Singapore News Channel, Singapore News Network

The Presidency has welcomed the report of the European Union (EU) on the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, promising to analyse it fully and act on the recommendations in the best interest of the country.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, made this position known in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

Shehu noted that the EU observers were invited to the country by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and welcomed by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He stated that this action was a clear indication of the administration’s good intentions, commitment to a pure democratic process and desire to improve on the next elections.

The EU noted in their report that there were marked improvements from previous elections, although stating that more work needed to be done.

”The administration of President Buhari will work with all Nigerian citizens, state institutions, parties, civil society, the media and other experts to make sure that the improvements recommended by the EU are implemented, and that these areas of concern are addressed.

”It is noteworthy that INEC is in receipt of a number of recommendations that form a part of the EU report.

”The Presidency assures that the Commission is in safe hands and happy that they are currently engaged in root and branch reviews of the 2019 general elections and will input lessons learned into its recommendations for electoral and constitutional reforms.

”We believe that the commission conducted a good election and will continue to improve on its processes and procedures,” he said.

While it is regretted that the elections in a few parts of the country witnessed some violence, among other shortcomings highlighted by the EU, Shehu noted, however, that none of these hitches affected the overall outcome of the elections.

He said: ”Thankfully, EU did not question the results of the presidential election.
”This is further proof that the polls reflected the overall will of Nigerians, and that the world is solidly behind the election of President Buhari for a second term.”

Presidency welcomes EU, other suggestions to improve elections

The Presidency has welcomed the report of the European Union (EU) on the 2019 general elections, promising to analyse it fully and act on the recommendations.

The Presidency noted the EU observers had been invited to the country by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and welcomed by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said that it was a clear indication of the administration’s good intentions, commitment to a pure democratic process, and desire to improve for the next elections.

He said: ‘The EU noted in their report that there were marked improvements from previous elections, although stating that more work needed to be done.

“The administration of President Buhari will work with all Nigerian citizens, state institutions, parties, civil society, the media and other experts to make sure that the improvements recommended by the EU are implemented, and that these areas of concern are addressed.

“It is noteworthy that INEC is in receipt of a number of recommendations that form a part of the EU report.

“The Presidency assures that the Commission is in safe hands and happy that they are currently engaged in root and branch reviews of the 2019 general elections and will input lessons learned into its recommendations for electoral and constitutional reforms.

“We believe that the commission conducted a good election and will continue to improve on its processes and procedures.

“While it is regretted that the elections in a few parts of the country witnessed some violence, among other shortcomings highlighted by the EU, we note however that none of these hitches affected the overall outcome of the elections.

“Thankfully, EU did not question the results of the presidential election.

‘For instance, on page 3 in its Executive Summary, the EU said: “positively, the elections were competitive, parties were overall able to campaign and civil society enhanced accountability.’’

He said that the report also acknowledged that INEC made a number of improvements, including making electoral participation more accessible through simplified voting procedures.

According to the report, he said, INEC made efforts to strengthen electoral integrity by issuing regulations making smart card readers mandatory.

“On page 4, the EU noted that the elections were competitive with a large number of candidates for all seats although competition was primarily between the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

According to the report ‘‘parties and candidates were overall able to campaign, with freedoms of assembly, expression and movement broadly respected.’’

“On Page 5, the report noted that the EU EOM media monitoring over 46 days showed federal government-owned Radio’s commitment to balanced election coverage.

“It said that positively in almost all observations party agents received copies of the results forms, adding that the National Collation Centre for the presidential election was open to party agents and observers, and was continuously televised.

“Again on page 37, the report said the national collation Centre for the presidential results was open to party agents, observers and the media with each state’s results projected on a large screen. ‘‘There was continuous live television coverage and the media published the results as announced by INEC, thereby increasing access to results information.’’

“Page 41 under section RESULTS AND STAKEHOLDER REACTION, EU SAID: ‘‘YIAGA Africa announced that the results were consistent with its parallel vote tabulation that INDEPENDENTLY projected the results based on a sample of 1,515 polling units. The two leading parties won 96.8% of the valid votes between them.’’

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday , in Katsina State , declared that the days of bandits , kidnappers and insurgents in Nigeria were numbered .

He insisted that his administration would overpower them wherever they operate in the country .

He gave the assurance in his address at the fourth convocation of the Federal University , Dutsin – Ma, Katsina State .

President Buhari, who is a visitor to the University , said the war on bandits and kidnappers involved a lot of covert operations , many of which were not known to members of the public .

Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by Kano State former deputy governor , Professor Hafiz Abubakar said, “ I want to reassure the people of Katsina State and indeed all the other states of the federation that the climate of fear being orchestrated by bandits , kidnappers and insurgents would soon come to an end .

“ We are bent on subduing the situation and creating the environment for lawful citizens to go about their legitimate businesses without fear or molestation .

“ The war against bandits and kidnappers involves a lot of covert operations that are not easily accessible to the citizens. But I want to assure you that we are winning the war and by the grace of God , not in the far future. ”

President Buhari also challenged universities in the country to come up with new strategies to generate revenue internally , pointing out that funding the institutions has become a challenge .

He said , “ The high cost of funding university activities cannot be borne by government alone. In this regard , I want to urge and encourage our universities to look inwards for more constructive ways of generating internal revenue through research that will attract research grants , establishment of consultancy services , poultry and fisheries farms , hotels , animal husbandry , partnering with the private sector etc ”

FUDMA acting Vice Chancellor , Professor Adamu Baba – Kutigi in his address at the occasion said that the University graduated 430 students .

A group known as Coalition of Niger Delta Concerned Youths says the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is working to ensure that the demands of the Niger Delta region are met.

Reacting to the claim of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) that Buhari is against the region, Isaac Eranga, coordinator of group, said the president has interest in the Niger Delta.

PANDEF had cited the suspension of DAAR Communications licence and the suspension of Walter Onnoghen, former chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), to buttress its point
But Ernaga said the claim of the forum is “laughable and nothing short of blind conjecture, especially in the face of facts”.

Eranga said with projects like the Ogoni clean-up and establishment of a maritime university in Delta state, Buhari has shown that he is committed “to develop and reposition the Niger Delta region for a better future.”

“For decades, despite being oil-rich and accounting for a huge percentage of Nigerias oil revenue, the region was given little or no attention in terms of development by successive governments in Nigeria, including under former president Dr. Goodluck Jonathanz who hails from the region,” he said.

“But the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo changed all that with the Niger Delta New Vision, aimed at developing the region.

“No doubt, the Buhari administration is making efforts to ensuring that demands from the region are met.

“While no government is perfect, PANDEF would agree that Buhari administration is backing its political will with efforts to ensure that Niger Delta gets more than their fair share of development.”

The Federal Government through the Galaxy Backbone has launched a platform to support the e-government master plan initially approved by the previous Federal Executive Council (FEC). The official launch was carried out recently in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Gida Mustapha, the Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita with the former Minister of Communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu as well as other as well as heads and representatives of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

 A press release from the Galaxy BB said that following the launch, government will begin the full implementation of the E-government master plan, which is meant to set Nigeria apart in the League of Nations effectively delivering government services using digital technologies and infrastructure. According to the Director E-government within the Ministry of Communications, Mr. Tope Fashedemi, “Galaxy Backbone provides the Infrastructure that will enable the full implementation of the e-government master plan.

 “Galaxy Backbone (GBB) is the digital infrastructure and shared services provider to government and all its agencies. GBB is saddled with the responsibility to provide the technology platform through which the e-government master plan will be implemented for the nation.”

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Friday said Nigeria’s annual appropriation bill would be passed in three months under his leadership.

He spoke to newsmen after performing Friday’s Juma’at prayer at the State House, Abuja.

Lawan, however, said to achieve this, the executive and the legislature must work together.

The Senate President assured that if presented in September ending or early October, the budget would be passed before the December break.

“A month would be set aside for budget defense by MDAs”, Lawan added, warning that Senate not tolerate any delay by government parastatals.

Meanwhile, the 9th Senate had resolved to write an official letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, informing him that a quorum of the Senate had assembled and that its presiding officers have been elected.

The upper chamber also resolved to inform the international parliamentary bodies that a quorum of the Senate of the 9th National Assembly has assembled and was ready to receive any communication.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has disclosed that Orji Uzor-Kalu, senator representing Abia north, was his roommate at the University of Maiduguri in 1980.

The Abia senator disclosed this when he hosted some federal lawmakers, including Ovie Omo-Agege, deputy senate president, to a dinner at his Abuja residence.

The senate president thanked Kalu for organising the dinner and pledged that under him, senators would unite across party lines.

“The Nigerian project is a project of the Nigerian people and not a political party’s project and everybody must ensure that it works,” he said.

“In the 9th senate, we are going to work together and we will distribute functions across party lines.”

Ken Nnamani, a former senate president, who said the presiding officers of the new senate were elected in a transparent manner, described the upper legislative chamber as “an assembly of elders”.

Nnamani, who congratulated Lawan and Omo-Agege, said the nation’s interest, rather than party’s interest, must prevail at all times at the assembly.

“Nigerians are looking forward to a different outcome this time around because of the way you were elected,” he said.

“If President Muhammadu Buhari succeeds, you have succeeded yourselves. Therefore, there is no more excuse,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome remark, Kalu said the occasion was for the celebration of victory.

“No motion is going to be moved here and no motion is going to be seconded here. All we are here for is to eat and drink,” he said.

SENATE President, Ahmad Lawan on Friday said that the Ninth National Assembly was in a hurry to cover lost grounds, saying that the Eight Assembly did not perform to utmost capacity.

The Senate President Stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents after the juma’at service at the State House mosque, Abuja.

Senator Lawan also promised quick passage of the budget before the end of the year provided the executive sends the budget proposal September or latest October.

He further warned heads of ministries, departments and agencies not to delay their budget Defence as only the legislature cannot do it alone.

According to him, “The expectations from Nigerians is a National Assembly that is very focused, that is very united, that is very patriotic and nationalistic and that is by the grace of God, the National Assembly that we shall have.

“From my interactions with my colleagues when I was contesting, every senator there, has one massive experience or the other. I saw my colleagues exhibiting patriotism and desire to work for Nigerians and therefore we hope to have a National Assembly that will work for Nigerians optimally and patriotically.

“We also hope to have a National Assembly that will work with the executive arm of government in a partnership and synergy to ensure that we perform our functions as a government because we are a single unit.

“I also foresee a National Assembly that will insists that whoever has a responsibility in government, performs that responsibility because it takes all of us to work together to ensure that no part or nobody is left behind.

“If there is anyone that is deficient, it would cost the system. So we are going to work very hard, we would like to catch up the lost grounds over the last four years. I am sure we did not perform to our capacity as a National Assembly in the last National Assembly.

“This time around we want to perform to full capacity and by the grace of God Nigerians will see a positive difference in terms of delivery of service to our country men and women.”

Speaking on quick passage of budgets, he said, “well, this is a crucial thing that worries everyone, every Nigerian wants to see the National Assembly pass the budget in good time.

“And what we have in mind, we’ve campaigned with that and it’s something both of us in the National Assembly have bought into – that we’ll pass the budget within three months by the grace of God.

“But I want to say here that it takes two sides of government to pass the budget in good time and I am sure that the executive side of the government would like to present the budget before the National Assembly in good time – in September or early October and by the grace of God we in the National Assembly will ensure that we carry out the budget defence and do the remaining parts of the processes before we leave for Christmas break, the budget would have been passed and Mr President would have have the budget before him to sign and assent to.

“This requires sacrifice in the National Assembly and the executive side of the government that we create a window for budget defence only, dedicate a period and timeframe- say a month of which only budget defence would be carried out in the National Assembly.

“It is our desire in the National Assembly that every minister, every chief executive officer of every agency comes to the National Assembly and defend the budget of his agency or her agency before going out of the country.

“That window is going to be available within the one month but that is the only window that is going to be available. After that for example, every minister or head of agency who did not come to defend the budget of that institution, the National Assembly would go ahead to work on such a budget appropriately.

“I believe that nobody would take pleasure in wasting the time of this administration. We are in a hurry, we are thirsty to perform, we want to support Mr President, we want to see Mr President achieve those legacy dreams that he has and we are going to work full course and full time to ensure that we give him the maximum support that he requires.”

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has said that henceforth the National Assembly would ensure the passage of the nation’s appropriation bill within three months of its submission by the executive arm of government.

Lawan stated this known when he fielded questions from State House correspondents after joining President Muhammadu Buhari to perform the weekly Friday’s Juma’at prayer at the Aso Rock Mosque, Abuja.

He, however, expressed the hope that the executive would always ensure early submission of the budget to enable the assembly deliberate and pass it in good time.

“Well, this is a crucial thing that worries everyone. Every Nigerian wants to see the National Assembly pass the budget in good time and it’s something both of us in the National Assembly have bought into – that we’ll pass the budget within three months by the grace of God.

“But I want to say here that it takes two sides of government to pass the budget in good time.

“I’m sure that the executive side of the government would like to present the budget before the National Assembly in good time – in September or early October.

“By the grace of God, we in the National Assembly will ensure that we carry out the budget defence and do the remaining parts of the processes. Before we leave for Christmas break, the budget would have been passed and Mr President would have the budget before him to assent,’’ he said.

The Senate President, therefore, called for sacrifice on the part of NASS and the executive so as to create “a window for budget defence only, a dedicated period and time-frame, say a month of which only budget defence will be carried out in the national assembly.

“It is our desire in the National Assembly that every minister, every chief executive officer of every agency comes to the National Assembly and defend the budget of his agency or her agency before going out of the country.

“That window is going to be available within the one month but that is the only window that is going to be available.

“After that for example, every minister or head of agency who did not come to defend the budget of that institution, the National Assembly would go ahead to work on such a budget appropriately.’’

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa on Tuesday congratulated newly elected Presiding Officers and members of the 9th National Assembly on their successful inauguration.

The Governor congratulated Senator Ahmed Lawan, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege on their election as President of the Senate and Deputy President of the Senate respectively.

He also congratulated Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Hon. Idris Ahmed Wase on their emergence as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In a statement in Asaba, Gov. Okowa lauded the resilience and political sagacity of the newly elected Presiding Officers of the 9th National Assembly.

Governor Okowa commended members of both chambers for their choice of leaders, noting that Nigerians are eagerly waiting for a vibrant and independent National Assembly to make good laws for the good governance, security and welfare of the people.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I congratulate you all on your emergence as leaders of the National Assembly.

“It is my prayer and that of all Nigerians that God grant you all the knowledge and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the 9th National Assembly to the admiration and satisfaction of Nigerians.” the statement added.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday, swore in a 12-member ad hoc committee to liaise with the management of the National Assembly on housekeeping issues

The committee, which has as Chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari, is expected to work out the allocation of seats in the chamber as well as the allocation of offices to the senators.

The committee whose assignment starts immediately, according to Lawan, will work with the Clerk of the Senate.

The committee is expected to submit its report within two weeks.

Meanwhile, the upper chamber has adjourned for two weeks to enable the management of the federal parliament to come up with acceptable arrangements for the lawmakers’ office accommodation

They will resume on July 2.