President Muhammadu Buhari has explained that 35 aides were not sacked from the Office of the Vice President instead they were redeployed to a new ministry.

The President who fielded questions from NTA State House Correspondent at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, upon his return from a private visit from the United Kingdom described the interpretations of his directives as a sack as ‘unfortunate’.

The President described what happened as a re-organisation and not a sacking, stressing that, a new ministry has recently been created, that is, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

“They said 35 people were sacked in the Vice President’s office but we just created a ministry and we reorganized but people are giving it an ethnic and political dimension. It is unfortunate,” the President said.

It would be recalled that while media report had widely reported the sack of 35 aides including the circulation of a list of those sack, informed sources insisted that what the President directed was a redeployment and not a sack.

The President’s comment in the NTA interview last night on arrival from his UK private trip indicated that although some Presidential aides had confirmed the sacking of 35 aides, the President only gave express instructions for redeployment to ministries not sacking.

Meanwhile, President Buhari assured Nigerians that he was more energized and ready for work. “We are going to work harder to be accountable and try to make Nigerians see why we do certain things. Accountability from bottom to top is absolutely necessary,” he said.

It would be recalled that some people had falsely reported and claimed that President Buhari had sacked 35 aides in the Office of the Vice President to whittle down the powers and influence of the Vice President.

Some also claimed that the sacking of the 35 aides were to reduce the influence of the Vice President ahead of 2023 elections and were masterminded by a certain cabal with the Presidency.

The Presidency has however always maintained that the President and his deputy, Prof Osinbajo enjoy a very good relationship.

SOURCE- http://www.nigerianeye.com/2019/11/video-president-buhari-speaks-on-35.html

Can't wait to hear the good news, this meeting will bring forth.. Tech business is the new oil in Nigeria

You have a v.p that is working, still you're complaining?? what will you have him do? Sit in his house ans not receive any dignitaries or what?

Instinged:
mumu man...d man sef don dey vex me i swear...even Lawan get level pass am..authomatically he just number 6 in the country...useless ppl n country...how can a Prof (SAN) be an erand boy to wawa

Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo commended the generousity of the billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola who donated N5 billion at the launch of the Cuppy Foundation which held at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja last night.

Osinbajo said the donation to the Save the Children Foundation, is the single largest donation to philanthropy in the country.

Cuppy Foundation which is owned by DJ Cuppy, daughter of Femi Otedola, is working with the Save the Children Foundation, to bring succour to children in the North East. DJ Cuppy is a board ambassador for Save the Children and a member of the organisation’s Africa Advisory Board.

The Vice President was the Special Guest of Honor at the launch, said no one would ever remember the number of houses, or cash that one has, but the impact one made.

According to the Vice President, the likes of Bill Gate, Dangote and now Femi Otedola, understand the importance of living an impactful life and that is why they have turned their wealth and resources to help people and solve huge problems.

"What will you be remembered for? No one ever remembers the number of houses, cars that anyone has. We do not need to be billionaires to start doing something. It is time for every one of us to decide that we really can make a difference," he said.

He commended Otedola for donating the huge amount, adding that the kind gesture by the business mogul had further demonstrated his commitment to the poor and less privileged in the society.

He also thanked DJ Cuppy for spearheading the initiative, saying she was making an impact in a very important way.

Source- http://www.nigerianeye.com/2019/11/what-will-you-be-remembered-for.html

By; TANKO YUSUF

More than half of the Presidential aides reportedly sacked in the VP Wing of the Buhari Presidency are donor funded including donors from well known international development agencies from the US and the UK, investigations have revealed.

The attempted sack which contravened presidential directive and is being pushed by a senior official in the President’s office is now reportedly facing scrutiny.

This is raising fresh suspicions regarding the actual motivation behind the disengagement of the aides after it was officially reported that the aides were removed to cut down on government’s expenses.

Several government sources over the weekend disclosed in a series of interactions on the ongoing crisis in the Presidency that “what is happening in the villa is an attempt by the President’s Chief of Staff to grab power and tussle with the VP who is seen as a trusted and reliable supporter of the President and whose influence is causing the cabal around the president sleepless nights especially because of his rising profile ahead of 2023.”

Besides, the claim that VP’s office is too large, with the number of aides put at over 80 in some reports, has also been debunked by officials of some of the donor agencies. The argument according to some of those sources is that the quantum and weight of the programmes being implemented in the office demands quite an even larger staff strength if that were possible.

One of the sources put it this way: “Take the Social Investment Programmes for instance, the budget is N500 billion naira, covering NPower job Programmes with half a million graduates involved; Homegrown School Feeding with about 10 million pupils in 33 States, and others. What kind of staff strength do you need to run such Programmes with half a trillion Naira budget?“

Another official said “ for context, just compare the budget of a State govt, say Kano, a very big State which budgeted N246B last year. Kano has 151,000 staff strength with a budget that is less than half of the SIP’s N500B. Pls add after Kano that Oyo which has a budget of about N267B last year also retains a staff strength of 35,700. So how many people are there in the entire office of the Vice President where all the SIPs are being implemented? The real reason the cabal is going after the staff in the VP’S office is anything but reasonable by any stretch of the imagination.”

The source added that there are other functions the VP performs statutorily and constitutionally like the National Economic Council, NEC, that composes all State governors and the Central Bank Governor, the only constitutional venue where States and the Federal Government interact on a whole lot of issues. Queried the source “What about supervising the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, with at least 10 power plants across the country?”

In addition the source explained that it is also the VP’S office through the National Council on Privatization and the BPE, that supervises FG’s interests and shares in all the Discos in the country. Besides, there are several other agencies like NEMA, DMO, NIPSS, Border Communities agency, Boundary Commission and several others that are under the VP’S office that require effective supervision.

Continuing, the source said the few people in the VP’S office doing the SIPS and other reform Programmes like PEBEC have actually been attracting continental and global recognitions for the Buhari presidency including from the World Bank, AfDB and many local awards. The source went further, that “Granted, these two programs had matured after successful incubation by the Office of the Vice President, the only fair thing to do on moving the core team to the Ministry structure was not to change a winning team but you deploy the complement of their support staff to relevant ministries which is what the President directed”.

Informed sources explained that while the aides were all approved by the President in August this year, he had also approved the number of those who will work in the Presidential Villa as different from those deployed to work in other ministries outside the villa. That team of Vice President’s aides remain in place and there is no contention about their status despite several failed attempts by the power grabbers to withdraw their privilege, our source said.

Another informed government source noted that “ there is the talk of some reorganization in the Presidency, for instance all presidential staff working on the Special Investment Programmes were transferred to the new ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development. But at the same time, there are also other presidential aides who were moved to various ministries from the OVP on the approval of the President very recently. It was not about disengagement.”

The innate lack of human sympathy to even accommodate such team that laboured hard for the government, both during the program incubation or the elections, while some people went into the shadows and are now trying to sack them against presidential directives is difficult to fathom. “How a President that resisted reducing federal workforce during a recession, will approve enabling the loss of livelihood for over thirty families who worked and sacrificed for his election is hard to square”, said another affected aide who spoke to us.

The source continued “It was therefore intriguing that the same set of presidential aides so transferred in September after their appointments were approved by the President are now to be disengaged altogether without any kind of wrongdoings on their part.” The likely impact on their careers notwithstanding.

It is believed in govt circles last night that the Chief of Staff Abba Kyari has his own agenda working with the Secretary to the Government who reports said he had piled pressure on to write disengagement letters for all the presidential aides the President had approved to relocate outside the villa to ministries relevant to their portfolios. It was said that blackmail on certain matters to the SGF office is being used even when the office of the later is constitutionally guaranteed, and the Chief of Staff is an unknown office in the constitution.

One of the sources explained that this rash action and pressure on the SGF office was done so as to Forestall a reversal which the President was expected to do later in the month when back in Abuja. Indeed, other plans are said to be cooking to justify the rash action when the President returns including false analysis. “This explains why some of the names of the aides were leaked and then Kyari asked one of the Presidential spokespersons to issue a statement on Friday confirming the sacking of aides in VP offices who were meant only to be relocated outside the villa.”

Source- http://www.nigerianeye.com/2019/11/revealed-why-villa-cabal-wants-vps.html

I wonder why people choose to concern themselves with the number of aides Osinbajo has when some governors have more than 200.. With all the agencies he manages, I don’t think 35+ aides are too much. He’s the Vice President of Nigeria, like I mean not even a governor

Thank God for eyewitnesses.. The path Vanguard and TheCable are towing, they had better retrace their steps... Jusf Incase there are others that don’t believe the write up, here is more evidence

Sen. Babajide Omoworare, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), said that President Muhammadu Buhari did not relegate Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo by traveling without transmitting a letter to the National Assembly to empower the VP to act on his behalf.

Omoworare stated this while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

Sen. Omoworare said that contrary to agitations by some individuals and groups, the President had not in any way undermined or relegated the office of the Vice President.

Omoworare said, “He has no reason to do so. I don’t think there is any way or manner that the office of the Vice President has been relegated.

“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can work from anywhere he is in the world.”

The Presidential aide insisted that the only case where people could raise issues was when a President was ill and was unable to transmit his absence to the National Assembly.

“The only celebrated case was that of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who was ill and could not transmit any letter to the National Assembly. The National Assembly had to work around the situation by ensuring that executive powers go to the Vice President,” Omoworare added.

He insisted that the present circumstance was different from the Yar’Adua era and that Buhari did not breach any law by not transmitting a letter to the National Assembly to enable the VP exercise executive powers during his present private trip to London.

On Monday, Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Abba Kyari, had reportedly taken a bill to him to sign in London, attracting criticisms from far and near.

As a way of countering those ‘missiles’ from enraged citizens, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday said that the President could “rule from anywhere”.

Buhari is currently away in the United Kingdom on a “private visit” – a trip observers say is for medical purpose.

A source in the Presidency, while confirming the sack of Osinbajo’s aides, said, “It is true that many of VP’s aides were given termination letters last night.

“However, I cannot confirm the exact number because it was not done in public. But you know it is political.”

Though both camps continue to deny any rift in their midst, observers maintain that a strong cabal within the Presidency was working tireless to reduce the influence of Osinbajo in the Buhari administration.

You're the one that needs the rest. You all are scared of the man Osinbajo. it's no secret how well Nigeria progressed the few months he was acting president... I will forver STAN Osibanjo. You and the others that the cabals are using can only try but you won't succeed. Continue with your useless conspiracy theories, we're not as gullible as you all think we are.. Osinbajo is a man of the people, go and rest and spend this money they've given you

MelesZenawi:




[s]My dear nimisola rest.

You over-working yourself.

Please my have some rest[/s].

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has reacted to claims that in January 2017, he approved the payment of $3,072,644.76 and N140,405,826.30 being variation costs for a project under NDPHC without following the steps laid down by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

He described such claims as misleading, fake and of no public value.

His statement in full reads;

Our attention has been drawn to a report on some online websites claiming that His Excellency, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Niger Delta Power Holding Company approved the sum of $3 million for a gas project at (NDPHC) without following due process.

For the purpose of clarity and the records it is important to state that the news report is false and malicious as the Vice President has never approved the release of any money without following due process.

If anything, as chairman of the Board of NDPHC, the Vice President is the one known to always insisting that due process be followed in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The contract in question was awarded in 2009 with appropriate due process approvals which means that the tender process had since been passed and approved. Upon completion of the project in 2016, the company that handled the contract, Kaztec Engineering Limited made claims on NDPHC for delays, fluctuation of prices and additional works. Upon receipt of the Claim, NDPHC management set up a team to review the claim and negotiate work with the Project Consultant to negotiate the contractor’s claim. Considering that the claim was within the originally approved provisional sum it was imperative for NDPHC to advise the board through the Chairman of the negotiated amount and seek approval to commence the processing of the payment. There was no need for tenders because it is an existing contract already engaged before the current management team was appointed. The anticipatory approval for the process to go forward granted by the Chairman was subsequently ratified by the Board of NDPHC.

BPP’s review and no objection approval was part of the process for payment. Despite that, the payment was to be made from provisional sums approved by due process since 2009 and no fresh fund was to be injected to pay the claims, NDPHC still presented the claims to BPP for review as part of the payment process. BPP then carried out an extensive review and even varied the sum, that is, BPP reviewed downwards, the negotiated amount and that is what was paid only after BPP approved payment.

At no time did the Vice President not follow due process because it was the BPP that reviewed and approved the contract and not the Vice President as the false reports had claimed. There was no payment made or ultimately processed until BPP had granted the approval.

A proper scrutiny of the news report also shows that the purveyors of the fake news clearly explained that due process was followed because the news report itself indicated that BPP approved the payment ever before any payment was made. Why will a news outlet run a story that is completely of no public value? This question is pertinent especially because the story itself made it abundantly clear that there was no payment before BPP reviewed and approved the payment after it had the same.

NDPHC and the Vice President are committed to the diligent service of Nigeria and Nigerians and they will continue to do so despite the purveyors of fake news. Why the publishers of this story portrayed lies and falsehoods suggesting payment was approved when no payment was made until BPP gave the okay remains a riddle.
[s]

MelesZenawi:
It started from investigation to the activities of vice president Osibanjo and some shady deals which lead to uncovering many money laundering activities with agencies under him.

Above all, It was stated clearly that he violates due process and hardly seek approval[s][/s] from the president which prompted Buhari to swiftly act to redeem his already battered Image that is Irredeemable.


Most of the agencies/parastatals under Osibanjo was moved to different ministries while certain 90 billion till this day was unaccounted for.

Also 12 billion released for RUGA which the vice president in ensuring certain areas of land were given to Herdsmen in each state was not Judiciously used and at same time demanding for extra 22 billion.
https://www.nairaland.com/5512251/exclusive-how-abba-kyari-manipulated


Though the suspicion of the president had since been aroused on his issues but as a no nonsense General some people do refer him as he keep calm while studying the situation.


Buhari earlier acted decisively by moving most of Osibanjo aides out of villa to town which many doesn't known the reason behind the actions. Though past actions of the vice president had been shown not to be in interest of Nigerians which may have gotten the president seriously angry that he decided to act in his own little way.


Just recently over 35 aides of the vice president were dismissed by the president.
https://www.nairaland.com/5512926/buhari-fires-35-aides-osinbajos/1#83780442


That shows that the president has some reservation and doubt about his vice and need to be conscious about him.


Maybe he thinks Osibanjo is Shady and Unreliable.

[/s]

Are you people not tired Every new day, new accusiation.. This man has said he’s willing to waive aside his immunity to be investigated yet nothing was done about... Stop peddling false accusations if you don’t have concrete proof

MelesZenawi:
It started from investigation to the activities of vice president Osibanjo and some shady deals which lead to uncovering many money laundering activities with agencies under him.

Above all, It was stated clearly that he violates due process and hardly seek approval from the president which prompted Buhari to swiftly act to redeem his already battered Image that is Irredeemable.


Most of the agencies/parastatals under Osibanjo was moved to different ministries while certain 90 billion till this day was unaccounted for.

Also 12 billion released for RUGA which the vice president in ensuring certain areas of land were given to Herdsmen in each state was not Judiciously used and at same time demanding for extra 22 billion.
https://www.nairaland.com/5512251/exclusive-how-abba-kyari-manipulated


Though the suspicion of the president had since been aroused on his issues but as a no nonsense General some people do refer him as he keep calm while studying the situation.


Buhari earlier acted decisively by moving most of Osibanjo aides out of villa to town which many doesn't known the reason behind the actions. Though past actions of the vice president had been shown not to be in interest of Nigerians which may have gotten the president seriously angry that he decided to act in his own little way.


Just recently over 35 aides of the vice president were dismissed by the president.
https://www.nairaland.com/5512926/buhari-fires-35-aides-osinbajos/1#83780442


That shows that the president has some reservation and doubt about his vice and need to be conscious about him.


Maybe he thinks Osibanjo is Shady and Unreliable.

When you know your history come back here

MelesZenawi:



The most hardworking president in Nigeria history is Atiku Abubakar and Alex Ekwueme.

With him working side Obj, he was able to achieve much. Very diligent and meticulous.

Here is a recap of what our darling Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was up to last week
Please follow the journey!

Show me a former vice-President of Nigeria who has worked as hard as Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, today declared open The Nigeria-Canada Investment Summit 2019 at The Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

International cooperation for investments in Nigeria will always be a win-win.

Here are the ways Nigerians can benefit from this summit:

• This investment submit will discover potential new markets in Nigeria for products and services.

•You can learn from expected speakers about the current business climate, risk profile, priority industry sectors and more opportunities for doing business in Nigeria.

• You can also meet with potential local joint venture partners, suppliers of products and services for importing/exporting to Canada/Nigeria.

• This summit also serves as another avenue to meet project sponsors, private and public sector investors to accelerate your business.

Okoi Obono-Obla, former chairman of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), has been accused of carrying out illegal investigations while he held the office.

This accusation was made in a report by Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), submitted to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Upon his sack in August, Malami was asked to take over the office, and look into several petitions raised against him.

According to The Nation, Malami, in his report, alleged that two cases were officially referred to the SPIP, but Obono-Obla went ahead to investigate 50 cases without authorisation.

“Contrary to the fact that the Panel is an investigative panel by its enabling law, which lacks prosecutorial powers, Mr. Obla has unlawfully engaged lawyers to file charges against suspects without any recourse to the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation,” the letter read.

“Your Excellency may recall the unauthorised investigation of several judges, initiated by Mr. Obla through the issuance of notices to them to declare their assets, an obligation which these Honourable Judges had hitherto complied with through the authorised agency – the Code of Conduct Bureau.

“This impudent and embarrassing action incurred the disapproval of Your Excellency, the Vice President and the subsequent suspension of the Chairman, Mr. Obla in 2017 via the State House letter Ref No. SH/OVP/DCOS/FMJ/0424 dated 20 October 2017 ‘Annexure L’ and further necessitated my office writing to the Honourable Judges to recall the said notices.

“This singular act by the Chairman of the Panel could easily have been misconstrued as a form of intimidation and interference by the Executive on the Judiciary, contrary to the principles of separation of power.

“It is evident from the present petitions and several other petitions that the Chairman of the Panel has not in any form complied with the enabling law of the Panel as communicated to him, reneged with the directives of the Presidency with grave and audacious impunity. Indeed, none of the investigations appear to have been authorised by the Presidency, a clear contravention of the Panel’s enabling law.”

The probe of alleged wrongdoings in the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) led to Obono-Obla’s sack.

On Sunday, he wrote to Buhari, accusing Osinbajo’s office of persecuting him for being loyal to the president.

Obono-Obla had gone into hiding since the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) declared him wanted.

The Initiative To Save Democracy (ISD) has warned the sacked Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla to leave Vice President Yemi Osinbajo out of the affliction he brought upon himself.

“Okoi Obono-Obla has serious allegations facing him, from bribery to extortion, to the forgery of certificates; these are not matters that he expects Nigerians to wish away. Is it not shameful that upon the raising of these serious allegations, Mr Obla has blamed everyone else for his travails but himself? And then goes ambitiously for the Vice President, accusing him of being the architect of his fortune. This is puerile,” the group said

The Initiative to Save Democracy in a Statement issued by its Press Secretary, Peter Oladele stated that it was dishonourable for a public servant to make senseless allegations of witch-hunt whenever serious allegations were made against them while failing to answer the substantial issues that were being brought forward.

“Obono-Obla has been accused of blackmailing those he was asked to investigate by threatening and extorting them. He was also accused of using the panel as a vendetta against his so-called enemies. These are serious allegations that speak to the breach of public trust by a public official. They are to be answered in fact and not by chasing shadows and imaginary enemies.

“There are also allegations that he had gone ultra vires. Obono-Obla acted in areas that were not within his mandate. He broke the rules of his engagement in the most blatant and offensive ways. The former Chairman had assumed prosecutorial powers that were not conferred on him by any laws or any official declaration. He had began to assume the role of the EFCC and ICPC and began taking matters to court, meanwhile his task was strictly an investigative one. Even when he was called to order by the Vice President, cautioning him that he was exceeding his bounds, he still went ahead to continue in breach of the caution.

“Piles of petitions were received against the excesses of the former Chairman accusing him of unprofessional conduct and seeking for bribes. He was in fact accused of going to mark a person’s house in preparation for seizure and reallocation because the person had failed to give a bribe of Twenty Million Naira. And this is one out of several. This is nothing short of dishonour and abuse of power and office.

“Now he blatantly accuses the Vice President of being the orchestrator of his perils? This is nonsensical to say the least. Mr Obla should take the high road, come out of hiding and face the dividends of his misconduct in office.”

The group stated that public officials must learn to act responsibly while in public office as they would be made to account for their deeds once they are out.

The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar has spoken on the loyalty of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Emir Farouk said Osinbajo is one of the honest leaders, even as he described his relationship with Buhari as unequalled in the history of the country.

The monarch stated this on Saturday in Daura at the turbanning ceremony of Alhaji Musa Haro as Dan Madamin Daura.

According to him, “the honesty and commitment shown by the Vice President and his relationship with President Buhari, is what Nigeria requires to attain greatness.”

The Emir advised Osinbajo not to relent in his efforts, noting that it would facilitate the actualisation of the goals of the Buhari administration.

Emir Farouk said: “I want to specifically commend the Vice President for his loyalty, his commitment and dedication towards the transformation of Nigeria to its present state.

“We are fully aware of the situation President Buhari and his deputy, Osinbajo, met the country but today, things are changing for the better because of their efforts.

“This is attributable to the excellent working relationship between President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo. Prof. Osinbajo is the most honest person and leader Nigeria has produced in recent times.

“His relationship has remained cordial with Buhari largely because of his honesty, I commend you, Vice President.

“I am particularly happy with the Vice President for the way he has shown loyalty to President Buhari, Daura Emirate is extremely grateful, for your commitment and confidence transforming Nigeria despite the challenges.”

He pledged the support of the traditional institution in the transformation agenda of the administration.

“The traditional institution will continue to support the policies and programmes of this administration so that the dreams of building a new and better Nigeria can be actualised,” he added.

Dan Madamin is one of the highest traditional titles in the Daura Emirate Council.

The event had in attendance the vice president, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustpha, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu.

you know how it's going

FarahAideed:


Daura Cabal

He's not trying to gag the media because unlike others he's not trying to hide anything.. Maybe that's why the cabal are trying by all means to bring him down

----------------
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has withdrawn his stance on social media regulation, opposing the federal government's plan to regulate it, saying he's not in support of a move like that.
Nigeria's number two citizen says he did not subscribe to the Federal Government's plan to regulate the social media.

Osinbajo said this following a statement by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that the online media space in Nigeria will soon be regulated.

He noted, “I don’t think that government regulation is necessarily the way to go, but I believe that we as persons of faith and we, as leaders, and those of us who use the social media actively owe a responsibility to our society and to everyone else, to ensure that we don’t allow it to become an instrument of conflict and instrument of war.”

Osinbajo, however, cautioned Nigerians against the abuse of social media.

According to him, social media can precipitate war and violent conflict if used to misinform.

Osinbajo also warned against using social media platforms to promote religious disinformation, which he said could easily lead to a breakdown of law and order.

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council to work hard as he is sure of victory in the February poll.

He made this call on Thursday at the inaugural meeting of the campaign council in Abuja.

Buhari, who gave an opening remark before the meeting went behind closed doors, charged members of the council to ensure victory for the party.

“I would like to appeal to you to dedicate and commit yourself once again to the task at hand. There is no doubt that victory is with us: it is ours, but that shouldn’t mean we should rest even for a moment,” he said.

“Even though we are confident of winning, I urge you to work as hard as you can so that we can maximize the scale and extent of our victory.

“I urge you to rise to the challenge of the great expectations this party and Nigerians have for you – and the confidence that I personally have in the ability of all of you to deliver.

“Needless to add, your selection was not easy, because in forming this council, the party settled only for the best. You are the cream of the party and I assure you that with the unity of purpose and effective harmony and communication, there is no political opponent you cannot overcome.”

Adams Oshiomhole, chairman of the party, said the APC governors who did not make the programme were busy campaigning in their various states.

“Because they are governors, they are governing their states. Don’t forget that elections are not defined in Abuja, it will take place in the 36 states and I’m sure there are APC members who are campaigning for the House of Assembly, various federal house and senate constituencies, governorship constituencies,” he said.

“So it will not be helpful to bring them to Abuja. Here it is about policies, it will consummated and translated to practice across the 36 states, 774 local governments and ward.”

He added that the key issue was to go through the programme of activities, calendar of campaigns, various interests group within the country, the business community, the youths, women, people with disabilities and various special interests groups.

He also said things have changed in the past three and half years as compared to the 16 year rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the president will have to visit each of the 36 states with this message.

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2019/01/im-confident-of-winning-election-says.html

Chief Olusola Oke, Southwest Director of the Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation for the 2019 presidential election, says not voting for President Muhammadu Buhari will denote backwardness.


Oke said this while receiving members of Buhari/Osinbajo Strategic Solidarity Movement (BOSSEM) on Wednesday in Akure.

“Voting for candidate apart from President Buhari come 2019, is like the Israelites going back to Egypt but in APC we are focused on Canaan by supporting Buhari.


“Mr President is the real project and APC has a way of finding solutions to its problems, so, that is not a problem. We will all work together,” he said.

Aside the internal crises within the party, Chief Oke, who is a two time governorship candidate in the state, said the major challenge of next general election was for Nigerians to make the right choice.

He assured the movement that the opposing camps within the party would work for the re-election of Mr President.


The campaign director dispelled political insinuations that the internal crises within the the party would affect the second term bid of the president in the South West.

“My primary work is to bring everybody together: the aggrieved and non-aggrieved to have a good showing.

“We need everybody, so whosoever is aggrieved; we will make appeal to them. I am happy about one thing: Whosoever is aggrieved will still work for our President.

“The Yoruba people are very sophisticated politically. Their place in the last election is crucial and critical and it’s going to be same in this election.

“We have our own options and we have weighed the options and at this level, the option of Buhari has no alternative and that is why we are going for him. No doubt, there are challenges,” he said.

According to him, the challenges of what the present administration has been facing for the past three and half years are to lay a new foundation for the growth of the country.

“The super-structure is yet to come. It is now our responsibility as Nigerians to make sure the solid foundation is not destroyed so that the superstructure can be put on it.

“To achieve this is not going to be an easy job, but we are fortified in our belief by the existence of the various groups, that also care about the future.

“Therefore, whatever challenges that we have are not insurmountable and I can assure you, we have put our hands on deck and we are not going to look back,” he assured.

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2019/01/nigerians-will-regret-if-they-vote.html

The Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), a pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, has urged Ndigbo to vote wisely by voting for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President of NUF, Mr Augustine Chukwudum, made the call while speaking on Tuesday in Enugu.

Chukwudum also enjoined Ndigbo, all over the country, to come out en mass to vote for Buhari second term, “so that 2023 will be Ndigbos’ turn to produce the next President of Nigeria.”

He also called on Ndigbo to “say no to political slavery which PDP had subjected Ndigbo into since 1999.
“PDP party and its members are now claiming to be angel;we will not accept their Greek gift, Buhari is our candidate.

“NUF wishes to call on Igbos to ignore former President Olusegun Obasanjo and some jobless pploticians who want to sell Ndigbo at any kobo offered to them by political enemies of the zone.”

Chukwudum said: “We, Ndigbo, must not allow this cheap sell out to happen, because President Buhari has done well for Igbos.

“That explains why great Igbo leaders like former Gov. Ogbonnaya Onu; former Gov. Jim Nwobodo; former Gov. Orji Kalu and former Gov. Sullivan Chime are ardent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and supporters of Mr President.

“Others are: Sen. Chris Ngige; Sen. Ken Nnamani; Chief Osita Okechukwu.”

He urged Ndigbo to reflect and check the past and know the kind of people they had been associating with before now because “all that glitters is not gold”.

“PDP has been going about to promise Igbos heaven and earth.

“Ndigbo should ask PDP and its members on what happened from 1999 to 2015 when the party was in power,” he said.

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2019/01/pan-igbo-group-calls-on-ndigbo-to-vote.html

President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria has made “sustainable progress in all areas of national life” since he took office in 2015.

The president said the progress made by the country can be appreciated and seen by “those who are not biased”.

In his New Year message, he urged Nigerians to “overwhelmingly” re-elect him in 2019.

The president said: “I appreciate your support and collaboration in previous years, and look forward to same in 2019, and beyond, as I hope you will renew the mandate you overwhelmingly gave us in 2015, for another term

“We are motivated by nothing other than service to the motherland, and service without selfishness or personal interest. I can assure you all that we are making steady and sustainable progress in all areas of national life. Those who are unbiased can see and appreciate the progress the country has made since 2015.

“A New Year provides an opportunity for renewal of commitment, and I invite you to rededicate ourselves to the vision of a Nigeria that works for all. We are moving from potentials to actualization, and it’s a task to be accomplished by us all; man, woman, young, old, military, civilian, all Nigerians.”

Buhari reiterated that the 2019 elections will be free, fair and credible, while canvassing for peace when Nigerians go to the polls.

He said: “Elections need not be do-or-die affair, and we should not approach that eventuality in a democracy with trepidation and mortal fear. Happily, a large number of presidential candidates have committed to peace, and peace we shall have.

“Those who continue to trumpet falsehood and negativity are on their own, fighting a losing battle. The greater number of Nigerians are trusting and believing that we shall deliver on our promises for a level playing field at the polls, and that is what we shall do.

“Nigerians desire peace, security, prosperity, inclusiveness and infrastructural development, a nation they can be proud of, a country that can hold its own among the nations.

“We have had our challenges: security, economic, political, social. But we are resolved to combat and overcome them all.”

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2019/01/those-who-are-unbiased-can-see-progress.html

madridguy:
Thank you Jagaban. We appreciate.

Sai Baba

quickberry:


Jagaban himself....slayer of OBJ, Atiku, GEJ and all other PDPigssss

Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said President Muhammadu Buhari will be re-elected for a second term in 2019, for the sake of Nigeria.

Mr Tinubu, who was speaking, Friday, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during the flag-off of the APC presidential campaign, said Mr Buhari represents “continuity of hope” and “continuity of development.”

“Our president is seeking re-election. For the sake of this country, we will re-elect Muhammadu Buhari,” said Mr Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state and an influential politician in the South-west of the country.

“We will re-elect an APC government that will give you hope, that will give you a diversified economy,” he said to the large crowd at the 30,000-capacity Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Mr Tinubu described the past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administrations in Nigeria as “16 years of darkness”.

He said PDP ran a “corrosive economy” for 16 years.

“We are strongly determined to change the course and redirect governance in this country. That is what Muhammadu Buhari is all about and that is what APC is determined to do.

“We are building on a new foundation, and that foundation is for you – the youth, the women, and the elderly – and tomorrow’s children.

“If PDP had concentrate on only one item – electricity for industrialisation – it would have been better.

“Corruption is cancer to development in this country, and we will continue to fight it, together. We will continue to renew the hope of Nigerians and build a greater nation.

“No, you can’t come back PDP,” Mr Tinubu said.

The former governor zeroed in on Akwa Ibom politics, in his remarks.

He said “happiness has frozen” in the state since Godswill Akpabio finished his tenure as Akwa Ibom governor.

“We are waiting for Nsima Ekere (the Akwa Ibom APC governorship candidate) to take over and shift the direction,” he said.

Mr Buhari, who was present in Uyo to flag off the campaign, promised not to fail Nigerians if he is re-elected.

“I assure you that you will not regret trusting us,” Mr Buhari said. “We are going to secure this country, we are going to manage it properly. We are going to stop corruption.”

The APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, is his remarks at the event, said Mr Buhari was a “man of impeccable integrity, one that is celebrated by fellow world leaders.

“The president who can go to America and stand with President Obama and President Trump, not those who can’t get visa outside Nigeria.”

Mr Oshiomhole added, “Mr President, we are honoured that you are flagging off your campaign in the South-south geo-political zone.

“They have been looking for mud to throw at your person. The more they do it, the more the people laugh at them. Nigerians know who you are. The world knows who you are. Nigerians also know who they are.”

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/we-will-re-elect-buhari-for-nigerias.html

Public holiday was only declared in Sokoto state, his hometown.. lol
Unless you live in Sokoto, you're going to work ooo..lol

Jerryojozy:
Wait o! Is tomorrow public holiday?


Abeg I no wan go work



GeniusJ

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to immortalise the country’s first executive president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who passed away Friday December 28, 2018, aged 93.

This promise was made in Sokoto on Sunday by the president while paying a condolence visit to the Shagari family.

In a letter to the Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, read by the governor at the event, the President stated:

“I received the very sad news of the passing away of Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“This, indeed, is a grievous loss, which will be felt throughout Nigeria, irrespective of any difference. The late Alhaji Shagari was a landmark figure being virtually our last link to the post-independence government of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa , and the first elected Executive President of Nigeria.

“Please convey to his immediate family, the government and the people of Sokoto State my heartfelt condolences on the passing away of this great statesman.

“The Federal Government will in due course institute a suitable memorial to the late former President”.

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/i-will-immortalise-shagari-buhari.html

President Muhammadu Buhari may be in for another showdown with members of the National Assembly on resumption of plenary in January if the executive fails to release funds appropriated to the federal parliament in the 2018 budget.

Some of the federal lawmakers, who spoke with our correspondents on Friday, alleged that the executive arm of government had withheld their money as a form of punishment.
The National Assembly increased its budget from N125bn allocated to it in 2017 to N139bn in 2018.

They, however, said rather than implement the N139bn allocated to them in 2018, the executive was still paying them based on the N125bn appropriated for them in the 2017 national budget.

The development worsened penultimate week, forcing the House of Representatives to summon the Minister of Finance, Aisha Mohammed, to explain the delay in the release of the funds, categorised as first-line charge.

But the minister attributed the non-implementation of the 2018 National Assembly budget to a gross revenue shortfall recorded by the Federal Government in the current fiscal year.

Obviously not satisfied with the minister’s explanation, the representatives demanded immediate full payment of the monthly release to the assembly put at N11bn monthly.

They lamented that the executive was still releasing N10bn monthly to the federal parliament based on the 2017 appropriation despite the fact that the 2018 national budget was assented to in June this year.

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf, said, “Clearly, the Appropriation Act has been breached; the law has been breached. Each month, the National Assembly receives money less by N1.2bn.”
A member of the House of Representatives from Ondo State, who spoke with one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity, said his colleagues booed the President while presenting the 2019 budget proposal last week to show their grievances.

He said, “We will show him (Buhari) our true colours in January if he fails to release our money in full. He is deliberately treating us like this to ensure that we have nothing to mobilise our constituents for the February 16 elections.

“The Buhari government has also failed to fund our constituency projects, thereby depriving us of the opportunity to count them as part of our achievements.”

Another member from Oyo State, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that his colleagues were warming up for a showdown with the President, if he failed to fund their budget in full.

He stated, “That is exactly why we booed him when he came for the budget presentation and he should expect more in the New Year. As it is now, we cannot meet our obligations to our constituents, staff and National Assembly maintenance.”

According to investigations by our correspondents, based on the new arrangement, a senator now goes home with N11m as monthly running cost while their counterparts in the House collect N8m.

A senator from the North-West confirmed off record that the National Assembly budget was not being properly funded, adding that the development was affecting their financial obligations.

The senator, representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, in March, revealed that he and his colleagues received N13.5m monthly as “running cost.”

He said the amount did not include a N700,000 monthly consolidated salary and allowances, which they also received.

A legislative source, also in March this year, confided in SUNDAY PUNCH that because of their high number (360), members of the House received slightly lower amount for the running cost than senators.

The source had said, “For the money to go round, the Reps usually take lower than senators. Depending on the flow of allocation into the account of the National Assembly, the running cost for members is between N9.3m and N12m. There are times though when what is available is N8m.”

The senator representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District, Kabir Marafa, said some of his colleagues actually complained about the inadequate funding of their constituency projects when President Buhari was presenting the budget.

He, however, directed one of our correspondents to the Committee on Senate Services to know the implementation of the National Assembly budgets.

Attempts to speak with the Chairman, Committee on Senate Services, Ibrahim Gobir, failed as calls made to his mobile did not connect and he had yet to respond to a text message sent to his telephone as of the time of filing this report.

The Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr Idris Wase, who admitted that the legislature was underfunded, said it was due to revenue shortfall recorded by the Federal Government.

Wase said, “Yes, there was an increase in the budget to take care of other issues regarding the funding of the welfare of workers and infrastructural needs of the institution.”

SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/buhari-lawmakers-may-clash-again-over.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that Nigerian flags at government buildings should fly at half-mast in honour of the late President Shehu Shagari, who died on Friday.

In a statement on Saturday, Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, said the directive which would last for three days, will take effect from Sunday.

“The late President represented almost the last link with the government of our founding fathers under Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. He was also the first elected President of Nigeria,” the statement read.

“The late Alhaji Shagari was a man of many parts: teacher, local authority administrator, politician, minister, and finally President. He served his country with dedication and moderation.

“Over the years, through interaction at the Council of State, he and I came to understand and appreciate each other, whatever the differences we may have had in the past.

“On behalf of the Federal Government, myself and family, I send my condolences to the people of Nigeria, particularly to the late President’s family and the Government and people of Sokoto State. May his soul rest in peace.”

The remains of the ex-president were laid to rest at his hometown in Shagari local government area of Sokoto.

Shagari died on Friday at the National Hospital in Abuja. He was 93.

His remains were flown to Sokoto on Saturday and was received Aminu Tambuwal, governor of the state, at Sultan Abubakar III International Airport around 1 pm.

The former president was later buried according to Islamic rites at about 3:25 pm. The funeral prayer was led by Shehu Galadanchi, a professor.

Dignitaries at the funeral were Sambo Junaidu, wazirin Sokoto; Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi; and Abdulaziz Yari, governor of Zamfara; and Aliyu Wamakko, former Sokoto governor.

Boss Mustspha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); Audu Ogbeh, minister of agriculture; Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of federation (AGF); and Aisha Abubakar, minister of trade and investment.

The SGF described the former president as a humble leader who contributed immensely to democracy in Nigeria and urged Nigerians to emulate his good qualities.
SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/buhari-directs-flags-to-fly-at-half.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday flagged off his campaign for re-election in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, with a promise not to fail Nigerians.

“I assure you that you will not regret trusting us,” Mr Buhari said from the stage, where he stood with other leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to address the large crowd at the 30,000-capacity Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

“We are going to secure this country, we are going to manage it properly. We are going to stop corruption,” the president said.

Mr Buhari said his campaign in 2015 was anchored on security, economy, and anti-corruption fight, and that his administration has done fairly well in these areas.

The president insisted that his administration has won the battle against the insurgency in the country’s North-east region.

He said Boko Haram was in control of 17 local government areas in Borno and Yobe before he was elected president in 2015, but that the terrorist organisation was no longer in control of any local government area in the country.

He said Boko Haram was now focused on recruiting and indoctrinating young men and women, and sending them out as suicide bombers to blow up soft targets like markets, churches, and mosques.

“I assure you that eventually, we are going to clear them off from our country,” President Buhari said.

The president said, through the effort of his administration, the country has regained food security.

On his administration’s war against corruption, President Buhari said he has learned to do things differently, compared with when he was a young military ruler.



“When I was around in uniform and much younger, I arrested from the president, the vice president, the governors, the ministers, I told them that they were guilty until they can prove themselves innocent.

“When I came into agbada, I decided to follow the system. Those who are corrupt would be investigated and prosecuted.

“We are doing that and we will not stop.

“I assure you we have collected properties, we have collected cash, and we have gone back to single treasury account – all monies are going into government purse with one account which means it can be traced and accounted for.

“Nigerians will be informed from time to time how much we have recovered and from who and how we are going to use it to develop this country.”

The president thanked the people of Akwa Ibom and others in the South-south for coming out to welcome him in Uyo.

President Buhari was accompanied to Uyo by the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, a national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, and some of the APC governors, including Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.

SOURCE:

The national Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, says his party is confident of winning the 2019 election because Nigerians are not ready to give the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a second chance.

Mr Oshiomhole stated this Thursday in a short interview with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa Abuja after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Mr Oshiomhole said although the PDP had said they will be in power for 60 years and that if Nigerians rejected them after just 16 years, it is a sign that the citizens are fed up with the party

“They wanted to do 60 years, but they were terminated, no employer will recall an employee dismissed due to gross misconduct and abuse of finances you don’t recall the employee back,” he said.

The APC chairman said even after their failure, “all that the PDP could do was to apologise through its National Chairman, Uche Secondus”.

“I remember that the best Secondus had to say was that he was apologising to Nigerian people and I have not heard anybody say they have accepted the apology. People who have robbed you, they don’t apologise and say allow me back into your store room, you don’t do that,” he said.

Mr Oshiomhole said even though the APC is not perfect, nothing can make Nigerians get so confused “as to think that yesterday there was mismanagement and those who were at the heart of that mismanagement can be entrusted with providing leadership for tomorrow”.

“I don’t think that is the question at all. PDP is out of this calculation as far as I am concerned. PDP is just not an option particularly when their candidate is not a new face.”

Why Atiku Doesn’t Deserve Presidency

Mr Oshiomhole also said the candidate of the PDP, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar does not deserve the votes of Nigerians.

He said Mr Abubakar had been part of the PDP years and does not, therefore, deserve “the benefit of the doubt”.

“You can give benefit of the doubt to a stranger, not to someone who was at the heart, perhaps one of the most powerful vice president we have ever had. So I am clear that Nigeria will never ever have a basis to give PDP the benefit of the doubt,” he said.

The APC chairman also spoke about the kick off of the party’s presidential campaign slated for Friday at Akwa Ibom State.

He said the choice of South-south geopolitical zone as the first rally by Mr Buhari is “particularly significant”.

“From all the feelers, we have, I think the people of Akwa Ibom State are anxious to receive Mr. President and to hear the message. We are all in good mood,” he said.


SOURCE: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/why-were-confident-of-buharis-victory.html