Zamfara Gov Threatens To Hold Traditional Rulers Responsible For Further Killings

June 12, 2019

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has made it clear that his government will henceforth hold traditional rulers responsible for any extra-judicial killing committed by local vigilantes in their domain.

The governor, who issued the warning in Gusau during the Democracy Day celebration, said that the government would no longer condone the atrocities of the local vigilantes, popularly known as ‘Yan Sakai’.

Matawalle also extended an olive branch to bandits who have been terrorizing people in the state, saying that the government is ready to rehabilitate any of them willing to repent.

“I also use this opportunity to, again, call on all those who decided to toe the path of crime, to surrender and embrace peace and legal means of livelihood.

“We are ready to rehabilitate those who accept peace and reintegrate them into the larger society.”

Governor Mattawalle said that fighting banditry and other crimes, which had been bothering the state for many years, is the topmost priority of his administration.

“In the last one week, I have discussed extensively with President Muhammadu Buhari and other relevant security stakeholders on the challenge at hand.

“Part of the outcome of the visit was the directive by the President to deploy two additional mobile police squadrons to the state.”

The governor described the Democracy Day as a time to reflect on how the country have fared over the years and renew determination for the task ahead.

He paid tributes to heroes of the democratic struggles who made it possible for the country to live in a free society governed by democratic principles.

“One of the doyens of the struggles for our modern day democracy is Chief MKO Abiola, on whose honour Nigeria’s Democracy Day was changed from May 29 to June 12.

“The event of June 12 and the subsequent struggles for reversion to civilian rule were the precursors to today’s democracy.”

He assured that his administration would initiate programmes to fight poverty through multi-dimensional approach including revamping agriculture, resuscitating skills acquisition programs, improving salaries and welfare packages for workers.

The governor added that his government would create conducive environment for small and medium scale businesses in the state to thrive.

Source: NAN.

Buhari And His Elegant Wife, Aisha, On Democracy Day

Greenbarge Reporters

June 12, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari walks along with his elegant wife, Aisha to a seat at a Dinner in Presidential Villa, Abuja, on June 12, to mark Democracy Day in Nigeria.

Fani-Kayode Says Buhari Is Kind For Naming National Stadium After MKO Abiola

Editorial staff

June 12, 2019

Former Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is kind for having the heart to rename the Abuja National Stadium after late MKO Abiola who was acclaimed to have won the June 12, 1993 Presidential election but was annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Earlier today, President Buhari has announced the renaming of Abuja national stadium as MKO Abiola stadium, saying that the late politician was reputed to have given immense support to the development of sports in Nigeria and Africa, and was named and honoured as Pillar of Sports in Africa for his contribution.

Late Abiola, the President recalled, formed Abiola Babes Football Club, which was based in Abeokuta and was one of the big teams that dominated soccer in the country between 1982 and 2001 when it was disbanded.

“As we all know, correcting injustice is a pre-requisite for peace and unity.

“As part of the process of healing and reconciliation, I approved the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day and invested late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Babagana Kingibe with National Honours as I did with late Gani Fawehinmi.

“The purpose was to partially atone for the previous damage done in annulling the Presidential election of that year.

“Today, I propose the re-naming of the Abuja National Stadium. Henceforth it will be called Moshood Abiola National Stadium.”

National Honour: Abiola Is Happy In His Grave With Buhari – Late Politician’s Aide

Editorial staff

June 12, 2019

Lisa Olu Akerele, an aide to the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, Lisa Olu Akerele, has said that the national honour bestowed on his boss, especially, the naming of national stadium after him, is an indication that President Muhammadu Buhari has good heart.

Akereke said that the action of the President, who has demonstrated that he a father to all Nigerians, will make the late politician happy in his grave.

He noted that no other head of state had honoured the late billionaire like President Buhari, adding that since Abiola was a lover of sports when he was alive, the national stadium which has been named after him remains the best sporting monument to bear the name of the sport-loving late politician.

He said that it would be wrong for the late Pillar of Sports in Africa to die without a sporting centre named after him in the country despite his contribution for the growth of sports in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.

“Naming the National Stadium after MKO Abiola is commendable. Apart from MKO’S legendary philanthropy, another area where he excelled was in the sporting arena which earned him the title of Pillar of Sports in Africa.

“President Buhari has truly proved himself as real ‘Daniel come to judgement’ by rewriting the historical roles played by MKO in almost all areas of national development which some misguided former military officers tried to rubbish in the last 25 years!

“I’m sure that Abiola is happy and will be smiling in his grave now. He has not laboured in vain and his death has also not been without notice. President Buhari remains a hero we should encourage so that he would do more.

” President Buhari must pay attention to sports development by appointing capable hand as the next Minister for Sports and Youths in his cabinet.

“Naming the National Stadium after the late MKO is like affixing the late democracy hero’s name on our nation’s currency, which carry the names of our past heroes like Obafemi Awo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Murtala Muhammed, Ahmadu Bello and other.”

Emergence Of National Assembly Leadership Confirms Party Supremacy – Asiwaju Tinubu

Editorial staff

June 12, 2019

All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said that the emergence of the National Assembly leadership yesterday, June 12 reaffirmed party supremacy.

In a message congratulating the new Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila and their deputies on their election, Tinubu said they were anointed by the party.

“Their election in a free, fair and transparent manner is therefore a further demonstration of the fact that our democracy is functioning well. It also reaffirms party supremacy because these officers are also the choice of our governing All Progressives Congress and the party’s caucus in the National Assembly.”

The APC national leader noted that their emergence as leaders of the 9^th National Assembly has come at a crucial time in our nation’s history.

“As we celebrate 20 years of uninterrupted democracy and our new National Democracy Day of June 12, we look backwards to recognise the sacrifices and valour of our heroes past. We also look forward with hope for the future of our nation and our democracy.”

Asiwaju Tinubu asked the new National Assembly leaders to do all within their powers to not only nurture and deepen the institutions of the Legislature but also our promising democracy.

“Their task now is to compliment and support President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver on his administration’s progressive agenda and truly take the country to the Next Level with detailed, timely and progressive legislative initiatives and restore a sense of patriotism to the exalted offices they now occupy.

“I congratulate Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and their deputies, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, on their election as presiding officers of the 9th National Assembly.

“To have been selected by such overwhelming majorities by their peers is a wonderful honour and a clear demonstration of the implicit confidence reposed in them as leaders and legislators. The offices these leaders have been entrusted with are sacred and must not be toyed with.

“As our National Assembly leaders, I urge them to do all within their powers to not only nurture and deepen the institutions of the parliament but also our promising democracy. Their task now is to compliment and support President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver on his administration’s progressive agenda and truly take the country to the Next Level. This they must do with detailed, timely and progressive legislative initiatives and restore a sense of patriotism to the exalted offices they now occupy.

“It is imperative that the new leadership quickly departs from the adversarial posture of those that came before and extends hands of fellowship and friendship to the Executive. A convivial and cooperative relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government is our best chance at achieving the progress that we, as Nigerians, deserve and it’s incumbent on our new leaders to make this a reality in this next dispensation.

“Our system speaks of complimentarity between the Executive and Legislature and does not preclude the Legislature from working harmoniously with the Executive in the service of our people.

“I also congratulate those who contested the various positions but did not win at present for putting up a gallant fight. However, the time has now come to put aside all differences and rally round the new officers to work together.

“I wish the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker and all their colleagues in the National Assembly a successful and impactful tenure and once again congratulations.”

Balarabe Musa Wants Those Who Annulled June 12 Election Tried For Treason

Greenbarge Reporters

June 11, 2019

Second Republic Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarebe Abdulkadir Musa, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to identify all those who participated in the annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential election with a view to trying them in court of law for treason.

He wanted the President must go beyond declaring June 12 as Democracy Day by making political move to unearth the reasons why the June 12 election was annulled with a view to punish those involved.

The maverick politician, who spoke to news men today, June 11 in his residence in Kaduna said: “those who masterminded the annulment of the election should be described and recognised as unpatriotic fellows.”

According to him, annulment of June 12 has done more damage to the country than good, saying that question on why the election was annulled must be answered.

“Every other election that comes after the June 12, 1993 was never free, fair and credible. The ghost of June 12 will continue to haunt the country if the government fail to rise and correct the mistake of past.”

According to Balarabe Musa, the democracy we have today in Nigeria has not meet the yearnings of Nigerians in anyway.

“Democracy is the supreme will of the people, and for the fact that we have twenty years of uninterrupted democracy does not mean we have supreme will of the people.”

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for recognizing June 12, even as he said that the transition between the then military head of state, Abdulsalam Abubakar to former President Olusegun Obasanjo was not true democracy.

“From the past administration to the present administration, the elections that brought them in were not the true reflection of the peoples’ will and therefore they are fraud.”

Osinbajo Confesses That Late MKO Abiola Won June 12 Presidential Election

Greenbarge Reporters

June 11, 2019

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has confessed that late Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO Abiola) won the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, which is why the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has decided to correct the anomalies in that historical epoch.

Professor Osinbajo, who spoke when he received in audience, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President of Venezuela, Aristobulo Isturiz, who is leading his country’s delegation to Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration tomorrow, June 12, said: “one of the principal issues, politically, was the recognition of that election in 1993 which was won by, now late, Chief MKO Abiola, an important progressive opposition leader.

Vice President Osinbajo stressed that the Buhari administration believes in resolving some of the issues around the annulled June 12 1993 presidential election, adding: “that is why we are celebrating June 12 as our new Democracy Day. So, we are really very happy that you are able to share with us a very special event – the celebration of our new democracy day.”
Professor Osinbajo also received the Vice Premier of North Korea, Ri Ryong Nam.

I Don’t Desire Rubber Stamp Legislature, Much As I Hate Duplicity, Perfidy Of Past- Buhari

Editorial staff

June 11, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that while he does not desire rubber stamp legislature, he also does not believe in what he called, ‘duplicity and perfidy of the immediate past.’

The President, in his congratulatory message today, June 11, to the newly elected presiding officers of the Ninth National Assembly, said: “the Executive does not desire a rubber stamp Legislature. While separation of powers is essential, collaboration among all Arms of Government should be the name of the game. Opposition need not be virulent.”

President Buhari described the emergence of the new leaders of the legislative branch of government as “a new dawn, different from duplicity and perfidy of the immediate past.”

The President, who congratulated all the national legislators and their political parties for their display of patriotism and non-partisanship before and during the election, charged the winners to use their exalted positions for the higher interest of the country, its people and for the growth of democracy.

He commends the transparent and fair nature of the voting process, adjudging it as a plus for the democracy in the country even as he said that stepping into the Next Level, the legislature should play a big rolefor the goals of the administration to be achieved for the ultimate good of the nation.

The President called on the contestants who lost out to be gallant in defeat, and join hands with the victors who should exhibit magnanimity and eschew vindictiveness.

“At the end of the day, we, the people, who elected our representatives at the national level, are the winners.”

New Reps Speaker, Gbajabiamila, Promises To ‘Shake Table’ In New Reforms

Editorial staff

June 11, 2019

“Moving forward therefore, my dear colleagues, it will not be business as usual and we will be shaking the table just a little. We will be introducing various reforms that will reposition this institution but please rest assured that they will be for the greater good.”

These were the promises of the new speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in his inaugural speech after he won the election today, June 11 in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

According to him, there comes a time in the life and history of a people when they interrogate the past and present, review past sacrifices, miscalculations and errors and collectively decide to opt for change, peace and progress.

“We are at such a moment in this country. Hon Colleagues of the 9th Assembly this is our time , this is our moment and history beckons.

“The 9th Assembly under my leadership is going to be a House of reforms or if you like a reform Assembly. The reforms will be dished out piecemeal and at intervals so as not to shock the system.”

Gbajabiamila sought for the support and cooperation of his colleagues to safeguard the future of Nigeria, adding that the House must be reformed before the country can be reformed.

“We simply cannot and must not fail. In this regard and so as to quickly hit the ground running, I am announcing the appointment of Hon Sanusi Rikiji, the former Speaker of Zamfara State as my Chief of Staff.

“Hon Sanusi comes with a wealth of legislative experience and I believe his inclusion in this Assembly will add immense value.

“Hon Colleagus there’s much work to be done in such little time. Lets roll our sleeves and get to work. Nigerians are waiting.”

After Losing Senate Presidency, I Will Now Sleep Soundly – Senator Ndume

Greenbarge Reporters

June 11, 2019

Senator Ali Ndume, who lost the Senate Presidency to Senator Ahmed Lawan today, June 11, has said that he was satisfy with the outcome of the election and that he would now have sound sleeps.

“I am comfortable with it (the election). I was one of the first that went to congratulate my colleagues.

”I am okay. I will sleep very well today and you know, I was looking forward to this day because I worked very hard.”

Senator Ndume, who spoke to news men shortly after the election, was particularly happy with the emergence of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as the deputy Senate president, saying that his election had shown the beauty of democracy.

”I have confidence in him and all we need to do is to cooperate as one among equal. I like his energy and resilience and I hope he will make a very good deputy senate president.”

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