Buba Galadima Confesses: I’m Still APC Person In Atiku’s Campaign Team

February 21, 2019

Spokesman for the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Buba Galadima, has confessed that he is still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Galadima, who was a guest on Channels TV’s ‘The Verdict’ today, Thursday, insisted that he is still a member of the ruling party, leading a faction of the party known as the Reformed APC.
His clarification came when the anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, introduced Galadima as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, to which he responded: “I am still in the APC.”
Buba Galadima who is former National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a political ally of President Muhammadu Buhari’s added: “I am a spokesman for the PDP presidential candidate.”
He expressed confidence that Atiku would defeat the President in Saturday’s elections, adding that the huge turnout of supporters for Atiku in Kano and other areas of the North showed that Buhari was not as popular as he was in 2015.
He alleged that the APC in Kano had to hire persons from Niger Republic to boost the number of their supporters at its rally.

Labour Union Supports Buhari’s Order On Ballot Box Snatchers, Thugs

Editorial staff

February 21, 2019

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that the statement credited to President Muhammadu Buhari on dealing with ballot box snatchers or arsonists in upcoming presidential elections is not a license to kill but intended to discourage trouble maker.
President of the congress, Ayuba Wabba, in a statement today, Thursday in Abuja, said: “we insist on strong institutions for the sustenance of our democracy.”
Ayuba Wabba however, called on Nigerians to avoid violence during the Presidential and National Assembly elections across the country on Saturday.
He said that as Nigerians went to the polls, they must exhibit the finest traditions, highest values, utmost sense of responsibility and unflagging patriotism in them.
“The respectability we crave in other lands depend not on how many barrels of crude oil we export in a day or how populous we are or how many billions of dollars we illegally siphon outside the country.
“It is on the choice we make and how we make that choice – cast our vote wisely or sell it for pittance; cause violence or exhibit decorum; levy war or wage peace; eschew egotism or elevate it.’’
The labour leader noted that all candidates in the polls had the potential to win or to lose, but that the decision rested not with the candidates but the electorate.
He said that it is, therefore, infantile or naive for some candidates to assume that they could not lose, adding: “the moment of truth has come, and we must of necessity perform our civic duty in fulfilment of our beliefs or in betrayal of them.
“Our conduct will reveal our true identity, betray our intentions and test our claim to nationhood.
“We, therefore, challenge you the candidates, politicians, supporters, security personnel and INEC to be of utmost good behaviour and ethical standard.
“You are also to conduct yourselves with civility, humility, truth and abide by the rule of law.”
He also called on Nigerians to remember the oft-rehashed phrase, that the victory or loss of any candidate was not worth the blood of any Nigerian, not even the blood of a chicken.
“We appeal to all to note that when we sponsor or stoke violence we cannot predict its course or end. We should therefore do all that is necessary to prevent it.
“We urge all Nigerians to note that we are going to the poll and not war, and they should accordingly tone down their rhetoric or blood pressure.
“In this contest, there must be losers and winners, and we do not need to rig to win or snatch ballot boxes or cause mayhem to be reckoned with.
“As those things do not project our strength or power but primitivism, primordial mentality and our weakness.”
Ayuba Wabba urged INEC to be fair, impartial and just, to all parties or contestants, saying that the onus rested on it to conduct free, fair and credible elections and earn the confidence of the electorate.

Police Boss Assures Nigerians Of Adequate Security During Saturday Presidential Poll

Editorial staff

February 21, 2019

In line with his avowed determination towards ensuring peaceful, credible and hitch-free Presidential/National Assembly Elections scheduled for Saturday, 23rd February, 2019,
The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has assured Nigerians that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure a safe, secure and conducive environment towards a peaceful and credible election.
A statement today, Thursday by the police spokesman, Frank Mba quoted IGP of asking Nigerians to come out en-masse on the day of the election to cast their votes without any fear or apprehension.
The IGP was quoted as further assuring Nigerians that security personnel deployed for the elections have been adequately trained and are under strict instruction to abide by the Standard Operational Procedures of the Force and international best practices in the conduct of an election.
“They will remain patriotic, steadfast, professional, neutral and civil, but firm, in their conducts and actions throughout the period and beyond.
“The general public are therefore implored not to feel intimidated, but rather should be emboldened, by the presence of security personnel deployed to their areas, to go out and exercise their franchise.
“While calling on the public to cooperate with the security operatives, the IGP however warns those who may want to undermine the electoral process by engaging in snatching of ballot boxes, hate speeches and vote trading to desist from such acts or face the full consequences of the law.”

China Swears: We Won’t Interfere In Nigeria’s Election Processes

Editorial staff

February 21, 2019

The Chinese government has sworn that it will not interfere in the internal election processes of Nigeria.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Geng Shuang who fielded questions on Nigeria’s coming general elections at a regular press conference said: “the Chinese government believes that Nigeria’s presidential and parliamentary elections will be held successfully and smoothly.

“I would like to point out that Nigeria is an important country in Africa. Peace, stability and development of Nigeria serve the interests of the Nigerian people, the region and Africa at large.

“China always stands for the principle of non-interference in other country’s internal affairs. We believe the Nigerian government and people are capable of managing the relevant election affairs.”

12 Presidential Candidates Endorse Buhari, As Yobe PDP chair Defects To APC

Editorial staff

February 21, 2019

President Buhari raised his eight fingers in front of his enthusiastic supporters to signify two term of 8 years.

No fewer that 12 Presidential candidates of other political parties have endorsed the candidacy of President Muhamamdu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Saturday poll.

The candidates and parties who endorsed Buhari are, Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), Shittu Mohammed Kabiru, Independent Democrats, Hon. Edozie Nnamdi Madu, Movement for Restoration and Defence of Democracy, Danjuma Mohammed, Allied Peoples Movement, Mamman Yusuf Naptali, and Save Nigeria Party, Ahmed Buhari,

Others are Mass Movement of Nigeria, Alhaji Isabi Dansaki, Advanced Congress of Democrats, Ikechukwu Nwokeafor, Yes Party, Alistar Shoyode, Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party, Charles Ughalli, United Peoples Congress, Kenneth Ibe Kalu, Nigeria Element Progressives Party, Comrade Isiaka Paul Ebili and National Democratic Liberty Party, Robinson Apu.

The 12 presidential candidates have directed all their members and supporters to vote for President Buhari in Saturday’s election.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, who broke the news to journalists said that the 12 candidates and their parties have subordinated their own ambitions to that of President Buhari, instead of running for the presidency on Saturday.

“So these 12 former candidates declared support for Mr. President. Mr. President was quite delighted and applauded their unselfish nature. He added that if they wanted to deny him vote, they will still continue with the elections and people in their immediate environment will vote for them and deny him at least those votes.

“So, the fact that they have come to pledge loyalty and have directed their supporters to vote Mr. President was a thing that President Buhari quote applauded.”

This was even as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Yobe State, Alhaji Sani Inuwa In guru has dumped the party for the APC.

He was led to the Presidential Villa by Dr. Mohammed Abuza a chieftain of the party in Yobe State and received by President Buhari.

Nguru, said that he came to expressed his loyalty and desire to return home.

He was the first chairman of the APC after the merger in the state, adding that anyone who has been a member of ANPP and CPC is one of Buhari’s loyalist.

Agony Of Monogamy, By Tola Adeniyi

Editorial staff

February 21, 2019

Society must rethink this issue of pretentious monogamy vis-à-vis polygamy so that in the not-too-distant future, we do not end up with millions of unmarried women whose lifestyle would be worse than prostitutes’ and millions of children whose fathers would be nowhere to be found.

The hypocrisy and pain associated with embracing false notions which are really not observed by any culture in the world must be exposed. Those who erroneously sentence themselves to a life of sadness and emptiness because they were deceived to believe that there is some utopia somewhere called monogamy should have change of heart.

It is not out of place to imagine that this article will generate a lot of controversy most especially from those who live holier-than-thou life and have continued to deceive the world that they are upholders of a doctrine that is not supported by true and enlightened interpretation of any religious doctrine.

My Greek, Italian, Russian, British, American and other Caucasians routinely visit their other wives [called by other names] with whom they have children. But back in the homes shared with the one carrying the ring, they are monogamists!

If God had wanted humanity to be monogamous He or She would not have made the pigeon the only monogamous creature. The cultures that practice polygamy had always known that at any given time, the number of available marriageable women far out number available men plus the fact that an 80-year-old man, if he has money, is still very much in the market whereas a 60-year-old woman may not be that lucky. The biological limitation to a woman’s productive age is also a factor. Why should a woman therefore remain on the shelf till age 45 when she could jolly well get married as second or fourth wife to a man who can afford to share life’s responsibilities with her? Why should a woman leave a man with whom she is No 1, simply because he took a second wife and end up being numberless in the hands of several men with whom she naturally shares bed just because of some doctrine she hardly understands?

All the women who should go and marry but are saying they do not want to share their man with another woman in a polygamous setting, are sharing current boyfriends with several other women. Where is the logic?

The argument that children in a polygamous house are always at each other’s throat does not hold water. Many siblings of monogamous families are sometimes known to have had worse and irresolvable or irreconcilable squabbles with dirty bitterness over inheritance or even other matters than children from different mothers.

The agony suffered by both men and women in the hand of unnatural laws and doctrines is too stifling for comfort. In 2002, five hundred and two Reverend mothers were reported to have died while procuring abortion in Rome (alone). Nigerian Tribune wrote an editorial on the unfortunate incident. And stories of Reverend fathers having children and sodomising young men in their care are legion! Why the hypocrisy? Why should the world continue to live the life of Ostrich?

A well known Nigerian journalist hid his other wives from his wife because his religion would not permit of it and his wife, living in monogamy should not hear of it. At his funeral, 9 Funeral Service programmes by his 9 wives surfaced and the woman parading the ring collapsed. It was the grace of God that prevented double internment that day!

Mitterrand, the former French president was discovered to have side attachment with 2 kids after he died. Meanwhile French laws restrict man to only one wife. Arnold Schwarzenegger who was married to JF Kennedy’s sister had a troubling home. He disclosed to the wife that the male child the former house maid was carrying about was actually his son. That day the Kennedy lady did not sleep in that house. She parked out of the house that night with her 3 kids. She cannot tolerate to share her husband with another woman. She is there with no other man.

So, over to those whose opinion is hinged on whatever reason to rethink. This is becoming a wild fire that will leave no home in no distant time.

Adeniyi is ex MD of Daily Times.

Nigeria’s GDP Grows By 2.38 Percent, With None Oil Sector Dominating – NBS

Editorial staff

February 21, 2019

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has come up with cheering news of the growth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2.38 percent with none-oil sector contributing 2.32 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018.

In its reports for the 2018, the NBS noted that the economy recorded continued progress since it emerged from recession in 2017.

“Current result shows a Real GDP growth of 2.38% compared to 1.81% in Q3 last year, representing the strongest growth since the economy slipped into recession in 2016.

” For more than five decades, Nigeria has paid lip service to diversifying the economy, from sole dependence on oil. The latest result shows that economic growth has continued to be driven by the non-oil sector, which grew by 2.70% in Q4 2018, up from 2.32% in Q3 2018. It represents the strongest growth in the sector since Q4 2015.”e

The reports said that the non-oil GDP growth was driven by Quarrying and Other Minerals, followed by Telecommunications, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Construction.

“That is diversification in progress, real time, no matter what the naysayers may say.

“While the non-oil sector actually drove GDP growth, the oil sector contracted with crude oil and gas GDP reducing by -1.62%. This shows that with good governance, focus, prudence and accountability, the life of the country need not depend on oil ad infinitum.

“The NBS report further shows that Services GDP growth recorded its best performance in 11 quarters, growing by 2.90% compared to 2.64% in Q3 2018 and 0.10% in Q4 2017. Overall, while growth in the economy was moderated by the contraction in the oil sector, 39 out of 46 economic activities recorded positive growth in the quarter under review.

“The improved GDP growth can be attributed to Government’s continuous implementation of the policy initiatives in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), which has boosted the performance of the non-oil sector.

“The growth in Q4 2018 GDP is consistent with the improvements in other macroeconomic indicators, including inflation, capital inflows, foreign trade, external reserves, amongst others.

“Headline inflation has been trending downwards from 18.55% as at December 2016 to 15.37% in December 2017 and further to 11.44% in December 2018.

“The total value of capital importation into Nigeria stood at $2,140 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. This translates to a full year capital inflow of $16,812 million compared to $12,228 million in 2017.”

Commenting on the reports, special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina admitted that though but that the economy is now growing.

“More still must be done to deepen its diversification and make it less vulnerable to external shocks. That is an unflinching commitment of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.”

“With the Buhari administration, economic Eldorado beckons. Nigeria is inexorably set for that Next Level.”

I Swear, Nothing Will Stop Me From Selling NNPC – Atiku

Greenbarge Reporters

February 20, 2019

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has made it clear that nothing will stop him from selling the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) if he is elected President on February 23.

Atiku, who spoke today, Wednesday in Kaduna at a town hall meeting with ward, local government and state party leaders in the state at the Kaduna Trade Fair Complex, said that the NNPC had failed to serve the purpose for which it was established in 1977.

According to him, selling off the corporation and all the three refineries is the best option for the country, likening it to the sale of Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL).

Atiku said that Nigeria is among the biggest producers of crude, but lamented that the country still imports refined products for local consumption at exorbitant prices to the detriment of the common man.

He said that if elected president, he would deregulate the NNPC and sell it to Nigerians the way Obasanjo sold NITEL.

The PDP flag bearer called on the people of Kaduna State to massively vote for the PDP, promising to allocate 40 per cent appointments to the youth to address the rising unemployment and restiveness.

He said that his government if elected, would make education a priority by providing scholarships to all deserving youth and women in the country.

Atiku also promised to allocate 30 per cent of appointments to women, adding that, he would provide adequate funds through the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency to empower women and the youth.

He said that his leadership would address what he described as alarming insecurity, with killings of innocent Nigerians across all the geopolitical regions.

Atiku appealed to the electorate to vote the PDP into political offices in the state for the betterment of the people.

He said that he would allocate more resources to the states and local government areas for faster development across the country.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, urged the Kaduna State party leaders to work tirelessly to ensure the success of the party at the Feb 23 and March 9 general elections.

The governorship candidate of the party, Isah Ashiru, said the party would bring development at all levels to the state if voted into power.

Ashiru said that his administration would reduce poverty to the minimum and create employment opportunities for the youth and women as well as persons with disabilities.

He appealed to the people come out en masse and vote for the party and ensure their votes count even as he asked the youth to avoid violence during and after the polls.

The chairman of the party in the state, Felix Hyat, spoke in the same vein.

Former vice president, Namadi Sambo; former national chairman of the party, Ahmed Makarfi; former governors Ramalan Yero of Kaduna and Ibrahim Shema of Katsina were among top party leaders that attended the event.

Be Ready To Carry Out President Buhari’s Order Or Resign, Army Chief Tells Officers

Greenbarge Reporters

February 20, 2019

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has asked officers and soldiers to be ready to comply with the order handed out to them by President Muhammadu Buhari on the Saturday Presidential election in the country or get ready to resign.

He emphasized that those whose loyalty to the Nigerian state is still in doubt should quietly tender their resignations on or before Friday, 22 February 2019.

The army chief, who gave the order during a meeting with army commanders at the Army Headquarters in Abuja today, Wednesday, stressed: ”should any officer or soldier have doubts as to his loyalty to the Nigerian State as presently constituted, such a person has up to 22 February 2019 to resign.

“There is no room for indiscipline or disobedience to lawful orders in the Nigeria Army today.

”I want to remind all of you here present that the act of electoral thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes, illegal possession of elections materials and similar crimes are intended to mar an election and create deliberate avenues for post-election violence and mayhem. Such actions can also become more damaging when they are widespread, leading to destruction of lives and properties.

“Incidences of this nature in previous elections are often planned and orchestrated by politicians and the Nigerian Army have hitherto been very cautious in its approach. However, this time around the Nigerian Army will adopt a proactive posture that ensures that similar incidences do not even arise.

“Accordingly, in addition to my earlier directives to you in the last Operations Conference, I wish to lay emphasis on the following actions that all commanders are to abide by:

“Commanders must deal decisively with any electoral crime or action that would be inimical to National Security.”

“Commanders are to ensure that they and their personnel do not hobnob with politicians at any level. In this regard, there will be no military escort for any politician and all NA personnel are to stay clear of retired military officers especially those who are now politicians until after the elections.

”Commanders are to conduct extensive patrols within their AORs. They must ensure that all flash points within the area are dominated.”

Saturday Poll: Business Groups Lower Prices For Nigerians – Information Minister

Editorial staff

February 20, 2019

The minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has announced that various business entities across the country have offered to lower the prices of their services for Nigerians who will be traveling to different parts of the country to cast their votes in the Saturday Presidential election.

The entities, according to the minister, who spoke to news men today, Wednesday shortly after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, are the Independent Petroleum organisation of Nigeria, (IPMAN), with over 50,000 members, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), with about 2 million members, Arik and Aero airlines.

Lai Mohammed said that IPMAN, which controls almost 80 percent of the nation’s distribution network, met a couple days ago to decide on how to cushion the effect of postponement, and at the end of it, announced the reduction of the price of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) from N145 per liter to N140 per liter.

“This discount reflect the alignment of IPMAN with government and the discount is valid between the 21st of February and the 25th, this year to allow those who want to go back home to vote.”

He said that the NURTW, which operates motor parks in all 774 local government areas of the country and an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), with members cutting across drivers, bus boys, motor parks operators etc, offered to provide discounts to travelers using their motor parks for members who are looking to travel to their respective voting points.

“This discount is also to encourage voters who would have normally been disenfranchised as a result of INEC’s postponement. This discount is also valid between the 21st of February and the 25th February.

“Arik and Aero airlines have also thrown in their own incentives. Aero contractors have offered 50 percent discount to all travelers who present their permanent voters card (PVC) at the purchasing point. Arik will be selling their one way ticket at N16,000 to any destination across the country. This is to support Nigerians looking to travel to cast their votes. The discount is valid between the 18th of February and the 11th of March.”

Lai Mohammed said that the federal government, in its part, has decided that to make it easy for those who will want to go back to vote, salary payment will start yesterday (Tuesday) as opposed to the normal 25th of every month.

“This is just to ease the burden of people who want to go back and cast their votes.”

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