Governors of 36 States of Nigeria have offered prayer for the return of Present Muhammadu Buhari for second term in the 2019 election.
The governors,who attended a special session of the National Economic Council (NEC) today, Friday praises the Present for not discriminating against any of them irrespective of party affiliation.
Speaking to news men shortly after the meeting, chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari said: “we came here today to thank Mr. President because in bailing out states he did not discriminate along party lines unlike in those days when you can only get audience with Mr. President if you have long leg before the issue will be raised with Minister of Finance.
“He knew that Nigerians were going to be beneficiaries of the bail out not governors. We believe without this mindset, it would have been difficult for us to govern.
“So we appreciate what he has done and we prayed for him that he will succeed to return for a second term.”
Governor Yari said that the governors came together today to rounded up the last economic council of the year, adding that they had an extended NEC to deliberate on the key issues of the economy, human capital development with focus on health and nutrition, education and workforce.
“Many issues were discussed and points were raised on the way forward because it’s not all about discussing but to also have implementation plan on ground.
“Since all the speakers spoke on health and nutrition, education and workforce, the issue of funding must be discussed as well because it is critical in the implementation plan.
“So we resolved that in the first quarter of 2019, even though it is an election year, we will not shy away from carrying out our responsibility of taking care of the interest of the next generation.
“We intend to discuss on our new way of generating revenue so that human capital development can be financed with these new sources of revenue. At our next NEC meeting, this will be discussed, digested and explained to the general public.”
On the meeting with President Buhari, Governor Yari of Zamfara State recalled so many issues that have been raised since 2015, especially on budget support, bailout fund, Paris London Club refund and infrastructure development funds.
“When Mr. President came on board, 27 states out of 36 could not pay salaries some for 13, 12, 8, 5 months respectively. Our first encounter with him, he told us that we have no business of being in power if we cannot do the basic, that is pay workers.
“So he asked that we discussed how we can support those states that cannot pay salaries so that workers will be paid. Those in the position then came up with the idea of bailing out the states so that they can pay the arrears.
“But paying the arrears was not enough because the performance of the economy at that time could not sustain the current salaries, that was how he paid the London Paris Club in batches until we exited last month. The payment of London Paris Club has been lingering for the past 12 years.”

Seventy one lawmakers in the House of Representatives have sponsored a Bill seeking to a change in the Nigeria’s system of government from presidential to parliamentary.

The Bill, which was presented by the lawmakers to the House of Representatives today, Thursday, is seeking for a constitutional amendment to change the system of government in place in the country.

The Bill, which received the support of lawmakers from different political parties in the country, has passed first reading.

The House of Representatives members are of the view that the proposed Bill will bring about harmony of government if it scales through.

“This is a way forward and it is going to solve a lot of problems in this country,” the lawmakers’ said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in the neighbouring countries of Niger and Chad, who fled their homes due to insurgency in the North East, will cast their votes in the 2019 Nigerian general elections.

The Chairman of  the electoral body, Professor Mahmud Yakubu‎, who spoke at a stakeholders validation conference on the framework for IDPs‎ voting, put together by the International Foundation for Electoral‎ Support (IFES),, said that the commission has made special provisions for the IDPs to vote in the forthcoming general elections.

He assured of INEC’s commitment to ensuring a hitch free poll in the next 64 days, while calling for support from all stakeholders to ensure the success of the polls.

UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR had said that the Lake Chad Basin region, grappling with a complex humanitarian emergency, has about 2.4 million people that have been uprooted, including over 1.9 million internally displaced (IDPs) in north-eastern Nigeria, over 471,000 IDPs in Cameroon, Chad and Niger and over 228,000 refugees.

A member of the federal House of Representatives, Hon. AdamuKamale, representing Michika/Madagali Federal Constituency of Adamawastate, had deferred with the INEC chairman, stating that 97 percent of IDPs in the state have since returned‎ to their homes.

“I can confirm to you that 97 percent of IDPs in Adamawa have since returned home. The only challenge they have is that of security.Their security needs to be guaranteed in order to enable them vote in the elections.‎”

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to reward all those who have been working hard to ensure that he and his All Progressives Congress (APC) succeed in election since 2015, even as he apologized that he had not been forthcoming all these while.

“Some of you, individuals and organizations, may be feeling disappointed because we have not been able to please everyone. I would like to assure you that this time, hard work and loyalty will be rewarded adequately.”

The President, who spoke last night, Wednesday, at the launching of his complain promotional group, known as Together Nigeria, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, acknowledged the overwhelming support he enjoyed from individuals and organizations across the country over the years.

I say thank you to all those who contributed to our successes in one way or the other. I feel happy to see people from different backgrounds coming together for a common cause such as this. I am particularly happy to be here face to face with some of our celebrities whom I only see on television.”

“Tonight’s event once again reminds me of our political struggles over the years and the support I enjoyed from many support structures such as The Buhari Organization (TBO) and Buhari Support Organization (BSO).

“I am happy that today we are not only celebrating our election victory but our numerous land mark achievements.”

He expressed gratitude to the group for educating the world about the good work and achievements of his government.

“I will like to also thank our celebrities for projecting the image of Nigeria globally and for your contributions to the development of our entertainment industries.

“To our teeming supporters across the country and beyond I say thank you for your continuing and unrelenting support.”