senate president the vice presidency slot, Ekweremadu would always insist that he was more interested in what the South-East stand to gain as a bloc from his presidency.
“It was a collective decision we took to back Atiku for a number of reasons. One, we had wanted to meet with the South-south to take a common position on that. But one leader, in particular, treated us as if we didn’t matter. So, when Ekweremadu called us, we met and weighed the options before us based on the offers made by each of the aspirants.
“One of the offers that fascinated us most, which is restructuring, was made by Atiku. Then the other was his desire to do just one term so as to enable the South-East field a presidential candidate in 2023. We saw that as a good counter to our opponents, the APC in the South-East, who have been canvassing that a Buhari’s second term was the surest way to Igbo presidency in 2023.
“Now, after the primary, we expected Atiku to come back to us, so we can tidy up the details of our understanding, and move on from there. But that did not happen. The next thing we heard was that announcement of a running mate without recourse to us. Nobody is against Peter Obi’s choice, not even Ekweremadu, who has been asking us to take it easy. But that is not how to go about it, unless Atiku thinks himself and Obi can go it alone in the South-East,” one of the party leaders said.
Insisting that the deputy president of the senate was not fairly treated, one of the party leaders from the South-East further said “No, look at the way they treated Ekweremadu. When all of them left, Ekweremadu remained to fight for the survival of this party. How many of them would have resisted the temptation not to defect in the face of the intimidation, harassment, prosecution and persecution meted out on him? As a person, he had nothing to lose if he had defected then. In fact, he had everything to gain. He probably would have been the senate president because he was offered the slot.
“Then, when you people now return, you feel that people, who have held this party to survive, do not matter again simply because you got a presidential ticket. Also, even Saraki knows that if DSP had not been loyal, they would have gotten at him (Saraki) long ago. All the trials Ekweremadu was put through were all because of Saraki. But when it was the turn of Saraki to be there for him, he failed him. And as we speak, how many days is this after the primary? Atiku is yet to call DSP.
“You don’t treat a man who has been taking bullets on you people’s behalf like that. Well, I wish them and PDP well, but they should know that action begets reaction and they will pay the price for this mistreatment of people, who have laboured for the party at the toughest time. And if Ekweremadu leaves, we will hold these people responsible” one of the leaders from the South-East told Saturday Sun.
Ekweremadu’s Camp Reacts
When contacted, Ekweremadu’s spokesman, Mr. Uche Anichukwu pleaded not to be dragged into the matter. He was however quick to add: “I think the South-East leaders have vented their feelings and there is no ill will towards the person of Peter Obi. The deputy president of the senate is more concerned about the collective interest of the South-East going forward.
“You know the deputy president of the senate is one man, who does not always want to rock the boat. But he is a courageous leader too. At the fullest of time, I am sure he will speak up. But you know, he is one man whose political trajectory is directed by God. He is not a desperate person and acts in the collective interest. As for whether he was used and dumped as you said some party leaders allege, he is the only person in a position to say so,” Anichukwu added.
The party still appears divided over the choice of its running mate. The party is currently going through hard times as several stakeholders are not happy with the emergence of Peter Obi as the Vice-presidential Candidate of the party.
This much was confirmed by the Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, who also doubles as Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, who confirmed that South-East leaders were not consulted before the emergence of Obi.
“Nobody is against Peter Obi, because he is my friend, competent and you must have seen our pictures together on the social media. We must take decisions against the marginalisation of Ebonyi people because if we have to vote, we must be treated with equity.
“Two names of the nominees came from Anambra, two from Abia and one from Enugu, but none came from Ebonyi and Imo.
“What is wrong with somebody from Ebonyi and Imo? If you must know, one of the reasons an Ebonyi man is against regions in the country is the fear of further marginalization.
“If Atiku just picked his running mate without people from other regions seeing the list and making choices, there could have been no complaints. I am talking about the South-East people and if six people can come from other regions and take decisions, there must be somebody from the South-East zone.
“There is nothing like the South-East governors’ stand on the matter; but we are only saying that when decisions are taken and people from other regions are invited, those from the South-East must be invited,” Umahi said.
The man at the centre of the fresh crisis, which insiders say was capable of eroding all the gains the party may have recorded so far in its march towards 2019 is the deputy president of the senate, Ike Ekweremadu.
Former vice president and PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, returned to the party, himself and Ekweremadu had been meeting over 2019.
It was the leaks from one of such meetings that made some of the party leaders at the time to allege that Ekweremadu was scheming to hand over the party to Atiku. But that at every of such meetings, even when Atiku was said to have out rightly offered the deputy senate president the vice presidency slot, Ekweremadu would always insist that he was more interested in what the South-East stand to gain as a bloc from his presidency.
“It was a collective decision we took to back Atiku for a number of reasons. One, we had wanted to meet with the South-south to take a common position on that. But one leader, in particular, treated us as if we didn’t matter. So, when Ekweremadu called us, we met and weighed the options before us based on the offers made by each of the aspirants.
“One of the offers that fascinated us most, which is restructuring, was made by Atiku. Then the other was his desire to do just one term so as to enable the South-East field a presidential candidate in 2023. We saw that as a good counter to our opponents, the APC in the South-East, who have been canvassing that a Buhari’s second term was the surest way to Igbo presidency in 2023.
“Now, after the primary, we expected Atiku to come back to us, so we can tidy up the details of our understanding, and move on from there. But that did not happen. The next thing we heard was that announcement of a running mate without recourse to us. Nobody is against Peter Obi’s choice, not even Ekweremadu, who has been asking us to take it easy. But that is not how to go about it, unless Atiku thinks himself and Obi can go it alone in the South-East,” one of the party leaders said.
Insisting that the deputy president of the senate was not fairly treated, one of the party leaders from the South-East further said “No, look at the way they treated Ekweremadu. When all of them left, Ekweremadu remained to fight for the survival of this party. How many of them would have resisted the temptation not to defect in the face of the intimidation, harassment, prosecution and persecution meted out on him? As a person, he had nothing to lose if he had defected then. In fact, he had everything to gain. He probably would have been the senate president because he was offered the slot.
“Then, when you people now return, you feel that people, who have held this party to survive, do not matter again simply because you got a presidential ticket. Also, even Saraki knows that if DSP had not been loyal, they would have gotten at him (Saraki) long ago. All the trials Ekweremadu was put through were all because of Saraki. But when it was the turn of Saraki to be there for him, he failed him. And as we speak, how many days is this after the primary? Atiku is yet to call DSP.
“You don’t treat a man who has been taking bullets on you people’s behalf like that. Well, I wish them and PDP well, but they should know that action begets reaction and they will pay the price for this mistreatment of people, who have laboured for the party at the toughest time. And if Ekweremadu leaves, we will hold these people responsible” one of the leaders from the South-East told Saturday Sun.
Ekweremadu’s Camp Reacts
When contacted, Ekweremadu’s spokesman, Mr. Uche Anichukwu pleaded not to be dragged into the matter. He was however quick to add: “I think the South-East leaders have vented their feelings and there is no ill will towards the person of Peter Obi. The deputy president of the senate is more concerned about the collective interest of the South-East going forward.
“You know the deputy president of the senate is one man, who does not always want to rock the boat. But he is a courageous leader too. At the fullest of time, I am sure he will speak up. But you know, he is one man whose political trajectory is directed by God. He is not a desperate person and acts in the collective interest. As for whether he was used and dumped as you said some party leaders allege, he is the only person in a position to say so,” Anichukwu added.
INTERNET DOES NOT FORGET
Unity of all the people of the country is good but when campaigns for election start in earnest, the candidates will move across parts of the country to canvass for votes. I wonder what Obi will tell the Northern people especially the Hausa and Nupe Muslim community why as a governor in Anambra he decided discriminate against them by demolishing their markets, like the Northern Goat dealers Market , Arewa Park , Arewa Onion Dealers Park etc
When he goes to Yoruba Land he will have to explain a similar action too at
Osogbo Park , Akure Park and Ilorin Park.
These parks at Bridge Head have been in existence since 1977 but he decided to demolish them in an attempt to force the non' indigenes ' surrender their businesses to indigenes.
As a popular and influential trader himself in Onitsha he instigated people not to lease or sell their land to non indigenes.
The Sultan Sa' ad Abubakar and Etsu Nupe together with the GOC 82 Division personally visited and pleaded with him to give them time to look for alternative places but he refused. The demolition of all their business structures and six Mosques were carried out. Many of them had to relocate back to the North.
A lot of the people of Yoruba community especially the Kola Nut dealers had to leave too.
There is another person who tried to intervene, a certain Minister of National Planning from North West. He was a deputy governor in CBN. One Yoruba Muslim cleric who leads prayer at Uga Street Mosque, Fegge area in Onitsha was in Mecca performing lesser Hajj and was in the same company with the then Minister of National Planning, he was complaining bitterly about the discriminative stand Obi was taking around that time especially to the Northern and Western people . Fortunately the Minister knows Obi very, he had to put a call across to him, he pleaded on him to tamper justice with mercy, he never did, it was alleged that he (Obi) went ahead to report him to GEJ. What he told the President, no body new but people reported that he instigated his sack from office and boasted about it later , saying : we are in charge, this is our time.
It will be hard selling Obi as a unifying factor not only to the North but even to the South West, we all will remember how he instigated hatred against Yoruba people by sensationalizing Fashola's innocent action when he repatriated beggars on the street of Lagos and handed them over to their state governments. There are more beggars of Northern origin in Lagos than there are from the South East, not a single Northern Governor accused Fashola of any discrimination or incited hatred against Yoruba people.
When you are in politics seeking public office, people will not look at the length of your CV, the schools you attended etc, they will be more concerned with your antecedents.
This is the time people will remind you about your past. Atiku and Obi's past are not lost in our memories. And the best place to remind them is the polling booths.
We are ready with our PVC.
Friday, 19 October 2018
STORIESDisgruntled Politicians Stockpiling Arms To Scuttle 2019 Polls – Security Chiefs
Security chiefs have raised the alarm that disgruntled politicians are stockpiling arms to scuttle the 2019 general elections.
They made this claim in their presentation to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday during their National Security Council meeting.
In attendance were all the service chiefs – the chiefs of army staff Gen Tukur Buratai; air staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar; naval staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, and defence staff, Gen Gabriel Olonisakin, as well as the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi; the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris; the minister of defence, Mansur Dan Ali, and national security adviser, Gen Babagana Monguno.
The chief of defence staff, Gen Olonisakin, who made the presentation on behalf of the service chiefs, said the country’s security architecture was primed to ensure violence-free general elections next year.
According to him, the security bosses discussed the general overview of the security situation in the country as it relates to the conduct of the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
Expressing concern over the possibility of post-election violence, the security chiefs alleged that desperate politicians may whip up ethno-religious sentiment to create security situation in the country
They recommended the deployment of security agencies to states to ensure the peaceful and smooth conduct of the elections, to douse tension created by the outcome of the political parties’ primaries and to thwart the plan of some desperate persons to sabotage the electoral process.
“The meeting also discussed attempts to put pressure on the electoral body by some notable personalities through demonstrations, which was brought under control by the combined efforts of security agencies, to avoid it from being hijacked by hoodlums and armed bandits.
“Another area of security concern includes post-election violence, as desperate politicians may whip up ethno-religious sentiments to create security situation in the country.
“Also of concern is the proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by some disgruntled elements with a desire to take the law into their hands at the slightest opportunity,” he said.
Olonisakin further stated that the Council called for the concerted efforts of all security agencies to ensure that 2019 elections are hitch free, just as it stressed the need for continuous sensitisation of the public by National Orientation Agency (NOA) and regular meetings of relevant stakeholders including INEC, international/ local observers and the media ahead of the elections.
Council Lacks Power To Suspend Me, Says Ex-NHIS Boss
The suspended Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, has faulted his suspension by the Governing Council of the scheme.
In a letter dated October 19 and addressed to the Council Chairman, Mrs Eyantu Efene, Professor Yusuf argued that the Council lacked the powers to make such a decision.
According to him, the NHIS Act only empowers the Council to appoint directors and other employees of the scheme.
“As you are aware, by virtue of section 8 of the NHIS Act, my appointment, like yours, is at the instance of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces while the Council’s power of appointment is limited to directors and other employees of the scheme,” Professor Yusuf said.
“It is, therefore, clearly ultra vires for the Council to suspend or purport to suspend me from office to the extent that the said suspension is the prerogative of Mr President”.
Yusuf’s reaction comes one day after he was handed an indefinite suspension by the NHIS Governing Council.
Mrs Efene had disclosed this to reporters after a meeting which lasted for about three hours with relevant stakeholders in Abuja.
She added that the Council had instructed Mr Sadique Abubakar to immediately take over as the acting Executive Secretary of the scheme.
Professor Yusuf’s suspension followed allegations of attempts to illegally execute a N30billion investment in Federal Government bonds, as well as insubordination among others.
Read the full letter below:
ISSUES BASED CAMPAIGN BROUHAHA
It was about 10:30 yesterday night i checked my inbox after a busy day trying to monitor the PDP primaries and i got a message from a friend asking me to do PMB a favour by emphasising on an issue based campaign for Mr integrity. I did not argue much with her because she has a political office attached to herself. She wants to be diplomatic.
I am only going to toe that path on some conditions. If the camp of Atiku do the same with issue based politicking and no insults or lies. I am not a saint and am not planning to be one yet. Not even in this political war chess.
After the primaries yesterday, i was reliably informed that Atiku has mobilised his media foot soldiers and has set up new blogs to promote his image and castigate the image of our darling president. This was on standby since because he wanted to be sure he picks the ticket.
From how the primaries went, i am sure we all know Atiku can spend silly to clinch that seat and paying huge for media propaganda is child's play to him. We must be on a look out.
At a stage, some prominent Buharists will be tempted by his large wallet and switch allegiance to Atiku for the cash. This will happen in both social and print media. Betrayal is normal and we know that.
An average Nigerian believes what he or she reads on the social media and can get carried away with it no matter how sketchy and lame the news is. We must be aware as they are coming out in full force with lies and character assassination of PMB. It will not be easy as they will be given the full arsenal to unleash on the presidency with fake news and a well created pictures to back their claims.
You are entitled to believe me or not but i can reliably tell you that foreign websites have been cloned for the purpose of disseminating news that will implicate Buhari on massive corruption in his government by his ministers and aides along with some of his ambassadors.
The idea is, Nigerians will feel it is authentic if a cloned foreign websites breaks a news. The strategy is, Nigerians believe the first news and leave with it but suspect it is denial when the news against that lies by the first news later breaks out. Then the electorates must have heard and the evil must have been done. Too late!
Why we Buharists are too intelligent to handle them and always have facts in our arsenal, we must not always wait to be on the defensive. We can employ the offensive tactics too let them defend and let Nigerians see theirs as the denial. We should break the news too and not wait for their next lies.
Again i suggest we must stop quoting Atiku and his aides or public figures who support him and anything he says on our timeline. That way we will keeping him and his gangs in the dark except what they say is bad for their own image then we say it.
Yes i agree Atiku can not be a match for Buhari but this is politics and a single day can happen like a year. Do not underestimate your opponents.
We must attack first not always defend.
We must match their lies with facts
We must go dirty when they go dirty. This is Africa.
We must be alert.
We must be ready for whatever!
IF YOU HAVE READ THIS AND DO NOT SHARE IT, YOU ARE NOT DOING OTHER BUHARISTS A FAVOUR.
#COPIED
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