Singapore News Channel, Singapore News Network

`Buhari We Love (BWL),’ a support group, has staged a beach party to appeal to Nigerians to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in the Feb. 16 presidential election.

The group said that the return of President Buhari would usher in the delivery of more democratic dividends.

The Co-ordinator of the group, Mr Ambrose Ezenweani, made the call in Lagos at the group’s “ 4 + 4 Beach party “

The beach party at Elegushi Beach was to mobilise youths and other segments of the society to support Buhari’s re-election.

Ezenweani said the president deserved the support of Nigerians for re-election as he had recorded remarkable achievements in his electoral promises.

The co-ordinator said the president had fought corruption fiercely since he assumed office in 2015, recovering looted funds and ensuring corrupt people were convicted.

Ezenweani added that the president had put the economy the path of progress with policies and programmes promoting growth.

In the area of security, the co-ordinator said the Buhari administration had confronted the menace of insurgency head-on, reclaiming territories that were once controlled by Boko Haram.

The co-ordinator said though there were still still issues to be addressed Nigerians could trust the president‘s commitment to deliver a country of everybody’s dream.

“We strongly believe the president has done well in the delivery of his promises and that Nigerians should vote for him to enable him do more.

“He has done well in repositioning that was almost in tatters caused the poor leadership by the previous administration.

“He has done well In the fight against corruption and monies are being recovered and justice is being meted to corrupt people.

“In the area of security, the question we should ask is how many territories were under the control of Boko Haram before 2015 and what is the situation right now.

“He has reclaimed all territories including the FCT that was under threat before 2015 and he has not relented in the campaign to flush Boko Haram out completely from the country.

“Buhari has displayed sincerity and commitment to move the country forward, and for that, we believe all citizens who desire a better Nigeria should vote for him on Feb. 16,” he said.

The aim of the group, he said, was to properly enlighten Nigerians on the achievements of Buhari and to canvass votes for him based on verifiable achievements.

The co-ordinator said the group was specifically targeting the youths as they represented a significant number of the voting population.

He said the Beach Party was conceived out of the need to deliver the message of Buhari’s performance through an idea that would appeal to the youths.

He said so many rallies, door-to-door campaigns had been organised for Buhari and there was need to reach the young people in an exciting way .

He appealed to eligible voters to come out en masse and cast their votes for the president.

Also speaking, Mr Oluwole Smart, a board member of the group, said Buhari remained the best option to further the progress of the country.

He said the massive investments in infrastructure such as in railway and roads were testimony that the president was committed to a better future for all citizens .

He added that the different programmes for the poor and the vulnerable clearly showed that the president was for the masses.

He urged Nigerians to overwhelmingly vote for the president to take the country to what he called the Next Level.

The party which lasted till late evening was characterised by dancing, feasting and chanting praises of the president.

NAN

Twenty-three elders in Kwara led by Dr. Dr Hezekiah Oyedepo have endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of APC.

They also resolved to vote for governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APV) in the state, Alhaji AbdulRahman AdulRazaq, Oyedepo told journalists in Ilorin on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the press statement was signed by the 23 elders, including Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Brig Gen Saliu Bello (rtd), Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and Engr Simeon Daramola.

According to the elders, Kwara has benefited immensely from the administration of President Buhari and that the people were in agreement with the agenda to tackle corruption, conspiracy against the poor masses and to build a viable country.

“We hereby declare our support for the second term bid of President Muhammadu Buhari because we believe he has done well within the socio-economic and political realities of the country and the glaring resistance to positive change by some reactionary elements.

“We distance ourselves and our people from the greed-driven diatribes and frustrations of a certain political dynasty in Kwara State against the president.

“In that light, we throw our weight behind the president’s plan to evolve a new political culture where nobody is seen to be above the law or is allowed to continue to trade with public funds as they recently exposed themselves to be doing,” Oyedepo said.

Oyedepo also said they are backing AbdulRazaq of the APC for the governorship poll, adding that his campaign slogan. ‘O To Ge’ has captured the social political mood of the people who crave for a new dawn in the state.

“We agree with the candidate that the crises of governance, poverty and youth restiveness and frustrations in Kwara are directly linked to the irresponsible, corrupt and morally-challenged political leadership in the state which holds our people and their culture in utter contempt.

“We submit that this endorsement arose from practical analysis of the political space and its realities.

“We believe that AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq shares our concerns and value system as a people and he would run a government that would reflect the wishes of our people,” he added.

They also dismissed as insulting, the claim by the state PDP and Senator Bukola Saraki that voting for the APC will lead to a control of Kwara government by some outside forces.

“We urge our people to discountenance the lousy claim by the unproductive and corrupt elements from the ruinous dynasty about some persons coming to take over Kwara State from Lagos or Abuja.

“We consider the claim very insulting and arrogant as it gives the impression that Kwara has been willed to the shameless characters making the claim.

“We state categorically that Kwara is not the property of anyone and any bonafide Kwaran, whatever their political platform or background, is qualified to aspire to any office in the state without being blackmailed that they represent any outside interest.

“We find it particularly insulting that the fellows making this claim are those whose origins and credentials are suspect.

“These are people, nay political contractors, without any credible roots in this state,” he said.

The elders therefore called for credible and transparent elections in Kwara and Nigeria as a whole.

“We are worried that the discredited dynasty is trying hard to intimidate the opposition through violence.

“The resort to violence came after they failed to plant their moles as the flag bearers of the opposition parties.

“We therefore call on the president and the security chiefs to put their feet down and ensure that our people are protected as they exercise their civic rights,” Oyedepo added.

He called for security beef up before, during and after the elections in the state.

“We also urge the civil society/observers to pay good attention to Kwara without being partisan,” he said.

Other signatories to the statement were Chief Ayotunde Raji; Chief Philips O.Adekeye, Barrister Titus Ashaolu (SAN), Alh Aremu B. Yahaya; Alh Yinusa Gada; Alh Yusuf Habeeb and Rev.Jacob K.Abimbola.

Others were Alhaji Oba Idiaro, Dr Salihu Ajia, Sen Idris Haliru, Engr Umar Shaaba, Amb Nuru Mohammed, Sen Mohammed Ahmed, Hadjia Zainab Ndalolo, Hon Issa Bio, Alhaji Busari Alade, Alhaji Salihu Idris and Alhaji Isiaka Jimoh.

NAN

Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State has urged Nigerians to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari because he has good intention for Nigeria and its citizens.

Masari stated this while receiving Buhari/Osinbajo Grassroots Mobilization and Supporters Group that visited him on Monday in Katsina.

“President Buhari in his youthful age made the sacrifice to protect the corporate integrity of Nigeria by serving in the military.

“Buhari as a man of integrity and honesty has served in various positions of authority in the nation effectively that touched the lives of Nigerians positively.

“During his services as a Governor of North East, Minister of Petroleum, Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund, Head of State and Later President, Buhari came out clean without any dent of corruption on his personality,” he said.

Masari revealed that President Buhari was making all the necessary sacrifice to uplift the living condition of women and children in the country.

“The President, who is over 70 years, is making sacrifice to rescue the youth of the nation from unemployment and abject poverty.

“Buhari deserves a second term as he has touched several sectors positively by pumping billions of Naira to improve the lives of the common man,” the governor said.

Earlier, the National Chairman of Buhari/Osinbajo Grassroots Mobilization and Supporters Group, Sen. Lawan Shuaibu, said that they were in Katsina to garner support for Buhari’s re-election.

Shuabi, who is National Deputy Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), said that they would enter all the nooks and crannies of Katsina metropolis and Local Government Areas to campaign for the re-election of the President.

“We are here to conduct a road show by mobilising the Katsina citizens to support their own in the Saturday election.

“The President deserves to win millions of votes in his home state and that is why we are not taking chances but intensifying our campaigns.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun, extolled the virtues of his deputy, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, and his pivotal role in delivering on the ‘CHANGE AGENDA’ in the past four years.

President Buhari gave the commendation at a meeting with Ogun State traditional rulers, led by Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.

He particularly lauded Osinbajo’s role as the head of the National Economic Council (NEC).

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja, said the president responded to the Vice President’s presentation at the meeting on the economic outlook in the country in the last four years and how the APC-led administration had done more with less resources.

President Buhari said: “He (Osinbajo) being the Chairman of NEC is in a very strong position to know what we are earning and what we are doing with the earnings.

‘‘I am very pleased with his vast experience and intellect. He has captured effectively what the administration has done and I commend him for playing a very great part in that. Thank you, Mr Vice President.’’

The President told the traditional rulers that in all the States he had visited so far for his re-election bid, he had taken time to explain to Nigerians the achievements, programmes and future plans of his government in the three key areas of economy, security and anti-corruption.

‘‘On the promises on security, I have mentioned repeatedly that the people of the North East appreciate our undertakings because you cannot manage a country unless it is secure.

“We have succeeded in that and we thank God,’’ he said.

The President noted that Nigeria had attained food security under his watch, adding that many farmers had testified that fertilisers had been made available and affordable.

‘‘Fighting corruption is the most difficult under our system but  we have not given up. We are steadfast in our determination to ensure that those who abuse trust are brought before the law and punished,’’ he said.

President Buhari appealed to the traditional rulers to prevail on their subjects to be law abiding and show respect to constituted authority during and after the elections.

‘‘I am happy for what you have done on voter education so that your people can choose whoever they like from whatever party,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Oba Gbadebo assured the President that Ogun people would give him more than 60 percent of the votes in the State to guarantee his re-election and that of their son, the Vice President, on Feb. 16.

He hinged Ogun people’s support for President Buhari on his commitment to the welfare of the masses, reflected in the array of well-conceived, executed and various ongoing projects that abound all over the country.

The Oba announced that Ogun state had been a major beneficiary of Federal Government projects, listing the Lagos-Ibadan expressway that passes through 80 percent of the State, Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge fast train, the latest technology in train movement the world over, among others.

‘‘It was my privilege to have been part of the passengers on the trial run on the Lagos-Abeokuta stretch of the rail on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019.

“Generations unborn will continue to thank your Administration for taking the bull by the horns,’’ Oba Gbadebo said

NAN

Buhari addresses supportes in Kwara
“I will continue to remind you of where the country was when we came in, where we are now, what we have done and where we are going,’’ President Muhammadu Buhari told supporters in Ilorin.

At the presidential campaign tagged, “Next Level’’ which held on Monday, President Buhari said: “I assure you of my undertaken in 2015 – fight against corruption, provide security and economic development’’.

He explained that the government had been able to fight corruption fiercely and would continue.

President Buhari said that the government would retrieve all looted funds and channel the money into infrastructure.

He explained that Nigeria was becoming self-sufficient in food production.

The President told the mammoth crowd that his administration had been able to make fertilizer accessible and available at highly reduced prices.

He said that the administration has been able to provide security and making progress in the fight against terrorists.

President Buhari thanked the Kwara people for their massive turn-out in spite of the heavy heat.

Earlier, at the rally, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of APC, said the large turn-out of supporters was an indication that Senate President Bukola Saraki had lost grip of Kwara state.

Re-echoing the slogan, “Enough is Enough’’, he said that by next week the people of Kwara would be singing the song of freedom.

The people of Kwara, he said had been reduced to mere observers in political and economic activities.

“The days of oppression are over.’’

The incoming government in Kwara, he said would approach governance in a different style, pay salaries and pension as well as provide infrastructure.

He said that the PDP has continued to campaign that it would turn the country into a dumping ground and that its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has also promised to sell the NNPC and enrich his friends.

Oshiomhole accused PDP of terrorising the people of Kwara.

The opposition party, he alleged has been into rigging elections.

“We will not be blackmailed. We will vote out PDP in Kwara with Permanent Voter Cards (PVC).

He reminded the international community that Nigeria was not a colony.

We promote democracy through “one man one vote’’ and that APC will celebrate victory by next week.

NAN

GOING by the February 7 report of New York-based global research and political risk solutions firm Eurasia Group, President Muhammadu Buhari will win Saturday’s election by 60 per cent.

The group, which undertakes investment partnerships, consultancy and risk advisory responsibilities in about 100 countries, said the odds against Buhari’s main challenger, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have positioned the incumbent to retain his seat.

It identified the odds as the divided support being enjoyed by the former vice president from key elements in the rival party.

Such elements, according to the Eurasia Group, would rather exert their energies and resources on the battle to retain their seats in their various constituencies.
The group listed such actors as the governors in the PDP-controlled states and the Director-General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, Senator Bukola Saraki, who is battling to retain his seat in the upper chamber as the representative of the Kwara Central Senatorial Zone.

The report said: “As we have previously noted, key actors in Atiku’s camp – including his campaign’s Director -General Bukola Saraki, key powerbroker Governor Nyesom Wike of the oil-rich Rivers State, and Southeast governors from his PDP – had been disengaged from his election campaign.

“Wike was annoyed by Atiku’s failure to consult him on key decisions, Saraki remains distracted by a tough Senate reelection battle in Kwara State, and the Southeast governors are hampered by many conflicting motivations, including their own lack of political clout (which makes them reluctant to overtly challenge the federal government) and their wariness of Atiku’s running mate Peter Obi, a former governor of the southeastern Anambra State who they view as a political outsider.

“The lack of enthusiasm on the part of some PDP governors is a problem for Atiku because these officials control significant discretionary funds at the state level (known as “security votes”) that are easier to access without triggering graft concerns.
“They can also leverage strong relationships with security, judicial, and election officers in their respective states. Governors are thus critical to mobilising voter turnout on Election Day.

“With 23 in office compared to the PDP’s 12, the APC already has an edge; unmotivated PDP governors will only reinforce that advantage by making it harder for the opposition to mobilise and sustain voter support on Election Day.”

Two APC governors, Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Benue State counterpart Samuel Ortom, defected to the PDP last year. But the governors are battling to win their states for their new parties.

On the edge the incumbent has over Atiku, the Eurasia Group said President Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) has a widespread political structure to boost voter mobilisation and solidify Buhari’s advantage.

The group noted that the heightened anxiety triggered by the suspension of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Buhari was not enough to turn the table against the incumbent.

CJN Onnoghen was suspended by the President on January 25 following allegations on false declaration of assets against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). The CCB has since charged the CJN before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
Justice Onnoghen is expected to submit his response to the charges against him to the National Judicial Council (NJC) today.

The group ruled out the possibility of protests against Buhari’s victory.
It said: “These trends support our view that widespread violence is unlikely following the 16 February vote. We have repeatedly argued that Atiku’s voters do not match Buhari’s in passion and are unlikely to risk their lives on the streets for him.

“Though Buhari’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice triggered widespread criticism and stoked passions (along with fears about a more Buhari second term), many voters blame the judiciary for not moving quickly to force CJN Onnoghen’s resignation after he admitted he had violated rules regarding declaration of assets.

Thus should Atiku lose, as we expect, there will be few motivated stakeholders to encourage or instigate serious violence. Instead, we expect PDP governors to quickly turn their attention to fighting to retain their own jobs in the state elections on March 2.”

The Nation Newspaper

The Nigerian Army on Sunday warned those it described as mischief makers to steer clear of dragging it or its leadership into matters that are purely political.

It insisted in a statement issued by its Acting Director, Col. Aliyu Yusuf, that it is an apolitical institution and would continue to remain so while carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

Yusuf was reacting to an allegation by Timi Frank, a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Frank had alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari and some INEC members held a nocturnal meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, with intent to rig the Saturday Presidential election.

He, however, said the army had reported the said Timi Frank to the Nigeria Police “for immediate arrest and prosecution for fake news and related offences against the leadership of the army.”

Yusuf described Frank as a “disgruntled person, who has severally tried to malign the person of Buratai.”

“The deluded Timi Frank, who claimed he had incontrovertible evidence provided by sources in the know about the alleged nocturnal meeting, however, could not substantiate his accusations with any reasonable facts besides his concocted hogwash.

“For the record, as well as for the education of the likes of Mr Timi Frank, the President, C-in-C is at liberty to hold a meeting with his Service Chiefs at whatever time most suitable, which was not even the case here, as nothing of such happened,” Yusuf said.

Source: Daily Post Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that he would not take their support for granted when re-elected for another four years on Feb. 16.

The president, in a video message to Nigerians, noted that his administration had made great progress in the last three and a half years due to people’s support.
He, therefore, enjoined the electorate to support his re-election bid to enable him move up the NEXT LEVEL and consolidate on the successes recorded in making the country a better place.

He said: “It’s been over three years since you gave me the mandate to oversee the affairs of our dear country.

“It’s not been an easy journey but with sincerity of purpose, perseverance, dedication and most importantly support from individuals like you, we have made great progress.
“Some of these achievements are visible for everyone to see, some are still in the works.
“I hereby humbly ask for your support again in the coming election to enable us to move to the NEXT LEVEL and consolidate on the successes recorded in making our country a better place.

“I don’t take your support for granted. We will continue to work to protect your interest and deliver our mandate.’’

The Punch Newspaper

Buhari is not new to the presidential race. The 2019 elections is the fifth time he would be contesting the presidential election. His first attempt was in 2003 on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), but was defeated by then President Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP. He was back in 2007, also on the platform of the ANPP, but was defeated by late Yar’Adua, who hailed from Katsina State with him. In March 2010, he left the ANPP to form the CPC. It was under this platform that he contested the 2011 presidential election against Jonathan but lost for the third time.

He polled 12 million votes against the out-going president’s 22.3 million. The intrigues and power play that characterised the election, especially the collapse of an alliance between the CPC and ACN led by a former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu forced him to declare at the eve of the presidential poll that he will not run for any elective office again. His words: “This campaign is the third and last one for me since after it I will not present myself again for election into the office of the president.”

He however made a detour in 2013, when he said: “I am still in active politics until the polity is sanitised and people enjoy the fruits of democracy at all levels of government.” The volte-face unsettled many Northern political elements, who had been on the standby to step into his shoes, but the stern Buhari, like the soldier that he is, stuck to his gun and resolved not to quit politics, even when some of his contemporaries have taken the back stage.

He hinged his resolution on two compelling objectives – need to sanitise the polity, and to ensure that Nigerians enjoy the dividends of democracy at all levels of government. Despite three unsuccessful attempts, Buhari never gave up on his presidential ambition. It is on record that he was among the first to declare for the 2015 presidency as early as in 2013, although many saw his quest then as another “political gamble.”

The bid, however, gained momentum shortly after the formalisation of the merger of leading opposition parties – Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which led to the formation and registration of APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on July 31, 2013. Expectedly, Buhari’s aspiration received the endorsement of APC’s delegates at the party’s National Convention in Lagos between November 10 and 11, 2014.
He defeated four other aspirants – former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso; Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha and the publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah to clinch the presidential ticket. He polled 4,430 votes to beat Kwankwaso to the second position.
The Kano State governor had 974 votes. Shockingly, Atiku, who many had thought would give the former military ruler a good run, came a distant third with 954 votes, while Okorocha came fourth with 624 votes. Nda- Isaiah, a new comer to the race had 10 votes. The outcome of the primaries drew the battle line for the 2015 presidency between Buhari and Jonathan, though it was not the first time both men would square each other for the country’s plum job.
They first met in the 2011 presidential election, which Buhari contested on the CPC platform but lost. There was no doubt that the APC national leadership was able to build formidable structures across the country between 2013 the party was registered and the 2015 elections, but it is incontrovertible that Buhari rode on his popularity to power, particularly in the North, where he enjoys a kind of cult-followership. Buhari’s popularity, perhaps, explained the support his ambition got from APC governors even when two of them –Kwankwaso and Okorocha contested the party’s presidential primaries.

His electoral strength as demonstrated in previous elections, especially in 2011 that he garnered about 12 million votes, convinced the governors of his ability to defeat Jonathan in the 2015 poll. The CPC platform, on which he contested the 2011 presidential election, it would be recalled, was formed less than six months to the election and his campaign never extended beyond the North.

He also lacked the financial strength, which plays a great role in determining electoral victories in the country. Despite these limitations, he was able to win 12 out of the 19 Northern states of Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Borno, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara, while Jonathan’s PDP won in the rest seven states of Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Adamawa.

It was therefore understandable when APC chieftains, including those who lost out in the presidential primaries threw all they had in support of the Buhari candidature in the last elections.

Source: New Telegraph report

Mr President must be congratulated for carrying out the governance of Nigeria in a peaceful manner, so far so good.

The next task for Mr President is to take Nigeria to the next level, which will also enable him to complete all infrastructural structures; rehabilitation of roads and construction of national bridges.