Aso Villa: Aisha Attacks Again, Directs IGP To Free Her Aides

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June 13, 2020

By Fola James

John Campbell, a former U.S ambassador to Nigeria, has disclosed that Boko Haram still controls swathe of areas in the north despite claims by the Nigerian military that the terror group has been degraded.

Last week, Tukur Burutai, the chief of Army Staff, met President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock, Presidential Villa where he told the president that his troops have killed over one thousand members of the group.

The Army boss relocated to Borno state, two months ago after the Abubakar Shekau led group stepped up attacks in the north east.

But Campbell said the nation’s security forces are struggling to contain the deadly terrorists, in a piece he wrote on the US Foreign relations website two days ago.

John Cmapball — Campbell: Military Struggling Against Terrorists

The foreign relations expert said the terrorists also believed that Corona virus is a punishment from Allah against Nigeria, adding that Boko Haram is not prepared for any truce with the federal government.

According to him” Boko Haram factions have rejected the notion of a truce with the Nigerian government, which they see as an agency of evil.

Jihadi rhetoric portrays the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, as God’s punishment of their enemies.

There is no credible information about the presence of the virus among jihadis themselves.”

He stated that communal violence and other security problems across the country has stretch the police and other security bodies to the limit, adding that COVID 19 and the economic situation has made things worse, leaving criminals, including cattle rustlers and bandits to operate unhindered in most part of the country.

The corona virus “pandemic”, Campbell stated “and the economic consequences of fighting it have exacerbated – but did not cause- the nationwide erosion of security.

The Nigerian army was already overstretched before the arrival of COVID-19, with the country beset by conflict in the northeast, where Boko Haram is active.

The confrontation over land and water has driven intercommunal attacks, and kidnappings and cattle-rustling operations have increased.”

The Armed forces have been overstretched, he said.

Campbell “The army is stationed in nearly all of Nigeria’s thirty-six states, in many cases doing the work of police forces, which are poorly trained, overstretched, and under-resourced.”

Breaking: Obaseki Joins The PDP

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June 12, 2020

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has Friday, joined the PDP.

He was, on Friday, disqualified by the APC from taking part in the June 22 Primaries.

As soon as he was disqualified, he went to Oredo Ward 4 and picked his membership card.

Obaseki is joining the PDP with all the LGA Chairmen and 12 members of the House of Assembly.

Details, later….

Breaking: APC Disqualifies Obaseki From Governorship Election

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June 12, 2020

Finally, Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has had the last laugh. He has, finally, humiliated Governor Godwin Obaseki out of office.

On Friday, the APC screening Committee announced the disqualification of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and two other aspirants from contesting the primaries of the party in the June 22 primary for the governorship election in the state.

Announcing the disqualification at the party headquarters in Abuja, the Screening Committee, Chairman, Professor Jonathan Ayuba, said three aspirants were qualified to contest for the primary.

According to the screening committee, Obaseki presented the Higher School Certificate which the panel said was defective as no such certificate in existence, adding that the National Youth Service Corps certificate he presented did not have his name written properly.

Details later….

Breaking: Edwin Clark Accuses Buhari Of Brazen Oppression Of, And Injustices Against The South-South; Calls NBA Impotent

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June 12, 2020

By Adesina Soyooye

Leader of the South South, former Senator, and a former Information Minister, Chief Edwin Clark, has hit President Muhammadu very hard.

In an open letter that is bound to worry President Buhari, and spoil his day, especially, as it came on Democracy Day – June 12- the day the President addressed the Nation, praising himself for bringing peace to the Niger Delta Region.

But Clark asks everybody to perish the thought of the President restoring peace to the region. On the contrary, Clark says the President has not only dis-respected the Niger Delta, he has oppressed and humiliated the Region and its people.

He told the President to “Do the noble vestments of inclusiveness, equity, fairness and justice.”

He listed the names of South-South sons and daughters humiliated by the Buhari administration.

He spoke about the alleged humiliation of the former Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, the non confirmation of Mary Uduk who had acted as the Director General of SEC, the non-confirmation of Mrs Azuka Azinge as the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, the non- renewal of Dakuku Peterside as the DG of NIMASA, while that of the M.D. of the NPA , Hadiza Bala-Usman was renewed, and the appointments and positions in the Oil Industry.

He also, particularly, pointed out the humiliation, out of office, of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen. On the former CJN, Clark, a lawyer of 50 years, expressed his disappointment with the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, dismissing its leadership as incompetent.

He, also, bemoaned the non prioritization of projects in the region and many more. Clark’s strong-worded letter and allegations came the week many high profile projects, cited in Daura, Katsina state, are making the rounds in Whatsaap .

Following, Chief Edwin Clark’s letter, entitled:

LET US CALL A SPADE, A SPADE!

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, GCFR

President and Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria

By Chief (Dr) E. K. Clark, OFR, CON.

Mr. President,

LET US CALL A SPADE, A SPADE!

Let me, begin by, expressing earnest gratitude and appreciation to Mr. President, for congratulating me, both on my 92nd and 93rd Birthday anniversaries. I deeply cherish the thoughtful gesture, and the kind remarks. As Mr. President, rightly stated in the two congratulatory messages, I have rendered over 70 years of my life to the service of this country, starting from the age of 19. And it pleased the Almighty God to keep me up to this age, and in sound health. Accordingly, as long as, I live, I will continue to work for the good of this country, in any way, I find it possible.

It is in that light, and in view of recent worrisome developments, that I am writing this letter to Mr. President on Democracy Day. The message herein, is a message of truth; encapsulating my thoughts, as well as, the feelings, dissentions, and remonstrations, of the people of the South South Geopolitical Zone, that I have been continuously inundated with.

I have to state it, unequivocally, the way it is, for the sake of posterity, and in the interest of peace, unity, and progress of our dear country, Nigeria.

And the truth, Mr. President, is that the South South Geopolitical Zone have not been treated fairly, by your administration, despite our contribution to the economy of the country. Let us call a spade, a spade!

For reasons unknown to me, we have continued to witness discriminative, and unjust actions, against people of South South Extraction, under presidency, in the last five years.

Why is it that people, particularly from the South South Zone, are being treated as if they are not Nigerians, as if they are foreigners, or as if they are second class Citizens, in their own country.

Situations, whereby, people due confirmation for their positions, are being removed, and replaced with people from particular parts of the country, is not right.

And the situations are getting too many. We are all Nigerians; we are entitled to be appointed to any position. If our people are not qualified, it is a different matter.

Discrimination is a danger to any society, particularly, a plural society like ours.

The recent events in the United States of America, over the ill-treatment meted to Afro-Americans; and the “Black Lives Matter” demonstrations across America, and around the world, should be a lesson to Nigeria; no nation is an island to itself.

Mr. President, about two weeks ago, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Rtd), former Military Governor of Kaduna State, wrote a similar letter to you. The gentleman, pertinently and rightly, drew your attention to the imbalances in your appointments, and warned of the dire consequences, to the nation when he said “I regret that there are no kind or gentle words to tell you that your skewed appointments into the office of the Federal Government, favouring some and frustrating others, shall bring ruin and destruction to the nation”.

Colonel Umar’s perspective is very correct. But, instead of giving conscientious considerations to the issues raised by the retired Colonel, what we saw, were unguarded utterances against him, by some of your aides, and partisan loyalists. That was very sad and unfortunate.

Today, it seems, the only qualifications for appointment in the federal civil service or public service, under your administration, are religion or ethnicity.

Let me highlight, a few of the recent puzzling, and embarrassing, actions of Mr. President, which many have termed, targeted exclusion of the South South from TOP MANAGEMENT POSITIONS in critical sectors of the nation’s Public and Civil Service.

Replacement of Acting Director General of Security and Exchange Commission, SEC

Mrs. Mary Uduk, acted as Director-General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), for over two years, but Mr. President did not deem it fit to confirm her as substantive Director General of SEC. It will be recalled that this lady, from Akwa Ibom State, was appointed as acting Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission, by the former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, following staff reshuffling in the agency, in March 2018.

In view of her track record of service, many in the sector, had expected that she would be confirmed as substantive Director General of the apex stock regulatory body. But, Mr. President, thought otherwise, and instead, replaced her with Lamido Yuguda, a retired staff of Central Bank of Nigeria, somebody from the North, who was a Commissioner working under her in the Commission.

This is a very glaring instance, of the discrimination and unfair treatment against the people of the South South, we have been talking about.

This woman has been part of the system; she has been at SEC for over thirty years. Why should she be treated that way? Was she found wanting in the discharge of her duties and responsibilities as Acting Director General?

Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)

Again, is the case of Mrs. Azuka Azinge. Mrs. Azinge who had worked at the CAC for about 10 years was appointed acting Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for about 2 years. Rather than confirming her appointment, charges were brought against her before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), that she maintains a domiciliary account, and that she was paid salaries and allowances which she was not entitled to, in an acting capacity, despite the fact the payments were approved by the Board of the Commission.

In a manner unknown to extant laws, the Code of Conduct Tribunal “ordered the Minister for Trade & Industries to appoint a replacement for Mrs. Azinge”. In compliance to this “order” a letter dated 7th January, 2020, issued by the Minister of Trade & Industries, to Alhaji Garba Abubakar, from Bauchi State, who was a principal Manager and former Special Adviser to the former Registrar-General, appointing him the Registrar-General of the Commission. The whole essence of the case was to ridicule Mrs. Azinge, a South-Southerner from Delta State, and get her out of office, for a Northerner to take over.

Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA

Another worrisome appointment by Mr. President is that of the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.

Dr. Dakuku Peterside from Rivers State was appointed DG of the Agency, in 2016, his term expired this year, he was not re-appointed.

Unknown to, and without the input of the Minister of Transportation, under whose charge the Agency operates, Mr. President, appointed a Northerner, Bashir Jamoh, from Kaduna State, who was an executive director at the Agency, to replace Dr. Dakuku Peterside. Mr. Bashir Jamoh, is reportedly, a father-in-law to one of your aides.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman, also from Kaduna State, was reappointed for another four years. The two agencies, NPA and NIMASA, are parastatals under the same Federal Ministry of Transportation. Hadiza Bala Usman of NPA, from Kaduna State, was reappointed for another four years, whereas, Dakuku Peterside from Rivers State, was not re-appointed. Worst still, replaced with a Northerner. What could be the logic behind this?

Predictably, just a few days ago, Mr. President, renewed the appointment of the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Umar Garba Danbatta, which was done expressly, without any hullabaloo. Apparently, because he is from the Northern part of the Country.

It is consequential, Mr. President, to further highlight that, we are yet to see a situation where Northerners have been removed and replaced with Southerners, like it was done in the case of NIMASA, and several other Agencies.

These situations give credence to suggestions of a Northernizing agenda of the Nation’s public service, by your administration; sacrificing merit, competency, sector experience, and geographical spread, at the altar of nepotism.

The Situation in the Petroleum Industry

Let me remind Mr. President, of what played out at the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, of the Ministry of Petroleum, last year. The man who was Director there, Mordecai Baba Ladan, from the North, attained the retirement age of 60 years in June, 2017, but he was retained till December, 2019. When he eventually left, consistent with the tendencies of your administration, Sarki Auwalu, also from the North, was appointed to that position. I was made to understand that, Mr. Auwalu, who was an Assistant Director, was appointed Director of the key regulatory Department, ahead of eight Deputy Directors.

While, in the same petroleum industry, Roland O. Ewubare, who is from the South South, was moved from NAPIMS as Managing Director last year, another person from South South was not appointed to replace him. Rather, a Northerner was used to replace him, perhaps, because NAPIMS, like DPR, is said to be one of the strategic subsidiaries of the NNPC.

Interestingly, on the other hand, when Roland O. Ewubare, was earlier, moved from Integrated Data Services Limited, he was replaced with someone from South South, in the person of Diepriye Tariah. I understand, Mr. Tariah, recently, disengaged from the service, and another South South person has been appointed to replace him.

So it seems to me, there are positions in NNPC, reserved for people from the South South, and there are some other positions reserved for people from the Northern zone. Why the discrimination, and seeming snobbery?

Space, and time, will not allow me, to exhaust the appalling injustices against the South South people, in the Oil and Gas industry alone.

Mr. President will recall that I have written several Letters, both open and otherwise, to you on these issues.

While our resources are being managed, and subjugated, mainly by people from other parts of the country, the people of the oil producing communities of the Niger Delta, who bear the brunt of degradation, arising from the oil and gas exploratory activities, receive mere soupçons, and are rendered spectators of the oil business.

Recently, the House of Representatives passed a Motion that the unusual deaths of humans and fishes in Bayelsa and Rivers States, possibly caused by oil pollution, should be investigated. These situations cannot be allowed to continue.

Former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

Mr. President may wish to recall, the instance of the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, who happens to also come the South South, from Cross River State. A woman, who after several years in the Civil Service of the government of the federation, rose to become Permanent Secretary, and served meritoriously, in two or three ministries before, Mr. President, appointed her Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in October, 2015.

Mr. President, while we do not condone corruption, the way that woman was treated, leaves a lot to be desired.

This lady worked for four years, as Head of the Federal Civil Service, and she was loyal and committed to the presidency. Throughout that period of time, nobody said anything about her. Until, I understand, she had cause to disagree with the late Chief of Staff in the presidency, Mr. Abba Kyari. It was then, that they realized she was corrupt.

When she decided to resign on her own, Mr. President, said no; that she should remain in office. Only to be later humiliated, and disgraced, and now being prosecuted on all sorts of charges. Why? Because she comes from the South South, which is, regarded as a disadvantaged Minority area, where its people can be exploited, ridiculed and maltreated, by anybody. She had nobody to protect her; so, as usual, they treated her in such a shabby manner. I repeat that, I am not supporting corruption, if there is any malfeasance on her part, she should be tried.

The Case of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria

That brings to mind, the way the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, he too from Cross River State, was treated as well. I recall, how we appealed, when Mr. President hesitated to confirm his appointment after his recommendation by the NJC. Until the Acting President at the time, forwarded the letter for his confirmation to the Senate.

One had expected his confirmation would have ended the hatred against the jurist but for obvious political and other reasons, and perhaps, having regard to Mr. President’s reelection stratagem in 2019, this man was allowed to be harassed, humiliated, dehumanized, and disgraced, by less qualified, and far junior benchers, like the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, to the extent that, the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, was undignified.

And Mr. President, unprecedentedly, without deference to the Constitutional provisions on the appointment of Chief Justice of Nigeria, appointed an Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria; a person who was later queried by the Nigerian Judiciary Council (NJC).

And for no known reasons, the NJC, made up of senior jurists, surprisingly, without making any attempt to rectifying the situation, confirmed the unconstitutional appointment made by Mr. President.

As a Lawyer of over 50 years standing, I was ashamed that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) could not live up to expectation. I do not know what they are afraid of.

Mr. President, why is this being done to people who have faithfully served this nation, in their various positions. What is going on?

The 16-Point Demand of the Niger Delta region

The 16-Point Demand of the Niger Delta region drawn up after our intervention as leaders of the region with the Niger Delta Avengers, for which, I led a 100 – Member Delegation including First Class Traditional Rulers of the region, and which had in attendance Governors of the region, to Mr. President on the 1st of November, 2016, is yet to be attended to.

The Presidential Amnesty Program has now become everybody’s affair in Nigeria. These situations are unacceptable.

The construction of the East-West Road has been abandoned. Recent news reports show the deplorable nature of the road. Motorists and travellers are stock and stranded in the Bayelsa axis, an unmanageable gridlock of trucks and other vehicles has formed stretching to several kilometers. A journey of between 15 and 20 minutes, now last for hours un-end. Same is happening at the Akwa-Ibom/Cross River axis. The East-West Road is undoubtedly the haulage route of the nation’s economy; yet it is a project not qualified as a priority project for the monies recovered from Gen. Sani Abacha to be spent on.

My adjuration, therefore, to the people of the South South, is that they should esteem themselves as Bona fide Nigerians, and be courageous, in fighting for their undeniable rights. Nobody owns this country more than they do; rather Nigeria stands to lose, if there is crunch in our Region because of this injustices, unfairness, neglect, and continued marginalization.

Conclusion

Today is June 12, which Mr. President declared, Democracy Day, last year, in place of May 29, and the essence of this day, that is freedom and equality, epitomizes the crux of this letter.

Therefore, as we remember, the heroic courage and sacrifices of MKO Abiola, and all those who have stood in defense of TRUTH, FREEDOM, and DEMOCRACY, may I implore, Mr. President, to discard the togs of nepotism and injustice. And don the noble vestments of inclusiveness, equity, fairness, and justice, for the betterment of Nigeria, our dear country as in the days when the politically motivated Kano State voted against their son Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and voted massively for Alhaji Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), from Souh-West.

That was the height of Nigerian democracy

I pray that as we celebrate Democracy Day today, we go back to that era where Nigeria was Nigeria; not now when religion and ethnicity decides who is popular and who is better qualified to be voted for.

I am an old man now, I have just celebrated my 93rd birthday, but it would be unthinkable for me, to keep quiet in the face of such injustice, oppression, and marginalization, unfair and unjust treatment, being practiced against my people. I can say, without doubt, we have never had it this so bad.

I do not know when it will please the Almighty God to call me home. But, let me sound this note of warning, THINGS CANNOT CONTINUE THIS WAY!

Thank you, Mr. President.”

Breaking: Okorocha Dares EFCC, Says No Money Recovered From Him, Challenges It To Publish Details; Asks For Retraction

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June 12, 2020

By Gideon Njoku

Former Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, says the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has lied against him.

Okorocha was reacting to a Press Conference addressed in Port Harcourt on Thursday, by the EFCC Zonal Head, Mr Usman Imam. At the Conference, Imam had disclosed that the Commission had recovered the sum of N7.9b from Okorocha. Out of the recovered amount, he said, the Commission released the sum of N2.5b to the former Governor Emeka Ihedioha administration to pay salaries and pensions. In March, it also released the sum of N2.7b to the Governor Hope Uzodinma administration for the same purpose.

Aside from the money recovered, the EFCC said it has seized a number of properties belonging to the former Governor, scattered in Owerri, Lagos and Abuja.

And the bombshell: The Commission is set to haul Okorocha before the Court. It asked him to prepare for his day in court.

But the former Governor is neither impressed that he would, finally, have his day in court, nor rattled by the serious allegations against him. He is, instead, angry.

In a press release signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha is accusing the EFCC of misinformation. He says no money was recovered from him. Not a kobo.

Proof: He challenges the EFCC to make public details of the accounts and banks from where they seized the money.

If the Commission fails to do so, he is insisting on a retraction of the story by the it.

On the properties confiscated, Okorocha insists they were acquired over 20 years ago, long before he became Imo Governor.

Following is Okorocha’s response to EFCC’s Usman Imam’s Thursday Press Conference.

“The media had reported the Head of the Port Harcourt zone of the Economic and financial Crime Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Usman Imam, to have claimed at a press conference, on Thursday, June 11, 2020, that he recovered N7.9 billion from the former governor of the state, Senator Rochas Okorocha while he was incharge of Enugu zone of the commission.

“He was also quoted to have talked about Okorocha’s properties marked in Owerri and Abuja, by the commission.

“And in reaction, we want to state as follows:

“1. The EFCC as a commission or Mr Usman Imam as a person and Head of Enugu zone then, and today, that of Port Harcourt Zone, of the commission, never recovered N7.9 billion or any other amount of money, from Rochas Okorocha

“2. With this denial, we therefore challenge EFCC or Mr. Imam as the one who made the claim, to prove us wrong by publishing details of the Bank Accounts the money was found and the owners of the accounts.

“3. We hold the EFCC and its personnel in a very high esteem. And we expect the commission or Mr. Imam to take our denial very serious, because Nigerians of goodwill would like to know who is saying the truth or who is lying.

“4. Where the commission finds out that it had misinformed the public and had also blackmailed the former Imo governor, perhaps unconsciously, we expect the commission or Mr. Imam to do the needful, which is to retract the media statement and then tell Nigerians the correct story. The N7.9 billion in question must be in bank Accounts. Let the EFCC publish the Accounts’ Details without delay.

“5. Mr Imam talked about properties owned by Okorocha which the commission had marked. It is also important that Mr. Imam publishes those properties because the properties marked had been acquired by Okorocha about twenty years ago. Since Mr. Imam has begun media trial, let the properties be also published for Nigerians to know the truth.

“6. We have repeatedly told this story, that before the 2019 election, the PDP elements in Imo had written to the EFCC, alleging that Okorocha had planned to use all the state funds to finance the election of his choice candidates. The EFCC, leveraging on the petitions, seized all the accounts of the state including the ones meant for the payment of salaries, pensions, severance allowances and so on. We have made this particular claim severally and the EFCC or any other interested person or persons have never faulted our claim.

“7. It has also been on the basis of these petitions written by the PDP government then led by Chief Emeka Ihedioha against Okorocha and the family, that the EFCC has been on the neck of Okorocha.

“8. Even after that Government had petitioned the commission and the commission acting on the petitions, the government also constituted more than twelve commissions and panels to probe Okorocha and family, on the same issues or items the EFCC is investigating.

“9. Some of the panels have submitted their reports to the current government in the state led by Governor Hope Uzodinma, while others are still sitting and equally conducting media trials on Okorocha.

“10. Obviously, the EFCC has been misinformed. And the commission is using such misinformation to carry out media trial on Okorocha and in some cases, has even convicted him before the trial which Mr. Imam had talked about.

“11. We want to reiterate that EFCC has not recovered any money from Okorocha including the N7.9 billion claimed by Mr. Imam. And it is left for EFCC to prove us wrong. And if the commission discovers that our claim is the correct story, Mr. Imam should retract the media statement and tell the world the correct story.

“May God bless Mr. Usman Imam.”

So, questions: Between Okorocha and Imam, who is speaking the truth?

If the whopping amount was seized from Okorocha, why would he so brazenly deny? And challenge the Commission?

And, would the EFCC say it seized money from Okorocha if it didn’t?Why?

Since the Commission says it is set to arraign Okorocha before the Court, very soon, the truth will be known. Only time will tell.

Bombshell: Over $9bn Left By Abacha Disappeared Under Abdusalami- Al- Mustapha

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June 12, 2020

By Tosin OLatokunbo

Major Hamza Al-Mustapha has revealed that over $9 billion left in the nation’s account by late maximum ruler, General Sanni Abacha, disappeared after his death.

General Abdusalami Abubakar took over government after Abacha died on June 8, 1998 and later handed over to President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Within this short transition period, the chief security officer, CSO to the late head of state said huge funds belonging to the country could not be accounted for.

Mustapha said “within four years and eight months, he raised it to over $9bn. After his death, all the billions vanished in nine months.

The person that raised Nigeria’s image and enhanced security is now the subject of insult. But those who shared the money he left are still alive and untouchable.”

Speaking on the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, monitored in Kaduna on Thursday, Al-Mustapha also disclosed that Abacha escaped eight coup attempts while he was in power.

He said “Let me tell you something about Abacha, eight coups were staged to topple him before he died.

Nigerians knew of only three coup attempts against Abacha, but there were eight coup attempts. He died when they were plotting the 8th,” Al-Mustapha said.”

He dismissed allegation that the former military ruler stole from the country. Mustapha has struggled to deny allegation that his boss looted the country, following the recovery of over $5 billion he hid in many off shore accounts. More are still be recovered.

According to him “I am surprised by the way Abacha is being blackmailed. I am surprised because when he assumed leadership, Nigeria had less than $2bn in the foreign reserve.

I have said it that there was a period Nigeria was to be sanctioned. So there were plans to keep money overseas so that Nigeria and Nigerians would not suffer when the sanction was imposed on the country.

We gathered emirs and chiefs from the South and from the North, together with VIPs of that time; those in government and those not in government. We met at a place called Camp Bassey Officers’ Mess in the Brigade of Guards.

It was there we deliberated on the threat to sanction Nigeria. Many decisions were made,” said Mustapha who was incarcerated after Abacha’s death.

Edo: APC Leaders Challenge Tinubu To Speak Now Or Never

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June 12, 2020

Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has been condemned by some founding members of his party, for his alleged role in the political crisis rocking Edo state.

Intervene now before it’s too late, the angry leaders also tells Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the party.

Oshiomhole is currently embattled with the governor of his state, Godwin Obaseki over the latter’s second term ambition.

The APC strongman has vowed to stop his former ally from being re-elected.

The party had during the week screened some aspirants ahead its governorship primary coming up later this month.

But 12 founding APC members said the action of their national chairman posed a danger to the ruling party and capable of murdering democracy in APC.

The chieftains, on Thursday in a statement, charged Tinubu, to intervene before Oshiomhole ‘murdered’ democracy.

Two weeks ago, the governor met Tinubu in his Bourdillon, Lagos residence where he sought his intervention on the lingering political crisis.

The members who signed the statement are Salihu Mustapha, Polycap Udah, Mohammed Bala Jibrin, Ray Morphy, Umar Kachalla Zubair, Sylvanus Amechi, Shaba Emangi and Emeka Enechi.

Others are Charles Idahosa, Mohammed Aboki Mahmud, Mackor Shaka Momodu and Yesufu Omonemi.

The accused Oshiomhole of wrongly granting waiver to Pastor Ize Osagie-Iyamu, to contest the party’s governorship primary against the constitution of the APC and in contravention of known democratic rules.

They also condemned him for foisting direct primary on the party in choosing its candidate for the September governorship election.

The chieftains said the party has suffered “incalculable losses since 2015” when it took power, due largely infighting among its leaders.

They stated that “It is against this background that we believe that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has a historic duty to come out and assure party members and indeed the Nigerian citizens that he still stands on the pillars of equity, fairness and justice.

Let us not be misunderstood. We are not in any way, suggesting that Asiwaju jumps into the fray in the many of the festering and lingering internal disagreements within the APC, requiring reconciliation.”

Tinubu should intervene in the crisis by calling the chairman to order, adding that his silence is not golden at this time.

According to them“We find it bewildering that just within a space of one month, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole had serially and violently violated the APC constitution that the silence of Asiwaju, the national leader is disconcerting.”

They added further that “We expect that by now he should be able to provide incontestably fair leadership to all party members, through which some specific actions of the APC national chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole can be moderated and made to conform with internal due processes as provided in the provisions of the APC constitution.

Comrade Oshiomhole has murdered democracy in the APC. As democrats, we believe that such actions are reprehensible and condemnable.

No leadership will condone such illegal actions that can only undermine the democratic ethos upon which APC stands.”

They warned the party’s leadership not to give room for the opposition to take over the state.

“We are inadvertently giving oxygen to the PDP, a failed political formation that we thought we had castrated in 2015,” the leaders said.

Meanwhile, Governor Obaseki said he has lost hope in the party to address his grievances against the National Chairman.

They can’t give me justice, the embattled governor said after his screening on Thursday.

June 12: I Have Built A Solid Foundation For Nigeria-Buhari

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June 12, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari, in his speech to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day says his government has delivered on its promises, in spite of seeming challenges facing the country.

Here is the full version of the president’s speech.

Fellow Nigerians,
The 2020 celebration of Democracy Day marks 21 years of uninterrupted civil administration in our dear country. This day provides us an opportunity to reflect on our journey as a nation, our achievements and struggles.

It is a day to honour our founding fathers who toiled to establish our republic and every Nigerian who has worked tirelessly to sustain it.

We are celebrating this year’s Democracy Day despite the COVID-19 pandemic which afflicts our nation and the whole world.

It is indeed a very difficult time for everyone especially those who have lost loved ones to the virus and those whose sources of livelihood have been severely constrained by the stringent measures we introduced at every level of government to contain the virus and save lives.

The dedication of our health and other essential services staff towards containing this virus is a testament of our courage and resilience as a people and as a great nation, and I use this opportunity to say thank you to all of you for your service to the nation.

Sustaining our democracy thus far has been a collective struggle, and I congratulate all Nigerians and particularly leaders of our democratic institutions on their resilience and determination to ensure that Nigeria remains a shining example of democracy.

In my 2019 Democracy Day address, I promised to frontally address the nation’s daunting challenges, especially insecurity, economy and corruption. I therefore find it necessary to give an account of my stewardship on this day.

We have recorded notable achievements in the course of implementing our nine priority objectives and are establishing a solid foundation for future success.

On the economic front, our objectives have remained to stabilize the macroeconomy, achieve agricultural and food security, ensure energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products, develop infrastructure, fight corruption and improve governance.

We have witnessed eleven quarters of consecutive GDP growth since exiting recession. The GDP grew from 1.91% in 2018 to 2.27% in 2019 but declined to 1.87% in the first quarter of 2020 as a result of the decline in global economic activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every single economy in the world has suffered a decline. Ours has been relatively moderate.

In order to stabilize the economy, the Monetary Authority took steps to build the external reserves which resulted in improved liquidity in the foreign exchange market. The external reserves grew from $33.42 billion on April 29th 2020 to about $36.00 billion in May, 2020 which is enough to finance seven months of import commitments.

Agriculture remains the key to our economic diversification strategy. The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative programme continues to deliver significant quantities of affordable and high-quality fertilizers to our farmers. This initiative has also revived 31 blending plants and created a significant number of direct and indirect jobs across the value chain.

Government is also revamping the cotton, textile and garment sector via a CBN Textile Revival Intervention Fund that would considerably reduce foreign exchange spent on cotton and other textile imports.

Through the food security initiative, we are promoting “Grow What We Eat” and “Eat What We Grow”. I am also delighted that more and more Nigerians are taking advantage of the opportunities in the agriculture and agri-business sector. I assure you that government will continue to support the Agriculture sector through the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme and similar schemes.

To protect our farming investments, we have deployed 5,000 Agro-Rangers and employed 30,289 in our para-military agencies.

We are also integrating rural communities to the formal economy by extending access to credit and inputs to rural farmers and building feeder roads.

Our efforts on growing non-oil exports have started to yield some results. For instance, in the past year, our revenue from Cocoa and Sesame Seed increased by $79.4 million and $153 million.

Africa presents a huge opportunity for our export base diversification and we are developing our strategy to grow intra-Africa trade through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

Nigeria has risen by 25 places on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking from 146th to 131st and is now rated as one of the top ten reforming countries.

This development is due to the Visa on Arrival policy, consistent promotion of initiatives that expand facilities available to Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, robust electronic registration and payment system, seamless processing of business registration and reduction of cost of registering business by 50%. We are confident that on-going efforts would result in further improvement of this rating.

We remain committed to expanding our mining sector. To this end, I have directed the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant based on Government-to-Government financing and a Public-Private Sector financing.

With foreign and domestic investments and the participation of Small Scale Miners, we are harnessing the supply value chain in gold production.

We would also be launching a fully digitized mineral rights management platform for quick processing of mineral rights application, digitization of records and plugging revenue leakages.

The Power Sector remains very critical to meeting our industrial development aspirations and we are tackling the challenges that still exist in the delivery of power through different strategies.

We are executing some critical projects through the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme including the:

a. Alaoji to Onitsha, Delta Power Station to Benin and Kaduna to Kano;

b. 330kv DC 62km line between Birnin Kebbi and Kamba;

c. Lagos/Ogun Transmission Infrastructure Project;

d. Abuja Transmission Ring Scheme; and

e. Northern Corridor Transmission Project.

Our agreement with Siemens will transmit and distribute a total of 11,000 Megawatts by 2023, to serve our electricity needs.

On transportation, another critical sector to improving our economic competitiveness, we are growing the stock and quality of our road, rail, air and water transport infrastructure.

Through the SUKUK-Funded Road Projects, a total of 412km of the targeted 643km road projects have been completed, representing 64%.

The Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund projects are also progressing very well. On the 2nd Niger Bridge, piling work has been completed and the approach roads are being constructed. 48% of work on this bridge has been achieved. We have constructed 102km of the 376km Abuja – Kaduna – Kano Road, representing 38%, and the 42.9km Obajana – Kabba Road is 87.03% complete.

Furthermore, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency has completed routine maintenance on over 4,000km of federal roads out of the 5,000km targeted.

We are extending and upgrading our railway network too. We are introducing more locomotives, coaches and wagons for the Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line. The Central Ajaokuta – Itakpe – Warri Line has been completed and is being extended from Itakpe to Abuja on one end and from Warri Town to Warri Port on the other.

The Lagos-Ibadan Rail Line is 90% completed and would be extended to the Lagos Port which would help address the long-standing grid-lock at the Apapa port.

The Kano – Maradi Single Track Standard Gauge Railway, Coastal Railway Project and Port Harcourt – Maiduguri Standard Gauge Railway, with its associated branch lines running through the South Eastern and Gombe States, industrial park and Bonny Deep Sea Port are all ready for concessioning.

Government continues to make investments in the Aviation sector to position it as a travel and trade hub in West Africa and the wider African continent.

Airport Terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt are being expanded, while the rehabilitation of the Enugu Airport is almost completed. All our airports are being raised to international standards with the provision of necessary equipment, especially navigational aids, to guarantee world class safety standards.

For the first time in over ten years, Nigeria is conducting bidding process for 57 Marginal Oil Fields to increase revenue and increase the participation of Nigerian companies in oil and exploration and production business.

We continue to grow local content in other areas of the oil and gas sector with the disbursement of funds from the $200 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund to indigenous manufacturers and service providers.

With sustained engagement of youths, opinion leaders and other stakeholders, we have restored peace in the Niger Delta Region and maintained our oil production levels.

The Head office of the Niger Delta Development Commission will be commissioned shortly. The Funding of sections I–IV of the East-West Road shall be pursued with a view to completing the project by the end of 2021.

Furthermore, I am determined to ensure that development meant for the people of the Niger Delta get to them so I have authorised a Forensic Audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Digital Economy continues to play an important role in our development agenda as we move into the age of Artificial Intelligence.

Since the creation of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy has been launched. Steps have been taken to achieve a reduction of connectivity cluster gaps from 207 to 114 as well as increase the level of 4G coverage by 30%.

Nigeria remains committed to expanding access to quality education to enhance the productivity of its citizens and would continue to pursue the enforcement of free and compulsory basic education for the first 9 years of schooling.

In pursuit of this, we have launched the Better Education Service Delivery for All in 17 states, established additional 6 Federal Science and Technical Colleges and currently executing a pro-active Teacher Training Plan with all states of the Federation.

In our revision of the operations of specialized education funds and to implement reforms that would optimize their benefits to the sector, we have adopted a Public-Private Sector Partnership for provision of infrastructure and also collaborate with the private sector to create jobs.

Our pursuit of affordable housing for the low and middle-income earners has received a boost with the delivery of 1,200 housing units, provision of 520 service plots with infrastructure through a Public Private Sector partnership and the issuance of 868 mortgages totaling N7.7 Billion. Similarly, Home Renovation Loans totaling N16.2 Billion have been granted to 19,210 people.

To enable sustainable access to safe and sufficient water to meet the social, cultural, environmental and economic development needs of all Nigerians, we continue to expand our water supply, irrigation and dam facilities.

The Completion of Amauzari, Amla Otukpo and other 42 Earth Dams with combined job creation of about 43,354 direct jobs and 71,172 indirect jobs, would provide more support for irrigation agriculture and water supply.

To further institutionalize our effort in this regard, I signed the Executive Order 009 on Ending Open Defecation in Nigeria.

In order to improve our forest cover and in fulfilment of my commitment at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, we have commenced the planting of 25 million trees. This initiative will also contribute to our effort to mitigate the effect of climate change.

In the area of security, we remain unshaken in our resolve to protect our national infrastructure including on-shore and off-shore oil installations, secure our territorial waters and end piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

Ending insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality across the nation is being accorded appropriate priorities and the men and women of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have considerably downgraded such threats across all geo-political zones.

All the Local Governments that were taken over by the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa have long been recovered and are now occupied by indigenes of these areas who were hitherto forced to seek a living in areas far from their ancestral homes.

The total collapse of the economies of these areas, which constituted a threat to our food security, has also been reversed with the gradual recovery of farming and other economic activities.

I regret recent sporadic incidents with tragic loss of lives in Katsina and Borno States as a result of criminals taking advantage of COVID-19 restrictions. Security Agencies will pursue the perpetrators and bring them to swift justice.

I must implore state and local governments to revamp their intelligence assets so that the Security Agencies can nip in the bud any planned attacks in remote rural areas. I send my heartfelt condolences to all the relatives and communities affected.

As part of the strengthening of our internal security architecture, the Ministry of Police Affairs was created.

Amongst others, Government has expanded the National Command and Control Centre to nineteen states of the federation, resuscitated the National Public Security Communication System and commenced the implementation of the Community Policing Strategy.

Government has similarly established a Nigerian Police Trust Fund as a public-private sector vehicle for alternative sources of funding security activities.

To reduce security challenges through our external borders especially smuggling of oil products out of the country, inflow of small arms and drugs into the country and equally protect our local manufacturers, we introduced operation “Ex-Swift Response” closing our borders from August 20th 2019, and have considerably succeeded in meeting its objectives as well as improving our national revenue.

Our Government has continued to work to reduce social and economic inequality through targeted social investment programmes, education, technology and improved information.

Our Social Investment Programme has continued to be a model to other nations and has engaged 549,500 N-Power beneficiaries, 408,682 beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme and 2,238,334 beneficiaries of the Growth Enhancement and Empowerment Programme. This is being done in collaboration with the States.

Similarly, “Marketmoni” and “Tradermoni” Programmes have provided affordable loans to small and micro scale enterprises to grow their businesses. Under the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, over 9,963,729 children are being fed to keep them in school and improve their nutritional status.

Fellow Nigerians, the year 2020 has been like none other. In January 2020, the COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. The number of global infections has risen from less than 8,000 shared between China and eighteen other countries to over 7million spread over 216 countries and on all continents.

Nigeria recorded its first case of COVID-19 on February 27th 2020 and within the first 100 days, I have had cause to address the nation on three occasions within one month, which underscores the gravity of this pandemic.

There is no doubt that this pandemic has affected the global economy and all known socio-economic systems. It has also brought grief and pain to families that have lost their loved ones. Like many Nigerians, I feel the grief and pain not only as your President but also as someone who has lost a close member of my staff and some relatives and friends.

In order to have a robust National response, I approved a Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to provide guidance and leadership in tackling the pandemic nationwide.

State Governments also constituted their own COVID-19 Task Forces. Complementing this was the establishment of a National Emergency Operations Centre responsible for providing technical and professional guidance in the National Response.

The overall objective of the PTF COVID-19 is to ensure that the pandemic does not overwhelm our health systems, while ensuring that we maintain an effective Case Management System to help in containing the spread of the virus.

The impact of the pandemic has disrupted our economic system and to ensure its functioning while still addressing the spread, the Federal Government put in place a number of various non-pharmaceutical measures to slow down the spread of the virus, in addition to a progressive re-opening of the economy.

As part of the strategy to create jobs in reducing the effect of COVID-19 on our youths, I directed the employment of 774, 000 Nigerians. These youths will be engaged in Special Public Works Programme aimed at cushioning the effects of economic downturn. Each of the 774 local government areas in the country will be allotted 1,000 slots. I am pleased to report that this programme has commenced.

I receive regular briefing from the PTF on COVID-19. I note that the National Response relies on Science, Data and Experience in taking decisions. This informed my approval for the ease of lock down phase to ensure a balance between lives and livelihoods.

I am confident that the steps being taken by the PTF would result in flattening the COVID-19 curve. I, therefore, implore all Nigerians to abide by the approved guidelines and protocols. There is hope for us all if we take individual and collective responsibility.

Government is determined to turn this COVID-19 challenge into a motivation to action by building a nation-wide public health care system that will help us overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for any future outbreak.

Already, we have begun to look inward and I charge our inventors, researchers and scientists to come up with solutions to cure COVID-19.

Government has continued to implement accountability and transparent policies through the Open Government Partnership and the transparency portal on financial transactions. Similarly, we have strengthened auditing and accountability mechanisms so as to ensure that rules and regulations are followed strictly.

Anti-Corruption Agencies have secured more than 1,400 convictions and also recovered funds in excess of N800 billion. These monies are being ploughed into development and infrastructure projects.

The Public Service of Nigeria remains the bedrock for the formulation and implementation of policies, programmes and projects in the country. This accounts for why it continues to evolve especially as new socio-economic challenges emerge for Government to address.

I will continue to give all the necessary support for the on-going reforms designed to return discipline, integrity and patriotism as the hallmark of the public service.

In the face of dwindling resources and rising cost of governance, I have authorized that the White Paper on the Rationalisation of Government Parastatals and Agencies be reviewed for implementation.

Our youth population remains a source of strength in achieving development objectives. In this regard, we would continue to concentrate in developing their skills, providing them with opportunities to express their entrepreneurial, research and industrial capacities as well as ample opportunity to take leadership positions in the service of the nation.

The commitment of this Administration to the well-being of people living with disabilities remains unwavering. Government recognises their contributions to development. I have directed that all relevant Government agencies pay special attention to the peculiarities of persons with disabilities in the formulation and implementation of their policies and programmes, and where suitable their employment.

Nigerian women remain a particular treasure to this nation and for this reason this Administration has continued to give them a place of pride in the affairs of our country.

I salute your courage, enterprise and resilience as well as your contributions to national development. I wish to assure all our women of this administration’s determination to fight Gender Based Violence through the instrumentality of the law and awareness creation. I am particularly upset at recent incidents of rape especially of very young girls. The Police are pursuing these cases with a view to bringing perpetrators of these heinous crimes to swift justice.

Government continues to recognize and harness the power of the media for positive development. The reforms of the broadcast and advertising industries including digital switch over and continuous engagement through town hall meetings remain central to accurate and credible information dissemination.

Our culture provides the basis for our existence as a people and a nation. In preserving iconic aspects of our national culture, this government has been pursuing the recovery of artefacts removed from Nigeria, promoting heritage sites and festivals and working towards designating some of our heritage sites as UNESCO World Heritage Centres.

This administration is focused on ensuring that Nigeria would always be governed by the Rule of Law and I would do my utmost to uphold the constitution and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.

Government has initiated a number of policies and programmes designed to promote the legal rights of Nigerians, facilitate the institutionalization of a responsive legal system, provide support to all constituted bodies in implementing their mandates and improve our custodial system of justice.

The National Assembly has been an important partner in our quest to sustain our democracy and achieve our development objectives.

I therefore greatly thank the leadership and members of the Senate and the House of Representatives for their invaluable support at all times. I will also like to convey our deep appreciation to members of the Press for your doggedness in the struggle for attainment of democracy since the beginning of our nationhood.

I must admit that the relationship between the media and successive governments has not always been perfect. But there is no denying the fact that you have been an effective watchdog for the society especially in holding public officers to account. It is sad that in the course of securing our democracy, some of your colleagues have had to pay a heavy price.

We will continue to guarantee freedom of the Press as we place high premium on responsible journalism that is devoid of hate speech, fake news and other unethical professional conduct.

Fellow Nigerians, as we celebrate this year’s Democracy Day, let us remember that, notwithstanding our aspirations, humanity and indeed democracy is under the threat of COVID-19. Nigeria has survived many crises before and came out stronger. I am confident that by God’s grace we shall overcome this one and emerge stronger and more purposeful.

Thank you for listening. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

FG Denies Approval To Reopening Airports On June 21

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June 12, 2020