₦airaland Forum

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Delta and Akwa Ibom States should not be opposition states urging the people to key into the progressive ideology of the All Progressives Congress at the centre.

Prof Osinbajo who visited both States on Monday said both States have more potential and could actualize them if they vote for candidates of the APC.

Speaking at the APC interactive forum in Warri, Delta state capital, the Vice President reeled the projects that the APC-led Federal Government have completed and those that are ongoing in the State and in the South South.

He urged the people that Delta State can achieve more if they vote Great Ogboru, the APC governorship on 9 March.

“Even the East West road that we have been talking about, this is the first government to put resource into it and all of us will be able to benefit.

The Lagos-Calabar railway is also ongoing. When people criticize President Buhari, many forget that of the four refineries that we built in this country, that when he was Minister of Petroleum was when we built three of them, 3,500 kilometers pipelines laid in three years by this same, Muhammadu Buhari.
“So we asked ourselves are we not better off under such a President, are we not better off when our state is part of that center? Delta State should not be an opposition state, why should it?

“What happened at the Presidential and National Assembly elections were a great victory, but the completion of the victory will come on Saturday when Great Ogboru will become the governor of Delta.

“Delta cannot be the same again. Delta was our focus of attention, we wanted to see what will happen.

“Delta has proved a very important point that it is ready for a change to the next level.

“Security is a fundamental issue and we will pay special attention to it,” he said.

The president also urged leaders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unite, saying “when we work together, we will emerge victorious on Saturday.”

In Akwa Ibom, Vice President Osinbajo addressed another APC Interactive Forum and urged the people that they stand to gain much more when the thinking of the state government is aligned with that of the federal government.

Prof. Osinbajo who walked on the streets of Uyo alongside his delegation to the South South state for about two miles, encourage residents to come out in their number to vote.
In Akwa Ibom, he was accompanied by Senator Godswill Akpabio; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma and other leaders of the party.

“Prosecute Ibeawuchi for Working for PDP at Imo West Senatorial Elections”, Witnesses Cry Out.
Returning officer for the Imo West senatorial election Professor Innocent Ibeawuchi lied to the media on the controversy that trailed Governor Rochas Okorocha’s electoral victory and needs to be prosecuted, according to party agents at the collation centre.
They claimed that it was not true that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or his agents forced him to announce Okorocha as senator-elect at the collation centre in Orlu
The party agents who witnessed the scene said they were shocked when Professor Ibeawuchi announced that the Imo state Resident Electoral Commissioner had directed him to move the process to Owerri at a time the governor had won in eight out of the nine local government areas announced.
One of them said “if the Professor was under pressure, then accusing fingers should be pointed at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Jones Onyeriri who was clearly losing at the time he attempted to suspend the announcement
This was corroborated by APC’s collation agent Steve Asinobi who was also present at the Orlu centre.
Like other agents, he wondered what could be so important for the Returning Officer to stop announcing election results midway in order to continue with the process in Owerri.
Asinobi said “The truth is that on Sunday at about 10 pm after collating results of 9 council areas namely Nkwerre , isu, Nwangele ,Njaba, Ideato South , Ideato North ,Oru east , Ohaji Egbema and Orsu, the returning officer announced to the utter shock of most people present that the Resident Electoral Commissioner had requested him to return to the state headquarters in Owerri to continue with the process.
“At this point, Owelle Rochas had won in 8 local government areas while Jones had won in one which is Orsu . The move was vehemently rejected by all including security operatives as this might lead to manipulations of results. In addition, the laws of the land back our position that the Orlu Senatorial election has to be concluded in Orlu collation centre.
“Apart from the PDP agent and the party’s senatorial candidate who came to INEC office to attempt to make us change our mind, every other party agent and even election observers present insisted that the remaining 3 LGAs must be collated in Orlu and not Owerri .
He also maintained that the Imo state governor had no reason to pile any pressure on the INEC Returning Officer.
“In all of these Owelle was never involved and if the professor said he was under duress, it was self inflicted as he in concert with PDP candidate and its agent wanted to subvert the will of the good people of Orlu which was rejected by our people and supported by the police area commander, the DSS , the Army , other security agencies as well as election observers and media personnel present at the collation centre.


He added that when collation of results from the remaining three local government areas was done, Governor Okorocha was duly elected as senator representing the Orlu Zone in the Senate.
“Even after issuing the summary result sheet to us (form EC 8D(1)) Ibeawuchi claimed that he was not given the declaration form EC 8E(1) and this led to another bout of problems to the astonishment of all including the media .
“ We suspect that he was working for PDP so we are filing a formal report and petition against him with video evidence. This is with a view to pushing for his prosecution for electoral fraud”, he said.

“Prosecute Ibeawuchi for Working for PDP at Imo West Senatorial Elections”, Witnesses Cry Out
Returning officer for the Imo West senatorial election Professor Innocent Ibeawuchi lied to the media on the controversy that trailed Governor Rochas Okorocha’s electoral victory and needs to be prosecuted, according to party agents at the collation centre.
They claimed that it was not true that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or his agents forced him to announce Okorocha as senator-elect at the collation centre in Orlu
The party agents who witnessed the scene said they were shocked when Professor Ibeawuchi announced that the Imo state Resident Electoral Commissioner had directed him to move the process to Owerri at a time the governor had won in eight out of the nine local government areas announced.
One of them said “if the Professor was under pressure, then accusing fingers should be pointed at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Jones Onyeriri who was clearly losing at the time he attempted to suspend the announcement
This was corroborated by APC’s collation agent Steve Asinobi who was also present at the Orlu centre.
Like other agents, he wondered what could be so important for the Returning Officer to stop announcing election results midway in order to continue with the process in Owerri.
Asinobi said “The truth is that on Sunday at about 10 pm after collating results of 9 council areas namely Nkwerre , isu, Nwangele ,Njaba, Ideato South , Ideato North ,Oru east , Ohaji Egbema and Orsu, the returning officer announced to the utter shock of most people present that the Resident Electoral Commissioner had requested him to return to the state headquarters in Owerri to continue with the process.
“At this point, Owelle Rochas had won in 8 local government areas while Jones had won in one which is Orsu . The move was vehemently rejected by all including security operatives as this might lead to manipulations of results. In addition, the laws of the land back our position that the Orlu Senatorial election has to be concluded in Orlu collation centre.
“Apart from the PDP agent and the party’s senatorial candidate who came to INEC office to attempt to make us change our mind, every other party agent and even election observers present insisted that the remaining 3 LGAs must be collated in Orlu and not Owerri .
He also maintained that the Imo state governor had no reason to pile any pressure on the INEC Returning Officer.
“In all of these Owelle was never involved and if the professor said he was under duress, it was self inflicted as he in concert with PDP candidate and its agent wanted to subvert the will of the good people of Orlu which was rejected by our people and supported by the police area commander, the DSS , the Army , other security agencies as well as election observers and media personnel present at the collation centre.


He added that when collation of results from the remaining three local government areas was done, Governor Okorocha was duly elected as senator representing the Orlu Zone in the Senate.
“Even after issuing the summary result sheet to us (form EC 8D(1)) Ibeawuchi claimed that he was not given the declaration form EC 8E(1) and this led to another bout of problems to the astonishment of all including the media .
“ We suspect that he was working for PDP so we are filing a formal report and petition against him with video evidence. This is with a view to pushing for his prosecution for electoral fraud”, he said.

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.

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.

PRESS RELEASE BY APC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL:

PDP PLANS TO OBTAIN A COURT INJUNCTION ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2019 TO STOP ANNOUNCEMENT OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS AND THROW THE COUNTRY INTO CONSTITUTIONAL CRISES

Our usual patriotic sources from within the disgruntled PDP circle and Atiku’s Campaign team have reliably informed us that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has perfected plans to finally scuttle our democracy and throw the country into constitutional crises by surreptitiously obtaining an exparte (one-sided) court order stopping the announcement of the Presidential Election results which he fears have gone against him.

We understand that a meeting was held today with a group of senior lawyers who were instructed to prepare and file the processes in court on Monday, February 25, 2019. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was clear in his brief to the lawyers that he must be declared the President-elect of Nigeria by hook or crook, whether he wins or loses, or else he would drag the country down with him.

Nigerians would recall that the June 12, 1993 debacle that brought Nigeria to its knees and caused our country international isolation was precipitated by a court injunction stopping the announcement of Presidential Election results. The court order was obtained by a certain Association for Better Nigeria headed then by one Chief Authur Nzeribe. This is exactly what Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who claims to be a democrat, wants to foist on this nation again because of his inordinate ambition.

We are also informed that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar confided in those around him that his desperation is borne out of the fact that he has made profound commitments to his local and international sponsors regarding the sale of our national assets like NNPC and others to them that he cannot just afford to let them down at this time, having assured them that there was no way he would not win the presidential election. However, results trickling in from around the country have dampened his optimism.

This has prompted his instructions to his campaign organization, especially his spokespersons to continue to issue statements, making false claims of ‘victory’ when there is no single scientific basis for such claims. For instance, as brazen as they are to claim victory, they have not pointed at one single presidential election result in any single unit in the whole country where they scored a particular figure with a result sheet duly signed by their agent that was subsequently changed at a Collation Centre. All we hear are sound bites of Atiku’s spokespersons, huffing and puffing about winning the election just to whip up public sentiments to prepare the ground to reject the results when they are eventually released by INEC.

For us our position is very simple and straight forward: we wish to allow the legal process of declaring presidential election results to take place peacefully and in an orderly fashion. President Buhari is not desperate, but is very confident of victory.

We also note their attempt to discredit the entire elections by certain isolated incidents of violence in some parts of the country. For instance, Lagos State that has more than 13,000 voting points recorded a very unfortunate, despicable and condemnable act of violence in one voting point that was clearly not perpetuated by any known or accredited member of our party. Yet the PDP has cried out to the world about ‘burning of ballot papers in most parts the country’.

We therefore wish to advice anyone who wishes to aid and encourage Alhaji Atiku Abubakar along this infamous part to remember the June 12 debacle. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar may also wish to learn a lesson or two from President Muhammadu Buhari who resorted to the court of law in 2003 when Atiku, along with President Olusegun Obasanjo, ‘defeated’ him in the presidential race in that year in controversial circumstances. President Buhari, as a true statesman and democrat, never resorted to underhand tactics to declare himself President.

We hope a word is enough for the wise.

Thank you.

Festus Keyamo, SAN, FCIArb (UK)
Director, Strategic Communications,
APC Presidential Campaign Council
(Official Spokesperson)

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.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2019

PRESS RELEASE BY APC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL:


Devastated by authentic results filtering out of polling units nationwide, our usual sources within the camp of the PDP have informed us that an emergency meeting of the main opposition party has been summoned for today somewhere in Abuja.

Top on the agenda of the PDP is to activate the last strand of their Dubai strategies that have since collapsed like a pack of cards: they plan to release fake results of the Presidential Election later today or early Monday morning that they claim to have compiled themselves.

Our information is that they aim to create crises and confusion that will lead to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar claiming victory in a day or two from today ahead of the official announcement of the results by INEC. Then, what would follow will be some carefully choreographed protests by pockets of hoodlums in some parts of the country. The ultimate aim is to curry the sympathy of our foreign friends and push us to the Venezuela situation.

Our call is therefore to INEC, NIGERIA BROADCASTING COMMISSION and all law-enforcement agencies to continually warn the PDP and all their surrogates like the amorphous CUPP and their likes that anyone who flouts the law on announcement of official results will be made to face the law. Opposition does not confer immunity on anyone to flout the law.

In preparation for this reckless move, some PDP social media agents are already flying some kites on-line as to the number of States allegedly 'won' by PDP. In fact, Alhaji Buba Galadima, an official spokesperson for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has made a short video announcing PDP as the 'winner' of the Presidential Election. As an official spokesperson, he is clearly acting on behalf of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and on his instruction. We, therefore call for the immediate arrest, interrogation and prosecution of Alhaji Buba Galadima in this regard. The world is watching and waiting on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to say something on the video by Alhaji Buba Galadima.

Consequently, we urge all well-meaning Nigerians, the International Community and even reasonable members of the Opposition not to be bought by these cheap antics of the PDP. Let's restrain our wards from being used by these unscrupulous elements. Nigeria will continue to exist after this election.

Over the years, the PDP had been declared 'winner' of Presidential elections under controversial circumstances. On those occasions, President Muhammadu Buhari never took laws into his hands and declared himself President. He also never declared parallel results. He availed himself of constitutional means to address his grievance by approaching the law courts.

Their latest devilish plot against the country is a clear indication that their apology to the Nigerian people was just a hoax. They have learnt nothing and they have forgotten nothing as they just cannot win any election fair and square.

Thank you.


FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN, FCIArb (UK)
Director of Strategic Communications, APC Presidential Campaign Council (Official Spokesperson)

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
 

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

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
 

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


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

The People’s Democracy Party’s hasty response to President Buhari’s comments that ballot snatchers and thugs who intend to disrupt elections be dealt with ruthlessly shows that the Party only had plans to rig the elections and its only chance at victory has been taken from it, the Buhari Media Organisation has said.



The group in a statement signed by Niyi Akinsiju and Cassidy Madueke, its Chairman and Secretary Respectively stated that the PDP had deliberately misinterpreted the statement of the President claiming that it was calling for violence, knowing full well it was not.



“The People’s Democratic Party knew exactly what the President was talking about, but chose to deliberately misinterpret the President. Anyone who has no plan to rig the elections has no need to fear the consequences of the actions of ballot snatchers and thugs on the day of elections.”



“But being that the PDP had already put on its roadmap and strategy, ballot snatching and thuggery, especially in strongholds of President Buhari, it is worried that the lives of those it has engaged to thwart Nigeria’s elections can no longer be guaranteed.”



The group noted that the PDP had no plans whatsoever in participating in a peaceful and lawful elections hence they have been thrown aback by the President’s stance that he would not tolerate the actions of those who sought to snatch ballot boxes and unleash thuggery during the elections.



“In the last 16 years of our democracy, elections have been marred by the violence of thugs and ballot snatchers, innocent people have lost their lives and so many others have been injured due to the activities of these thugs, President Buhari’s directive to security agencies is one that is saying that those needless deaths and injuries must be put to an end by bringing those who perpetrate electoral violence to book.”



The group noted that the PDP had never valued the lives of Nigerian citizens hence they were rather concerned about the welfare of their thugs than the well-being of ordinary Nigerians.



“President Buhari understands the need for peaceful elections in order for people to exercise their franchise, any person who intends to make this peace impossible would be dealt with ruthlessly.”



The group called on the PDP for once to align themselves with civility.



“We understand that the PDP is jittery and afraid, as they had only visited 19 States out of 36 States and the FCT, thereby leaving out 18 States, the only alternative they had was to rig, and disrupt the elections, now that has been thwarted by President Buhari.”



The group commended the President for taking this stance against thugs and ballot snatchers, noting that Nigerians who wanted peaceful elections and who valued lives of voters were fully with him.

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.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/ignore-fake-news-osinbajo-will-never-resign-group/amp/

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.

Fake news, many people have come out and are still coming out to discredit traderMoni.
TraderMoni is the must successful SIP in Nigeria so far.

There are indications that the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has been compromised in respect of conducting the 2019 general elections, impeccable sources have revealed.



The revelation came on the heels of the postponement of the elections by a week from Saturday, February 16 based on logistical challeges allegedly faced by the electoral commission occasioned by bad weather and sabotage.



However, there are misgivings and dissatisfaction within tjr political circle as there are accusations and counter-accusations between the two leading political parties - All Progressives Congresss (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).



But the head of the commission may be acting a script as people in charge of relevant agencies responsible for INEC logistics have denied the logistics claim, saying the nation's weather was good days to the scheduled day of the elections and the airports were ordered to operate 24 hours in order to deliver critical electoral materials across the country.



The Minister of State for Transportation (Aviation), Hadi Sirika and the leadership of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have all put a lie to the INEC chairman's claim of bad weather as one of the reasons for the election postponement.



Also, Prof Yakubu has been acting alone within the INEC structure, thereby sidelining the most experienced National Commissioners - Mr Lekki and Hajiya Amina Zakari - while working with a close knit group that has be compromised  by the opposition.



"Professor Ibeano is said to be closely coordinating with Professor Chidi Odinkalu and indeed, the six-point plan of the INEC chairman was never discussed within INEC or with his commissioners," one of the sources revealed. 


It also been discovered that since the stakeholders meeting pf last Saturday, the chairman is yet to meet his team as the national commissioners were at home on Sunday despite efforts to keep the situation room open. 



Insider sources confided in our reporter that the INEC chairman is working against the ruling APC, saying that the logistics issue and trying to hold elections without adequate preparations were designed to suppress APC votes and it took the insistence of some national commissioners, who are disposed to the fair conduct of the polls, to ensure the postponement was done in order to demobilise saboteurs.



"Initially, their goal was to force elections with shoddy logistics and announce results with high degree of low turnouts from APC strongholds.



"Interestingly, the INEC chairman has been sitting at the Abuja Airport since Friday. No one knows what he is clearing and for what. It means there is a possibility that alternative election materials are being cleared as all clearings have been concluded since and INEC is not using Abuja airport as major incoming hub. Indeed nothing can be done at airport that can’t be done elsewhere under these circumstances," another source said.



Meanwhile, Prof Yakubu's express pronouncement on Saturday that there is no more campaigns by the political parties is another cause for concern, as there are indications that it might be a kind of fait accompli regarding the election results.



"If he (INEC chairman) is not compromised, why will he do that? Campaigns can only stop 24 hours to the elections as specified by the Electoral Act. So, why he is going against the law if there is no deal with some people against others," he added.

It has been revealed that the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki masterminded the postponement of the Presidential elections.

In a desperate move, Saraki is reported to have warned the INEC Chairman that if he was not going to furnish him with slots to nominate persons to sensitive INEC positions he would frustrate the passage of his budget.

A source close to the INEC Chairman disclosed that the National Assembly deliberately refused to touch INEC’s budget up until November 2018, knowing that his budget was to be sourced from borrowed funds.

“This plot was masterminded by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki to perfect the rigging plans of the PDP, either by having his way with his nominees or by delaying the elections and frustrating INEC.” the source revealed.

It is recalled that funds were not disbursed until December 2018, this made things difficult for INEC which had to import some of its electoral materials.

Elections and political parties are primarily about people.



In this episode, millions of Nigerians have sacrificed their time, resources and convenience to perform this National civic duty only to be disappointed by the postponement.



As a party, our disappointment is doubled due to the fact that unlike some who were apparently privy to this postponement in advance, we found out alongside the public a few hours before the polls opened.



To the stranded youth corpers we empathise with you.



To the voters and volunteers who have travelled at great cost to cast their votes, we empathise with you.



To party agents and our party faithful we empathise with you.



Our sympathies go to all those people and we urge them not to despair.



However, we Nigerians are a determined and resilient people and we will not let the shortcomings of INEC deter us from exercising our franchise.



Therefore, we ask you all to stay calm, stay determined and come out en masse on February 23rd to vote for APC, President Muhammadu Buhari and all APC Senators and House of Representative candidates.



We urge all Nigerians to convert their disappointment to determination and ensure that their previous sacrifice does not go to waste.



As a result of the common pain shared by us all, we, the Directorate of Election Planning and Monitoring, and Contact and Mobilization on behalf of APC Campaign Council, demand greater openness and transparency in the Commission’s preparations ahead of Saturday 23rd February 2019.



We believe that members of the public should know:



a. What steps INEC have taken with CBN to assess, take inventory of materials and brief the public about what their condition is;



b. The status of INEC’s plans to procure and provide materials for election and in particular let Nigerians know if all materials required are in country and if not what plans the commission has to ensure that they are.



c. INEC’s plans to re-deploy and distribute materials ahead of Saturday 23rd 2019.



d. The specific problems INEC encountered in the failed attempt of Saturday 16th February 2019 and measures it has taken to overcome them?



e. What transport logistics and further materials INEC require in terms of vehicles, boats, trucks, airplanes, helicopters, manpower and funding INEC requires to execute the elections of February 23rd and March 9th



f. Confirmation that the configuration of the card readers will be completed in readiness of Saturday 23rd 2019.



In addition to all of these, we believe that INEC should brief Nigerians daily on an ongoing basis until this process is concluded.



This is one way to elicit the buy-in of Nigerians that INEC is serious and this will replace disappointment with enthusiasm.



As President Buhari has urged that “Nigerians should continue to rally round INEC at this trying national moment,” INEC has the duty to now make its processes open, believable and inspiring, this is what Nigerians can and will rally round.



This is the road to free and fair elections which is a victory for Nigeria and not for any party.



Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN

Hadiza Bala-Usman



APC Directorate of Election Planning and Monitoring

APC Directorate of Contact and Mobilization



Sunday 17th February 2019

Reports have emerged that the People’s Democratic Party would be withdrawing from the February 23rd Presidential Election in protest to what it called a “scripted victory of the APC” that it could not challenge.

The leaked memo which was shared at a meeting of caucus leadership members advised the Party Leadership to announce its withdrawal and save expenses to be channeled to State elections.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE


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

On the news now...

Two PDP members arrested in Ebonyi state for attempting to plant explosives on a bridge.

This is all in their Dubai plan to disrupt the elections, by any means necessary, since there is no visible path of winning conventionally.

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Zamfara State is refusing to accredit agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Feelers from the State headquarters of INEC indicate that APC agents are being refused accreditation to represent the party at polling units on account of the party not having a gubernatorial candidate in the State.

An on-ground election monitor notes that the refusal by INEC to accredit APC agents is a curious and unjust decision, especially in consideration of the fact that gubernatorial election will not hold until March 2, 2019. Tomorrow, February 16 elections are for the office of the President and members of the National Assembly.

“APC should engage the INEC at the highest possible level, the presidential election is not the same as the gubernatorial election so why would the agents be denied accreditation” the Election Monitor observed.

There are unconfirmed reports that some APC Agents in the North Central states are being denied access to their tags.

Meanwhile, there are speculations that this is deliberately done to prevent the agents from proper monitoring of the polls in order to favor the opposition PDP.

Calls that are being put through to the INEC Officials in the zone proved abortive.

Please kindly treat this information with urgency.

I just got a sensitive secret information this morning during the time the PDP came for campaign in my community today.

All PDP members were directed to get to the voting center latest by 7:00 am and be on the queue that a specific PDP agent will be on the line and will be the last person to vote after which the agent will signal to the INEC officials and with the cooperation of the security, voting will be stopped and other party members will not be able to cast their votes.

They even promised that PDP members will be settled financially first at a specific spot and they will ALL move at the same time to the voting venue.

They did it successfully during the governorship election after the INEC officially discovered that the remaining voters on the queue are APC

Please ,sensitise ALL APC members to get to the polling center by 7:00am The God of heaven will arise in his power and mercy and cancel every of their plans in the name of God Almighty

God has given us victory, but we must strategise.

If anyone tells you that President Muhammadu Buhari is planning to Islamise Nigeria, just show this to them and walk away. This is enough education for those that want to learn.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said decisions taken by President Muhammadu Buhari and the reforms introduced by the commission has saved Nigeria pilgrims over N83 billion during Hajj operations in 2017.

• The practice in the past was for presidents to give concessionary exchange rates for pilgrims going to Hajj. For instance, while the official exchange rate of $1 to the naira was N190 in 2016, President Goodluck Jonathan had earlier granted a concession which reduced the exchange rate to N160 for $1, the government therefore, subsidized each dollar with N30.

• Buhari abolished the practice and also granted NAHCON approval to fix a flat BTA for all pilgrims. “Because of the concession, and because there were three types of Hajj seats at then, which were minimum, medium and maximum, often differentiated by BTA, one person will pay for say 200 persons and then connive with a financial institution to collect the subsidised BTA and then give the pilgrims pittance. It therefore, became an illegal business venture for some people,” - Fatima Usara, Head of Public Affairs at NAHCON

• The management of NAHCON led by Abdullahi Mohammed came into office in 2015 and one of the first decisions he took after meeting with the NAHCON chairman was to abolish the practice of federal government’s sponsorship of a delegation to hajj annually.

• The decision alone saved the government N1.6 billion annually. Also, NAHCON in 2017 decided to abolish the use of middle men in securing accommodation for Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Instead, the commission deals directly with home owners which saved the country over $14 million.

• NAHCON said another reform introduced in 2017 regarding Hadaya (sacrificial animal) has saved pilgrims N1.6 billion. The reform sees the introduction of Jaiz Bank to work in conjunction with Islamic Development Bank to collect monies meant for the purchase of sacrificial animals from the pilgrims and issue them coupons.

• If not for the new scheme Nigerian pilgrims “would have been defrauded of N1.6 billion.” NAHCON in 2016 refunded N1.5 billion to pilgrims for services poorly rendered to them, adding “due to improved services in 2017” the figure refunded to pilgrims came down to N527 million.

• As the commission continues preparation for Hajj 2019 it is already fully utilising the Hajj development levy collected by upgrading Hajj departure centres in some states across the country. The commission intends to kick start the Hajj saving scheme introduced earlier in 2018, while a Hajj training institute meant to train Hajj managers, intending pilgrims and the general public.

• NAHCON is heading towards self-funding to reduce the burden on government.

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT 
PRESS RELEASE
 
 

*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

Copyright © 2019, Office of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, All rights reserved.

PRESS RELEASE


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

A foreign relations group in Nigeria has urged the United Kingdom and the United States to face their own democratic challenges rather than focusing on Nigeria election.

The Global Relations Policy Forum (GRPF) says it is completely ridiculous for the UK and US to tell Nigeria how to run its own election when they are both the laughing stock of the world.

Sadiq Adamu, President of GRPF, said they should first remove the beam out of their own eyes, and then they can see clearly to remove the speck out of Nigeria's eye.

“The Russia Collusion has plagued the United States democracy since its 2016 election. Globally, the world is watching daily as allegations and evidences of a collusion unravels in the ‘almighty’ United States.

“The Special Counsel Robert Meuller has shown us that there was indeed a collusion. So if the US cannot conduct a free and fair election, why should they be the model for any country across the world?"

Adamu argued that the US has no locus standi to interfere in the 2019 general elections in Nigeria. “If you followed the mid-terms election in the US, you will understand that there is a lot of work to be done on the US democracy but Nigeria or any other country did not interfere?"

“The Federal Government of Nigeria did not issue a statement when the votes were recounted in Georgia or when 3,000 votes disappeared in the votes recount in Florida. How exactly are this free and fair elections?

“I’m sure that not many Nigerians know that electorate had to use torch lights at polling booths in the US during the mid-terms election. Yes, they had to because there was no electricity. These are facts and they are there for all to see, how dare the US now tell us about electioneering processes,” he quizzed.

Adamu explained that the UK has been struggling with its bungled Brexit deal. He says that is a pointer that they cannot handle their own problems.

“A couple of days ago, Donald Tusk said there is a special place in hell for Brexiters without a plan, to the chagrin of the Britons,” he added.

“Jeremy Corbyn and Prime Minister Theresa May are at each others throats and Nigeria is yet to issue a statement urging them to find a solution to their problems.

Adamu stated that Nigeria is a sovereign country and so it the US and the UK. He noted that the EU is not exempted from the lashing because it erroneously intervened in the matter. “The EU is grappling with problems of its own and it has failed to address key issues confronting the union.

“I think they all need to assess themselves and look within before they try to set Nigeria on fire because of self-centered politics.

He claimed that the fact that corruption has been plugged is the reason why the UK, US and EU are not happy with President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria.

“We understand that the table has turned since Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight began under President Buhari. In the 16 years of PDP rule, Nigeria’s treasury was looted to these countries but since President Buhari emerged in 2015, we have been taking those monies back.

“There is no jamboree travels to the US, UK and EU. We don’t shop there anymore and Nigerians are less concerned about foreign food as well. We must understand their frustration,” he said.

He assured the world that the 2019 election in Nigeria will be free, fair and credible, stressing that, all countries across the globe are welcomed to observe.

“I think they should come and observe and then write their reports. They should not come and ignite Nigeria.”

PRESS RELEASE



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

On February 16th, Nigeria will hold a general election. Four years ago, the country experienced its first democratic transfer of power to the opposition since 1999. The vote in a few days will be no less significant.
 
As president, I have tried to judiciously exercise the trust vested in me to combat the problems of corruption, insecurity and an inequitable economy. All are important. But amongst them, one stands above the others as both a cause and aggravator of the rest. It is, of course, corruption.
 
A policy programme that does not have fighting corruption at its core is destined to fail. The battle against graft must be the base on which we secure the country, build our economy, provide decent infrastructure and educate the next generation.
 
This is the challenge of our generation: the variable on which our success as a nation shall be determined. But the vested interests at play can make this fight difficult. By way of their looting, the corrupt have powerful resources at their disposal. And they will use them. For when you fight corruption, you can be sure it will fight back.
 
It even threatens to undermine February’s poll and – by extension – our democracy. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has raised concerns over laundered money being funnelled into vote buying. This is the problem of corruption writ large. It illustrates how it lurks in all and every crevice of public life, manipulating due process in pursuit of self-preservation and perpetuation; protecting personal political and economic interests at the expense of the common good.
 
Indeed, those who have criticised my administration’s anti-corruption drive are those who oppose its mission. And though their lawyers may craft expensive alibis, they cannot escape that which binds them together: a raft of documents and barely legal (some clearly illegal) mechanisms – whether that be the Panama Papers, US Congress reports, shell companies or offshore bank accounts.
 
Corruption corrodes the trust on which the idea of community is founded, because one rule for the few and another for everyone else is unacceptable to anyone working honestly.
 
But as we have intensified our war on corruption, so we have found that corruption innovates to resist the law. This is not the sole domain of those Nigerians, but the international corruption industry: the unsavoury fellow-traveler of globalisation.
 
Once the enablers are let in – as they have been in the past – the greed of those they collude with grows. We have closed the door on them, but unfortunately there still remain individuals who are willing to open windows.
 
Concrete progress has been made, but there is still much to do. We have repatriated hundreds of millions of dollars stowed away in foreign banks. These funds have been transparently deployed on infrastructural projects and used to directly empower the poorest in society. More is still to come from our international partners in France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Yet the hundreds of billions sifted out of the country for the best part of this century promise more.
 
We have secured high profile convictions, but greater cases remain. Lawyers table endless objections to obstruct court proceedings, whilst their clients hope it lasts until a ‘friendly’ president is voted into office. We must continue to tighten the legal framework and ensure the authorities have the investigative powers at their disposal to secure sentences. Only then will we begin to neutralise the advantages the corrupt have.
 
More ghost workers must be removed from government payroll (almost $550 million has been saved from identifying phantom employees). More can be recovered through our whistle-blower policy ($370 million has been returned since its launch in 2016). More is still to come. But, together, we shall prevail over corruption.
 
A Yoruba proverb states that only the patient one can milk a lion. Likewise, victory over corruption is difficult, but not impossible. We must not flounder in our resolve. I know many Nigerians would like to see faster action. So do I. But so too must we follow due process and exercise restraint, ensuring allegation never takes the place of evidence. For that is not the Nigeria we should wish to build.
 
There is no doubt that this Administration has changed the way we tackle corruption. The choice before voters is this: Do we continue forward on this testing path against corruption? Or do revert to the past, resigned to the falsehood that it is just the-way-things-are-done? Or that it is just too difficult – too pervasive – to fix? I know which one I would choose. It is why I am asking Nigerians for another four years to serve them.
 
 
MUHAMMADU BUHARI,
PRESIDENT,
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

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