President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he doesn’t know of any cabal in his government as being claimed by some opposition politicians, and even including his wife, Aisha.
Buhair, who spoke in an interview with Hausa service of the Voice of America (VOA), insisted that he is in charge of affairs of the country.
Responding to a question to the effect that his wife recently alleged that two powerful men were the ones in control of the government, President Buhari simply said: “that’s her business.”
He wanted those who have been making such claim to come up with a single example of who amongst his aides, force him to do what he is not in agreement with.
”It means everyone is free to say whatever they like. Irrespective of whatever they say they should come out with proof of what the cabal has forced me to do.”
The short video released by the VOA is a teaser as the whole interview is expected to be aired soon.
The Presidency has expressed worry over political appointees, government officials and party men who have embarked on what it called “influence peddling,” using their positions to perpetuate corruption.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, who spoke to news men today, Tuesday said that the Presidency is increasing being embarrassed by complaints of extortions of innocent people by those he called “self-serving name droppers and influence peddlers.”
According to Garba Shehu: “President Buhari had made it very clear since his inauguration that he won’t tolerate any form of impropriety by his appointees, aides, and government officials who abuse and misuse their offices for illegal financial advantages.”
The media aide said that using one’s office or influence for private advantage or financial gains is corruption, warning that “the President would not tolerate any conduct by anybody to use his name to extort innocent people.”
He stressed that President Buhari’s commitment to the fight corruption at all fronts in his government remains unchanged, adding: “those who are not genuinely committed to this vision would be weeded out once caught and punished accordingly.”
The media aide advised Nigerians to report any government official or appointees using the President’s name or that of his aides and appointees to extort the public, adding that the current zero tolerance for corruption by the Buhari administration won’t condone this repugnant culture in government or public business.
‘‘When I was going fast I was arrested so why should I go fast again. It is not Baba that is slow, it is the system.”
President Muhammadu Buhari, who made this confession today, Tuesday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja when he played host to Christian and Islamic leaders to mark Christmas, said: “so, whatever the case, I will not stop pointing fingers at those who have illegally abused trust by taking (public) funds entrusted to them.”
“People are calling me ‘‘Baba Go Slow’’ because I had jettisoned the military way of fighting corruption and opted for due process under a constitutional democracy.”
He promised to continue to fight against corruption by being guided by the rule of law and respect for constituted authority.
“I will continue to do my best to recover what rightly belongs to Nigeria from the treasury looters.”
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has said that the only way to end the high level of insecurity and poverty in Nigeria is to vote out President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and vote for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Saraki, who spoke on Christmas day on a joint live radio programme in Ilorin, Kwara State, described the untold hardship which he claimed the APC has subjected Nigerians to as unprecedented.
He emphasized that the only antidote to the present precarious economic and security situation in the country is for Nigerians to vote out the APC-led federal government and elect Atiku as the nation’s president in the next year’s general elections.
“Times are very hard for the masses as a result of the level of poverty in the country. Without sentiment, the present government has failed Nigerians. They must, therefore, ensure they vote for a leader that will address poverty and revive the economy, said Saraki.
“Nigerians will vote in February 2019 but the business community has already passed a vote of no confidence on this present government. I, therefore, urge Nigerians to vote out this government and vote a man that will restore investors’ confidence and get Nigeria working again. It is only one party that loves the common people and that’s our party, the PDP.
“I’m in politics to serve my people. When I campaigned in 2015, I pledged to Nigerians that my former party, APC will address the issues of insecurity, unemployment and poverty but unfortunately the party has failed on all these three scorelines.
“I thank God Almighty for the position that was given to Kwara as the number three citizen. We have cut across our zonal intervention projects in the state which wasn’t possible in the first four years as a floor member at the 7th Senate because ranking members add more value to the community/constituency.”
Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere | Photo credit: Thisdaylive
Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, has commended the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, for rescuing the party from being personalized as well as flushing out what he called “all the unpatriotic elements,” whose interests are in sharp contrast with that of the party.
In a congratulatory message to Oshiomhole today, Tuesday, Eze Madumere, hailed the decision to inaugurate the Chief Marcellinus Nlemigbo-led Caretaker Committee of Imo APC, descring the Caretaker Committee as being peopled by those with the requisite capacity to steer the affairs of the APC to victory in the 2019 general election in the State.
The deputy governor said that there is no way a patriotic party faithful would have allowed Governor Rochas Okorocha to personalize Imo APC.
“On behalf of the members of Imo State, APC, I heartily felicitate with our indefatigable National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, for his commitment towards exorcising the party of unpatriotic elements.”
Madumere gave assurance of the party’s readiness to work assiduously to ensure that all candidates of the party were delivered in all the electoral contests, adding that members of Committee are highly experienced in party administration and requisite patriotic zeal to deliver conveniently at the polls.
He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s passionate zeal to improve the living standard of Nigerians, saying: “President Buhari has embarked on many transforming policy thrusts and implementation in the area of infrastructure, agriculture and aviation. I am prepared to lead the crusade to tell Imo people, the efforts of President Buhari in improving the welfare of the State and the South East at large.”
The deputy governor called on the people of Imo State to support APC, adding: “it is the only party that has shown resilience, patriotism even to the extent of weeding itself of unpatriotic elements and is willing as well to go all the way to ensure that our Nigeria of collective dream is realized.”
File photo: Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha dancing
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has declared to run for Presidency in 2023 with the hope that he will be the first elected civilian president of Igbo extraction.
Governor Okorocha described himself as the rallying point for all Ndigbo and the only one who can bridge unity, understanding and togetherness in order to realize Igbo presidency in 2023
He spoke today, Tuesday when he received in audience at the government House in Owerri, the State Capital, members of the Orlu Zone Congress of Journalists (OZCOJ).
The Imo State Governor stressed that the campaigns of calumny against him, is because his detractors have realized that he is the most eligible and most detribalized Igbo man.
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he will soon start his Presidential campaign across the Six geographical zones of the country.
The President who spoke today, Tuesday, when he received the Federal Capital Territory community on Christmas homage, at his official residence in Abuja: “the party nominated me and I will contest.
“We are watching the Independent National Electoral Commission very seriously and we are going out very soon we will go from geo-political zone to geo-political zone, to remind the people of our promises in 2015; three fundamental things, security, because you have to secure the country before you can govern it and talking about what we have done regarding securing the country, the people of the North-east know better. “The three fundamental things we campaigned with are still very relevant.
“On improving the economy, which we are still going to explore, we have done well in agriculture, and those who embraced farming are not regretting it and we have also addressed unemployment and we are very lucky, through that we are now attaining food security.
“The third thing with which we will campaign is the issue of corruption. I told you what I did when I was in uniform but now when I have to go by this system (Democracy,) where people have to be arrested and then prosecuted, taken to court and then with evidence, we will collect back what they had taken illegally and for doing that, people are calling me Baba go slow. I am going slowly but whatever the case, I will not stop pointing fingers at those who have abused truest by taking money that does not belong to them. I will keep on trying to do my best for this country and get back what belongs to the country. We are doing to do the roads, revive the railway and electricity with the little resources at our disposal. Fighting Corruption, yes, we are slow because the system is slow. It’s not Baba that is slow but it is the system so I am going by this system and I hope we will make it.”
The President thanked the FCT community for the visit, and advised people in leadership positions to but the confidence of the people in the present administration.
Speaking earlier, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, who said the FCT community, was happy with the performance of President Buhari in office, pledged to support him massively for another term of office.
“We pray that God almighty to continue to grant you good health, strength, capacity, ability and patience to continue to lead us to the Promised Land. On behalf of the FCT we appreciate you for the good works you are doing for the territory, just last week you commissioned for us a new airport terminal and so many road projects that are going on in Abuja and we feel highly delighted to be hosting you here and it’s my honour on behalf of the FCT community I want to assure you that we are solidly behind you and by the grace of God we look forward to you spending another four years in the state house so that you can truly make Abuja the city of our dream because we want Abuja to be among the 20 best cities in the world in the next few years to come and I think that is possible,”the FCT Minister stated.
In his own remarks, the Primate of the Anglican Communion, Nigeria, Reverend Father Nicholas Okoh congratulated the President for overcoming his health challenges and said all citizens of the country are grateful to God for that.
The Cleric noted that the spirit of unity among followers of different religions in the Federal capital Territory is exemplary and should be replicated in all parts of the country.
He said religious leaders will continue to work for peace and harmony in order to sustain peace in the country.
The delegation comprised of religious leaders and traditional rulers as well as top functionaries of the Federal capital Territory administration.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has finally given the history of how the TraderMoni scheme started which he said, was way back during the years when President Muhammadu Buhari was Chairman of the Katsina State Development Foundation.
He said that at that time, Buhari gave soft loans and micro-credits to people to assist them in their respective businesses. Professor Osinbajo, who spoke at the Family Chats yesterday, Sunday and today, Monday, in Lagos and Abuja respectively, said that the Buhari administration will continue to maximize the country’s huge resources for the benefit of the common man. “President Muhammadu Buhari said, ‘I will fight corruption, I’m for the common man. I’m for the man in the street.’ I don’t know if you have heard about TraderMoni, the loans we are giving to petty traders. He (President) was chairman of Katsina (State Development) Foundation, where they were doing the same thing – giving poor people loans, credits, so that they will be able to do their businesses. He then told me, when we came into office, that we must do the same thing for all Nigerian traders.” The Vice President said Nigeria is undergoing a rebuilding process under the Buhari administration, adding: “the message from President Muhammadu Buhari is that our country is going to the next level. We are going to do better and better. We are going to use the money of Nigeria to help Nigerians. So that traders would have more money for their businesses, so that every Nigerian can prosper. Mr. President has said that he will not allow a situation where people steal our money. That’s why we are not going back to the past, our money must be used for Nigerians. That’s why we have schemes like TraderMoni, MarketMoni, and our Social Investment Programmes.”
The Vice President said that Nigeria would be great as President Buhari is ensuring the right foundations are built for the country’s long-term prosperity. “When you are building a foundation, things will be hard. When you are not importing everything, things will be hard. We all know. But things will be better because it is an honest man who is there and the building process is still ongoing. Our country will be great. God has provided for this country a lot of resources, but it must go round. Everybody must be able to take so that there would be education, health, houses for people.”
The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, has confirmed that a total of $5.4 billion dollars has so far been paid to states by the Federal Government for settlement of the Paris Club Refund.
The minister, who spoke to news men today, Monday in Abuja on the state of the economy, said that the Paris Club Refund was released to states in phases based on some conditions, which included that salaries and staff related arrears must be paid as a priority.
She said that there must be commitment by all states to the commencement of the repayment of Budget Support Loans granted in 2016 and clearing of amounts due to the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative.
Zainab Ahmed said that the Federal Government had also settled inherited debts despite the revenue shortfall experienced within the last three years.
The finance minister said aside the 5.4 billion dollars used to pay states over deductions made from the Paris Club debt, 6.8 billion dollars was used to settle Joint Venture Cash Call obligations.
She said that contractors being owed N1.9 trillion under the Export Expansion Grants were on the verge of being settled, adding that about N488 billion spent by state governments on road projects had also been paid.
She said that as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure all pensioners get their entitlements, the ministry had released N54 billion to settle outstanding pension arrears in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
She noted that the government had settled pension claims up to March 2017.
Zainab Ahmed announced that the federal government had agreed to pay about N571 million as gratuity to 175 retired police officers affected by the Biafra war.
In the area of expenditure performance, the finance minister said that in 2018, despite the revenue shortfall, the federal government had been able to pay salaries and fully service its debt obligations.
She said as at December 21, 2019, the ministry had released overhead funding for seven months, while N995 billion had been released for capital projects.
She expressed optimism that the ministry would perform better during the rest of the budget year by driving up revenue generation to improve the fiscal space for spending.
To increase revenue, she said the federal government would be implementing more public financial management reforms.
“We will improve collaboration between our revenue collection agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Inland Revenue Service and other trade partners, to share information and intelligence that will help improve revenue and make collections more efficient.
“Under my tenure as the Finance Minister, I intend to continue championing such digitalisation transformation initiatives that have proven to be a good way forward for our revenue generation drive.”
When asked what are some of the taxes that would be affected by the planned increase in tax rate, the minister said that the government would from next year begin the implementation of taxes on luxury items.
“We are exploring the way to increase taxes as well as reduce taxes in some sectors.
“For Small and Medium Enterprises, what will happen is to reduce taxes. But there are some special taxes that we will be looking at imposing.
“For example, luxury taxes. If you have a private jet, we will be taxing you especially for that. If you have a yacht, we will be charging you for that and also in terms of excise duties there are also some new areas where excise duties will be introduced.
“We haven’t got all the approvals but one of the major areas might be that of carbonated drinks produced in the country,” she said.
Zainab Ahmed also said that the government had also recorded an increase in the number of registered tax payers from 10 million in 2015 to about 19 million in 2018 under the Joint Tax Board.
On the whistle blower policy, Ahmed said that the Federal Government had recovered over N8.5 billion and 465 million dollars, among others, from 1,051 investigations conducted from tip offs received.
She also said that through the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme, over N35 billion was recovered while significant increase was also recorded in the country’s tax base.
In the area of fiscal collaboration with state governments, the finance minister said that the federal government had provided budget support to states with a release of N1.9 trillion.
This, she noted, was to enable the state governments meet their salary and pension obligations, especially in the face of dwindling oil revenues over the last two years.
Earlier, Fowler, who also spoke at the briefing, said that out of the 2,000 property of corporate entities identified early this year that were not paying taxes, 561 of them had come forward to make payments.
He said 116 companies claimed not to own any of these properties, adding that 30 of them had actually written to the FIRS that the property in question do not belong to them.
Fowler said based on the law, the property would be taken over by the government.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has presented the 2019 Appropriation Bill of N480 billion to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.
Presenting the 2019 Appropriation Bill to the House today, Monday, Governor Wike said the strategic thrust for the budget is to promote economic growth and diversification, create jobs and reduce unemployment as well as to take as many of Rivers people out of poverty and improve the standard of living of Rivers State.
The budget is premised on an oil price bench mark of 55 United States Dollars per barrel, which is 5 dollars lower than that of the Federal Government.
The 2019 Rivers State Budget is Christened: “Budget of Sustainable Growth and Development.”
The governor proposed N323, 288,970,085.00 as capital expenditure, while Recurrent Expenditure will gulp N157, 122,354,564.15.
“The capital allocation of 323,288,970,085.00 for the 2019 fiscal year represents 65 per cent of the total budget. This sum is however less than the figure for 2018 by N57, 708,717,319.00 due to the reduction in the total size of the 2019 budget as against that of 2018.”
He said because the 2019 Appropriation Bill has set priorities for human capital development and infrastructural provision, a substantial part of the capital budget is allocated to the Ministries of Agriculture; Education; Employment Generation and Empowerment; Health; Sports Development; Women Affairs; Works; and Youth Development.
The governor proposed N72, 911,765,640.21 billion naira for the construction and improvement of the State’s road network and transport infrastructure.
“This sum, which constitutes about 24 per cent of the total capital budget, will be utilized to continue with the funding of the construction and completion of roads.”
The sectoral allocation of the capital budget is as follows: (Proposed) Administration Sector; N17, 820,704,443.79 ,Economic Sector: N99, 053,565,640.20 ; Law and Justice Sector; N 4,350,000,000.00; Social Sector; N127, 292,200,000.00 and ; Special Heads, N50, 347,500,000.00; Loan Repayments , N24, 425,000,000.00.
Governor Wike said the following roads will be completed in 2019. They include: the dualization of Kira – Sakpenwa – Bori – Kono road; the Andoni – Opobo Unity road; the Oyigbo town – Ebete road; Tema – Ifoko road the Mbano camp road; Eleme – Obete road; Eteo – Sime – Bayayira-Nonwa-Kira road; Rumuji – Ibaa – obele – isiokpo road; Akabuka – Omoku road; Flyover bridge at Garisson Junction abd Abonnema ring road.
Others are: Abua-Degema – Emoh-Iyak-Ighom-Elok road; Ula Ehuda – Odioku – Anwunugboko – Ubeta – Ihuechi – Odiereke road; Rumuche road in Emouha Local Government Area; Flyover bridge at Rumuokwuta roundabout; Flyover bridge at University of Port Harcourt Junction Ahoada – Odiemerenyi – Ihugbogo-odieke road; Isiodu roads , Ahoada – Ekpena road; Omoku-Aligwu-Kreigani-Oduoboburu road, Odieku internal roads; Bolo internal roads; Rumukpakani internal roads; and Umuogba – Umuokpurukpu – Umueke – Umunju Umuelechi – Eberi roundabout link road.
Governor Wike proposed the sum of N17,112,000,000.00 for the Bureau for Special Projects to fund the completion of land reclamation at Bakana in Degema Local Government Area, land reclamation at Abalama in Asari Toru Local Government Area; land reclamation and shore protection at Kula in Akuku Toru Local Government Area; the Secretariat buildings for Trade Union Congress, Nigeria Labour Congress, National Union of Rivers State Students and Rivers State Students Union Government; and the Fruit Garden market in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
The governor stated the administration allocated the sum of N25, 300,000,000.00 to fund healthcare delivery in the State. He said key projects in the sector will be completed and delivered in 2019.
Governor Wike said his administration will continue to give security of lives and property all the attention that it deserves in spite of the obvious lack of cooperation from the Federal Government.
“The sum of 18,000,000,000.00 has been proposed to fund all aspects of securing and keeping Rivers State safe, peaceful and secure, including the operationalization of the recently established State Neighbourhood Safety Corps programme.
“The Neighbourhood Safety Corps programme is very dear to us as a government. Apart from the number of youths that it will employ, the programme has the potential to enhance our collective security. And so we are prepared to do whatever it will take to ensure its implementation in the course of 2019.″
Governor Wike noted that the sum of N4, 350,000,000.00 only has been proposed for the Law and Justice sector to further strengthen and enhance the justice delivery system in the State.
For the recurrent expenditure, Governor Wike proposed to spend as follows: Personnel Emolument, N79, 585,058,808.60; Overhead N 17, 025,380,000.00; Pension N33,000,000,000.00 and Others N27,511,915,255.55.
Through the recurrent proposals, Governor Wike accommodated the expected new minimum wage for the state and the handling of the pension challenges facing the state.
Governor Wike said: ” With this, the State Government will be in a position to pay the minimum wage whenever the National Assembly approves it. We also made provisions for staff promotion arrears and new recruitments into the State’s civil service.
“The sum of 33,000,000,000.00 is proposed for the settlement of pension liabilities. The challenge about the plight of pensioners has lingered for too long and we are determined to tackle it this time around. Certainly, our senior citizens deserve better treatment than what they are presently getting.”
The 2019 Rivers State Budget will be financed as follows: Internally Generated Revenue N120, 492,891,302.00 ,Statutory Allocation; N73, 169,813,022.00 : 13% oil minerals fund; N145, 070,991,780.00 ;Value Added Tax; N26, 377,628,543.00 ;Refunds ; N27, 337,926,155.08 ;Local Credits; N45, 000,000,000.00 ;International Credits ;N30, 000,000,000.00; Capital receipts; N300, 000,000.00 Exchange gain ;N8, 000,000,000.00 Prior year Balance ; N4, 662,073,844.92: N480, 411,324,647,00
Governor Wike said for the 2018 Budget as at November 2018, total revenue receipts from all sources (except internal and external loans) stood at 288,721,423,336, which represents about 79 per cent performance on the revenue side with respect to the totally projected IGR and FAAC receipts for 2018.
The governor said that the aggregate capital releases to MDAs as at November 2018 stood at over 65 per cent of the total capital expenditure.
Governor Wike said despite inheriting a collapsed economy from the immediate past APC administration in the state, his administration has revived the state’s economy.
“We came in with a clear vision and mission: a vision to repair and renew the promise of our State; a mission to pull our people from the cesspool of despair and restore our hopes for brighter future.
” Three and half years after, we have substantially achieved our commitments on all directions of human advancement.
“Under our watch, Rivers State has emerged from the brink of economic disaster to an era of fiscal sustainability. Today, our Gross Domestic product has increased and our economy is growing at a rate above the national average and attracting new investments even when the national economy continues to be weak, wobbly and troubling.
“Under our guardianship, we have invested at record levels to provide critical social and economic infrastructure across the State; especially roads, schools, and health facilities.
“In the process, we created hundreds of thousands of jobs across the construction value chain.”
He said the 2019 budget is intended to consolidate on the administration’s achievements and enable it to put the State on an irreversible path to sustainable economic growth and development.
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said the House will give the budget the required consideration in the interest of the state.
He noted that the House has already approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, which will form the basis of the budget’s consideration.
The budget passed through its first reading after the State Governor laid the budget on the table.
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‘‘When I was going fast I was arrested so why should I go fast again. It is not Baba that is slow, it is the system.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he will soon start his Presidential campaign across the Six geographical zones of the country.
