4 Die As Buhari Holds Campaign Rally In Port Harcourt, The President Mourns

February 12, 2019

No fewer than four persons have been confirmed dead as a result of stampede at Rivers state when President Muhammadu Buhari stormed the state for his campaign rally.
This was even as the President quickly responded, sympathizing with families of the dead ones, promising that their deaths would not be in vain.
The Rivers state Police Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the death today, Tuesday even as the Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), also confirmed that fourteen persons died while some survivors are under medical attention.

The rally, held at the Adokiya Amasieamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers state, witnessed the stampede as soon as the President made his way out of the venue.

In a statement today, sympathizing with the victims, the Presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu said that President Buhari has just been briefed about the tragic death of some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a stampede at the presidential campaign rally held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday.

President Buhari is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and extends deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. He also wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.

The President described the deaths as “needless loss of lives and an anti-climax to a highly successful outing” in the oil city that could have been averted if there was an orderly exit from the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

“It is indeed a great tragedy that Nigerians who have important roles to play in shaping the future of the country and had come to see and hear from us how hard their government is working to build a Nigeria of their dreams, would meet their end in this unfortunate circumstance.

“I assure the people, with all sense of responsibility, that the party and the government will do everything possible to ensure the well-being and safety of our citizens as they troop out to attend rallies and all other political events.”

The statement said that President Buhari assured the government and the people of Rivers State as well as the affected families of the support and prayers of the Federal Government during this difficult time.

Asiwaju Tinubu Swears He’ll Not Leave APC, Says He Remains ‘Gidigba’

Editorial staff

February 12, 2019

All Progressives Congress National (APC) leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said that he has no plan to leave the ruling party for any other as being insinuated, saying that he remains gidigba (solid) in it.

A video where Asiwaju Tinubu, at the APC Presidential Campaign rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was seen throwing the party’s flag to National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole to give to the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was being framed by opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to mean he was throwing away the party’s flag.

In a statement today, Tuesday, his Special Adviser on media, Tunde Rahman, quoted Asiwaju Tinubu as having denied throwing away the party’s flag.

“If you want to fault Asiwaju for anything in this matter, your critique can only be limited to the accuracy of his toss. Any attempt to enlarge the episode beyond this is fiction and mischief writ large.”

The APC leader agreed that an incident did actually occur at the Ogun State APC rally which he said, is far from what the PDP concocted.

“The true incident that should be reported and condemned is that people who furtively oppose the party and the president tried to infiltrate and disrupt this rally. The attack by these operatives was disrespectful of the office of the president and could have potentially harmed the person of the president.”

The statement reads in full: “With but a few precious days until the election and with its chance of victory running out even faster than the time, the Peoples Democratic Party now grasps at the most nonsensical and desperate tactics to salvage its falling enterprise. However, a drowning man cannot toss himself a lifeline. Nor can the PDP succeed in turning the innocuous attempted exchange of a flag between the National Leader and National Chairman into a rift in the APC’s successful campaign.

“An incident did actually occur at the Ogun State APC rally but it is not the one PDP has concocted. The true incident that should be reported and condemned is that people who furtively oppose the party and the president tried to infiltrate and disrupt this rally. The attack by these operatives was disrespectful of the office of the president and could have potentially harmed the person of the president.

“Such antics have no place in our political discourse. The author of these misdeeds should desist before real harm is done. Now to the crux of the opposition’s latest antics. If the issue of the flag has become the hotspot of the PDP campaign, then they are in serious trouble.

“During that portion of the Ogun rally, the National Chairman and others were looking for a party flag. Asiwaju Tinubu spotted one within his reach. He picked it up and attempted to toss it to Chairman Oshiomhole so that the Chairman could present it to the party’s gubernatorial candidate Prince Dapo Abiodun. If you want to fault Asiwaju for anything in this matter, your critique can only be limited to the accuracy of his toss. Any attempt to enlarge the episode beyond this is fiction and mischief writ large.

“As the National Leader, Asiwaju Tinubu is thoroughly faithful and committed to the APC. It is unthinkable that he would leave the party. Moreover, there is no reason for him to do so. He has been hard at work for the victory of the APC and all of its candidates in the upcoming election.

“Asiwaju understands the bigger picture. He knows what is at stake in this election. Either the nation moves forward along the progressive path of the APC or it will be forced to retreat into the ills of the past created by the PDP. With the nation’s future hanging in the balance, Asiwaju will not allow himself to be deterred by petty mischief.

“Those spinning this matter should make better use of their imaginations. Asiwaju is not going anywhere. He remains gidigba (solid) in APC. And after the election, he will be there celebrating the APC’s and this nation’s victory over those who would prevent us our rightful future”.

Buhari, Amosun And APC

Greenbarge Reporters

February 12, 2019

It was quite obvious that the rancour, acrimony and crisis that attended the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential campaign rally in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, Southwest of Nigeria on February 11, 2019 were contrived and premeditated.

Indeed, Governor Amosun Ibikunle, a staunch member of the ruling APC, on which platform he is governing the state, clearly demonstrated that he brought his supporters to the rally to one, show that he is fully in charge of the leadership of the state in all its ramifications.

Two, that he saw the rally as a vantage platform to embarrass the national leadership of the party, especially the chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who he regarded as having denied him, ipso facto, the pleasure of having his anointed person as the APC governorship candidate in the state. And three, to prove to President Muhammadu Buhari that he (the President) was not actually the target of the unpleasant drama, decked in adult delinquency, anti party action and chest beating. Every other thing that was done at the rally on that day might have been well-planned.

In doing so, Governor Ibikunle had actually opened a new vista in the political tapestry of Nigeria by openly canvassing for massive votes for his darling President, Buhari, whose personal integrity and performing credentials he so eloquently narrated, while in another breathe, campaigning for a governorship candidate of his choice from an opposition political party; the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). The idea which perhaps the Governor leaned on which President Buhari later bought into, was the democratic ethos of freedom of choice.

It is on the same parameter, of freedom of choice, if it is stretched further, that the rally should have been allowed to flourish, with contending forces canvassing their positions.

For the Governor and his supporters to try not only to muzzle the voice of the APC candidate along with his supporters but to go violent just at the mention of the name of the APC candidate as a way of proving to the national leadership of the party with whom he had grudges that he is in control of the politics of the State amounted to pure undemocratic.

As a matter of fact, the urge to settle scores with enemies within (the APC) had virtually led the governor to turn against his party and, instead of the political macho man he wanted to display, ended up sending a message across to reasonable thinkers that he wanted to plant his surrogate in the government to cover his tracks after leaving office. If it were not so, there was no need to be panicky and destructive and standing strongly in the way of opposition.

We in Greenbarge Reporters strongly believe that the Governor, irrespective of his grievance, should have respected the President and should have, with maturity, found solace in the saying that minority should be allowed to have its say while majority should be allowed to have its way. That is if he had the confidence that he has the majority of the electorate for his candidate from another party other than his own to beat, at poll, the candidate of his party.

We didn’t think resorting to brigandage, ensconced in hauling missiles at the direction of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was an option to settle scores with, particularly, Oshiomhole, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and others.

Generally, our politicians, especially, governors should be made to come to terms with the idea of allowing the true etiquette of democracy to take root. They should be weaned from the notion that they have the power of life and death of their people; that because they are governors, they can decide the fate of anybody in their states.

Afenifere Is A Toothless Bulldog – Gov Amosun Of Ogun

February 11, 2019

Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun has described the Yoruba socio cultural organisation, Afenifere as a toothless bulldog.

The Governor, who spoke today, Monday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential campaign rally in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, said that those who endorsed the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar are paper tigers.

According to Governor Amosun, the same group endorsed the candidacy of former President Gooduck Jonathan who later lost the election.

“The real Afeniferes are the mass of the Yoruba people across the Southwest.”

Amosun assured president Muhammadu Buhari that the people of the state are solidly behind him, adding: “those are the ones that can rightly be said to be Afenifere.”

He recounted the good things which the Present had done for the state to deserve the total support of the people of the state.

Vote For Candidates Of Your Choice In Peace, Buhari Advises Ogun Electorates

Editorial staff

February 11, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has advised electorates in Ogun State to vote for the candidates of their choice without being violent.

The president who spoke to traditional rulers at a townhall meeting with Ogun State traditional rulers today, Monday in Abeokuta, the state capital, called on the rulers to educate their subjects on how to conduct themselves peacefully.

Buhari spoke against the background of a near violence that nearly marred the Ogun Presidential campaign rally held at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.

The two factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the candidate of the state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) had clashed at the rally ground.

Our reporter at the venue said that Governor Ibikunle, whose second tenure will expire after the forthcoming elections had openly asked Ogun people to vote for President Buhari of the APC and vote for APM candidate in the March 2nd Governorship election.

Missiles began to fly towards the Presidential podium when the former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola mounted the podium and was speaking in Yoruba language in favour of the APC governorship candidate.

The confusion, which saw many party supporters trouping out of the stadium as the atmosphare was charged, intensified when the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole mounted the podium to speak and to present the party flag to APC governorship candidate, Dapo Abilene.

But the President, who looked worried as he addressed the traditional rulers, told the royal fathers that there was no need for people to go violence on the issue of election.

“I appeal to our royal fathers to educate their subjects on the need to show respect and vote whoever they want to vote for without being violent.”

He promised to look into the requests put forward by the traditional rulers even as he expressed satisfaction with the great roles his Vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has been playing in the federal government efforts at correcting the wrongs of the past.

Speaking earlier, the chairman of the Ogun State Traditional Council and Alake, Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo thanked President Buhari for bringing Nigeria back on track after years of mismanagement.

He expressed gratitude to the President for many things he had done in favour of the State, including network of roads, rail lines, honouring of late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and above all, the choice of Professor Osinbajo as his second in command.

The Alake assured President Buhari of over 60 percent votes from Ogun State in the Saturday Presidential poll

Why I Dumped Atiku For Buhari – Author Of Atiku: From Obscurity To Limelight

Editorial staff

February 10, 2019

An erstwhile associate of the Presidential candidate of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who authored a blog: Atiku From Obscurity To Limelight, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has given reason why he fell out with his friend even as he assured President Muhammadu Buhari of landslide victory in next Saturday’s presidential election.
Reacting to rumour that he had switched over to the side of Atiku, Eze, currently a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South region of the country, stressed that he had not have any pact with the former Vice President in his presidential quest, saying he had no reason to abandon the party (APC) he joined other progressive Nigerians to build,.
Chief Eze was also the National Director of Strategy and Communications of the famous ‘Turaki Vanguard’, which the former Vice President used when he join forces with other great and patriotic Nigerians to ensure that General Olusegun Obasanjo did not succeed in his infamous third term agenda.
A multiple awards winner for his inputs and contributions in fighting injustice in the Nigerian politics, Chief Eze was the Founder and President of the Igbo Crusaders and the South-South/South-East Amalgamation Movement (SSESEAM), which was used to fight and sustain the prowess of PDP in the Northern Eastern Nigeria from 1999 – 2006.
Eze erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New PDP described as laughable the accusation by Senator Magnus Abe representing the South East Senatorial District of Rivers State and some of his aides that he (Eze) had been working as a double agent with Atiku to destabilise the APC, in order to return to him (Atiku) after collapsing the APC.
“It is laughable and very childish of Senator Abe and his errand dogs, insinuating that I am from the South West region of Nigeria and that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar enlisted me on the pay roll of Intels and drafted me to stoke internal crisis in the APC to weaken the chances of the party and give the PDP an edge in the South-South region and afterwards run back to him if he clinches the presidency come February 16th 2019.
“What Senator Abe and his misguided boys do not know is that I broke off from Atiku’s political family as far back as 2012 when his actions and politics no longer tally with my personal beliefs besides I don’t know the management of INTELS talkless of being their staff.
Eze counseled Abe to try act in tandem with what the exalted office he occupies as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, reiterating that Abe’s statements had sounded like those of a fellow from who has lost relevance in the politics of APC in the South-South region after resolving to join forces with enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari and APC to work towards denying APC of fielding candidates for the 2019 general elections in Rivers state, but added “God willing we are convinced that we will survive Abe’s devious plots”.
He revealed that apart from the threatening statement from Abe and his supporters against him, he had been under pressure from some PDP bigwigs to rejoin Atiku in PDP, but maintained that at 61 he had passed the age of associating with any political party or group simply because of personal benefits, contrary to national consideration.
“Why should I rejoin PDP to the determinant of APC, which is now poised to restore back Nigeria to Nigerians. A party that has restored the dignity of Nigeria and Nigerians before the international community. A government that has improved upon the railway system, constructed more roads within the country less than four years, compared to the sixteen years of looting and squandering experienced under PDP”, Eze said.
“I will like to know what has changed in PDP to warrant him rejoinning the party and leave an APC administration doing her best to reposition the country for a greater tomorrow. To rejoin PDP and work with the likes of Governor Nyrsom and probably with Senator Abe in their divisive politics in Rivers State? God forbid!
Eze concluded by saying that he doesn’t have any grudge against Atiku’s presidential ambition, but he is sorry that he stands no chance against President Buhari as those promoting him are only interested in squandering his money and not that they want to him to succeed..
“I am happy about this election as it will finally assist to retire General Olusegun Obasanjo, Bukola Saraki, Tambuwal, Abe, Dogara and their likes from the politics of Nigeria and usher in more creditable and patriotic leaders.”

I Won’t Break Constitution After My Second Term, Buhari Assured Nigerians

Editorial staff

February 10, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that after his second term of another four finish in 2023, he will not break the constitutional provisions by seeking to extend it.
The President, who spoke today, Sunday in Gusau, Zamfara State capital as he arrived to hold his presidential campaign rally, recalled that he had contested for the Presidency four times and that the next week Saturday’s will make it fifth.
“It will be the fifth and the last. A second term is what the constitution allows, and I will not abuse the constitution.”
Buhari who spoke at a meeting with the royal fathers at the Government House, expressed the determination of his administration to defend the country from criminals and insurgents.
“We are determined to defend the nation and its people. We are disappointed with some of the things going on. You are responsible for the security of your neighbourhood. Being close to your people, you know them. You are still relevant. I am sorry this has extended to some of your families.”
The President who referred to the deployment of a large number of security personnel to the state, said that security is also the business of the traditional rulers, not that of the police and other security agencies alone.
“More security is not good news, but we must do something to secure our environment,” he said even as he commended the gallantry of the security agencies in battling kidnapping and banditry.
“You know what we have achieved. You had one (criminal) who styled himself as Buharin Daji, the Buhari of the forests, claiming to be in charge and not I at the centre. He is no more, and by my surviving him, you now know who is stronger.”
He thanked the royal fathers for the support he enjoyed so far and appealed to them to back his re-election.
The Chairman of the council of traditional rulers and Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmed and the Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, praised the efforts of the President in changing the unwanted security situation in the state.
This was even as the state governor, Abdulaziz Yari said: “from the presence of an ammunition depot manned by just 30 men when you took office in 2015, Zamfara State today boasts of the presence of 4,700 combined security personnel who are assisted by 8,500 State Joint Task Force, SJTF members. We also have the 223 Battalion, the 607 Quick Response Battalion and the 1 Brigade in Gusau.”
Meanwhile, the State Council of Traditional Rulers have endorsed President Buhari’s bid for a second term.

Corruption Does Not Invest In Future But Kills It – African Dev Bank Boss, Akinwumi Adesina

Editorial staff

February 10, 2019

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina has said that corruption does not invest in the future but rather kill the future of any country that is neckdeep In it.
Speaking today, Sunday at the World Peace Summit of Global Leaders, Adesina said: “we are working hard with governments to improve transparency, governance, accountability and project delivery across the continent. Corruption does not invest in the future, it kills the future.”
According to the World Economic Forum, an estimated $116 billion a year would be required to feed the world and end hunger. It would also take $8.5 billion a year to eliminate malaria.
“That’s only 0.28% of what’s lost to corruption globally every year,” said Adesina. “It would take $26 billion per year to send all kids in the world to school. The International Atomic Agency estimates that $31 billion per year would provide energy for all in the world. That’s just 1 per cent of what’s lost annually to corruption globally,” he added.
The African Development Bank’s 2019 African Economic Outlook notes that Africa’s impressive economic growth is expected to be maintained at 4% in 2019, and 4.1% in 2020, with 40% of African countries projected to see even higher growth rates.
Pitching Africa investment opportunities to government and business leaders during his visit to Seoul, Adesina said: “there is no better time to invest in Africa than now.”
The Africa Continental Free Trade Area is projected to make Africa the largest free trade zone in the world, with an estimated combined GDP of over $3.3 trillion.
With an eye on a “future that is just around the corner,” Adesina says the Bank is working to set up a joint Korea-Africa Tech Corps program designed to bring young and talented tech entrepreneurs in Korea and Africa into wealth creating partnerships, and position Africa to be part of the mainstream of the 4th Industrial Revolution.”
The Busan Techno Park, the Busan Metropolitan City, the African Development Bank and the Government of Tunisia, are currently collaborating on a pilot Agricultural Drone project to help assess and monitor soil degradation, and provide real time data to improve productivity. The Bank intends to scale up the project across Africa, and develop other cutting edge uses of industrial drones across the continent.
With a backdrop of an improving regional economy and a move toward creating a new generation of jobs for young Africans, Adesina says, “Today, millions of unemployed young Africans have no jobs and many take enormous risks to cross the Mediterranean to seek a brighter future in Europe. The fact is, there’s no pride in seeing thousands of young men and women drown in the turbulent waters of the Mediterranean. The future of Africa’s youth doesn’t lie in Europe. The future of our youth must lie in a thriving, prosperous and secure Africa.”
At the Peace Summit for Global Leaders, the President of the African Development Bank highlighted key achievements in 2018, including, 5 million people with new or improved electricity connections; 19 million people who have benefitted from improved agricultural technologies; 1.1 million people who have benefitted from private sector investment projects; 14 million people who received access to better transport services and 8 million with improved access to water and sanitation.
Adesina said the Bank could do more with the support of its 80-member countries who are currently discussing options for the institution’s general capital increase.
“With a General Capital Increase scenario, if approved by the Bank’s shareholders, we would provide an additional 105 million people with access to electricity,137 million people with access to improvements in agriculture, 22 million people who would benefit from private sector investment projects, 151 million people with improved access to transport, and 110 million people with improved water and sanitation.”
Adesina urged the Bank’s shareholders to make generous contributions in order to maintain momentum, create jobs for millions of African youth, position Africa in global value chains, and accelerate the African Union’s push towards Agenda 2063, “The Africa we want.”

Buhari To Nigerians: I Don’t Take Your Support For Granted

Editorial staff

February 10, 2019

President Muhammad I Buhari has assured Nigerians that he does not take the support they give him for granted.
He said in a video message to Nigerians which was transcribed by his median team: ” I don’t take your support for granted. We will continue to work to protect your interest and deliver our mandate.”
Read the full text below:
Fellow compatriots,
It’s been over three years since you gave me the mandate to oversee the affairs of our dear country.
It’s not been an easy journey but with sincerity of purpose, perseverance, dedication and most importantly support from individuals like you, we have made great progress.
Some of these achievements are visible for everyone to see, some are still in the works.
I hereby humbly ask for your support again in the coming election to enable us to move to the NEXT LEVEL and consolidate on the successes recorded in making our country a better place. I don’t take your support for granted. We will continue to work to protect your interest and deliver our mandate.
THANK YOU

Watch it below:

Presidency: Lamido Of Adamawa Dumps Turaki Adamawa, Atiku For Buhari

Editorial staff

February 10, 2019

Presidency: Lamido Of Adamawa Dumps Turaki Adamawa, Atiku For Buhari

Chairman of Adamawa Traditional Council who doubles as Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo-Mustafa, has turned his back on the Presidential ambition of his senior Council member, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and endorsed the candidacy of his opponent, President Muhammadu Buhari.

Atiku is the Turakin Adamawa and currently the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

President Buhari is running on the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (PC).

In his endorsement letter to Buhari, the Monarch appealed to Nigerians to give him more time to actualise his dream for the country.

“Mr. President there is no doubt that much has been achieved during your present tenure, but certainly you need more time to actualise your dream for a better Nigeria.

“The giant strides and inroads you recorded in various fields of our endeavours such as economy, security and fight against corruption, which still remain the cornerstone of your agenda, would not have been made possible if not for your resilient, focus, passion and love for the country.

“This therefore calls for all and sundry to rally round you and allow you to get to the next level to enable you consolidate the various laudable programmes of your party.”

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