To Be Released Or Not: Court Decides Sowore’s Fate Next Monday

December 17, 2019

The Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed Monday, December 23, to rule on a suit filed by Omoyele Sowore, Convener, #RevolutionNow, to demand his unconditional release from the Department of State Service (DSS)’s detention.

Sowore, in a motion ex-parte number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1409/19, filed by his lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, before Justice Inyang Ekwo, demanded for unconditional release in pursuance of the release order made by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on Nov. 6.
After Justice Ojukwu had fixed Feb. 11, 2020, as next adjourned date, operatives of the DSS rearrested Sowore shortly after a court proceeding at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Dec. 6, barely 24 hours of releasing him and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, from custody.
Abubakar Malami, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, had, on December 13, announced his take over of the prosecution of Sowore in the charge of treasonable felony levied against him.
While Sowore is the applicant in the suit, the Director-General of State Security Service and the AGF are 1st and 2nd respondents respectively.
However, Marshal Abubakar, who represented Falana today, December 17, sought “an order for the production of the applicant for unconditional release in pursuance of the release order made by this Honourable Court on the 6th November, 2019.
Abubakar said thatthe continued detention of the applicant regardless of the release order made by the court on November 6 was “unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.”
He said such action violated “his fundamental right to personal liberty guaranteed by Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
He reminded that Sowore was arrested in Lagos on the August 2 without a warrant of arrest and was detained from the said date till August 7 without a court order in violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty guaranteed by the constitution.
“On September 21, this Honourable Court per Hon. Justice Taiwo Taiwo made an order mandating the respondents herein to release the applicant forthwith.
“On Sept. 21, charges were filed against the applicant by the 2nd respondent herein and this Honourable Court per Honourable Justice ijeoma Ojukwu made an order for the release of the applicant upon meeting the conditions of bail.
“The respondents herein have neglected, refused and or failed to comply with the said release orders,” he told the court.
Justice Ekwo said it would be unfair to deliver ruling on the matter without hearing from the other parties.
The judge, who adjourned the hearing on the case until December 23, ordered the applicant to put the respondents on notice.
The judge said: “And upon the court having taking notice that the 1st respondent has joined issues with the Applicants on the substantive application and that the 1st & 2nd respondents are not represented in court.
“It is hereby ordered as follows: an order is hereby made that the Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation) of this court to bring this case and the next date of Hearing to the notice and attention of the 1st & 2nd defendants.
“An order is hereby made remitting this file to the Hon. Chief Judge for assignment of this case to vacation Judge for Hearing on the next date of hearing within the vacation forthwith.
“Case adjourned until Dec. 23, for hearing of the substantive application.”
Source: Vanguard

Atiku Angry With Reps For Throwing Out 6-Year Single Term For President, Others

Editorial staff

December 17, 2019

Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election in Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed displeasure with members of the Federal House of Representatives over what he called “the speed” with which they rejected the six-year single term proposal for president, governors and parliamentarians.

Atiku, who is the former Vice President of Nigeria, in a statement today, December 17, reacting to the rejection of the bill by the House, said that he is disappointed by the fact that the lawmakers have thrown away the baby with the bath water at the expense of the larger interest of the country.
“In view of the challenges facing our current democratic order, especially the culture of rigging that subverts the will of the people, six-year single term would have ended such untoward practices in our electoral process.
“The desperation for second term by the incumbents is the main reason why they go for broke and set the rule book on fire, thereby making free and fair elections impossible by legitimizing rigging at the expense of their challengers that have no access to public funds.”
Atiku said that a situation where the incumbents deploy more public resources to their second term projects than using the funds for people’s welfare encourages massive rigging that undermines electoral integrity.
“Six-year single term would remove such desperation and enable the incumbents concentrate on the job for which they were elected in the first place.”
He regretted that eight-year term of office rewards incompetence because, according to him, even incumbents that have failed would use their access to public funds to return to power by fair or foul means.”
“I don’t agree with the logic that eight years would give elected leaders better opportunity to fulfill their campaign promises. An inherently incompetent incumbent will perform below average even if you give him/her 20 years in office or give him or her $20 billion dollars.”
According to him, it is not how long a man spends in office, but how well he is adequately prepared for the job.
He argued that the desperation for second term is not necessarily driven by patriotism or the passion for service, but by the obsession with the greed for power for its own sake.
“Second term obsession rewards incompetence by allowing failed incumbents to be reelected regardless of their performance record. It also denies political parties the opportunity to replace failed incumbents with better candidates within the parties in the name of right of first refusal.”
The former Vice President noted that the rejection of the six-year single term was a mistake because little attention was paid to its merits, adding that eight years tenure of four years each sacrifices merit because the incumbents are automatically entitled to reelection regardless of their performance records.
Atiku is however of the view that current holders of the offices under the proposed constitutional review should not be entitled to a six-year term at the expiration of their second term.

Reps Kick Out 6-Year Single Term For President, Others

Editorial staff

December 17, 2019

A Bill for an Act to alter the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to Provide for a single term of six years for the President and governors has been kicked out by members of the Federal House of Representatives.

Second reading of the Bill which provides for a six-year term for members of the National Assembly also was killed today, December 17.
Majority of the lawmakers during plenary today, rejected the bill which was sponsored by John Dyegh from Benue State.
John Dyegh argued that the bill was necessary to for members of the National Assembly to gain more experience in six years years instead of four.
According to him, re-election for the President and governors cost three times more than the first election and is characterised by violence. He believes a single term of five years will curb the irregularities associated with re-election.
The lawmakers in disagreement with Dyegh pushed, instead, for a credible electoral process, saying that the President or governor will be unable to make meaningful achievements if restricted to just a six year single term.
They added that the current tenure provides an opportunity for appraisal every four years.

Airlift For 2020 Muslim Pilgrims Begins June 22: Outcome Of MoU

Editorial staff

December 17, 2019

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, the airlift of intending pilgrims for the 2020 pilgrimage has been scheduled to begin on June 22nd, 2020.

A statement today, December 17 by the spokesperson of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usars, said that Saudi Arabia placed emphasis on early preparations for the hajj operations.

The statement said that NAHCON has continued to meet with various stakeholders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in preparation for 2020 Hajj, saying that similar meeting was held with Genenral Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the head of the Saudi delegation, Engr Mazin Bazhair, on December 9.

It said that NAHCON representatives were reminded of the necessity for a speedy start of preparations as scheduling of airlift slots will commence forty days from the date of the meeting.

The statement said that the authorities of the Kingdom announced the introduced of new policies in some sectors of the Hajj 2020 operations.

“In an e-track meeting in Jeddah on Sunday 15th of December 2019, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah representative informed the NAHCON delegation that henceforth, Adhahi sacrifice, otherwise known as Hadaya will be integrated into e-Hajj with a standardized price to ensure that all pilgrims pay same amount globally.

“Towards this end, Naqaba, a special office to improve the system together with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah are overseeing arrangements that will promote transparency in the operations and will be prepared to apply solutions to observed lapses.

“Moreover, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Islamic Development Bank are to collaborate and agree on a common price for the Hajj sacrificial animals.

“All animals for the sacrifice must be sourced from animal farms genuinely observing safety measures in order to avoid any outbreak of disease.

“The representative disclosed that the Saudi government is going to transfer or rather outsource the Hadaya services to well organized service providers who will not compromise standard.

“A leading establishment saddled with overseeing the project is to present a comprehensive report to the government at the end of the year.

“Again, for any service not well rendered, complaint ticket will be available so that the matter will be channelled to the appropriate office for prompt action or refund.

“Customer service delivery is key and must be rendered wholly to the pilgrims, he revealed.

“As has been the case, regulation stipulating that clinics cannot be opened in the Kingdom untill Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health gives permission after due inspection.

“In the absence of this permit, all medical concerns will be taken care of by the Saudi government.

“This was disclosed during the e-track meeting in Jeddah. A company specialized with medical waste management will be engaged to deal with that aspect of health care administration.

“Meanwhile, in its preparatory meeting with office of United Agents (U.A) in Jeddah, NAHCON solicited cooperation of the U.A in remitting Licensed Tour Operators’ refunds directly to their accounts instead of Hajj Commission’s account. Refunds are normally made for services not rendered to pilgrims to NAHCON’s International Bank Account Number (IBAN) that NAHCON in turn sought out to different State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and to Tour Operators.

“However, the Commission now demands U.A to credit the refunds directly to accounts of Tour Operators licensed with the Commission as they already have their IBAN accounts.

“This will make it easier for the operators to remit the refunds to their entitled pilgrims.

“NAHCON also tabled a request demanding its pilgrims to spend fewer hours in Madinah airport while also requesting permission for more bilingual staff to be stationed in the airport for smoother communication.

“Acting Chairman of NAHCON further renewed his appeal for inclusion of more Nigerian legal residents among the United Agent’s workforce.

“This followed information that there are a few already employed by the U.A office. The U.A assured that though law restricts them, they will consider the proposal even if for the Hajj duration only. It was agreed that the Nigerian consulate in Saudi Arabia would follow up on the matter.

“In another meeting with Adillah Establishment in Madinah, the Acting Chairman equally informed the gathering of the newly nominated NAHCON board waiting for senate confirmation. “He made a prayer for the same support and cooperation to be extended to the new board.

“The bedevilling security issue in Madinah was put forward to the Adilla to which they emphasised on the need for more sensitization to be carried out by the relevant Hajj managers in Nigeria.

“On Licensed Tour Operators, the Adilla Establishment lamented that the sector be as organised as the state pilgrims are.

“It was observed by the Adilla that in other countries, the Tour Operators’ sector is more organised contrary to the Nigerian experience. “Therefore, it was resolved that members from NAHCON, Tour Operators’ representatives and members from Adilla Establishment will deliberate and proffer possible solutions to the problem.

“The Chairman of Adilla prayed for the best for Acting Chairman Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad in his future engagements adding that the Hajj industry will miss his expertise.”

Implications Of Early Passage Of 2020 Budget, By Senate President, Lawan

Editorial staff

December 17, 2019

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan has expressed optimism that the early passage of the 2020 national budget will bring about many positive indicators to the nation’s economy.

Answering reporters’ questions today, December 17 shortly after the presidential assent to the budget at the presidential Villa, Abuja, Senator Lawan said: “everybody understands the implication of having a budget that is predictable, a budget that starts from January through the 12 calendar months to December: that tells you our economy is going to receive a boost. It is an injection that will see more businesses, employment opportunities and of course, we hope that our teaming unemployed youths will now have opportunities to be gainfully employed.”

The Senate President stressed that stabilized budget operations will also support the private sector so well, adding: “we all know that the private sector employs much more than the government. So we are optimistic that the economy will receive a boost from this 2020 budget implementation by the grace of God. I believe we are on the right path.”

On the implementation of the budget, Senator Lawan said that the tragedy that had befallen budget implementation in the past, and in future is inability to get the revenues, saying: “but this time around, we have passed the finance bill. “The finance bill will provide more revenues to government. We have also passed an amendment to the production sharing contracts, that will also provide more revenues.

“We all know that the production sharing contracts was never available to fund our budget properly. In fact, in 2019, N350 billion was earmarked but we couldn’t get anything.

“Next year by the grace of God, because of the amendment, we are going to get close to $2 billion and that is going to be a mark difference from what it use to be.

“So, we are going to work on revenue generation, collection and remittance. :Once we are able to get our revenues, we are all determined on both sides to ensure that the budget 2020 is implemented fully and we believe the Nigerian public will be in support of this. “We continually ask for the support of Nigerians because governance is not about those in office, it is about everybody playing his/her role.

“I’m so confident and optimistic that we will have the revenue to implement the 2020 budget.

“We will work with the executive to ensure that the revenues continue to stream in.”

Buhari Optimistic Of Financing 2020 Budget, Describes It As “Deficit Budget”

Editorial staff

December 17, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed optimism that his government will be able to finance the 2020 budget in spite of foreseen challenges.

“With today’s global oil market outlook and our strategic approach to revenue growth, we are optimistic that we will be able to finance the 2020 Budget.

“However, being a deficit budget, an appropriate 2020 – 2022 Borrowing Plan will be forwarded to the National Assembly, in due course.”

The President spoke today, December 17, while assenting to the budget at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said that he would assent to Financial Bill which the National Assembly is currently working on, adding that the Bill will support the funding and implementation of the 2020 Budget.

“We shall sustain this tradition by ensuring that subsequent budgets are also accompanied by a Finance Bill.”

Buhari said that the federal government is now well positioned to effectively implement the budget and deliver his campaign promises to Nigerians.

“Businesses will also benefit as they are now in a position to plan more effectively.”

The President noted that the 2020 Budget passed by the National Assembly provided for aggregate expenditures of N10.594 trillion, which he said was an increase of N263.95 billion over the Executive’s Proposal that was submitted in October 2019.

“We have examined the adjustments and may revert to the National Assembly with a request for a Virement or other relevant amendments.

“The Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning will make a public presentation of the details of the approved budget.

Buhari reiterated that to optimize the desired impact, he had directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and all Federal MDAs to ensure effective implementation of the 2020 Budget

Imo Gov Directs Immediate Payment Of December Salaries, Pensions

Editorial staff

December 17, 2019

Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State has directed the State Accountant General, to commence immediately, with effect from today, December 17, payment of December Salaries to Civil servants and workers in the Local Governments.

He also directs the payment of pensions to all pensioners in the State and Local Government for the month of December

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Chibuike Onyeukwu said that the directive is in line with the governor’s resolve to ensure that workers and pensioners in the State prepare for the Christmas and New Year Celebrations.

At 77, Buhari Is A President Of Will, By Aliyu Abdullah

Editorial staff

December 17, 2019

We are grateful for your sacrifice, for steering our country to the right path, the path laid by our founding fathers as well as the greatness that we are destined to reach. Although, Nigeria is a work in progress, nevertheless, there is progress under your leadership. We have seen insecurity being tackled and addressed, soon we will reduce it to a corner of our history not to be forgotten but a place where we will draw a lesson or two.

Your patriotism is unrivaled by any modern leader the nation had, this is why you think Nigeria and you act Nigeria, you go to bed in the night with Nigeria in your mouth and heart even after a long array of activities whether you are at home or abroad soliciting for goodwill and investors, and you wake up with Nigeria in your heart and mouth, sometimes we actually forget you are 77, not many youngsters can keep up with your stamina, dexterity and determination to keep on going, I guess this is where your training as a spartan soldier comes to bear, once a regular combatant, always a regular combatant, the distinct ability to keep at it when others succumb mentally or/and physically.

Our infrastructure are beginning to get the needed attention after a long period of total neglect, in four years you have not only completed the inherited Abuja to Kaduna Rail project which was left at about 75% completion rate by your predecessor, you have also designed and constructed a brand new rail line from Lagos via Abeokuta to Ibadan, Thank you for that, I just returned from Lagos where I saw it with my eyes.

The roads are either being completed from the southern corridors to northern corridors, the story is the same, work and work, everyday is ongoing, but like Oliver Twist, we need more Baba, and this is why we must commend you for a job well done so that we can ask you to sacrifice more for us and give us more rail lines, more roads, more stable and affordable power to industrialize our country. For we fear, and rightly so, three years left is such a very short time and the shoes you will leave behind will be so enormous that it will present a great challenge to find who can fit into them and in the event we do find who is bold, courageous and patriotic enough to wear them, can he or she be able to match your footprint of integrity, this is a question best left for time to be the ultimate judge.

Not too long ago, shortly before you assume your first term as democratically elected President of our great nation, a former leader in this country wrote that if corruption was in the corridors of powers during his own administration, then in 2013 corruption was celebrated in the master bedroom of the Aso Villa, this is an important reminder of our history, Baba, you cried out before the world in 2014 and said, if we don’t kill corruption, then certainly corruption will kill us a nation. Today, it is no longer business as usual in the corridors of power, it is definitely non existent in any of the bedrooms of Aso Villa. Today, we have a President that even the most vilest of your critics cannot accuse you of self enrichment, the entire opposition cannot table that accusation against you, this alone to me is a milestone in the fight against corruption, for even among your contemporaries, how many can beat their chest with their heads held high that no such claim can be made against them especially in our continent where they saw long before our own countrymen and made you their Champion of fight against corruption.

Some may say, but these are intangible wins, and yes, we have the tangible wins as well, almost about 400 billion USD was reportedly to have been looted in Nigeria as we were informed by the Ag. Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, but under your administration, we have witnessed unprecedented recovery of those looted funds and still recovering, in a recent EFCC ‘operation rewired’ held in September this year, the sum of $169, 857 and N92 million was recovered just from a single operation, this is in addition to about 500 billion Naira recovered in your first term, Baba.. oh and not forgetting the forfeiture of exotic collection of jewelry to the tune of $40 million belonging to the former Minister of Petroleoum, Mrs. Diezani Allison Maduekwe by the courts of our land. We also cannot forget that a former Group Managing Director(GMD) of the nation’s oil company before your time was caught with stashed cash of about $9.8 million well hidden in a slum part of Kaduna sometimes in your first term.

Baba, several eminent personalities that were considered untouchables before due to the sheer amount of powers they wield or wielded while in office are either facing prosecution or have been convicted by the courts, the former category we knew them by their trademarks of appearing in courts on stretchers, crutches, neck aides and the rest while the later category are languishing in jails even though they were your party men and supporters, and they were yestermen of powers, but they did not understand when you made the declaration in your first inaugural address on May 29th, 2015 that you were for nobody and for everybody, that your eyes will be closed when it comes to dispensing your oath of office, your hammer of anti corruption fight knows no foe nor friend. It just lands appropriately where it rightly belongs.

Baba, on assumption of office in May 2015, your predecessor left you a parting gift on the economy front, a trojan gift in the form of recession, a near empty treasury, a depleted foreign reserve of about 28 billion USD that could not absorb the shock of a rising United States dollar against a much weaker Naira due to lack of production, a mono dependent economy with a crashing price internationally and no plans for diversification or savings for a rainy day, agriculture was left only for a few rural dwellers, an empty sovereign wealth fund, with 27 states in the federation almost insolvent and unable to meet their basic obligations such as paying their workers, you did not complain, although some of us did that on behalf of the country but they shut us down and told us not to recall the past, that you are in the driver’s seat and have been wanting to drive this nation for twelve years and so, you should have the magic wand to wield away the rot of 16 years, you kept your cool and rolled up your sleeves and got to work, today you have reversed that trajectory, Nigeria is growing at 2.3 % and expected to continue growing that way for the foreseeable future according to all the international finance predictions.

Although, the naysayers who see nothing good in our country will quickly ask the question, have the life of the average man on the street changes, they got their answer loud and clear on the 28th of March, 2019 when the average men on the streets trouped out to the streets and voted you back with a landslide margin against your closest opponent. Why would not they vote for you when you succeeded in your call back to farm, many answered the clarion call, suddenly, we no longer spend 5 Million USD per day to subsidize the importation of our basic staple (rice), a lot of our youth particularly from the rural areas that have no job suddenly became gainfully employed. You took the foreign reserve to 47 billion USD from the 28 billion USD you inherited even though you never sold oil at a 100/per barrel like your predecessor luckily did.

You cut down waste and operated a slim government without laying off the workers, even your Party people begrudged you for not rewarding loyalists with positions, for some moments, many of us thought so as well but we remained steadfast, some lost their ways and ran out of our mist, they soon found a new favorite pastime, castigate and blame Buhari for every bad turn they took, every personal wrong choices they made or even ill luck.

Baba, You did not succumb, you took everything in your stride, they called you names in an attempt to discredit you, but you could not afford to leave important matters of rebuilding the nation by answering them, some grew tired and resorted to praying for your term to run faster than lightening, but Baba, all you think and do is Nigeria. Unperturbed as you always are, A President of will.

For these and many more milestones and sacrifices for the greater good of Nigeria, I say a resounding happy birthday Mr. President (Baba).

Aliyu Abdullah is the Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity (Office of the First Lady)

Happy Birthday To My Incorruptible Husband – Aisha Buhari

Editorial staff

December 17, 2019

First Lady, Aisha Buhari has sent a birthday message to her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari.

In the message she sent via a her instagram platform, Aisha said: “Happy birthday to my incorruptible husband. I wish you Allah’s Guidance Protection and Good Health to continue steering the affairs of our dear nation . Long Live PMB, Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

PMB At 77: Thank God For Bringing Baba Our Way, By Femi Adesina

Editorial staff

December 17, 2019

I boarded a commercial airliner heading to Lagos from Abuja. I was already seated, and strapping my seat belt, when a young man approached me. He must have been in his late 20s, or at most, early 30s. I shook hands, greeted him warmly, and he slipped something in my palm. He went back to his seat.

It was a piece of paper, and on it was written: “Please, tell Baba we are with him all the way.”

My eyes became misty. I knew who he was talking about. My principal and Baba of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, who turns 77 today.

“Please, tell Baba we are with him all the way.” What a message! What confidence! What love! And what reassurance.

At times, if you listen to the Babel of voices in the country, particularly on social media and some critical segment of the traditional media, you think everything is all wrong with the land. You think it’s all sorrow tears and blood, the regular trade mark of failed or failing countries.

The biblical prophet, Elijah, felt at a time that he was the only true prophet of God left in Israel. And he complained to God: they have all followed Baal, the strange god. I am the only one left with you.

But God gave him a tutorial: you only think so. I have for me in this land 7,000 other prophets, who have not bowed the knees to Baal.

That was what happened in that aircraft. The young man who slipped the note into my hand is like millions upon millions of quiet Nigerians, “who have not bowed the knees to Baal.” People who love President Muhammadu Buhari, who appreciate that he is here for such a time as this, and who believe that he is leading us to a new Nigeria, a land flowing with milk and honey. I believe. I am in the number of millions of people, who daily wish Buhari well, and pray that he will lead the land to fair havens, halcyon shores, before 2023.

If all the information you consume is from social media, and the critical segment of the traditional media, you will likely miss the correct pulse of the country. Let me share an experience here.

Some months before the 2019 general elections, I ran into Governor Nasir El-Rufai in the Presidential Villa, as he was going in to see the President. We greeted warmly, and I asked if he could please stop by in my office on the way out. He promised to do so.

What was my worry? The trend on social media, as to how the elections would go. I had a broader view of the reality, but I needed some reassurance. And I knew El-Rufai was analytical, and constantly had statistics at his fingertips. He’s not a first class quantity surveyor for nothing.

The governor turned up. I unfolded my worries, and asked for his opinion. He merely opened his laptop computer, and shared the result of a scientific research with me.

What did the research say? With large sample size from across the country, and painstaking state by state analysis, it stated that President Buhari was going to beat his closest opponent by millions of votes. And wait for this: the social media would account for just between nine and 11 percent of the votes. And wait again: that percentage would not go to one party alone. It would be shared between the two leading political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It turned quite prophetic.

The young man in the plane is among the millions of Nigerians who tilted the scale. They know that Nigeria is not where she should be, not yet, but it is not business as usual. There is one man who is laboring hard to turn the country right side up. He is Muhammadu Buhari, and the journey may be tedious, arduous and slow, but we are headed in the right direction.

Friends, Nigerians, countrymen. Yes, I have come to celebrate Muhammadu Buhari, as he turns 77 today. See the sycophant, the fanatic, some people would say. But do I mind them? I don’t. I have chosen my own hero, let them choose theirs. As we say in local parlance, ‘say your prayers, and let me say amen. No quarrel for church.’

I have said it before, and I say it again. I have followed Buhari since he was a military ruler, when I was an undergraduate, and if that regime had lasted for longer, Nigeria would not be in the doldrums that she found herself. It was a tough administration, but which was leading us on the right path. Till forces of reaction struck, and we were back to worse than square one.

You could imagine my joy when Buhari eventually emerged civilian President after 12 years of struggle. I didn’t think I was going to ever serve in government, but I found myself in it. Just because it was Buhari. More than four years down the line, have I changed my mind? No. Is it a perfect government? There’s none anywhere. But I still remain a Buharist, just like millions of other Nigerians.

I know many people who started with us in the Buhari camp, but who are now on the other side. Some were lured away by the garlic, cucumber, onions and leeks of Egypt, while some others jumped ship because of the color of the currency they saw. Some others, who expected quick fixes, are now singing the Lord’s song in a strange land. Some others are vacillating between many opinions. But for some of us, it is the immortal words of Sir Walter Scott: “Other people’s resolutions may fluctuate on the wild and changeful billows of human opinions. Our’s, now and forever, are anchored on the rock of ages.”

Why are we dyed-in-the-wool Buharists? Is he a perfect, infallible man? Show me who is. So, why do we remain resolute, irrespective of what people on the other side see as foibles and failings of the administration? Many reasons.

Buhari is not a thief. Can you say the same of many past leaders in this country? No, you can’t. I’m not saying they’ve all been light fingered, but we know those who served us honestly, and those who stole the living daylights out of the country. They and their confederates.

When I then see a honest man, the Mai Gaskiya, should I not follow him? Should I not trek from here to China for his sake? I would even trek further from Beijing to Yokohama. Larceny and plunder have been bane of our country. That was why we were consigned in gross backwardness and underdevelopment. Now that I see a man who has come to make a difference, I choose to stand by him all the way.

We know people who were worth only thousands when they got into leadership positions in this country. But they came out in obscene wealth. In other words, they went not to serve the country, but themselves. And here is Muhammadu Buhari, a man who wants nothing from Nigeria, but who has come to empty himself in the service of the country. And some people say we are fanatical supporters? Yes, for the sake of our country. For the future of our children. For the good of ordinary people, we are Buharists.

Simplicity. President Buhari is a Muslim, a good one, and I am a Christian, trying daily to be a good one. I see him at close quarters. At home, in the office, in the country, out of it. What a simple man. He holds power with simplicity. He eats simply. Wears the most modest things. No swashbuckling, no ostentation. And when we talk privately, I love when he indicates that he’s in a temporal position, which he wants to use for the good of the larger majority of Nigerians. That’s why I’m a Buharist, and no apologies.

Abhorrence of corruption. I said it before. President Buhari is not a thief, and he cannot vouch for you if you are tarred with the brush of corruption. You will simply be on your own. There is the jaded talk of the anti-corruption war in the land being selective. Well, those who say that are merely operating from a mindset. No matter who you are, however close you can be to him, when it comes to corruption, this President speaks up for no one. That is why the anti-corruption agencies are making conquests. He tele-guides them in no way.

An eye on history. That’s where the President keenly focuses. He wants to be positively remembered as a man who came, who saw, and made a difference. That’s why the country is one big construction site. Roads, rail, airports, power, water projects, and many others. Nigeria must get a new lease of life, and history must record it that the revolution started under one man: Muhammadu Buhari.

A kind man. Don’t mind the names you hear. Tyrant. Iron fist. Military ruler. Violator of rule of law. Major General (as if he’s not one). And many others. But you know what? This President is a kind man.

In 2015, some months into office, a proposal was thrown up at a meeting. The civil service was unwieldy, the economy was down, and salaries were being paid through the noses. It may well be time to cut the civil service strength by half, since most of them were even idle.

But the idea didn’t sell. The President said if he had his way, not a single civil servant would be sent home due to rationalization. Things were tough enough for them, not to add loss of jobs. And so it happened.

When labor unions came some years later to agitate for higher pay, the President first balked. He said it was not sustainable, which was the truth. But eventually, he buckled, due to a kind heart, and new wages are being paid at serious cost to government.

Let me say this, with the presumed permission of the President. He kept the Service Chiefs he inherited in 2015 for a couple of months. And when it was time to let them go, he sent for me one afternoon. He gave me the names of the new appointees, and told me not to announce till the next day.

“I have informed the outgoing Service Chiefs some minutes ago. But I don’t want their families to hear the news over radio or television. I want them to get home, and break the news themselves,” the President said.

I told him we would not be able to keep the news under wraps till the next day, that it should rather be announced immediately. He looked at me, laughed, and said: “You have not been sacked before. That’s why you are talking that way. Me, I’ve been sacked from office before, and I know how it feels.” We laughed.

When the chief executive of a major corporation was also going to be replaced, he gave me the new name, and said I should not announce for an hour or two, so that the outgoing man would have received his letter, and not hear it from the media.

Many acts of kindness have I seen the President show to many, and also to me, yet some people want to call him strange names. And I should believe it? I hear!

On this auspicious day, I celebrate our President. Cynics and scoffers would say why won’t you applaud him since you are part of the largesse of office. Yes, I hold office under the President, but I am yet to see the largesse. Maybe tomorrow. Or day after. And whether in government or out of it, count me among those who believe.

I am a Buharist. So are also millions of Nigerians. We thank God for bringing him our way. May his strength be renewed daily. He’s our miracle man, whom nobody could have predicted two years ago would still be with us today. We love him because he first loved us, and is serving us with all that is in him. Like that young man in the aircraft, “Please, tell Baba we are with him all the way.”

.Adesina is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari

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