Buhari cancels government delegation to Hajj, to save $1m

President Mohammadu Buhari has announced that there would be no federal government delegation for this year’s hajj in Saudi Arabia.This is in a move to cut costs.He however stated that the government shall play its traditional roles of providing consular, medical and security services to Nigerian pilgrims.
Vanguard reports that, with the decision, the government is expected to save about $1 million and N30m in local expenses.

Lawyer drags Buhari to court over failure to tackle fuel scarcity

A lawyer and rights activist, Kabir Akingbolu, has filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Lagos against President Muhammadu Buhari over his failure to make adequate provision for the production and supply of petroleum products to all citizens at a regulated price.
Akingbolu, in the fresh suit, which is yet to be assigned to a judge for hearing,stressed that considering the nature and extent of inconveniences which the citizens of the country were being subjected to by lack of petroleum products, the failure of Buhari, as the Chief Executive Officer of the country, to act by making the products sufficiently available, was capable of causing breach of peace and serious discomfort for the citizenry.

The lawyer is also seeking an order declaring the failure of the defendants (Buhari and AGF) to make available petroleum products as a breach of oath of office, and that the failure to fix the refineries in the country was equally a breach of the constitutional obligation of the president.

No individual is Yoruba leader —Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that no individual can be regarded as the leader of the Yoruba.

Obasanjo stated this in his book, titled, “My Watch: Political and Public Affairs,” where he addressed what he called his “Nigerianness and Yorubanness.”

In chapter 31, titled, “Campaigns and Elections,” Obasanjo said Nigeria did not need tribal barons as leaders.

He added that there was nothing like Yoruba leadership in Yoruba land.

The former President said, “Just as there was no single oba having sovereignty over the whole of Yorubaland, there was no individual as leader of the Yorubas in Yorubaland. As it was then, it remains till now.”

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He noted that even among the Yoruba obas “there is equality, but mutual respect.”

Backing his claim with a saying, “no crown is subordinate to another,” the former President said cities and areas were normally of different sizes.

He recalled that in the past, obas never saw one another, but sent messages through emissaries.

According to him, it was the colonialists that made the obas to see one another face-to-face. The colonialists, he said, went further to rank Yoruba traditional rulers.

Obasanjo noted that in the North, the majority of emirs accepted the Sultan of Sokoto as the direct descendant of Usman Dan Fodio.

He said the Sultan was accepted as the leader among Hausa/Fulani traditional rulers.

“The Yorubas did not have such a clear-cut and accepted hierarchy. Every oba maintains sovereignty over his domain,” he added.

Obasanjo explained that ‘baales’ (chiefs) were appointed by obas within their domains.

The former president said the supporters of the first Premier of the Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, “fixed” the title of Yoruba leader on the late sage during the Civil War.

He recalled that during the war, different ethnic groups met separately to consider positions and issues for the future of Nigeria.

According to him, Awolowo presided over the meeting of the Yorubas in Ibadan.

“In the course (of the meeting), Chief Awolowo presided. His supporters then fixed the title of Yoruba leader upon him,” he stated.

Obasanjo said that some people, including Chief Adisa Akinloye, did not accept Awolowo as the leader of the Yoruba.

Obasanjo said that after he successfully ended the Civil War, some people began to extol his “Yorubanness.”

“I did not encourage this. ‘My Yorubaness’ and ‘my Nigerianness’ must go pari passu, and one must not stand in the way of the other,” he stated.

Explaining the relationship between the two, Obasanjo stated that his parents were from Owu in Abeokuta.

He stated, “I bear Owu tribal marks. And better or worse still, I speak English with my Owu dialect. I have always maintained and felt proud of my ‘Owunness’, ‘Yorubannes’ and ‘Nigerianness’ in that order.

“They are all parts of my cherished identity. But I have always refused and I will always refuse to be constrained, diminished or reduced to the level of Yoruba leadership.

“Without being immodest, I am a national leader, an African leader and a world leader in my own way.”

The former President said that Nigeria needed nationalists, not tribal leaders.

He stated, “I strongly believe that Nigeria needs nationalists to propel it forward. Myopic tribal barons and tendencies will not take us too far.”

Obasanjo said that Nigeria was inadvertently deprived of nationalists as leaders at independence.

“Other countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, Cameroon, to mention a few, were not so deprived,” he noted.

He expressed the hope that Nigeria could still regain what it lost at independence.

Obasanjo further said, “If a person is born in the Yoruba, Igbo, Nupe tribes, it is important that he tries and grows up as a Nigerian with total commitment to Nigeria.”

This, he explained, was a sure way “to make Nigeria stable, secure, developed and great.”

He said that the misapplication of personal and tribal interests was the bane of political stability and rectitude in most African countries.

“I have always believed that the interest of any Nigerian tribe can best be met and served when the national interests are served and not outside it,” he added.

The Nigerian leader said that where the need arose, in the interest of justice and fairness, he had spoken and acted on behalf of the Yoruba.

He stated, “I have done so, but not against the overall Nigerian interests or against the interest of any other groups for that matter.”

Waiting blindly for implementation of Buhari’s campaign promises

 FISAYO FALODI and GBENRO ADEOYE examine President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment during an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour vis-à-vis his campaign promises

When in April 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari won the presidential election; there was little doubt that the President would, within the first six months in office, clear the supposed rot he inherited from his predecessor as a result of his articulated campaign promises to Nigerians.

Shouts of joy rented the air in most parts of the country and sadly, some lost their lives in a frenzy of excitement that followed the announcement of Buhari’s victory after engaging in daredevil cars and motor bikes stunts. It was a historic moment for the country because an incumbent President graciously accepted defeat to a candidate from the opposition party.

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Buhari rode to power on the mantra of change and Nigeria’s socio-economic situation under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration further gave his (Buhari) campaign of change a breeding ground for success at the poll.

Power supply at about 1,000 megawatts for an estimated 170 million Nigerians during the electioneering campaign was arguably at an all time low; about 30 per cent of the adult population and 60 per cent of the youth are unemployed; about 70 per cent of the population are living below poverty level; while fuel scarcity helped to contribute to the frustrations of the populace.

Often at various public fora, Nigerians were wont to vent their frustrations at the condition of the country’s economy, which many have described as embarrassing, hence the call for change of leadership by some members of the public.

During the political campaign that preceded the election that brought Buhari into office, he and his party, All Progressives Congress, made a lot of promises that matched the yearnings of the people, thereby raising their hopes.

The issues of insecurity, poor power supply, corruption and unemployment are some of the foremost challenges that require the President’s immediate attention. Nigerians eagerly await the much touted change he had promised them, even if it has only been eight weeks since he took the oath of office.

Since President Buhari’s assumption of office on May 29, he and the APC seem to have realised the enormity of the task before them and have therefore been calling for patience and understanding from the general public.

In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour during the week while on an official visit to the United States, he said he was committed to his promises, but pleaded for time to deliver on them, saying it would not be right to pass judgement on his performance vis-à-vis his campaign promises within a year.

“I think I can be held to my promises for the next three and quarter years I have and I think 12 months also is too early for anybody to pass judgement on my campaign promises,” he told the CNN.

Already, some Nigerians have expressed disappointment with the President’s statement. According to them, Buhari’s comment suggested that he was prepared to renege on some of the promises.

Some Nigerians have also described Buhari’s administration as “slow” after its failure to appoint ministers and some other key principal officers several weeks after inauguration.

Although Buhari has said that he would appoint his ministers in September, this has further generated controversies over his style of governance.

A lawyer and social commentator, Mr. Liborous Oshoma, expressed disappointment with the President for speaking to Nigerians through a foreign medium, adding that his recent appeal for patience should have come during the political campaign period.

He also criticised the President for failing to back his promises with a blue print to include time frame.

Oshoma said, “Now President Buhari has gone to America, typical of our leaders and he is very happy to talk to Amanpour when he has not spoken to Nigerians since his inauguration. So, we only know the thoughts of our President through foreign media, not our local media.

“Secondly, I wish he had made this statement during campaign, but I would want to say that the media would want to modify that statement to mean that all the work that there is to be done cannot be completed in one year. But during campaign, that is why we consistently asked the APC and Buhari to give us time frame and to tell us how they intended to achieve all of the many promises that they made.

“But unfortunately, we found out that promises are thrown in the public during campaigns and because of these promises, Nigerians are overwhelmed and they voted for such candidates, and then the candidates get into office and tell you that the time is not enough.

“Remember former President Oluseegun Obasanjo in 1999 told us that within 200 days, power problem would be a thing of the past in Nigeria. But then he came into office to say that he didn’t know that the problems were this enormous. And till today, we are still grappling with power failure. And here again we have a President who is telling us that 12 months will be too small to do anything meaningful.”

One of Buhari’s promises that have been under critical scrutiny is his assurance to curb the activities of Boko Haram in the North-East. This is because in his short time in office, the insurgent group has killed not less than 500 persons and injured many others.

Meanwhile, while presenting a paper titled, “Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition” at Chatham House in London in February 2015, Buhari had assured that his administration would deal with insurgency in the country, if he was elected as President.

He had said, “Let me assure you that if I am elected President, the world will have no cause to worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently; that Nigeria will return to its stabilising role in West Africa; and that no inch of Nigerian territory will ever be lost to the enemy because we will pay special attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service; we will give them adequate and modern arms and ammunition to work, we will improve intelligence gathering and border controls to choke Boko Haram’s financial and equipment channels, we will be tough on terrorism and tough on its root causes by initiating a comprehensive economic development plan promoting infrastructural development, job creation, agriculture and industry in the affected areas.

“We will always act on time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester, and I, Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front and return Nigeria to its leadership role in regional and international efforts to combat terrorism.”

Following his victory at the poll, Buhari, in an interview with CNN in April, 2015, also reiterated his commitment to deal with the Boko Haram, saying it would be done within two months.

He had said, “We know how they started and where they are now and we will rapidly give attention to security in the country. And I believe we will effectively deal with them in two months when we get into office.

“We will need the cooperation of neighbouring countries such as Cameroon, Chad and Niger. There were efforts made by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, but it was not good enough and it came rather late.”

But the report was swiftly refuted by the APC, after its Director, Media and Publicity, Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu, described it as untrue, in a statement made available to journalists.

Shehu said, “The President-elect is still waiting to be sworn in on May 29. After the ceremony, he would need time to study the security situation and plan strategically with the security chiefs as to the way forward.

“Time is of essence here. Therefore, President Buhari didn’t and wouldn’t peg the decimation of terrorism within two months.

“The General was unequivocal about cleansing Boko Haram from our land; he would do a good job of it by giving a permanent push to rid Nigeria of unscrupulous elements.

“It would be unfair and mischievous for someone to ascribe to him what he hasn’t said.”

In his campaign manifesto, President Buhari had described Nigerians of goodwill as “angered by failures of corrupt and poor leadership.”

He said, “They are frustrated by economic policies that did not deliver on its promises. Nigerians are therefore impatient and want to regain their lost rights. Nigerians are worn out by conflicts, all over the country. Nigerians are now striving for a fresh start. This start must come from a new team, new ideas, that are committed to the promotion of acceptable and sustainable reforms.”

He thereby vowed to restore the task of securing the nation and prospering the people, however, noting that he was counting on the public to work with him “to reform our rotten political system, by getting involved, taking responsibility and working together as a team.”

He said, “I, Muhammadu Buhari believe that our polity is broken. Our nation is in urgent need of a fundamental political reform. This requires honesty, integrity and forthrightness in order to improve governance, so as to make it transparent and accountable to all Nigerians. Make me your Presidential candidate in both the Primaries and the Presidential elections.”

President Buhari had promised to provide allowances to discharged but unemployed Youth Corps members for 12 months while in the skills and entrepreneurial development programmes; provide one meal a day for all primary school pupils; and create a social welfare programme that ensures the payment of at least N5, 000 to each of the 25 million poorest and most vulnerable citizens.

Buhari also promised to revive Nigeria’s economy, saying, “In the face of dwindling revenues, a good place to start the repositioning of Nigeria’s economy is to swiftly tackle two ills that have ballooned under the present administration: waste and corruption.”

In addition, the APC promised to pursue the expansion of electricity generation and distribution of up to 40,000 MW in four to eight years from the current state of about 4,000MW.

The party’s manifesto also promised to embark on programmes to create one million new jobs annually and one million new home owners in its first year in government and one million annually thereafter.

A social commentator and rights activist, Mr. Olufemi Aduwo, agreed that 12 months were not enough to judge President Buhari’s performance. He said his recent appeal would also not dash the hopes of Nigerians.

He said, “Such comments will not (dash the people’s hopes) because in fairness to Buhari, 12 months out of four years may not be enough. We cannot judge the President within one year because his government would need time to initiate and implement his own programmes.

Aduwo, however, said certain indicators would tell in time how well and fast the President is going in fulfilling his campaign promises.

He said, “But as his government is progressing, there should be indicators that would be monitoring the implementation of the programmes.

“Nigerians will have to compare and contrast the administration of Buhari with that of his predecessor to evaluate whether the government is actually working towards achieving its set targets.

“They will have to ask questions on what he has been able to achieve in terms of saving money for the development of the country and blockage of leakages through which corrupt people steal public funds.”

However, Oshoma said President Buhari should have furnished Nigerians with the road map of his plans by now, adding that it would be wrong for Nigerians to wait blindly for the implementation of his plans.

He said, “So, Nigerians are not asking the President to do magic, all we are basically asking the government is, we want to see the foundation of things to come. We want to see the road map. So when Nigerians see these things, the President can take four years to begin to do whatever he needs to do.

“But to ask Nigerians to just wait blindly like they are waiting blindly now is wrong. Now there is basically nothing happening- we don’t know the direction of the government or the direction the economy is going. Fuel is still selling at N110 per litre, and the government is not even making any statement about it.

“We don’t know the health policy; we don’t even know the education policy of the government. People don’t know whether fuel subsidy will stay or be removed.”

Meanwhile, Aduwo advised Buhari to target realistic goals and “block the leakages through which public funds are being stolen and identify and tackle the problems denying Nigerians access to their immediate needs.”

“For example, some of the President’s campaign promises like generating 20,000MW of electricity is not achievable in four years because you need $1.2bn to generate 1,000MW,” he said.

“With 6,000MW of electricity in Nigeria, though it may not be enough, every part of Nigeria will have electricity.

Groups ask Buhari to probe Kalu

Some groups in Abia State, Abia Youths Consultative Forum, Abia Peoples Congress and Ndi Abia League have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over an alleged delay in the trial of a former governor of the state, Orji Uzor Kalu.
According to a joint press statement signed by the leaders of the groups, the groups called for a speedy prosecution of Kalu on alleged corruption charges.
The statement, which was signed by Udoka Nnanna, Davidson Kalu, and Ezinwa Ukaogo, on behalf of the groups, urged the President to ask the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to fast-track the trial to ensure that justice was not delayed or denied.
The groups said   the delay in the trial of Kalu, for over eight years that he was dragged to court by the EFCC, was unacceptable.
They commended President Buhari for his determination to fight corruption and urged him not to allow any agency of government to hinder his anti-corruption programmes.
The statement, issued on Sunday, read in part, “It is shocking that the trial of Orji Uzor Kalu by the EFCC is still on, eight years after he left office. Abia State indigenes   are disturbed by this ugly development. We wonder why up till now the former governor’s prosecution has not been concluded. We hope the EFCC has not compromised its principles as it is being insinuated in some quarters.   The President should order the EFCC to expedite action on the trial of the former governor so that justice would be seen to be duly done.”

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The groups, therefore, appealed to Buhari to ensure that no corrupt person, no matter his status, escapes prosecution.
Meanwhile, Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo, has defended President Buhari over his decision to limit the probe of corrupt public officials in the country to only those that served in the last five years.
Keyamo ,who said this on his Twitter handle on Sunday, argued that since the purpose of the probes was to recover looted funds, people should not question the wisdom of focusing on the last five years.
He said, “President Buhari’s present efforts in ensuring probity is the real reason why Nigerians voted for him. We knew he has the will and track record to do it. We didn’t expect less
“It’s amusing that those to be probed have kept mute and are running from pillar to post while some people are busy defending them.
“You are either in total support of the fight against corruption and the recovery of our stolen wealth, or you are full of corrupt tendencies. Some people only support moves against corruption only if it involves those they dislike but they conjure dubious logic to defend   political, religious and ethnic allies.”

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Tinubu seeks 100 days of honeymoon for Buhari

A national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, urged Nigerians who have been accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of being too slow to allow the President at least 100 days of honeymoon.
He said change, which was at the centre of the party’s campaign ahead of the presidential election, would not be achieved with a magic wand.
Tinubu spoke with State House correspondents shortly after meeting behind closed-door with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“May 29 was when this President was sworn in. It is an international norm, there is an honeymoon period, at least a minimum of 100 days’ honeymoon. And you won’t allow honeymoon at all? You said change is not coming. Change is not by magic. It is driven by the people, the spirit and the character and the planning,” he said.

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The former Lagos State governor said the nation had witnessed many problems in the past because policies were made in a hurry without proper planning.
He said it was better for the government to take its time to plan, than to rush into taking actions because of sentiments and emotions.
He added, “It is not fair to jump into those conclusions (that change is late in coming). There must be time to plan, to review and even listen to people.
“There is a separation between a campaign period, articulating your vision, expressing the promises to Nigerians, there is a time to look holistically at what you inherited, analyse it, distill and then take action.
“Even in a 100 metres race, there is a time to say ‘on your mark, set, ready, go.’
“So, you don’t even want a time to be on your mark, set and go? No, you are not being fair.”
The president met members of your party in the House of Representatives that ended in deadlock. What is your position in all these?
On the leadership crisis in the National Assembly, Tinubu said it was only the conclusion of the media that the peace meeting called by Buhari on Monday ended in a deadlock.
He said rather, his position was that there was a political process that needed to develop its own life and be worked upon to stabilise and continue to serve the interest of the populace.
Tinubu said by the time the National Assembly started its lawmaking in earnest, the President needed to step in once in a while as he did in order to let the people to understand the import of the expectations of the public and particularly of the international community on various programmes and institutions.
He said Buhari’s decision to step in to douse the tension was not a wrong step.
The former governor said he decided to visit the President to welcome him from what he described as successful trip to the United States of America and to ensure that the party remained on track

Fayose thanks Buhari for appointing an Ekiti state indigine as Chief of Defence Staff

The governor took to his twitter handle to congratulate the new Chief of Defence staff, Maj Gen Abayomi G. Olonishakin pictured above and also thank President Buhari for appointing an Ekiti state indigene as the new CDS. See his tweets after the cut...

Between Ben Murray-Bruce and a 'creative youth'...lol

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce had earlier advised youths to use their creativity for ideas rather than insults. A youth got even more creative.

Wike has squandered N60bn in 30 days-APC

The Rivers  State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Nyesom Wike,of squandering over N60 billion in his first 30 days as governor of the oil rich state.They broke down the expenditure to an average of N2 billion per day.
The accusations were laid down in a statement by Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya..

Video: Benue Lawmakers Exchange Blows Over House Leadership watch video

            
Lawmakers at the Benue State House of Assembly, north-central Nigeria, clashed on Tuesday following a letter addressed to the Speaker by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to appoint majority leader for the Assembly.

Buhari orders removal of Military check points, places Police in charge of internal security

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that all military check points across the nation be removed, even as he ordered that police should henceforth be in charge of internal security.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of defense, Alhaji Ismail Aliyu on Monday while addressing State House Correspondents after‎ a meeting between the President and the service chiefs.
He further revealed that the president equally directed the security chiefs to liaise with the Police on taking over internal security.

We don’t need your wardrobe, stop mocking us — Osun Government replies Ben Bruce

The Osun State government has replied Senator Ben Murray Bruce on his plan to donate his wardrobe allowance to the civil servants in the state.
Public workers in the state have been lamenting over the state’s government inability to pay them salaries for seven months.
Senator Ben Bruce had earlier disclosed his plan to come to the rescue of the angry workers by donating his wardrobe allowance to them.
However, Semiu Okanlawon , the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, office of the governor, Rauf Aregbesola, in his reaction to the gesture, questioned the choice of the All Progressives Congress, APC, state by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP senator.
The statement reads in full

Nigeria is broke because some people have stolen so much – Oshiomole

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to go after those who have stolen the country’s money.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting of the governors on Wednesday, Oshiomole noted that the country’s financial issues was not just because oil prices had fallen but because some people had deliberately milked the nation’s treasury dry.
His words, “I think the media is not being accurate, the country is bankrupt, not just the states. The Federal Government’s finances are even worse, considering that they borrowed over N4 trillion. The entire funds for pension scheme has been drawn down by the Federal Government. It is because they borrow at will that you can’t seem to see that they are also bankrupt. So, when we talk of bankruptcy, we should be talking about serious national economic crisis that is not limited to states.

Ekweremadu cannot resign as Deputy Senate President – PDP fires back at Pro-Lawani Senators

Legislators on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have laughed off the call for the immediate resignation of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, by some angry Senators of the All Progressives Congress.
DAILY POST reports that the Pro-Ahmad Lawan senators under the umbrella of the Senate Unity Forum had on Saturday called for the immediate resignation of Ekweremadu.
The group said that was part of the conditions that would make them recognise Senator Bukola Saraki as the President of the Senate.

PDP asks Ambode to declare assets, make Fashola handover notes public

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has issued a 14 days ultimatum to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State to publicly declare his assets upon assuming office.

Former Senate President, David Mark Sworn-In As New Senate Leader

David Mark, the immediate past Senate President is now the new senate leader after been elected today. He has now been sworn-in.

Senate has approved Buhari’s request to appoint 15 advisers

The Nigerian Senate has assented to the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint 15 Special Advisers.
The Senate gave its approval in the course of the plenary session it held today.
Senate President had yesterday read on the floor of the upper chamber a letter from the President seeking an approval for him to proceed with the appointment of 15 special advisers.

Photos: President Buhari meets Service Chiefs

President Buhari had a meeting with Service Chiefs at the Defence House, in Abuja today. They discussed the current security situation in the country.On Wednesday, he will embark on his first official trip to Niger and Chad to discuss the fight against Boko Haram.

Eniola Badmus gets married in london, Make A Beautiful Bride (Photos)

The actress got married in a new movie she is currently shooting in London- Basira in London. Who says big girls don’t make beautiful brides, and she look amazing

Here’s How Much President Buhari & Osinbajo Will Earn Annually

Nigeria’s new president, Muhammadu Buhari, and his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, will earn annual basic salaries of N3, 514, 705 and N3, 031, 572.50 respectively, according to the information on the website of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

Apart from the salaries, the president is entitled to various regular allowances like: Hardship, 50 per cent of the basic salary – N1, 757, 350.50; consistency – 250 per cent, N8, 786, 762.50.

Other regular allowances like motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance, special assistant, personal assistant, domestic staff, entertainment, utilities, security and Newspapers and periodicals are to be provided by the government – not paid for.