President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that he will respect the will of Nigeria as they will be expressing in their vote in the 2019 general elections.
“I have told the heads of the security agencies not to be partisan, but to do their work professionally, and allow the will of the people to prevail.”
President Buhari, who spoke today, Monday when he received in audience at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, a delegation from International Republican and National Democratic Institute, United States of America, stressed that his government will creat a level playing field for all contestants into political offices.
“I am glad you are here to assess our pre-election preparations. It reminds me of the visit by the then Secretary of State, John Kerry, before the 2015 polls. We appreciate the concern of America for stability in developing countries.
“Having run for president three times, ending up at the Supreme Court all three times, before God and technology made a way for me the fourth time, I know what it is to be cheated at the polls.
“What they used to do was just to award votes, and tell anyone who was dissatisfied to go to court. But we won’t do that. I am prepared to give the opposition the opportunities I was not given in the past.”
The President said that the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) would keep faith with its priorities of securing the country, reviving the economy, and fighting corruption.
He expressed happiness that the opposition has not been able to successfully fault the focal areas of the government.
“We have done fairly well in the areas we focused on. We know how many local government areas in the North-east were under Boko Haram occupation before we came.
“That does not happen again, save for cowardly attacks, using young girls as suicide bombers. Other areas of security challenge like farmers/herdsmen clashes are receiving attention, and would be sorted out as much as possible.”
On the Electoral Bill that was not assented to, the President said: “time is against us. We are extremely vulnerable, and need to be careful that messages are not hijacked and figures tampered with, while being transmitted electronically. Even the Russians were accused of tampering with American election, so we will remain conventional, and use electronic transmission in subsequent elections.”
The leader of the American delegation, Ambassador Linda-Thomas Greenfield, said that they had met with the media, civil society, and political parties, and concerns expressed include fears of security agencies being partisan in the forthcoming elections, suspected non-commitment to free and fair elections by key stakeholders, delayed budget for the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the non-signing of the new Electoral Bill.
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has described President Muhammadu Buhari as his brother.
Atiku, on his official Twitter page today, Monday to felicitate with Buhari on his 76th birthday, wrote: “I wish President Buhari a happy birthday even as my family and I pray for long life for him.
“Despite the fact that we will meet at the polls soon, I very much affirm that we are brothers born from the womb of One Nigeria Happy Birthday.”
This was even as the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) as party, also congratulated President Buhari on his 76th birthday, saying that at the age of 76, Buhari has attained a father-figure position and should do everything to respect the aspirations and will of the Nigerian people on all issues, particularly as the nation heads for the 2019 general elections.
The party asked the President to leave a lasting legacy by doing all within his powers to ensure that the nation he leads knows peace; to ensure that rules are obeyed and that the sensibilities of the people, in their diversities are fully respected.
In a statement, the party’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said that the 2019 general elections placed a heavy responsibility on the shoulders of President Buhari.
It charged the President to guarantee peaceful, credible, free and fair elections, particularly, the presidential election, even as it also asked the President to ensure that all electoral laws and rules are obeyed and that opposition members are not molested; that the amendment to the Electoral Act is signed; as well as to declare like his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan did in 2015, that his 2019 re-election ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.
“If President Buhari looks at the state of the nation today, he will discover, and we believe he is aware, that the situation has become horrendous for the average Nigerian.
“Therefore, the PDP urges President Buhari to use this occasion to reflect on his administration and do all to ensure that posterity does not remember him for violation of human rights, suppression of opposition and dissenting voices; disobedience to court orders, nepotism and divisiveness; escalation of violence, bloodletting and concealment of corruption under his administration.
“In all, the best gift President Buhari can give Nigerians is, having openly agreed that he lacks the capacity to manage our economy, to allow a credible election to enable Nigerians to vote our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who understands the nuances of our national challenges and who has a blue print for economy recovery, to come and turn things around for all our people, while he withdraws to Daura for a well-deserved rest.
“On this note, the PDP congratulates President Buhari as he turns 76 and prays that the Almighty Allah grant him good health and many more years ahead”.
It’s been my joy and honour to serve our country, Nigeria, for most of my life.
As I turned 76 today, I am deeply grateful for all the prayers, goodwill messages and encouragement from Nigerians and friends, at home and abroad.
Life is better lived together in peace, unity and prosperity.
In all, I give glory to almighty Allah for mercies, and thanks to Nigerians for counting me worthy to serve them. It is something I have rededicated myself to, and will do to the very best of my ability.
Nigeria has all the potentials for greatness. Our greatness as individuals will only derive from Nigeria’s greatness. So, on this special day, I commit myself again to the task of taking our country to greater heights, and invite you to partner with me in that worthy cause.
Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Funds (SPIPRPP), Chief Okoi Obono Obla, has said that the names of 39 Nigerian treasury looters have been submitted to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for the purpose of restricting their movement out of the country.
Okoi Obla, who spoke to news men in Abuja today, Monday, said that the action was in accordance with the provisions of the Executive Order No 6 of 2018.
Though, details of the list was not made public, the panel said that it contained those currently under its investigation, including the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma; former Senate President, David Mark; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and the Tunsa brothers (Tijani Tunsa and Ibrahim Tunsa) among others.
Okio Obla said: “the Presidential Panel has requested the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to place a travel ban on some persons who are alleged to have abused their offices and looted our commonwealth.”
He said that the panel, in partnership with the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), is investigating some Nigerians allegedly implicated in the Paradise Panama Papers, adding that “findings will be made available to Nigerians in due course.
“The panel is investigating the Tumsah brothers: Tijani Tumsah (Vice Chairman, Presidential Initiative on North East) and Ibrahim Tumsah (Director, Finance and Accounts, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing) for alleged abuse of office, corruption and possession of unaccounted suspicious wealth beyond their legitimate earnings.
“The Panel has recovered an assortment of 86 brand-new luxury and sophisticated cars from the duo; 23 of those vehicles are bullet-proof without the requisite permits.
“Also recovered from them are several choice properties, located in highbrow areas of Abuja and a quarry in Kuje, the Federal Capital Territory. The panel has since obtained an interim order of forfeiture from FCT High Court in Abuja in respect of these properties.
“In a counter move, typical of corruption fighting back, the duo recently approached Court of Appeal that held that the panel does not have power to obtain interim forfeiture from the FCT High Court pursuant to the EFCC Act but from the Federal High Court pursuant to the recovery of public property (special provision) Act 2004 which has mischievously been misinterpreted and deliberately propagated by the appellants to mean that this panel has no power to prosecute any matter in any court. Some of these other pronouncements obviously reached ‘per incuriam’ have been challenged at the Supreme Court. The investigation of these two brothers continues.
On the recovery of properties, the panel said that it had recovered 18 Innoson SUV vehicles from former commissioners of National Population Commission (NPC) who unilaterally appropriated to themselves their assigned official vehicles at the end of their tenures.
He said that there is another recovery of over N43 billion unserviceable loans for the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).
“The SPIP, in collaboration with the FMBN, has recovered for the bank previously unserviceable loans in excess of 43 billion. This recovery is expected to boost the bank’s capacity and re-position it to better perform its statutory role of facilitating the provision of housing for all Nigerians.”
“The panel received intelligence on sharp practices at NEXIM Bank, and proceeded to investigate.
“Findings revealed that rather than promote export and import activities, the previous management of NEXIM Bank, in connivance with persons of similar fraudulent disposition engaged insider illegalities and embezzlement to the tune of Thirty-three million, two hundred thousand Naira (N523,200,000) cash and land valued at N 1.5 billion recovered from Aso Bank to Nexim Bank. We have also secured a commitment from the culprits to pay back the balance. We will give you updates as the need arises.”
Journalists covering news around the Presidency, under the umbrella of State House Press Corps, today, Monday December 17, joined other operatives in the Presidency to celebrate with President Muhammadu Buhari who turned 76. The press corps presented the President with a giant birthday greeting card. Second from Buhari’s right is his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina and directly behind Adesina (with cap), is the Editor In Chief of Greenbarge Reporters, Yusuf Ozi-Usman.
President Muhammadu Buhari, flanked by Presidential Aides, among who are Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari (to his left), Permanent Secretary, State House, Jalal Arabi (to his right), Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina (second from right), Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu (at the extreme right), and that on Domestic and Social Events, Sarki Abba (third from right) and others at the State House in Abuja to mark the 76 birthday of the President.
“That’s him, that’s him,” the two old women, wrinkled and bent with age, exclaimed.
You could see wonderment and fulfillment in their eyes. And as if on cue, they both began to cry.
It was in Bauchi earlier this year.
President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting to commiserate with the people on the ravages of windstorm, which had destroyed many homes and other property. As he waved at the tumultuous crowd, the two women saw him, perhaps for the first time in their lives. And so great was their satisfaction, their pure joy, that they began to cry.
That is the kind of emotion that courses through millions and millions of Nigerians when they behold their President, the honest man (mai gaskiya), the man of integrity, man of accountability, one whose word you can take to the bank. The man who loves them, and they love and trust in return.
Don’t misunderstand me. Not all estimated 196 million Nigerians share this sentiment. Not possible. There are those who are passionately opposed to the President. They are a very vocal minority, who abhor his integrity, hate his sense of accountability, and even want him dead. But we are not talking about those who Fela Anikulapo-Kuti called “opposite people.” On this day of his 76th birthday, we are talking of the teeming masses who love Buhari, and who can go to the ends of the earth for him.
Why do they love Buhari? Or better still, why do we love Buhari? The old, the young, men, women, boy, girl, the strong, the infirm. Why do we love the tall man from Daura? For many reasons.
I have said it before, and say it again. It will take a while before Nigeria will see another political leader with such ability to pull an unsolicited and uninduced crowd like Muhammadu Buhari. Anywhere he goes, he doesn’t have to procure the crowd. They turn out in their numbers to see and hear him. They will trek from Africa to China, walk from Cape Town to Cairo, all to see, hear and cheer the man they love.
Why?
Many reasons. He is an honest man. My father, that stern educationist, who ran the home and the schools he administered with an iron hand, used to tell us: “Honesty is the best policy.” That was true over 50 years ago when he drummed it into our ears, and it is still true today. And will remain true tomorrow, and forever. That is why we love Buhari. He is an honest man, who will tell the truth to his own hurt.
At a recent meeting with governors, while discussing the seemingly knotty issue of minimum wage, the President told them to level with him. He said he knew that general elections were by the corner, “but I don’t like to lie to anybody. I will still like to tell Nigerians the truth, and nothing but the truth, as to what we can truly afford to pay.” Consultations are still ongoing.
Some people will give you fibs, just because they want to hoodwink you, and get your votes. They will announce that they’ve increased the salaries of fictitious workers, even when truly they are owing many of their employees. But not President Buhari. Nothing for him is a matter of life and death. Truth is the best thing in a man’s keeping. Make yourself an honest man, and there is one rascal less in the world. That is why we love the man.
Accountability. I will never forget a promise Buhari made to the crowd at a campaign rally in Lagos in 2011, when he ran with Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly. Two honest men. “Every kobo that comes into the treasury will be used for the good of Nigerians.” That’s the accountable man, who would not dip his hands into the treasury for private gains, who will not line his pocket at the expense of the people. That is why we love him.
Just over a week ago, I met a man who was an accountant at the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), when the then Gen. Buhari was chairman. Executive Chairman, who could do anything he wanted, since the place was awash with billions of petrol money.
“I told him his salary would be N200,000 monthly,” the man recounted. “He said it was too much, since he still drew pension from public coffers as a retired General and former head of state. I don’t know how he calculated it, but he said he would rather be paid N84,000 monthly. And that was what he earned.”
Yet some people say don’t follow this honest man. Till he has one tooth left in his mouth, and is bent double over his walking stick, we will, no matter what they say. Honesty is still the best policy. Today, tomorrow, and forever.
See all the positions he has held in this country. Governor of North-east, then made up of what is now six states. Minister of Petroleum for over three years. Head of State for 20 months. Chairman of PTF for many years. Yet he remains a man of modest means. That is why we love him.
In the early days of this administration, when oil prices had crashed to as low as 39 dollars per barrel (from as high as 115 in preceding years, stabilizing at over $100 for a long time, yet we had no savings, no reserves), it was usually a spectacle to see the President and the then Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, seated and apportioning funds for the week. Depending on what was in the coffers, they prioritized spending, just like traders with low capital base.
Nigeria had been run into a hole. No reserve for the rainy day, and we were being badly beaten by the rain. Yet salaries must be paid as at when due. At least 27 states could not meet their obligations, till President Buhari gave them a lifeline. And then, one day, a counsel was given at a meeting: “This is the time to ideally cut the strength of the federal civil service by at least half, as we may not be able to carry the load for long.” It made a lot of fiscal sense. But to the President, it was nonsense. “If it lies within my powers, I will ensure that no single person loses his or her job. Yes, it may be the right thing to do, looking at the state of our finances, but I won’t do it,” President Buhari said.
And you say we shouldn’t love this President? We will love him till Africa and China meet.
A confederacy has arrayed itself against the honest man. A crooked confederacy. Anybody that is anybody in the pantheon of questionable character is there. Are Nigerians fools? After their eyes have been opened, will they willfully afflict themselves with blindness again? Not on their lives! The country will never go back to the slave market. Not after we have known prudence, experienced accountability, and we are are inching out of the morass in which we were soused and marooned.
For more than five decades, mere lip service was paid to diversification of the economy. But we remained a mono-product country. Oil. So, whenever the price of oil crashed in the international market, we simply crashed with it. Now gradually, and inexorably, we are on the road to a diversified economy. Wonders are being done in agriculture. Mining is flexing muscles. Manufacturing is showing prospects. All in less than four years.
What of infrastructure? The sum of N2.7 trillion spent in two years. The roads are roaring to life. The rail is snaking in. Power is powering back. Wonders are being unfolded in different parts of the country. And we shouldn’t love this President? We will, no matter what the naysayers say.
Hear pensioners rejoice: This is the best administration we’ve had since the advent of Contributory Pension Scheme 14 years ago.
Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State spoke at a meeting of governors with the President last Friday. He said since the creation of the state, this was the first time pensioners were being paid, adding that pension liabilities have been cleared by about 40%. Just because there is a President that cares.
Former Nigeria Airways workers. Railway workers. Former Biafran policemen. And many others, have had their pensions paid. And we shouldn’t love the ‘birthday man?’ They should tell it to the marines.
When you have a heart for men, it is God himself that keeps you alive. We have seen a practical demonstration in President Buhari. From the brink of death early 2017, there is now an unmistakable glow in him, evidence of good health from the inside. It is God at work. No wonder wicked people came with the idiocy of Jubril of Sudan. Otiose. Hollow. Products of addled minds. That was why we ignored them, till the President himself responded to a question from Nigerians in Poland two weeks ago.
And you know what? Our love for this President is at no cost. No charge. Whether we work for him, and for him, or we don’t, the real cost of our love is no charge.
Do you know that classic song, No Charge, made popular by Shirley Caesar and Sonia Spence? It told the story of a small boy who decided to charge his mum for all that he considered favours he had done her.
“For mowing the yard, five dollars
And for making my own room this week, one dollar
For going to the store, 50 cents
And playing with little brother while you went shopping, 25 cents
Taking out the trash, one dollar
And for getting a good report card, five dollars
For raking the yard, two dollars
Total owed, fourteen seventy-five.”
The woman looked at her son, standing there expectantly. Then she collected the paper from him, and wrote on it:
“For the nine months I carried you,
Growing inside me, no charge
For the nights I sat up with you
Doctored you, prayed for you, no charge
For the time and tears, and the cost through the years, no charge When you add it all up, the full cost of my love is no charge.”
For millions upon millions of Nigerians who love this President, it is an unconditional love. The full cost of our love is no charge. Happy birthday, Mr President.
-Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has admitted that President Muhammadu Buhari has always been giving his best whenever he is called to serve Nigeria.
In a goodwill message to Buhari today, Sunday, on the occasion of his 76th birthday, Jonathan thanked God for blessing President Buhari with the grace of a long life, saying that he has contributed so much to the development of Nigeria, having served the nation in different capacities.
“Yours has been a life of great service to our dear nation, having served as a brave soldier, Governor, Minister of Petroleum, Head of State, and now President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Ex-President Jonathan, who highlighted Buhari’s patriotism and deep commitment to Nigeria’s development, prayed to God to grant the President good health and more productive years.
“I join you, your family, well-wishers and fellow Nigerians to give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of a long life.
“I wish you good health and more productive years, as you continue to lend your skills and energy to the task of building a Nigeria of our dreams.”
Some Nigerians have reacted to the Vice Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, who continually made references to the booming economy of China, saying that if Obi and his master, Atiku Abubakar would have been executed for corruption.
Here are some reactions from Twitter:
@Ezeasukwu “The Truth remains that in China corruption is death sentence. Many of them would have been a forgotten story by now.”
@Mustaphamainaum “Throughout Peter Obi’s explanation in the debate, he was giving emphasis on China and Malaysia.
“Is Peter Obi aware that he and Atiku could have been executed in China for siphoning money from the public purse?
@Ogundamisi “Peter Obi should we really go the way of China? Saw you did not tell us what they do to corrupt people in China? Will Atiku approve?
@Prof_Blu “I was expecting him to name one of the right things but he never said any. All he kept saying is China. Someone needs to remind Obi that in China people like his principal Atiku would have been hanged.”
@4eyedmonk “Peter Obi’s persistence on using China as his examples is fraudulent. China is close to being the biggest economy in the world; the whole of Africa’s circumstance does not allow you do that.
“It is easy to drop their big figures and seem like you are making a point.”
@Karovoni “Peter Obi is always using China as an example but one of the reasons China was able to achieve what they did was having a strong stance against corruption, they executed corrupt officials.
“Let’s not even start to talk about Atiku’s love for corruption.”
@Lanrrub90 “Peter Obi keeps comparing China GDP with Nigerian GDP, China investment to Nigerian investment, China production to Nigerian production but dude never mentioned China death sentence to corrupt public officers to buttress his point.”
@Mr._Jags “I suggest that President Buhari should appoint Peter Obi as Nigeria’s Ambassador to China during his second term following the VP debate.”
@Isaozo “Peter Obi keeps referencing China. My own is are you ready for us to do what China did to get to where they are? Because if we do, Your Atiku won’t stay alone to be president.
“They fought corruption in China by executing corrupt leaders of which your boss USA major culprit.”
@Myoluwaseun2014 “Peter Obi and his Chinese theory is annoying, China is where they are today because looters are sentenced to death.”
Peter Obi, during the Vice Presidential television debate on Friday night, severally compared China’s economy to that of Nigeria, saying that Nigeria lost four million jobs in a six-month period, while China created 10 million jobs within same period.
“If you look at what China has been able to do with SMEs, SMEs in China is contributing to 60 per cent of their GDP. And 60 per cent of China’s GDP is 7.2tn (dollars), which is 18 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP.
“China today, using the same SMEs, is guaranteeing 10 million jobs annually. Half of this year alone, China has produced 7.2 million jobs, which is over 40 per cent of their target. Within the same period, Nigeria lost four million jobs.”
The debate which featured only five parties was organized by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria.
Nigeria Police has warned that it will apply the full weight of the law on any individuals or groups found to be engaged in hate speeches, indecent and criminal defamatory conducts that can cause threat to public peace and safety anywhere in the Country during the campaigns towards the 2019 general elections.
In a statement today, Sunday, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood said that the Police will not tolerate any form of political thuggery, intimidation, demonstration of violent conducts and over dramatization of political fans that can precipitate political clashes and jeopardize prevailing peace in any State from any Political Party or Politicians.
“State Commissioners of Police are to effect arrest and immediately prosecute any party member or supporters in possession of firearms or dangerous weapons during political campaigns and rallies in their respective States.
The statement said that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has warned Assitant Inspectors General and Commissioners of Police across the Country, Senior Police Officers and other personnel not to engage in political partisanship or bias but to remain focus and provide security for all throughout the period of campaign and the general elections.
“The Force will continue to be neutral and ensure level playing ground in terms of security, and therefore will not tolerate any attempt by any political party or other group(s) or individual(s) to link the operation of the Force in partisanship with any political party or affiliate.
“Parents and Guidance, Traditional/Religious Leaders, Public Office Holders are hereby implored to monitor their children, wards, subjects and adherent to be law abiding and resist to be used to cause disturbance of public peace and violation of law and order during the period of the campaigns and beyond.
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris has given officers and men strict orders to implement robust and elaborate security arrangement to ensure a hitch-free Christmas and New Year Celebration and adequate security for all political parties in the on-going Political rallies and campaigns across the Country.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood said that the officers were asked to pay particular work out prevention and detection strategies, and take measures aimed at ensuring adequate security throughout the Period of Christmas and New Year Celebrations festivities.
“Security Threat Assessment and deployment of Police personnel to flash points and vulnerable areas have been carried out to prevent and nip in the bud any form of inter-party frictions, political thuggery and clashes that can lead to disturbance of public peace anywhere in the Country.
“The comprehensive crime prevention and detection strategies and other operational measures will include the commencement of intensive raids of identified criminal hideouts, black spots and flash points across the Country.
“The Inspector General of Police further directs the Commissioners of Police and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police to be on ground to ensure adequate Safety of lives and property of all Nigerians during and after the period.
“The IGP has re-emphasized same directives to all Commanders of Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) to ensure deployments of their personnel under the supervision of the Commissioners of police in the States and the FCT to flash points and crisis spots in the various commands across the Country.
“In addition, Police Special Forces and specialized units of the Force, including Special Tactical Squad, Special Protection Unit, Border Patrol and Explosive Ordinance Department have been adequately mobilized and deployed along with the conventional Policemen to beef up security in their Area of Responsibilities (AOR) to ensure safety of lives and property throughout the period of Christmas and New Year celebration and beyond.
“Police Federal Highway Patrol Teams, Safer Highway Teams, Divisional Patrol Teams and other tactical squads have been mandated and are under strict instruction to be polite, civil but strict in ensuring security and safety of travellers and other road users on all the highways and major roads throughout the country.
“The motor traffic divisions of the Force in every State are to ensure free flow of traffic throughout the highways and major roads in the Country. They are to enforce the road traffic act in totality.
“The Inspector General of Police has equally directed the Assistant Inspector General of Police and Commissioners of Police to ensure that no roadblock is mounted anywhere in the country, including those by revenue agencies who are prohibited by law not to obstruct any road or highway under the guise of collecting revenue. CPs and AIGs to ensure visibility police and crime prevention patrols in their Area of Responsibilities (AOR) throughout the country, this is to make sure that safety and free passage for all travellers nationwide are guaranteed.
“The personnel of the Force will be on 24Hours round-the-clock surveillance and robust vehicular patrols throughout the Yuletide and the New Year. Particular attention and adequate police deployment will also be carried out on places of worship and venues of celebration including strategic public places, recreation centres, shopping malls, business plazas, motor parks, Government installations and other important locations so as to forestall any criminal activity and guarantee the safety of the citizenry.
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President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that he will respect the will of Nigeria as they will be expressing in their vote in the 2019 general elections.
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has described President Muhammadu Buhari as his brother.
Journalists covering news around the Presidency, under the umbrella of State House Press Corps, today, Monday December 17, joined other operatives in the Presidency to celebrate with President Muhammadu Buhari who turned 76. The press corps presented the President with a giant birthday greeting card. Second from Buhari’s right is his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina and directly behind Adesina (with cap), is the Editor In Chief of Greenbarge Reporters, Yusuf Ozi-Usman.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has admitted that President Muhammadu Buhari has always been giving his best whenever he is called to serve Nigeria.
Buhari At 76: Why We Love This President, By Femi Adesina
“That’s him, that’s him,” the two old women, wrinkled and bent with age, exclaimed.
You could see wonderment and fulfillment in their eyes. And as if on cue, they both began to cry.
It was in Bauchi earlier this year.
President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting to commiserate with the people on the ravages of windstorm, which had destroyed many homes and other property. As he waved at the tumultuous crowd, the two women saw him, perhaps for the first time in their lives. And so great was their satisfaction, their pure joy, that they began to cry.
That is the kind of emotion that courses through millions and millions of Nigerians when they behold their President, the honest man (mai gaskiya), the man of integrity, man of accountability, one whose word you can take to the bank. The man who loves them, and they love and trust in return.
Don’t misunderstand me. Not all estimated 196 million Nigerians share this sentiment. Not possible. There are those who are passionately opposed to the President. They are a very vocal minority, who abhor his integrity, hate his sense of accountability, and even want him dead. But we are not talking about those who Fela Anikulapo-Kuti called “opposite people.” On this day of his 76th birthday, we are talking of the teeming masses who love Buhari, and who can go to the ends of the earth for him.
Why do they love Buhari? Or better still, why do we love Buhari? The old, the young, men, women, boy, girl, the strong, the infirm. Why do we love the tall man from Daura? For many reasons.
I have said it before, and say it again. It will take a while before Nigeria will see another political leader with such ability to pull an unsolicited and uninduced crowd like Muhammadu Buhari. Anywhere he goes, he doesn’t have to procure the crowd. They turn out in their numbers to see and hear him. They will trek from Africa to China, walk from Cape Town to Cairo, all to see, hear and cheer the man they love.
Why?
Many reasons. He is an honest man. My father, that stern educationist, who ran the home and the schools he administered with an iron hand, used to tell us: “Honesty is the best policy.” That was true over 50 years ago when he drummed it into our ears, and it is still true today. And will remain true tomorrow, and forever. That is why we love Buhari. He is an honest man, who will tell the truth to his own hurt.
At a recent meeting with governors, while discussing the seemingly knotty issue of minimum wage, the President told them to level with him. He said he knew that general elections were by the corner, “but I don’t like to lie to anybody. I will still like to tell Nigerians the truth, and nothing but the truth, as to what we can truly afford to pay.” Consultations are still ongoing.
Some people will give you fibs, just because they want to hoodwink you, and get your votes. They will announce that they’ve increased the salaries of fictitious workers, even when truly they are owing many of their employees. But not President Buhari. Nothing for him is a matter of life and death. Truth is the best thing in a man’s keeping. Make yourself an honest man, and there is one rascal less in the world. That is why we love the man.
Accountability. I will never forget a promise Buhari made to the crowd at a campaign rally in Lagos in 2011, when he ran with Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly. Two honest men. “Every kobo that comes into the treasury will be used for the good of Nigerians.” That’s the accountable man, who would not dip his hands into the treasury for private gains, who will not line his pocket at the expense of the people. That is why we love him.
Just over a week ago, I met a man who was an accountant at the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), when the then Gen. Buhari was chairman. Executive Chairman, who could do anything he wanted, since the place was awash with billions of petrol money.
“I told him his salary would be N200,000 monthly,” the man recounted. “He said it was too much, since he still drew pension from public coffers as a retired General and former head of state. I don’t know how he calculated it, but he said he would rather be paid N84,000 monthly. And that was what he earned.”
Yet some people say don’t follow this honest man. Till he has one tooth left in his mouth, and is bent double over his walking stick, we will, no matter what they say. Honesty is still the best policy. Today, tomorrow, and forever.
See all the positions he has held in this country. Governor of North-east, then made up of what is now six states. Minister of Petroleum for over three years. Head of State for 20 months. Chairman of PTF for many years. Yet he remains a man of modest means. That is why we love him.
In the early days of this administration, when oil prices had crashed to as low as 39 dollars per barrel (from as high as 115 in preceding years, stabilizing at over $100 for a long time, yet we had no savings, no reserves), it was usually a spectacle to see the President and the then Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, seated and apportioning funds for the week. Depending on what was in the coffers, they prioritized spending, just like traders with low capital base.
Nigeria had been run into a hole. No reserve for the rainy day, and we were being badly beaten by the rain. Yet salaries must be paid as at when due. At least 27 states could not meet their obligations, till President Buhari gave them a lifeline. And then, one day, a counsel was given at a meeting: “This is the time to ideally cut the strength of the federal civil service by at least half, as we may not be able to carry the load for long.” It made a lot of fiscal sense. But to the President, it was nonsense. “If it lies within my powers, I will ensure that no single person loses his or her job. Yes, it may be the right thing to do, looking at the state of our finances, but I won’t do it,” President Buhari said.
And you say we shouldn’t love this President? We will love him till Africa and China meet.
A confederacy has arrayed itself against the honest man. A crooked confederacy. Anybody that is anybody in the pantheon of questionable character is there. Are Nigerians fools? After their eyes have been opened, will they willfully afflict themselves with blindness again? Not on their lives! The country will never go back to the slave market. Not after we have known prudence, experienced accountability, and we are are inching out of the morass in which we were soused and marooned.
For more than five decades, mere lip service was paid to diversification of the economy. But we remained a mono-product country. Oil. So, whenever the price of oil crashed in the international market, we simply crashed with it. Now gradually, and inexorably, we are on the road to a diversified economy. Wonders are being done in agriculture. Mining is flexing muscles. Manufacturing is showing prospects. All in less than four years.
What of infrastructure? The sum of N2.7 trillion spent in two years. The roads are roaring to life. The rail is snaking in. Power is powering back. Wonders are being unfolded in different parts of the country. And we shouldn’t love this President? We will, no matter what the naysayers say.
Hear pensioners rejoice: This is the best administration we’ve had since the advent of Contributory Pension Scheme 14 years ago.
Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State spoke at a meeting of governors with the President last Friday. He said since the creation of the state, this was the first time pensioners were being paid, adding that pension liabilities have been cleared by about 40%. Just because there is a President that cares.
Former Nigeria Airways workers. Railway workers. Former Biafran policemen. And many others, have had their pensions paid. And we shouldn’t love the ‘birthday man?’ They should tell it to the marines.
When you have a heart for men, it is God himself that keeps you alive. We have seen a practical demonstration in President Buhari. From the brink of death early 2017, there is now an unmistakable glow in him, evidence of good health from the inside. It is God at work. No wonder wicked people came with the idiocy of Jubril of Sudan. Otiose. Hollow. Products of addled minds. That was why we ignored them, till the President himself responded to a question from Nigerians in Poland two weeks ago.
And you know what? Our love for this President is at no cost. No charge. Whether we work for him, and for him, or we don’t, the real cost of our love is no charge.
Do you know that classic song, No Charge, made popular by Shirley Caesar and Sonia Spence? It told the story of a small boy who decided to charge his mum for all that he considered favours he had done her.
“For mowing the yard, five dollars
And for making my own room this week, one dollar
For going to the store, 50 cents
And playing with little brother while you went shopping, 25 cents
Taking out the trash, one dollar
And for getting a good report card, five dollars
For raking the yard, two dollars
Total owed, fourteen seventy-five.”
The woman looked at her son, standing there expectantly. Then she collected the paper from him, and wrote on it:
“For the nine months I carried you,
Growing inside me, no charge
For the nights I sat up with you
Doctored you, prayed for you, no charge
For the time and tears, and the cost through the years, no charge When you add it all up, the full cost of my love is no charge.”
For millions upon millions of Nigerians who love this President, it is an unconditional love. The full cost of our love is no charge. Happy birthday, Mr President.
-Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity.