Primary school pupils and JSS one secondary students graduated from Dafcon Private School Pasali in Kuje Area Council of FCT today, Saturday, 8. 2018.
Mukhtasim and his mother, Matron Hajara at his graduation from Dafcon private school in Pasali, Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), today, Saturday, July 8.
Mukhtasim Baimah was one of the graduands of Dafcon private School Pasali, Kuje Area Council. [myad]
The traducers of this government are becoming increasingly vile and desperate.
It is unthinkable how anyone can see Buba Galadima as a rallying point in galvanizing an opposition to PMB’s govt. As the spokesperson of the defunct CPC, one of the legacy parties that formed APC, I am very competent to talk/ write about Buba Galadima. He is garrulous and traitorous; crude and rude; adversarial and mediaeval!
He is a very delusional bloke, who confuses or mistakes loquacity for erudition. He relishes generous control of the media space with his inimitably virulent bombast and demagogy! Without a doubt, his mastery of Hausa and Kanuri languages gives him a leverage in whipping the crowd into frenzy at political rallies. But that is how far it goes because his legendary indiscipline and nauseous narcissism easily even out whatever positives he packs as intrinsic values.
One of the notable encounters I had with him is indelibly etched on my memory:
CPC’s National Chairman, Prince Tony Momoh, instituted a weekly management committee meeting for ensuring smooth governance of the Party. In his wisdom, he ensured that each meeting commenced and ended with Islamic and Christian prayers, depending on which order was preferred. On this particular day, the meeting was to commence with Christian prayers. Pastor E. Folorunso Longe, the National Financial Secretary, an Osun state Christian, was called upon to lead the opening prayer. Just as he commenced praying, Buba Galadima also commenced a noisy telephone conversation. In a bid to put down Buba’s peculiar nuisance, Pastor Longe raised the decibel level of his voice. With sheer infernal feistiness, Buba also raised the decibel level of his already loud conversation. The atmosphere was understandably engendering high entropy.
Fortunately, Pastor Longe was sitting next to me, so it was easy for me to gently tap his shoulder; he opened his eyes and I told him, “stop praying!” He complied. Then, I turned to Buba, who sat opposite me across the table, ” Buba, please continue with your phone call. When you finish, Pastor Longe shall pray and then we start the meeting,” I intoned.
Whether it was what I said or he voluntarily did it, I noticed that Buba’s phone fell on the table. So I told him, ” since you are no longer making your call, it means Pastor Longe can continue with prayer!” We proceeded to have a successful meeting.
Prince Tony Momoh was born in 1939 and Buba Galadima in 1951, but anyone, who witnessed the irreverent and utterly pugnacious manner the national Secretary often castigated the Party’s chairman, would instantly understand the predilection of Buba to acerbic commentary.
Buba Galadima is more of political liability than asset to any group he decides to identify with.
Has anyone ever thought why, for three consecutive presidential elections, GMB never made being crowned as President while Buba Galadima held sway, but only made it in 2015 when he (Buba Galadima) was declared persona non grata from the precinct of GMB’s interests??? The answer is simple, Buba Galadima was never committed to the cause but another traitorous hypocrite! He openly and brazenly displayed the obscenity of his romance with the political adversaries of GMB. Whilst being the National Secretary of CPC, Buba Galadima rode (without prickly conscience) the Kia Sorento car, ostensibly given to him by a PDP governor!
He was unabashedly committed to trading off GMB’s goodwill for pecuniary gains. In Bauchi, Kano, Kogi, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Gombe,etc the same tales reverberate of Buba’s chicanery, in using his powerful office in changing people’s political destinies for his own gains!
Did he truly desire the merger of CPC with other legacy parties to form APC? Of course not! In meetings, he openly advanced the views that CPC could stand alone and win the Presidency! The unsuspecting listeners did not know the underpinning of crass opportunism in his position. For twelve years of his forays into constitutional democracy, GMB was held hostage as a Northern regional leader for the sole profiting of the likes of Buba Galadima. So, any attempt to give him a national appeal was rebuffed because it would disrupt the sole proprietary rights to the brand by a tiny clique!
I have often heard Buba Galadima countering the argument that it is not true that he did not want merger because his signature was in the merger document deposited with INEC. My riposte to his position is, did he really have any other choice? The stipulation of the electoral act is that, for any merger of parties to have force of the law, the National Chairman, the National Secretary and the National Treasurer of the merging parties must append their signature to the application! Gratefully, it was the Chairman of BoT of defunct CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari, who brought a memo to the Board of Trustees, canvassing the need for merger! Afterwards, a special convention of CPC was convened to ratify the position of CPC BoT! So, in all of these, did Buba Galadima really have any other choice than to concur ?
In 2014, after GMB rebuffed Buba Galadima’s entreaties for warming himself into reckoning, he ‘ported’ his support for Engr Rabiu Kwakwanso in the APC’s presidential primaries. He was obviously swayed by his cotravellers in untrammeled treachery, but could only deliver less than one-third of the votes garnered by GMB in that election. It was a crushing defeat for Buba Galadima with the vestiges of his garrulous impudence!
After that defeat, I asked what was his occupation and he said his major focus was farming. With this latest return to his natural pastime of open-ended treachery, it is obvious that another crushing and, inexorably, career-shattering defeat is ‘loading!’
God bless Nigeria.
Engr. Fashakin was former National Publicity Secretary of Defunct CPC.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammed has announced that the airlift of intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj will commence on July 21.
Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar, who spoke at the stakeholders Forum yesterday in Abuja, hinted that intending pilgrims from Kogi State will be the first set to be airlifted to the Holy Land on that day.
The NAHCON boss, who said that the Forum was meant to update all stakeholders on the preparations for the 2018 operations, said that vaccines for the inoculation of pilgrims have been made available for takeoff of the immunization activity.
He however warned state officials not to operate clinics in the accommodation facilities while in the holy land, adding that such practice is against Saudi Arabian regulations.
Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar said that national medical team, comprising 60 percent of state nominated medical staff and NAHCON’s 40 percent, is the body allowed to establish medical centers in Saudi in addition to the Saudi based ones.
He commended accommodation negotiation committee for their efforts in bringing down Hajj fares this year against all odds even as he advised state representatives to sensitize their pilgrims on the need to remain in their homes until their flights are called instead of putting themselves under pressure waiting at the Hajj camps.
The NAHCON boss said that the Saudi authorities have agreed to carry out a mobile biometric data-capturing exercise and that a firm appointed for the exercise will travel from one location to the other registering intending pilgrims instead of the previous arrangement of moving the pilgrims to designated data-capturing centers.
He therefore directed states welfare boards and agencies that have fully uploaded their pilgrims’ particulars on the Hajj e-portal to mobilize their pilgrims for the assignment, which commenced from today, June 6.
He also asked state welfare boards to indicate their readiness and ensure that they provide the biometric data capturing officials with functional offices that should be completely air-conditioned, with constant electricity supply and internet facility.
On the issue of double decker beds to be made available in Muna, at an additional cost of 150 Saudi Riyals, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar said that the issue had been communicated to NAHCON from the Mu’as’sasa establishment. “Thus, any state willing to hire the beds for their pilgrims should indicate their interest for further action.
On the issue of tour operators, the Chairman charged them to remain focused on the Hajj template and not to compromise standards or shortchange pilgrims of the services they have paid for.
Among those who attended the stakeholders Forum titled: “Final Preparatory Meeting for 2018 Hajj” were, among others, state pilgrims’ welfare boards’ representatives, members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, including its chairman, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; representative of the minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Chairman of the Nigeria-Saudi Parliamentary Friendship and Hajj Affairs; representative of ministry of Health, representatives of aviation industry, airline operators, independent Hajj operators. [myad]
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that its team of lawyers are working towards challenging President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s Executive order which he signed yesterday, Thursday.
In a statement today, Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said: “already, our lawyers are considering a legal action against the Federal Government on the illegality of Mr. President’s action in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.”
PDP said that Nigerian constitution did not, under any section, confer such fascist powers on the President and there can be no legitimate latitude of interpretation placed on sections 5 and 15 (5) of the 1999 Constitution cited as justifications for the executive order.
“Therefore, President Buhari’s unilateral Executive Order is a travesty of justice and rule of law, as it vehemently seeks to hijack and usurp the powers of both the legislature and the courts and vest it on himself so that he can use same at will, as a political instrument, to haunt, traumatise, harass and victimise perceived political opponents.
“In order words, Mr. President wants to change our democratic governance to a military regime, in line with his lamentation, two days ago, that the fight against corruption will be better under a military regime than under a democracy.”
The PDP said that while it is not in any way opposed to the fight against corruption, it holds that the imposition of this Executive Order, which is radically at variance with the provisions of the constitution, is totally unacceptable.
“PDP takes this Executive Order 6 of 2018 as a reenactment of the obnoxious Decree 2 of 1984, which incidentally was also an enactment under then military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, and this must not be permitted in our current democratic dispensation.
“If allowed, this Order will confer limitless powers on Mr. President, whose administration’s penchant for violation of rules and order already suggests a readiness for autocracy and a drive towards fascism.”
“In a democracy, the role of the executive arm of government is to enforce court orders/judgments handed down based on the interpretation of existing laws. Any suggestion to the contrary, as clearly intended by this Executive Order, is totally an aberration and inconsistent with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We invite Nigerians and the international community to note the deliberate attempts by the Buhari administration to side-step the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), usurp the powers of the legislature, the judiciary and impose an autocratic regime on our nation.
“The PDP therefore charges the judiciary and the legislature to save our dear nation and her people from an imminent fascism by rejecting this obnoxious Executive Order. Nigeria is a democratic state run by the dictates of the law and the constitution and not by the rule of the thumb of any elected officer.”
President Muhammadu Buhari shows the executive order after the signing.
A copy of the Executive Order which was signed yesterday, Thursday, by President Muhammadu Buhari to improve his fight against corruption, shows that eleven former governors currently under trial for various graft-related offences are targets for asset seizure pending the conclusion of their trials.
Also listed as targets for the seizure of assets are former ministers and elements that purportedly aided and abetted the laundering of government funds for top politicians in the country.
The list shows that a total of 155 Politically Exposed Persons, businessmen, top civil servants and private individuals and companies that were used to launder funds are also targeted under the new order, whose date of takeoff was not indicated.
Among those whose assets are being targeted for seizure by the federal government are: Gabriel Suswam, former governor of Benue State, Danjuma Goje, former governor of Gombe, Alao-Akala, former governor of Oyo State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger State, Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa State and Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State.
Others targeted by the new order are Attahiru Bafarawa, former governor of Sokoto State, Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia State, Saminu Turaki, former Governor of Jigawa, and Chimaroke Nnamani, former governor of Enugu and Fintri Amadu, former governor of Adamawa.
The order also hopes to pin down the assets of former ministers under the Goodluck Jonathan and Obasanjo administration now standing trial for various corruption cases.
Among this category are: Adeseye Ogunleye, Femi Fani-Kayode, Nenadi Usman, Bashir Yuguda, Abba Moro and Senator Bala Mohammed, who is the immediate past Minister of the FCT and Oloye Jumoke Akinjide.
Beyond them are top military officers now standing trial for allegedly making away with huge public funds meant for the procurement of military equipment to confront terrorism in the Northeast.
They include Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, the immediate National Security Adviser, now standing trial for alleged abuse of office and money laundering, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, former Chief of the Air Staff, Emmanuel Atewe, a former Presidential Guards Commander and Air Marshal Amosu Nunayo.
Also to be affected by the new order are top lawyers and judges also standing trial for alleged graft.
In this category are: Riky Tarfa, Mohammed Belgore and Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia.
The list also includes additional 135 persons in all sectors of the economy, who are currently being tried for alleged corruption.
The order entitled: Presidential Executive Order No. 6 of 2018 On the Preservation of Suspicious Assets Connected with Corruption and other Relevant offences, also listed 20 government agencies as the institutions to be used for the execution of the order.
The bill states: “Whereas it is the responsibility of the Federal Government of Nigeria to protect the resources of Nigeria from all forms of Corruption;
“Whereas Corruption constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the well-being, national security and stability of the country’s political and economic systems, as well as its continuous existence; and must be effectively addressed;
“By the powers vested in me under Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution as amended which extends to the execution and maintenance of the Constitution, all Laws made by the National Assembly (including but not limited to Section 15(5) of the Constitution) to, abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power, it is the duty of any responsible government to restrict dealings in suspicious assets subject to corruption-related investigation or inquiries in order to preserve same in accordance with the rule of law and to guarantee and safeguard the fundamental human rights;
“Now, therefore, I, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred on me hereby declare as follows:
Section 1. (a) of the order says, “Without prejudice to any laws or existing suits or any other rights arising out of or in respect thereof, all Assets of any Nigerian citizen within the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or within the possession or control of any person known to be a current or former government official, a person acting for or on behalf of such an official, any politically exposed person or any person who is responsible for or complicit in, or has directly or indirectly engaged in Corrupt Practices and Other Relevant Offences are forthwith to be protected from dissipation by employing all available lawful or statutory means, including seeking the appropriate Order(s) of Court where necessary, and shall not be transferred, withdrawn or dealt with in any way until the final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of any corruption-related matter against such a person.
This provision shall, in particular, apply to those connected with persons listed in the First Schedule to this Order, (or any such list as may be issued by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice).
(b) Where a Government official or a person acting for and on behalf of such an official, directly or indirectly, engages in Corrupt Practices such as misappropriation of State assets for personal gain, receives any form of bribe or engages in Corrupt Practices related to the performance of his/her duties or the award or execution of Government contract; or transfers, launder or facilitates the transfer or laundering of proceeds of illicit activities, such official, in addition to forfeiting the proceeds in accordance with the relevant laws, shall forthwith be subject to the disciplinary procedure in accordance with the Public Service Rules and investigation by the Code of Conduct Bureau.
(c) (i) Subject to Section 174 of the Constitution, the Attorney General of the Federation shall have power to coordinate the implementation of this Order and to enlist the support of any Enforcement Authority particularly those listed in Second Schedule to this Order, or any other Person or Entity as may be required or permitted by applicable Law in order to give effect to this Executive Order.
(ii) The Attorney-General shall from time to time publish a list of all Assets protected pursuant to this Order.
(iii) The authority of the Attorney General of the Federation to preserve assets pursuant to this order shall extend to any person who is under investigation in accordance with applicable law in connection with having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or howsoever in support of any Corrupt Practices or Other Relevant Offences by any Person whose Assets are protected pursuant to this Order; or any Entity that has engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, and Corrupt Practices or Other Relevant Offences,
Provided however, that the Attorney-General shall at all times in this connection, employ all available lawful or statutory means, including seeking the appropriate Order(s) of Court where necessary, and ensure that Assets shall not be transferred, withdrawn or dealt with in any way until the final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of any corruption-related matter against such a person.
(iv) Where the Attorney-General has reasonable cause to believe that any funds or assets within Nigeria are connected with Corruption, the Attorney-General may, subject to his powers under Section 174 of the Constitution and other laws enabling him in that regard, approach the Court for an Order blocking or freezing or confiscating such funds or assets pending the conclusion of an investigation or legal action.
(d) Enforcement Authorities shall upon request communicate to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice information arising from their investigation or enquiry on any Person (Nigerian or non-Nigerian), whether resident in Nigeria or not, determined by such Enforcement Authority to have directly or indirectly engaged in or involved in Corruption within the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Attorney General shall immediately commence or direct the commencement of appropriate process(es) either administratively or judicially as may be necessary subject to existing applicable law.
Section. 2. (a) Any Person who in circumvention of this Executive Order attempts to or in fact: (i) interferes with the free exercise of the authorities of the Office of the President, (ii) destroys evidence, (iii) corrupts witnesses through cash/kind inducements, and (iv) generally perverts the course of justice shall be prosecuted in line with the provision of any Law(s) governing unlawful acts.
Section. 3. (i) Any Person who alleges that his rights have been, are being or are likely to be contravened by any of the provision of this Executive Order may apply to a competent Court in his jurisdiction for redress.
Section. 4. All Enforcement Authorities are hereby directed to diligently and rigorously collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Justice in implementing this Order to ensure the preservation of suspicious assets and prevent their dissipation or removal from the jurisdiction of Nigerian courts, in order to facilitate, support and enable the expeditious and accelerated prosecution of the alleged Corrupt Practices, serious or complex corruption, and Other Relevant Offences. Heads of Enforcement Authorities shall take personal responsibility and be subject to appropriate sanctions for any failure to comply with this Order. (Vanguard)
National Population Commission (NPC’s) Commissioner representing the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Dr. Daniel Aliyu Kwali, has said that FCT, by the Commission’s estimates, is now the fourth most populous city in the country, after Lagos, Kano and Ibadan.
The NPC Commissioner, who spoke on an advocacy visit to the FCT Administration, said that FCT has recorded the highest growth rate at 7.1 percent and has the possibility of overtaking Lagos, Kano and Ibadan.
The Commissioner said that Nigeria’s population is estimated to hit 450million by 2050, saying that it will surpass the United States of America, whose current population is estimated at 326million.
He called on Nigerians in general and FCT residents in particular, to take the issues of birth control and birth spacing seriously.
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated his Turkish counterpart, Mr. Ratep Tayyep Erdogan on his re-election even as he told him that he won’t be able to attend his inauguration scheduled for Monday, July 9th.
In a telephone conversation with President Erdogan this evening (Friday), President Buhari welcomed his invitation to the Monday 9th inauguration but regretted his inability to be personally present.
He told the Turkish President that he would be sending the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Muhammed Musa Bello to represent him.
Buhari however, expressed the hope that the results of the recently held elections will strengthen democracy and lead Turkey towards more economic prosperity even as he said that he looked forward to the strengthening of relations between Nigeria and Turkey.
Presidents Buhari and Erdogan enjoy a great relationship and have met a number of times since their coming into office. [myad]
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that those who could not cause confusion and disrupt the recently held national convention of the party are behind the formation of reformed APC (rAPC).
In a statement today, Friday, the APC National Publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi said that while investigation is ongoing to establish the true colour of those behind it, preliminary investigation showed that those behind the rAPC are not the core members of the party.
“Having failed to scuttle the National Convention as was their original plan, they now resort to this subterfuge as a way of achieving the pre-determined end of causing confusion.
“As a matter of fact, we doubt that these individuals parading as leaders of the so called faction are actual members of our Party. We are currently investigating their true membership status within the Party.”
Bolaji said that while the party leaders will continue to monitor developments in this respect, “we will not hesitate to take lawful actions to defend the unity of our Party and protect the sanctity of its identity.
“We are currently reviewing the action of this so-called faction in order to determine if any aspect of the Party’s constitution has been breached with the connivance of any of our members.
“For those members who have genuine grievances, we want to assure them of the commitment of the new leadership of the party to address those grievances as quickly as possible in a manner that ensures that justice is done to all.”
Bolaji stressed that there is no faction in APC and even as he declared the action by the rAPC members as mischievous and ill-advised
It will be recalled that on Wednesday, July 4, a group of individuals announced itself as ‘Reformed All Progressives Congress (APC)’ at a press conference held in Abuja.
The Supreme Court has finally laid to rest, the trial of a Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on assets declaration and sundry charges instituted against him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, describing the trial as “equivalent to judicial equivalent of a forensic somersault.”
A five-man panel of the apex court, led by Justice Dattijo Muhammad unanimously upheld Saraki’s appeal, by dismissing the remaining three count charges, declaring that the evidence led by the prosecution is hearsay.
In a lead judgment today, Friday, Justice Centus Nweze upheld Saraki’s appeal and dismissed the Federal Government’s appeal. He held that the Court of Appeal was wrong to have restored three out of the 18 count charges earlier dismissed by the CCT when it agreed that the evidence led by the prosecution was hearsay but went ahead to isolate three of the counts as having been proved.
Justice Nweze quoted a part of the Court of Appeal’s judgment where it held that “the prosecution failed to call those who have direct knowledge of the facts sought to be proved, to testify.”
The judge faulted the Court of Appeal’s turn around to restore three of the counts based on the evidence it had declared as hearsay.
The Danladi Umar-led CCT had, in June last year, terminated the trial upon an application by Saraki, by dismissing the entire 18 counts preferred against the Senate President.
The CCT’s decision was based on the grounds that the prosecution, with its four witnesses and 49 exhibits tendered, only led hearsay evidence which could not be the basis to link Saraki to the 18 countcharges preferred against him.
However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja ruling on December 12 last year, in an appeal filed by the Federal Government against the decision of the CCT, restored three out of the dismissed 18 count charges and ordered Saraki to return to the CCT to defend the three charges.
While Saraki had appealed to the Supreme Court against the part of the Court of Appeal’s decision restoring three of the 18 counts, the Federal Government had cross-appealed against the part of the decision affirming the tribunal’s dismissal of the rest of the 15 counts.
Former Nigeria’s Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar has described the victory of Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki at the Supreme Court today, Friday, as the real bastion of equity and good governance in any society.
“The position of the judiciary further affirms the fact that indeed, the judiciary is the last hope not only for the common man, but for all men, and the real bastion of equity and good governance in any society.”
In a statement by his Media Office in Abuja, Atiku said that it was clear to all men of goodwill and discerning Nigerians that the charges for which the Senate President was serially arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), would not stand rigorous judicial examination but was more of politics.
He commended the Supreme Court jurists for the unanimity of their judgment.
“I believe that this judgment has given hope to Nigerians in their quest in seeking redress on grounds that the judiciary will always be fair and firm.
“I am a firm believer in the rule of law and I will never forget the role the judiciary played in emboldening me to continue with my efforts to provide good and quality leadership for Nigeria and Nigerians. The multiple suits on corruption which I won in my days of trial as Vice President will never be forgotten in a hurry. It was an independent, firm and fair judiciary that made it all possible.”
According to him, this victory is not only for Saraki but for the Senate and the entire National Assembly which has been facing challenges of legitimacy and intimidation arising from a not too cordial relationship with the executive arm of government.
On the issue of Governor Ugwuanyi, the PDP presidential aspirant said the Court’s affirmation of the legitimacy of his election, showed that he is indeed the true choice of the people of Enugu State.
Atiku noted that all through the case lasted in the Courts, the Governor was not distracted but continued to passionately execute people-oriented projects in the State which has significantly improved the lives of the people of the State.
He charged him to continue on the tradition of excellence for the good of the people of Enugu State, and the PDP, in whom the people have for many years invested their political future.
Atiku urged both Senate President Saraki and Governor Ugwuanyi to continue to serve the people of Nigeria honestly as they have been doing in their various capacities bearing in mind that Truth is Constant and Justice, no matter how long, ultimately would be served.
The former Vice President praised the Judiciary for standing up to the truth and not leaving justice to the whims and caprices of those in power.
He said that by its courageous and principled stance, the Judiciary has further enhanced it place, role and relevance in consolidating the nation’s democracy.
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The Buba Galadima Many Do Not Know, By Rotimi Fashakin
The traducers of this government are becoming increasingly vile and desperate.
It is unthinkable how anyone can see Buba Galadima as a rallying point in galvanizing an opposition to PMB’s govt. As the spokesperson of the defunct CPC, one of the legacy parties that formed APC, I am very competent to talk/ write about Buba Galadima. He is garrulous and traitorous; crude and rude; adversarial and mediaeval!
He is a very delusional bloke, who confuses or mistakes loquacity for erudition. He relishes generous control of the media space with his inimitably virulent bombast and demagogy! Without a doubt, his mastery of Hausa and Kanuri languages gives him a leverage in whipping the crowd into frenzy at political rallies. But that is how far it goes because his legendary indiscipline and nauseous narcissism easily even out whatever positives he packs as intrinsic values.
One of the notable encounters I had with him is indelibly etched on my memory:
CPC’s National Chairman, Prince Tony Momoh, instituted a weekly management committee meeting for ensuring smooth governance of the Party. In his wisdom, he ensured that each meeting commenced and ended with Islamic and Christian prayers, depending on which order was preferred. On this particular day, the meeting was to commence with Christian prayers. Pastor E. Folorunso Longe, the National Financial Secretary, an Osun state Christian, was called upon to lead the opening prayer. Just as he commenced praying, Buba Galadima also commenced a noisy telephone conversation. In a bid to put down Buba’s peculiar nuisance, Pastor Longe raised the decibel level of his voice. With sheer infernal feistiness, Buba also raised the decibel level of his already loud conversation. The atmosphere was understandably engendering high entropy.
Fortunately, Pastor Longe was sitting next to me, so it was easy for me to gently tap his shoulder; he opened his eyes and I told him, “stop praying!” He complied. Then, I turned to Buba, who sat opposite me across the table, ” Buba, please continue with your phone call. When you finish, Pastor Longe shall pray and then we start the meeting,” I intoned.
Whether it was what I said or he voluntarily did it, I noticed that Buba’s phone fell on the table. So I told him, ” since you are no longer making your call, it means Pastor Longe can continue with prayer!” We proceeded to have a successful meeting.
Prince Tony Momoh was born in 1939 and Buba Galadima in 1951, but anyone, who witnessed the irreverent and utterly pugnacious manner the national Secretary often castigated the Party’s chairman, would instantly understand the predilection of Buba to acerbic commentary.
Buba Galadima is more of political liability than asset to any group he decides to identify with.
Has anyone ever thought why, for three consecutive presidential elections, GMB never made being crowned as President while Buba Galadima held sway, but only made it in 2015 when he (Buba Galadima) was declared persona non grata from the precinct of GMB’s interests??? The answer is simple, Buba Galadima was never committed to the cause but another traitorous hypocrite! He openly and brazenly displayed the obscenity of his romance with the political adversaries of GMB. Whilst being the National Secretary of CPC, Buba Galadima rode (without prickly conscience) the Kia Sorento car, ostensibly given to him by a PDP governor!
He was unabashedly committed to trading off GMB’s goodwill for pecuniary gains. In Bauchi, Kano, Kogi, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Gombe,etc the same tales reverberate of Buba’s chicanery, in using his powerful office in changing people’s political destinies for his own gains!
Did he truly desire the merger of CPC with other legacy parties to form APC? Of course not! In meetings, he openly advanced the views that CPC could stand alone and win the Presidency! The unsuspecting listeners did not know the underpinning of crass opportunism in his position. For twelve years of his forays into constitutional democracy, GMB was held hostage as a Northern regional leader for the sole profiting of the likes of Buba Galadima. So, any attempt to give him a national appeal was rebuffed because it would disrupt the sole proprietary rights to the brand by a tiny clique!
I have often heard Buba Galadima countering the argument that it is not true that he did not want merger because his signature was in the merger document deposited with INEC. My riposte to his position is, did he really have any other choice? The stipulation of the electoral act is that, for any merger of parties to have force of the law, the National Chairman, the National Secretary and the National Treasurer of the merging parties must append their signature to the application! Gratefully, it was the Chairman of BoT of defunct CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari, who brought a memo to the Board of Trustees, canvassing the need for merger! Afterwards, a special convention of CPC was convened to ratify the position of CPC BoT! So, in all of these, did Buba Galadima really have any other choice than to concur ?
In 2014, after GMB rebuffed Buba Galadima’s entreaties for warming himself into reckoning, he ‘ported’ his support for Engr Rabiu Kwakwanso in the APC’s presidential primaries. He was obviously swayed by his cotravellers in untrammeled treachery, but could only deliver less than one-third of the votes garnered by GMB in that election. It was a crushing defeat for Buba Galadima with the vestiges of his garrulous impudence!
After that defeat, I asked what was his occupation and he said his major focus was farming. With this latest return to his natural pastime of open-ended treachery, it is obvious that another crushing and, inexorably, career-shattering defeat is ‘loading!’
God bless Nigeria.