Paradise News

Category: Politics

  • Buhari – I didn’t know why I came to rule now

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said that with the quantum of problems his administration inherited, he sometimes wondered why he had to seek power at this time.
    Buhari spoke in London while addressing members of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom.
    Our correspondent obtained a transcript of the President’s address to the gathering on Friday.
    Buhari said he wondered why oil, which used to sell for over $140 per barrel, would reduce to $30 per barrel during his time as the President.
    Notwithstanding the problem, however, Buhari said he kept praying to God to be merciful to the over 170 million Nigerians who are exposed to poverty, illiteracy and other social ills.
    He said, “With the problems we have in this government, I sometimes wonder. At least, this time around, I asked for it, I prayed for it, I went round the country and I asked for it. But the first time under the military, I allowed the military to take decision.
    “But I say why me? Why is it that it is when they have spent all the money, when they made the country insecure that I returned?
    “Why didn’t I come when the treasury was full? Oil price was over $140 per barrel and when I came, it slipped down to $30. Why me?
    “I keep on praying to God to pity Nigeria and its over 170 million people who are exposed to climate change, illiteracy and poverty.”
    The President, however, said his administration had succeeded in mopping up over N2.2trn as of January through the Treasury Single Account arrangement.
    He said although the TSA was introduced by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, that administration could not implement it for reasons best known to its officials.
    He said his administration decided to implement the arrangement when he came on board and discovered that the country was broke.
    The President said, “You know the condition we are in now. I am sure with demands from home, in spite of what your effort is, you know we are really in trouble.
    “We have tried to impose what we call Treasury Single Account. The reason is simple. This government did not initiate it, it was initiated by the previous government. But it was so unpopular to the bureaucracy, so the previous government for its own reasons, could not impose it.
    “But when we came and we found out that we were broke, we said this is the way to do it.
    “I will tell you two examples to convince you. Firstly, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had more than 45 accounts. Ministry of Defence had more than 70 accounts. Tell me which Accountant-General can trace all these accounts?
    “So, we imposed TSA. By the end of December, coming to January 2016, we mopped up more than N2.2trn which would have been used through bureaucratic system to raise vouchers and sign cheques so that they don’t go into the next budget.”
    The President said Nigeria owed the United States and Britain a lot of appreciation for stopping the former administration from rigging the last presidential election.
    He recalled that ahead of the elections, the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), urged the service chiefs and the then Inspector-General of Police to tell officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission that they could not guarantee their safety during the polls.
    He said the then Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, however, gave a comprehensive report at a meeting of the National Council of State, where he said he would be able to deliver, at least, 60 per cent free and fair election.
    The President said as of that time, the country had never gone beyond 45 per cent.
    He said it took the intervention of US Secretary of State, John Kerry, for the last administration to conduct credible election.
    He said, “Then we insisted that election must be done according to the constitution.
    “At this point again, I must hasten to thank the United States for sending the Secretary of State, Kerry, to go and read the riot act to the previous government and speak to Prof. Jega, the Chairman of INEC and speak to us as opposition that the US would not tolerate any election outside the Nigerian constitution.
    “They maintained the pressure from that date until after the election and the formation of the new government.
    “I think Nigerians honestly should thank the US for this. The same thing with Britain, they used all their experience and their powers to make sure that the Federal Government did not rig the last election.
    “We thank God, we thank these super powers and we thank technology. Why we thank technology is because of the permanent voter cards and the card readers.”
    Buhari said the issue of Diaspora voting had been coming up in all the countries he had visited since the inception of his administration.

  • Buhari – I didn’t know why I came to rule now

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said that with the quantum of problems his administration inherited, he sometimes wondered why he had to seek power at this time.
    Buhari spoke in London while addressing members of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom.
    Our correspondent obtained a transcript of the President’s address to the gathering on Friday.
    Buhari said he wondered why oil, which used to sell for over $140 per barrel, would reduce to $30 per barrel during his time as the President.
    Notwithstanding the problem, however, Buhari said he kept praying to God to be merciful to the over 170 million Nigerians who are exposed to poverty, illiteracy and other social ills.
    He said, “With the problems we have in this government, I sometimes wonder. At least, this time around, I asked for it, I prayed for it, I went round the country and I asked for it. But the first time under the military, I allowed the military to take decision.
    “But I say why me? Why is it that it is when they have spent all the money, when they made the country insecure that I returned?
    “Why didn’t I come when the treasury was full? Oil price was over $140 per barrel and when I came, it slipped down to $30. Why me?
    “I keep on praying to God to pity Nigeria and its over 170 million people who are exposed to climate change, illiteracy and poverty.”
    The President, however, said his administration had succeeded in mopping up over N2.2trn as of January through the Treasury Single Account arrangement.
    He said although the TSA was introduced by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, that administration could not implement it for reasons best known to its officials.
    He said his administration decided to implement the arrangement when he came on board and discovered that the country was broke.
    The President said, “You know the condition we are in now. I am sure with demands from home, in spite of what your effort is, you know we are really in trouble.
    “We have tried to impose what we call Treasury Single Account. The reason is simple. This government did not initiate it, it was initiated by the previous government. But it was so unpopular to the bureaucracy, so the previous government for its own reasons, could not impose it.
    “But when we came and we found out that we were broke, we said this is the way to do it.
    “I will tell you two examples to convince you. Firstly, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had more than 45 accounts. Ministry of Defence had more than 70 accounts. Tell me which Accountant-General can trace all these accounts?
    “So, we imposed TSA. By the end of December, coming to January 2016, we mopped up more than N2.2trn which would have been used through bureaucratic system to raise vouchers and sign cheques so that they don’t go into the next budget.”
    The President said Nigeria owed the United States and Britain a lot of appreciation for stopping the former administration from rigging the last presidential election.
    He recalled that ahead of the elections, the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), urged the service chiefs and the then Inspector-General of Police to tell officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission that they could not guarantee their safety during the polls.
    He said the then Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, however, gave a comprehensive report at a meeting of the National Council of State, where he said he would be able to deliver, at least, 60 per cent free and fair election.
    The President said as of that time, the country had never gone beyond 45 per cent.
    He said it took the intervention of US Secretary of State, John Kerry, for the last administration to conduct credible election.
    He said, “Then we insisted that election must be done according to the constitution.
    “At this point again, I must hasten to thank the United States for sending the Secretary of State, Kerry, to go and read the riot act to the previous government and speak to Prof. Jega, the Chairman of INEC and speak to us as opposition that the US would not tolerate any election outside the Nigerian constitution.
    “They maintained the pressure from that date until after the election and the formation of the new government.
    “I think Nigerians honestly should thank the US for this. The same thing with Britain, they used all their experience and their powers to make sure that the Federal Government did not rig the last election.
    “We thank God, we thank these super powers and we thank technology. Why we thank technology is because of the permanent voter cards and the card readers.”
    Buhari said the issue of Diaspora voting had been coming up in all the countries he had visited since the inception of his administration.

  • Osinbajo now acting President as Buhari takes a leave while touring the world

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday started a six-day vacation. He is expected back on duty on February 10.
    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, while the President is away, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will perform the functions of the President.
    Adesina said Buhari had already transmitted a letter to that effect to the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
    The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has begun a short vacation from today, February 5 to February 10, 2016.
    “While President Buhari is on vacation, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will perform the functions of the President.
    “In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution, President Buhari has dispatched a formal notice of his vacation to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.”
    Our correspondent however learnt on Friday that Buhari may use the opportunity of the short holiday to undergo medical check-up in London, United Kingdom.

  • Osinbajo now acting President as Buhari takes a leave while touring the world

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday started a six-day vacation. He is expected back on duty on February 10.
    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, while the President is away, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will perform the functions of the President.
    Adesina said Buhari had already transmitted a letter to that effect to the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
    The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has begun a short vacation from today, February 5 to February 10, 2016.
    “While President Buhari is on vacation, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will perform the functions of the President.
    “In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution, President Buhari has dispatched a formal notice of his vacation to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.”
    Our correspondent however learnt on Friday that Buhari may use the opportunity of the short holiday to undergo medical check-up in London, United Kingdom.

  • Buhari’s anti-terror war and political talks

    The monumental loss of lives and properties, coupled with the gnashing of teeth, wailing and mourning by families of the victims of last Saturday’s attack in North-East Borno State by members of the violent Boko Haram sect are said to be an anticlimax of a recent claim by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration that it has technically defeated the terror group.
    The latest attack left in its wake many children burnt to death and no fewer than 86 adults killed by the insurgents. These are apart from movable and immovable properties destroyed in the deadly attack. Other persons were also injured, some of who might have died a few days after from the injuries sustained from the attack.
    Observers said they had yet to come to terms with the President’s reaction to the attack that it was meant to embarrass his government when such a massive nefarious activity should not have been allowed to occur in any part of the country because of the overwhelming local and international support Buhari’s administration has received since its inauguration on May 29, 2015.
    Though the observers appreciated the President’s condemnation of the attack, they least expected Buhari to brand the uprising as an attempt to embarrass his government, more so when soft targets by the insurgents are where civilians congregate for worship, games and other social activities.
    President Buhari had raised the hope of the citizens when he affirmed a claim by his Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during an interview with the British Broadcasting Cooperation that the military had seriously whittled down the strength of the insurgents to the point that they had lost all capacities to attack urban areas and as a result the President said the insurgents had been technically defeated and now targeted remote areas out of desperation.
    From statistics, the terror group had killed no fewer than 14, 000 Nigerians and destroyed public properties and institutions in almost a decade of rage in the country. The President himself acknowledged this fact in his pre-election campaigns both at home and abroad.
    He even accused the administration of his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, of lacking the capacity to tackle the activities of the terror group. Buhari’s party, the All Progressives Congress, also accused the former President of chasing shadow in his approach to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.
    “This government (Jonathan’s administration) should realise that its raison d’etre is the security and welfare of Nigerians, and that it has failed woefully in this regard. Therefore, it should be humble enough to admit its limitations and then reach out to all stakeholders, including those in the opposition, to rejig its anti-terror strategy and save our innocent citizens from the killings and maiming by Boko Haram,” the APC had said in its reaction to one of the several Boko Haram attacks under Jonathan.
    So, given his background as a retired military General and a former head of state, Buhari consequently promised to end the sect’s activities in a record time, if elected as President in the last general elections.
    But it was not long after Buhari was declared winner of the presidential poll that the insurgents extended their terror attack beyond their stronghold states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to Gombe, Plateau and Kaduna states. The incidence compelled governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party to call on the President and the military to step up their actions against the terror war, claiming that Boko Haram’s areas of attack were becoming wide.
    The extension of the attack beyond Borno, Yobe and Adamawa informed the claim by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, that Boko Haram insurgency became worse under Buhari’s administration than Jonathan’s.
    Ekweremadu had said Jonathan had almost rolled back Boko Haram and its activities in the North-East and expressed the fear the insurgents could also attack Abuja and the southern part of the country soon.
    He had said, “I am worried about the resurgence of Boko Haram activities in Nigeria. Shortly before the inauguration of the present government, the country had almost rolled back Boko Haram and its activities in every part of Nigeria – from Adamawa to Borno to Yobe.
    “I was hoping that when we come back in the 8th Assembly, that I will work with our colleagues from the North-East to develop a plan of action that will help to rehabilitate that part of Nigeria. I feel so concerned about the suffering of our people from the North-East of Nigeria.
    “I had hoped that by now we would be tasking ourselves on how best to rebuild that part of Nigeria. Regrettably the actions of Boko Haram seem to have resurfaced now; not only in Borno, they have carried out their activities also in Plateau, they have gone to Adamawa and Kaduna.
    “I am worried that if nothing is done, the next target would be Abuja. Maybe they will start going to the South. It is important for us as those in government, whether executive or legislature, to come together to find solutions to these problems.”
    But the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, merely dismissed Ekweremadu’s comment and said that the deputy senate president was entitled to his opinion. According to Adesina, the fact that Ekweremadu made the statement did not make it right.
    However, last Saturday’s attack has raised some fundamental questions over Buhari’s claim that the latest Boko Haram attack was meant to embarrass his government. In spite of the government’s comment that the sect’s activities had been restricted to the Sambisa Forest, there was a deadly terror attack on Dalori, a village four kilometres outside Maiduguri, the Borno State capital last Saturday.
    The National Publicity Secretary, Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, blamed the current government for politicising the anti-terror war.
    He said the Boko Haram insurgents might have been provoked by a recent claim by Lai Muhammed that the current government had technically defeated the activities of the terror group.
    According to him, Buhari should have learnt from the United States Government, which after it killed Osama Bin Laden did not make a noise about it.
    Odumakin said, “I think the major problem with the current administration is that it has largely politicised the anti-terror war. When you begin to give all kinds of undertaking and commitment that you would end Boko Haram by December, 2015, and after the December deadline Lai Muhammed came out to say that the current administration had technically defeated Boko Haram. The comment, in a way, provoked the insurgents. So, there is no basis for such bravado.
    “It took the United States a long time to kill Osama Bin Laden. So, I think this kind of war is difficult to fight because the terrorists will not give notice before they strike. In all honesty, it is difficult to blame the current government for not forestalling the latest attack, but the response after the attack was indifferent.”
    He therefore asked the government to increase its intelligence gathering and stop political talks about terrorism because Nigeria is confronted with a serious situation.
    Odumakin said, “It is now that the APC-led administration knew that terrorism is very difficult to fight. But the party claimed when it was in the opposition that the insurgency raged because of the incompetence of former President Jonathan.”
    He equally urged all Nigerians to stop playing politics with Boko Haram this time round, saying, “We should rally the current government and push the leaders to do the right things so as to defeat terrorism in the country.
    “Terrorism will not be defeated by talking carelessly all over the place. It will only be defeated by doing the right things and ensuring that the government increases intelligence gathering and boost the morale of the armed forces.
    “The armed forces must increase their intelligence gathering and stop the insurgents before they strike because once they strike before we attempt to stop them, there is nothing we can do anymore.”
    Also, a social commentator, Mr. Tade Adesusi, has yet to understand why the APC-led government claimed the latest attack was meant to embarrass it, when the party almost dressed the immediate PDP-led government with derogatory appellations such as cluelessness and incompetence for its (PDP) failure to tackle the menace.
    He said President Buhari should start working with everybody, including the opposition PDP to end the Boko Haram menace.
    According to him, Buhari should know that the PDP is a stakeholder in his government, so this makes it necessary for him to seek collaboration with the party on how to address the Boko Haram insurgency that has become a national embarrassment.
    Adelusi said, “In case President Buhari does not know, every attention is now shifted on his government to end the insurgency because his party said that it had the magic wand to stop the sect’s activities during the pre-election campaigns.
    “The President has no reason to fail; the time is now to reciprocate the anti-terror support his administration has received since its inauguration. What the citizens want now is result, not excuses or shifting of blames.”
    The United States government recently donated 24 mine-resistant armour-protected vehicles to Nigeria for the anti-terror war. The US government said the donation was part of its commitment to assist Nigeria in its war against insurgency.
    While describing as painful the attack, the Convener, Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, canvassed effective military coverage for soft target areas in the North-East.
    He asked Buhari to realise that Boko Haram has networked with ISIS, adding that the latest attack was out of ordinary.
    Opadokun said that it was not enough to assert the military had restricted the power of the insurgents to attack urban areas, the government should ensure that soft targets, especially where the people congregate for social activities are protected.
    He said, “I believe that the attack will gear up the leadership of the armed forces to make extra-ordinary efforts to cover up several possible target areas of the North-East.
    “I am a little bit happy these days when I read that the Air Force drone hit the Boko Haram base in Sambisa, that is a good example of the effort by the Air Force to root out the Boko Haram phenomenon; I believe that it is doable.
    “But we must all be mindful of the fact that they can always occasionally surprise us by targeting soft targets when they find out that civilians congregate for worship, leisure, games and for other social activities.
    “The armed forces chiefs would need to provide extra coverage for the possible target areas. Until the insurgents are totally rooted out of Nigeria’s territory, the armed forces should always protect soft targets areas.”
    [Punch] 

  • Buhari’s anti-terror war and political talks

    The monumental loss of lives and properties, coupled with the gnashing of teeth, wailing and mourning by families of the victims of last Saturday’s attack in North-East Borno State by members of the violent Boko Haram sect are said to be an anticlimax of a recent claim by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration that it has technically defeated the terror group.
    The latest attack left in its wake many children burnt to death and no fewer than 86 adults killed by the insurgents. These are apart from movable and immovable properties destroyed in the deadly attack. Other persons were also injured, some of who might have died a few days after from the injuries sustained from the attack.
    Observers said they had yet to come to terms with the President’s reaction to the attack that it was meant to embarrass his government when such a massive nefarious activity should not have been allowed to occur in any part of the country because of the overwhelming local and international support Buhari’s administration has received since its inauguration on May 29, 2015.
    Though the observers appreciated the President’s condemnation of the attack, they least expected Buhari to brand the uprising as an attempt to embarrass his government, more so when soft targets by the insurgents are where civilians congregate for worship, games and other social activities.
    President Buhari had raised the hope of the citizens when he affirmed a claim by his Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during an interview with the British Broadcasting Cooperation that the military had seriously whittled down the strength of the insurgents to the point that they had lost all capacities to attack urban areas and as a result the President said the insurgents had been technically defeated and now targeted remote areas out of desperation.
    From statistics, the terror group had killed no fewer than 14, 000 Nigerians and destroyed public properties and institutions in almost a decade of rage in the country. The President himself acknowledged this fact in his pre-election campaigns both at home and abroad.
    He even accused the administration of his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, of lacking the capacity to tackle the activities of the terror group. Buhari’s party, the All Progressives Congress, also accused the former President of chasing shadow in his approach to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.
    “This government (Jonathan’s administration) should realise that its raison d’etre is the security and welfare of Nigerians, and that it has failed woefully in this regard. Therefore, it should be humble enough to admit its limitations and then reach out to all stakeholders, including those in the opposition, to rejig its anti-terror strategy and save our innocent citizens from the killings and maiming by Boko Haram,” the APC had said in its reaction to one of the several Boko Haram attacks under Jonathan.
    So, given his background as a retired military General and a former head of state, Buhari consequently promised to end the sect’s activities in a record time, if elected as President in the last general elections.
    But it was not long after Buhari was declared winner of the presidential poll that the insurgents extended their terror attack beyond their stronghold states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to Gombe, Plateau and Kaduna states. The incidence compelled governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party to call on the President and the military to step up their actions against the terror war, claiming that Boko Haram’s areas of attack were becoming wide.
    The extension of the attack beyond Borno, Yobe and Adamawa informed the claim by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, that Boko Haram insurgency became worse under Buhari’s administration than Jonathan’s.
    Ekweremadu had said Jonathan had almost rolled back Boko Haram and its activities in the North-East and expressed the fear the insurgents could also attack Abuja and the southern part of the country soon.
    He had said, “I am worried about the resurgence of Boko Haram activities in Nigeria. Shortly before the inauguration of the present government, the country had almost rolled back Boko Haram and its activities in every part of Nigeria – from Adamawa to Borno to Yobe.
    “I was hoping that when we come back in the 8th Assembly, that I will work with our colleagues from the North-East to develop a plan of action that will help to rehabilitate that part of Nigeria. I feel so concerned about the suffering of our people from the North-East of Nigeria.
    “I had hoped that by now we would be tasking ourselves on how best to rebuild that part of Nigeria. Regrettably the actions of Boko Haram seem to have resurfaced now; not only in Borno, they have carried out their activities also in Plateau, they have gone to Adamawa and Kaduna.
    “I am worried that if nothing is done, the next target would be Abuja. Maybe they will start going to the South. It is important for us as those in government, whether executive or legislature, to come together to find solutions to these problems.”
    But the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, merely dismissed Ekweremadu’s comment and said that the deputy senate president was entitled to his opinion. According to Adesina, the fact that Ekweremadu made the statement did not make it right.
    However, last Saturday’s attack has raised some fundamental questions over Buhari’s claim that the latest Boko Haram attack was meant to embarrass his government. In spite of the government’s comment that the sect’s activities had been restricted to the Sambisa Forest, there was a deadly terror attack on Dalori, a village four kilometres outside Maiduguri, the Borno State capital last Saturday.
    The National Publicity Secretary, Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, blamed the current government for politicising the anti-terror war.
    He said the Boko Haram insurgents might have been provoked by a recent claim by Lai Muhammed that the current government had technically defeated the activities of the terror group.
    According to him, Buhari should have learnt from the United States Government, which after it killed Osama Bin Laden did not make a noise about it.
    Odumakin said, “I think the major problem with the current administration is that it has largely politicised the anti-terror war. When you begin to give all kinds of undertaking and commitment that you would end Boko Haram by December, 2015, and after the December deadline Lai Muhammed came out to say that the current administration had technically defeated Boko Haram. The comment, in a way, provoked the insurgents. So, there is no basis for such bravado.
    “It took the United States a long time to kill Osama Bin Laden. So, I think this kind of war is difficult to fight because the terrorists will not give notice before they strike. In all honesty, it is difficult to blame the current government for not forestalling the latest attack, but the response after the attack was indifferent.”
    He therefore asked the government to increase its intelligence gathering and stop political talks about terrorism because Nigeria is confronted with a serious situation.
    Odumakin said, “It is now that the APC-led administration knew that terrorism is very difficult to fight. But the party claimed when it was in the opposition that the insurgency raged because of the incompetence of former President Jonathan.”
    He equally urged all Nigerians to stop playing politics with Boko Haram this time round, saying, “We should rally the current government and push the leaders to do the right things so as to defeat terrorism in the country.
    “Terrorism will not be defeated by talking carelessly all over the place. It will only be defeated by doing the right things and ensuring that the government increases intelligence gathering and boost the morale of the armed forces.
    “The armed forces must increase their intelligence gathering and stop the insurgents before they strike because once they strike before we attempt to stop them, there is nothing we can do anymore.”
    Also, a social commentator, Mr. Tade Adesusi, has yet to understand why the APC-led government claimed the latest attack was meant to embarrass it, when the party almost dressed the immediate PDP-led government with derogatory appellations such as cluelessness and incompetence for its (PDP) failure to tackle the menace.
    He said President Buhari should start working with everybody, including the opposition PDP to end the Boko Haram menace.
    According to him, Buhari should know that the PDP is a stakeholder in his government, so this makes it necessary for him to seek collaboration with the party on how to address the Boko Haram insurgency that has become a national embarrassment.
    Adelusi said, “In case President Buhari does not know, every attention is now shifted on his government to end the insurgency because his party said that it had the magic wand to stop the sect’s activities during the pre-election campaigns.
    “The President has no reason to fail; the time is now to reciprocate the anti-terror support his administration has received since its inauguration. What the citizens want now is result, not excuses or shifting of blames.”
    The United States government recently donated 24 mine-resistant armour-protected vehicles to Nigeria for the anti-terror war. The US government said the donation was part of its commitment to assist Nigeria in its war against insurgency.
    While describing as painful the attack, the Convener, Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, canvassed effective military coverage for soft target areas in the North-East.
    He asked Buhari to realise that Boko Haram has networked with ISIS, adding that the latest attack was out of ordinary.
    Opadokun said that it was not enough to assert the military had restricted the power of the insurgents to attack urban areas, the government should ensure that soft targets, especially where the people congregate for social activities are protected.
    He said, “I believe that the attack will gear up the leadership of the armed forces to make extra-ordinary efforts to cover up several possible target areas of the North-East.
    “I am a little bit happy these days when I read that the Air Force drone hit the Boko Haram base in Sambisa, that is a good example of the effort by the Air Force to root out the Boko Haram phenomenon; I believe that it is doable.
    “But we must all be mindful of the fact that they can always occasionally surprise us by targeting soft targets when they find out that civilians congregate for worship, leisure, games and for other social activities.
    “The armed forces chiefs would need to provide extra coverage for the possible target areas. Until the insurgents are totally rooted out of Nigeria’s territory, the armed forces should always protect soft targets areas.”
    [Punch] 

  • APC tackles INEC over Anambra Central Senatorial candidate

    The All Progressives Congress on Friday disagreed with the Independent National Electoral Commission over the status of its candidate for the Anambra Central Senatorial Election scheduled for March 5, 2016.
    The party was reacting to reports that the INEC has excluded the APC and its candidate from the re-run election.
    In a statement by its National Secretary, Mai Bala Buni, the APC said its candidate, Sharon Ikeazor, who was recently picked as replacement for Senator Chris Ngige who voluntarily withdrew from the contest “is still very much in the race.”
    According to the party, this clarification is sequel to reports suggesting that the APC senatorial candidate has been excluded from the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
    Buni said, “The party is not in receipt of any communication from the Independent National Electoral Commission in respect of the purported exclusion of the APC senatorial candidate.

    “For the sake of clarity, the following should be noted:
    “Dr. Chris Ngige who contested the election in March 2015 on the platform of the APC is now a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and has withdrawn from the fresh election ordered by the Court of Appeal.
    “To avoid a vacuum, the party after due process presented the candidature of Barrister Sharon Ikeazor as replacement for the original candidate who withdrew from the race.
     “By law, a political party has the right to nominate and sponsor candidates in all elections in Nigeria. It is immaterial whether it is a general election, bye–election, new election, fresh election or election of any nomenclature.”


    He further explained that the right of a political party to substitute a candidate who dies or withdraws his/her candidacy is contained in Sections 33 and 35 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).
    According to Buni, the APC is confident that the INEC as a law-abiding body will be guided by the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and continue its efforts to deliver peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

  • APC tackles INEC over Anambra Central Senatorial candidate

    The All Progressives Congress on Friday disagreed with the Independent National Electoral Commission over the status of its candidate for the Anambra Central Senatorial Election scheduled for March 5, 2016.
    The party was reacting to reports that the INEC has excluded the APC and its candidate from the re-run election.
    In a statement by its National Secretary, Mai Bala Buni, the APC said its candidate, Sharon Ikeazor, who was recently picked as replacement for Senator Chris Ngige who voluntarily withdrew from the contest “is still very much in the race.”
    According to the party, this clarification is sequel to reports suggesting that the APC senatorial candidate has been excluded from the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
    Buni said, “The party is not in receipt of any communication from the Independent National Electoral Commission in respect of the purported exclusion of the APC senatorial candidate.

    “For the sake of clarity, the following should be noted:
    “Dr. Chris Ngige who contested the election in March 2015 on the platform of the APC is now a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and has withdrawn from the fresh election ordered by the Court of Appeal.
    “To avoid a vacuum, the party after due process presented the candidature of Barrister Sharon Ikeazor as replacement for the original candidate who withdrew from the race.
     “By law, a political party has the right to nominate and sponsor candidates in all elections in Nigeria. It is immaterial whether it is a general election, bye–election, new election, fresh election or election of any nomenclature.”


    He further explained that the right of a political party to substitute a candidate who dies or withdraws his/her candidacy is contained in Sections 33 and 35 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).
    According to Buni, the APC is confident that the INEC as a law-abiding body will be guided by the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and continue its efforts to deliver peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

  • Governor Udom Emmanuel To Establish Three Oil Refineries In Akwa-Ibom State

    The Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mr Udom Emmanuel is partnering with the private sector to establish three oil refineries in the state.
    The Commissioner for Commerce and Industries in the state, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem gave the hint when he spoke to newsmen in his office. Enoidem told THE SIGNAL that the state Government is partnering with the private sector to establish three crude oil refineries. The commissioner said the first refinery, Rev Oil Petroleum Limited when completed will have a capacity to produce 50,000 barrels per day.
    He noted that the interesting part of the refinery project is that it is seated on an oil block. “The oil block was owned by shell and later the Federal Government took it over and sold it to the present company. It is in Iko in Eastern Obolo LGA. There are about 17 oil wells in that region and 15 have been confirmed to be commercially viable. The proximity between where the crude oil is found and the refinery is very short”. He added.
    Enoidem also said that the second Refinery is Resource Petroleum Limited, which will produce over 100,000 barrels per day. He disclosed that all the licenses had been obtained and that the location, about 96 hectares of land has been cleared between Eket and Ibeno local Government Areas. He said that the team from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is expected soon to inspect the location, so that Preisdent Mohammadu Buhari can visit the state for a ground breaking ceremony between now and April, 2016.
    Enoidem further said that the Ministry of Lands and Housing is working on the staff quarters and that a lot has been achieved so far on the project. “The unique design for the refinery has been approved. The major engineering design and final designs will be approved soon”.
    The Commerce and Industry Commissioner further expressed Government’s desire to make the Amakpe Refinery project a reality.
    He disclosed that a couple of meetings between parties have been carried out. “It is the first privately owned oil refinery in Nigeria. Government has inspected the facilities and is satisfied. The design and engineering metrics are fine at the manufacturing facility in Pasadena Texas” He said.
    “There are debts to settle at the Amakpe Refinery. The refinery was built about eight years ago and it has been warehoused by the company that fabricated it. 14.9 million dollars is to be paid. It includes the cost of shipment back to Nigeria, clearing and installation by the technical team. The refinery has a capacity of 6,000 panels per day, expandable to 12,000” He added.
    He said already the government is sourcing for funding to pay up the debt and bring back the refinery.
    He appealed to the people of the state to support the Udom Emmanuel Government as it has what it takes to rejuvenate the drowning economy of the State at a time the nation’s economy is dwindling. He said that the three refineries would employ more than 500,000 people directly and indirectly when completed.
    ~Akwa-Ibom State News

  • Governor Udom Emmanuel To Establish Three Oil Refineries In Akwa-Ibom State

    The Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mr Udom Emmanuel is partnering with the private sector to establish three oil refineries in the state.
    The Commissioner for Commerce and Industries in the state, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem gave the hint when he spoke to newsmen in his office. Enoidem told THE SIGNAL that the state Government is partnering with the private sector to establish three crude oil refineries. The commissioner said the first refinery, Rev Oil Petroleum Limited when completed will have a capacity to produce 50,000 barrels per day.
    He noted that the interesting part of the refinery project is that it is seated on an oil block. “The oil block was owned by shell and later the Federal Government took it over and sold it to the present company. It is in Iko in Eastern Obolo LGA. There are about 17 oil wells in that region and 15 have been confirmed to be commercially viable. The proximity between where the crude oil is found and the refinery is very short”. He added.
    Enoidem also said that the second Refinery is Resource Petroleum Limited, which will produce over 100,000 barrels per day. He disclosed that all the licenses had been obtained and that the location, about 96 hectares of land has been cleared between Eket and Ibeno local Government Areas. He said that the team from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is expected soon to inspect the location, so that Preisdent Mohammadu Buhari can visit the state for a ground breaking ceremony between now and April, 2016.
    Enoidem further said that the Ministry of Lands and Housing is working on the staff quarters and that a lot has been achieved so far on the project. “The unique design for the refinery has been approved. The major engineering design and final designs will be approved soon”.
    The Commerce and Industry Commissioner further expressed Government’s desire to make the Amakpe Refinery project a reality.
    He disclosed that a couple of meetings between parties have been carried out. “It is the first privately owned oil refinery in Nigeria. Government has inspected the facilities and is satisfied. The design and engineering metrics are fine at the manufacturing facility in Pasadena Texas” He said.
    “There are debts to settle at the Amakpe Refinery. The refinery was built about eight years ago and it has been warehoused by the company that fabricated it. 14.9 million dollars is to be paid. It includes the cost of shipment back to Nigeria, clearing and installation by the technical team. The refinery has a capacity of 6,000 panels per day, expandable to 12,000” He added.
    He said already the government is sourcing for funding to pay up the debt and bring back the refinery.
    He appealed to the people of the state to support the Udom Emmanuel Government as it has what it takes to rejuvenate the drowning economy of the State at a time the nation’s economy is dwindling. He said that the three refineries would employ more than 500,000 people directly and indirectly when completed.
    ~Akwa-Ibom State News