Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is currently meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Bashir Ahmad the Personal Assistant to the President, on Digital and New Media revealed this on his Twitter page.
He tweeted, “President Muhammadu Buhari receives former President, Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.”
Mr Jonathan’s mission to the villa is still unknown as at the time of filing this report.
Details later…
By Emman Ovuakporie
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Reps Caucus has said that there’s only one gate separating the National Assembly from Aso Rock, yet President Muhamnadu Buhari failed to honor the House invitation to explain why he has failed to combat insecurity in Nigeria.
TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the lingering issue of Buhari’s deliberate refusal to appear before Reps and explain why banditry, terrorism, kidnapping has remained a recurring decimal in Nigeria.
Recall that the House had invited the President after Borno Lawmakers moved a motion to compel him to appear and explain the situation in Borno after 48 farmers were garrooted in their farms.
The PDP apparently peeved on Thursday addressed the House press corps where it renewed the call to constituents accros party line to ask their reps in NASS to start throwing articles of impeachment against President Buhari.
Leader of the Caucus, Rep Kingsley Ogundu Chinda (PDP-Rivers) alongside his colleagues said there’s only one gate separating NASS office from Buhari’s office complex yet he failed to honor a simple invitation.
Hear the caucus:
With due regard to the nation’s mournful mood and worsening anxieties, the House of Representatives led by the Speaker. Femi Gbajabiamila, had invited President Buhari over rising insecurity across the federation. climaxed by the killing of over 43 farmers in Borno State and the kidnapping of hundreds of school boys.
” This contributes to the worsening profile of Nigeria in the comity of nations where she regrettably occupies the third most terrorised country in the world after Afghanistan and Iraq.
“Only one gate separates the National Assembly Complex from the presidential villa but it appears easier for a donkey to pass through the eye of a needle than for President Buhari to pass through the gate and address us on extremely serious security issues daily consuming the lives of our people.
“Less than twenty-four hours to the scheduled address over such weighty matters that 4 involve lives of Nigerian citizens in the hands of all manners of forest bandits, international terrorists, unrestrained highway kidnapping gangs and a host of other anarchists; it became apparent that the seriousness Nigerians attach to these issues is not shared by Nigeria‘s Presidency.
In the pasti the sharing of mutual concerns over citizens‘ security by the Presidency and the National Assembly had yielded some positive impact including huge budgetary ai’ocai’ons for ‘he Presidency’s purported plans to put an end to insecurity. indeed, since 2015 when the APC administration assumed power, the National Assembly has conscientiously done all within its power to appropriate hundreds of billions of Naira to facilitate the realization of APC’s core promises focused on economy, security and curbing corruption.
“We are witnesses to the master/servant relationship between both arms of government festered by the almost imposition of the leadership of both chambers by the same APC government which recently absurdly constituted a joint committee of both arms of government chaired by the Vice President under the guise of fostering a better relationship between the Legislature and the Executive which in itself is an indictment of a government unable to work harmoniously with a National Assembly whose leadership in both chambers and majority are APC members. This kangaroo joint committee has obviously been ineffectual yielding nothing positive to Nigerians till date while this APC government relentlessly continues its undemocratic attempts to gag, disregard and denigrate the National Assembly which is the watchdog of the nation; the citadel of our democracy and the custodian of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which this government consistently observe more in breach.
“Do 206 million Nigerians feel any safer today enough to justify the trillions of Naira so far spent by this administration on curbing insecurity? Under the guise of enhancing security, this administration has spent hundreds of billions of Naira on surveillance of her own citizens which is astronomically more than the entire sums spent by previous administrations in this regard from 1999 to 2015!
The PDP lawmakers did not spare the spokesperson of the House, Hon Benjamin Kalu who went personal in a statement he issued immediately after the PDP caucus called on constituents to demand for the sack of Buhari.
Kalu had in the statement he issued described the PDP caucus leader as a lone ranger.
But the caucus replied on Thursday statiing the obvious that Kalu was pre-emptive as events unfolding clearly indicate that Mr President will not honour the invitation.
Hear the caucus:
Hon Ben Kalu, the Spokesperson of the House disingenuously postulated last week
after the issuance of our initial statement in this regard that our position was personal
opinion of the caucus leader and pre—emptive, considering the expected visit of Mr
President He should now learn from the unveiling events to stick to his line of duty
and not be the mouthpiece of the executive or individual members of the House but
that of the House as an institution.
By_ the opinion of Hon. Kalu the spokesperson of the House, this is the right time for
this call. the President having failed to keep to his promise to honour the invitation of
the House.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently holding an emergency virtual meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
It would be recalled that the party had in late November scheduled the meeting to review its position and deliberate on its next line of action as it concerns its national leadership.
The National Chairman of the party’s Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, has led other members of the party’s NEC, including President Muhammadu Buhari, into the meeting.
The Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives are in attendance, physically.
Also, governors of the party, led by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’Forum (PGF) and governor of Yobe State, Atiku Bagudu, are all physically in attendance
President Muhammadu Buhari is currently presiding over the quarterly National Security Council (NSC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).
Present at the meeting are Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami; and the Ministers of Defense Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magaji (retd.).
Others are the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, and the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi.
As at the time of sending this report, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd) who coordinates the meeting was yet to be present.
The Service chiefs in attendance are the Chief of Defense Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ahmed Rafa’i Abubakar; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi are also present.
President Muhammadu Buhari has pleaded with traditional rulers to support his administration’s determination to address the demands of youths in the country.
He, however, stressed that “To succeed in all of this, we would require your support and voice to help amplify the message. Your proximity to the people places you in a unique position to communicate and ensure that our response is targeted and impactful.”
Describing their “role as guardians of our traditional values and culture” as most critical, the President urged them not to compromise their neutrality “because this is what significantly confers on you, your moral authority and legitimacy.”
According to President Buhari, his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, would lead senior government officials to various parts of the country “and directly engage with you as part of this process. He will be reporting back to me on your various perspectives.
“I want to once again thank you for the role you all have played to calm down our youth with wisdom and authority. By instilling hope and keeping the peace, you have rendered the country great service.”
While warning that “we cannot allow anybody or group to threaten the peace or sabotage these efforts,” the President restated that “strong, transparent efforts are underway to address those rogue elements of the Nigerian Police Force. Simultaneously, the Nigerian Police Force will also undergo much needed reform that covers welfare, working conditions, and code of conduct. That will usher in a more professional workforce.”
Recognizing the primary and important role of the monarchs in helping maintain peace and security in the country, the President expressed delight at their visit “given all that has happened recently in our country.”
While receiving the recommendations of the traditional rulers, he promised to study them and take appropriate action.
President Buhari had earlier drawn the attention of the eminent delegation to the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic on the world.
“We find ourselves in very turbulent times, with a global health pandemic that has been incredibly challenging. Economies have been crippled as the response to the pandemic has forced businesses to shut down or devise new means of transacting. For a country like ours, with a large informal economy, our citizens have been particularly hit.”
He noted, however, that his administration has “designed various schemes and taken many measures to soften the impact, despite our own revenue struggles as government,” while recognizing that “more needs to be done to cater to our fellow citizens, not just those in the urban areas but also those in rural areas.”
According to President Buhari, “I am also fully aware that our strong farming belts have been impacted by floods. While we have seen record levels of farm outputs and increased level of fertilizer utilization, government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and its agencies is working on how to help bring these farmers some relief.”
Admitting the enormity of these challenges and “our growing youth population,” the President declared:
“There is no hiding place regarding how we should address insecurity concerns, youth unemployment, job creation, boosting industrialization and preparing for a transition into a digital economy.”
Remarks were made by the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, while two foremost traditional rulers representing each geo-political zone also attended the meeting.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday received updates on the Mali situation from the Special Envoy/Mediator to the West African country, former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Buhari expressed delight that the Mali situation had calmed down considerably, following interventions by leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“We can’t do hop, step and jump like other developed nations of the world, but one is delighted at the successes recorded,” the President said.
After the intervention by the military in Mali, ECOWAS had insisted on a transition government led by a civilian, and return to Constitutional order within 12-18 months, among others.
Giving updates, Jonathan said the mission given him by ECOWAS leaders was almost fully done, as a government with a largely civilian face has been inaugurated.
“The President has been sworn in, the Prime Minister, and Ministers too. The military has only four portfolios for serving officers, and the government has taken off. The Council, which will work like parliamentarians, will be inaugurated soon,” Jonathan said.
He added that the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana would formally brief West African leaders soon.
![Diplomatic row: Buhari, Ghanaian president hold closed-door meeting at Aso Villa [Photo]](https://thenewsguru.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Buhari-Akufo.jpg)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday night met behind closed doors with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Bashir Ahmad, the President’s Personal Assistant on New Media, confirmed this on his Twitter handle.
The presidential aide, who could not elaborate on the agenda of the meeting between the two leaders, however, posted pictures in which the Nigerian leader could be seen escorting his guest after the meeting.
President @MBuhari receives Ghanian President H.E. @NAkufoAddo tonight in his official residence at the State House, Abuja. pic.twitter.com/4XUVjwUc7f
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) September 20, 2020
TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the meeting might not be unconnected with the recent diplomatic rows between both countries over closure of shops owned by Nigerian traders in Ghana. This had heightened tensions between the two countries, a situation which led the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to summon Ghana’s Charge d Affaires to Nigeria, Ms Iva Denoo for discussions.
Onyeama had also met with representatives of Nigerian traders in Ghana, led by Jasper Emenike, the National President of Progressive Ambassadors of Nigeria (PAN), and the organisation’s National Director, Ruth Ango over the matter.
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, had also visited Ghana on Sept. 2 with a view to seeing how the issues at stake could be resolved amicably.
According to the speaker, the closure of the Nigerian shops in Ghana contravenes the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on free movement of citizens of member states, and trade liberalisation scheme.
The ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) adopted in 1979 with an agreement on agricultural, artisanal handicrafts, and unprocessed products, and extended to industrial products in 1990, is the main framework for trade and market integration in ECOWAS as it addresses protocols on the free movement of goods, persons, and transportation.
The scheme’s main pursuit of consolidating the free trade area is guided by the National Approval Committee that informs the member states.
Similarly, Article (3) of the Revised Treaty of ECOWAS on trade and market integration stipulates the removal of trade barriers and harmonisation of trade policies for the establishment of a Free Trade Area, a Customs Union, a Common Market and an eventual culmination in to a Monetary and Economic Union in West Africa.
Meanwhile, the Ghanaian government had proposed a meeting between the two leaders prior to the one they held behind closed doors on Sunday.
President Muhmmadu Buhari has concluded a closed-door meeting with former President Dr Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja.
Although the details of their discussions were yet to be disclosed as at the time of filing this report, sources suggested it was all about the ongoing mediation in the political crisis in Mali.
Dr Jonathan had been at the forefront of moves to midwife a peace deal in the Malian impasse as a Special Envoy.
West African subregional leaders had been making moves to avert a full-blown civil war in the country, requesting all sides in the crisis to make some comprise in a bid to end hostilities.
Details shortly…
President Muhammadu Buhari is currently in another crucial meeting with members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the security council at the State House, Abuja.
The meeting, which is sequel to the one held with the North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), is mostly virtual, as most of the participating governors are linking via video call.
Physically present at the virtual meeting are the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd); the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; the service chiefs and the various heads of other security agencies.
The governors that joined virtually were chairman of the NGF security council and governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Bayelsa, Senator Douye Diri, Borno, Babagana Zulum, Ebonyi, David Umahi, and Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has, again, decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former Speaker along with the Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja on Friday.
Dogara, a member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) served as the 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He currently represents Bogoro/Dass, Nigeria/Tafawa Balewa, Federal constituency of Bauchi State since 2007.
He was led to the president’s office in the state House by the Chairman of APC Caretaker/National Planning Committee and Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, who intimated Buhari of the latest development in the party.
The former speaker did not speak when requested by State House correspondents, but Buni confirmed that he has become a member of the APC.
Dogara left the APC for the PDP in 2018.