₦airaland Forum

*AFTERMATH OF AKANDE'S RIGHT OF REPLY: Nigerians mock Dele Momodu for blocking people on Twitter*

It is hypocrisy at its peak.
Dele Momodu has been mocked by many Nigerians for blocking them on Twitter after calling him out for fake news and lies that he peddles regularly.

It appeared that some Nigerians had had enough of the veteran journalist and were not going to allow him to continue to deceive people on social media anymore.

On Sunday Momodu, who has often been criticized and corrected for spreading fake news said he would block those who called him out for peddling lies against Mr. Laolu Akande, spokesperson to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

“My main tweet of the day... why do trolls get angry when you block them; they come on your TL, like mannerless people, rain insults at you, and expect you to say "thank you for abusing me..." Jokers!!!” he tweeted before going on a blocking spree.

Reacting to Mr. Momodu blocking him, Tracy Chels wrote, “Dele Momodu is PDP 100%. This is one of the characteristics of PDP members, blocking anyone who speaks the truth.”

Kemisola Adekunle tried to make Mr. Momodu see reasons why blocking people is not the most idealistic thing to do. “How would you get feed backs on your posts when you block people that don’t support your views? I'm sure those ones you block are those who don’t submit to your views.”

Ibn Hanbal says Mr. Momodu should act more upright. “It is so sad Dele that you block people. With your civility and education, I expect you to correct him.

“Perhaps he may live in future to be a version of you. Give people opportunity to learn from you. Don't block them because you famous. Fame is a gift,” he said.

David Olatunde posed a question to Mr. Momodu. “How many people would he block? He doesn't need to block anyone.”

There were others who blasted Mr. Momodu because he built his career on criticizing people and he was not blocked.

“The man is a joke, he should not be taken seriously at all. He has insulted a lot of respectable people in the past and was never blocked. He has lost any integrity he had left.”

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE

PEBEC LAUNCHES REPORTGOV APP TO DRIVE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has launched the REPORTGOV.NG App, an official public service feedback and complaints platform to support business climate reforms implemented by the Council since 2016. The platform, which is also a website, will facilitate the escalation and resolution of issues encountered with Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) towards ensuring a more business-friendly environment.

The app was co-launched by the Honourable Minister, Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah; Chairman, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Mr Adedotun Sulaiman, MFR; and SSA to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, at the Regulatory Conversations (RC3.0) event themed "Improving Transparency and Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria", which was hosted by The Convention on Business Integrity/The Integrity Organisation in collaboration with ActionAid, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry and BusinessDay Newspapers, in partnership with the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES) of the Council. The program featured a panel of discussants and stakeholders from the public, private sector and civil society, with a focus on issues bordering on transparency and efficiency of service delivery in Nigeria.

PEBEC was established in July 2016 to remove delays and restrictions that come with doing business in Nigeria, and make the country an easier place to start and grow a business. Supported by Executive Order 001 (EO1) signed in 2017 to promote transparency and efficiency in the business environment, PEBEC has undertaken to drive EO1’s six directives, which aim to address specific limitations identified in the civil and public service systems.

So far, a high level of success across several areas has been recorded, and MDAs have made significant improvements. Many have taken up the challenge to deliver more transparent and efficient services to their customers in alignment with EO1, with a number of notable milestones achieved, such as an increase in the number of MDAs that have functional websites containing detailed information about their services or statutory functions, as well as improved collaboration among MDAs.

EO1 has been acknowledged as one of the FGN’s most innovative strategic initiatives to deliver quick, pragmatic changes in the doing business environment. It seeks to drive domestic and foreign investment that creates employment and stimulates the economy, by aspiring to overcome the lack of trust in public systems. When fully implemented, EO1 will transform the way the FGN and its MDAs serve the business community and the public at large, as it is a blueprint for fundamental government reform in Nigeria.

The REPORTGOV.NG mobile app is available on the Google Play store, and is coming soon to the iOS store to enable users give feedback or complaint that will drive continuous improvement in service delivery and public protection efforts.

Nigeria is currently placed at 146 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business index according to the latest World Bank annual rankings. However, as implementation of EO1 progresses and reforms are institutionalized, the aspiration is to place Nigeria in the top 100 and top 50 on the Index by year 2020 and 2025 respectively. More information on reforms delivered is available at www.businessmadeeasy.ng


Signed:
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
SSA Industry, Trade & Investment to the President,
Office of the Vice President
15th March, 2019

RIGHT OF REPLY TO PENDULUM: DELE MOMODU’S OPEN LETTER TO THE VP

BY LAOLU AKANDE

My dear Bob Dee!

One could have easily made up his mind not to read or respond to anything you wrote after seeing the rather unprincipled queuing up behind Senator Bukola Saraki and then abandoning him, moving on to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and then deserting him as well. But I felt one should respond to your attempts to create a false narrative from the very hollow lamentation of the recent elections as the “worst in our history”.

In my view, those like your good self, veteran journalists, who have built a formidable platform in the public arena must strive always to use the platform for the larger public good. There have been several interventions from you that reflect such true public spirit, but some of us stridently disagree with what at times could be perceived as a self-serving journalistic conduct. Many would seem to agree that this was obvious in your recent open letter to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

But first, let me thank you for your gracious words of congratulations to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President, and your admiration for the VP’s commendable performance in office. I am certain that your quest for public accountability derives from that admiration.

It is important to state that a citizen’s open letter to public figures or government authority is always welcome here and not necessarily a matter of right or exclusive access. For us, such matters of access for the people to their elected leaders is of normal cause and ought not to be a matter of exclusivity nor should we make a play of it as so special.

As is typical of your propaganda machinery, it begins with an outrageous lie by the principal then the operatives like yourself repeat it ad-nauseum. It appears you were not in this country when foreign and local observers accepted the results. Independent Foreign Observers commended the transparency and credibility of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Also, the Independent Election Monitor group, supported by the French Embassy, concluded that “based on the analysis carried out in this document as well as the actual observations of the election activities across the country, it is Election Monitor’s considered opinion that the 2019 Presidential Election results are consistent with the will of the majority of voters who took part in the elections notwithstanding the various infractions which also occurred as they were not on a scale significant enough to affect the overall outcome of the election.(http://electionmonitorng..com/2019/03/analysis-of-2019-nigerian-presidential.html)

YIAGA Africa’s Parrallel Voting Tabulation, relied on by international agencies, embassies and funders also said its "findings show that for the presidential election the All Progressive Congress (APC) should receive between 50.0 per cent and 55.8 per cent of the vote." And that “the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) should receive between 41.2 per cent and 47.0 per cent of the vote; these figures are consistent with the official results as just announced by INEC.

“For both APC and PDP, the official results fall within the PVT estimated ranges.” That YIAGA AFRICA results statement was based on reports from 1,491 polling units which are 98.4 per cent of sampled polling units. YIAGA AFRICA’s projections were reportedly also consistent with the officially announced vote shares for the other 71 parties who contested in the presidential election. It is also believed that the group’s projections were based on the results announced in the polling units and would have detected any significant manipulation occurring during collation at the ward, local government area, State and national levels. Also, "INEC’s official results for turnout and rejected ballots were also generally consistent with YIAGA AFRICA WTV estimates.” (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/yiaga-africa-verifies-election-results/)

These are empirical facts, my dear Bob Dee, especially if you put your analysis through any rigorous tests. Propaganda and falsehood only need a willing sponsor.

Yes, observers mentioned pockets of violence and some malpractices, but none felt that these were sufficient to affect the credibility of the elections or its results. Frequently cited is Ago Palace in Lagos. One unit in a city of 20 million! In any event, the real question is, how did the violence in the comparatively few places where it happened to favour the President? And how come the strong allegations of foul play by the likes of Godswill Akpabio in Akwa Ibom, George Akume in Benue and Ndoma-Egba in Cross Rivers State (all APC Senatorial aspirants!) escaped your eagle eyes?

It is sometimes forgotten, and Bob Dee, you chose to forget, that for the previous 16 years before 2015, the PDP governments had conducted elections. Everyone is familiar with the incredible excesses of the elections and the election-observer reports so poignantly describe some.

In the 2003 elections which gave Atiku Abubakar and his boss a second term, Wikipedia observes that “Millions of people voted several times. The police in Lagos uncovered an electoral fraud, finding five million false ballots."

But the 2007 elections got even worse reviews: “Following the presidential election, groups monitoring the election gave it a dismal assessment. Chief European Union observer Max van den Berg reported that the handling of the polls had "fallen far short" of basic international standards, and that "the process cannot be considered to be credible", citing "poor election organisation, lack of transparency, significant evidence of fraud, voter disenfranchisement, violence and bias." They described the election as "the worst they had ever seen anywhere in the world", with "rampant vote rigging, violence, theft of ballot boxes and intimidation". One group of observers said that at one polling station in Yenagoa, in the oil-rich South-South, where 500 people were registered to vote, more than 2,000 votes were counted.”

Your choice of words such as “theatre of war” to describe the presidential polls is not only inaccurate and questionable by and large, but also surprising considering the recent history of past presidential polls. And you have to tell us who described the elections as “the most dreadful and desperate?"

Besides these facts that you carefully chose to ignore, the contents of your letter read in part like a brief for the opposition, and, at other times, judgment of an electoral tribunal in favour of the opposition. And such bias undermines the credibility of the author such as yourself.

It could even render the write-up confusing rather than informing the readers. For good measure, Bob Dee, maybe we should just remind our readers that not only are you an active member of the opposition, you have also benefited from significant business relationships with some in the opposition circles. And this is entirely within your right.

But that certainly discounts your assessment of the direction of our administration. It also devalues your criticism of the narratives that hold those who raped this country in the past responsible for the consequences of their corrupt activities while in government.

One also wonders whether it is your well-known personal relationship with the opposition that has beclouded you so much that you seek to assail the anti-corruption efforts which ordinary and well-meaning Nigerians have embraced.

Let me make it clear that the facts show that while some old members of the opposition have joined APC, that has not shielded those responsible for corruption and graft. In any case, even if old PDP members are now APC members, the current leadership of the country under the APC stands out as it is made up of two gentlemen with impeccable integrity.

Old PDP members and all Nigerians are welcome just like sinners are embraced in the church, Inf act, the church was opened for sinners to be converted. And what is skewed about the anti-corruption campaign when the two governors who have now been convicted for corruption are both APC?

Having said that, be rest assured that the APC as a party will articulate its defences to any allegations. For the records, it is an obvious fact and this must be reiterated that the Buhari administration has a commendable record of respecting the independence of INEC, a clear departure from what occurred under previous administrations. This government also ensures that it provides all the support INEC requires, as well as respects the independence of the judiciary and has ensured that security forces act within the ambits of law. Even international observers have made their comments accordingly and positively.

As the Buhari administration always noted, every single loss of life is sad and lamentable. And previous elections have regrettably caused even far more losses. We must achieve an electoral system that doesn't result in any such loss of life. However, the record of improvement from the past is clear as it were.

To characterize the will of the people as Pyrrhic victory represents what exactly needs to change in and about our nation. Indeed, our privilege as elites imposes the responsibility of trustees of power, wealth, values and direction of and for a nation in the interest of the people upon us. To narrow this interest or substitute our amplified voices as the vocal minority for the silent majority is not only taking liberties a little too far, but also losing tune and touch with our national realities. As leaders, we must reflect introspectively on how we have prioritized the people, and how we must continue to do so going forward.

This is what President Muhammadu Buhari is known for and it is what played out in the elections. It is the voices of the few and the devices of the privileged that the Opposition regarded and expected to hold up. That did not happen.

We respect the right to disagree and exercise that right through the established mechanisms, but we reject any denigration and the diminishing of the electoral outcome which is the true voice and expression of the people of this country.

As you noted, the whole concept of sin in the worldly context is a violation of the law of the land, and in the spiritual context, a violation against God. That you judge either as a matter of law, or ecclesiastically when you by yourself determine that this administration is "committing sin" is a departure from what your letter identifies as its objective. Victory in an election is a nation speaking up, while the victor is the symbol of that nation's victory.

Both life, by its temporal nature, and the Constitution, by its term limitations and periodic elections, already ensure that we all know that everything but eternity is transient, and the example of that in our nation today is the rejection of the old order four years ago, and the most recent confirmation of that rejection by preferring the new and current order, and the Next Level of our national restoration and growth.

Finally, thank you for declaring your belief that the APC “would have won” a handsome victory because that was exactly what happened! It is your equivocation about Atiku’s loss expressed in the same letter where you said you expected an APC “handsome victory” that left me and other readers confounded. What are we to believe?

Again, thank you for your open letter. Be rest assured that the Vice President and the President would continue working for the good of all Nigerians in the Next Level.

*Laolu Akande is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President

The 15 percent rise in foreign exchange earnings from non-oil export is a vindication of President Muhammadu Buhari’s foresight in diversifying the Nigerian economy.

According to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), the expansion in production of agricultural commodities for export, and mining of non-oil minerals is pulling in more foreign exchange for Africa’s biggest economy.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said that Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s latest figures on earnings from non-oil and electricity exports which increased by 15 percent to $1,034.59 million in Q4 2018 “is a clear manifestation of the wisdom in Buhari’s economic diversification effort.

“CBN statistics which indicate a favourable provisional Balance of Payments (BOP) for Q4 2018 with a surplus of $2.80bn is proof that Nigeria’s effort to reduce unnecessary imports and increase exports is working to our national advantage.

“We expect Nigerians to appreciate that it is a significant economic achievement for the country’s Current Account Balance (CAB) to have improved from a deficit of $1,544.41 million in Q3 2018 to a surplus of $1,104.57 million in Q4 2018.

“This achievement did not happen on its own, but a result of sound economic management by the administration and its agencies that are working in harmony to achieve the vision of President Buhari to reset the economy, sustain and deepen the status of our economy as the largest on the African continent.”

The pro-Buhari group specifically praised the CBN for its diligent management of the country’s foreign exchange chest and turning the nation’s financial account balance with assets of $2,327.91 million in the period under review against net financial liabilities of $4,615.17 million recorded in the preceding period.

“The impact of restriction on access to foreign exchange at official rates for the frivolous importation of certain goods has had a significant impact in checking leakages of the country’s foreign exchange reserves by increasing the surplus in the goods account.

“It is significant to note that the CBN says surplus in the Goods Account increased significantly to $6.794 billion in Q4 2018 from surpluses of $3.76 billion in the preceding quarter and $5.473 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2017.”

BMO said the decrease in the imports bills by 21 per cent to $9.862 billion, which is below the level recorded in the preceding quarter is proof that Nigerians are looking inward in their consumption pattern as this was as a result of 20 percent decrease in the import of non-oil products.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE

NIGERIANS DON'T ASK FOR TOO MUCH, VP OSINBAJO


*Recalls various Next Level campaign encounters with the people

*Says Buhari’s administration will connect more with the people in second term


REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF YEMI OSINBAJO, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE PMB/PYO VOLUNTEERS’ APPRECIATION DINNER, BANQUET HALL, ABUJA, ON THE 14TH OF MARCH, 2019.



PROTOCOLS


Just before I make a couple of remarks, we know that a few of our supporters lost their lives during the course of the campaign. I want us to stand for a moment and observe a minute of silence in honour of them. We thank the Lord for their souls and ask for comfort for all members of their family in Jesus name.


For me, this campaign was about the Nigerian people. One of the things I discovered, and I’m sure most of us know, is that our people are so trusting and supportive of their leaders everywhere. I think that one of the major characteristics of Nigerians is how supportive they are and also they don’t ask for too much. They never really ask for anything that is impossible to do.

For many of us, as we went around the country, we realised the tremendous amount of work that we need to do and our capacity to do so much work and what our people need. As a matter of fact, I don’t know any nation where the people are so generous no matter how poor they are.


I met a woman in one of the markets in Kwara State, and she gave us some vegetables and I thought she wanted to sell them, but she was actually offering it to us free. I thought to myself, here is this woman I should be giving something to and she is the one giving a gift instead. That is just a typical Nigerian. I was walking past another woman in Kogi while shaking hands with people there, she gave me N200. I thought to myself, I am the one meant to be giving her something.

There was another elderly woman here in Gwagalada, and that made the news, she pulled me aside and said, “Young man, you need prayers” and she prayed for me. People saw her holding my hands and praying for me, and I thought to myself, I am meant to be offering these people comfort and succour, but they are hopeful and offering the support, comfort, love and all of the things they thought at the time that we needed.

On behalf of all of us who are here, I want to say a very big thank you to the Nigerian people for their contributions to getting us back here.

We visited many homes across the country; we did the house-to-house campaign, visiting many homes and most of those homes were the homes of the poor. But they were still very hospitable and they would still ask, “What will you eat? What will you drink?”


I remember an encounter in Idanre, Ondo State, where we met a man; he was so excited we visited him in his home. He said, “This your government is the best I have ever seen.” He said all sorts of very nice things, then the Local Chairman of the APC in Idanre said to him, “But you are PDP this man.” The man then said, “How can you say I am PDP? Okay, I used to be PDP, but from now on, I am now APC!”


It struck me that what we need to do more is connect with the people that we govern. All that the people want are opportunities for us to interact more with them. Somebody who gave a speech earlier said that we should govern in this same way.

One of the complaints that people made about our government is that we didn’t communicate well enough and people didn’t even know what we had done. I think they were probably right, and we did very well in terms of our messaging during the 2015 campaign, but thereafter, we seemed to have slacked and over time, the opposition began to get the better of us, especially on Social Media and Radio. But all of that is definitely going to change.

I am going to take on everyone who has challenged us on this matter, including the gentleman who has offered his services for communication purposes because this has to be a joint effort in ensuring that we put across our point of view.

Everybody knows that this was not exactly an easy campaign but I believe that God saw, first the heart of Mr President. Here is an honest man, and as I said during the course of the campaign, even his worst enemies agree that he is a man of integrity.

In any event, there are many few Nigerians who would have been Minister of Petroleum, Governor of the whole of the Northeast, Head of State, not once or twice, but thrice, and still have just one home in Kaduna and some very modest place in Daura. Very few people are like that.

When I looked at his assets declaration form, I was checking it in 2015, I said to him, “Mr President, I am so much richer than you, it is an embarrassment.” He said, “I am only a soldier, you are a big lawyer so you should have more money than me.” I can tell you that he is perhaps; even poorer than he was in 2015 when I saw his declaration of assets form.

We are all grateful to God for this great victory, and the real heroes are you all seated here today, who went out every day to campaign and talk about what you believed about our government, what you thought this government could do for the Nigerian people.

One thing that is clear to me is that your belief and commitment were not wrongly placed. You are absolutely right that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is the appropriate and right government for Nigeria at this time.

And the simple reason why that is so is that today what our country needs the most is honest government, that’s what our country needs. And I’ll tell you why as I repeated many times in the course of the campaign; our country is not short of ideas, projects or money. What we are short of is integrity in office. Corruption is the major problem that our country has faced. And once we are able to deal with it effectively, and we will, we will be the great nation we ought to be.

I was saying to someone that this same President, President Muhammadu Buhari, of the four refineries that we have in our country today, he built three of them when he was Minister of Petroleum. Then he built 3km of pipelines, how much has been added to it since then?

So, you don’t need to be a great orator. And this is one of the responses I gave to people when they were saying - “oh the president doesn’t talk.” He doesn’t need to be an orator; all he needs to do is be a doer. And that is what he is doing today.

And what we’ve seen today is despite the fact that we are earning 60% less than the previous government, we are spending almost 8 times more especially for capital projects. Why? Because the president is not stealing the money, simple! That is why we are able to spend more.

And just in terms of achievements in infrastructure, the Lagos-Kano rail, we have just commissioned the first phase, which is the Lagos-Abeokuta-Ibadan, and we are going to complete the Lagos-Kano rail.

We completed the Itakpe-Warri rail after 5 years it has been completed. Even the Abuja Light rail that was started in 2005 has just been completed.

We put money aside to do the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, which had been practically abandoned; they would start and stop, they put it into the budget, but it would disappear. Today, the money is there to complete it.

Sometimes, I talk to my friends in the Southeast about the second Niger Bridge, which was commissioned in 2014, but it was not designed, it was just commissioned. How does anybody do that? Today, the highest amount of money as an immediate payment for any project we have ever done was for the second Niger Bridge, 33billion immediate payment for that bridge. That is the highest amount of money we have ever put for one single payment.

We’re going to start the Mambila Project, and have put money aside for it. All these projects are projects that the President himself not just negotiated, but supervises on a regular basis.

And that is the thing; a lot of work needs to be done in this country. Infrastructures we need to put in place will be put in place. And the reason why is because the President is not a thief. And that is to just put it very simply. Many believe that the government is very complicated, no. If the man who is in charge is honest, everything we want to be done will be done, just take a look at our Social Investment Programmes.

I was saying to some group of people that today we are feeding 9.2 million children every single day as part of our school feeding programme. We’re paying for 500,000 N-Power beneficiaries every month. We have given almost 2million traders TraderMoni loans, and almost 500,00 MarketMoni. Apart from that, we are giving N5,000 to the poorest of the poor per month, we are now approaching 500,000 and we are going to do a million.

All of that has still not cost us N300billion. Yet some people ran a programme called Sure-P, and we cannot find a single beneficiary and it cost N700billion. On everything I’ve said, we still haven’t spent N300billion in 2 years.

So, it’s not as if this business of doing the right thing is rocket science. The major thing is an honest man, as we have an honest man, everything we want to be done is what will be done.

And I believe very strongly with your support, all of what we wish and want for our country will be done.

And by the grace of God, every one of the infrastructure projects we want to be done will be done. Our economy will turn around and we will see prosperity in this great nation of ours.

Finally, let me just say that we are still not done with elections. On the 23rd of March, we still have some outstanding states. As you know, we are re-running in 6 States. All of the efforts that we need to put into those 6 States should be done, we cannot afford to slack up and say we are done; we still have some things to do.

APC SAC!

Thank you.

Released by
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
March 15, 2019

The generally peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria in which President Muhammadu Buhari was re-elected has restored confidence in the Nigerian economy, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) growing and boosting the prospects of the largest economy in Africa.

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) says figures collated by its Economic Team and various credible sources indicate that the $16 billion traditional outflow reported by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in December 2018 on the eve of the elections has ended, with many of them returning, alongside other investors in the real sectors.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO emphasised that the economic prospects for the country are excellent, based on internationally recognized indices.

“Analysts in various institutions including FocusEconomics’ panelists see GDP increasing 2.3% in 2019 on the back of the impact made by the country’s economic diversification, liquidity and prudent management of foreign exchange, which facilitates easy repatriation of profit by investors.

“Recent data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), shows that the Nigeria’s economic growth gained traction and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded 2.4% annually in Q4, well above Q3’s 1.8% increase.

“The 2.3 per cent growth in agriculture contributed to the north-bound trajectory of the GDP and general economic outlook. The proposed investment of $1.5 billion by Morocco’s OCP Group on three ammonia plants to boost fertiliser production will deepen the country’s agriculture-driven economic diversification.”

The BMO noted the report by FocusEconomics which says: “The services sector gained steam, with growth hitting a multi-year high in Q4 largely on the back of buoyant activity in the information and communication industries. Moreover, industrial output rebounded from the previous quarter, owing to stronger gains in manufacturing.”

The group also noted that economic growth in Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari is further aided by higher and stable oil production, a stronger policy on gas flaring and huge government spending on economic infrastructure – roads, railways, airports, water transportation, increased power generation and stronger electricity distribution network.

BMO thereby urged all Nigerians to redouble their efforts in agricultural and other economic activities to increase the economic growth, generate more wealth, lift more Nigerians out of poverty and raise their living standard on sustainable basis.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the biggest beneficiary of the 2019 elections and as such has no real reason to incite the public against the Presidency and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the outcome of the gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections.

The Buhari Media Organisation has said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that the opposition party’s stance is in continuation of a deliberate effort to discredit the electoral process even before it began.

“PDP knew what it was doing when it launched strident attacks on INEC with a view to blackmailing the leadership of the election management body in the run up to the 2019 election.

“We had then drawn attention to what was clearly a conscious drive to tarnish the image of national institutions involved in the process. The targets of the opposition elements from the outset were the Police and INEC.

“And while the party soft-pedalled on the police authorities after the exit of the former Inspector General Ibrahim idris, it was relentless in its attack on the INEC leadership to the extent that the Chairman Mahmood Yakubu had to take certain steps to reaffirm the Commission’s independence.”

The Pro-Buhari group says it is surprised that the complaints are persisting even after PDP retained control of six states while its governorship candidates were declared winners in two states that were strongholds of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

This, BMO said, shows that the opposition is only interested in destroying national institutions for selfish reasons.

“It is amusing that the party is not relenting in its effort to thrash the process as the worst in the country’s political history when majority of Nigerians know how bad PDP-era elections were.”

The group said it will keep “frustrating PDP’s attempt to rewrite history and will continue to remind everyone that there is still no public record of the state-by-state breakdown of the 2007 elections supervised by the man who incidentally was PDP and Atiku Abubakar’s technical consultant for the just-concluded 2019 elections.

“And do we still need to remind Nigerians how the same PDP- era INEC announced the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Delta state as winner in Abuja even when the collation of results was still going on in the state capital!

“So what moral right does the PDP have to condemn an election where its candidates won states with dominant APC presence and also force a rerun in states where it lost woefully only two weeks ago? Is the party saying that INEC and its personnel perform creditably in only the states it retained and the ones it won?

“These are real questions that Nigerians should ask these people who are accusing INEC of doing the bidding of the Presidency because it declared elections in five states inconclusive in line with extant laws of the land.

“We know for a fact that a PDP-controlled federal government would have hidden behind the infamous ‘bandwagon’ effect to claim victory in all the states where its candidates were declared victorious in the Presidential election like it did in most of the elections it supervised between 2003 and 2014.”

BMO maintained that contrary to PDP’s position, President Muhammadu Buhari did not interfere with INEC’s constitutionally-guaranteed independence during, before and after the Presidential election as well as that of the gubernatorial and state houses of Assembly.

It said: “We dare say that no one would have been talking about inconclusive elections in five states won convincingly by the governing party two weeks ago, in the PDP era- the party would have forced itself on the people regardless of their choice.

“But this President who is keen on leaving a legacy of free, fair and credible election is only interested in ensuring that votes count and that’s what PDP benefitted from on March 9.”

BMO hails Buhari’s neutrality in States’ elections

President Muhammadu Buhari will, at the end of his second and final term in office, bequeath to Nigeria a very robust democratic space that many Nigerians will be proud of.

According to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), this is obvious from his deliberate non-interference in the just concluded governorship and States’ House of Assembly elections.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said Buhari did not go out of his way to ensure that the All Progressives Congress (APC) got undue advantage in last Saturday’s elections.

“It was unthinkable that a ruling party in Nigeria would lose crucial states so soon after winning a Presidential election.

“Nigerians are used to Presidents using their enormous powers to retain their party in power at state level at all cost, regardless of the people’s will, but President Buhari has shown himself to be different in spite of what his perennial critics want Nigerians to believe.

“Here is a man who won by a landslide in Kano, Bauchi and Sokoto states two weeks ago but did not lean on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure victory for APC candidates in last Saturday’s election in those states.

“The close contest in those states invariably led to some people questioning his margin of victory without considering the Buhari phenomenon which transcends party leanings and affiliations, especially in Northern Nigeria.

“Oyo is another hitherto APC stronghold which the party lost to the Peoples Democratic Party’s gubernatorial candidate by a big margin without the President making any effort to influence the outcome.”

The group says President Buhari deserves credits for this principled stand.

“We at BMO clearly remember how previous Presidents used federal might to retain states in which their candidates lost, but President Buhari has shown that he is a statesman with a different mindset”, it said.

The group pointed out that the President’s non-interference shows that he is a true democrat that keeps to his words.

“President Buhari is on record to have said that Nigerians were free to vote for political parties of their choice, at a time key APC members were openly expressing support for governorship candidates on the platform of other parties.

“So it is not surprising that the results so far announced by INEC officials largely reflected the will of the people, regardless of whether APC won or not.

“The era where elements of the ruling party would be given protection to write results is gone and we can also recall that in 2007, results for gubernatorial election in at least one state was announced in Abuja even when collation had not been completed in the state.”

EXPOSED: Amosun’s desperate last minute moves to rig Ogun election

• Deploys ex-commissioner to manipulate election results
• Offers INEC officials N2 million to rig election
• Soldiers, thugs paid to inflate results in Ifo, Abeokuta North, others
• Issues death threat to NYSC members and other INEC officials
The devious plans of Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State to manipulate and possibly disrupt the governorship and State House of Assembly elections held on Saturday have been uncovered.
According to our reporter, the governor who is backing Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate, Honourable Adekunle Akinlade has deployed soldiers and thugs to inflate election results in Ifo, Abeokuta North and other local government areas.
The governor has also threatened the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and NYSC members with thugs if they refuse to allow them access to thumb print ballot papers.
According to an INEC official in Yewa North representatives of the governor offered them N2 million to manipulate the results of Ohunbe ward.
The official said when they rejected the offer, the representative told them that they were joking with their lives and had no other option.
“We left the ballot papers for them to do what they wanted, I cannot lose my life over this election, I have a family that is waiting for me to return home,” said the INEC official who spoke to journalists on the condition anonymity.
At the collation center at NUD Oke Ijeun INEC officials were attacked by thugs who were wearing APM shirts. The attack took place at Ward 8 on Saturday evening.
APM thugs were also reported to have been shooting at Ward 12, Abeokuta South Local Government Area forcing residents to scamper for their lives.
Our correspondent gathered that soldiers were being used to perpetrate electoral anomalies in at least 20 other polling unit and collation centers.
“They were tampering with APC votes and are inflating the figures of APM,” an APC party agent who identified himself as Segun told reporters.
“The soldiers and policemen deployed to do these things were dressed in mufti, so we could not ascertain their true status,” said Segun.
Former Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Leke Adewolu also mobilised thugs to alter results at Ifo State Constituency 1 and 2.
Another INEC official said at Ward 11, Abeokuta North soldiers dressed in military fatigue ordered party agents out of the ward before forcing them to manipulate results.
Our correspondent reports that in Ward 5, Abeokuta North, the governor and his boys did over voting. “They were so eager to thumb print in favour of APM that the votes allocated to APM was more than the accredited voters,” an INEC official told our correspondent.
Other polling units were results are believed to have been manipulated includes Unity high school, Ago Ika - Abeokuta North LG; Centenary Hall, Ake - Abeokuta South South LG; Odeda Council Hall - Odeda LG; LG Secretariat Hall - Obafemi Owode LG; LG Secratariat Hall - Ifo LG; LG Secratariat Hall - Ewekoro LG; LG Secretariat Hall - Ijebu North LG; Town hall, Ogbere - Ijebu East LG; LG Secretariat hall, Abigi - Ogun Waterside LG; Itoro hall - Ijebu Ode LG; LG Secretariat Hall - Odogbolu LG; LG Secretariat hall, Atan - Ijebu North East LG; Muslim high school - Sagamu LG; Town hall - Ikenne LG; LG Secretariat hall, Isara - Remo North LG; LG Secretariat hall - Imeko Afon LG; Omidokun hall - Yewa North LG; LG Secretariat hall - Ipokia LG; Oronna town hall - Yewa South LG and Iganmode Grammar School - Ado Odo Ota LG.

The All Progressives Congress has won both the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the polling unit of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Lagos State on Saturday.

Prof. Osinbajo who voted at Victoria Garden City Main Park Booth in Lagos helped APC governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu garner 248 votes.

Sanwo-Olu’s main challenger Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party polled 190 votes. In the State House of Assembly the APC finished with 193 votes while the PDP candidate had 175 votes.

In Prof. Osinbajo home state of Ogun, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abidoun also won at his polling unit in Iperu, Ikenne.

Results announced at his polling unit shortly after collation showed that the oil magnate had established a healthy lead in his local government area of Ikenne.

At his polling unit in Ward 3 Unit 2, Ita Osanyin, Iperu, Ikenne, Mr. Abiodun polled a total of 240 votes while his closest challenger, Honourable Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) got 71 votes.
At the polling unit of Mr. Akinlade, the APM lost to the APC.

Mr. Akinlade who voted at polling unit 010, Owode Ward 1, Yewa South of Ogun state could only manage 83 votes while Mr. Abiodun polled 104.

Results’ trickling in across the State shows that the APC is leading the APM and other parties by a rather healthy margin.

In Abeokuta South, Ward 14, PU 2, APC polled 144 votes to APM’s 59 votes. In Ward 11, Unit 18, Abeokuta North, APC garnered 103 votes to APM’s 40 votes.
Below are other results from Ogun State.

Ward 12, Unit 002, Agbon Land, Makun, Sagamu
APC – 99
APM – 73
Ward 3, Polling Unit 007, Modern School Road, Ota
APC - 81
APM – 67
Ijagba Ward, Onirere Unit, Sagamu
APC - 161
APM – 63
Ososa Ward 7
APC - 171
APM – 20
PDP - 102
Ward 10, Unit 8, Ilefon
APC - 81
APM - 41
PDP – 34
Police Station, Ward 9 Ikenne LG
APC - 275
APM - 60
PDP – 24
Ward 08, polling Unit 002, Idomowo
PDP - 55
APC - 100
APM - 13
Ward 11, Unit 18, Abeokuta North
APC -103
PDP -04
APM -40
Ward 15, Polling Unit 016, Abeokuta South
APC - 58
APM- 53
PDP – 03
Abeokuta South, Ward 15, Polling Unit Dimmo Store
APC - 67
APM- 52
ADC- 101
PDP-9
Abeokuta South, Ward 15, Polling Unit Olubara Palace
APC - 60
APM- 52
ADC- 91
PDP-15
Abeokuta South, Ward 15, Polling Unit BUSTOP
APC - 59
APM- 62
ADC- 64
PDP-14
Ward 04, Polling Unit 06, Iperu Remo, Ikenne
APC – 236
PDP – 02
APM – 032
Ijebu Ode, Ward 7, Unit 009, Oke Street
APC - 108
PDP - 73
APM – 46
Ward 3, Unit 2, Ita Osanyin, Ikenne LG
APC - 240
APM - 71
PDP - 5
ADC – 2
Ward 3, Unit 2, Ita Osanyin, Ikenne
APC - 240
APM - 71
PDP - 5
ADC - 2

Amidst the gubernatorial and state house of assembly elections holding today in various parts of the country, Peace has been the order of the day but otherwise at some places in Ogun state.

Election Observers reported that the ballot box at Ijebu ode ward 9 has just been snatched.

Also, Oke bode Abeokuta wasn't left out in the ballot-snatching saga.

Eyewitnesses also reported that the SA to the governor, Toyin Ayebusiwa has just supervised snatching of the ballot box at ward 7, unit 3 ogun waterside Iga.

Further reports revealed that a lot of snatching of ballot boxes is on-going at Ifo, abeokuta, Ijebu ode, odeda and Ado odo speculated to be orchestrated by the governor in order to favor his candidate.

Meanwhile, the attention of relevant authorities has been called to this election malpractices going on in the aforementioned places.

Osinbajo: Celebrating Nigeria's 'Star Boy' at 62

By Abdullahi Yunusa ProfWills

I really have no idea of how or when the sobriquet, "Star Boy" became part of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's name. But I know for a fact that the pet name is very popular among young people, especially on the social media, who are inspired by the erudite law professor's simple, exemplary and humble lifestyle.

There is absolutely something unique about Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's personality which endears him to many, especially the Nigerian youths. Given the way he freely interacts, relates and reaches out to Nigerians during most of his official outings, many see and regard him as a true friend of the common man.

President Muhammadu Buhari wasn't wrong when he entrusted his administration's Social Investment Programmes into his hands. His choice of Professor Osinbajo as the chief implementor of the scheme tells of the importance government attaches to it. Such an important and very critical assignment of ensuring that every Nigerian, especially the common people directly feel the impact of governance requires a man of impeccable character and integrity for it to succeed.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo has not only acquitted himself in the transparent manner he discharges his responsibility as the coordinator of SIP, but has displayed capacity, competence and accountability in the handling of the various components of the entire programme. The general consensus out there is that the SIP initiative which is principally targeted at empowering ordinary Nigerians is the most impactful, transparent and accountable social intervention programme ever introduced in our chequered political history as a country. Nigerians have since taken ownership of the various aspects of the SIP scheme which has for the very first time brought government closer to the people.

Professor Osinbajo, like his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, is so passionate about the welfare of Nigerians, which he said occupies a significant position in the overall programme of the President Buhari administration. The Vice President has continued to reiterate government's resolve to touch the lives of all Nigerians through faithful implementation of all government programmes and policies.

The truth is, Nigerians, especially the youths are happy with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's style of handling official matters. There is hardly a day that the Vice President isn't out there interacting with ordinary Nigerians on how best to meet their yearnings and aspirations. Apart from sitting to hold regular talk sessions with the youths, market women, artisans and petty traders across markets, Professor Osinbajo always welcomes suggestions, ideas, criticisms and opinions on how to achieve the Nigeria of our dream. One outstanding attribute of the Vice President is that he's a listening leader. He believes strongly in the fact that every Nigerian should have something to offer in our desire to develop our dear nation.

By now, Professor Osinbajo's security men have become so used to the huge crowd of Nigerians that often struggle to see or have a handshake with him during his numerous official outings. He's made himself very accessible and easy to locate. I've lost count of the number of youth-based programmes that Professor Osinbajo has graced and held frank discussions with young Nigerians. He's made it a point of duty to always honour such invitations himself, an indication of the fact he attaches much importance to issues that pertain to our youths.

Only recently at the 30th Biennial Conference of the Student Christian Movement of Nigeria held at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Enugu, urged youths to see themselves as key players in Nigeria's march to greatness, adding that contrary to the belief that the young people were the leaders of tomorrow, the time for the youths to showcase themselves was now.

Even when he hosted a delegation of Not-Too-Young-To-Run Movement, sometime ago he said charged them to remain steadfast and committed to the task of realizing our full potential as a country.

“My dear young people, we need your energy, passion, charisma and creative abilities in our march to greatness. The time has come for all of you be deeply involved in politics and governance".

Nigerians are always pleased to see the country's number two citizen visit towns, villages and cities to explain government's programmes and policies to the masses across markets, bus stations, campuses and social gatherings. This is a complete departure from the way and manner officials of past governments treated us. We now welcome top government functionaries to our homes, not the other way round.

This is one task the VP is so passionate about. He clearly understands the fact that it is the responsibility of elected and appointed government officials to keep the people abreast of developments, especially on issues of welfare and security.

It is our expectation that the Vice President, under whose office and supervision the SIP scheme is domiciled would continue to do his very best to ensure that the various components of the scheme like the N-POWER, Conditional Cash Transfer, MSMES Clinics, Trader Moni, Farmer Moni, Market Moni etc are meaningfully implemented in line with the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Once more, happy 62nd birthday anniversary to our dear VP.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT BUHARI FELICITATES WITH VICE PRESIDENT OSINBAJO AT 62
On behalf of his family and the Federal Executive Council, President Muhammadu Buhari heartily felicitates with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN on the occasion of his 62ndbirthday.
The President joins Dolapo, her children and Nigerians across the country and around the world to celebrate the erudite scholar, Minister of the Gospel and ‘‘very dependable deputy with whom I share a very special bond.’’
President Buhari is grateful to God for preserving the life of Prof. Osinbajo, who in the past four years has diligently championed the values of setting the foundation for the peace, progress, and stability of Nigeria, by working very hard to build a resilient economy while promoting transparency and accountability. 
On this special occasion, the President extends special appreciation to the Vice President and wishes him many more years of robust health, happiness and fulfilment in his service to God, the nation and humanity.
He looks forward to sharing many special moments of celebration with his deputy as they take Nigeria to the Next Level in the years ahead.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President 
(Media & Publicity)
March 8, 2019

*MY ENCOUNTER WITH VP YEMI OSINBAJO*
*A TRIBUTE FOR HIS 62ND BIRTHDAY*

My father, leader, boss, principal, mentor, uncle, friend and brother, His Excellency, Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON is 62 today.

To start with, I have been privileged to have had close interactions, acquaintances and friendship with local, national and world leaders but two of them standout with their humility, *HE General Yakubu Gowon* and the celebrator, *HE Prof Yemi Osinbajo*. I must however stress the fact that I wasn't born during the Gowon years so I never had any interaction with him as Head of State. But having interacted extensively with Omo Ologo, as I fondly call the VP, I can say without any equivocation that he's the most humble political office holder I've ever come across all my life.

PYO exudes all the known virtues of Omoluabi; he is very humble, extremely brilliant, knowledgeable, wise, calm, "youthcentric", hardworking and sincerely committed to all worthy causes of state, faith and humanity.

Of all our interactions, that of the 29th Day of January, 2019 would linger in my memories forever. The VP was in Oyo State for an event at the University of Ibadan. I waited alongside other PYO enthusiasts and top Oyo State government officials on the protocol train to receive him at the Ibadan airport. As soon as he landed, he exchanged pleasantries with everyone; thereafter I proceeded to enter my car which had been well positioned in the convoy.

Surprisingly, His Excellency beckoned on me to ride with him aboard the white Toyota Coaster bus ferrying him to the venue. Also on board were Senator Femi Ojudu, Oyo Deputy Governor Alake Adeyemo, Ondo politician, Sola Oke SAN, my very good egbon SSA Media Laolu Akande, Dr. Mrs Ebi Awosika, my friend, elder brother and campaign partner, Muyiwa Badmus aka Ribadu and a host of others.

While on board, the VP asked me about my media engagements and I briefed him extensively. He was highly delighted and he responded with "ku ise" (well done). I continued by saying that "sir, I have another media engagement today and won't be able to accompany you to the airport from UI again". Like a father to a son, he said "give me the radio frequency and time as I would be tuning in"

I later got to know that he listened and was highly impressed. On that same night, he sent my partner and I "an enablement" for our activities; a huge gesture that I have since documented in my upcoming book.

Once again, happy birthday to the Vice President, Professor Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo SAN, GCON; the Chief Driver of Nigeria's National Social Investment Programmes; husband of Barrister Oludolapo; father of lovely children; enabler and destiny helper of many youths; an epitome of loyalty; a godfearing man and a workaholic per excellence.
Thank you for all that you do.
May the good Lord bless you and your family.

Hon. Prince Adetayo Adekunle B.SC, MCPA.
Oyo State Spokesperson, Professor Yemi Osinbajo Support Group.

Abeokuta agog as Osinbajo campaigns for APC Ogun guber candidate Dapo Abiodun

*Urges people not to be intimidated, promising adequate security

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has dispelled fears of voters in Ogun State amid concerns that the State's sitting governor's support for the candidate of a rival party might raise tensions in the governorship polls on March 9.

There have been fears and concerns that the Ogun State Governor’s support for a rival party in Saturday's gubernatorial election in the State may have precipitated a security crisis regarding the election.

Prof. Osinbajo who embarked on an elaborate campaign rally in Ogun alongside Prince Dapo Abiodun, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, assured citizens of a peaceful, free and fair election.

Prof. Osinbajo who was accompanied by former Ogun governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and other chieftains of the party in the state said the Federal Government was going to provide adequate security.

VP Osinbajo who began his tour in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital was received to an electric reception by the supporters and residents of Ogun state. The VP was near speechless as the crowd chanted his name and that of President Muhammadu Buhari endless.

On arriving Abeokuta, Prof. Osinbajo toured Ogun state visiting Kuto, Ibara, Lafenwa, Isala Igbehin, among other communities in the state.

At every stop, he was greeted by mammoth crowds who derived satisfaction at seeing him and Prince Abiodun, who is the party’s flag bearer at the 9 March governorship election.

On passing Ogun State Government House, the people thronged out in their numbers in what appeared to be a carnival-like campaign.

Addressing the people at Lafenwa, Prof. Osinbajo thanked them profusely for voting for President Buhari and himself. He assured them that they will deliver all their campaign promises.

“Those who are saying on Saturday they will not let us come out, that they will do this and that, let me tell you that it will not happen. Let me tell you that the Federal Government is in charge of security, we will ensure that there is adequate security for everyone. This election will be peaceful, free and fair.

“Please note that you should we are going to use our index finger to vote. Let me urge us to vote APC at all levels. For the House of Assembly, let us vote APC.

“Just the way you voted President Buhari and me, your son in, you should do the same for Dapo Abiodun because if we did not have votes from Lafenwa, we would not have been re-elected. Thank you so much for your support,” he said at the rally in Lafenwa.

As the VP arrived Kuto, the chants and cheers from the people became overwhelming to the extent that Prof. Osinbajo struggled to pass through the crowd. The chants were so deafening that it took Prof Osinbajo more than 30 minutes to get some decorum.

Prof. Osinbajo spent over three hours in Abeokuta and it was stunning as he got a heroic welcome everywhere he went. The acceptance and gladness of the people was spontaneous and original and it was authentic all the way.

A party chieftain, Bayo Asenuga told journalists that, “This party has been on for at least over three hours, and well over 10 miles if not 15,” he said.

He said he has not seen people so energetic at a campaign rally. “The people were not tired walking alongside the campaign train. This is a message that APC will win overwhelmingly in Ogun,” he said.

Onlookers in most part of Abeokuta caused a gridlock as they stared endlessly in public acceptance at the Vice President as he walked the major roads in Abeokuta and its environs.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has finally shown that his pre-election criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari was fuelled by ego.

His insistence that he would continue to criticise the President until 'he begins to do the right things' is a further confirmation of this neurosis.

According to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, it is worrisome that former President Obasanjo has always insinuated that all the past heads of state and Presidents he had criticised did not perform creditably in office.

"It is amusing that the former President gave the impression that his criticism of President Buhari which began in January 2018 is borne out of a need for him to do the right thing.

"Does it then mean that the President had been performing to Obasanjo's expectations until then? If not, at what point did he realise that President Buhari had not been doing well; or did Obasanjo notice that only in January last year when he went public with the first of his open letters?

"Obasanjo's comments at the public lecture in commemoration of his 82nd birthday can also be interpreted to mean that no President aside from former President Obasanjo did the right things in office.

"This shows that his criticism of President Buhari and former occupants of that position is largely ego-driven and is certainly not altruistic"

The pro-Buhari group added that in terms of performance, former President Obasanjo had a lot of baggage in office and is not known to be tolerant of criticism.

"It is a matter of public record that Chief Obasanjo did not entirely cover himself in glory while in office, especially with the removal and attempted removal of state governors in violation of the constitution. His methods were simply brutal and were in most cases spearheaded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and in at least two cases, Anambra and Oyo states, led by his enforcers.

"And can anyone forget so soon how Senate Presidents were impeached unceremoniously on his watch, as well as the incident that eventually led to the death of former Senate President Chuba Okadigbo soon after he was tear-gassed at a political rally in solidarity with the then candidate Muhammadu Buhari in 2003.

“The previous election under Obasanjo in 2003 was hardly different. Chuba Okadigbo, the running mate of the opposition presidential candidate at the time, could not leave his house to vote for himself because soldiers had stationed an armoured tank in front of his house with the nozzle directly facing his gate. He was warned of dire consequences if he or any of his family members attempted to leave the house. That was the same election that INEC announced that the then Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, had been defeated by the PDP, even before the elections were conducted.”

BMO added that at 82, the former President is long over-due to take a back seat and adopt the decorum expected of former Presidents.

“General Yakubu Gowon is one Head of State who has no record of public criticism of his successors in office.

"He was Obasanjo’s boss for nine years, from 1966 to 1975 and not once did he utter a public criticism of the former President throughout his two tenures from 1976 – 1979 and 1999 to 2007.

"The same thing applies to General Abdul-Salam Abubakar, who handed power to Obasanjo in 1999; there is not a single word of public condemnation throughout Obasanjo’s eight years in power from a man who exuded only decorum and self-respect out of office.

"We hope that now that OBJ is 82, he would heed the words of wisdom of the Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and be a true statesman, after all, eligible voters in his polling centre as well as throughout Ogun state opted to ignore his advice to massively give President Buhari a second term in office.

GLOBAL ECONOMIC POLICY INITIATIVE: 2019 ELECTIONS, LARGELY PEACEFUL AND ORDERLY

The Global Economic Policy Initiative has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the security agencies for a “largely peaceful and orderly general election.”

The group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Bernard Okri, in Asaba, Delta State, stated that the observations it made from its situation room showed that the conduct of the February 23rd 2019 election were largely peaceful, orderly with votes counting.

“We have taken a granular look and appreciation of the reports of the conduct of the election from all 36 states of the Federation, and we are generally impressed by what we have seen and in some cases, witnessed.

“The voter turnout was largely impressive given the postponement of the election and the presumption that there would be voter apathy as a result.

“Despite violence in some areas in states like Benue, Rivers, Lagos, Zamfara and Ebonyi, the general outlook of the elections was largely peaceful; security agents were seen across polling units.”

The group also observed that people who came out to vote were orderly in their conduct, queuing appropriately, and waiting for the votes to count even up till midnight in some case.

It went further to state that INEC had proven itself a credible electoral umpire, despite the postponement of the elections.

“We commend INEC for the job done. It was tough, tedious and with a tyranny of expectations, they were able to pull through across the country.”

The group noted that with 71 Presidential candidates on the ballot sheet and over 80 million registered voters, INEC had a very difficult job to do, and it did it well going by the turn out of events.

The group commended Nigerians for their believe in democracy and their determination to ensure that their votes counted.

INITIATIVE TO SAVE DEMOCRACY

PRESS RELEASE

ABUJA

25th February, 2019

2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS: LARGELY PEACEFUL, FEW INCIDENCES OF VIOLENCE, COMMENDABLE VOTER TURNOUT

We want to express our satisfaction at the just concluded February 23rd Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives election held across the 36states of the federation.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has indeed done a great job in ensuring a successful election without any interference from government and international agents.

However, we observed that there are were challenges experienced across the country during the elections: the late delivery of materials and arrival of polling officials in some places, violence in some areas and activities of thugs.

Against all odds, arrival of electoral materials at units was still recorded at over 80%.

An item we believe must be improved on is communication by INEC to members of the public and major stakeholders as this will further project their institution as transparent, uncompromised, unbiased and credible.

It is safe to say that INEC has redeemed its almost battered image by successfully conducting a difficult election with 71 Presidential candidates on the ballot, the difficulty that arises from this abundance of candidates cannot be overemphasized.

We would like to also commend the institution of the Nigerian Police and security agencies in all polling units. Despite some irregularities that they could not contain, they were largely able to maintain peaceful conduct in a majority of polling units and also restored peace in areas that had outbreaks of violence.

Our special commendation is to the Nigeria Army that was on ground and responsive to people’s calls to their situation room.

Finally, we congratulate Nigerians for their considerably impressive turnout in ensuring a successful conduct and ensuring that their votes counted despite the circumstances of postponement which we feared would lead to voter apathy. They are the winners. They have shown that the Nigerian people are patriotic and poised to ensuring that democracy is indeed the government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Thank you, God bless Nigeria.

SUNDAY AKINLOYE JAMES

President, Initiative to Save Democracy.

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has hailed Nigerians for voting for continuity by giving President Muhammadu Buhari a resounding approval for a second term in office.
This it said is an expression of confidence in the ability of the President and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take Nigerians to the next level of prosperity.
BMO said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that the widespread national support showed that Nigerians are not prepared to toy with the nation’s future.
“We were convinced that President Buhari would defeat his main challenger Atiku Abubakar by a wide margin and we made that clear on the eve of the Presidential election but it seems Nigerians were even more determined to deny the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) a return to power at the centre.
“From the hinterlands of Kano to the urban centre in Kwara, the real voters who have felt the impact of the President’s first term in office have expressed absolute confidence in his economic diversification drive, his anti-corruption war as well as his resolve to make the country safer.
“A fresh term freely given by the Nigerian people would certainly translate to a completion of the nationwide rail network that would transcend the nation’s capital cities and sea ports as well as continuation of road and power infrastructure.
“We at BMO congratulate all Nigerians for resisting the massive pressure from opposition elements for a return to a past of ruinous profligacy and abandoned projects”, it said.
The group also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the improved logistic arrangement but urged it to ensure that the process ends on a successful note.
“The Election Management Body has done a good job of resolving the initial logistic nightmare even though there were a few hitches in some parts of the country but the job won’t be completed until collation of results from the 176,000 polling centres is completed.
“We fully endorse the alert issued by the spokesman of APC Presidential Campaign Council Festus Keyamo of plans to disrupt the coalition process in many parts of the country with a view to rendering the election inconclusive.
“We hope that INEC is taking the warning seriously but we are also encouraged by the readiness of majority of Nigerians to protect their votes until the election’s Chief Returning Officer Mahmood Yakubu gets the final results”, BMO said.
BMO also praised security agencies for doing a great job of ensuring a peaceful process in spite of pockets of violence in a handful of states.
It urged the authorities to ensure that everyone arrested for instigating violence is prosecuted according to the laws of the land.

BMO to Atiku: President Buhari will win by a landslide

President Muhammadu Buhari would win the February 23 Presidential election with a landslide, according to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO)

This it said is based on projections and field surveys on the campaign activities of the President and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC)
BMO said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that there are indications that the deliberate effort by President Buhari and his deputy Yemi Osinbajo to bond with the Nigerian people through the ruling party’s multi-level campaign has worked.
“For the first time since 1999 a governing party reached out to real voters through a multi-level campaign that is unknown in this part of the world
“Quite a number of Nigerians including the opposition were stunned to see the President himself leading a full blown campaign to all 36 states and the federal capital territory at the rate of two states a day.
“At the same time Vice President Yemi Osinbajo embarked on a nationwide door-to-door campaign including family chats to personally reel out the achievements of the administration in a convivial environment.
“The third level of the campaign is the Women and Youth one spearheaded by the wife of the President Aisha Buhari which was done on a zonal basis.
“Compare this with a stuttering opposition campaign that could not take Atiku Abubakar beyond 19 states before the Presidential election was postponed to February 23”, it said
The pro- Buhari group noted that the organic crowd at those rallies and the reception the APC team got are strong indicators that the President would do better than he did in virtually all the geo-political zones.
BMO said: “The crowd at the rallies showed that Nigerians are ready to hedge their bet on a President that has literally turned the country into a giant construction site than an opposition candidate which the international media has branded an “established thief and a kleptocrat.”
“It was also clear that the PDP candidate did not enjoy enough support of many of his party’s governors who were reluctant to join him on the campaign trail or campaign on his behalf at the grassroots
“From all indications, the opposition was relying on subterfuge and manipulation of the process but we at BMO are convinced that all those efforts including those that were manifest after the postponement would be resisted by Nigerians”

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
 
AMOUNT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY FLOODING THE COUNTRY ALARMING, SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI
 
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed astonishment at the huge amount of foreign currency flooding the country intended to influence the general elections beginning on Saturday.
 
Speaking during the Federal Executive Council, FEC meeting Wednesday, the President accused some politicians of flouting money laundering regulations in their desperate bid to capture political power.
 
President Buhari, however, commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for successfully tracking the money in “millions of United States dollars.”
 
The EFCC success followed the presidential directive to investigative agencies to probe a number of high profile cases.
 
Reassuring the nation of his administration’s determination to wage a relentless war against money laundering and terrorist financing, the President again appealed to Nigerians, especially politicians to place the interest of the country above all others, as they troop out to cast their votes in the coming elections.
 
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
February 21, 2019

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT 

PRESS RELEASE

IT IS DELIBERATE PROPAGANDA – VP OSINBAJO DISMISSES FAKE NEWS OF PURPORTED RESIGNATION
 

Contrary to the fake news in circulation yesterday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has not resigned his position in the Buhari administration.
 
Speaking at a meeting with young Christian leaders in Lagos last night, Prof. Osinbajo debunked the purported resignation being circulated on some social media platforms. He dismissed the false information as deliberate propaganda. 
 
He said, "They are deliberate propaganda. Today (Wednesday), they’ve been spreading some information around that I’ve resigned. They said I didn’t attend a security meeting yesterday. I was too busy in my office. The same security people were meeting with me that same evening. Must I attend every meeting? Can’t the President hold a meeting with the security chiefs without me? They said I was so angry that they didn’t bring me to that meeting, that I was excluded, then I resigned! I have not resigned.”
 
In continuation of the Next Level engagements, the Vice President visited Ikeja, Lagos State, where he met with the Hausa community. He then proceeded to Yola, in Adamawa State, where he met a group of Christian leaders. On his return to Lagos yesterday night, the Vice President held an interactive session with young Christian leaders at Muson Center, Onikan, where he spoke on the fake news.
 
Prof. Osinbajo continues the Next Level engagements and is expected in Kwara and Abia states later today.
 

'Laolu Akande 
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity 
Office of the Vice President 
21st February, 2019

A political group has urged Nigerians to ignore the fake news that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has resigned from his position.

The Initiative to Save Democracy (ISD) described the unscrupulous rumour as the desperation of the Peoples Democratic Party to stir unnecessary controversy in the South West of Nigeria.

President of ISD, Sunday James Akinloye, urged Nigerians especially Yorubas to shun all fake news emanating from the PDP. “This is completely laughable. How can some people concoct a story that is entirely false, sending thousands of Nigerians into frenzy over nothing?

“This shows that the PDP is desperate and they will stop at nothing to lay their hands on Nigeria’s treasury but their plans will not work, in fact, it is dead on arrival.

Akinloye stressed that Nigerians must be wary of any story from PDP because they are the masters of fake news. “They claimed in 2015 that President Muhammadu Buhari was going to Islamize Nigeria once he is voted in but we found that that is a lie.

“They claimed he was Jubril from Sudan and they even claimed that he could not stand or campaign for himself but the man has proven them wrong over and over again.

“The PDP is a destructive party and nothing good can come out of them. The foundation of PDP is faulty and the only thing they know is propaganda and lies even to the detriment of the lives of many Nigerians.

Akinloye urged Nigerians to ensure that the PDP is permanently shut out from Nigeria’s treasury for the progress and good of the country.

“They have said it, they want to enrich themselves and their friends, and they do not care about the common man on the street.

“They say they want to come and share the money, we must not allow that to happen. We must be steadfast in the slow and steady path we have embarked upon.

Quoting the Bible, Akinloye said Nigerians must understand that what we sow, is what we will reap. “If we sow Atiku and his corruption, then we will reap hardship from this evil seed. We must be careful what we wish for.

He urged Nigerians to disregard the UK, US and EU, stressing that they are only after their selfish interests. “Before President Buhari came on board all our looted monies were stashed in banks in the UK, US and EU.

“Since President Buhari was elected not only have we stopped laundering our monies to these countries, we are demanding that they return the money with them.

“They are not happy that Nigeria is on the path to prosperity, they want us to perpetually be under them asking for grants and loans.

He urged all Nigerians to vote overwhelming for the APC because that is the only party that can assure us of progress. “Our forefathers say that a good name is better than silver and gold. We must always remember this, always,” he said.

Atiku's economic plan will make Nigerians poorer and in penury.

He plans to sell NNPC to his friends this would immediately lead to increase in pump price to at least N350.

Atiku also intends to sell Nigeria's Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The natural consequence of this is that there would be a spike in price of power which would take on the little resources Nigerians have.

Say NO to Atiku and his fraudulent plan to impoverish Nigerians.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT BUHARI ON THE POSTPONEMENT OF GENERAL ELECTIONS BY INEC

I am deeply disappointed that despite the long notice given and our preparations both locally and internationally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the Presidential and National Assembly elections within hours of its commencement.

Many Nigerians have traveled to various locations to exercise their right to vote, and international observers are gathered.

INEC themselves have given assurances, day after day and almost hour after hour that they are in complete readiness for the elections. We and all our citizens believed them.

This administration has ensured that we do not interfere in any way with the work of INEC except to ensure that all funds were released to the commission.

We now urge INEC to ensure not only that materials already distributed are safe and do not get into wrong hands, but that everything is done to avoid the lapses that resulted in this unfortunate postponement, and ensure a free and fair election on the rescheduled dates.

While I reaffirm my strong commitment to the independence, neutrality of the electoral umpire and the sanctity of the electoral process and ballot, I urge all political stakeholders and Nigerians to continue to rally round INEC at this trying national moment in our democratic journey.

I, therefore, appeal to all Nigerians to refrain from all civil disorder and remain peaceful, patriotic and united to ensure that no force or conspiracy derail our democratic development.

I have decided to move back to Abuja to ensure that the 14.00 hrs meeting called by INEC with all stakeholders is successful.



Muhammadu Buhari

Daura, February 16, 2019

Feb. 16 poll: Any vote not for Buhari is a waste - Gen. Bajowa


A retired Major-Gen. Olu Bajowa, the Chairman of Legacy Forum, a unit of the Buhari support organization, says that any vote not for President Muhammadu Buhari re-election will be a waste come Feb. 16 poll.


Bajowa stated this at Igbotako during a stakeholders' meeting of the All Progressives congress( APC) across the 13 wards of Okitipupa Local Government of Ondo State.


The meeting was in furtherance of Gen. Bajowa's bid to ensure massive grassroots votes are garnered for President Buhari, who is seeking a second term in office in the Feb. 16 election.


Legacy Forum has been in the forefront of the campaign for the sustainability of good governance which the body maintains that the Buhari government stands for.


The chairman of the group appealed to all and sundry to deliver their individual votes for Buhari/ Osinbajo, saying the duo were better positioned to take the country out of the woods.


The retired General enjoined voters in the forthcoming election to cast their votes to Buhari so that there would be landslide victory, assuring that the president would not disappoint Nigerian populace if reelected.


According to him, opinions and other parameters are indicating victory for the president.


He noted that the group had been sensitising the public about the need for Nigerians to support the Buhari presidency so that "the next level" would become achievable for all Nigerians.


The chairman stated that President Buhari had a lot of things working in his favour among which are: integrity and accountability, good governance and anti corruption posture, ensuring security and infrastructure drive which was equal to none.


Bajowa flanked by his wife, Mrs Yemi Bajowa, urged electorate not to sell their votes and that they should shun violence, saying 'politics is not do or die affair'.


"My advice is that people should not sell their votes as vote buying and selling amount to trading off peoples' future and that of their children.


"On the day of the election, electorate should vote and not fight and but guard their votes jealously ," Bajowa said.


Also speaking, Mr Bode Ikulala, the APC chairman in the local government area, thanked the Legacy Forum and Bajowa for associating with the party at this auspicious time.


Ikulala added that the party at the local council area, state level and the national level would not forget the depth of support given by the retired General.


He reassured him that the party was very popular in the grassroots and that they would go with the progressives than associating with those who had stolen the country blind in the time past.


The meeting had in attendance all APC ward executives in the 13 wards of the local government area.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE

STRONG MOMENTUM & CONTINUOUS GROWTH IN ECONOMY FURTHER SHOW BUHARI ADMINISTRATION'S POLICIES WORKING


*2018 overall reflects sustained improvement in non-oil sector

In what is a clear indication of the effectiveness of the economic policies of the Buhari presidency, Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures recorded a marked improvement in the fourth quarter of 2018.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the GDP figure for the last quarter in 2018 is 2.38 per cent, reflecting continuous growth.

Below is a statement released in response to the new GDP figure by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu:

"The latest figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics, 2.38 per cent for the fourth Quarter (Q4), 2018 show an appreciable improvement in the growth performance of the economy. The figures are encouraging in several respects.

Notably, the growth recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018 (Q4 2018) was higher than both the growth of 1.81% in Q3 2018 and in the corresponding fourth quarter of 2017. Indeed, quarter-on-quarter growth from Q3 2018 to Q4 2018 was 5.31%, which signals a great potential for a higher annual growth rate.

In annual terms, the growth rate more than doubled in 2018, rising to 1.93% as compared to 0.82% in 2017, again reflecting the strong momentum of growth.

Also notable is the fact that growth in Q4 2018, and indeed for the whole year, owed a great deal to the performance of the non-oil sector. The non-oil sector grew at 2.7% in Q4 2018 as compared to 1.14% in the oil sector. The non-oil sector also grew by 2% in the whole year 2018 which was considerably better than its growth in the whole of 2017, which was 0.47%. The share of the non-oil sector in GDP was 92.94% while the oil sector contributed 7.06%.

With the maintenance of this trend, the economic diversification objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan are well on their way to being met.

It was encouraging that agriculture which accounts for 26.15% of total GDP grew by 2.46% in Q4 2018, while manufacturing grew by 2.09%. The service sector which accounts for 53.62% of GDP registered its strongest growth performance in 11 quarters.

Transport and storage, as well and information and communication, were particularly notable growing at 13.91% and 9.65% in the whole of 2018. This owes a lot to the investments that are being made in roads and rail as well as in broadband infrastructure.

The NBS figures also show that 39 out of 46 economic activities recorded growth in Q4 2018 which shows that growth across sectors is becoming more mutually reinforcing.

This growth is consistent with the policies and principles of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) relating to macroeconomic stability and economic diversification. When better economic fundamentals like lower inflation rates, increased foreign reserves, a more stable exchange rate and increased capital inflows are taken together with increased investments in the real sector, infrastructure, the social sector and business environment; it portends well for economic performance in 2019 and beyond.

Indeed, the economy remains well on course to grow by 3% in 2019 as estimated in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework."

The Buhari administration will continue to pursue the ERGP diligently and Nigerians can expect that economic conditions will continue to get better even as we move on to the Next Level.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
12 February, 2019

PRESS RELEASE

FG Exposes PDP's Plan To Orchestrate Crisis, Trigger Panic Ahead Of Polls

With just a few days to the Presidential and National Assembly
elections, the Federal Government has alerted the nation to the
last-minute desperate plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to
orchestrate a crisis and trigger a sense of panic among the populace,
in furtherance of their plan to discredit the election and cause a
constitutional crisis.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information
and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the plot confirms the alarm
raised by the Federal Government on Jan. 21st and Feb. 3rd 2019 that
the PDP is planning to scuttle the election and, where that fails,
discredit it.

He said in the days ahead, PDP bigwigs, including its presidential
candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate Peter Obi, PDP Governors
and others, are planning a world press conference in order to level
frivolous and unfounded allegations against the federal government and
the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Alhaji Mohammed said that part of the false allegations they plan to
make is that the Presidency, in connivance with the APC, is planning
to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to
announce presidential election results that are favourable to the
government in power, on the basis of the false premise that the APC's
intelligence team is worried that the ruling party would lose the elections.

He said the PDP bigwigs also plan to use their world press conference
to further disparage the Buhari Administration as well as the ruling
APC, with a view to painting an unfavourable image of both to
Nigerians and the international community and to put the government on
the defensive in the run-up to the polls.

The Minister said the PDP's last joker is a two-hour live press
conference to be addressed by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola
Ologbodiyan, on Feb. 14th, the last day of electioneering campaign, to
chronicle all their concocted allegations and lies against the ruling
government, cast aspersion on government and ruling party officials
and throw innuendos here and there.

''As electioneering campaign winds down, the PDP has realized that it
cannot possibly win a free, fair and credible polls. It has thus
resorted to engaging in red herring, hauling insults and abuses at
federal government and ruling party officials and making outlandish
allegations with a view to creating a sense of panic and crisis.

''The truth is that President Muhammadu Buhari, a man respected
globally for his integrity, has continuously assured that the
elections will be free, fair, credible and peaceful. He has warmly
welcomed observers, both local and foreign., because he has nothing to
hide, and because he is sure that the achievements of his
Administration will win him re-election.

''We are therefore calling on all Nigerians and the international
community to disregard any attempt to scuttle or discredit the polls.
We urge observers to keep an open mind. There is no cause for alarm,
except in the warped imagination of the PDP, which has entered the
panic mode and is already ruing the loss of another general election
even before it has been held,'' he said.

Segun Adeyemi
SA To Hon. Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
12Feb2019

PRESS RELEASE

Leah Sharibu's Death Report 'Absolutely Fake News' - FG

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has
described as 'absolute fake news' the reports in the Social Media that
the abducted Dapchi school girl, Leah Sharibu, has died in captivity.

“It’s absolutely fake news. There is nothing like that,” the Minister
said at a press briefing in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Sunday

He said the rumour of Miss Sharibu’s death, which surfaced just a few
days to the presidential election, is another ploy by the political
opposition to tarnish the image of the administration and exploit
primordial sentiments ahead of the polls.

“I think it’s part of the opposition’s strategies to throw everything
at the administration and at the President. I think everyday they are
realizing the hopelessness of their position.

“Everyday they are amazed by the support Mr. President is receiving
from every part of the country and they have decided that they are
going to spread falsehood, inflame passion and make this election a
Muslim-Christian affair or North-South affair, but people are not
listening to them,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

Speaking on the Monday’s presidential campaign rally in Ilorin, he
said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has put everything in place
to ensure that the visit of President Buhari is a huge success.

“The party has been meeting in the last couple of days to ensure that
the President’s visit is very successful. We have watched the rallies
in many parts of the country and we want to assure Mr. President that
our rally in terms of numbers, quality of people, entertainment and
colour will rank among the best,” the Minister said.

He said the crowd that will come out to receive the President will be
organic as the party does not engage in renting crowds.

Alhaji Mohammed appealed to security agencies to create a level
playing field for all the contestants in the election to allow the
people to freely exercise their franchise, saying those involved in
legitimate activities have nothing to fear.

He also described the protest in some circles over the redeployment of
Police Commissioners across the country as the handiwork of the
opposition, which is working to discredit the police and the
Independent National Electoral Commission.

Segun Adeyemi
SA To Hon Minister of Information and Culture
Ilorin, Kwara State
10 Feb 2019

*14 Blunders of Atiku, Obi On ‘The Candidates’ That ‘Nailed’ PDP’s Hope of Presidency”*

As a Nigerian, it’s very necessary to be observant of sensitive questions that was asked but was answered with irrelevant humor.

I stand to state visibly here that these sensitive questions were borne from issues that concerns the situation of the nation and hence, cannot be ignored.

Read Below;
1. Atiku claimed to have been involved in the anti corruption campaign under Obasanjo that recovered $4 billion but he doesn’t believe in prosecution of corrupt individual.

Which mean in a simple understanding, steal the money, and we shall collect whatever is left back and if you give us, we would let you go free.

2. He claimed he is the most investigated politician, the question is who and who investigated Atiku?

3. Atiku boldly answered that when the shites blocked the army, the army should have invited the police.
Does he understand what he actually said? That was a joke too far.

4. He admitted that one of his mistakes as head of economic team was the misappropriation of educational funds.Let me state here that, at that time, the educational funds were disburse to several platforms and federal agencies headed by his friends. Which means he obviously has been enriching his friends before now.

5. Atiku admitted to making mistake in policy implementation as concerning privatization. Obviously, NITEL couldn’t value much again and was sold 1/5 of the initial value.

6. When asked about the implication of his wife in the case of fraud in the US, Atiku declared that his wife is an American. That must be a joke!

7. Kadaria claimed himself and Volpi owns Intels and at that time they were giving government contracts to them. Atiku claimed he didn’t own Intels and obviously he does.

8. Atiku Abubakar agreed that the economy was doing fairly well before APC came into power in 2015 (don’t forget NOT warned us of coming recession) so it was a gradual economic disintegration.

9. Atiku Abubakar was asked why he should be elected by Nigerians, he was referring to the achievements of APC. Lack of focus!

10. Peter Obi suddenly became a stammerer and couldn’t clearly explain why he used the money of Anambra’s people to enrich his family via the brewery he brought. (I would say Willie Obiano was right about him).

11. Atiku was asked about EFCC reforms and if he prosecute his friends.
He went ahead to mention the judiciary as the problem and delayed cases in court. It makes me wonder if it is not the same rot and unethical practices that he has been publicly and fully supporting in Onnoghen

12. Atiku claim the farmers Anchors programme was fake. This was a terrible gaffe and I’ve chosen to write specifically on this because, the facts, figures and proofs of the impact of this programme are too obvious to ignore or rubbish.

13. Atiku said he lifted 45,000 thousands family out of poverty via his microfinance bank loan.It’s obvious that figure calling on national TV is very easy especially when there are no means or measures of verification.I looked at Adamawa rank in poverty list of the states in Nigeria and specifically the top 10 and Adamawa state is presently ranked No. 1. What is this man saying exactly? What impact has he made in Adamawa as vice-president for 8 years? In Yola, I was rightly informed that anything Atiku are the most expensive in the state. How has he made life truly easy for his own people?

14. In August 2018, Obasanjo listed the many crimes of Atiku and accordingly claimed that he won’t forgive him. As a result of the question asked from the audience, related issue was raised.

In response, Atiku didn’t denial his crimes neither did he rebut the dent on his personality as rightly asked but he went ahead to say if Obasanjo has now changed his mind, then that’s it.For Peter Obi, he supported Atiku by talking about referee and replays in football matches.

Before we get carried away, the big issue is, the forgiveness of Obasanjo does not mean Atiku didn’t commit the said crimes under Obasanjo and it’s a pity that such question was once again answered with irrelevant comics.

Personal Observations:
● Atiku seem to be making sense to gullible minds because of the group of persons clapping at almost every statement Atiku made. Kinda makes me wonder how much they were paid.

● In Atiku and Obi, I saw two politicians always on the defensive and counterattacking the interviewer instead of stating clearly there agenda, making Kadaria look like she’s witch hunting them with questions.

● Obi appears like a joker, he was a comedian than a politician and he playfully dodge several questions to the point that the Moderator asked him several times to be serious.

● PDP audience lacked comportment, they made the town hall meeting a rowdy and intimidating for Kadaria but she held her turf. At a time she asked them to have respect for Nigerians who are watching this.

I think above all opinions and sentiments, the performance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar and his vice presidential candidate Peter Obi in reference to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP governance) for 16 years and prospectives of this duo for Nigeria if elected does not have a solid structure that can carry this nation