I’ve Succeeded In Laying Foundation For Strong, Prosperous Nigeria – Buhari

March 2, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his government has successfully laid the foundation for strong and prosperous Nigeria through Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

The President, who commissioned the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project today, March 2, constructed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), described the commissioning as another testament towards achieving stable, uninterrupted power supply aimed at improving the economy and lives of Nigerians.

The gas plant is expected to supply 50 megawatts of electricity to Maiduguri and environs.

President Buhari said that his government has worked hard to fulfill the promise of tackling the nation’s electricity challenges and has succeeded in laying the foundation for a strong, prosperous country through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

According to the President, a key execution priority of the ERGP is to ensure national energy sufficiency for Nigerians.

“The Maiduguri Emergency Power Project is part of an incremental 4,000MW of power generating assets that this administration embarked upon to improve national power supply and stimulate economic growth.

“The aggressive project strategy deployed to complete this project on schedule is a total reflection of Federal Government sensitivities in identifying and easing the plight of the Nigerians; particularly those recovering from the adverse impact of the insurgency in this North-East region.

“Over the past few years, insurgents had attacked power supply lines along Maiduguri-Damaturu and Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu roads leading to acute power supply shortages to the city of Maiduguri and its environs and crippling the economic activities in the region.

“For this purposeful response, I want to commend the NNPC Ltd for following my directive to ensure the immediate restoration of reliable power supply to Maiduguri within the shortest possible time.”

President Buhari reassured Nigerians of the government’s resolve to implement programmes, particularly in the power sector, that would deepen domestic gas utilization, expand national power generation capacity, revitalizes industries and create multiple jobs for economic growth.

He directed the Ministry of Power and other relevant Agencies namely, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, Transmission Company of Nigeria to continue to collaborate with NNPC Ltd to ensure that millions of Nigerians access affordable electricity in the short term.

He expressed confidence that the spirit of the New NNPC Ltd would continue to engender affordable energy for all Nigerians, not just for the immediate, but for the years ahead.

President Buhari, who is making his fifth visit to the State since the administration of Governor Professor Babagana Zulum, acknowledged that the Governor has kept his campaign promises to the people of the State.

He said that the governor, who is seeking a second term in office, deserves to be re-elected.

“Your Excellency, I cannot remember the number of projects I commissioned during your first tenure, these laudable projects are impressive. I thank you.

“We also acknowledge the excellent work that you have done, working closely with the Federal Government and other stakeholders, to bring back the IDPs and refugees from Cameroon and other neighboring countries. I think the Governor deserves another term.”

The President also inaugurated the dualized Ahmadu Bello Way; Shehu Sanda Kura Road; Lafiya Road and Mogoram Road; Ultra-Modern Market, Bama Road; newly constructed Staff Quarters for University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu Cancer Centre, and the newly constructed Bolari Market Road.

I Feel Fresh Weight Of Responsibility; To Unite Nigeria – President-Elect, Tinubu

Editorial staff

March 2, 2023

President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that after winning the 2023 Presidential election on Saturday, February 25, he is feeling a fresh weight of responsibility, which is to unite the country.

The President-elect, who spoke today, March 2, in Abuja, when he received members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), who were on a congratulatory visit to his residence in Abuja, vowed to unite Nigeria

“I am committed to uniting the country. Definitely in any contest, particularly democratic contest, there must be losers and winners.”

He promised to hit the ground running from his first day in office in order to deliver on his campaign promises, stressing his promise to run a fair and inclusive administration that would unite all Nigerians.

“We drew a strong commitment with Nigerians. From the primary we were transparent. We were committed to our ideals. We promised Nigerians that if we win we will work for all Nigerians.

“It is going to be a fair government guided by the rule of law, justice and fairness. It is going to be hard work from day and we are going to join hands in building a government of the people and by the people.”

He thanked the party leadership for showing commitment and courage in leading the party to victory despite all the odds.

In his remarks, the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu said that though transition elections are always tough for ruling parties, the victory of the APC was long foreseen.

He said that the APC NWC came to identify with Asiwaju Tinubu and congratulate him on his victory.

During the visit Adamu directed other members of the NWC to offer special prayers of gratitude to God for the party’s success which he described as hard fought.

Media Office of the President-Elect

Atiku Recalls With Sad Heart, His 30-Year Battle To Deepen Democracy In Nigeria

Editorial staff

March 2, 2023

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 Presidential election in Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has recalled “with a heart full of sadness,” his 30 years battle to birth and deepen democracy in Nigeria.

“It is with a heart full of sadness that I address you today. I have, in the last three decades, devoted my life to the battle to birth and deepen democracy in our country.

“It was a battle that started during the military era. It was a struggle that nearly caused me my life and that of my son, Adamu, in Kaduna.

“I survived the assassination only by the mercies and grace of God.”

Atiku, who address newsmen today, March 2, in Abuja on the conduct of the just concluded Presidential election, also recalled how he was forced into exile.

“My businesses were nearly crippled and my signature business was eventually appropriated by the maximum ruler of that era. My commitment to enthroning democracy ensured that I joined forces with other compatriots.

“As a leader of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), we fought and won the 1993 presidential election, which was acclaimed as the fairest and freest election in our history. Sadly, Chief MKO Abiola, who embodied that hope for the birth of a new Nigeria, paid the ultimate price.”

Atiku said that his fight to enthrone democracy led to the birth of the Peoples Democratic Party which was to force the exit of the military from government and their permanent return to the military barracks.

According to him, ollowing the exit of the military and the advent of democratic rule in 1999, “I did not rest on my oars. I deployed the same level of commitment to advance and deepen our democracy. I did this because our democracy was bought at a huge price of human lives. My mentor and true Nigerian hero, who this venue in which we are gathered this evening is named for, was one of those who paid the ultimate price in that battle. So, also was Chief Alfred Rewane, Chief MKO Abiola and his dear wife, Chief (Mrs) Kudirat Abiola.

“It was also for this reason that I sacrificed my political aspiration and fought against the actualisation of Third Term. Whether during the military or civilian era, I have, no matter how inconvenient, pitched my tent with the people against dictators.

“During the military regime, it nearly cost me my life and the near decimation of my businesses. In the civilian administration, it had serious adverse implications on my political life.

“But I have remained undaunted because I was, and still convinced, that the only reason why I am in politics is to work in tandem with other compatriots in the advancement of the wellbeing of the people.”

Atiku spoke on the 2023 presidential election, which he said, presented Nigeria and its people the greatest opportunity for a reset. He said that the country have everything going for it, saying that this included a legal framework in the 2022 Electoral Act and the BVAS technology.

“The enthusiasm of Nigerians to turn out and in large numbers was an added bonus.

“However, the dreams and aspirations of Nigerians who braced all the challenges to go and cast their votes on Saturday, 25th of February, 2023, were shattered by the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which failed to live up to expectations.

“The weekend election was neither free nor fair. Preliminary assessments indicate that it is the worst conducted elections since the return to democratic rule.

“The manipulation and fraud that attended this election was unprecedented in the history of our nation.

“I can still not understand why the electoral umpire was in such a hurry to conclude collation and announcement of the result, given the number of complaints of irregularities of bypassing of the BVAS, failure of uploading to the IREV, and unprecedented cancellations and disenfranchisement of millions of voters in breach of the Electoral Act and the commission’s own guidelines. It was indeed a rape of democracy.

“Having consulted with leaders of our party and Nigerians from different walks of life, I have come to the conclusion that the processes and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly election of last Saturday was grossly flawed in every material particular, and as such must be challenged.

“This has been attested to by both local and international observers. I want to believe that this was not the legacy that President Muhammadu Buhari had promised.

“For President Buhari, it is not too late to make amends for the good of our country and the future generations and indeed to assure his legacy.

“This battle to right the wrongs of Saturday is not about me. It is a continuation of my battles to deepen democracy and for a better life for our people. It is about the future of Nigerian youths.

“I know that Nigerians, especially the youth, are traumatized by the developments, but I want to urge them to conduct themselves peacefully.

“Like I have done over the years, I assure you that I will commit the rest of my life in ensuring that true democracy, which affirms the supremacy of your votes and your will, will take firm footing and guarantee a stable, prosperous and peaceful Nigeria. This is more so as Nigeria represents the hope of Africa and the Black World.

“It is my hope that the judiciary will redeem itself this time around and rise to the society’s expectation as the last HOPE. In the end, who wins is not as important as the credibility of our elections and electoral processes.

“I call on all men and women of goodwill to join hands with us in the vanguard to defend our constitution from the brigandage of anti democratic forces. Finally I urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and resolute. You have the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom to choose your leaders. We will not sit idly by and watch your rights taken from you.

“Your voices will be heard.”

You Didn’t Win Presidential Poll, Tinubu Tells Peter Obi; Says “I’ll Meet You In Court”

Editorial staff

March 2, 2023

The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the February 25 Presidential election in the country, Peter Obi did not and could not have won the election.

Responding to Peter Obi who said that he would go to court to reclaim the mandate Nigerians gave him in the concluded Presidential election, described Obi’s statement at the press conference he held today as “very weird and wild claims” about the outcome of the election.

In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media & Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Tinubu said that his team welcome the decision of Obi to seek redress in court as an aggrieved party.

“Going to court is part of the electoral process and it is the most decent, statesmanlike and civilized course of action to take. We salute the decision. It is surely better than calling supporters to the streets and instigating social unrest.”

The statement said that, it is not true that the election was not free and fair, adding that it was one of the most transparent and peaceful elections in the history of Nigeria.

“It is because the process was credible that made it possible for Mr. Obi’s Labour Party to record the over six million votes it got contrary to pre-election forecast.

That Labour Party and Mr. Obi surprised bookmakers by winning in Lagos State, Nasarawa, Plateau, Delta and Edo where there are sitting governors of either the All Progressives Congress or the Peoples Democratic Party. Those governors have entrenched political machinery.

“That Obi won attests to the credibility of the election process. In those states, most of the sitting governors contested election to go to the Senate and lost to little known candidates of Labour Party.

“The Labour Party also swept the entire five South East states under the control of either APGA, PDP or APC.

“We believe that the Labour Party Presidential Candidate contradicted himself and exposed himself to public ridicule by suggesting that the election was only credible in states and places his party won.

“We need us to forewarn Mr. Obi, that when he gets to court he should be prepared to tell the world how his party won over 90% of votes in his region of South East while other parties got almost nothing. We have evidence of voters suppression, intimidation and harassment in South East especially of those who came out to vote for our party.

“Also when Mr. Obi gets to court, he will have to convince the court with his allegation of rigging in over 40,000 polling units across the country especially in North West and North East where his party had no party agents and did not sign result sheets as required by law. It is our assumption that Labour Party will enlist PDP agents to prove its fraud claims since it is an affiliate of PDP.

“We want to state again for the umpteenth time that Mr. Obi didn’t win the presidential election and could not have won under any circumstances. This is because he had no path to winning a national election in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society like Nigeria where a candidate running in a national election must appeal to the cross-section of our pluralistic society.

“Mr. Obi anchored his presidential campaign on the failed strategy of ethnicity and religion, the divisive and dangerous politics that has hobbled the progress of our country for decades.

“Nigerians simply rejected an ethnic and religious bigot through their ballots.

“Mr. Obi all through his campaign presented himself as the candidate of the Christians and the Church, who wanted to help ‘take back their country” from the Nigerian Muslims.

“His campaign also ran on the engine of ethnicity, inflaming strong Igbo sentiments. He also sought to cash in on the supposed youth discontent in Nigeria, as fuelled by the ENDSARS protest in 2020.

“While Labour Party positioned its candidate as the harvester of the youth votes, its planners forgot that Nigeria does not have a homogeneous and monolithic youth population that can deliver bloc vote to any candidate.

“All the major parties that contested the election also have strong youth appeal and supporters.

“The lesson in Mr. Obi’s defeat in the election is that no politician in Nigeria can win a presidential race by being a sectional and an anointed candidate of any religion.

“God created our country in a way to make it impossible for any part of the country to exist without the other. The framers of our constitution also worked to bind our country together with provisions that will make it impossible for a section of the country and any religion to have political domination over the other.

“What this means is that any aspiring politician for the presidency of Nigeria must have a Pan Nigeria appeal and strong support and must be embraced by adherents of other religions.

“Mr. Obi and his party knew why they failed. They knew they had no path to victory with their negative and dangerous campaign.

“We owe Labour Party and Peter Obi the blunt truth: They failed in the election. No amount of red-herring and misinformation about the election and the outcome can obliterate this reality.

“The President-Elect who was the candidate of our party won a Pan Nigeria mandate in a free, fair and credible election.

“He is ready and prepared to assume office so he can serve the people of our country with sincerity and honour.”

Presidential Poll: I’ll Explore All Legal, Peaceful Option To Reclaim My Mandate – Obi

Editorial staff

March 2, 2023

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has vowed to reclaim the mandate given to him and his running mate, Yusuf Datti-Ahmed.

At a news briefing today, March 2, in Abuja, Peter Obi said: “We will explore all legal and peaceful option to reclaim our mandate. We won the election and we will prove it to Nigeria.

He said that they are committed to a new Nigeria.

“We will work for that new Nigeria that is possible,” he said. “Datti and I remain committed to that new Nigeria.”

He thanked his followers known as ‘Obidients,’, asking them not to be deterred by the outcome of the polls.

Peter Obi said the poll did not meet the minimum standard for a free and fair election, adding that the election will go down as the most controversial election conducted in Nigeria.

In attendance at the briefing is the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure as well as the Director-General of Obi’s presidential campaign, Akin Osuntokun.

Babachir: Teaching The Bigot Lesson Of His Life, By Yakubu Ahmed-BK

Greenbarge Reporters

March 2, 2023

His anger was palpable. The invectives and arrogance he filled his mouth with traversed the landscape causing some form of trepidation amongst chicken hearted Nigerians.

As soon as it was announced that Bola Ahmed Tinubu had picked Kashim Shettima as his running mate, the former Secretary to the government of the federation, Babachir Lawan (the grasscutter) lost his cool and went gaga, promising to teach the APC a lesson.

His grouse was that the Muslim/Muslim ticket had altered his bigoted and self serving thinking, and as such, he will lead the Christian population of the North in particular and their brethren in other parts of the country in general to torpedo whatever success the sorry was angling to get.

He was joined by former speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara in quitting the APC and pledging to teach the party a lesson. True to their promise, the two men went ahead to openly organize all manner of meetings during which they mobilized their brothers – all in an attempt to incite the Christian population to reject the Muslim/Muslim ticket, by which they intend to prove to Nigerians that a single faith ticket could just not fly in Nigeria. While at it, Babachir was unapologetic in his crusade to prove a point, that what the APC had done was dead on arrival. He went about it spicing his speeches with hates and tantrums, promising to bring down the roof on the whole country.

He voyaged into the Labor party while his brother Yakubu Dogara found his way into the PDP, in a clear deliberate plan not to put their eggs in one basket.

As the indices are currently showing, their plans have come to naught and gone up in smoke. The pack of religious cards they bandied about came crashing down before their very eyes, as they are being forced to learn the lessons of their lives the hard way. Instead of fulfilling their promise of teaching the APC a lesson, they are now running around like rain beaten chickens and with their tails in between their legs, cocooning their faces in the shame of their lives.

They have been taught a lesson, that the numbers they think they have are merely in their jaundiced imagination. They have now learnt that they are inconsequential in the political calculus of Nigeria. They have been forced to perish that naughty and arrogant feeling that they have any power to force political parties to pet them and covet their support. They now know that, whatever consideration or patronage they used to enjoy in the past, was merely out of the desire to spread goodies and not because they are, by political strength, deserving of them. Unfortunately, Babachir thought that his appointment as SGF by President Muhammadu Buhari was due to some clout and relevance of his place of birth, his religion and the indispensability of his contributions in attaining political victory.

Babachir deceived himself and sadly cajoled some likeminded fools to follow him blindfold into a ditch of infamy and irrelevance.

And until they retrace their misguided steps by reading the compass without sentiment, they have successfully boxed themselves into a very tight corner. From thence on, Babachir and his bigoted ilk will become lepers and out of reckoning for life.

Omokri To Fellow Christians: We Must Not Allow Future Elections To Be About Religion

Editorial staff

March 1, 2023

A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has cautioned fellow Christians in Nigeria tp discard the approach they deployed in the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections in the country.

Omokri, reacting to the outcome of the Saturday, February 25 Presidential election across the country, said that approaching the election through religious lines did not help Christians, who according to him, turned out for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

“The Islamic (Muslim) votes were divided into three: for Atiku, Tinubu and Kwankwaso. The Christian votes were united behind Obi.

“Yet, look at the result! No matter the provocation, Christians must NEVER allow future elections to be about religion. It won’t serve us well!”

Peter Obi won in one Southwest state, and got the necessary 25% in other Southwestern states, and in some Northern states. Yet, both Waziri Atiku and Asiwaju Tinubu could not get 25% in any Southeastern state. Not even one. When the dust has settled, such voting patterns, which in themselves speak volumes, will strengthen the alliance between the Southwest with the North in future elections. At that point, there will be complaints of marginalisation from some quarters. But actions have consequences. Unfortunately, some people are very sensitive to how the behaviour of others affects them, but are too emotional to understand how their own actions are perceived by others. And unfortunately, if you draw their attention to this, insults, rather than a reasonable discussion, will follow.”

OUR ANALYSIS:

February 25 presented an interesting scenario: the Presidential election, for the first time in the history of Nigeria was a clear battle between Muslims and Christians thanks to the design of the Church. 98% of Christians across the country voted enblock for Peter Obi in addition to 99% Igbo votes, plus 90% ENDSARS violent youth and 80% workers under Labour unions (all combined to be less than 4 million). But Muslims divided their votes into three: for Tinubu (over 8 million), Atiku (over 6 million) and Kwankwaso ( over 1 million), combined to be over 15 million Muslims). Scientifically therefore, the population of Muslim voters is over 15 million while the combined population of Christian/Igbo/youth/workers is just above 3 million. Why would Christians expose their minority status to the whole world just because of pot of porridge?

According to the final results read out by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, Tinubu polled a total of 8,794,726 to defeat his closest rivals and candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), who scored 6,984, 520 and 6,101,533 respectively.

Tinubu, who is former Lagos State governor, also fulfilled the 25 percent votes from 24 States as stipulated in the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.

What Made Tinubu To Win Presidential Poll – Aisha Buhari

Editorial staff

March 1, 2023

First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has attributed the success of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Saturday, February 25 Presidential election to his political dexterity and foresight.

In a congratulatory message to Asiwaju Tinubu today, March 1, the First Lady said also that the President-elect has an additional attribute of good intention to carry all Nigerians along, “irrespective of our diversity.”

She expressed confidence that Tinubu would lead the country into the future envisioned by the forefathers of Nigeria.

Mrs. Aisha Buhari also congratulated the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, saying: “I equally congratulate the wife of the President-elect, the incoming First Lady, and a grassroots politician, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

“I have no doubt that Nigerian women will get a good deal during your tenure.”

Osinbajo To Tinubu: Your Ability To Build Bridges Is Needed Now To Mend Fences

Editorial staff

March 1, 2023

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has acknowledged that the President-elect, under the All Progressives Congress (APC) had, over the years, demonstrated a consistent fidelity to progressive and welfarist ideals, and an ability to build bridges across several divides.
Professor Osinbajo swore that such attributes are needed, especially at this time, to reach out to disaffected sections of the society and to meet the inspirational expectations of the young people who have shown such a strong desire to impact the democratic process in a positive way.

In a message congratulating Asiwaju Tinubu and his Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Vice President expressed strong belief that Tinubu and Shettima would not allow whatever setbacks they may have experienced to truncate their strong desire to determine the future course of the national journey.

“Through thick and thin, we must all remain focused on the objective of birthing the Nigeria of our dreams.
“I pray that Almighty God will help you to fulfil the progressive mandate of our Party, as well as your various plans to improve the security, welfare and happiness of all Nigerians.”

Tinubu Presents Certificate Of Return To Buhari, Says Defeat Can Be “Provocative”

Editorial staff

March 1, 2023

The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima were in Daura, Katsina State today, March 1, to formally present their certificates of return to President Muhammadu Buhari, after winning the February 25 Presidential election held across the country.

The election was conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the result concluded today, March 1, at about 4am.

The certificates of return are symptomatic of the victory of Tinubu and Shettima in the presidential election as issued by the INEC.

Speaking to newsmen after presenting the certificate to the President, Tinubu described defeat as provocative, which the opponents should bear.

“This is the largest democracy in Africa. We could not have done any better. We are lucky, there is no accident and no matter how provocative a defeat is, we have to tolerate it if we are democrats. We have a nation to build.”

He said that he and his second-in-command had gone to present the certificates of return to President Buhari, recognising that the President is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on whose platform he and Shettima contested the election.

Receiving the President-elect his Vice, President Buhari described the election as “phenomenal election result.”

Buhari said that leaders and embers of the party are very lucky because there were no problems.

“No blood shed, no accidents. We have God Almighty to thank for this.”

He expressed happiness that Nigerians have chosen the APC and its candidates, saying that by such action their desire for the momentum of development under the administration would be intensified.

The President commended the Party supporters and the Presidential Campaign Council for the historic victory which he said would never have been possible without discipline, commitment and hard work.

The election winner and his deputy were accompanied to Daura by the Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the founding chairman, Chief Bisi Akande as well as the Governors of Katsina, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Lagos and Jigawa.

Other were the Governors of Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Ogun and the former Governors of Borno, Ali Modu Sheriff and that of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari.

There were also Ministers of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare and Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Also on the entourage were Alhaji Kashim Imam, Wale Tinubu, the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Mannir Yakubu and the Speaker of the Parliament of Kaduna state Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani.

1...345346347...2,494 Page 346 of 2,494