₦airaland Forum

The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan on Friday said that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot be stampeded into signing the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment bill into law.

Before the latest version was submitted to the Presidency, the President had withheld his assent to the document about three times due to ‘errors’ in the amended bill.

With the 2019 general elections fast approaching, it is feared that the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment bill may not meet the stipulated time if not urgently signed into law by the President.

But speaking with State House correspondents after jumaat prayer at the Presidential Villa on Friday, Lawan advised that the President should take his time to study the document to avoid errors.

According to him, the amended 2006 Electoral Act can still be used for the 2019 general elections.

If properly implemented, he said that the 2006 Electoral Act can even deliver a more transparent, free and fair elections in 2019 than what was experienced in 2015.

“The President is willing to sign the bill provided it meets certain conditions that will make our electoral processes better. I believe the President is studying this bill.” he stated

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari has signed more bills than any previous President in this country.

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/11/buhari-cant-be-stampeded-into-signing.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned against politicising religion, saying Christians and Muslims in Nigeria can flourish together.

Mr Buhari said this in an opinion article published by the News Agency of Nigeria.

The article earlier appeared on the UK-based Christian Times on Friday.

In the article, the president referenced a Biblical verse and argued that Christians and Muslims share the same root, although their believes differ.

Read the op-ed below:

In 1844, the Revd Samuel Ajayi Crowther returned home to Yoruba land (now part of modern-day Nigeria). Twenty years earlier, he had been kidnapped and sold to European slave traders who were bound for the Americas. He was freed by an abolitionist naval patrol, and received by the Church Missionary Society. There, he found his calling.

Crowther made his voyage home to establish the first Anglican mission in Yoruba land. He came with the first Bibles translated into Yoruba and Hausa languages. He opened dialogue and discussion with those of other faiths. And his mission was a success: Crowther later became the first African Anglican bishop in Africa.

Today, Nigeria has the largest Christian population on the continent. The messages and teachings of Christianity are part of the fabric of each person’s life.

Along with the millions of Christians in Nigeria today, I believe in peace, tolerance, and reconciliation; in the institution of the family, the sanctity of marriage, and the honour of fidelity; in hope, compassion, and divine revelation.

Like Bishop Crowther, I am a descendant of Abraham; unlike him, I am a Muslim. I believe our two great religions can not only peacefully coexist but also flourish together. But Muslims and Christians must first turn to one another in compassion. For, as it says in Amos 3.3: “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?”

As they are People of the Book, I believe that there is far more that unites Muslims and Christians than divides them. In fact, I believe that the messages of the Bible are universal: available for anyone to exercise, and instructive to all.

We must resist the temptation to retreat into our communities, because, if we do, we can only look inwards. It is only when we mix that we can reach new and greater possibilities.

Whichever religion or religious denomination they choose to follow, Nigerians are devout. Anything that Nigerians believe will place impositions on their practice, and belief is therefore sure to cause widespread alarm.

And, unfortunately, there are those who seek to divide Nigerians — and our two great religions — and to do so for their own advantage.

I stand accused — paradoxically — of trying to Islamise Nigeria while also being accused by Boko Haram terrorists of being against Islam. My Vice-President is a devout man, a Christian pastor. He, too, is accused of selling out his religion, because of his support for me.

This is not the first time that I — nor, indeed, my Christian-Muslim evenly split cabinet — have been the subject of such nonsense. Fortunately, the facts speak differently from the words of those who seek to divide us from one another.

Since my administration has been in power, Boko Haram has been significantly and fatally degraded; I have befriended church leaders and church groups both within and outside our country; my Vice-President has addressed and opened dialogue with Muslims up and down our land.

In all things, we seek that which all well-meaning Christians and well-meaning Muslims must seek: to unite, respect, and never to divide. Does it not say “There is no compulsion in religion” (Qur’an 2.256)? Does it not say “Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us” (Luke 9.50)? This, surely, is the path that followers of both our two great religions must walk.

UNFORTUNATELY, those who wish us all to walk apart have recently found another focus for their efforts: the tragic clashes between nomadic herdsmen and settled farmers in the central regions of Nigeria.

For generations, herders have driven their cattle from the north to the centre of our country; they tend to be predominantly Muslim, although not exclusively. The farmers, in certain areas of central Nigeria, are predominantly Christian.

The causes of this conflict are not religious or theological, but temporal. At the heart of this discord is access to rural land, exacerbated both by climate change and population growth.

Sadly, there are some who seek to play fast and loose and so make others believe that these are not the facts. When religion is claimed as the cause — and by those who know that it is not — it only makes finding a resolution more difficult.

The government has taken action to mediate, to bring the two groups together in peace and unity. But we also need all parties to follow the teachings of the scriptures, and encourage reconciliation rather than cause division. As it is said: “Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear?” (Mark 8.18).

As our constitution codifies, politicising religion has no place in Nigeria; for it makes us turn away from one another; it makes us retreat into our communities and walk different paths.

I believe that there is a better way. To those who seek to divide, I still hold my hand out in brotherhood and forgiveness. I ask only that they stop, and instead encourage us to turn towards one another in love and compassion. Nigeria belongs to all of us. This is what I believe.

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/11/muslims-christians-can-flourish.html

The federal government has vowed to work assiduously to end the HIV/AIDs epidemic by 2030.


Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made this pledge on Thursday during the commemoration of this year’s World AIDS Day at the State House in Abuja.

Osinbajo, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, stated that in spite of the gains achieved so far, concerted effort would be required to achieve end to the pandemic within the targeted time frame.


The vice president said that it was in this regard that the country embarked on the National AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS), in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The survey was flagged-off by President Muhammadu Buhari in June this year.

The vice president said the government is also committed to increasing funding for HIV response and ensuring universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care services.


He added that for the first time government has included treatment of people living with HIV on its programme in Taraba and Abia states in the 2019 budget.

Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole enjoined Nigerians to go for HIV testing, saying it is estimated that only 38% of Nigerians know their status.

Director General of NACA, Dr Sani Aliyu said the agency had prioritized local manufacture of HIV medicines and other relevant commodities as part of the long-term sustainability agenda for the national response.

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/11/nigerian-government-moves-to-end.html

President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday requested for the revamping of bilateral and multilateral platforms of engagement by Heads of State and Governments of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, LCBC, so as to stamp out the remnants of the terrorists from the region.

President Buhari in a consultation with the Heads of State and Governments LCBC in N’djamena, capital of the Republic of Chad, also blamed poverty and the shrinkage of the Lake Chad as the main reason for the renewed insurgent activities in the region.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina in Abuja last night stated that the Nigeria President called for concerted efforts from the Heads of State and Government to make the region safe.

According to him, “There is no gainsaying that also fueling the crisis are the twin menaces of poverty and the continued shrinkage of the Lake Chad, which have rendered the people of the region vulnerable to terrorist activities. Attention is drawn to the Lake and its resources, which have always been the source of livelihood for the millions of people that live within and around the basin.”

He charged the Presidents and Heads of Governments in attendance to make concerted efforts to ensure the actualization of efforts to recharge the Lake, through Inter-Basin Water Transfer, from the Congo Basin.

President Buhari stressed that if meticulously pursued, the project “has the capacity to unlock the economic potentials and provide solutions to the myriad of interrelated challenges confronting the region.”

As Chairman of the Summit of Heads of State and Governments of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, President Buhari assured of his commitment to providing the required leadership and direction for the actualization of peace and security in the area.

The meeting the statement noted was called to address the recent upsurge in terrorist activities in the region, and the Nigerian President rallied his colleagues from Chad, Niger Republic, and Republic of Cameroon to a fresh onslaught against insurgents, particularly the Boko Haram group.

“Times as these call for quick interventions and measures,” President Buhari stated, adding:

“As you are aware and have witnessed in recent times, there are new developments of security concern in our sub-region. The region in the recent past has witnessed increasing attacks, particularly on military formations by elements of the Boko Haram terrorists as well as the renewed kidnapping of people. These activities are aimed at weakening our collective resolve to eradicate them from the region.

“We must not cave in. The group’s renewed strategy of increasingly mining the general area as well as its recent deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance activities have proved to be critical factors in the resurgence of attacks in the region.”

Commending what he called the “untiring efforts” of the leadership of the LCBC, and officers and men of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), President Buhari noted that the efforts of those who strive to bring peace and stability to the region would never be forgotten.

“We are committed to ensuring that the ideals of restoring peace, stability and viability of the Lake Chad Region to its glorious state, for which some of you have paid the ultimate price is attained,” he vowed. President Buhari submitted:

“We must not relent and allow the enemies of the region to succeed in their quest to destabilize the area. We must reinvigorate our collective will and commitment towards eradicating terrorism from our region. We must remain focused and true to ensuring sustainable development.

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/11/insurgency-buhari-calls-for-bilateral.html

Alhaji Muazu Bawa, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger, says President Muhammadu Buhari will enhance democratic governance in the country, if re-elect in 2019.

Bawa told the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna on Thursday that Buhari remained the only credible choice among the array of presidential candidates vying in 2019 and hoping to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

He also called on members of the party to put behind, their bitterness arising from the party primaries, in order to strengthen the party capacity to win the forthcoming elections.

The chieftain said Buhari had demonstrated political commitment in executing meaningful projects that had improved the lot of the people.

“ Nigerian electorate should vote for continuity in order to consolidate on ongoing changes in the country that will further set the nation on the path of progress.”

“We have since embarked on aggressive sensitisation of people on the laudable achievements recorded by President Buhari administration in the last three and half years,”he said.

Mu’azu also commended Buhari for ensuring prompt release of funds for the procurement of heavy duty equipment for Baro Port.

He said that the decision of Federal Government to link Minna and Abuja with rail from Baro Port would boost socio-economic and political development in the country.

“ Baro port project is one of the best that has happened to the people of Niger as over 2 million residents will be gainfully employed. ”

Muazu, a former Commissioner of Finance in the state expressed optimism that the President would be re-elected to continue with the laudable projects he initiated.

“President Buhari has proved beyond reasonable doubt to be honest, sincere and committed to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians, irrespective of political, tribal and ethnic differences.

Bawa called on politicians to play responsible politics and shun all kinds of political violence and thuggery for peace, progress and political growth of the state in particular and the country at large.

“What the country needs at this material time is a peaceful atmosphere for the smooth implementation of electoral processes.”

“ Our politicians, especially those seeking elective positions, must do more in promoting political tolerance and understanding for us to achieve transparent elections in 2018.”

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/11/buhari-will-enhance-democratic.html

By Muhammad Ajah

Those fighting Buhari over his reelection bid in 2019 are wasting their time. My candid advice to them is to stop diverting the attention of the citizens over their inability to present concrete issues to engage the people. They keep creating confusion in desperate attempt to devalue Buhari’s mass acceptability by Nigerians.

But each time they prop up any false claim, Buhari’s popularity gains more grounds, leaving them in their obduracy and faithlessness. Simply, Buhari is a child of destiny and no evil fashioned against a child of destiny shall prosper.

Three things the opposition is playing on are exposing them to acute ignorance of the force of destiny and the masses. When God is with anybody, keep off. In politics, when the masses are with a candidate, other politicians should dare not play games with their choice.

What happened in the last primaries of all political parties, especially APC and PDP, to elect candidates for various offices in 2019 are indications of the strength of the mass public. Yet, the opposition has continued to wish Buhari dead. They have been boldly and openly saying it.

It is, therefore, easy to imagine the attempts they have secretly been making to see that Buhari is not alive. But the spirits are created by God who is the controller of destiny. Such spirits, therefore, cannot confront destiny. They can only operate in vain against destiny. That is why orthodox proponents believe that “man proposes, but God disposes”.

If the will and wishful thinking of mankind were to prevail over destiny, the world would have been uninhabitable. But God knows mankind and thus has limited his powers over certain things. Simply, it is God who created life and death. He gives life to mankind and He alone takes it, whatever circumstances that may lead to it.

Of recent, the opposition has been circulating on the social media a death certificate allegedly from a London hospital, in an attempt to prove Buhari’s death. This is a very wicked propaganda against a sitting President. I do not know how this can be tolerated in any developed clime.

Buhari was flown to London for treatment of an ailment which he has till today not disclosed to Nigerians because he cherishes the peace and unity of Nigeria. If Buhari had announced what happened to him, Nigeria would have been on fire. But he is always as wise as Solomon in handling issues of national interest.

Despite his silence over the disease that required several transfusion of blood into him, the opposition which was optimistic of the success of its evil plot, exposed itself. The immediate past governor of Ekiti state proclaimed that Buhari will never return back to Nigeria alive.

So, it is not only peddling the rumour of Buhari’s death, but producing a false death certificate from a London hospital is the height of lawlessness and unpatriotism. This false certificate must be investigated and the peddlers must be brought to book.

One thing is clear. Buhari is a Muslim from a Muslim family and Muslim community. Orthodox Muslim faithful cannot hide the death of their members, however highly placed in the society a member may be. The best honour Muslims accord their dead members is to offer a congregational prayer called Janazah for the dead and commit him or her to mother earth to rest.

Never are dead Muslims kept in mortuaries under preservatives except for few days maybe to transport them back home. That reminds me of the rumours that ensued from the pre-death period of former late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Just as was the case during the last minutes of Yar’Adua, my mobile phone was inundated when the rumoured death of Buhari was peddled by the wailers.

Despite the political tension and ethno-religious meandering and maneuvering, Yar’Adua’s death at the Aso Rock villa was announced and the Janazah prayer was immediately organized and offered for him. So, if Buhari is dead as they claim, nothing will prevent his family in particular and the Muslim Ummah of Nigeria at large from giving him his last obligatory tribute by organizing and offering the Janazah prayer for him.

That being as it is, there is no truth whatsoever, that Buhari is dead. He is alive and, as a child of destiny on the mission to reposition Nigeria for greatness, will succeed amidst the wishful thinking of wailers and villains. Buhari’s mission for Nigeria is unstoppable. It is not by his powers; God is with him.

The other rumour being mongered by the opposition is alleged Buhari’s prototype named Jubril from Sudan, presiding over Nigeria. With earlier explanations, there can be no atom of truth in this. Except if the wailers want Nigerians to believe in reincarnation, there is no need wasting time on this claim. A country like Sudan will not keep silent if her citizen can attain such height of leading Nigeria. Kenya was excited when her son, Barrak Obama, became the President of the United States of America.

I am sure the immediate Obama’s families and the Kenyan people treated themselves to parties to celebrate the great fame attained by their son. I think the Sudanese people would be laughing at the few Nigerians attributing a Sudanese to a Nigerian President. This claim is not only ridiculous, it is defamation and campaign of calumny.

Those creating this confusion amongst Nigerians should be considered as hate speech propagandists. What will impress the Nigerians and the international community against Buhari is any proof of mistrust, dishonesty, corruption and probable indiscipline.

The wailers have not found any proof of these, thus they are busy trying to paint Buhari black or even wishing him dead at all cost. As a child of destiny and the fact being stark that death does not consider age, it is our wish and prayers that the wailers live by force to see the transformation of Nigeria under Buhari or they meet their ancestors in their different ages so that peace and progress continue to reign in Nigeria.

How Buhari came into power as a military ruler when Nigeria was being mortgaged shows he is a child of destiny. How he was removed when he was on pilgrimage worshipping his Lord in Makkah depicts God’s overpowering destiny for him. How he came to power in 2015 after winning elections for three consecutive times but denied because the power that was by then was complicated and desperate as ever, portrays him as a child of destiny waiting for “God’s Time” which is the best.

All attempts to kill him showcase the Biblical episodes of the efforts of evil men to harm a child protected by destiny. And how he will continue to preside over Nigeria to complete the divine mission of “repairing” Nigeria till 2023 by the will of God Almighty, will baffle his enemies because he chose to trust God and God is with the trustworthy. A child of destiny is always favoured even in times of hardship and presumed failure.

Ajah writes from Abuja via mobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk.

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/11/buhari-child-of-destiny.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday departed Abuja for N’Djamena, Chad, to preside over the Summit of Heads of States and Governments of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari, in his capacity as Chairman of the Summit of Heads of States and Governments of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), summoned the meeting meant to find lasting solution to the menace of Boko Haram insurgency.

Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja said the meeting of the Heads of States and Governments of the LCBC would take place in N’Djamena, Chad on Thursday.

Also, the President of Benin Republic, a troops-contributing country, has also been invited to attend the meeting.

The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), and national operations of the affected countries have appreciably degraded the capacity of Boko Haram terrorists, although the insurgents still retain the capacity to attack isolated targets in desperate search for supplies.

According to Adesina, the one-day meeting will review the security situation in the areas affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

He said it would also adopt measures to enhance the capacity of the MNJTF to meet the challenges of securing the areas.

Read Also: Metele Attack: 23 soldiers killed, Boko Haram uses drones-Buratai
“The presidents of the LCBC member countries of Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and the Central African Republic have been invited to attend the meeting.

“The President of Benin Republic, a troops-contributing country has also been invited to attend.

“The MNJTF and the national operations of the affected countries have appreciably degraded the capacity of Boko Haram terrorists, although the insurgents still retain the capacity to attack isolated targets in desperate search for supplies,’’ Adesina said.

Millions of people in Africa’s Lake Chad region (north-east Nigeria and parts of Niger, Chad and Cameroon) are facing a profound and protracted crisis driven by extreme poverty, climate change and violent conflicts according to the UN.

The crisis, the world body added has led to the internal displacement of 2.4 million people, the destruction of livelihoods, human rights abuses, and the disruption of health, education and other basic services.

More than 10 million vulnerable people need life-saving assistance and protection today. Women and children are particularly hard hit.

In Feb. 2017, a conference on the Lake Chad region, co-hosted by Germany, Nigeria, Norway, and the United Nations took place in Oslo where donors pledged 672 million dollars to emergency assistance and support in 2017 and beyond.

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/11/boko-haram-insurgency-president-buhari.html

President Muhammadu Burhari on Wednesday reiterated his commitment to improve the welfare of Nigerian Army to enable them discharge their constitutional mandate of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.

Buhari gave the assurance while addressing troops at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

He said the troops were always on his mind, adding that he had always woken up thinking about them and the conditions they operated.

“I will support you to play your constitutional role of defending the integrity of the country from both internal and external forces.

“This is the oath you have taken just as I took an oath as the President and Commander-In-Chief. “I assure you that I go to bed and always wake up thinking about you and the conditions under which you operate.

“Please, maintain your loyalty and defend the country. Whatever happens, a military no matter how equipped or how well led, without discipline is no use to the country,’’ he said.

While commending the troops over their gallantry and sacrifices, Buhari urged them to increase their commitment in engaging the outlaw Boko Haram insurgents, without further delay.

He said plans were on to adopt a new enhanced salary structure for the military in recognition of their contributions to security, social and economic development of the country.

The president also visited injured troops on admission at the Military Medical Centre. Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri.

Buhari had earlier inaugurated the 2018 Chief of Army Staff (COAS) conference and paid courtesy visit on the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai Elkanemi.

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/11/photos-president-buhari-visits-injured.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has told soldiers that the war against Boko Haram is a “must win”.

The president said this on Wednesday while delivering the keynote address at the 2018 edition of the the chief of army staff annual conference (COAS) in Maiduguri, Borno state.

Buhari had cancelled a private visit to Daura, his hometown in Katsina state, to attend the conference which was earlier scheduled to hold in Benin, Edo state capital.

He said his government would do everything within its powers to support the army, disclosing thathe is making efforts to improve the entitlements of soldiers.

He encouraged the soldiers to “keep up the good work and shun distraction”.

“I must commend the leadership of the Nigerian army in moving the venue of this conference to Maiduguri,” Buhari said.

“Our officers and soldiers who are fighting terrorism in the north-east deserve all the attention our country’s leadership can demonstrate to them.

“As president of the country, I am determined to ensure that every citizen feels safe and secure in all parts of the country.

“I am of course aware that in the recent months and in the recent days, there have been some operational losses in the northern part of Borno state.

I know that you are doing your best to reverse this trend and I want to assure you that no effort will be spared in providing the necessary support you require to complete the task. we remain committed to ending the crisis in the north east and making the entire area safe for all. I urge you all to keep up the good work.

“It is a must win war. I want to encourage our troops not to be distracted but remain focused and committed to the task of eliminating Boko Haram from the surface of the earth.

“I want to assure you, that as your commander in chief, I will do everything within my power to continue empowering you by providing all the necessary equipment for you to prevail on the field.

“I also want you to be aware that I am currently looking at measures to improve your entitlements and welfare generally.

“I therefore wish to reiterate that leaders of all strata of our society including the armed forces must embrace the wind of change that is blowing across the country for good.”

Two weeks ago, Boko Haram reportedly killed over 100 soldiers in Borno.

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/11/you-must-defeat-boko-haram-buhari.html