Those Who Say I’m Running For 3rd Term Are Liars – President Buhari

November 22, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has described those peddling rumour about his ambition for the third term in office as liars, saying that he cannot afford to be reckless with power.

The President, who spoke today, November 22, at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, emphasized that he would not be needing the votes of Nigerians again in another election.

He said that apart from the fact that age is no longer on his side, he would not seek a third term in office because it is not backed or supported by the Nigerian constitution.

“I am not going to make mistake of attempting a third term or whatever term.

“Besides age, I swore by the holy book that I believe in and will go by the constitution.

“I know I am in my last term and I cannot afford to be reckless because I am not going to ask for anybody’s vote.”

In recent days, there have insinuations by some politicians that Buhari wis preparing the way for a third term in office.

Though those around him had always denied such moves, Buhari’s statement may have put paid to any such talk.

Nigeria’s GDP Grows By 2.28 Per Cent In 3rd Quarter Of 2019

Editorial staff

November 22, 2019

Nigeria’s gross domestic product has experienced its second highest quarterly growth in four years after growing by 2.28 per cent in the third quarter of 2019.

According to data by Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the growth rate in Q3 of 2019 represents the second-highest quarterly rate recorded since 2016.

The data released shows that the 2.28 per cent gross domestic product growth is 0.17 percentage points higher than the 2.12 per cent revised GDP growth recorded in the second quarter.

The GDP report, which was released today, November 22, indicates that the average daily oil production in the quarter was 2.04 million barrels per day.

The report disclosed that the non-oil sector grew by 1.85 per cent during the third quarter.

Driven mainly by the information and communication sector, other drivers of the non-oil sector were agriculture, mining and quarrying, transportation and storage, and manufacturing.

In real terms, the non-oil sector contributed 90.23 per cent to the nation’s GDP.

The mining and quarrying sector grew by 5.98 per cent in Q3 2019.

Quarrying and other minerals exhibited the highest growth rate of all the sub-activities at 58.03 per cent , followed by coal at 43.68 per cent.

Agricultural sector grew by 14.88 per cent in Q3 2019, showing a decline of –3.44 per cent points from the same quarter of 2018.

PDP Board Of Trustees Take Stock Of Losses In Kogi, Beyelsa Guber Elections

Editorial staff

November 22, 2019

Chairman of the Board, Senator Walid Jibrin

The Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken stock of the party’s losses in the governorship elections conducted last Saturday, November 16 in both Kogi and Bayelsa Stat and has recommended the setting-up of a committee to probe the actions of PDP members which made the party to lose the elections.

The BoT Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, in an interview with journalists in Abuja today, November 22, said that there have been accusations and counter-accusations amongst members of the party about what actually went wrong and who actually caused the electoral failures..

According to him, adequate punishment will be recommended for those found culpable, adding that the probe is not on a specific individual but generally.

He said that the BoT recommended a peace committee to probe into the issues in Edo, Lagos and Kano, saying: “we recommended a committee that will investigate the outcome of the election in Kogi and Bayelsa.

“We are very concerned with what is happening in Nigerian politics, especially recently in Kogi and Bayelsa.

“We reviewed the situation and condemned in totality the issue of rigging, killings and ballot box snatching that characterised this election; we reviewed the arson that took place, including the death of a Ward chair lady of PDP in Kogi. Such things must stop.

“We also viewed the accusations and counter-accusations among our members on the behaviour of some of our members both in Kogi and also in Bayelsa, especially in Bayelsa.

“We advised that we must make thorough research before we come into conclusion of who did what and suggest remedies.

“Therefore we recommended to the National Working Committee that a very serious investigation must take place.

“We recommended that an interim committee must be set up, similar to the one that was set up after the 2015 election under the chairmanship of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and myself.”

It was gathered that some members present at the meeting lambasted the National Chairman, Uche Secondus, for some of his actions which they felt were not good for the party.

Sovereign Investment Rakes-In $44. 3 Billion Profit In 2018, $24 Billion In 2019

Editorial staff

November 22, 2019

Uche-Orji-CEO-Nigeria-Sovereign-Investment-Authority | Photo credit: Guardian

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NISA), Uche Orji has announced a profit of $44. 3 Billion in 2018 and $24 Billion so far in this year.

Briefing members of the National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at its meeting today, November 21, at the presidential Villa, Abuja, Uche Orji said that the profits were jointly made by the NSIA and its group.

“This is achieved in the face of a volatile international market environment driven by the trade dispute between the United States and China as well as Brexit challenges.”

He said that the NSIA is focused on its infrastructure, funds agriculture, road, power, healthcare projects and industrialization.

“Within the toad sector, the NSIA as the manager of the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), is focused on deploying capital to ensure the completion of the second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Highway and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“Other projects under the PIDF include the Mambila Hydro Power project and East-Ways Road. The NSIA also intends to deploy capital in expanding its health projects, following a successful implementation of its cancer treatment project through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with LUTH as well as a diagnostic and Radiology centre in Aminu Kano Specialist Hospital,

to be commissioned next month, and the Federal Medical Centre, Umahia through the same PPP. It will be finished in the first quarter of 2020.

“To facilitate this, the NSIA will create co-investment fund to bring other investors into these projects to ensure that it gets to completion and the revenue model will include tolling the roads as other opportunities to ensure that these roads are viable.”

After the presentation of the report, NEC resolved to invest an additional $250 into the NSIA.

Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru Ahmed el-Rufai was appointed to chair a committee of the National Economic Council to consider how a portion of the Pension Fund can also be leveraged into investment in the NSIA with possible implementation with PenCom.

The committee will include the finance minister, the central bank governor and the managing director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.

Meanwhile, members of the National Economic Council have unanimously voted for the injection of an additional US$250 million in core capital to the Investment Authority, bringing the total contribution to the Authority from the federation account to US$1.75 billion and represents the third contribution to the Authority from the current administration.

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, a corporate body established by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (Establishment, etc.) Act 2011, is mandated to manage funds in excess of budgeted hydrocarbon revenues. Its mission is to play a leading role in driving sustained economic development for the benefit of all Nigerians through building a savings base for the Nigerian people, enhancing the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure and providing stabilisation support in times of economic stress. NSIA operates three mandate funds: the Stabilisation Fund, the Future Generations Fund and the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund.

Buhari Acknowledges Humilty, Patriotism Of Ex President Jonathan

Greenbarge Reporters

November 21, 2019

President Muhammadu has again acknowledged the humility and patriotism of the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as he clocks 62.
In a statement today, November 20 felicitating with the former President, President Buhari said that Jonathan’s “legacy of humility and patriotism will continue to resonate, inspiring generations to come on the sacrifices made for the stability of democracy and promotion of sustainable development.”
Buhari, who prayed for Jonathan for longer life, good health and more strength also commended him for good counsels to leaders within and outside Nigeria since he left office, sharing his experience of serving at different levels of governance.
The President wished the former President and his family more years of joyful celebrations.

I Have Successfully Buried Ethnic Politics In Kogi State – Gov Yahaya Bello

Editorial staff

November 21, 2019

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello

Governor Yahaya Bello, who has just been elected and certified for a second term as governor of Kogi State has said that he has successfully buried ethnic politics that had defined the state all along.

Speaking to news men today, November 21 after presenting the certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential Villa, Abuja, Yahaya Bello said that he inherited a state that was largely divided along ethnic lines.

He said that in the Saturday November 16 election, he was able to put that behind the state.

“It has been proved that ethnicity is not the way: that it is a monster that has held the country down and that tore the states apart sometimes.

“By the special grace of God, today in Kogi State, ethnicity has been buried finally. Because, in this particular elections, I won overwhelmingly in all three senatorial districts of Kogi State.”

Governor Yahaya Bello said that he had a lot of task ahead of him and that the journey has just begun.

“I need the cooperation and understanding of every citizen and resident of Kogi state to join hands with me so that we can do more for Kogi State.”

The governor said that before the election he had predicted that the issues of winning the election was not in question but the margin with which he will defeat his opponent, “and that he will have no reason whatsoever to go to tribunal.

“However, going to the tribunal is their right and if they so wish, we will meet in court.

“But I want to use this opportunity to call on all those that contested the elections with me, starting from the Primaries of our party to the main election, all other political parties to please join me. We are all citizens of Kogi State.

I Will Reciprocate Your Votes With Good Governance, Yahaya Bello Promises

Editorial staff

November 21, 2019

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has promised the people of his renewed commitment to good governance as a way of reciprocating the massive votes they gave him for a second term, in the last Saturday, November 16 election in the State.

The governor, who received the certificate of return as governor-elect from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), along with his deputy governor-elect, Edward Onoja, thanked the people of the State for his re-election even as he solicited their cooperation and continued support.

He assured that no axis of the state would be left out in the new dispensation, irrespective of ethnic or political affiliations.

Governor Yahaya Bello vowed to work seriously with the security agencies to fish out perpetrators of violence that greeted the November 16 governorship polls either before, during and after the election.

Zonal National Commissioner of INEC for Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States, Mohammed Haruna, who presented the certificates to them today, November 21, said that it marked the beginning of a new era in the state.

This was even as the Chairman of Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC) in Kogi, Ibrahim Itodo, called on Governor Yahaya Bello to unify all as the state’s number one citizen.

Yahaya Bello and Onoja will be sworn in on January 27, 2020.

Oshiomhole Advises Gov Yahaya Bello To Have Eye On Posterity As He Goes For Second Term

Editorial staff

November 21, 2019

President Buhari congratulates Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on Re-Election in State House on 21st Nov 2019

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has advised the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to bear in mind, the legacy he would leave behind as he won an election for a second term of another four years.

Oshiomhole, who spoke to news men at the presidential Villa, Abuja, after presenting Governor Yahaya Bello to President Muhammadu Buhari today, November 21, as governor-elect said that the victory of Yahaya Bello in Kogi State represents many things for those who truly believe that Nigeria politics should move away from sentiments, to dealing with people for who they are, rather than where they come from.

“So, for us in the APC, we are very proud and we presented him to the president. The president was very proud, of course he congratulated him and was happy to see his certificate and he has encouraged us to recognize that the reward for hard work as they say is more work.

“And I am sure that governor Yahaya Bello, having passed through the learning curve, is going to approach the second term with all the vigor with eye for posterity and legacy marks in the development of Kogi state.

“We as party, appreciate the people of Kogi State for standing by the party and voting for Yahaya Bello and I want to assure them, that like we said during the campaign, governor Yahaya Bello will do everything possible to ensure that as they say, to whom much is given much is expected.

“He will give his all to the people of Kogi State to reciprocate the good will and the confidence that has been reposed on him as result of the election that was conducted last saturday, November 16.”

Save Us From Control Of State Governors, Speakers Of 36 State Houses Of Assembly Pleads With Buhari

Editorial staff

November 21, 2019

Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly have converged on the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to save them from the control of their governors.

They pleaded with the president to issue an executive order directing the Accountant General of the Federation to separate funds for the state legislature and judiciary at source.

The speakers, under the auspices of Conference of Speakers, commended the President over his efforts to ensure financial autonomy for the legislature and judiciary.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who is the Conference chairman, Mudashiru Obasa, also appealed to the President to consider supporting the devolution of powers to states on some issues on the exclusive list, like railway and the police, for more effective governance.

Responding, President Buhari said: “I try as much as I can to always be loyal and obedient to the constitution so long as it is humanly possible,’’ even as he vowed to keep pursuing the prosperity of all Nigerians by creating more jobs for the people, and plugging the weaknesses exploited by many to make quick money.

“The 8th National Assembly sometimes kept the budget for seven months. And I had to call the Senate President and the Speaker then. I told them by delaying passage of the budget you are not hurting Buhari, but the people.”

President Buhari said the delay persisted in spite of his efforts to seek more understanding.

The President said that he will ensure equity and fairness that put the ordinary Nigerian on top priority, assuring that he will continue to focus on health, education, infrastructure and improving lives through social intervention programmes.

“We have in the last four years dedicated significant resources to key social services sectors especially in health, education as well as our massive social investment programs. We have also started restoring our infrastructure to levels that this country expects.

“I also want to assure you that we remain committed to ensuring that equity and fairness prevail in governance. I will ensure that we consult your conference to further enhance the positive impact of our interventions across the country.”

Court Sacks Governor Ganduje’s 4 Emirs In Kano State

Editorial staff

November 21, 2019

Kano State High Court has nullified the creation of four additional emirates – Rano, Gaya, Karaya and Bichiin – in Kano State.

Justice Usman Na’abba ruled today, November 21 that due process was not followed in the creation of the emirates.

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, had in May, signed the bill seeking the establishment of four additional first-class emirates following its passage by Kano State House of Assembly.

Ganduje installed the emirs – Aminu Ado Bayero as emir of Bichi; Ibrahim Abulkadir as emir of Gaya; Tafida Abubakar as emir of Rano and Abubakar Ibrahim II as emir of Karaye, at a ceremony held at the state capital.

The governor presented staff of office to the emirs and charged them to work for the good of the public.

The creation of new emirates is seen by many as Ganduje’s personal vendetta against the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, in order to reduce the emir’s influence.

But Ganduje has severally denied allegations he is trying to reduce the emir’s powers.

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