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Buhari Not Interested In Credible Polls -Atiku …As PDP Alleges Presidency, APC Hawking With 2023 …Says Buhari Lied To Nigerians On Budget

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6 years ago

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The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, is not interested in ensuring free, fair and credible elections in 2019.
Atiku’s party, the PDP, also accused the President of planning to extend the service of the Inspector General of Police , Ibrahim Idris, in order to use him to manipulate the presidential elections in favour of the APC.
Atiku said this while speaking through the spokesperson for the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Umar Sani, at a press briefing in Lagos, yesterday.
Also, the PDP’s rejection of the IGP’s service extension was stated at the same briefing which had the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan in attendance.
Atiku said it was evident that Buhari was not interested in credible elections because his refusal to sign the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2018 despite the provisions in the bill to address election manipulations was a manifestation of his intention.
The PDP Presidential Campaign Council’s spokesperson said, “ Elections are usually manipulated at coalition centres and the amendments in the Electoral Bill is trying to prevent this but the President has refused to sign it.
“ When former President Goodluck Jonathan was in office, he was pressurised to extend the service of the then IGP, MD Abubakar but he did not succumb. Election was also close then and he refused to succumb to the pressure to extend his service.
“ We will not accept this now, we won’t accept anything less than what was done then. A precedent has been set, so we won’t accept anything less.”
Sani said Atiku had continued to say that he would engage younger persons with brilliant ideas and energy to drive the economy of the nation, saying an enabling environment would be created for businesses to thrive.
This, he said, would translate to job creation while stressing that Atiku, who was an entrepreneur and a good manager of humans and resources would unite the nation and reposition its economy to make life better for the people.
He explained that Atiku would also initiate the process of restructuring of the country which he had been promising in his electioneering while urging the electorate to discountenance the alleged lie of the ruling party that the PDP candidate said he would restructure the country in six months.
Sani said it was not enough to have integrity, saying Buhari had brought disaster to the economy and other aspects of the nation because he lacked the required competence to govern Nigeria.
Ologbondiyan stated that no administration in Nigeria has been found to be as corrupt as the Buhari administration. He said Buhari’s lieutenants had stolen so much from the public treasury but said the most painful thing was that the President had kept looking at another direction each time his aides were fingered in corrupt practices.
He said, “ We reject the any extension of service for the IGP. We in PDP reject this. We know what the President is planning to do by the extension of service is to use the IG to perpetrate his rigging plan.
“ We want to appeal to the IGP to insulate Nigeria Police from partisan politics. From the body language of Mr President, it is evident that he is not ready for free and fair elections in 2019.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organization (PDPPCO) has accused the Presidency and the All Progressive Congress (APC) of hawking the 2023 presidency to secure votes for next year’s election.
This followed the promised by different key officials of the administration including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo asking different regions to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari so that they may have the 2023 presidential slot.
But in a statement issued by the spokesman of the campaign organization, Kassim Afegbua in Abuja on Sunday, the PDPPCO said the move was in desperation to hang on to power despite its abysmal failure so far.
It noted that the ruling party has “resorted to trading with the lure of 2023 presidency, promising both the South East and South West respectively of the 2023 presidency in exchange for votes.”
The statement said giving out two promises has exposed the insincerity and dubious intention of the Buhari-led Federal Government with the people of the South-East and South-West geopolitical zones with empty promises of bequeathing power to the two zones at the same time in 2023.
According to the campaign spokesman, this is why Nigerians cannot take the APC and the Buhari presidency serious any longer, as we prepare for the 2019 election.
The statement recalled that speaking on behalf of President Buhari in Owerri last week, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, told the APC campaign that the President would hand over the reins of power to a South-Easterner while calling on the people to support Mr President.
It pointed out that meanwhile, the Vice President also told leaders of the South-West to support the re-election of President Buhari so as to get the presidency in 2023.
The statement added: “Two principal officers of the same government cannot be fooling Nigerians with vainglorious promises all in the name of re-election.
“Such discordant tunes by the first and second citizens of our dear country have exposed lack of synergy and display of double standard and double-speak by chieftains of a government that has continued to display wanton desperation to hold on to power at all cost in the face of monumental failure.
“How can the president be promising South-Easterners the Presidency when his Vice President is also promising the South-Westerners same position in 2023, all in the name of 2019 re-election?.
“This is a clear show of deceit, desperation, crass insincerity and hypocrisy of the highest order. This is a clarion call on the South-Easterners not to trust such carrot being dangled before them as it has become obvious that this government neither fulfils promises nor keeps any covenant.
“The same government cannot promise the Igbos and Yorubas at the same time if it were sincere about the shape of politics of 2023 presidency.
“This government has an uncommon reputation for deceit, lies, insincerity and hypocrisy especially when it has to do with its 2019 re-election bid.
“Nigerians are beginning to see through the pretensions and dubiety of purpose of the Buhari-led Federal Government; a government that has shown its incapacitation and leadership atrophy in the last three years and crippled the fabric of our collegiate solidarity and unity through nepotism and cronyism.
“The president cannot, on the one hand, be playing God by decreeing which zone it intends to bequeath the reins of power, while his Vice President, on the other hand, is also promising his South-West zone of the same position.
“This is a typical feature of power hawkers, in their desperation to hoodwink buyers to patronise their morbid products.
“The Nigerian public must wake up to this double-speak and vote out this inconsistent government in 2019.
“It is a responsibility that every Nigerian must buy into in order to save the country from further maladies and misgovernance.”
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation (PPCO) has demanded for apology from President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly making false claims in his Wednesday’s budget presentation to the National Assembly.
The Director, Media and Publicity of PPCO, Kola Ologbondiyan, said in a statement issued in Abuja last Saturday that the organisation noted with consternation, “the deliberate reliance on falsehood” by President Buhari in the 2019 budget presentation.
The campaign spokesman said Nigerians and the international community were shocked as fact-checks revealed that a large part of the claims made by Mr. President, particularly on projects he claimed to have completed, were outright falsehood, apparently designed by the Buhari Presidency to mislead the nation and the world.
He observed that the fact-checks showed that most of the projects which Mr President claimed to have been completed did not have the least attention of his administration, if they existed at all.
He added: “Of particular reference is President Buhari’s claim that he had completed the Ugwashi-Uku Dam in Delta State, a claim which casts a long shadow on his assertions, as the project had been abandoned since 2015.
“In fact, the dam, which President Buhari barefacedly said he had completed, is overgrown with weeds, while the road leading to the complex has collapsed.
“The scenario is mostly the same in other capital projects, particularly those in remote parts of the country, which, perhaps, our dear President thought Nigerians would not fact-check on.
“This explained why federal lawmakers booed him during his budget presentation, a development that is unprecedented in our national history.
“In his desperate plot to nudge up a trajectory of dismal performance, President Buhari resorted to falsification of achievements, thereby violating his oath of office, the oath of allegiance to the people of Nigeria and corrupted our national performance indices.
“This elevation of lies to a standard practice of governance is embarrassing and the PPCO completely condemns it.
“All over the world, leaders of nations are expected to be truthful in their dealings, but this is no longer the case as it concerns our dear nation.
“While we do not want to call Mr. President a liar, we urge him to tell Nigerians, in his own words, what he would call a person who claims to have done what he did not do, particularly, given his perception by a minority few as Mr. Integrity.”
The PPCO invited Nigerians to note that since fact-checks exposed the myriads of false claims in Mr. President’s budget speech, the Presidency had not offered any form of explanation.
“This goes to show that the claims were deliberate and intended to mislead,” he stated further, adding that “Nigerians will recall that the PDP had always alerted that the Buhari Presidency had nothing to offer Nigerians except lies, falsehood, deception, beguilement, intimidation, harassment, hunger, starvation and disobedience of court orders.”
The PPCO, therefore, charged President Buhari to apologise to Nigerians and get his handlers to turn a new leaf “and save his reputation from further nose-diving within the few months he has left in office as the President.”

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We’ve Only One House Of Assembly Led By Oko-Jumbo, Fubara Clarifies …Signs Into Law N1.188trn Rivers 2025 Budget

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8 hours ago

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January 10, 2025

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has insisted that there is only one House of Assembly existing in the State, and it is led by Rt Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.

 

Governor Fubara made the clarification shortly after giving assent to the Rivers State Appropriation Law No.1 of 2025, at Government House in Port Harcourt.

 

The Governor said the records need to be put straight to address insinuations in some quarters about a possible splitter in the Legislature, and stated that there is no such division.

 

Governor Fubara stated: “I want to say this, maybe, for some persons somewhere who are still mixing up issues. We have only one Rivers State House of Assembly, and that Assembly is headed by Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo”.

 

He described those who abdicated their mandate in the House as a group of friends who had embarked on Sinbad journey, and half-way into the journey, they decided to return, saying, “It is too late. We are not going back. As far as I am concerned, we have moved on.”

 

Governor Fubara said that as it stands now, the focus of his administration is to do everything possible in defending the interest of Rivers State and the integrity of governance, and assured that with the 2025 budget now signed, every projection made in it will be addressed to deliver hope and good life to all residents in the State.

 

He said, “We will make sure that we kick-start, so that the record of performance that was accorded by this administration in the year 2024 will be higher in this year, 2025.

 

“Let me first thank the Rivers State House of Assembly for doing very diligent job, and also realizing the task that we have ahead of us, which is to continue to work for Rivers people. So, I want to thank you for working very hard and ensuring that we hit the ground running in this New Year.”

 

Governor Fubara also commended members of the State Executive Council, which he described as the management team, especially the Deputy Governor, for their support and cooperation, and particularly thanked the Commissioners for Finance, and Budget, as well as the Acting Chairman of Rivers State Internal Revenue Board, for the wonderful job they did last year.

 

He noted, “We expect you to do more because we have a bigger task ahead of us. We have made some promises to our people. Education, Health and Agriculture; we must make sure we make good impact just like we have done in the areas of road and other aspects of the economy. We made a promise to you (Rivers people) that we will continue to protect, defend and promote the interest of our dear State.”

 

In his speech, Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo, asserted that Rivers people witnessed unprecedented growth in the State made possible by the administration of Governor Fubara in infrastructure development, healthcare delivery, education, social welfare, security and other sectors.

 

Rt Hon Oko-Jumbo pointed to how Governor Fubara has become the beacon of hope of the common man on the streets, because, according to him, they are happy with the positive impact his leadership style has afforded them.

 

The Speaker explained that Governor Fubara has paid Rivers civil servants and pensioners N100,000.00 Christmas Bonus, being the second time; and approved and paid  N85,000.00 minimum wage (salary) to civil servants, which have stood him out as a leader that prioritises the well-being of the people.

 

He said, “Your Excellency, 2025 promises to be a year of strategic planning and partnership. We have no doubt that you will carry out the task of developing and delivering the dividends of democracy to every nook and cranny of Rivers State. So, Your Excellency, on behalf of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, we want to say thank you for being the People’s Governor, and thank you for the strategic partnership with the Legislature. Your Excellency, 2025 promises to be a year of exponential growth in Rivers State.”

 

Presenting the 2025 Budget to Governor Fubara for assent, Leader of the House, Hon Sokari Goodboy Sokari, said the total projected estimate of N1,188,962,739,932.36 for the 2025 fiscal year indicated a huge leap from previous year’s figure, indicating progress and assuring multiplication of comfort that good leadership can provide.

 

Hon Sokari also noted the strategic allocations for Recurrent and Capital expenditures that provide for the welfare of workers and retirees, more development projects, as well as savings that will be made from accruing revenues.

 

 

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Tinubu calls for increased currency swap between China, Nigeria

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8 hours ago

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January 10, 2025

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President Bola Tinubu yesterday urged the Chinese government to increase the two billion dollar currency swap between Nigeria and China to enhance trade between the two countries.

He also called for an upward review of the 50 billion dollar aid package for Africa, which China’s President Xi Jinping announced last year.

China and Nigeria recently renewed their currency swap agreement, valued at 15 billion yuan (approximately 2 billion dollars), to enhance trade and investment.

Receiving Wang Yi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, at the State House, the President said increasing the level of currency swaps would speed up the infrastructural development in Nigeria and deepen the strategic bilateral relations.

“We still demand more in the area of currency swap. The level you have approved as a government for Nigeria is inadequate considering our programme. If you can increase that, it will be well appreciated.

“Our bond should grow stronger and become unbreakable,” the President said.

Regarding the 50 billion dollars pledged by the Chinese government to support Africa, President Tinubu noted that the continent’s infrastructural needs would require more commitment, urging a review of the amount to reflect the continent’s reality.

“I am happy you are part of China’s highest decision-making body. We will want you to use your position to influence improved project funding.

“First, I say yes to the 50 billion dollar support, and thank you for contributing to African growth. The infrastructural needs of Africa are greater than that, and we want to move as rapidly as our other counterparts.

“All share your vision of rapid development. Africa values the relationship with China, and we seek deeper collaboration for infrastructural development,” he stated.

President Tinubu called on China to support Nigeria’s bid for a permanent United Nations Security Council seat.

“You are a member of the UN Security Council. We want you to use your influence to ensure Nigeria secures the seat,” the President said.

Tinubu said Africa, particularly Nigeria, was prepared to meet developmental goals and contribute counterpart project funding.

“We are ready to move and reach the various developmental goals. Due to our deliberation, we signed many MOUs and planned many action programmes.

“My visit during FOCAC was a good experience. We signed several comprehensive MOUs during the visit. We planned several programmes of action,” he said.

Yi thanked Tinubu for appointing a Director General and Global Liaison, Nigeria—China Strategic Partnership, to oversee the implementation of the MOUs for the rapid development of the Nigerian economy.

“I would like to thank Nigeria for abiding by the one-China principle, and we will continue to support Nigeria in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda, countering terrorism and ensuring regional security,” he said.

Yi said Chinese investments in the country would focus on employment generation and infrastructural development.

He said the Chinese National Development Bank had started funding some development projects.

He also said the Chinese government would support including an African country in the UN Security Council.

“We stand with Africa, and we will not support a country that invades another country,” he stated.

The foreign minister said China would welcome Nigeria’s membership in the BRICS and participation in the global development mechanism.

He said China fully supported Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), for a second term in office.

The minister lauded President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and consistency in projecting Africa’s needs, which require China’s support.

“You brought Renewed Hope to the people of Nigeria. Your economy has sustained sound momentum, and Nigeria’s global influence has steadily increased.

“Nigeria has played an important role in upholding regional peace and has become an important force for African stability.

“We congratulate Nigeria on its achievements and believe that, under your leadership, Nigeria will realise greater achievements,” the Chinese foreign minister stated.

 

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FG urges unified efforts against emerging COVID-19 threats

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10 hours ago

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January 10, 2025

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The Federal Government has called for unified efforts by stakeholders to tackle the emerging COVID-19 variants in the country.

Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Development, made the call in Abuja on Thursday, at a strategic meeting on COVID-19 preparedness and response.

The meeting was organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), following the recent emergence of a new COVID-19 variant in China and subsequent international concerns about the spread of the deadly virus.

The Tide source reports that NEMA conveyed the strategic stakeholders meeting to discuss preparedness, response plans, and proactive measures within Nigeria’s national context against the virus.

The minister, represented by a Director in Public Health Department at the Ministry, Mrs Chidinma Agbai, highlighted the devastating global impact of the pandemic and Nigeria’s resilience in spite of initial dire predictions.

He warned against misinformation and urged collaboration among stakeholders, including health officials and the media, to strengthen border controls and revive pandemic response infrastructure.

“A couple of months, the global world became affected one way or the other. you saw the number of people that were lost. They were counted in millions, people that were lost through COVID-19.

“You also saw the countermeasures that were taken by various countries. And surprisingly, those of us in Africa and Nigeria in particular, were expected to count our dead in millions. But God being our helper, It did not consume so much.

“But one life is a serious loss to a nation. So many Nigerians lost their lives, not really because of COVID-19, but because of countermeasures,” he said.

According to him, during the last COVID-19 and Ebola, people were told to take salt. Some people were told to take potash. So many countermeasures were introduced, and a lot of people lost their lives.

“So, now again in this harmattan period, we have to be careful because  COVID-19 started in the harmattan period too, in the past years, it has reared its head again in China.

“This time around, it’s a mutant type that has come up. And China, being what it is, is keeping quiet. They don’t want to raise alarm as to what they are experiencing.

“They’ve closed their doors to various appeals for them to speak up.

“So for us in Nigeria, we have to put deliberate efforts to ensure that those who are coming into Nigeria, or those who are leaving the country, are protected,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and others in ensuring that the country’s borders were under surveillance.

He urged that similar measure taken to curtail Ebola some years back should be applied at the airports, the land borders and the sea ports to secure the lives of Nigerians.

The minister also called for renewed efforts in vaccine development and public education to prevent panic and safeguard lives.

The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, in her remarks called for proactive planning, collaboration, and resource mobilisation to safeguard the country’s public health emergencies.

Umar, who was represented by the Director, Planning Research and Forecasting, Mr Onimode Bandele, said that the meeting was crucial amid global concerns.

The director-general stressed the importance of information sharing, transparency, and a unified approach in addressing the challenge.

“The recent COVID-19 situation emerging from China serves as a stark reminder that public health emergency recognises no borders.

“In today’s interconnected world, a health threat in one country has the potential to impact nations across continents.

“While Nigeria is not directly affected at the moment, proactive planning, preparedness, and collaboration are essential to safeguarding our citizens and mitigating any potential risk.

“In line with this mandate, NEMA aims to be number one to share insight and update on the current global COVID-19 situation and its potential implication for Nigeria,” she said.

Umar also reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to effective disaster management and urged unified efforts to maintain Nigeria’s resilience against global health threats.

On his part, Mr Hopewell Munyari, Operations Manager, International Federation of Red cross, urged Nigerians to learn from the COVID-19 response to improve future emergency efforts.

Munyari underscored the Nigerian Red Cross’s role as an auxiliary to government, actively working on responses like Lassa fever and mFox outbreaks.

He also called for leveraging global Red Cross networks and volunteers to enhance preparedness and ensure timely, reliable communication with communities.

 

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