₦airaland Forum

Dannyset:
That's not their happiness........it's the escape from the fangs of those imposing Nigerian lecturers.

Fellow Nigerians, these are interesting times in our dear beloved country. High-wired politics is here again and there are many gladiators already queueing up for the biggest prize of all, the Presidency. The latest political figure to throw his hat into the ring is the President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who declared his interest in dramatic fashion, two days ago, whilst addressing a gathering of some selected Nigerian youths.

As always, I have continued to follow developments on this latest declaration on social media. While many were jolted by Saraki’s decision, I was not surprised at all. I had written about his decision a few months ago. At that time, I was scorned at, as usual, by those who have no access to news or newsmakers but come online just to attack and disparage everyone. Anyone who understands the game of politics would have realised that the main reason Saraki has been under ceaseless attack and near annihilation is because of his long suspected Presidential ambition. I will explain further, very shortly. But before I do, let me say something for free. I know, many are likely to dismiss Saraki as a smaller fry to President Muhammadu Buhari. Let me plead with anyone who cares to listen that I don’t see Saraki as someone joking, or testing waters, as some people are suggesting. I have studied the man like a book and have come to discover some of the things that make him tick. Saraki’s biggest strength and threat to his adversaries is his calm mien. He is a man of few words. He is deep and calculating. He loves to be underrated. Then he strikes.

I was one of those who used to dismiss his rumoured Presidential ambition as totally impossible. Several times, I had omitted his name when writing about possible Presidential aspirants and he would ask why I thought he was not qualified to govern Nigeria. And my stock answer was usually that the geographical location of Kwara and his own cultural roots naturally and automatically disqualified him. I used to ask, almost rhetorically, where would he pick his running mate from since many Northerners may want to see him as a Yorubaman and thus a Southerner. He finally made his pitch on this vexed issue to me at great length and with strong conviction, when we met, last week in Ilorin. Let me now take you through the mind-set of this enigmatic politician who may yet spring another surprise on you and I, and cause an unexpected revolution in the political landscape and socio-cultural configuration of Nigeria.

I was privileged to sit with Dr Saraki as his guest during the Eid El Kabir festival, in Ilorin. My mission was to penetrate his mind and unravel his mythical essence. I have already met a few other formidable Presidential aspirants such as former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Cross River State Governor Mr Donald Duke. I have had brief telephone conversations with the Governor of Sokoto State, Waziri Aminu Tambuwal, the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Comrade Omoyele Sowore, international motivational speaker Mr Fela Durotoye, BEN Television UK Chairman Mr Alistair Soyode, Finance expert, Mr Tope Fasua but have not had the opportunity of sitting down with them. My encounter with Saraki was extraordinary. He opened up like never before. I have known him a bit since our collaborative work on the Buhari project, but I have never seen him in this form or mood. He was turbocharged and seemed to speak from the heart.

Saraki’s roadmap to victory is simple. Buhari is going to play the usual ethnic card that only a candidate from North West can win a Presidential election in Nigeria. Saraki feels otherwise. He believes that the pro-restructuring crusaders now have an opportunity to make the Presidency available to other Nigerians. He concedes that it may be difficult for any candidate from North West and North East to compete or beat Buhari hands down, despite the fact that PDP parades more experienced politicians and competent aspirants. What is then needed is to keep North Central on lockdown with a popular candidate from that zone. With the support of PDP stalwarts from the other two Northern zones, Buhari’s votes would be whittled down to make up the requisite percentages in terms of spread but no more. He believes that it may be a waste of time and resources trying to compete in the President’s traditional enclave other than to strive to get up to 25%. PDP should instead focus on mobilising the forces from the opposite direction and lockdown four out of the six geo-political zones.

Saraki says he is well-positioned to make this happen. With one leg in the North and another in the South, especially the South West, the people would have a higher stake in the Presidency and this will galvanise more passionate voters. If the PDP presents just anyone, there may be voter apathy and Buhari would coast home to victory. As to where his deputy will come from, it would have to be from the South-East/South-south axis, since he has already covered the South West, technically. Theoretically, this would ignite enthusiasm in that region. He believes the APC has played into his hands somehow by this calculation.

According to Saraki, the only reason Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been fighting him is because he wants to take over from Buhari in 2023. “Where does that then leave the Igbo people who have not been able to produce any Vice President or President since Dr Alex Ekwueme in 1979-1983?” In simple Arithmetic “PDP needs a candidate who can block the South West and the South East simultaneously since Buhari will still run with Osinbajo…” This race is getting mathematically interesting and the Saraki option is looking feasible, I thought. However, Saraki said he was only just starting. He said those days are gone when an individual can instruct people to go out and vote as if they have no minds of their own.

He plans to challenge and tackle Buhari strictly on issues and not pettiness, which he sees to be the current order of the day. He said the world is driven today by knowledge and not by crude force. He said he is better informed on how to resurrect the comatose economy which collapsed because of the over-simplistic and myopic handling of affairs since Buhari took over. “Any student of elementary economics would know that a country can never develop in an atmosphere of obsession for scaremongering, instability, uncertainty, Stone Age policies… Nigeria urgently needs a unifier in deed and not in words… I’m one of the most cosmopolitan leaders around today with every sense of modesty…” Saraki is looking forward to a serious debate between him, Buhari and other candidates on every aspect of daily life in Nigeria. “If Buhari likes, he can stay at home and do the debate by Skype or whatever, but moving forward, we must discuss Nigeria publicly…Anyone wanting to lead a country as important as Nigeria in this century must be someone who can ably represent us in the comity of nations and has a grasp of modern ways of life.”

Saraki says he has matured with time in various offices and his cumulative executive and legislative experiences are almost second to none in the country… “You can see this in the way I have conducted the affairs of the Senate, and we are easily the best, but for the occasional and unfortunate distractions from people who see me as serious threat to their personal ambition. They had to feed the President with lies and destroy our relationship. I did all I could to support the government, but I was constantly harassed and treated like a pariah by those desperate to keep a firm grip on Nigeria…” But he continues to see the positive side of his travails. “Perhaps, I would not have declared interest in this race, but they kept pushing me away, demonising me for no reason, but ,inadvertently, they made me very popular by their action and some of those who never liked me started pitying me as a victim of oppression. They made it possible for me to clear my name and reputation at the highest level of justice, the Supreme Court… That is how God works… Today they’ve pushed me up to the level I never envisaged because the ways of God are very mysterious… Most people, including members of the international community, now see me as the authentic leader of opposition in Nigeria. I’m grateful to all those who have stood by us against dictatorship and tyranny… The more they attacked me, the higher God lifted me up. It was not a crime to aspire. We were co-joiners in the party, but some felt they were overlords, the owners of heaven and earth, and now God has humbled them…”

On how he hopes to tackle the youths many of who feel dead set against him, he replied: “That is my biggest task because they are my catchment group. I know many have been brainwashed and I don’t blame them. You know when you tell some lies repeatedly, it becomes the truth to some people. For example, they say I’m the most corrupt man on earth. I have looted Kwara State dry. All cheap but dangerous lies. What’s the worth of Kwara State that anyone would have billions to steal. I was born into business. I have been investing as a kid. In fact, as Governor, many contractors never saw me once. They said I was arrogant, but I empowered my cabinet and gave them the opportunity to use their initiatives in handling matters of State. There was no way I would have demeaned myself asking contractors for bribe. Insult, insult upon insults… What else did I want God to do for me?”

How come the perception of corruption against him every time? Saraki said: “You should understand their strategy, Buhari and his people have nothing else to market than to label opponents as looters and Buhari as the last saint standing. As petty as they are, they wrote letters to some foreign security agencies to probe me, and the worst of all to invade my home because they are sure they will find millions of raw cash in foreign currency… Just imagine how they’ve been dragging the office of the number three citizen of Nigeria in the mud because of power… Yet they know all their friends who came into power with nothing, those who never managed any business in their lives, but are billionaires today. That is why nobody outside Nigeria treats their so-called wars seriously. The shame of it is they’ve never rejected any of those they called looters before, whenever they decide to cross over to APC…” On the issue of the collapse of a bank, Societe Generale, under his watch, he expressed great regret and remorse but acknowledges no human being is infallible. He said, at the opportune time, he would lay the details bare for Nigerians to see the incredible effort he and others have put into seeking atonement and forgiveness.

He said the war against corruption would improve and succeed only when it is not subject to the whims of one man sitting on the throne in judgment against sinners and we must strengthen the relevant institutions and put in place genuine checks and balances that knows no sacred cows and treats all Nigerians equally in matters of crime and punishment. “The present style of grabbing and prosecuting Nigerians and convicting them on the pages of newspapers and social media is, to say least, cruel and unfortunate, in modern times.”

Saraki said he has a major blueprint for moving Nigeria forward in the 21st century and this would be offered to Nigerians for proper scrutiny. “They are concrete and cardinal steps towards our redemption not the empty rhetorics of APC that has yielded little in almost four years,” he said, with a tinge of regret and lamentation. He has promised to work with like minds at home and abroad. He is grateful to the members of PDP for the way him and his group were welcomed back so warmly. He said he would never take it for granted that the golden ticket of PDP would be easy to get, but he believes that if it is God’s wish, then he will get the it with gratitude. However, he also said that he is willing to cooperate fully with whosoever is chosen, if that is not his destiny. “Nigerians cannot afford another four years of this sluggish, directionless and vindictive government. It is our duty to work hard by the grace of God and rescue our great nation…” Saraki said with great faith and palpable confidence.

Now, to the clincher and grand finale. Why is APC seeking his impeachment by fire by force? Saraki was ready with a response: “APC knows the Constitution of Nigeria even if they pretend otherwise. They know there is no way they can remove me legally. That is why they were driven to the limit of desperation and feverishness by the invasion of the National Assembly, which is the only reason they are a bit sober right now, out of shame that the brazen invasion by DSS at their behest and instruction failed. The threat by their Chairman to remove me was nothing but empty noise. That aside, the main reason they want me out is they are not willing to take the risk whereby the number three citizen will tackle the number one in a Presidential election. When that happens, they know I will have substantial access to State apparatus like the President. They would rather face candidates who are like orphans and not mandatorily protected, or provided for by State power. But as President of the Senate, that is guaranteed…”

At the end of the interaction, I reviewed Saraki’s probabilities and came to the conclusion that although his chances may appear slim, for now, a PDP ticket may all be what he needs to break sound barriers, and underrating this cat with nine lives may well be the biggest mistake that his opponents can make.
Time will tell.

SalomonKane:
It takes a prostitute to back another prostitute.

The National Association of Nigerian Prostitutes, NANP, has declared support for the candidature of Bukola Saraki ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

The association, therefore, called on all Nigerians to back the President of Nigerian Senate to ensure his emergence in 2019.

This development came barely 24 hours after Saraki declared his intention to run for the office of the president in 2019.

Speaking with DAILY POST on Friday, National President of the group, Tamar Tion, described the current situation under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress as ‘hell on earth.’

Tion told our reporter that since the new government came on board in 2015, “things became terrible for us.”

She lamented low patronage due to bad economy.

She said, “We are supporting Alhaji (Bukola) Saraki because he’s a man we can trust. Nigeria needs someone who is smart and can bring about change in the nation and not change by mouth.

“We are disappointed in this government because since they came on board, we have been living in hell on earth. Things have gone so bad.

“People no longer patronize us because no money anywhere. Person never chop ‘bellle full’ na lite em wan come lite?

“We need a real change and we think Saraki is the right man, not this baba go-slow.

“We shall be mobilizing our members in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT ahead of the election,” she told our reporter.

Recall that in 2015, the group declared a-three day free sex across the country over the victory of President Buhari.

modath:
I'm really looking forward to the social media drama of the keyboarding anti Buhari crew, when the CUPP of confusion holding Kwankwanso, Tambuwal, Saraki, Atiku et al falls off table.

They are so pressed they don't even know where to align again.

By the way, I believe Saraki is just trying to increase his political mileage, he knows his shot at presidency won't pass senate... He just wants the other heavyweights to "negotiate" with him..

Akshow:
That's what you get when u criminalize homosexuals. That's what u get when you make them feel less human. That's what you get when you judge their lifestyle and keep reminding them they are the worst sinners.

They marry unsuspecting women to avoid ur judgement but still sleep around with men cos that there preference. Stop homophobia! It does a lot of damage to the society.

You will be surprised at the number of married men in Nigeria that are low key gay sleeping around and infecting their unsuspecting wives with diseases.

STOP HOMOPHOBIA! Let's avoid issues like this, its simple logic. Save our sis and daughters.

abokibuhari:
Saraki is no doubt a good guy but he's not as corrupt as the media paints him to be.

THERE IS NO SAINT WITHOUT A PAST AND A SINNER WITHOUT A FUTURE..

abokibuhari:
I see say dem beg well

Nigerian senate president and presidential hopeful Bukola Saraki said pleas from Nigerian youths spurred his decision to run for the office of president in next year’s general elections.

Saraki declared to run for president on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during a public dialogue with political parties on youth candidacy and party primaries in Abuja.

The Senate president said the country’s population consisting of 70 per cent youths is assumed to translate into progress for the country, but the “dire” state of the country diminishes the youthful advantage.
Up and down our country today, Nigerians are crying out for succour. Many of our children are hungry. Our young people lack opportunities. The necessary education facilities and system to equip them for the future simply do not exist,” Saraki said.

“We are not creating the jobs needed to usefully engage them in order to grow our economy. And too often, the youth feel shut out, prevented from having any say in the direction of this nation,”

“ It is with all these in mind, and taking account of the challenges that I have outlined, that I have decided to answer the call of teeming youth who have asked me to run for President. I do so with the firm conviction that I have what it takes to secure inclusive growth for Nigeria and Nigerians,” Saraki said.

Saraki stated that “Nigerians are crying out for succour” as children are hungry, people are dying of avoidable diseases and have fallen below basic living standards as highest number of people in extreme poverty globally.”

He noted that conditions of extreme poverty faced by the people, lack of education and lack of opportunities push many Nigerians into criminal activities including terrorism which fuels the state of insecurity in the country.

The Senate President said the country’s economy is in need of urgent revival to ensure growth, saying “unemployment, business shut down and job losses are at an all-time high,”

“We must rebuild the trust of our people in government. We need a new generation of leaders that are competent, with the capability to rise to the challenges of the 21st century. We must pull this country back together and rebuild, block by block, with dedication and commitment,” Saraki said.

markokocha:
The umbrella is wide enough to contain every candidate as well to ensure that the party comes out victorious in the election. Delegates should ensure that they vote a credible candidate with wealth of experience and excellent past records who will be easily accepted by the masses.
It sure and certain with the look of things that the PDP has learn from its lost in the 2015 polls and is coming in now to make better growth of the economy and ensuring peace and security as key goal.
Nigerians should make use of the forth coming elections to make better leader choice.

All the presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are to sign an undertaking that they will not defect after the presidential primary election.

The undertaken would also be for those that lose to support the candidate of the party for the 2019 presidential election.

The decisions were taken in Abuja Wednesday night when all the aspirants met with members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

One of the aspirants and former vice-president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, confirmed this in Minna Thursday while answering questions from newsmen after addressing potential delegates and other stakeholders of the party at its secretariat.

“This is an issue that came up last night, we had our first meeting with members of the National Working Committee.

“It was agreed that before the conduct of the primaries, there will be more meetings. In one of the meetings, we will sign an undertaking to support who may emerge as candidate.

“We were assured of transparent primaries by the party,” Atiku said.

The presidential aspirant pledged that he would abide by whatever agreement reached, expressing confidence that he would emerge as the candidate of the PDP for next year’s election.

“I have participated in a number of presidential primaries. At the end of the primaries, I have always committed myself to supporting whoever emerged. I don’t think it is going to be a different case this time around,” he said.

Atiku said his ambition to become Nigeria’s president had never been a do-or-die affair, saying: “I have always been motivated by service to the nation. I am not motivated by selfishness.”

According to him, “My ability and my health will determine if I will continue to offer my service to this nation if I do not win the primaries.”

Commenting on the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, the former vice-president declared: “In the last three years of the APC, we have recorded the lowest economic growth in the history of this country since we returned to democracy

“APC has failed as far as the economic growth is concerned. That is why we are the highest country with joblessness. We have the highest poverty rate; we have been described as the headquarters of poverty in the world.”

Atiku had earlier addressed the PDP stakeholders where he admonished them to vote for him for the “real change” to come to Nigeria.

The state Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Tanko Beji, assured Atiku that the state delegates would be fair and just while taking a decision on who to vote for at the convention.

Senator Godswill Akpabio has said he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) to help the Federal Government in the fight against corruption.

The former Senate Minority Leader stated this after the APC national caucus meeting in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Akpabio said: “I am joining APC to stabilise the government and to assist the government to create employment opportunities for Nigerians so that we can fight the twin brother to corruption, which is poverty.

“Poverty creates corruption and corruption deepens poverty, so we need to fight the two together. And that is one of the things I find attractive with the APC and believe me, with my people in Akwa Ibom State, with my presence in APC, my people in South-South have now seen the light and they say APC is the party to vote for come 2019.

“The meeting went very well and a lot of topical issues were discussed bothering on the interest of the nation. The resolutions are fantastic and I believe that the resolutions will not only move the party forward but will help to alleviate the situation in the country today and Nigerians will be happy for it.”

He also praised President Buhari’s style of leadership, stating that “he has been able to improve the image of Nigeria and restored a lot of respect for Nigeria before the international community".

yusufobinna1:
If it false well I hope he get something better,but why have the guy not debunk this and secondly the lady has witnesses. Let's wait and see how the event unfold.

yusufobinna1:
Nice one from Linda.

Shelumiel:
Rigging is the only way APC can win elections in Nigeria.

JudasNaCarrot:
APC is filled with very bitter and lifeless people.

Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, says senators who recently left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his state were merely playing to the gallery.

Addressing journalists after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, Mr Abubakar said the defection will not affect the fortunes of the party in 2019.

He added that the senators and their parties will lose in the 2019 elections just as they did in the recently held by-election in the state.

Senators Isa Misau (Bauchi Central) and Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North) both left the party for PDP in July.

Mr Abubakar said even though the defectors ‘spent a lot of money in order to defeat the APC’ in the Bauchi South Senatorial by-election, the party came out victorious.

“I don’t want to boast but you know election is local. Some people want to come to Abuja and play to the gallery, and I am talking about the defectors. My answer is the congresses in Bauchi State along with other states in the APC and in many states that parallel congresses were conducted, because some members of the party were in opposition to the governors who were strong enough to conduct these parallel congresses.

“In Bauchi State, there was no single parallel congress that was conducted. Secondly, the 11th August election took place and the APC won resoundingly. Let me tell you that all of those people who decamped, including these two senators, rallied round and spent a lot of money in order to defeat the APC in the election but the results like I said is out in the public and we have won resoundingly, so I am sure the results of 2019 elections are not going to be any different.”

Mr Abubakar stated that the purpose of his visit was to brief President Buhari, who was out of the country on vacation during the by-election.

As part of what he discussed with Mr President, he said the party has more work to do to avert high rate of vote cancellation as experienced during the by-election.

“This is the first opportunity I have had since the election of 11th August to brief Mr. President because when the election took place, the President was away on short leave abroad and I just came in today to brief him adequately about what transpired in Bauchi.



“The results are out in the public and the APC won resoundingly in the election and I have told him that we have learnt a lot of lessons from the the election. For example, close to 200,000 votes were cancelled. This is an eye opener for us that we have to work very very hard and train agents very well to be able to safeguard this kind of situation,” he said.

The Imo state All Progressives Congress, APC, has won the 27 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the state.

The Chairman of the Imo state Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC, Mr. Ethelbert Ibebuchi, Sunday announced this at the ISIEC, office along Orlu road in Owerri.


https://www.vanguardngr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/okorocha.jpg
Okorocha

While under the councillorship positions held in 645 wards APC won in 636.


While in four wards were won each by Accord party, 1, Rebuild Nigeria Party, 1, Peoples Redemption Party, 1, PRP, and KOWA party, 1.

But according to Ibebuchi, elections could not hold in some wards in Oguta local government areas, Isiala Mbano, Aboh Mbaise and Owerri North local government area.

Earlier in his speech before the declaration of the election results, the ISIEC chairman said: “In view of the observations made in the field and the constraints faced by ISIEC.

“I mostly sincerely appealed to His Excellence Rochas Okorocha and Imo state House of Assembly, to make law that will confer nominal Community status to registration areas, RAs, in large communities without recognized status.

“Which will enable them qualify for ISIEC, wards possibly manned by appointed traditional prime ministers.”

awelekiti:
hehehehehe. Wonders shall never end. @ your moniker, i rep omo baba oloye too