Why Buhari must resign now – Shehu Sani



President Buhari

The Chairman of the Katsina State Chapter of National Conscience Party, NCP, Abdulmumini Shehu Sani, and a resident of Katsina State has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign and attend to his health issues.
Speaking in the state, Sani said Buhari cannot hold Nigerians to ransom with his health condition as there were other people better positioned to lead Nigeria.
He noted that those playing with the health condition of the President were only bent on destroying the nation and the President himself.
According to Sani, “In whatever situation of life, health matters and you cannot lead without proper health. You cannot be a dictator or mentor without proper and adequate health. And you cannot think and do the right thing without health.
“Let’s look at Nigeria as a whole that comprises over 180 million people, inasmuch as the leader (Buhari) is incapable based on his health status, let us follow the rule of law constitutionally for him to resign.
“His incapacitation cannot take us anywhere. It is better for him to resign. I can call him my father because he was a school mate to my late father, Shehu Sani, at the Government College, Katsina. But the truth is the Nigerian constitution should not be manipulated to favour one person.
“If we want to be fair to ourselves, he should resign, he is not the only one that can lead Nigeria to the right direction. Let him resign and go back to his family so that he can receive proper medications so that he will be free from the burden of tension from Nigerians and recover.”
Sani’s call is coming on the heels of a remark by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina that his principal will not resign and that those asking him to do so, were “merely expressing their opinions”.


Source: Daily Post

Sue, Jonathan, sue by Ogochukwu Ikeje

At the rate he is going, former president Goodluck Jonathan may soon be asking to be crowned the best leader Nigeria ever had. The thought alone is unfortunate. On April 8, in this space, in an article entitled ‘Jonathan finds his voice too early’, I expressed my dismay at Dr Jonathan’s penchant for self-praise and sweeping condemnation of his successor. While conceding to him his right to free speech, I thought it was impertinent for him to be applauding himself and his administration so frequently, and carrying on as though Nigerians made a huge mistake by voting him out in 2015. I also felt that given the weight of accusations hanging over some of his principal officers, a good number being prosecuted, that Dr Jonathan should have refrained from much public speech-making until the investigations and court processes were exhausted and the accused cleared.
But that was not to be. The former president has been speaking, and very loudly, to just about anyone, casting himself as the great leader that was rudely turfed out. Now this week he grabbed the headlines again, lashing out at President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he portrays as his family’s chief tormentor.
Let’s quote him: “I feel sad about the way my family is being hounded,” he says in a book ‘Against The Run of Play’ written by top flight journalist and presidential chronicler Segun Adeniyi, chairman of ThisDay editorial board. The timing of the release of the book, on Friday, is arguably a clear bid to fortify Dr Jonathan’s quest to lend himself to the Nigerian public by not only exonerating himself of blame but also dismissing President Buhari as perhaps little more than a non-starter?
From its fairly lengthy excerpts, the book also offers the former president a platform to spin a bizarre conspiracy theory of international proportions, with the United States, Britain and France cast as co-conspirators in what should now be regarded as a coup that robbed him of reelection. Dr Jonathan also accuses a former chairman of his party, and the police chief at the time of working against him, and the INEC chairman of superintending over what he regards as a fraudulent election. And the media and civil society of joining the siege against him.
This is bizarre because Dr Jonathan fails to flesh up the allegations, leaving them laughably sketchy and incredible. He does say America, Britain and France perceived from his body language that he was supporting corruption, and mounted a campaign to scuttle his reelection bid but this proves nothing. Nor does he suggest why even his own appointees would betray him, too.
Dr Jonathan who has been criticised for saying what was termed corruption was no more than mere stealing, also finds the book a good medium to teach President Buhari how to better fight graft.
“Society,” he says, “is like a building. You build it one block at a time. If every president decides to go in to dismantle what his predecessor did, society will never make progress. I expected President Buhari to correct whatever mistakes I may have made and then carry on from there. But a situation in which people go into exile for political reasons is not good for us.”
Dr Jonathan’s argument is hard to place, even harder how he fought corruption. He does not explain why people would go into exile if they have nothing to hide, but rather hints at highhandedness in President Buhari’s style, portraying himself as a true democrat.
He would have had a point there, but for that little incident on a weekend in the middle of 2014 when the military under his watch raided leading media distribution centres, seizing or destroying the day’s copies, threatening distributors and charging journalists with “publishing and selling falsehood.”
Now who in his family is being harassed? If the EFCC thinks his wife Patience should explain the origins of over N1b allegedly found in her bank account, how does that amount to harassment? If the quintessential democrat thinks anyone is breaking the law by harassing his family, he knows where and how to get justice, doesn’t he?


Source: The Nation

Military denies Boko Haram resurgence in Northeast

 The Defence Headquarters has reassured Nigerians that there is no “resurgence of insurgency’’ in the North East, particularly in Borno in spite of pockets of attacks and suicide bombings in the state.
Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, the Director Defence Information, gave the assurance on Friday at the monthly update on security situation nationwide. Enenche said that the military, particularly the Nigerian army had re-strategised to deal with those attacks.
“The general public has a feeling which I have been made to understand that there seems to be like there is resurgence of the Boko haram activities in the North East, particularly in Borno State.
“I stand here this morning to tell you categorically that it is not true.“Let me also remind you that the Boko Haram groups, I called them groups because it is not one. They vary in their characteristics and behaviour.
“They are not professional, they do not know what we armed forces of Nigeria, know,’’ he said.According to Enenche, the new tactics being adopted by the military is to enable the troops to clear remnants of the insurgents.
“It is not that we have become docile or dormant, no.
“The apprehension from the public is becoming much from the dossier I get, but I am assuring them that the new tactics adopted by the military in eliminating the terrorists is working,’’ he said.
The defence spokesman said some of the terrorists were willingly giving up themselves, but vowed that the die-hard among them would sooner than later meet their waterloo.
“From those, who are surrendering, we are having a good level of cooperation from them.
“A good number of them are surrendering; they are interested in the `Operation Safe Corridor’, the measure put in place by the Defence Headquarters for those who are ready to repent,’’ he added.
Enenche said that repentant terrorists, who took advantage of that window would be “demobilised, disarmed and re-integrated into the society through targeted operated training.’’
He said that while the Nigerian Air Force had injected new platforms to enhance their capability in night operation, the Navy was on top of the situation in the Lake Chad region.
According to him, threats in that region have been drastically reduced.He said that the other various operations being conducted by the military across the country in checking criminality were yielding desired results.
The operations include `Harbin Kunama II’’ in the North West, “Safe Haven’’ in North Central, “Delta Safe’’ in the Niger Delta and “Awase’’ in the South West.
On removal of mines from the North East, Enenche said following the call by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, the United Nations had indicated willingness to assist the country.
“And the promise from the body is very encouraging for the whole of that area to be demined.“Of course, from other sectors of those involved in this initiative, you will discover that the area has been seriously mined.
“So, it is not easy for the people, IDPs to return to their homes and farms, but that effort is on. The Nigerian army engineers are there within the available resources to do their best“But the moment we get the required support from the international community, I tell you the exercise is going to be accelerated,’’ he said.Buratai had told newsmen in Maiduguri that the army was only doing a limited demining of the area and that large scale removal of mines would require the assistance of the UN and other relevant bodies.

Source: The Guardian

Buhari will not resign – Presidency

President Buhari

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has said that his principal will not resign and that those asking him to, are “merely expressing their opinions.”
Adesina stated this during an interactive session with journalists, at the launch of Olusegun Adeniyi’s new book, ‘Against The Run of Play,’ on Friday in Lagos.
 “Saying the president should resign is an opinion but don’t forget that 15 million people elected the president so if one or two people express their opinion, will their opinion override that of 15 million people that voted for him?” he asked.
“Those who are expressing their opinion have rights to their opinion.”
On the state of Buhari’s health, he said: “There is no need for apprehension, God spared the president the first time. Remember he said that he has never been as ill as he was before. The same God that spared him will also ensure that he returns to full health. Nigerians prayed and God answered, Nigerians are still praying and God will still answer.”

Source: Daily Post

Biafra: Go home quietly, stop ‘stupid’ agitation – Joe Igboke tells Nnamdi Kanu

Joe Igbokwe

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe, has admonished the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu to quietly go home after securing his bail condition and stop what he tagged as “stupid” and “hopeless agitation for the realisation of Biafra.”

Igbokwe made the remark while reacting to a threat by the pro-Biafra group to ban him from Igboland over his comments against Kanu.

The APC Chieftain, in a statement maintained that Biafra is not achievable, stressing that agitators are just “dissipating their energy for nothing.”

He said, “Now that he has been granted bail, he should just quietly go home and rest. We are not a candidate of Biafra. They are just dissipating their energy for nothing. I just hope he will just go home quietly and stop disturbing the peace of the country.

“We are not for Biafra. We can’t build Nigeria for others. The so-called Biafra is too small for us. Nigeria provides a big stage for us. We own this country.

“We are a major ethnic group in this country. How can you go for a small pond when you have Atlantic Ocean?

“So Nnamdi Kanu should go home quietly. He should stop his reckless and stupid agitation. The agitation has no political or economic sense. It is a hopeless agitation that we are not interested in.

“They are just using it to make money from gullible ones. It is a collection of illiterates.”

Source: Daily Post

Soyinka to Buhari: Make your health status public

Soyinka and Buhari 

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Friday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to make his health status public to Nigerians, saying the President is a public property.

Speaking at a programme in Lagos, Soyinka said “why is the President hiding his state of health? He’s supposed to understand he’s public property. Me I’m still a private property, that’s why I’m not in Aso Rock.

“Once you are in Aso Rock, or you occupy a similar position, you have a responsibility to come out frankly to your citizens. Guarding your state of health like Donald Trump is guarding his tax returns is not what we expect from a Nigerian President. Let him address the nation and stop all these speculations which create unnecessary political manipulations among other things.”

Source: The Nation

“Whistle-blower Policy: EFCC Recovers N17billion”

EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu

The Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Thursday said the introduction of the whistle-blower policy by the federal government has led to the recovery of about N17billion by the commission.
Mr. Magu made the disclosure while presenting a paper titled “Before Corruption Kills Nigeria”, at the 62nd Award Night of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels, Abuja.
In the paper, which was presented on his behalf by an official of the anti-graft agency, A. Bello, Mr. Magu said, “apart from several other recoveries running into several billions of naira, the recent whistle-blower policy, has led to the recovery of N521,815,000, $53,272,747, £122,890, and €547,730 by the EFCC.”
The EFCC boss, while reiterating the Commission’s commitment to combating corruption called on the media to support the ongoing fight against corruption as that was the only way the battle can be won.
“The EFCC is committed to pursuing its statutory mandate and to rescuing the Nigerian state and its people from being killed by corruption,” he said. “We call on the Media and well meaning Nigerians to join us in this crusade. With the government and people of Nigeria behind the EFCC, we shall surely be victorious”.
Mr. Magu also said the EFCC recorded 62 convictions in the first quarter of the year.
In his remarks, the National President of the NUJ, Abdulwaheed Odusile, pledged the union’s support for the EFCC and commended the Commission for its efforts in combating corruption of all manners in Nigeria.
He urged the agency to continue carrying out its operation without fear or favour.
“While we commend the EFCC for its efforts in fighting economic crimes and corruption, we urge it to be diligent and painstaking in its assignment, and continue to operate without fear or favour. The media will continue to support their efforts in this regard,” Mr. Odusile said.
The NUJ president also condemned the rejection of Mr. Magu as the substantive chairman of the EFCC by the Senate and called for synergy between the legislature and the executive in the interest of the nation.
“We condemn the undue politicization of the confirmation of the appointment of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the EFCC by the National Assembly,” he said. “We call on the executive and the legislature to work together in the interest of the Nigeria people. The cat and mouse game in their relationship is adversely affecting the state of the nation and the welfare of the people.”


Source: Premium Times

Biafra: How to actualize Igbo nation – Ex-Senate President, Nnamani

Ken Nnamani

Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, has opined that agitation would not lead to the actualization of Biafra.
Nnamani stressed that rather than agitate for Biafra; people of the region should rather embrace dialogue and political solution to achieve self-determination.
Speaking in Abuja, on Thursday, the former Senate President also canvassed for the restructuring of the country.
He noted that the people stand a better chance to benefit from restructuring rather than engaging in agitation that could easily lead to deaths.
According to Nnamani, “Those of us from South East had nothing to be ashamed of, our case was reviewed and still going under construction as a building.
“Some other places that never experienced war are not doing better than us. I am one of the last persons that will encourage anybody to agitate for another war.
“If you look at the structures here in Abuja, the notable hotels and structures, statistically speaking belong to the southerners and that tells you how enterprising our people are.
“I was in Abeokuta recently for the launch of a book called the “Yoruba Agenda.” The book was about restructuring and not exiting from the union. Each geopolitical zone should develop at its own pace. Our people should take that message home.
“Igbos fought Biafran war but go back to Igbo land and see the business and other developmental activities going on there. I want to discourage our people from the idea of having our young ones who ought to be in school littered all over streets agitating for Biafra.”

Source: Daily Post

Saraki, El-Rufai instigated Buhari not to pick me as VP – Tinubu

Bola Tinubu

A National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has alleged that Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, worked against the plan to make him President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate in the 2015 presidential election.
Tinubu stated that Saraki, El-Rufai and other stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party, who defected to the APC in the build-up to the 2015 elections, instigated Buhari and some APC chieftains not to pick him as the would-be Vice-President.

The APC leader’s comments were contained in a book titled ‘Against the Run of Play,’ written by the Chairman, Editorial Board of ThisDay, Olusegun Adeniyi.

Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State, said his opponents persuaded Buhari to look for another running mate on the grounds that Christians in the North would not embrace a Muslim-Muslim ticket, and as such, could jeopardise the party’s victory.

The former governor said the arguments put forward by the party members were not genuine, adding that El-Rufai had the intention to ensure the emergence of the Serving Overseer of The Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Buhari’s running mate.

Tinubu added, “What they (Saraki and others from the PDP) did behind my back was wrong. We always do things as a group. By the time they joined, we were already too far ahead in our processes but we accommodated them.

“We agreed to take their state structures and subsume them into the part and they all had their opportunity to nominate the candidates of their choices for different political offices.

“But they went behind to instigate Buhari and some other people in the party against me on the pretext of religion. That was not right. They were canvassing arguments that the Christians in the North would not vote for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“Nasir el-Rufai was also selling the same argument within the CPC (the defunct Congress for Progressive Change) because at that point, he still wanted to have Pastor Bakare brought in as Buhari’s running mate.”

Tinubu stated that some senators and governors then, who defected from the PDP to the APC, met with him on the eve of the primaries to know if there was an agreement between him and Buhari to run together.

He said he evaded the inquiry, which compelled the allies to join him in canvassing for Buhari as the right presidential candidate of the party.

“I told them that it was better to resolve such issue after the primaries, but they wanted to make it a condition for supporting Buhari, which, for me, was very wrong. I told them I could not insist on this as a condition for my support for Buhari. I felt that was not right to hold Buhari hostage in this manner.

“I believe the support that we gave was fundamental to Buhari clinching the party nomination. Without that support, a different outcome would have been most likely,” Tinubu added.

He noted that Buhari later requested him to nominate three persons for the job, but he (Tinubu) presented only Yemi Osinbajo as his ultimate choice.

 “I backed down because I did not want to be depicted as causing a problem. I backed away from the position in order to offer Buhari a name I once raised with him in 2011: that of Professor Yemi Osibanjo,” he added.

Source: Punch Newspaper

I didn’t betray you, Nigerians voted you out – Former PDP chairman, Mu’azu replies Jonathan

Mu'azu and Jonathan

Former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, has insisted that he did not betray ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan, who was the party’s presidential candidate in 2015.
The former Governor of Bauchi State, took to his Facebook account, to respond to allegations that he betrayed Jonathan during the 2015 polls.
In a new book, ‘Against the Run of Play’ written by Olusegun Adeniyi, Jonathan claimed that Mu’azu and some other trusted allies worked against his re-election.
However, Mu’azu wrote on his Facebook page: “Ordinarily, I would have ignored the allegation that I betrayed President Jonathan and my party, but doing so could create the impression that I really did.
“I find it difficult to believe that President Jonathan would level such allegation against me. How can one betray himself?
“As the then National Chairman of the PDP, I have been at the forefront of the presidential campaign train. Those who insinuate that I betrayed President Jonathan and my party are being economical with the truth.
“In the face of abuse, insult and open ridicule by our friends and brothers we supported President Jonathan faithfully.
“In all sincerity, I gave my best and all to my party. Those who blame us for not delivering maximum votes to the former President in the north seem to have forgotten that it is the people who vote.”


Source: Daily Post

Health challenges: Makarfi urges Buhari to hand over to Osinbajo

President Buahri

The chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to hand over power to Vice President Yemi Osibanjo pending his full recovery from his undisclosed illness.
Makarfi, who made the call in an interview with our correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, said if President Buhari is not fit enough to remain in office, it’s better to tell the Nigerian people and allow the Vice President to continue as Acting President and return to work after full recovery.
The leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the President would be working from his official residence, after failing to attend the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting for three consecutive weeks.
But Makarfi disagreed with the APC’s position, saying, “It cannot be okay and it can never be okay. My take is that if the President is not fully fit to stay in office, it is better that he tell Nigerians, so that the Vice President will continue to be Acting President, exercising the powers of acting president.
“Then you run away from this kind of situation when we allow time for the President to fully recover and assume his mantle of leadership. Me as PDP person, as a human being, I will never wish any human being ill-will even if I disagree with you politically.
“So it does not matter that it is APC that is the person that is sick. May prayer is that he is fit to serve his term. As a politician, I equally want him to finish his term. So when some people begin to insinuate things, of what interest would it be to PDP should the President be unable to finish his term.
“We don’t wish him ill will, we want him to be well, we want him to be fit enough to be on seat when in 2019 we go for election and defeat the APC .
“For a number of reasons, the PDP wishes the President well, for stability of this country, political stability and the fact that we want to defeat a sitting President. We don’t want any confusion politically in this country. It is not good for anybody and as a human being; I never wish anybody ill will irrespective of political differences”.
Makarfi also reacted to the claim by former President Goodluck Jonathan that some prominent members of the PDP from Northern Nigeria, including the erstwhile party chair, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, betrayed him by working against his re-election in the 2015 elections.
The Caretaker Committee chairman said Jonathan was betrayed by sycophants he surrounded himself with, coupled with the fact that the party leadership made many mistakes and failed to take wise counsel.
Said he, “The PDP made many mistakes and I have said it before. Of course there were betrayers left, right and centre, even those of us who stood for other elective offices we can be talking that way.
“We made mistakes; we were not listening to what people had to tell us. We were too comfortable, then of course sycophancy took over and when sycophancy takes over what would you end up with.
“There were all kinds of betrayals. We have learnt our lessons now. I don’t want to cry over spilled milk. We should learn from the mistakes that we have made for not listening to the true voices of the people.
“Going forward, we should try to avoid a situation where we would be saying someone betrayed us. No matter what, you will find Judases here and there and you cannot do away with them in life not even in politics.
“And when they are in majority, you have to look at yourself as a party and the honest truth is that we made fundamental errors. And it created a fertile ground for that betrayal. I am not defending it because it ought not to have happened. And people would have been more patient but not everybody can be patient”.
On the argument by some prominent Northern party chieftains that PDP would have won the 2015 election if the party had fielded a popular candidate from the North, instead of Jonathan, Makarfi agreed that the race would have been easier for the party.
“Yes, the result would have been different, but even then, Jonathan as the candidate if the party had listened a lot more, and rejigged its campaign, its language and the message.
“True or false, the votes difference was about two million. It would have been different even with Jonathan as a candidate. It is not just of him as a candidate, but communicating better and dealing with the right people could have made the situation different.
“But that is history. So we should learn from the mistakes we have made. So you cannot entirely say because Jonathan was a candidate, of course it would have been much easier, but even with him as candidate, the characters fronting for PDP were not characters that could have won election for the party”.
On the future of the PDP, in view of the party’s protracted leadership crisis, Makarfi said his group are waiting for the commencement of its appeal against the court backed National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff. The Supreme Court is to commence hearing in the matter on May 5.
Asked what would be the fate of the PDP should his faction lose the case to Sheriff at the apex court, Makarfi said that would spell the death knell of the crisis-ridden opposition party.
He continued, “If it happens that way, PDP would die. But those who would be working to kill PDP that way, I assure you they would end up being confronted with a bigger political force than the PDP itself.
“Because politics is about people, there is no way, let me speak here for the North that I know so well; there is no way in the North with Sheriff at the helm of affairs of PDP that voters would on their own go and vote PDP. There is no way.
“We have just seen it in a recent election in Delta State that they have turned their back against PDP because of Sheriff. And it may be so in many states of the southern part of this country.
“These people are alive, they are politicians, they are active. Water will surely find its level. And consistently, we have been saying that we are not going to be caught unawares. We are not going to be caught without options.
“We cannot boast of what the Supreme Court judgment would be but we are hopeful that they would do what is right. And in our opinion, what is right is upholding the Convention.
“But should what we think is right not be in law right before the Supreme Court, so be it. We will decide our political direction in good time. And that political direction, I assure you, would be one that would be more potent than the PDP as it is.
“Because PDP as it is, we know that we carry wounds, a lot of stigmatism, a lot of things and in an effort to kill a rat, you may let a lion loose because God  Almighty that created us loves us and He looks over everybody.
“God wants something that is good for our people and there is no way you can deny whatever is good for our people no matter the intrigues you apply. You may think you are squeezing people one way, but you may be giving birth to something that you may not be able to squeeze.
“Win or loose, members of PDP have a bright future. So I am saying PDP members should not be bothered because win or loose at the Supreme Court, they have a brighter political future. A decision will be taken at the appropriate time”.
Describing what he described as Sheriff’s sinister antics, the party chief accused some prominent members of the ruling APC of foisting him on the PDP against the wish of the majority.
Said he, “There are invisible hands that are hoisting him, and hoisting him purely with the view to destroying opposition and that is what he is basking in. Nigerians should wake up.
“It is not about PDP, it is about development of democracy and the voice of democracy in Nigeria. And if it is PDP today, it will be another party tomorrow.
“That is what we are standing on and that is what we are fighting for so that tomorrow whichever party may find itself in power will not be able to stop easily or decimate opposition in order to have an easy way.
“You can take a horse to the river, you cannot force it to drink water.  And people will decide for themselves at the appropriate time”.
According to him, PDP members across the federation would never remain in the party with Sheriff calling the shots, stressing that the party chairman has gone into financial deal with some APC governors with the sole aim of destabilising the PDP in their various states ahead of the 2019 elections.
“Sheriff is busy factionalising the PDP across the states but we are not going to erect parallel structures in any state in deference to the Appeal Court ruling and in order not to further compound the problem.
“He is doing this for the APC governors to win comfortably in their various states and he is being paid for the job. Sheriff has taken up a job to destroy the PDP for a fee and that is exactly what he is doing”, Senator Makarfi said.
On the fate of the PDP in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States, Makarfi said voters in those states will never allow themselves to be without options.
“You see, politics is local, those states are not sleeping. They have their eyes wide open; they would never allow themselves to be without options.
“PDP men and women would never allow themselves to be without options, our prayer is that on May 4, all the motions filed before the Supreme Court would have been heard.
“And if all this are heard, our prayer is that the Supreme Court would do justice in time. And mind you, within the week, even the INEC said this crisis in PDP is affecting its ability to properly plan for elections.
“So this matter is more of elective matter than that of political party issue because every day there are elections and it is causing confusion in the land.
“Our prayer is that the Supreme Court will do justice and in our opinion, justice is respecting what the overwhelming party men and women want and do it in good time.
“Either way, whatever they decide, people would take their position as to what they are going to do and our prayer is that their decision will bring sanity in the land”, he stated.


Source: The Nation

Why I am rarely seen in public — President Buhari

President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that despite insinuations about his alleged poor health, there is no need for apprehension over recovery.
Mr. Buhari spoke Thursday evening through a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba, explaining why he had been out of public glare for a while.
The statement said, “President Buhari’s absence at the Federal Executive Council meeting of Wednesday, April 26, was a last minute decision; otherwise, the cabinet and the public might have been alerted in advance. As eager as he is to be up and about, the President’s doctors have advised on his taking things slowly, as he fully recovers from the long period of treatment in the United Kingdom some weeks ago.
“President Buhari himself, on his return to the country, made Nigerians aware of the state of his health while he was in London. Full recovery is sometimes a slow process, requiring periods of rest and relaxation, as the Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed, intimated in his press briefing after the FEC meeting on Wednesday.
“Despite his lack of visibility, Nigerians should rest assured that President Buhari has not abdicated his role as Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria.
“He receives daily briefings on the activities of government, and confers regularly with his Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. His private residence, in which he has been spending the majority of his time recently, also has a fully equipped office.
“God is the giver of life and health. We are grateful that He has seen our President through the worst period of his convalescence in London. We are thankful that the President has passed a number of benchmarks already. We pray that God continues to see him through this period of recuperation.”


Source: Premium Times

I do not have $1.2bn in any account – Lai Mohammed

Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says the report that he has 1.2 billion dollars (about N400 billion) in his imaginary bank account is “fake and vicious’’.

The minister stated this on Thursday in Ilorin at the Annual National Conference and General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) with the theme; “Communicating Values for Development and Sustainability’’.

The minister said that the report was invented by opposition and naysayers to malign him and the government, adding that the alleged fund is about the budget of his ministry for 25 years.
“How else can you explain that people will believe and circulate a fake report that the Minister of Information and Culture that is yours truly has 1.2 billion dollars in his imaginary bank account?
“Let’s examine this for a moment. 1.2 billion dollars is about N400 billion.
“The entire yearly budget of the Ministry of Information and Culture, where I preside, is under 15 billion Naira and these include salaries, overhead and capital projects.
“Assuming, without conceding that the Minister somehow manages to transfer the entire budget into his personal account, it will take 25 years for him to amass N400 billion.
“Yet, this disinformation was lapped up by the public, he said.
The minister said that similar imaginary huge sums of money had been credited to other ministers.
He condemned the ugly trend by opposition, who were inventing the fake and malicious stories using bloggers and some online media to malign government officials.
According to him, the intention of the perpetrators and carriers of the reports are to distract the government to lose focus, but it will not fall to their antics.
The minister said that Public Relations gave him the first break in life being the profession he practiced after his graduation for over 40 years.
Mohammed, a Fellow of the Institute said that the theme of the conference was apt and called on NIPR members to be proactive in the discharge of their duties.
“You must neither be intimidated, cowed nor be overwhelmed by the cynics, you must set your own agenda and daily review such with a view to improving on them.
“You must never lose touch with your traditional constituents. You must understand the tactics of the opposition, which is ambush and irrational,’’ he said.
The minister specifically tasked
government information managers to equip themselves with qualities such as integrity, courage, abnormal capacity for hard work, ingenuity resourcefulness and ability to think out of the box.
The President and Chairman Governing Council of NIPR, Dr Rotimi Oladele said the conference was to deliberate on how the profession could be used to promote communication values for development.
He underscored the need for practitioners to showcase national values and present them to global market.
Oladele commended the minister for the support given to the Institute and for creating time to attend the event.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister also inaugurated a new Governing Council for the Institute to run for two years under the leadership of Oladele.
Some of the members of the Council are, former Defence Spokesperson, retired Gen. Chris Olukolade, former Director of Press and Protocol in the Ministry of Information and Culture, Mr Peter Dama and his successor, Mr Timothy Oyedeji.
Others are Mr Wale Adeniyi of Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Sule Yau a former Chief Press Secretary to Kano State Government and Alhaja Bola Osifeso.
NAN also reports that 10 members of NIPR were inducted to Fellowship of the Institute.


Source: The Nation

Witness admits collecting N26m for Fani-Kayode

Femi Fani-Kayode

A Prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Mr Femi Fani-Kayode on Tuesday told a Federal High Court, Abuja how he collected N26 million for the defendant from the NSA’s office. Fani-Kayode is a former minister of Aviation.
Mr Victor Ehiabhi, the first witness to testify in Fani-Kayode’s trial, said he was sent by the defendant to accompany his gardener, Francis and a domestic staff, Esther to the NSA’s office.
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Johnson Ojogbane, the witness said he was a police officer at the Force Criminal Investigative Department (FCID) before he was deployed as Fani-Kayode’s security aide.
He explained that his schedule of duty includes providing security for the defendant’s household and his property.

Ehiabhi said that on Nov. 21, 2014, Francis called him on phone and told him that the defendant directed them to go to the NSA’s office at the villa.
He said that on reaching there as instructed, he was given a document to sign on behalf of the defendant who was absent.
“In the document, I endorsed the sum of N26 million which was meant for the defendant.
“I initially refused to endorse the document but the man insisted that hence I was a police officer, I was to endorse the document.
“He brought the N26 million in cash which was in a bag, gave it to me I then took it to the defendant’s house who I later called.
He added that the defendant later called him to ensure maximum security in the house until his arrival and on his arrival, I handed over the N26 million to him.
Responding to the prosecution’s question on why he was invited by the EFCC, the witness said he was invited because he was the defendant’s security aide.
He said when he was invited to EFCC’s office, an official of the commission brought the document he signed at the NSA’s office on Nov. 21, 2014.
The defence counsel, Wale Balogun who stood for Ahmed Raji (SAN), pleaded with the court to adjourn the matter to enable Raji cross examine the witness.
Balogun had earlier told the court that Raji was absence in court because he missed his flight to Abuja.
Justice John Tsoho then adjourned the case till June 6 for cross examination of the witness.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fani-Kayode was arraigned by EFCC before Justice Tsoho on a fresh five-count charge bordering on money laundering.
The ex-aviation minister was accused of allegedly collecting N26 million from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and using same for media campaign.
Fani-Kayode is also facing another 17-count charge of money laundering before the Lagos division of the court.


Source: The Guardian

Fight for corruption is a general one- Prof. Sagay

Prof Itse Sagay

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), debunked rumours by Nigeria elites’ that the present administration lacked framework and strategy for the fight against corruption.
Speaking recently at the PACAC- Youth Dialogue on corruption at the University of Lagos, Prof. Itse said since the present administration came to power, there had been a lot of work ongoing to produce a document, which would serve as a philosophy and strategy of the government in the fight against corruption. He assured Nigerians that the document would be ready and launched on the twenty seventh of this month in the nation’s capital this manual he said would be used for the management of corruption cases committee and introduced to the Ministry of Justice, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and some other agencies.”
"That manual is based on the philosophy that prosecution of corruption cases will be team work, which will consist of different parties to ensure sufficient evidence to achieve the object of the prosecution.’’
He urged the elites to cross check their facts and make necessary enquires before making a statement. “One thing that I have noticed among the elites is that we tend to criticise without finding out our fact. They just assumed that when they don’t know something, it does not exist, that is the arrogance of those of us who are elites, who are educated.”
The Vice President, Industrial Global Union, Issa Aremu, in his keynote address tasked Nigeria youth to see corruption as a means of new colonialism which today’s youth needed to fight against the same way the nation’s founding father fought against British colonialism. He said that corruption is eating the nation so deep and those who have been trusted are now taking advantage of the public resources at the expense of the public.
He said: “The Nigeria youth fought against British colonialism in the 40s and 50s, which led to independence. I think the youth of today should see corruption as a new challenge and the need to regain our independence from looters and criminals who have stolen our common wealth.
He charged the youth to pick up their strength and fight along the President to eradicate the nation of corruption. “The fight for corruption is a general one and should not be left for entirely to the anti- corruption agencies we need to wake up to the reality and join the fight against corruption because we cannot leave it to EFCC and ICPC but take it as our own struggle.”


Source: The Sun

Presidency, Abubakar Umar trade words over corruption fight

Garba Shehu

The presidency has condemned a recent statement by a retired colonel, Dangiwa Umar, against the ongoing anti-corruption campaign of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
A presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, made the condemnation in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.
Mr. Shehu was reacting to a statement issued by Mr. Umar in which he accused the government of President Muhammadu Buhari of being unfair in the war against corruption.
In his statement on Sunday, the retired colonel commended President Buhari for suspending two officials enmeshed in scandals, but criticised other actions of the administration.
“The decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria to suspend the SGF Mr David Babachir Lawal and the DG NIA Mr Ayodele Oke while they are being investigated is a welcome development in its war against corruption,” Mr. Umar said. “It is also remarkable and commendable that the Government has decided not to detain the duo while they are being investigated.”
Mr. Umar faulted the continued detention of former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, despite various court judgments.
The only explanation one can find for Col. Dasuki’s lengthy detention without trial is that he belongs to the wrong camp. He has also the misfortune of having served as National Security Adviser to the much vilified Nigerian President of Ijaw extraction,” he said, while accusing the federal government’s anti-corruption war of being a “President Buhari personal struggle.”
In his reaction on Monday, Mr. Shehu said the Buhari administration would neither succumb to media attacks nor would it be deterred by false accusations.
“The war against corruption is here to stay. As long as President Buhari is in power, Nigerians can rest assured of that.
“It will not succumb to media attacks. It will not be deterred by false accusations. It will not be quenched by disgruntled elements.’’
The spokesperson said President Buhari’s administration is quite familiar with the barrage of verbal attacks that have accompanied the administration’s determined war against corruption.
“A number of Nigeria’s elite, uncomfortable with the disruption of business as usual, have fought viciously, usually via the media.
“However, this comment, coming from Umar, is highly disappointing. Because he is not in a position to label accusations. He should, instead, allow others to do this.
“Curiously, despite the various accusations and media attacks, no one has so far come forth with any evidence of President Buhari’s selectiveness in the war against corruption,’’ he said.
Mr. Shehu challenged anyone or organisation with any evidence of bias or partiality in the fight against corruption to make it public
He stated that all the agencies involved in the war against corruption were allowed freedom to carry out their responsibilities, without any interference whatsoever from the Presidency.
He said, “If Umar or anyone else feels that they have any evidence to the contrary, they are encouraged to make this public.
“Ultimately, the final frontier of the war against corruption is the judiciary.
“After the anti-graft agencies have gathered proof of corruption and made arrests, they present the accused before competent courts of the land, who have the final say on who is guilty of corruption and who is not.’’
Mr. Shehu maintained that President Buhari had never interfered with the judicial process, despite publicly expressing his frustration with how slowly corruption cases were handled.
“Again, anyone with a shred of evidence to the contrary is encouraged to go public with it.”
“A number of Nigerian elites have over the years benefitted from various forms of corruption, including monthly payouts from the office of previous National Security Advisers.
“Let me clarify that this is not in reference to Colonel Umar in particular.
“The Buhari administration has offended so many of our greedy elite by putting a stop to this, plugging many of the holes through which our country’s resources, belonging to each and every one of us, were looted by a few.
“Naturally, these elites are frustrated. But we shall not allow them to frustrate the war against corruption,” he said.


Source: Premium Times

Dasuki still in detention because of Goodluck Jonathan – Abubakar Umar

Abubakar Umar





Abubakar Umar, a retired colonel and social critic, says Sambo Dasuki, immediate past national security adviser (NSA), has been detained for a lengthy spell because he “belongs to the wrong camp”.
Dasuki has been in detention since November 2015.
In a statement on Sunday, Umar called for his release and noted that the former NSA was being unjustly detained because of his ties to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He expressed concern that despite three courts granting bail to the former NSA, the government has refused to release him.
“The only explanation one can find for Col. Dasuki’s lengthy detention without trial is that he belongs to the wrong camp. He has also the misfortune of having served as national security adviser to the much vilified Nigerian President of Ijaw extraction,” the statement by Umar read.
“Colonel Dasuki’s fate is tied to that of his former principal President Goodluck Jonathan – an honourable and patriotic Nigerian who conceded defeat and congratulated the winner of the 2015 Presidential election Gen. Muhammadu Buhari even before INEC declared the final results, when he could have held on tenaciously to power as is the norm in many Third World Countries.”
The former military administrator of Kaduna state lauded the suspension of Babachir Lawal, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and Ayodele Oke, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
He, however, noted that fair-minded Nigerians are sceptical over the conduct of the government’s anti-corruption war which appears to be aimed at the persecution of the opposition.
“The decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria to suspend the SGF Mr David Babachir Lawal and the DG NIA Mr Ayodele Oke while they are being investigated is a welcome development in its war against corruption. It is also remarkable and commendable that the Govt. has decided not to detain the duo while they are being investigated,” said Umar.
“This is a welcome departure from the prevailing anti democratic process by which accused persons, particularly from the opposition camp, are unlawfully detained pending the commencement of investigations, or refused bail granted by law courts.

“There is national unanimity in support of the war against corruption which is expected to be non-discriminatory and waged by a meticulous adherence to the rule of law. For the war to be meaningful and sustainable, it must be elevated beyond a President Buhari personal struggle to a national one.”
Umar urged the federal government to obey the rulings of the courts and immediately set free Dasuki.
“Our extant constitution is quite clear on this issue. The federal government does not have the power to determine which offence is bailable or whether an accused person is deserving of bail. It should therefore obey courts’ decisions and release Col. Dasuki without any further delay. His unlawful detention, campaign of calumny and pretrial publicity make it impossible for him to receive a fair trial,” he said.
Dasuki is accused of diverting funds meant to combat the Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east.




Source: TheCable

Cabals have hijacked government, turned Buhari into private property – Northern Group

President Buhari

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has alleged that a cabal in the current government has turned President Muhammadu Buhari into a private property.
AYCF made the claim while expressing worry over the continuous absence of the President in public.
In a statement by its leader, Yerima Shettima, the Northern group maintained that the President was not elected to stay indoors.
The statement reads, “Nigerians want to see the President they voted for. Nigerians want to know the status of his health. We are praying for him to get better but nobody should hide him from us. We are worried.
“It is disturbing and worrisome that we have not seen him in public and that we do not know his exact health status.
Nobody should hide him away from us because we feel he has been kidnapped from Nigerians. He is being treated with taxpayers’ money so they deserve to know the status of his health.
“It is sad that against all odds, a cabal in the government has turned Buhari to a private property. But Buhari is a public property as an elected president of the country. Tradition and constitution demand that we should know about his health.
“No one has the right to hide him from us. We are concerned; we are worried. We feel that our mandate is being hijacked by some people. The electorate must know what has happened to their mandate.”


Source: Daily Post

We will not float Naira and Kill Nigerians, CBN blasts ‘Washington’s Financial Institutions’

Central Bank Governor Mr. Godwin Emefiele

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has resisted calls from financial institutions in Washington to float the naira, saying it cannot kill Nigerians in the name of floating the naira.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the World Bank/IMF meetings, Isaac Okorafor, spokesman of the apex bank, also restated the CBN’s commitment to ensuring access to forex by the drivers of the economy — small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Okorafor said the call in Washington to liberalise the foreign exchange market by floating the naira is laughable.
“The call here in Washington that we should float the naira, liberalise the market; our market is extensively liberalised and the call to float the naira is a bit laughable in our case,” he said.
“Yesterday, when Madame Lagarde was discussing the economy of Egypt, she lamented herself, the devastating inflation that is in that country.
“Egypt has half of our population, Egypt receives about 12 billion in foreign earnings and several billions in tourism. We are 180 million people, our infrastructure is so poor and the productive capacity cannot be fast enough to rise to benefit from massive depreciation.
“If you float the naira today, and given the discoveries by security agencies, you’ll discover that our case will be terrible. If Egypt today has an inflation rate of almost 31 percent, remember Angola also has about 36 percent inflation, ours is at 17.26.
“If we float the naira and we allow speculators and those with corruption money and all the people who create the bubbles to launch into the market, you can yourself imagine the kind of situation we will find ourselves
“Yes, we would go all out to practise economic theory the way they say you should allow your currency to float, but of course, you should also know that no country floats its currency; just leaving it to the dictates of the market.
“Our economies has its own peculiarities, and we cannot kill our people in the name of floating the naira.”


Source: Breaking Time

Prophecy : Isaiah 4:1 - Seven Women and One Man

Introduction to the Prophecy

"Isaiah, one of the major prophets prophesied about 740 B.C. when King Uzziah died (Isaiah 6:1). He prophesied in Judah for more than 40 years during a period of moral and political upheaval.
The Book of Isaiah presents more power of observation or discernment than any other book of the Old Testament.
When Jesus begins His ministry, He quotes from Isaiah 61:1-2 mentioned in Luke 4:18-19. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound."

PROPHECY - Isaiah 4:1

"And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, "We will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel Only let us be called by thy name To take away our reproach."

Explanation

The day (future to Isaiah's prophecy c. 740 B.C.) will come when all the women (church, bride to be of Christ) will take hold (seize, gain possession, win, captivate charm, conduct, adopt, interpret, to operate) of one man (Jesus Christ) saying, "We will eat our own bread (own Manna, own words of life, own doctrine) and wear our own apparel (own garments of salvation or robe of righteousness); only let us be called by thy name (Jesus, Christian) to take away our reproach (shame, scorn, disgrace).
The prophesy foretells the time when all the churches will call themselves Christians in name only because they will preach their own doctrines and explain their own interpretation of righteousness ignoring the commandments of God. They believe that in calling themselves Christians will take away their shame.
John 4:23-24
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 8:47
He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.

Symbolism in Scripture

In That Day

What will happen in days to come. Isaiah prophesied in 740 B.C. about what will happen in the New Testament about the preaching of Jesus Christ. Jesus appeared more than three thousand years later.

Seven

A sacred number among the Jews, also indicating perfection or completion. It was used very often in a symbolic manner for the whole of a thing.


The number seven entered very largely into the religious life and observances of the Jews.
Seven spirits (Rev.1:4); Seven times wash in Jordan (2 Kings 5:10,14);
Seven stars (Rev. 1:16; 2:1; 3:1); Seven years (Gen. 29:18);
Seven years of famine (2 Sam. 24:13).
Seven women would signify a complete number of churches.

Woman - Church

The Lamb's wife signifies the Church of Jesus Christ.
Lamb's wife (Rev. 21:9); Jerusalem as bride for the Lamb (Rev. 21:2)
Worship at Jerusalem (John 4:21); Word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isa. 2:3; Mic. 4:2).
The women mentioned in this verse would mean all the Christian Churches. The seven churches mentioned by John in Revelation 1 and 2 signify
(1) the Active Church, sound in doctrine but deficient in love;
(2) the Poor but Rich Church;
(3) the Heretical Church;
(4) the Church of the False Prophetess;
(5) the Dying Church;
(6) the Loyal Church (Re.3:8 - thou has a little strength);
(7) the Lukewarm, Self-Satisfied Church.

Man - Jesus, Son of Man

Son of man hath not where to lay (Mat. 8:20; Luke 9:58)
Son of man hath power on earth to (Mat. 9:6; Mark 2:10; Luke 5:24)
Son of man is Lord even of Sabbath (Mat. 12:8; Mark 2:28)
Jesus is referred to as the Son of Man.

Bread - Words of God

Jesus ... the bread of life (John 6:32)
Bread of deceit (Pro. 20:17)
Leaven of bread (Mat. 16:12) of Pharisees and Sadducees
True bread from heaven (John 6:32-33) words of God
When the women eat their own bread, they will not preach the truth for Jesus said He is the bread of life (John 6:35, 40)."


Source: hubpages.com

Biafra: FG violating freedom of Nigerians by insisting on Nnamdi Kanu’s secret trial – Group

Nnamdi Kanu

A Civil Society group, Concerned Nigerians, has said the ruling of an Abuja Federal High Court to conduct a secret trial for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, is not in the interest of Nigeria’s national security.
The group maintained that the secret trial of the IPOB leader will violate the “rights and freedoms of the Nigerian people.”
The group made the statement while announcing its planned protest against the secret trial of Kanu on Friday in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the convener of the group, Deji Adeyanju and its Secretary, Dr. John Danfulani, the group disclosed that the march will begin at the Unity Fountain, Abuja at about 9am.
The statement reads, “We invite the general public and members of the press to our peaceful procession to protest the attempts to conduct the trial of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in secret. The procession will begin at the Unity Fountain on Friday April 21st, 2017 by 0900am.
“This procession has become necessary in the light of the FGN’s continued insistence to conduct the trial in secret. It is our firm belief that a secret trial in such a high profile matter does not serve the interests of the course of justice or Nigeria’s national security interests.
“Furthermore, Sections 36(3) and 36(6)(d) guarantee the right to a public trial and to examine all witnesses called by the prosecution to all Nigerians citizens.
“These attempts to try Nnamdi Kanu in secret not only potentially violate these rights but also constitute a precursor to the erosion of the rights and freedoms of the Nigerian people.
“In the build up to this procession, we have held a meeting with a security team comprising the State Security Services (SSS), the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Abuja Command of the Nigerian Police Force and representatives of the Nigerian Army.
“During this meeting, we reiterated our intention to conduct a peaceful procession in the manner of all our previous processions. We also reiterated our intention to exercise our right to peaceful and lawful assembly as guaranteed by the Constitution.
“We are well aware of the subtle and not so subtle threats made at this meeting. However, we refuse to be intimidated by them. In this wise, our protest will go on as planned.
“We urge all Nigerians who plan to attend to be peaceful and law abiding during the procession.
Recall that the Justice Binta Nyako-led Court had fixed April 25 to deliver ruling on whether to continue with its earlier ruling of Kanu being tried in secret or not.
Kanu alongside Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi are currently standing trial on criminal charges before the Justice Nyako-led court.


Source: Daily Post

Shehu Sani blasts Nasir el-Rufai over comments made against Bola Tinubu, South West

Senator Shehu Sani

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Shehu Sani, has taken another swipe at Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Senator Shehu Sani said that it amounted to ingratitude for the Kaduna State Governor to belittle the contributions of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Southwest base to the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 elections.
Sani, representing the Kaduna Central Senatorial District, said the contributions of the former Lagos State governor and the Southwest to the victory of the APC in the last general elections, was unparallel, contrary to El-Rufai’s claim.
According to him, without Tinubu, the victory over the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have remained a mere dream.
Describing Tinubu as the “lungs of the APC while President Buhari is the heart’, the senator said it was unfortunate that “el-Rufai, who smiles with Tinubu during the daylight, stings him at night”.
The statement reads: “The memo written by Kaduna Governor which tends to belittle the contribution of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Southwest is sad and unfortunate. It is perfidious and the height of ingratitude.
“We must accept the stalk truth that without Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the principled position of the south West, dislodging Goodluck Jonathan and the then ruling PDP could have still remained a pipe dream, a hollow hope or a political mirage. El-Rufai defecated on a broom that is supposed to clean the littered floor of the nation.

“President Buhari is the heart of APC and Asiwaju is the lungs. Tinubu’s contribution to the success of the party is unequal. El-Rufai smiles with Tinubu in broad daylight and stings him at night. He hugs Tinubu with a chest of hooks and shakes him with toxic palms.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a man who built a castle for others to live and asked to appreciate the gift of a room in the boys’ quarters. Those who rubbished a hunter who borrowed them his arrow to disable an antelope will someday come back for same arrow to disable a lion.
“Tinubu honoured many official invitations to Kaduna, unknowingly; he was back-stabbed with an acidic memo. Tinubu has a history of being betrayed and has a history of overcoming betrayal.
“The future of the APC is with Buhari and the Southwest. Without Buhari and the Southwest, the change train will derail and end in smithereens like the fate of Yoguslavia or Soviet Union.
“President Buhari should be watchful of those who prey behind him and pray before him. Tinubu is an indispensable major component of change. My knowledge of Tinubu dates back to the NADECO days when we were in the trenches during the struggle against military dictatorship.
“El-Rufai should publicly apologise to Tinubu and the Southwest for degrading their contribution to the liberation of Nigeria. To insult a man publicly and apologise to him privately is eat your cake and have it. Those heavily drinking from the liquor of power should know that they will later or lately have to drive back home.”


Source: Breaking Times