PRESS RELEASE RE: SECURITY BEEF UP AT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

1. The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to unfounded and unsubstantiated news trending on some online media about the presence of Army personnel at the National Assembly. The report alleged that soldiers were trying to take over the National Assembly. This report is not only false but also misleading.

2. The Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that troops of Guards Brigade  are routinely deployed within Abuja and its environs on receipt of any intelligence report of mischievous elements that may want to cause mayhem. Therefore, as part of the routine responsibilities of the Brigade, troops were deployed at the Three Arms Zone of the Federal Capital Territory based on  intelligence report of a planned invasion by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (aka Shiite). Hence, troops were deployed to forestall any breach of peace and security.

3. The Nigerian Army wishes to state that media platforms should verify their stories before publication to avoid misleading the general public.

4.  The Nigerian Army is a professional and responsible organisation that conducts its operations in line with the international best practices.

5. The public is hereby advised to disregard the information and go about their legitimate businesses.

6. In view of the above, you are please requested to disseminate this important information to the general public.

7. Thank you for your kind cooperation.


TEXAS CHUKWU
Brigadier  General
Director Army Public Relations

THE 'OSHIOMOLE MUST GO' COALITION : REUBEN ABATI

Chief John Odigie Oyegun, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) must be having a good laugh wherever he is. If he is just finishing a meal, he can afford to pick his teeth and belch from the deepest part of his biological system, and even turn up his nose as he asks for a glass of water. He can also look around and thank Karma for being kind to him, as he gulps down the water and reflects on the circumstances of the APC since he was shunted aside and Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Edo State and former labour leader, supplanted him.

Oyegun’s waterloo was the election in Ondo State and the emergence of Rotimi Akeredolu as Governor, and before then, his power-tussle with some key stakeholders in the South West wing of the ruling party. Oyegun was accused of being disdainful of reconciliation within the party, and not willing to work with some prominent stakeholders. He was seen as an obstacle to party cohesion. He was sacrificed. His place was taken by Adams Oshiomhole. Oyegun took his humiliation with absolute equanimity and has not since then uttered any fighting words nor has he openly worn his hurt on his sleeves. If he is aggrieved, it would be difficult to find enough evidence, in this season of extreme emotionalism, to prove that such is the case. But if he has been so studiously silent, why we do we think he should laugh and pick his teeth?


Our answer is as follows. His successor, Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, in less than one year of supplanting him has blown nearly all the bridges of goodwill and conspiracy that brought him to power as Chairman of the ruling party. In October 2017, 17 APC governors plotted to remove John Odigie-Oyegun as Chairman of the ruling APC. He was accused of being too close to only 7 out of the 24 APC governors in the country then and that he was using his position to the advantage of the purportedly famous 7. These seven Governors were named as Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), and Samuel Ortom (Benue). They were called Oyegun’s “anointed Governors” with whom he was ruling the party. The loyalists of John Odigie-Oyegun at the time insisted that Adams Oshiomhole who had left the Governorship of Edo State and was looking for a job – so they alleged – was the man behind the anti-Oyegun plot. The detractors took their case to President Muhammadu Buhari. Oyegun soon lost his job. Oshiomhole replaced him.

But right now, in what looks like poetic justice, Oshiomhole is at the point where Oyegun was in 2017, and I dare say, he is in a worse position. We are told that 15 out of the 21 Governors of the APC, are now collecting signatures to force the National Executive Committee of the APC to unseat Adams Oshiomhole. In 2017, 17 APC Governors out of 24 wanted Oyegun out. Today, it is not just even 15 Governors that are against Adams Oshiomhole, there is a coalition of APC Presidential aspirants and you can add to that, other aspirants at every level in the recently concluded APC primaries, who are calling for Adams Oshiomhole’s head.

They accuse him of extortion and fraud. They say he has become “a cancer to APC”. Since his assumption of office, Adams Oshiomhole began to carry on like a “little Hitler”- that is what his own party members say behind him – and don’t ask anyone to come forward to say so publicly. Oshiomhole having won the crown of Chairmanship began to pound the floor like a conqueror. He issued threats to Ministers and threatened to sanction them if they did not listen to the party. He in fact began to sound as if he was President of the country. At more illumined moments, he even tried to do the job of the Minister of Information, party spokesperson and presidential spokespersons. He projected himself as a bundle of exaggerated enthusiasm and ambition.


The recent party primaries exposed the limits of Chairman Oshiomhole’s over-reaching politics. The Governors that were against Oyegun were 17. The ones that were for him were 7 as reported. In less than one year of taking over, Oshiomhole is far less popular. Under his watch, all the alleged pro-Oyegun Governors are biting their fingers. They have been battered, crippled, harassed and humiliated. Nasir el-Rufai almost had a heart-ache trying to prove his relevance in Kaduna politics.

The same with Rochas Okorocha of Imo. In Plateau, Simon Lalong began to sound openly like a member of the opposition. Samuel Ortom of Benue chose the option of defection back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Yahaya Bello (Kogi) is neither here nor there. He follows wherever the Buhari tide flows. But the real issue is that even the Governors that used to be anti-Oyegun and pro-Oshiomhole have turned against Oshiomhole. They don’t want him anymore. In the same manner in which a majority rose against Oyegun in 2017, they have risen against him. This time, the problem is not coming from just Governors, but members of the National Assembly, and all the way down to the grassroots.

Evidentially, the APC, with Chairman Oshiomhole’s NWC in charge, conducted problematic primaries in states like Edo, Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Imo, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kano, Oyo… with negative results. Oshiomhole deployed the powers of the National Working Committee and his influence as Chairman, but he alienated the party’s power base. For this reason, the state Governors and other critical stakeholders are up in arms.

In Ogun, Ibikunle Amosun does not understand why some Godfathers in Lagos and Oyo state will be allowed to have their way and he would not be allowed to have a say in the choice of his own successor. In Zamfara, the Governor even threatened to take the law into his hands if his importance was ignored. In Kaduna, Governor el-Rufai’s arch-rival, Senator Shehu Sani is on his way out of the APC, into another party, and that has split the party in Kaduna state. In Lagos State, the party’s incumbent Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has been left in limbo, dangling between survival, a lost bid for a second term, and the threat of impeachment around his neck.

On October 21, Oshiomhole, through his aide, issued a statement saying that the reason there is a rebellion against him is because he has been a champion of party supremacy and internal democracy within the APC. Nobody believes that wordy, rambling statement. What is clear is that the party primaries conducted by the APC under Oshiomhole’s watch have been far from transparent. They have been divisive and disruptive. The state of the APC right now, as I have argued elsewhere, is where the PDP was in 2015. Too many APC aspirants feel that they have been marginalized and excluded because Oshiomhole working with other actors, has hijacked the party.


His argument that he is being persecuted because he is insisting on party supremacy is unimpressive. The APC party primaries were riddled with double standards and a descent into fascism by a man once known as a comrade. Oshiomhole may have committed the error of too much identification with the master. He talks about party supremacy. Those who use that phrase should be diplomatically reminded to double-check the source and quality of their knowledge.

They like to quote the United Kingdom, but not even in the UK is the party absolutely supreme – people hold on to their right to differ and be independent. Nobody votes in the House of Commons or the House of Lords like a robot. That is why Prime Minister Theresa May doesn’t have the absolute support of either her cabinet or the parliament on the question of Brexit. In the United Sates, the jurisdiction that we model our democracy after, nobody is a zombie under the banner of party supremacy. That explains the prolonged debate over the suitability of Brett Kavanaugh as a nominee for the US Supreme Court bench, despite the 51-49 majority in favour of Republicans. In Nigeria, the party Chairman expects party members at all levels to be zombies who take directives from the party. Adams Oshiomhole has not been defending party supremacy. He has been defending the supremacy of Adams Oshiomhole, and that is why he may lose his position as Chairman of the party.

Two things: we must remind ourselves that Governors are very powerful members of either ruling or opposition parties in Nigeria. They control the grassroots for the party and when their party is in power, they wield even greater influence. In either the PDP or the ruling APC, they insist on the control of the party through indirect primaries. In the last APC party primaries, the National Working Committee of the APC marginalized the Governors by voting for direct primaries, despite an earlier agreement that some latitude will be allowed based on the peculiar circumstances in each state. In handling the petitions from the various states, Oshiomhole ignored what had been previously agreed. The tragedy for the APC is that President Buhari is reportedly on the side of the party and Adams Oshiomhole.

President Buhari may support Oshiomhole but can he afford to go into the 2019 elections with a broken, damaged party? I may have predicted the implosion of the APC somewhat too early, but it seems to me that with Oshiomhole now asking the “Red Cross” to save him from drowning, the ruling APC in Nigeria, may have finally arrived at the crossroads. In 2015, the PDP talked about changing the game. The APC said they were bringing change. Now, the pre-election circumstances of the ruling APC may well be the game changer for the 2019 Nigerian Presidential and general elections. My simple view is that while changing Oshiomhole on the eve of the game may be the inevitable outcome of his own self-inflicted nemesis, perhaps the APC needs to beware of the lessons of history. If he is removed, there will be no orchids for him. If he survives as Chairman, the APC will still pay a price. The APC faces a Hobson’s choice.
THISDAY BACKPAGE

Worst Days Over for Nigeria’s Economy, Says Elumelu. - Obinna Chima The founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Mr. Tony Elumelu, yesterday said Nigeria’s economy is headed in the right direction, describing 2016 as a terrible year for the economy. Elumelu, who said this in an interview monitored on CNN yesterday, also disclosed that his Group would in the next few weeks, close a $2.5 billion oil asset acquisition deal in the country. According to him, “things are changing in Nigeria and it appears our economic managers have finally gotten a strong grip on the economy.” The Chairman of the United Bank for Africa Plc, however, pointed out that there was still room for improvement, stressing that as an investor in several sectors in the Nigerian economy, “I see improvement and I am optimistic about the future.” “Oil prices going up is good and encouraging. Our group is in the process of closing a $2.5 billion oil asset acquisition in the country. We are doing this as a demonstration of confidence in the economy. If the economy was not good or improving, we would not be contemplating that. “The truth is that in 2016, we had a bit of challenge with capital control, but in 2018, we don’t have such any more. Access to dollar is now easy. I speak as someone who invests significantly in Nigeria. “Raising $2.5 billion for investment would not come through if the foreign investors were scared about capital control,” he explained. Related Post CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN THE NDIC IN ACTION According to Elumelu who is also the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, a lot of investors outside the country don’t have enough information about Nigeria. He stressed the need for policymakers to continue to take steps towards improving Ease of Doing business in the country so as to attract more capital inflow. “I am a long-term investor, i was born in Africa and I made my money in Africa and i am happy to invest in Nigeria and other African countries. “Today we have investments in 23 African countries. Ultimately, we keep making investments because it helps in creating wealth,” he added. When asked about the sectors he is excited about, Elumelu said: “I am excited about oil and gas and I am excited in banking, most importantly, power. Power is important for me because Nigeria and Africa needs power to develop. “Our group is the largest generator of electricity in Nigeria. But we can do more. We just need the debt we are owed in that sector. So, If I was to complain, I would complain about the debts owed us as power operator. “In other sectors, I think things are improving. I think the CBN particularly has gotten the grip on the economy and a lot of windows and markets have been created for investors who want to bring in money into Nigeria and those who want to take out money from the country. We should keep encouraging investors because we need massive investments in Nigeria to develop, to help create employment for our young ones and to help us alleviate poverty,” he added.

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THE NHIS: THE UNTOLD STORY

BY Adeyanju Demi

"I never thought a day will come when I will have to agree with any decision Buhari has taken. On the
NHIS thing, I regretfully have to admit that he was right.

We had all condemned the reinstatement of the NHIS Boss who was accused of corruption.
NHIS started functioning in 2005. It's 13yrs old this year.

NHIS covers 3 million Nigerians. It’s about Health Care but, because of corruption, the agency has not
performed well. Politicians turned NHIS into an ATM.

Let Me Explain:
HMOs -Health Maintenance ORG’s, all private companies owned by politicians, are the real problem of NHIS. They are middle men between
NHIS and the hospitals. They have enthroned corruption to another level in the place.

The HMOs receive money from NHIS on behalf of the people to pay hospitals so that Nigerians on the
NHIS scheme can enjoy medical services, but they refuse to pay the hospitals and corner the money.
NHIS gives the HMOs 3 months in advance to pay hospitals but they were not paying.

What They Do With The NHIS Money:

A. They fix it in banks to accrue interest.

B. They buy forex And do trading with it.

C. They take loans using it as collateral.

When banks know you are getting massive funds from NHIS, they give you 10 times the amount in your account.

So instead of the HMOs to pay the hospitals as agreed on time, they are heavily indebted to all
hospitals nationwide, thereby  crippling healthcare services nationwide. They owe National Hospital alone N400million.

It’s A Major Cartel:

There are 57 HMOs. They are the cartel at NHIS. They work hand in hand with every Minister of
Health, Board Members, the Executive Secretary(EX)
& politicians in government to run the place to the ground.

Evidently, this new EX refused to play ball & they declared war on him.
Someone early this year contacted me from NHIS that the EX is destroying the agency, etc and that
they were appealing to my organization to come to
their rescue. I told him I needed to do my due diligence but I never did. We all joined later to
crucify the man.

So just last week I coincidently ran into a friend that
works at NHIS and he started briefing me of all the dirty things going on there. It’s really depressing.
The things I heard made me wonder if this country can ever be great.
I will explain all that is going on there.

So this EX appointed by Buhari came and found out that there was massive corruption going on at NHIS
& he wanted to stop it but the cartel “HMOs” declared war on him. The HMOs said he can’t stop
the norm & teamed up with politicians in Buhari’s
government to start fighting him.
The HMOs got the support of the Board Chairman of NHIS and other members of the Board who are
all politicians. Got the support of the Minister of Health & other politicians. What was the crime of
this EX guy? He wanted to block where politicians are eating.

The issue they had with the EX guys were:

They were not paying hospitals.
Many of their licenses had expired since 2013 & he was asking them to renew before they get
disbursements of money, etc.
One of the conditions the EX guy gave was that every HMOS must go to the hospitals to get a letter
of non indebtedness signed by the CMD before they will get funds from the agency.

The hospitals were happy with the new development but HMOs were unhappy. The NHIS is  strategically important to Nigerians. In a working country, every citizen should be
captured in the scheme. NHIS pays Federal, State & even private hospitals through HMOs. Nigerians on the scheme are the main beneficiaries.

Many workers are on the scheme. NHIS also pay Military & Police hospitals nationwide. The police
alone have over 800k officers and their dependents on the scheme.

The Ministry of Health and politicians are the
number 1 problem of NHIS in Nigeria. They use
NHIS as an ATM. Because the EX guy stopped them, he was suspended on allegations of
corruption which many of us believed because of
media trial. EFCC then investigated him.The reason he was reinstated was because EFCC did not find him wanting according to my friend that
works there. He said after his reinstatement, the EX
guy became tougher on the HMOs and the Board & the Minister began to plot his removal again.

The EX guy was just suspended again on the eve of delisting many unqualified HMOS. A Pre-emptive
move by the NHIS Board & the Minister. The union is also on the payroll of the HMOs.

The HMOs are the real cartel at NHIS. HMOs were angry that the EX instituted a forensic
audit of NHIS finances. Audit discovered that N46billion of NHIS money were stashed away  in different banks. These are people’s money. The HMOs
say the EX is using EFCC, CBN, AG, Accountant General & Asset Recovery to fight them.

Our national & State hospitals are under funded and many of them survive on the NHIS money. For
instance, FMC Asaba got only about N18million from the budget last year & they require over N10million to power the hospital with diesel. So
how will they survive without NHIS funding?

So if the HMOs take money from NHIS and refuse to give the hospitals, they are destroying our health sector. The Union, the Board and the Ministry of Health should stop the rubbish they are doing to
cripple our health sector.

We @ConcernedNIG will come into this matter fully.

Corrupt Activities of Atiku Abubakar.

Information detailing the corrupt activities of the Vice President – Mr. Atiku Abubakar, as gathered by Saharareporters, reveals the extent of Mr. Abubakar’s corruption was more wide reaching as original perceived by Nigerians. In a document obtained by Saharareporters, it was  learnt that Atiku whose financial status was modest prior to his ascension to the office of the Vice President has exponentially increased in his financial wealth to the extent he  now owns 146 homes in Yola, Adamawa State  in addition a slew of transaction that run into the high millions. It is believed President Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku are equally messed in corruption.   

Mr. Abubakar had served the Nigerian Customs and Excise Service for 20 years and retired in 1989 at the rank of Deputy Director. After his years in Customs, Mr. Abubakar engaged in a quilt of business involvements straddling the world of business in oil services, real estate, agriculture, education, the print media, and lately the corridors of partisan politics.

The Vice President with a modest portfolio of one house in Kaduna, Yola and Lagos, eight years in the vice-presidency has immeasurably transformed Mr. Abubakar’s holdings.  His high profile $25 million University (ABTI American University) in Yola, plus the $8 million he paid to the American University in Washington DC for a direct license to use the franchise of the university (known as partnership and management consultancy by AU officials) is a critical reference to the investment profile of a public officer who did not seek bank loans to execute these gargantuan investments.  When contacted about the nature of the deal with ABTI- American University, Washington DC-based AU’s Vice president for International Affairs Mr. Robert Pastor  said that the $8 million figure claimed as the cost of doing business with ABTI-American University was “inaccurate” but refused to reveal the exact cost of the partnership and management consultancy with Atiku’s high profile college which he bragged was the best in Africa after 11/2 years of operation, he said that the exact cost of the partnership was confidential.

 In the course of his eight years stewardship, Mr. Abukakar has managed to corner controlling shares in Bank PHB, controlling shares in Intel, an oil services company with operates in Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe; controlling shares in AP Petroleum, which he was forced to divest recently in a hail of controversy regarding the ethics of his management of the country’s privatization program.  Added to all these assets must be included the control of huge assets in real estate in Yola where today he has 146 houses; the largest print press in Northern Nigeria; and the control of the Faro private water business. 

The vulnerability of the vice president, who in his two-term tenure has recorded N60 Billion worth of bank transactions, has always made it easy to point at elite corruption to illustrate the subversion of Nigeria’s national efforts at constructing a fair, accountable and transparent polity this much was raised by the BBC interviewer earlier today.  The vice-president was cited for diverting $125m from a public trust fund into his personal businesses. The $125m was diverted from the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF).

 An excerpted part of a recent presentation by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Nigerian Senate Ad Hoc Committee on the Probe of the PTDF renders the issues in a graphic brief:  “Atiku Abukakar is the Vice President of Nigeria and he was the one overseeing the activities of the PTDF.  He inaugurated the Interim Management Committee of the Fund in September 2000.He played prominent roles in the approvals for release of PTDF funds and their placement in two banks.  The VP had an outstanding interest in the placement of the PTDF funds in these two banks.  For one, even the $125 million for the implantation of some specific projects was not utilized for that purpose, rather because of their diversion to their placements in the two banks (TIB & ETB).  Prior to the placements of the PTDF funds, the Vice President held several meetings with either the ES (Executive Secretary of the PTDF) alone and sometime the ES and Mike Adenuga to discuss modalities regarding the placement of the funds either in TIB or ETB.  The placements were done at the detriment of the Fund as they were made at interest rates below the average CBN Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) even when he was strongly advised against that.”

“The request for the release of the $20 million, was predicated on the issue of the ongoing projects being executed by the Fund, whereas it was not so.  The funds were released again by the VP and were sent straight to the same placement in TIB.  This second release according to reports was done without the knowledge and approval of the President and the FEC, even though the President’s own pattern of management of the Petroleum Resources ministry pointed to the fact that both the VP and the President might have shared.  As these funds were hitting the two preferred banks, “loans” were packaged by TIB, even without adequate collateral, for his long time friend and business associate, Otunba Oluwole Johnson Haliru Fasawe through NDTV and Mofas.  In Mofas, one of the directors is Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, a son of the VP.  Through the VP’s name was not stated as a director of Marine Float, evidence abounds that the account is controlled by him.  First, the VP admitted he paid N30million for the property from that account; secondly, most of the beneficiaries from the account are his friends, associates.

“Similarly, as the funds were hitting ETB, Otunba Mike Adenuga made $20million deposit for Globacom license, the second national carrier.  A little scrutiny of the equity ownership structure of the company revealed that Otunba Mike Adenuga lied about the ownership of the company.  When the transfer of the $50million by PTDF from its account in UBA Plc New York was made in ETB, Mike Adenuga gave the Vice President the sum of N322million (i.e. N300m on 27/11/02 & N22 on 06/03/03) through his Marine Float account domiciled in Bank PHB Plc through his aides- Akinyera and Ajibade.  N21 million was paid to the VP through a draft raised in the name of Umar Pariya, his Personal Assistant.  
The Vice President held several meeting with the US Congressman Williams J. Jefferson both in Nigeria and abroad in relation to business ventures, which included NDTV and Rosecom.net, an ISP.  When the business relationship between NDTV and iGate collapsed, his assistance was sought to extinguish the outstanding approximately $2million already paid by NDTV.  Even though he denied assistance on extinguishing the amount, he accepted, conveying a letter from US Congressman Jefferson to the Honorable Minister of Communication Chief Cornelius Adebayo in relation with iGate and Rosecom.net business venture.

“The VP’s business interest in NDTV was confirmed when he made an initial deposit of N30million in January 1, 2003 from his Marine Float account in Bank PHB Plc for the purchase of the N200million property being used as NDTV Head Office.  His interest also influenced the placement of PTDF funds in TIB from where Otunba Fasawe obtained “loan” and completed the payment of N170million for the property at the Wuse.  The VP’s interest in NDTV is further buttressed by the fact that he even acted as a referee to Otumba Fasawe for the sourcing of the licensing of NDTV in Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC).  Investigation also revealed that the Vice President severally met contractors of NDTV at Jada, his hometown on his interest in the company.”

The burden of proof on Mr. Abubakar today therefore will rest on how he hopes to construct a coherent argument that his two decades of public service in the customs department is enough to make him the multi-millionaire and one of the nation’s richest business men; and how he wants to lead a nation struggling to crawl out of the quagmire created by a reputation of grand corruption when he could supervise such brazen deal making at PTDF and seek to legitimize it as normal and appropriate state policy. As for us at Saharareporters, we are still awaiting the promise made to us by the VP to publicly declare his assets and ship over to us the Ghana-Must-Ghana bag containing all the oil contracts awarded by President Obasanjo in the last 7-years!

AS BUHARI’S CREDIBILITY GATHERS MOMENTUM

MUHAMMAD AJAH

Let me begin this piece with a very resounding appreciation of the former US Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, who has come out, though belatedly, to say the truth about Buhari’s buoyancy in the past Nigerian political dispensations. Recently in an interview with Channels TV, he declared that Buhari won the three past Presidential elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011 but he was rigged out of victory. According to him, his affirmation was reached after his investigations while he was still in Nigeria. Three times victorious! Three times rigged out by force! Three times frustrated at the Supreme Court!

Campbell has made me and Nigerian democrats proud. My support for Buhari dates back to 2003 because of who he has been. The US envoy cannot just raise a dust. He has confirmed Buhari’s personality, trustworthiness and acceptability by Nigerians since over a decade ago. His book: “Nigeria, What everyone needs to know” contains a lot of revelations about Nigeria and its political leaderships. With this revelation, we can recall that Buhari defeated Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003, defeated Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007 and defeated Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan twice in 2011, then in 2015. So, the three losers had foisted themselves on Nigerians through the grip of their then party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

With this, it is clear indication that the PDP has remained unpopular since its formation and imposition on Nigerians in 1999. This further explains why its initiators preferred to use “power” as its slogan, implying that it thrives on force and imposition rather than popularity and acceptability. Methinks Campbell’s book is now a whistleblower that should be stalked in libraries across Nigeria and used for studies in Nigerian universities especially for political and history students. It is a book every lover of Nigeria and her fledging democracy should possess.

Campbell explained how the rigging was perfected by the PDP: “I arrived at that conclusion by talking to people who were intimately connected with the entire process that includes individuals and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that are foreign based and Nigeria based. I think the rigging took place not so much at the polling units but at the places where the results from the polling units were brought together”. Although many world leaders had indirectly inferred this, Campbell’s is the clearest testimony, being a witness and the representative of the highest revered democracy guardian in the world, the United States of America.

I would have loved to title this piece as the part two of my former article “the supernaturalism in Buharimatics”. But I just let it be due to the far-reaching positive reactions I received from the first. My readers, I prefer, should enjoy different headings. I have received commendations and condemnations for focusing my write-ups so much on Buhari these days. Some of those who have commended me think that I have a strong relationship with Buhari himself, especially after seeing me once having a handshake with him in the Aso Rock Villa. I emphatically say yes, I do. The relationship between me and Buhari is a strong one: Nigeria and the Nigerian change project. Some of my admirers even sent in requests and proposals for me to take to Buhari.

On the other hand, some of those who have condemned me are basically shy or to put it more appropriately scared of the bare truth about Buhari. They do not like Buhari because he is good. Anything that relates to Buhari is abhorrent to them. How more a lover who sings about him in the media! But because in some cases I would prefer the reader to decide and judge me, some often asked what my position about Buhari was. But I think this category is of those who have not been following me for sometimes.

I have come to realize that Buhari is a supernatural human being. His resilience has no boundary. His patience is in the superlative. His humility stands out and his nationalist spirit soars higher than any of the living Nigerian politicians. He is like the date palm whose parts are cure to sicknesses. He is like the diamond whose worth can never be devalued with the dirt of sand. The more they try to devalue Buhari, the more his popularity springs up from within and from outside the shores of Nigeria. I tried my best in my previous articles to expose, despite the opposition by some disgruntled Nigerian political elites, Buhari’s popularity amongst world leaders, Nigerian political elite, the traditional and religious leaders as well as the Nigerian populace.

Besides the forthcoming elections, Buhari has attained the greatest heights and admiration that no ex-Nigerian leader has attained. From America to Europe and from Africa to Asia, Buhari has become like a new bride in world politics. World leaders invite him to address them at world events, not to just attend and talk, but because he proffers practical and achievable solutions to international cum controversial matters. He also foretells peradventures. Just like he is doing in Nigeria with sincerity and utmost nationalism, countries have developed strong interests, unlike before, to partner with Nigeria in key areas for mutual benefits. The United States of America, Britain, Germany, China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirate and a host of world powers in politics and economy are comfortable with Buhari. He has brought back Nigeria’s lost reputation.

In Africa, Buhari is like the African President. Nothing can be as remarkable as being a champion in the war against corruption in Africa. Africa has remained underdeveloped because of the twin cankerworms of corruption and power tussle. No policy consistency. No practicable long term measures. And no selflessness in service. No single African country has not been ravished by fiscal mismanagement and power abuse. Power-drunkenness is anything common in the African continent. That is evident not only in the political circle but all other institutionally recognized foundations. Recall the causes of communal clashes in Africa to appreciate the point I have raised.

In Nigeria, the people are happy with Buhari. What I mean by the people are Nigerians who love Nigeria and not Nigerians who hate Nigeria. The haters are few, though powerful because of the wealth they had stolen from the nation’s treasury. They claim to love Nigeria when all their actions since 1999 and till date are not in tune with the acclaimed love. Why can’t they surmount the courage and allow Nigeria to be? Have they not done enough harm to this great nation? They know that the great traditional rulers, their eminences, their majesties and their royal highnesses are in support of Buhari’s continuity till 2023 for stability. They know that those religious leaders who love Nigeria love Buhari’s leadership and want him to continue till 2023. They know that the Nigerian commoners who see hope in their future and appreciate God’s intervention in 2015 want Buhari to continue till 2013. What is it that they do not know about Buhari?

If not that politics is mostly joyful who oppositions counter themselves, I would have appealed to those opposing Buhari to console themselves by accepting the crushing truth. They know that they are not opposing Buhari because of national interest. Their interests are more parochial than conventional. They are definitely shy of the emerging achievements of the current government, or to succinctly put it, scared of the gradual establishment and exposure of the atrocities they committed against Nigerian and her citizens. They, as a party, are realizing the huge opportunities they had wasted in fixing Nigeria due to lust and wickedness.

But that is the beauty of politics. I would have thought that they are wasting their precious times, resources and energies in futility. Opposition is required in a democracy. Parties must oppose themselves. Political interests must clash. Interests must be diverse. Manifestoes must be juxtaposed. And the electorates must be given the full opportunity to participate in all the electioneering processes. There must be a conducive atmosphere for the electorate. To me, Buhari is Nigeria’s President till 2023, God’s willing. Yet, I am very sure that he is not a desperate politician. He is posed to conducting free and fair polls. On this note, Nigerians must not die for 2019 general elections. Government must ensure protection of lives and properties before, during and after the elections.

I hope that when the presidential campaign begins on Novermber18, according to the timetable scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the opposition will focus on issues rather than hate speeches. There is virtually nothing unsaid by the opposition about Buhari. But truth does not die. There is no vacancy in Aso Rock. Buhari grows from strength to strength, steadily above the skirmish of unproductive political resistance and shinning above politicians who are stained with the filth of corruption, irresponsibility and wicked coalition.. May the Almighty God make it easy for the leader of Nigerian people, Muhammadu Buhari, to sail through the murky waters and snares being mounted up against him as 2019 elections draw nearer. Ameen.

Muhammad Ajah is an advocate of humanity, peace and good governance in Abuja.

2019: Buhari, Atiku dangle records, SGF at Southwest

 By: Yusuf Alli, Gbade Ogunwale and Gbenga Omokhunu 

  

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President Muhammadu Buhari is wooing southern leaders in a bid to strengthen his support base ahead of the 2019 poll.

The Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) is in talks with prominent southern leaders and groups, including Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Ijaw National Congress and Middle Belt Forum, it said yesterday.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar is pleading with critics of his running mate Peter Obi’s choice to take it easy.

Atiku is dangling before the Southwest two main items —restructuring and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) slot.

Buhari’s campaigners are relying on the President’s records to fetch him support.

BCO believes that Buhari’s second term will be in the best interest of the country because, said the organisation, he is poised to use the next four years to consolidate on the policies of his administration.

The Director of Communication and Strategic Planning of the BCO, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, noted that the group had been touring the southern states “in the past few weeks”.

According to him, the group’s meetings with southern leaders, including royal fathers, is to get them to re-examine the scorecard of the Buhari administration in the last three years, and realise that he has performed well, contrary to “the falsehood” being peddled by the opposition.

Ibrahim  said: “First, we want to reach out to fellow leaders in the South and convince them to rally round Buhari and support him beyond boundaries.

“If the President is allowed another four years to do what is needed to consolidate on what he has started, within a very short time, the situation will change in Nigeria.”

According to Ibrahim, most of the North’s leaders are leading Buhari’s campaign for re-election because his performance, particularly in agric, and his economic diversification policy was yielding results for the economy.

The group has visited the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. “We reviewed President Buhari’s performance in the last three years. The royal father agreed with us that he has done creditably well, Ibrahim said.

On why the meetings with the southern leaders had been going on secretly, he said: “The agenda of the meetings is not for public consumption. We have been meeting and it is not for me to announce the dates of the meetings and venue of the meetings for newspapers. It is not proper. When we circulate notice of meeting, it is for those who are involved only and not to those who are not part of the meeting”.

On the consistent criticism of President Buhari by some opposition leaders, Ibrahim warned that the “divisive” politics being practised by certain politicians won’t benefit the country.

He added: “Let me state here that some so-called opposition leaders should desist from attempts to draft Nigeria into unecessary national opposition and negative narratives on national events by their destructive criticism of President Buhari. Some groups have also appointed themselves as opposition. This is not the right thing to do.

“President Buhari should be praised for fulfilling some of his campaign promises in sectors like security, war against corruption and the economy. He has even done much more in global politics. Nigeria is no more treated with disdain in the international community,” Ibrahim said.

Over  200, 000 members of the Atiku Care Foundation  in the North-West Zone yesterday dumped the Foundation and collapsed into Arewa Media Group Organisation for Buhari 2019 Campaign. Their leader of  Alhaji Abdulmajid Danbiliki Commander.

At a brief ceremony,  chairman of the amalgamated group under the auspices of Atku Care Foundation, Comrade Sanusi Ababai, said over seven affiliates of the Atiku Care Foundation supporters, decided to dump Atiku for Buhari because of unfulfilled promises.

He said: “For several years now, we have been working hard for the development of Atiku Care Foundation. A lot of promises were made when we started.

“They told us that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar needed a platform to reach out to the masses at the grassroot. We were committed because there were programmes from healthcare delivery, education, entrepreneurship, youth and women empowerment.”

Ababai, former Director of Administration and Strategy in-charge of North-West for Atiku Care Foundation, said the group  has decided to pitch its tent with President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 re-election bid for his foresight and commitment to redeem Nigeria from the shackles of corruption and poverty.

Worried by criticisms of the choice of ex-Governor Peter Obi as his running mate, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has initiated moves to pacify Southeast PDP governors.

To set the tone for reconciliation, with PDP leaders in the Southeast, it was also learnt Atiku is said to have called Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

Further talks with Southeast leaders will begin when Atiku returns from vacation this week.

It was gathered that Atiku limited his consultation on the choice of Obi to stave off pressure and reduce friction on his decision.

There were indications that the PDP candidate might disband his personal campaign organisation to pave the way for the take-off of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC)  with Senate President Bukola Saraki as the Director-General.

A source, who spoke in confidence, confirmed Atiku’s reconciliatory moves. He said: “What happened was that Atiku was not unilateral in picking Obi. There was really consultation but restricted to some national and PDP leaders to avoid the search degenerating to conflict in the South-East.

“Following reactions from governors and PDP leaders in the Southeast, Atiku has started reaching out to them. In fact, he has put a call to Ekweremadu whose camp was more embittered.”

Details of Atiku’s discussion with Ekweremadu remained unknown yesterday.

“Atiku is returning from vacation this week and he will embark on more rapprochement talks with Southeast leaders.

The Southeast leaders will want other issues addressed. They include:

• reaching consensus on other posts to concede to the zone;
• finding a meeting point with the zone on Atiku’s idea of restructuring;
• the need to spend one term in office; and
• ceding power to the Southeast in 2023

A PDP leader in the Southeast said: “We need more discussion with Atiku on the fate of this zone. Between 1979 and 1983, the defunct National Party of Nigeria(NPN) conceded the vice presidential slot to the Southeast with the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme nominated as deputy to ex-President Shehu Shagari.

“Within the same power sharing structure, the Southeast also produced the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who was Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke.

“We want a concrete deal with Atiku beyond the choice of Peter Obi. We need to know his plans for us. What other things will the Southeast get, apart from being Vice President.”

As at press time, there were indications that Atiku Campaign Organisation may be disbanded to give room for the Presidential Campaign Council headed by Saraki.

“The PDP candidate is expected back in the country this week and one of his plans is to disband Atiku Campaign Organisation.”

Also yesterday, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the Director General of the  Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) will go to the Southwest, should Atiku become president.

Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, broke the news at an interactive session with reporters in Lagos.

The PDP initially zoned its national chairman to the Southwest, but  gave the job to Uche Secondus (Southsouth).

Also, Atiku’s running mate, Mr Peter Obi, hails from the Southeast.

“We need to understand that the candidate has control over who becomes his running mate during the election and who becomes the SGF if he wins.

“The decisions on major offices are being given serious consideration and no zone or region will be marginalised.

“The offices of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Reps will be decided after the polls and based on what plays out in both houses.

“Aside major slots, I think what is paramount to the people of the Southwest is restructuring of the country, which Atiku is very serious about.

“So the issue for the Southwest is not personality or slot issue per se because personalities come and go but restructuring Nigeria is significant and more symbolic than zoned offices,” he said.

On Atiku’s manifesto, Daniel said that it would be published as soon as the campaigns kick off.

The PDP said its Presidential candidate was set to revamp the economy through the creation of qualitative employment for the youths.

The party gave the assurance in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Sunday in Abuja.

The party added that Atiku would implement the political and economic restructuring of the nation in a manner that would engender unity, inclusiveness in governance and uplift the general standard of living for all.

Ologbondiyan added: ”Atiku will open a system-wide fight against corruption as soon as he is elected into office by strengthening the institutions empowered by our laws to do their jobs.

”He will do this while he also concentrates on the onerous duty of governance and rescuing our people from hunger, starvation, bloodlettings and wanton killings.’’

Ologbondiyan assured that rebranded PDP would ensure that all those looting the national treasury, would definitely face the wrath of the law and go to jail.

He added that Atiku administration would not only fight poverty but will also uncompromisingly fight corruption.”