Wednesday 14 February 2018
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma finally resigns.
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma finally resigns.
President Jacob Zuma, 75 years old South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has heeded the call by the ANC’s
top decision-making structure, the NEC, by publicly announcing this
evening at the Union Buildings in Pretoria that he will resign as the
state leader.
“I do take seriously and am grateful to the ANC for ensuring a better life for all. I was also elected in terms of section 86 of constitution and from that moment pledged my commitment to the constitution. It has been a great learning experiencing, the performance of which can never be done without learning," he said.
“None of us can claim the building of a new society and marshaling of former liberation movement…that it all happens in a straight line. It has detours and human errors and boulders strewn along the path.”“I understand full that wile I serve at the pleasure of my party the ANC…the door through which I officially came is through thr national assembly, without which no political party can impose its electorate on the state. As we fight our own battles in the corridors of political power, serving our very interests and serving our oppressors of yesterday who joyfully celebrate as we lynch one another, we forget the citizens for which we create a better life.”"I am not above reproach," Zuma said, adding that in his political responsibilities he was not the epitome of perfection and that he respected the prefix of the constitution. Zuma also said that he did not take up the role of president to enjoy the benefits of the office or the perks.“Make no mistake no leader should seek an easy way out, simply because they could not see life without the perks that come with the the office,” he added.
Zuma’s announcement follows that which was made by the
party’s secretary general, Ace Magashule, yesterday at the
organisation’s headquarters, Luthuli House in Johannesburg, at a press
briefing, that the NEC took the decision to recall Zuma.
Magashule said the resolution taken by the NEC was in
accordance with the ANC’s “rule 12.2.21.2 of the party’s constitution,
which accords the NEC the authority to recall any public
representative.”
The secretary-general stated that the party was resolute
that recently elected ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa will take over from
Zuma and be the one to deliver the state of the nation address (Sona).
The Sona was postponed from February 8 – Speaker of
Parliament, Baleka Mbete, said at the time the decision to push back the
Sona was based on fears of disruptions. However, the postponement was
in no doubt influenced by ANC internal power struggles, with the NEC
calling for Zuma to step down as the country’s president.
Several meetings have been held by the ANC’s NEC and NWC
for over a week to discuss Zuma’s resignation following his repeated
refusal to do so on request from these party structures.
On Monday, the NEC convened a special meeting at the Saint Goerge Hotel in Pretoria to discuss Zuma’s future.
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule said the decision to
recall Zuma was taken “only after exhaustive discussion on the impact
such a recall would have on the country, the ANC and the functioning of
government.”
He further said the resolution had not been taken because
Zuma had done any wrong but because the organisation is of the view that
state and party leadership should be aligned.
On Monday, opposition parties called on Mbete to reschedule the motion of no confidence in Zuma a week ahead from the initially planned February 22.
However, yesterday Magashule said some of the issues the
NEC had to consider during its meeting regarding Zuma’s resignation were
“the opportunistic manoeuvers by the opposition in parliament including
motions of no confidence in the President, calls for dissolution for
parliament and other desperate acts.”
He said the decision about who would deputise Ramaphosa now that Zuma has resigned rests with the party’s president and its NEC.
Wednesday 7 February 2018
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Tuesday 6 February 2018
Monday 5 February 2018
Femi Fani Kayode Attacks Buhari Again
Thousands are slaughtered by Fulani terrorists yet Buhari has refused to arrest even one of the killers.7 Fulani are killed in Benue and not only are dozens of Tiv youth arrested the next day but the Tiv DPO is summoned to Abuja and accused of helping his people to kill Fulanis!— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 2, 2018
73 innocent and precious souls are slaughtered in Benue by Fulani herdsmen and Buhari refuses to visit the state to commiserate with its people. 40 cows are butchered in Nassarawa and Buhari insists on going there to express his condolences to Fulani herdsmen and Miyetti Allah!— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 5, 2018
Kudos to IBB for telling Buhari to go. That, together with OBJ's timely warning, has made Buhari history. We wait to hear from Gen. TY Danjuma. Once he slams Buhari too it is all over. It is either he goes quietly in 2019 or the dogs and the baboons will both be soaked in blood.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 4, 2018
Fulani terrorists with their AK 47's about to launch an attack and taking orders from their leaders on their cell phones. This is frightful. This is what Buhari has brought to our country: death and destruction! God have mercy on Nigeria! pic.twitter.com/6APu8Des8J— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 5, 2018
2018: Buhari pampers the Janjaweed Fulani terrorists,says they"must be accomodated",calls them his "brothers", remains Life Patron of Miyetti Allah and enters into negotiations with them.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 2, 2018
CONCLUSION-Nigeria is OWNED by barbaric ethnic supremacists and genocidal Jihadi warlords.
Thursday 1 February 2018
Video: Femi Fani Kayode Celebrates His Son
Happy birthday son! pic.twitter.com/xCTwU2E1u3— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 1, 2018
Tuesday 30 January 2018
POLICE IG,IBRAHIM IDRIS GIVES HIMSELF A PASS MARK IN POLICING NIGERIA
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has given himself a pass mark, saying he has done well as Nigeria’s police chief.
Mr. Idris, who delivered a keynote address on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the 9th General Assembly of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, said his “successes” in the police was because of a code of conduct for police officers, which he said he successfully “institutionalized”.
The code is otherwise called ‘Our Creed’, Mr. Idris said.
“This code of conduct for police officers has succeeded in eliminating all forms of illegal and unlawful conducts that are not in conformity with the principles of democratic policing, such as unlawful arrest, prolonged detentions, torture, commercialisation of bail process, incivility to members of the public, extra-judicial killings and victimisation,” Mr. Idris told the traditional rulers, which included the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar.
He said such conducts had in the past contributed to the negative perception of the police.
He appealed to the traditional rulers to help sensitise Nigerians that they do not have to pay money to secure their release on bail at any police station.
“Encourage your subjects to report any police officer who demands money for bail to the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) which is domiciled in my office through the online media and phone calls,” the IGP said.
The IGP acknowledged the recent nationwide campaign for the abrogation of the dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS for its impunity.
He said the abrogation would be counter-productive to the nation’s fight against crimes.
“The Unit is now to concentrate only on heinous crimes such as armed robbery and kidnapping. They are not to be involved in land cases and other minor offences. The Commissioners of Police in the states are also to have a close supervision on the activities of FSARS in their states.
“The traditional rulers have the role and responsibilities to observe the activities of FSARS and you can attest that they have been a tremendous improvement in their conducts and actions,” the IGP said.
The IGP said his “successes” in crime-fighting across the nation was because of the support from the various traditional rulers.
He, however, advised the traditional rulers to desist from conferring chieftaincy titles on persons with a questionable source of livelihood.
“If children and youth in our communities are aware early in life, that crime is evil and does not pay, it will reduce criminal tendencies in them,” he said.
source-premium times
What Is Ayodele Fayose Up To?
Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti has ruled that EFCC lacked power to investigate finances of a State.— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) January 30, 2018
The court said, in federalism, the FG is not an overseer or supervisor regarding finances of a State.
That only the State House of Assembly can investigate finances of a State.
Thursday 25 January 2018
EFCC Detains Ex-SGF Lawal
After an eight-hour grilling, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal was detained yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Lawal’s interrogation by a team of detectives is expected to continue today.
He is being investigated over a N200million contract awarded to a company, Global Vision Limited, which is linked to him.
The contract was awarded by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) for clearing of “invasive plant species” (weeds) in Yobe State.
A presidential panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo found Lawal guilty of infractions in the award of the contract.
The panel recommended further probe of some of the activities of PINE.
The ex-SGF was removed from office in connection with the matter.
Lawal arrived at the EFCC headquarters at about 11am following an invitation. He wore a Safari suit with a pair of black sandals.
After the interrogation, the EFCC opted to detain him so as to continue with the interrogation today.
A source, who spoke in confidence said: “Following the receipt of the report of the committee headed by the Vice President, it was important to interact with the ex-SGF.
Upon arrival, he met with a panel of investigators who had done preliminary work on the report.
Lawal was asked to make a statement and explain his role in the activities of PINE.
“In view of the volume of issues he needs to clarify, it was more expedient to detain him till he is able to complete the first phase of the ongoing interrogation.”
The source added: “We are looking into the accounts of the company implicated in the contract and Lawal’s.
“Some other officers of PINE are already under probe and some assets have been seized from them.
The Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Sammin Ammadin confirmed the detention of the ex-SGF at about 7.45pm yesterday.
“He is with us to respond to a few issues,” he said.
source-the nation
Buhari’s Minister Dares Obasanjo
Barely 24 hours after former President Olusegun Obasanjo advised Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019.
Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, on Wednesday attended the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting with a bag full of President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election campaign caps.
The caps were packed inside a big bag popularly known as “Ghana-must-go.”
Shortly before the commencement of the meeting presided over by the President at Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the minister handed over the bag to the council’s secretariat staff members.
The workers are the ones saddled with the responsibility of distributing council documents and other items to members.
They were meant to distribute the caps to ministers and other council members in attendance.
Shittu, decked in a pair of suit, adorned himself with a blue cap.
The cap has the logo of ruling All Progressives Congress and the inscription “Continuity ‘19: Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo” on it.
Shittu had on Saturday inaugurated South-West Zonal Office of Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The caps he distributed at the council meeting were believed to be souvenirs he produced for the Ibadan event.
Shittu later told journalists that he decided to share the caps at the council’s meeting so that they could serve as samples for those who are interested in working for Buhari’s re-election.
He said, “The cap is for politics. It is not for FEC deliberations. The caps have been distributed to all members of FEC so that they will be samples for other persons who are interested in doing what we have done.
“I know that everybody will be involved, everybody will be guided and people will take decisions largely to support the President in the 2019 elections.
“A lot of people across the country have started calling us that they want to be part of our programme. They are glad that we have started this early and I am sure that we will be able to neutralise the nay sayers.”
source-punch
Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, on Wednesday attended the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting with a bag full of President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election campaign caps.
The caps were packed inside a big bag popularly known as “Ghana-must-go.”
Shortly before the commencement of the meeting presided over by the President at Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the minister handed over the bag to the council’s secretariat staff members.
The workers are the ones saddled with the responsibility of distributing council documents and other items to members.
They were meant to distribute the caps to ministers and other council members in attendance.
Shittu, decked in a pair of suit, adorned himself with a blue cap.
The cap has the logo of ruling All Progressives Congress and the inscription “Continuity ‘19: Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo” on it.
Shittu had on Saturday inaugurated South-West Zonal Office of Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The caps he distributed at the council meeting were believed to be souvenirs he produced for the Ibadan event.
Shittu later told journalists that he decided to share the caps at the council’s meeting so that they could serve as samples for those who are interested in working for Buhari’s re-election.
He said, “The cap is for politics. It is not for FEC deliberations. The caps have been distributed to all members of FEC so that they will be samples for other persons who are interested in doing what we have done.
“I know that everybody will be involved, everybody will be guided and people will take decisions largely to support the President in the 2019 elections.
“A lot of people across the country have started calling us that they want to be part of our programme. They are glad that we have started this early and I am sure that we will be able to neutralise the nay sayers.”
source-punch
Wednesday 24 January 2018
Atiku Visits Fayose
Today, Jan 24th,2018,Former Vice President Of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar visited Gov.Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.
Could the Turaki of Adamawa's historic visit be in view of the upcoming 2019 presidential election in which the both the host(fayose) and the visitor(atiku) are eyeing?
Could this visit be linked to Ex President Olusegun Obasanjo's Outburst to President Muhammadu Buhari?
Obasanjo's Letter Should be Backed With A letter of Apology To Nigerians-Enny Idris
I am of the opinion that, President Obasanjo's open letter to President Buhari is quite revealing,but I must mention that the former who recently bagged a Ph.D in Theology was instrumental to the victory of the latter in 2015 against Jonathan . However, I opine that the octogenarian should write an open letter of Apology to Nigerians for aiding Buhari election in 2015
The End Has Come For Buhari, The Oppressor And Suppressor Of Nigeria-Fayose
The end has come for Buhari, the oppressor and suppressor of Nigeria and its people.— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) January 24, 2018
Power to change this fraudulent change belongs to Nigerians and in 2019, they will exercise that right appropriately. Today, the only alternative to the oppressive govt of Buhari is a PDP govt
Fayose To Buhari:" Im Peter,The Rock,Avoid Hitting Your Head On The Rock"
My name is Peter, The Rock, the wise people in APC should tell Buhari to avoid hitting his head on the rock.— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) January 24, 2018
Tuesday 23 January 2018
Femi Fani Kayode To Pres.Buhari "Your End Is Near"
When ur wife Aisha condemns u, when ur pol. associates like Bola Tinubu, Tunde Bakare, Wole Soyinka, Bisi Akande, Father Mbaka, Dele Momodu and others criticise u and when OBJ endorses restructuring and calls for equity for all the tribes under ur watch know that ur end is near.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) January 21, 2018
Obasanjo And Buhari Are Both Expired People-Ayodele Fayose
Obasanjo (the accuser) and Buhari (the accused) are both expired people that Nigerians are desirous of getting rid of. They both don't know when they were born and have outlived their usefulness in the political life of Nigeria.— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) January 23, 2018
Oby Ezekwesili Arrested
We were arrested and brought to the station. We asked what are the charges against us. There was silence. We decided to go since no charges, we were detained.— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) January 23, 2018
I cry for my Nation
WHAT ARE WE DEMANDING? #BringBackOurGirls NOW and ALIVE
No amount of harassment would stop us pic.twitter.com/VhDR8gbvJO
Pres.Buhari Is Weak In The Knowledge And Understanding Of The Economy
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday, in a blistering and
excoriating 13-page statement, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari
not to seek re-election in 2019.
Mr. Obasanjo, in a special press statement entitled, “The Way Out: A Clarion Call for Coalition for Nigeria Movement” said Mr Buhari has performed far below expectation and should honourably “dismount from the horse” to join the league of the country’s former leaders whose “experience, influence, wisdom and outreach can be deployed on the side line for the good of the country.”
Mr Obasanjo, a two-term president on the platform of People Democratic Party (PDP), said he felt disappointed by Mr Buhari, whom he supported during the 2015 election over then incumbent and candidate of his former party, Goodluck Jonathan.
Mr Obasanjo had written a condemnatory open letter in December 2013 titled “Before it is Too Late” where he highlighted the numerous failings of the Jonathan administration.
Mr Obasanjo argued that his decision to go against Mr Jonathan at the time was the right one, as events in the last three years have since proved, was for the good of the nation and nothing personal.
“Even the horse rider then, with whom I maintain very cordial, happy and social relationship today has come to realise his mistakes and regretted it publicly and I admire his courage and forthrightness in this regard,” Mr. Obasanjo said.
“He has a role to play on the side line for the good of Nigeria, Africa and humanity and I will see him as a partner in playing such a role nationally and internationally, but not as a horse rider in Nigeria again.”
Likening the state of the nation to lice-invested clothes, he said the country’s fingernails is stained with blood as it tries to kill the lice by pressing them in-between two fingernails. According to him, in other to make sure that our fingernails remains blood-free we must do what it takes rid our clothes of lice.
“The lice of poor performance in government – poverty, insecurity, poor economic management, nepotism, gross dereliction of duty, condonation of misdeed – if not outright encouragement of it, lack of progress and hope for the future, lack of national cohesion and poor management of internal political dynamics and widening inequality – are very much with us today,” he wrote.
“With such lice of general and specific poor performance and crying
poverty with us, our fingers will not be dry of ‘blood,” he added.
While thanking Mr Buhari for the effort of his administration in rolling back the Boko Haram insurgency and his fight against corruption, Mr Obasanjo said Mr Buhari has ultimately failed in other areas where he had thought he would be efficient.
The octogenarian, who bagged a PhD over the weekend, admitted he knew Mr Buhari was weak in handling the economy. He said he however went ahead and voted for him because at the time “it was a matter of ‘any option but Jonathan’” and because he thought Mr Buhari would appoint qualified Nigerians to help out in that area.
He slammed Mr Buhari for turning a blind eye to corruption within his government saying it amounted to condonation and cover-up saying whoever is “going to justice must be with clean hands.”
He also berated Mr Buhari for allowing the clashes between herdsmen and farmers to go “sour” and messy saying the endorsement of the President by some governors to seek re-election barely 24 hours after 73 people who were killed by herdsmen in Benue State were given mass burial was “a sad symptom of insensitivity and callousness.”
But Mr Obasanjo reserved his harshest words for what he described as Mr Buhari’s clannishness, lack of understanding of the dynamics of politics, and his tendencies to pass the buck of his government’s inadequacies to the immediate past administration.
“But there are three other areas where President Buhari has come out more glaringly than most of us thought we knew about him.
One is nepotic deployment bordering on clannishness and inability to bring discipline to bear on errant members of his nepotic court.
This has grave consequences on performance of his government to the detriment of the nation. It would appear that national interest was being sacrificed on the altar of nepotic interest. What does one make of a case like that of Maina: collusion, condonation, ineptitude, incompetence, dereliction of responsibility or kinship and friendship on the part of those who should have taken visible and deterrent disciplinary action?
How many similar cases are buried, ignored or covered up and not yet in the glare of the media and the public?
“The second is his poor understanding of the dynamics of internal politics.
This has led to wittingly or unwittingly making the nation more divided and inequality has widened and become more pronounced. It also has effect on general national security.
“The third is passing the buck. For instance, blaming the Governor of the Central Bank for devaluation of the naira by 70% or so and blaming past governments for it, is to say the least, not accepting one’s own responsibility.
Let nobody deceive us, economy feeds on politics and because our politics is depressing, our economy is even more depressing today.
If things were good, President Buhari would not need to come in. He was voted to fix things that were bad and not engage in the blame game.”
Buhari and the APC do not have the answer
Mr Obasanjo thus argued that neither Mr Buhari nor his party, the All
Progressives Congress, hold the solution to the country’s problems.
He suggested that Mr Buhari was not healthy enough to withstand the rigour associated with running a country like Nigeria neither does his party capable of providing the answer needed to sail the country through its difficulties.
Mr Obasanjo said Buhari should step down at the end of his first term with honour and dignity and attend to his health and should not listen to his “self-serving so-called adviserswho would claim that they love him more than God loves him and that without him, there would be no Nigeria say.”
“President Buhari needs a dignified and honourable dismount from the horse.
He needs to have time to reflect, refurbish physically and recoup and after appropriate rest, once again, join the stock of Nigerian leaders whose experience, influence, wisdom and outreach can be deployed on the side line for the good of the country.
His place in history is already assured. Without impaired health and strain of age, running the affairs of Nigeria is a 25/7 affair, not 24/7.
“I only appeal to brother Buhari to consider a deserved rest at this point in time and at this age. I continue to wish him robust health to enjoy his retirement from active public service.
President Buhari does not necessarily need to heed my advice. But whether or not he heeds it, Nigeria needs to move on and move forward,” he said.
“I have had occasion in the past to say that the two main political parties – APC and PDP – were wobbling.
I must reiterate that nothing has happened to convince me otherwise. If anything, I am reinforced in my conviction.
The recent show of PDP must give grave and great concern to lovers of Nigeria.
“To claim, as has been credited to the chief kingmaker of PDP, that for procuring the Supreme Court judgement for his faction of the Party, he must dictate the tune all the way and this is indeed fraught with danger.
“If neither APC nor PDP is a worthy horse to ride to lead Nigeria at this crucial and critical time, what then do we do?
Remember Farooq Kperogi, an Associate Professor at the Kennesaw State University, Georgia, United States, calls it “a cruel Hobson’s choice; it’s like a choice between six and half a dozen, between evil and evil. Any selection or deflection would be a distinction without a difference.
” We cannot just sit down lamenting and wringing our hands desperately and hopelessly.
Coalition for Nigerians
Having ruled out the PDP and the ruling APC of possessing the panacea to the malaise that ails the country, Mr Obasanjo therefore called for a movement he termed Coalition of Nigeria, which he offered to be a part of, to wrest power from the present ruling class and lead the country into the path of rebirth.
“We can collectively save ourselves from the position we find ourselves.
It will not come through self-pity, fruitless complaint or protest but through constructive and positive engagement and collective action for the good of our nation and ourselves and our children and their children.
We need moral re-armament and engaging togetherness of people of like-mind and goodwill to come solidly together to lift Nigeria up.
This is no time for trading blames or embarking on futile argument and neither should we accept untenable excuses for non-performance.
“Let us accept that the present administration has done what it can do to the limit of its ability, aptitude and understanding.
Let the administration and its political party platform agree with the rest of us that what they have done and what they are capable of doing is not good enough for us.
They have given as best as they have and as best as they can give.
Nigeria deserves and urgently needs better than what they have given or what we know they are capable of giving.
To ask them to give more will be unrealistic and will only sentence Nigeria to a prison term of four years if not destroy it beyond the possibility of an early recovery and substantial growth.
“The development and modernization of our country and society must be anchored and sustained on dynamic Nigerian culture, enduring values and an enchanting Nigerian dream.
We must have abiding faith in our country and its role and place within the comity of nations. Today, Nigeria needs all hands on deck.
All hands of men and women of goodwill must be on deck. We need all hands to move our country forward.
“We need a Coalition for Nigeria, CN. Such a Movement at this
juncture needs not be a political party but one to which all
well-meaning Nigerians can belong.
That Movement must be a coalition for democracy, good governance, social and economic well-being and progress.
Coalition to salvage and redeem our country.
You can count me with such a Movement.
Last time, we asked, prayed and worked for change and God granted our request.
This time, we must ask, pray and work for change with unity, security and progress. And God will again grant us.
Of course, nothing should stop such a Movement from satisfying conditions for fielding candidates for elections.
But if at any stage the Movement wishes to metamorphose into candidate-sponsoring Movement for elections, I will bow out of the Movement because I will continue to maintain my non-partisan position.
Coalition for Nigeria must have its headquarters in Abuja.
“This Coalition for Nigeria will be a Movement that will drive Nigeria up and forward.
It must have a pride of place for all Nigerians, particularly for our youth and our women.
It is a coalition of hope for all Nigerians for speedy, quality and equal development, security, unity, prosperity and progress.
It is a coalition to banish poverty, insecurity and despair. Our country must not be oblivious to concomitant danger around, outside and ahead.
Coalition for Nigeria must be a Movement to break new ground in building a united country, a socially-cohesive and moderately prosperous society with equity, equality of opportunity, justice and a dynamic and progressive economy that is self-reliant and takes active part in global division of labour and international decision-making.
“The Movement must work out the path of development and the trajectory of development in speed, quality and equality in the short- medium- and long-term for Nigeria on the basis of sustainability, stability, predictability, credibility, security, cooperation and prosperity with diminishing inequality.
What is called for is love, commitment and interest in our country, not in self, friends and kinship alone but particularly love, compassion and interest in the poor, underprivileged and downtrodden.
It is our human duty and responsibility so to do. Failure to do this will amount to a sin against God and a crime against humanity.”
Mr. Obasanjo, in a special press statement entitled, “The Way Out: A Clarion Call for Coalition for Nigeria Movement” said Mr Buhari has performed far below expectation and should honourably “dismount from the horse” to join the league of the country’s former leaders whose “experience, influence, wisdom and outreach can be deployed on the side line for the good of the country.”
Mr Obasanjo, a two-term president on the platform of People Democratic Party (PDP), said he felt disappointed by Mr Buhari, whom he supported during the 2015 election over then incumbent and candidate of his former party, Goodluck Jonathan.
Mr Obasanjo had written a condemnatory open letter in December 2013 titled “Before it is Too Late” where he highlighted the numerous failings of the Jonathan administration.
Mr Obasanjo argued that his decision to go against Mr Jonathan at the time was the right one, as events in the last three years have since proved, was for the good of the nation and nothing personal.
“Even the horse rider then, with whom I maintain very cordial, happy and social relationship today has come to realise his mistakes and regretted it publicly and I admire his courage and forthrightness in this regard,” Mr. Obasanjo said.
“He has a role to play on the side line for the good of Nigeria, Africa and humanity and I will see him as a partner in playing such a role nationally and internationally, but not as a horse rider in Nigeria again.”
Likening the state of the nation to lice-invested clothes, he said the country’s fingernails is stained with blood as it tries to kill the lice by pressing them in-between two fingernails. According to him, in other to make sure that our fingernails remains blood-free we must do what it takes rid our clothes of lice.
“The lice of poor performance in government – poverty, insecurity, poor economic management, nepotism, gross dereliction of duty, condonation of misdeed – if not outright encouragement of it, lack of progress and hope for the future, lack of national cohesion and poor management of internal political dynamics and widening inequality – are very much with us today,” he wrote.
While thanking Mr Buhari for the effort of his administration in rolling back the Boko Haram insurgency and his fight against corruption, Mr Obasanjo said Mr Buhari has ultimately failed in other areas where he had thought he would be efficient.
The octogenarian, who bagged a PhD over the weekend, admitted he knew Mr Buhari was weak in handling the economy. He said he however went ahead and voted for him because at the time “it was a matter of ‘any option but Jonathan’” and because he thought Mr Buhari would appoint qualified Nigerians to help out in that area.
He slammed Mr Buhari for turning a blind eye to corruption within his government saying it amounted to condonation and cover-up saying whoever is “going to justice must be with clean hands.”
He also berated Mr Buhari for allowing the clashes between herdsmen and farmers to go “sour” and messy saying the endorsement of the President by some governors to seek re-election barely 24 hours after 73 people who were killed by herdsmen in Benue State were given mass burial was “a sad symptom of insensitivity and callousness.”
But Mr Obasanjo reserved his harshest words for what he described as Mr Buhari’s clannishness, lack of understanding of the dynamics of politics, and his tendencies to pass the buck of his government’s inadequacies to the immediate past administration.
“But there are three other areas where President Buhari has come out more glaringly than most of us thought we knew about him.
One is nepotic deployment bordering on clannishness and inability to bring discipline to bear on errant members of his nepotic court.
This has grave consequences on performance of his government to the detriment of the nation. It would appear that national interest was being sacrificed on the altar of nepotic interest. What does one make of a case like that of Maina: collusion, condonation, ineptitude, incompetence, dereliction of responsibility or kinship and friendship on the part of those who should have taken visible and deterrent disciplinary action?
How many similar cases are buried, ignored or covered up and not yet in the glare of the media and the public?
“The second is his poor understanding of the dynamics of internal politics.
This has led to wittingly or unwittingly making the nation more divided and inequality has widened and become more pronounced. It also has effect on general national security.
“The third is passing the buck. For instance, blaming the Governor of the Central Bank for devaluation of the naira by 70% or so and blaming past governments for it, is to say the least, not accepting one’s own responsibility.
Let nobody deceive us, economy feeds on politics and because our politics is depressing, our economy is even more depressing today.
If things were good, President Buhari would not need to come in. He was voted to fix things that were bad and not engage in the blame game.”
Buhari and the APC do not have the answer
He suggested that Mr Buhari was not healthy enough to withstand the rigour associated with running a country like Nigeria neither does his party capable of providing the answer needed to sail the country through its difficulties.
Mr Obasanjo said Buhari should step down at the end of his first term with honour and dignity and attend to his health and should not listen to his “self-serving so-called adviserswho would claim that they love him more than God loves him and that without him, there would be no Nigeria say.”
“President Buhari needs a dignified and honourable dismount from the horse.
He needs to have time to reflect, refurbish physically and recoup and after appropriate rest, once again, join the stock of Nigerian leaders whose experience, influence, wisdom and outreach can be deployed on the side line for the good of the country.
His place in history is already assured. Without impaired health and strain of age, running the affairs of Nigeria is a 25/7 affair, not 24/7.
“I only appeal to brother Buhari to consider a deserved rest at this point in time and at this age. I continue to wish him robust health to enjoy his retirement from active public service.
President Buhari does not necessarily need to heed my advice. But whether or not he heeds it, Nigeria needs to move on and move forward,” he said.
“I have had occasion in the past to say that the two main political parties – APC and PDP – were wobbling.
I must reiterate that nothing has happened to convince me otherwise. If anything, I am reinforced in my conviction.
The recent show of PDP must give grave and great concern to lovers of Nigeria.
“To claim, as has been credited to the chief kingmaker of PDP, that for procuring the Supreme Court judgement for his faction of the Party, he must dictate the tune all the way and this is indeed fraught with danger.
“If neither APC nor PDP is a worthy horse to ride to lead Nigeria at this crucial and critical time, what then do we do?
Remember Farooq Kperogi, an Associate Professor at the Kennesaw State University, Georgia, United States, calls it “a cruel Hobson’s choice; it’s like a choice between six and half a dozen, between evil and evil. Any selection or deflection would be a distinction without a difference.
” We cannot just sit down lamenting and wringing our hands desperately and hopelessly.
Coalition for Nigerians
Having ruled out the PDP and the ruling APC of possessing the panacea to the malaise that ails the country, Mr Obasanjo therefore called for a movement he termed Coalition of Nigeria, which he offered to be a part of, to wrest power from the present ruling class and lead the country into the path of rebirth.
“We can collectively save ourselves from the position we find ourselves.
It will not come through self-pity, fruitless complaint or protest but through constructive and positive engagement and collective action for the good of our nation and ourselves and our children and their children.
We need moral re-armament and engaging togetherness of people of like-mind and goodwill to come solidly together to lift Nigeria up.
This is no time for trading blames or embarking on futile argument and neither should we accept untenable excuses for non-performance.
“Let us accept that the present administration has done what it can do to the limit of its ability, aptitude and understanding.
Let the administration and its political party platform agree with the rest of us that what they have done and what they are capable of doing is not good enough for us.
They have given as best as they have and as best as they can give.
Nigeria deserves and urgently needs better than what they have given or what we know they are capable of giving.
To ask them to give more will be unrealistic and will only sentence Nigeria to a prison term of four years if not destroy it beyond the possibility of an early recovery and substantial growth.
“The development and modernization of our country and society must be anchored and sustained on dynamic Nigerian culture, enduring values and an enchanting Nigerian dream.
We must have abiding faith in our country and its role and place within the comity of nations. Today, Nigeria needs all hands on deck.
All hands of men and women of goodwill must be on deck. We need all hands to move our country forward.
That Movement must be a coalition for democracy, good governance, social and economic well-being and progress.
Coalition to salvage and redeem our country.
You can count me with such a Movement.
Last time, we asked, prayed and worked for change and God granted our request.
This time, we must ask, pray and work for change with unity, security and progress. And God will again grant us.
Of course, nothing should stop such a Movement from satisfying conditions for fielding candidates for elections.
But if at any stage the Movement wishes to metamorphose into candidate-sponsoring Movement for elections, I will bow out of the Movement because I will continue to maintain my non-partisan position.
Coalition for Nigeria must have its headquarters in Abuja.
“This Coalition for Nigeria will be a Movement that will drive Nigeria up and forward.
It must have a pride of place for all Nigerians, particularly for our youth and our women.
It is a coalition of hope for all Nigerians for speedy, quality and equal development, security, unity, prosperity and progress.
It is a coalition to banish poverty, insecurity and despair. Our country must not be oblivious to concomitant danger around, outside and ahead.
Coalition for Nigeria must be a Movement to break new ground in building a united country, a socially-cohesive and moderately prosperous society with equity, equality of opportunity, justice and a dynamic and progressive economy that is self-reliant and takes active part in global division of labour and international decision-making.
“The Movement must work out the path of development and the trajectory of development in speed, quality and equality in the short- medium- and long-term for Nigeria on the basis of sustainability, stability, predictability, credibility, security, cooperation and prosperity with diminishing inequality.
What is called for is love, commitment and interest in our country, not in self, friends and kinship alone but particularly love, compassion and interest in the poor, underprivileged and downtrodden.
It is our human duty and responsibility so to do. Failure to do this will amount to a sin against God and a crime against humanity.”
Monday 22 January 2018
Real Reasons Why APC chieftain, Ghali Na’Abba, vows not to support Buhari’s second term
A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba,
has vowed not to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his bid to be
reelected in 2019.
Mr. Na’Abba made this vow during an interview with a TV presenter, Osasu Igbinedion, where he also revealed that Mr. Buhari had in November 2017 disclosed to the members of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Party (APC) that he would seek reelection.
The former speaker, who is a member of the board, explained that he left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC in order to support Mr. Buhari, but said he is now disappointed with the outcome as the president “has not added even an inch of value to democracy.”
“From his utterances, I believed he wanted to improve democracy. This is three years into his administration, he doesn’t work with the party, he regards party members as evil, he doesn’t consult anybody in the party.
“I had the occasion to sit down with the president and tell him this is what is wrong. And all he told me was that things were wrong before but now, with hiselection, everything is right. And I was very, very disappointed. “He promised to reconstitute the boards. Before, he refused to do that because he thought politicians are responsible for all the evils in this country. He also promised to increase the number of ministers. In a nutshell, the president has not added value to democracy by an inch. It is only when there is democracy and competence that every Nigerian, regardless of who they are, will be able to make it on life. There is no way I can support him”, he said.
When asked if the APC would produce another presidential candidate other than Mr. Buhari, Mr. Na’Abba said some party members have ”hijacked and pocketed the party.”
He distanced himself from those endorsing the president for a second term.
“Nigerians have chosen democracy as the system within which they produce their leaders, and that any president who comes must ensure that the democratic architecture is improved substantially because it has been weak, it is still weak and will continue to be weak.
“They said they have endorsed him to contest. I am sure they did not ask the opinion of anybody since they have put the party in their pocket,” he said.
He added that, ”there is no democracy in the country and no democracy in the party as well,” and that, ”Nigerians are in serious trouble.”
source-premium times
Mr. Na’Abba made this vow during an interview with a TV presenter, Osasu Igbinedion, where he also revealed that Mr. Buhari had in November 2017 disclosed to the members of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Party (APC) that he would seek reelection.
The former speaker, who is a member of the board, explained that he left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC in order to support Mr. Buhari, but said he is now disappointed with the outcome as the president “has not added even an inch of value to democracy.”
“From his utterances, I believed he wanted to improve democracy. This is three years into his administration, he doesn’t work with the party, he regards party members as evil, he doesn’t consult anybody in the party.
“I had the occasion to sit down with the president and tell him this is what is wrong. And all he told me was that things were wrong before but now, with hiselection, everything is right. And I was very, very disappointed. “He promised to reconstitute the boards. Before, he refused to do that because he thought politicians are responsible for all the evils in this country. He also promised to increase the number of ministers. In a nutshell, the president has not added value to democracy by an inch. It is only when there is democracy and competence that every Nigerian, regardless of who they are, will be able to make it on life. There is no way I can support him”, he said.
When asked if the APC would produce another presidential candidate other than Mr. Buhari, Mr. Na’Abba said some party members have ”hijacked and pocketed the party.”
He distanced himself from those endorsing the president for a second term.
“Nigerians have chosen democracy as the system within which they produce their leaders, and that any president who comes must ensure that the democratic architecture is improved substantially because it has been weak, it is still weak and will continue to be weak.
“They said they have endorsed him to contest. I am sure they did not ask the opinion of anybody since they have put the party in their pocket,” he said.
He added that, ”there is no democracy in the country and no democracy in the party as well,” and that, ”Nigerians are in serious trouble.”
source-premium times
Ayo Fayose Hits Fulani Herdsmen
Henceforth, to operate in Ekiti State, herdsmen must have to register with N5,000 in host communities. We must know the identity of all herdsmen operating in Ekiti and who should be held responsible in the event of any further attacks in the state.— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) January 21, 2018
Sunday 21 January 2018
After two years, all we hear from Buhari are excuses – Dele Momodu
The Publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele
Momodu, speaks about the push by some people for President Muhammadu
Buhari’s re-election, how he made up with Nigerian pop star, David
Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and other issues, in this interview
with GBENRO ADEOYE
Your feud with music
artiste, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, lasted for about two
years before you made up last December. How did that happen?
I will call it a misunderstanding. But
despite the misunderstanding that existed between our families, I
remained his biggest fan, even when they said he sang a song to abuse
me. It was reported that I walked out of his concert in anger; that is
not true. In fact, I waited till the end of that concert because of him.
And his father, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, is a perfect gentleman. I called
him late last year. I had been calling him for some time but he went
abroad because of the death of his brother. We are all saddened by it.
You see, our families have a long history. David’s mum was like my
sister before she died. They say that even the tongue and the mouth do
quarrel. So, we had the misunderstanding but a child is involved, a
little girl, Imade. She is a carbon copy of David. So I said I didn’t
want to go into the New Year fighting anybody. I called his father and
fortunately, he responded well to my suggestion to have David perform at
the Ovation Carol, but the problem was now about logistics because
David was very busy and was travelling everywhere because he is a global
artiste. So he promised that he would check with David’s manager to see
if they were available for that night in Nigeria. And a few days to the
event, David’s dad called and said David’s manager had been trying to
reach me. So I called him and he said David was travelling to Cote
D’Ivoire but would return that night. I told him that I would not
promote it because I wanted it to be a surprise, so nobody knew about
it, including the members of my team. That was it and I am happy that it
has had a domino effect. You saw Davido and Wizkid (Nigerian singer,
Ayodeji Balogun) singing together. It was all in the spirit of what I
exhibited and you saw D’banj (Oladapo Oyebanjo) and Don Jazzy (Michael
Ajereh) together. That is what I have always prayed for. I ‘m a
peacemaker and that is why I cannot abuse people like some people want
me to do. Even when I criticise people, like when I criticised President
Buhari, for instance, I did it with affection. I am not a ‘kill and go’
journalist. All the people that abuse others anyhow, give them half the
opportunities given to those they abuse and they will mess up and do
worse.
A part of the country has
been thrown into mourning in the last few days over suspected herdsmen
killings. Some people have accused President Buhari of not doing enough
to stop the problem. What is your view about this?
I don’t know what the President is doing
about any crisis or situation in the country so I would not want to say
what I know little about – the security situation. But if you are
talking in terms of public relations, I think the Presidency has failed
to handle its PR very well. There is a lackadaisical approach to so many
things. I am sure they are doing something but because they don’t care
to inform people properly, people take it that they are not serious. But
personally, I will not want to talk about the security situation. I
believe that the security forces must be doing something about it, but
maybe the situation is too delicate for them to handle and as such, they
don’t want to put certain things in the public domain. But it will be
very unfortunate if some people are covering up criminals.
Even before these recent
killings, some Nigerians believe the President is sectional considering
his alleged lopsided appointments and handling of suspected killings by
herdsmen. Do you think that the President is sectional?
I don’t know. He is a man of very few
words and when you are like that, people can prejudge you, they can
misconceive a lot of things about you. So there is a perception about
the President and I believe it is borne out of the fact that he hardly
talks to people. He doesn’t address the nation; you see the President of
America talking almost on a daily basis. You see the press secretary at
the White House talking to American journalists every day. And if one
American is lost anywhere in the world, the White House will respond
almost immediately. But we have a situation where even if 1,000 people
die, nobody talks, so it is very bad. My advice to this government is
that it is part of its duty to report back to those who pay their
salaries and make them very comfortable.
In your open letter to the
President recently, you warned him against contesting in 2019. Although,
some governors and ministers have been insinuating it, he has not
officially declared to contest in 2019.
I think the signs are there already that
he wants to run. I have read somewhere that the Minister of
Communications, Adebayo Shittu, said he would lead his campaign. I read
somewhere too that my good friend- the Minister of Transpotation, Rotimi
Amaechi, is the director-general of his campaign team. I have not
spoken to Amaechi in a while so I don’t know if that is true. From what I
have read in the newspapers, people are already warming up. And from
what I wrote in my article, I have no doubt in my mind that even if he
does not want to run, some people are going to push him to run because
their lives depend on it. If he goes, they are gone. But unfortunately, I
don’t know what he is enjoying in power again; God has done everything
for him. He will be at least 76 years by next year; at that age, I
believe he would be too tired to run a nation as complex and as
complicated as Nigeria. Right now, Nigeria needs a man with full
stamina. That is why I have written consistently in the last two months
that there are certain things we must do urgently to rescue Nigeria from
total collapse.
One, we must not have anyone above 65
years old in power. That is the retirement age. I’m going to be 58 years
old this year and I already feel like I am getting old. Now imagine
what it is like for a man close to 80 years old. Two, I believe that we
should forget about zoning because it is not part of our constitution,
so any qualified Nigerian who is distinguished, accomplished, well
educated and well exposed should be allowed to run. Why do we want to
prevent our best brains from contesting for the most important office in
the country? I think if Nigerians are serious, the time has come for
them to kill zoning before it kills Nigeria. I believe that the next
President must be very well exposed, educated and communicate in the
language of today. That is why I said that the best legacy the President
can give us is for him to search for a worthy successor; even though,
it is his right to contest for a second term, but it is not every right
that you must claim. Even if people are pushing you, you should know
that they are pushing you because of their own selfish interest. I like
the President; I’ve met him a couple of times, he is a likeable
character and very jovial. But every time I leave him and on return to
where I come from, what I see in newspapers and television is always
different. When you meet Buhari, you will like him. He is a likeable
character but I don’t know why he does not care about his image and what
people say about him; if I were Buhari, I would be very worried because
these things are recorded in history. If you say you don’t care, you
have to also worry about your family. You have a family and you should
leave a good name for them. If people are abusing you and you know the
abuses are ill-conceived, then I expect you to do something about it. He
needs to do something about his image. I think he must be a nightmare
for his handlers. When you have a boss who doesn’t seem to care about
what anyone says about him, it will make you look incompetent. They can
only do what the man allows them to do.
Why do you really think Buhari should not contest in 2019? Is it because you think he is too old or has not performed
I have told you that it is not just
about Buhari; I don’t think that anyone above 65 years of age should
lead Nigeria again. That includes Buhari and even a former Vice
President, Atiku Abubakar. I said in my article that this government has
not performed up to expectation, it is almost three years now and all
we are hearing are still excuses. As for me, I am tired of hearing
excuses. We drove former President Goodluck Jonathan away because we
felt that he could not perform. And the Yoruba people have a saying that
is translated as: If the gods cannot make our lives better, it should
at least leave us the way it met us. We have to buy $1 dollar with
almost N400; that was not the situation about two years ago. I expected
that even if you would not improve on it, you should have stabilised
what you met. In nearly three years, this government has not been able
to complete the Lagos-Ibadan Express Road. The airport that Jonathan
left, the elevators are gone. Even the conveyors belts, some of them are
packing up. Airports in Nigeria are among the worst in Africa and we
are supposed to be the giant of Africa. People are hungry, dying and our
hospitals are in a terrible shape. If you look at the index of
performance, I will tell you that it is below average. I don’t want us
to limit this to Buhari. It includes Atiku; I don’t think they should
run.
Does that mean that you
don’t believe the things this government has been saying that the
previous government is responsible for our problems?
No! We all agree that the previous
Peoples Democratic Party-led government was profligate and very
reckless, but it is gone. Nigerians believe that the biggest problem of
Nigeria is corruption and we should bring in a saint to do it. But what
people forgot was that Buhari does not have the power he had when he was
military head of state. There are institutions in place that you cannot
ignore. You cannot ignore the judiciary and the National Assembly. We
are in a democracy. We assume that it would be the same Buhari of the
1980s but we forgot that that was a military government. I pity him but I
think his biggest problem is about his image.
Like you, Father Ejike Mbaka
also supported Buhari to be President but recently warned him publicly.
Are you also jumping on the bandwagon because it seems to be popular
now for everyone to bash this government?
I am not against Buhari. Personally,
when I supported him, it was for a few reasons. One, we wanted a father
figure who would rescue us in the days of tribulations. But that father
figure was supposed to be there for only one term like South Africa’s
Nelson Mandela, who stabilised the polity and left. That is what I
expected. I didn’t expect that a man would be approaching 80 years and
still be our President. Two, I supported him because he is one of the
most honest Nigerians that we believe we know. I’m sure there must be
others but in terms of reputation, he is one of the most honest
Nigerians alive. But you know he has been out of power for a very long
time. In 2011, I went to visit him when I was contesting against him and
Jonathan. He asked me what I had against him because I was always
criticising him and I said it was about age. If in 2011, I was already
complaining about his age, if I am complaining about his age again, then
I am consistent. That night, I told him that he was a contemporary of
Margaret Thatcher. There is nothing that can happen in Britain that will
make Thatcher come back as Prime Minister.
I believe he has done his best so I
won’t totally condemn him for all the problems of Nigeria, but to now
overstay and return at the age of 80 will be asking for too much. And I
have told him plainly that he is being used by people whose political
careers depend on him.
At what point did you realise that Buhari would not be able to do the job?
I still support him and I will do that
till his tenure expires; it is his reelection that I don’t support. I am
hoping that a miracle will happen and his people will perform within
the next one year. Why do you advise a man? You advise him out of love.
So he doesn’t have to take it personally. You don’t advise a man that
you hate. I feel for his family. Whatever we do, it is our family that
suffers. There are families that have not recovered till today because
of what the head of the family did when he was in power. I’m not a
member of the All Progressives Congress or the PDP. People who don’t
know think that I wanted a ministerial appointment when this government
came in; that is stupidity. If you want an appointment, you will not
criticise the government, you will move closer to those in power, lobby,
join their party and attend their meetings. I’m not hungry; I love my
job and whatever it gives me, I ‘m happy with it.
I saw danger signals very early in the
life of this government and that was why I wrote him two memos in quick
succession. And on one occasion, he invited me to the State House to see
him after reading it. That was in 2015. I was alarmed that after six
months, he could not assemble his cabinet; that was when he lost it.
That sent a wrong signal. Then I was worried that there were some people
who worked very well for him.
These were hardcore politicians. While
people thought I was looking for appointment, I was actually looking for
jobs for people like that. Then I started seeing the calibre of people
that were being appointed, so I got very alarmed.
But isn’t the attitude of
always repaying people with political appointments also part of the
reason why we have round pegs in square holes?
It is not true, everywhere in the world,
you reward people. If they are not competent, no. But if they are
competent, they should get appointments. Why would you leave a competent
person who worked for you and pick someone who worked against you and
is not even competent? At least, you give those who worked for you the
right of first refusal. And also, how does a government start its
business by fighting among itself? That was another error that killed
this government. So people who worked for you, you were saying they are
corrupt, but when they were working for you and spending their money,
they were not corrupt. That also got me worried.
Some people have said that
you are doing a hatchet job for some people and the suspicion is that it
is for Atiku as both you and Atiku are very close to Saraki. Is that
what your open letter is about?
I have only interviewed Atiku once in my
life. We specialise in conspiracy theories in Nigeria; people just say
anything. When I interviewed Diezani Alison-Madueke, they said I was
doing a hatchet job for her and that she was not ill; am I a doctor? I
interviewed a woman who looked sick, I took all the pictures with my
phone and I still have the raw pictures; we don’t use photoshopped
pictures in my company. Instead of people to commend me that I got an
interview with someone that everyone wanted, no, what they wanted me to
do was ‘kill and go’ journalism, where I would abuse and attack her. But
that is not my style. My style is to ask questions. I asked the woman,
are you well? And she said she was not well. Am I a doctor, will I
certify her well or not? I’m so proud of my job because reasonable
people respect my professionalism, which is why they talk to me. They
know that I would not embellish the interview. Some people are more
interested in sensational stories. They expected me to say ‘Madam Rogue
or Madam Thief’, but that is not journalism. What I asked her and the
answers she gave, I published. And the ones she said were off the
record, I did not publish. That is responsible journalism. And since I
interviewed her, no other person has been able to interview her.
Do you know that some people
could feel you were attacking Buhari now because of the way his
government has treated Alison-Madueke, who is considered to be close to
you?
That will be very stupid. I interviewed
her two years ago. I don’t have her contact. People don’t know what it
takes to get people to speak up, especially people like Diezani. People
asked me how I got her. The secret of my success in journalism is that I
have access to everybody. Nobody considers me as an enemy. People know I
am too responsible to publish a reckless story about anybody. I will
never judge anyone as guilty until the court says the person is guilty.
Everything they say about Diezani today, I read it in the papers like
every other person. I will never say somebody is a thief unless I have
evidence. The best I could do was to ask: are you a thief and she said
no. But they said this and that got missing under your care and she
explained herself. I am not an investigative reporter; I’m a society
reporter.
Do you know that people don’t take you and what you say seriously as you are considered to be too close to corrupt people?
Except if people don’t know the nature
of journalism; any journalist without powerful contacts cannot go far,
that is number one. Two, it takes courage for people to criticise their
friends. Don’t I do that? Tell me any government that has come to power
that I have not criticised when necessary. Amaechi is one of the people
I’m closest to in power but if he misbehaves tomorrow, I will say it
publicly. When Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (National Leader of the APC) and
Saraki were fighting, I granted an interview in which I said that I was
Tinubu’s boy but that on this matter, I believe he is wrong. People said
Saraki had paid me to talk; it is an insult. How much will he pay me?
This year, I will be 58 years old. In 1992, when I got married, Chief
M.K.O. Abiola and Gani Fawehinmi were there. In 1992, I didn’t have
Ovation Magazine and I was 32 years old. When I was 23 years old, I was
private secretary to the then Deputy Governor of old Ondo State, Chief
Akin Omoboriowo. I’m not a hungry lion. One of my favourite quotes on
twitter is that leaders don’t fight; it is their supporters who break
their own heads. I am not going to fight the battle of any leader. All
the people that were accused of stealing money in PDP, are some of them
not in APC now? Without Amaechi, Rabiu Kwankwaso (former Kano State
governor), Atiku, and others, would Buhari have become the President? I
do anything I do based on my personal conviction; I am too old to be
anybody’s slave.
You always say that you worked for Buhari. What did you do? What did you sacrifice? Did you give him money?
I believe politically, I am one of the
strongest leaders on social media today and at that time; I devoted all
of my platforms to Buhari. Till today, despite my criticisms, I still
post his pictures. When I support you, I support you. When Buhari was to
give a lecture at the Chatham House; that was when Governor Ayo Fayose
said he was sick and so on. I had just left London the previous day but I
had to return there the following day, using my money. I got my
photographer from Canterbury. We call him ‘Our Yugolav photographer’.
His name is Vragal Mijki. We brought him in and got him to enter Chatham
House. He was sending the pictures to me. I set up an office at
Intercontinental Hotel on Park Lane in London. It was not for any
personal ambition and I did not ask him for money or anything. When I am
committed to a project, I am committed to it. How can I be working for
Atiku and not come out boldly to talk about it? Didn’t I support and
work for Buhari publicly?
So who are you supporting for 2019 presidential election?
On Saturday (today), I will announce the people I am supporting and will say why I am supporting them.
You are calling for a
youthful president. Are you satisfied with the performance of the youths
we have as governors, like in Kogi State, for instance?
I have laid down a lot of criteria for
you now. I want a Barack Obama, an intelligent man, a charming and
charismatic man. We can’t be talking about old men all the time. So it
is not just about being young, there should be a combination of many
factors. You can be young and not intelligent, you can be young and
corrupt.
Have you given up on your ambition to become President then?
I don’t know the plan God has for me but
come 2019, I will support the best candidate. I am not desperate; if I
want to be a serial contester, I will continue to contest but we must
get serious about our country. I have just about 22 years more to get to
80.
When you said in your letter that there was no discipline in the Buhari—led government, what did you mean?
It is the place where you see them
almost exchanging blows and nothing happens. We see them on television
screaming at each other- it is indiscipline.
Why do you think it is so?
It is because nobody is controlling
them; that is the reason why some of them like Buhari because they know
he doesn’t talk, he is hardly there. They will tell you that they are
afraid of t
he man but if you are afraid of the man, you will not misbehave.
What do you think about the $1bn Excess Crude Account fund that this government plans to use to fight insurgency?
I would never believe that any of such
funds should be released to anybody, including Buhari, in a year when we
are preparing for elections. They said that they wanted $400m to
complete the airport in Abuja. The amount will complete the airport in
Abuja and Lagos; I have no doubt about that. The tallest building in the
world, Burj Khalifa, was built at a cost of $1.5bn. $400m is a lot of
money, $1bn is a lot of money, I would never release that in a country
where there are no good roads. After all, they told us that they had
already defeated Boko Haram, so what do we need $1bn for? Nigerians are
suffering. What are we using it for? It is a lot of money. And Jonathan
invested heavily in security. Is that not the reason they arrested so
many people for wasting part of the money? What guarantee do we have
that these ones will also not waste the money?
source-punch
Femi Fani Kayode Questions Buhari
Fulani terrorists have just set Chief Olu Falae's entire farm in Ondo state on fire. The place is ablaze right now. Baba Falae is one of the most respected and reverred leaders of Afenifere and the Yoruba nation. I ask Buhari and Miyetti Allah,does he deserve this? Is this fair?— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) January 21, 2018
Monday 15 January 2018
President Buhari is a "shithole" President- FEMI FANI KAYODE
The bitter truth is that we are a "shithole" country, with a "shithole" govt. and a "shithole" President. It is left for us to clean up our shit, wash our arse, flush Buhari down the toilet, open the windows, get rid of the stench and make Nigeria a cleaner and better place.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) January 14, 2018
Friday 22 December 2017
I Cant Stand Custom Boss-DOYIN OKUPE
Hammed Alli, CG custom is a man i cannot stand 4 his unrepentant arrogance.His blatant refusal 2 wear uniform, his insolence to d— Doyin (@doyinokupe) December 22, 2017
Senate & the Hon Min of finance are the limits of insubordination.However raising d custom rev 2 d N1tr bar has makes him d undisputed MAN OF D YEAR
Ben Murray Bruce Blast Pres.Buhari Indirectly
A leader has not failed until he starts to blame other people for the problems in front of him. The moment a leader starts to blame, he has lost the moral authority to be in front. He may still have the title, but he won’t have the influence— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) December 22, 2017
Wednesday 20 December 2017
VP Yemi Osibanjo Is A Short Man Devil-FFK
"$1 billion from the Excess Crude Account is not for fighting Boko Haram only"- VP Yemi Osinbanjo.— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) December 20, 2017
True. 99% of the money is for buying toilet paper, soap and air freshner at the Presidential Villa whilst the remaining 1% is for "fighting Boko Haram".
Short man devil!
Monday 11 December 2017
See What FRSC Officer Did To This Lady
VIDEO: Federal Road Safety Corps @FRSCNigeria officials attacking a Nigerian woman he claimed “attacked” him first. pic.twitter.com/gvC3HU4iVc— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) December 11, 2017
Rotimi Amaechi Testifies On The Goodness Of God
The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, has urged Nigerians in his political circle to rededicate themselves and restore their commitment to God ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Mr. Amaechi spoke while testifying of his ‘miraculous’ emergence as Governor of Rivers State in 2007 during a special thanksgiving service to mark the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court judgement that declared him Governor of Rivers State, held at the Abundant Life Evangelical Mission (ALEM) in Port Harcourt, Sunday.
The former Rivers governor is a key member of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
With former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent defection from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party, some members of the opposition PDP have urged Mr. Amaechi to also return to their fold.
Mr. Amaechi re-lived his ordeal in 2007 and how God showed up for him when all odds were against him.
“The truth is that we believed God. Some who didn’t believe left us just as they are leaving now. God told me that what he will do in Rivers State will tingle the ears, and I believed. We were so broke, we could not pay legal fees or children’s school fees. My wife prayed every day and night. I was fasting and praying for 3 months. I told God ‘I have a friend who has money, please make him remember me.’ I called my friend and he told me he has been looking for me. I told him I was in Ghana and he asked for my account… He sent me Two hundred million naira. This is just to tell you that I believed God and he answered me,” Mr. Amaechi said.
He wondered why many of his friends and political associates whom he helped one way or the other have turned on him. But he said that it is God’s way of creating a vacuum for the youths to take charge.
He also advised the youth to be of help to people around them when they are in positions of power.
“We must all go back to God in faith and prayers. Those who want to leave can go. I have come to understand that God passes us through these challenges to prove himself. Now that they have left, for me, this is an opportunity for the youths. It is your turn. You must ensure that we get to power for you to fill the vacuum left.
“I have sometimes asked God, ‘why do you use me to bless people and after blessing them, they run away.’ Count how many people in Rivers State politics today that I did not help somehow. I don’t want to take the glory away from God. So for those who left, may God bless them.
“When you get your own appointment, also put somebody. Allow God to use you and leave the rest all up to him,” Mr. Amaechi advised.
On the 2019 elections, he continued, “if we don’t pray, 2019 will be very far from us. If we don’t win 2019, it would be your fault, not anybody else. We go to God because he answers. We pray, then go home and work. Back then, even in my father’s house in the village there was a prayer team…”
During his sermon, General Overseer of ALEM, Eugene Ogu, recalled the travails of Mr. Amaechi in 2007, how he cried at the altar and how God used him to make a statement in Rivers State.
He said, “Making a man who did not participate in elections governor is one act of God that can not be erased in the history of Rivers State. God is in charge of this state, that is why the conspiracy of evil ones cannot stand.
Apostle Ogu admonished the congregation to do good and avoid evil communications, because “what you sow, you shall reap. If you are paid to kill people, somebody will kill you without collecting money. If you use your pen to lie against people, if you blackmail people, one day somebody will ‘blackpaint’ you.”
source-premium times
Ayo Fayose Vows To Work With Uche Secondus
I congratulate our party's new National Chairman, Uche Secondus and other National Exco members that were elected yesterday. I also congratulate those who participated but did not win for their commitment to the party. It is now time to work assiduously for total victory in 2019.— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) December 10, 2017
Friday 8 December 2017
Revealing: Real Reasons Bode George Chickened Out Of PDP Chairmanship Tussle
“I Olabode George did
not step down for anybody. My measure of experience is too heavy. What I
am stepping down for is the process. The issue of micro zoning has been
destroyed. Every position is micro zoned. I am withdrawing purely on
principle. You can know the way the party use to bubble and we see it as
a brotherly union.
“From what happened before I thought we could manage it but it is
obvious that they system has been bastardized,”
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/breaking-bode-george-withdraws-pdp-chairmanship-race/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/breaking-bode-george-withdraws-pdp-chairmanship-race/
Bode George is a member of PDP Board of Trustee, who announced his exit from PDP's chairmanship tussle during a conference in Abuja on Friday, he said the South West is already cheated with the entrants of aspirants from the South-South.
Bode said he stands with the micro-zoning principal of the party, which has been jettisoned.
George also said that, Nyesom Wike, the Governor of Rivers State abused the Yoruba people on a national Television when he said the South West has never contributed anything meaningful to the success of the PDP.
He said Governor Wike must tender an unreserved apology to the Yoruba people for his unguarded utterances against the Yoruba race.
I listened to my younger brother and I see it as an insult. I consider it an insult.
In Bode's words “I entered the contest on the micro-zoning principle, which has been thrashed by little men who have compromised. It appears that the PDP is bent on self-destruction.
I can’t be part of this. The chairmanship position has been sold to the highest bidder,”
George said while briefing newsmen at his campaign office in Abuja.
“I entered the race due to the micro zoning arrangement. This micro zoning has been trashed, dumped on the dust bin for personal reason. It appears that PDP is bent on self destruction. It has lost its soul.
“I cannot be part of this criminal allegation. The PDP is now mangled. “I hereby withdraw from the fraud. As a Yoruba patriot, I will stand for our people.
“I Olabode George did not step down for anybody. My measure of experience is too heavy. What I am stepping down for is the process. The issue of micro zoning has been destroyed. Every position is micro zoned. I am withdrawing purely on principle. You can know the way the party use to bubble and we see it as a brotherly union. “From what happened before I thought we could manage it but it is obvious that they system has been bastardized,”
“I Olabode George did
not step down for anybody. My measure of experience is too heavy. What I
am stepping down for is the process. The issue of micro zoning has been
destroyed. Every position is micro zoned. I am withdrawing purely on
principle. You can know the way the party use to bubble and we see it as
a brotherly union.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/breaking-bode-george-withdraws-pdp-chairmanship-race/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/breaking-bode-george-withdraws-pdp-chairmanship-race/
“I Olabode George did
not step down for anybody. My measure of experience is too heavy. What I
am stepping down for is the process. The issue of micro zoning has been
destroyed. Every position is micro zoned. I am withdrawing purely on
principle. You can know the way the party use to bubble and we see it as
a brotherly union.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/breaking-bode-george-withdraws-pdp-chairmanship-race/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/breaking-bode-george-withdraws-pdp-chairmanship-race/
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