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Tag: Buhari

  • Leading Nigeria was one of hardest challenges in life – Buhari

    Leading Nigeria was one of hardest challenges in life – Buhari

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari has said leading Nigeria is one of the hardest challenges in life.

    Buhari made this statement on Tuesday in his Sallah message, signed by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu.

    Buhari noted that leadership requires the cooperation and support of all citizens.

    “Leading a country like Nigeria is one of the hardest challenges in life, and urged Nigerians to fully support the Tinubu Administration to succeed and that “leadership is a challenging task that demands the sacrifices and support of the citizens.” Buhari was quoted.

    The former president also wishes Nigerian Muslims a happy Eid and, to those on pilgrimage, Hajj Mabrur and a safe return home.

     

  • Just in: Buhari hails Tinubu over fuel subsidy removal

    Just in: Buhari hails Tinubu over fuel subsidy removal

    … explains why it was delayed

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday broke his silence on the petrol subsidy removal ‘challenge’ that he left for his successor, Bola Tinubu, saying that had the policy been implemented, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tinubu would have lost the last general polls.

    Speaking through his erstwhile spokesman, Garba Shehu, via a statement, the ex-president however, commended the steps taken so far by the new administration in implementing the removal of petrol subsidy and attempt to unify the Naira exchange rate.

    The statement, according to Shehu, was in response to persistent queries by some critics who have questioned why it took Tinubu only weeks to remove the petrol subsidy whereas Buhari didn’t do so for several years.

    According to him, successive polls indicated that the ruling party would have lost the 2023 election if the Petroleum Industry Act, containing the petrol subsidy removal, was implemented before then.

    In the statement titled “Buhari didn’t fail to remove subsidy “, Shehu wrote: “Why did it take the new Tinubu/ Shettima presidency weeks to remove the petrol subsidy when Buhari didn’t do so for years fails to ask the right question.

    “The massive electricity subsidy. The fraudulent fertilizer subsidy. Hajj/Christian Pilgrim subsidies. Remember them?

    “The diesel subsidy. The aviation fuel subsidy. LPFO. Kerosene. Cooking gas and the other subsidy policies we found in place, and put them firmly on the ground. Remember them?

    “For those with short memories, many of those subsides were all in place when president Buhari was elected to office in 2015: all those in place were gone by May 2023 – including the annual fertilizer subsidy that weighed 60-100 billion Naira (that’s trillion naira in about 10 years – yes you read that right) heavy on the federal budget each year.

    “So no, Buhari didn’t remove the petrol subsidy – but in vitally important stages he removed every other budget-busting, egregious, economic-growth-crushing subsidy along the way.

    “So far I have refrained from answering these repeated questions on the removal in Nigeria of subsidies on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS and that arising from the dual rates of the Naira in the Central Bank and the parallel market: Why did Buhari ‘fail’ to do these?

    “First of all, my thinking is that instead of the former President answering this question, it is the Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC that is best suited to speak and failing to do this, we are forced to say what will follow here.

    “Secondly, we are mindful of the fact that with a Tinubu/Shettima presidency now in place and for which there is a ‘New Sheriff in Town’.

    “We do not want to distract them from the onerous tasks facing them and the nation. Neither is it our wish to take the spotlight away from them in any way.

    “In terms of the timings of the decisions to remove fuel subsidy and unify the currency, the Tinubu/Shettima administration has done overwhelmingly well. Even more importantly, they have been most dexterous in managing the aftermath of the decisions by successfully avoiding any crisis.

    “To this extent, our wish and prayers are that fellow countrymen will continue to support the new leadership in these very laudable decisions and, in particular, for the Labour leadership and civil society to work with them to ensure that the palliative efforts as promised are successfully implemented.

    “The decision to remove subsidies, as in our case – and we believe in all situations – was not for the President to take all by himself.

    “That’s why it’s important to remind ourselves – and all those who have conveniently forgotten – that Buhari administration had been on this pathway from the very beginning in 2015.

    “Removing subsidies for the Naira and PMS was cued and put on hold. Look for example in the Petroleum Industry Act. The important decision was kept for a better time.

    “It could not have come at a time when tensions were high in the country and no responsible leader would have added fuel to the fire.

    “In the view of many-including those in the security circles- only a new administration with goodwill that fills a warehouse can attempt this, and here now comes in the wit and grit of the Tinubu government.

    “Finally, we must be politically honest with ourselves. The Buhari administration in its last days could not have gone the whole way because the APC had an election to win. And that would have been the case with any political party that was seeking election for another term with a new principal at its head.

    “Poll after polls showed that the party would have been thrown out of office if the decision as envisaged by the new Petroleum Industry Act was made.

    “With the election now behind us, a capable leader as we now have in place is best positioned to move forward. We have nothing but confidence that the new administration will carry the nation and all its constituents into a stable future in the aftermath of these major economic and financial decisions.

    “As they say, there are times when you have to lose in order to win.”

  • I remain grateful to Buhari, Tinubu for my successes – Aregbesola

    I remain grateful to Buhari, Tinubu for my successes – Aregbesola

    The former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, says he will forever be grateful to former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu for the successes he achieved in his political career.

    Aregbesola stated this during a civic reception organised in his honour by Concerned Muslim Scholars and Clerics in South Western Nigeria on Sunday in Oyo town.

    He said the Buhari and Tinubu made the achievements that facilitated the grand reception in which people were praising him for today possible.

    Aregbesola said that Tinubu mentored him in Lagos State and facilitated his emergence as Governor of Osun State.

    He said that the establishment of Nigeria Immigration Service Passport office, Fire fighting office and Agro Ranger Office in Oyo town, which people praised him for, was done by Buhari and executed through him as the Minister of Interior.

    “If any appreciation and gratitude could be given to me, I want to believe greater appreciation should be given to the two people I mentioned.

    “Without their support, it would be pretty difficult for me to single-handedly achieve the height I am now and be able to render the service to good people of Oyo,” Aregbesola said.

    He said that he was extremely grateful and honoured by the reception organised for him by the people of Oyo town and appreciated them for the reception.

    Earlier, the host of the programme, Imam Daud Tijani, said the willingness to celebrate Aregbesola’s indelible achievements as public office holder was due to his exemplified personality in all ramifications.

    Tijani said that Aregbesola has remained loyal to the cause of humanity, infrastructure development and maximally using societal resources for the development of the people.

    ” He is vastly in Knowledge and has a way of relating with people inoffensively and this has earned him the loyalty and admiration of the masses and entire Yorubaland and the nation at large.

    ” He never compromised his integrity and faith in what he believes to be right.

    “Aregbesola is so dear to the Muslims not only because he is a practising Muslim but because he consistently present himself as a good ambassador of Islam through good deeds in and outside governance.

    “The people of Oyoland will continue to show gratitude to Aregbesola for moving Oyoland to status of a town to a city with the establishment of significant federal establishments,” he said.

    In his lecture, An Associate Prof., Abass Alade, described Aregbesola as a privileged and fortunate person based on various political positions he had occupied.

    Alade urged Aregbesola to continue to be humble, be grateful to Allah, his parents and humanity.

    He advised him to continue to be closer to Allah, identify with the masses and not relent in assisting the people.

    In his contribution, the Chaiŕman of the occassion, Sen. Mudasiru Husain, said Aregbesola wa as a diligent, compassionate and an exemplary leader whose style must be emulated by all and sundry.

    The Chairman of Oyo State Muslim Community, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, said Aregbesola was a brave person who never got afraid of speaking the truth while in position of authority.

    Sanni said that Aregbesola contributed his quota to the progress of Islam and humanity when he was Osun State Governor and Minister of Interior.

    He called on Muslims, willing to go into politics to emulate the good character of Aregbesola.

    The Bashorun of Oyoland, Chief Yusuf Akinade, applauded Aregbesola for his contribution to Yorubaland and the people of Oyo town, saying he left a blueprint which would forever be remembered.

    Other speakers at the occasion, including Prof. Sarafadeen Kareem, lecturer, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, and Dr Mahmud Musa, Lecturer, Department of Arabic, University of Ilorin, commended Aregbesola for his contributions to the society.

    The Oyomesesi in Council (King makers), representatives of clerics from Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Kwara, Ondo and Lagos states attended the event.

  • Just In: EFCC invite Mamman, Dingyadi, Tallen, 5 other Buhari’s Ministers over alleged financial infractions

    Just In: EFCC invite Mamman, Dingyadi, Tallen, 5 other Buhari’s Ministers over alleged financial infractions

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC have commenced probe of alleged financial infractions perpetrated under the immediate past government of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    No fewer than eight ministers, who served in the government have been invited by the anti graft agency on allegations of fraud and misappropriation of funds running into billions of Naira.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the letters requested the former top government officials to come and explain how they spent funds allocated to their ministries on some designated projects when they held sway at their respective positions.

    According to a national daily, the letters were extended to the former ministers before the suspension of Abdulrasheed Bawa as chairman of the commission.

    The anti-graft agency had commenced investigations, according to sources within the commission.

    The source said apart from the former minister of Women’s Affairs, Pauline Tallen, who was invited last week over alleged N2bn fraud and “part of the money allegedly diverted from the African First Lady Peace Mission Project,” about seven others have also been invited.

    It would be recalled that Sale Mamman, also a former minister of power under former President Buhari, was last month arrested and detained by the commission in connection with an alleged N22 billion fraud related to power projects.

    In the same vein, it was learnt that the immediate past minister of police affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has also been summoned over how the Police Trust Fund was handled.

    The source said Dingyadi would provide answers to allegations of purchasing refurbished vehicles for the Nigeria Police as new.

    Source: Daily Trust

  • Fuel subsidy: Investigate  Buhari’s government or face consequences – SERAP tells Tinubu

    Fuel subsidy: Investigate  Buhari’s government or face consequences – SERAP tells Tinubu

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has warned President Bola Tinubu to either probe funds declared missing under the administration of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari or face legal consequences.

    SERAP In the letter dated 3 June 2023, and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, urged Tinubu to name and shame anyone suspected to be responsible for the alleged widespread and systemic corruption in the use of oil revenues and the management of public funds budgeted as fuel subsidy.

    The letter, read in part:
    “Any removal of fuel subsidy should not be used as a ploy to keep the poor in poverty while those who allegedly stole oil revenues and fuel subsidy payments keep their ill-gotten wealth.

    “Allegations of corruption in oil revenues and fuel subsidy payments suggest that the poor have rarely benefited from the use and management of the revenues and payments.

    “Poor and socio-economically vulnerable Nigerians should not be made to continue to pay the price for the stealing of the country’s oil wealth while state and non-state actors pocket public funds.

    “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 3 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.

    “The proposed panel should be headed by a retired justice of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal, and its members should include people with proven professional record, and of the highest integrity that can act impartially, independently, and transparently.

    “A comprehensive approach that prioritises accountability and full recovery of missing crude oil and public funds is required to address the problems of the implementation of fuel subsidy since 1999.

    “According to the audited reports between 2016 and 2019 by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit N663,896,567,227.58 into the Federation Account. The Auditor-General fears that the money may be missing.

    “The NNPC also reportedly failed to account for the allocation of crude oil to refineries in 2019. 107,239,436.00 barrels of crude oil were lifted as domestic crude without any document. The Auditor-General fears that the crude valued at N55,891,009,960.63 may have been diverted.

    “The NNPC in 2019 also failed to remit N1,955,354,671,268.66 and N55,157,702,848.74 of generated revenues into the Federation Account, contrary to Section 162(1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended]. The Auditor-General fears that the money may have been diverted.

    “The NNPC also failed to account for N4,572,844,962.25 of ‘domestic gas receipts’, thereby ‘reducing the distributable revenue in the Federation account.’ The Auditor-General wants the money remitted.

    “The NNPC also in 2019 failed to account for 22,929.84 litres of PMS pumped from refineries and valued at N7,056,137,180.00. The Auditor-General fears that the PMS may have been diverted.

    “The NNPC also ‘illegally classified’ 239,800 barrels of crude oil valued at N5,498,045,220 as ‘crude oil losses.’ The Auditor-General fears that the crude oil may have been diverted.

    “The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in 2019 also reportedly failed to remit US$1,278,364,595.49 in revenue to the Federation Account. The money was deducted by the NNPC from the Oil and Gas Royalty assessed by the DPR.

    “The DPR in 2019 also deducted N19,840,081.29 as ‘stamp duty’ payments from contractors and consultants but the DPR instantly paid back the money to the contractors and consultants instead of remitting it to the treasury.

    “The DPR in 2019 also paid N137,225,973.35 to contractors and consultants for various contracts and consultancies but failed to deduct stamp duty. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.

    “The DPR also paid N11,856,088,271.92 as salaries for 2019 but failed to deduct N118,560,882.72 as contribution of 1% Industrial Training Fund (ITF). The DPR in 2019 also failed to transfer US$35,738,342.95 year balance. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted.

    “The DPR in 2018 also withdrew without any explanation US$759,387,755.10 from DPR Signature Bonus Account rather than paid the money into the Federation Account.

    “Subsidy records show that N443,940,559,974.80 was paid as total subsidy for 2016 but the money was not budgeted for. The payments were for outstanding Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) commitments for year 2015.

    “However, there was no payment in 2016. Only outstanding payments for previous years 2014 and 2015 and interest payments were made in 2016.

    “The Auditor-General fears that the oil marketers that received the subsidy payments may not have been ‘eligible to draw from the Petroleum Support Fund as the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Authority (PPPRA) failed to provide any document on the payments.’

    “N39,141,210,181.74 was also paid from the Federation Account in 2016 to different Oil Marketers in 26 transactions, being Payments of Interest and Foreign Exchange Differential on Subsidy but without any document.

    “The NNPC also made ‘zero profit’ and recorded ‘losses from its joint ventures in 2016. This is contrary to expectations that profits should be made from the joint ventures.’

    “The Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Abuja in 2016 paid N14,490,000.00 for the supply of 3 Nissan Almera Saloon vehicles 1.5 to the Ministry without proper documentation. The purchase of ‘the vehicles were made through direct procurement without competitive bidding by at least three companies, as required by Financial Regulations. There was no advertisement and bidding for this contract.’

    “Although ‘N12,442,500.00 was approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement for the vehicles, the Ministry made an overpayment of N2,047,500.00 to the car company.’

    “SERAP urges your government to prioritise getting to the bottom of these allegations and ensure accountability for these serious crimes against the Nigerian people.

    “Promptly investigating and naming and shaming suspected perpetrators and recovering any missing public funds would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.

    “Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on your government to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution. Section 15(5) imposes the responsibility on your government to ‘abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.’

    “Under Section 16(1) of the Constitution, your government has a responsibility to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity.’ Section 16(2) further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’

    “The UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party obligate your government to effectively prevent and investigate the plundering of the country’s wealth and natural resources and hold public officials and non-state actors to account for any violations.

    “Specifically, article 26 of the UN convention requires your government to ensure ‘effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions’ including criminal and non-criminal sanctions, in cases of grand corruption.

    “Article 26 complements the more general requirement of article 30, paragraph 1, that sanctions must take into account the gravity of the corruption allegations.”

  • WAR looms in aviation sector as CSOs kick against Buhari’s last minute appointment

    WAR looms in aviation sector as CSOs kick against Buhari’s last minute appointment

    War looms in aviation sector as the Civic Situation Room (CSR), a coalition of 100 pro-democracy groups has kicked against the last-minute appointments by former President Muhammadu Buhari in the aviation sector.

    This was contained in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Vincent Unazi, the group described the timing and rationale as horrendous and unwarranted, adding that it will protest until the appointments are reversed.

    Recall that Kabir Yusuf Mohammed was named as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    Engineer Tayib Odunowo was also appointed the substantive Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

    Similarly, a total of 28 directors and general managers were appointed across the five aviation agencies.

    And Unazi said the appropriate action would have been to extend the tenures of the MDs, CEOs, and directors for 30 days while nominating new candidates for the incoming administration.

    He alleged that ‘if not that the former minister, Hadi Sirika had wrong intent, he would have constituted governing boards long ago and not the show of shame he hurriedly did before exiting the office.

    “For the entire duration of Sirika’s administration, he failed to appoint boards into the different agencies, thereby usurping their powers.

    “But less than two days to the end of the administration, the boards were hurriedly inaugurated, and that was after new directors were appointed.

    “There is nothing wrong in extending the tenures of the MD/CEOs for a further 30 days while the term of the existing directors would have been on a transitional basis.

  • El-Rufai blames Buhari of mishandling terrorism

    El-Rufai blames Buhari of mishandling terrorism

    The immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, has blamed ex-President Muhammadu Buhari for its inability to curb terrorism, noting that the ex-leader allegedly spurned the piece of advice he gave him to contain the crisis.

    E-lrufai made this statement during the inauguration of his successor, Senator Uba Sani, in Kaduna.

    He daid: “In 2017, I requested the Federal Government to designate the emerging banditry as an insurgency and to unleash on them (bandits) the full weight of the military. Sadly, this was not done until 2022, acting upon the declaration of the Federal High Court.

    “It is a matter for regret that the Federal Government did not appreciate gravity of the problem until banditry had wreaked so much havoc to lives, liberty and livelihoods of so many people.

    “Although coordinated military action began later in 2022, the job remains incomplete. I, therefore, urge the government to sustain the pressure on bandits, insurgents and terrorists, and make the military action comprehensive and simultaneous across the seven frontline states – six in the Northwest and Niger – that are most impacted.”

    Speaking on the challenge in Kaduna, El-Rufai said: “Our government worked hard to firmly confront the security challenges that emerged. The measures we took ensured that we did not record any statewide crisis over the last eight years.”

     

  • It’s time for friend or foe to rally around Tinubu – Fani-Kayode

    It’s time for friend or foe to rally around Tinubu – Fani-Kayode

    Former Aviation Minister, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, has urged every Nigerian to support the new President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

    Speaking with journalists in Damaturu on Tuesday, Fani-Kayode said “Tinubu is resilient, focused, clear thinking and has clear objectives and understanding of what he needs to do.

    “I had a privilege of working with him and for him together with so many other people during the course of campaign.

    “He is very courageous man who is committed to his course.’’

    The former minister said that Nigerians were in good hands, describing the inauguration as very historic.

    “So it is now time for everyone whether a friend or a foe to rally around the new administration and support president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make Nigeria great.

    “It is a time for us to come together, to build bridges, forget past differences, and try to make Nigeria a better place,” he added.

  • My ministers scared of going to jail after losing election – Jonathan

    My ministers scared of going to jail after losing election – Jonathan

    Former president, Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that members of his cabinet were scared of going to jail after the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, won the election in 2015.

    Jonathan stated this while speaking in an interview aired by Arise TV on Monday.

    He said some of his cabinet members even thought he would run away but he stayed in the country.

    “In my own time, especially in the 2015 elections, my ministers, my senior officers, people who worked with me; there was this fear that having lost the election, what would be our fate?

    “Would the new government just throw all of us into jail without giving a fair hearing? Because the government is next to the court and can decide to do anything,” Jonathan said.

  • Daura Emirate to honour Buhari today

    Daura Emirate to honour Buhari today

    Daura Emirate will today hold a traditional durbar, alongside other activities, in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State.

    Buhari, who handed over to his successor, President Bola Tinubu, in Abuja, yesterday, left the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for Katsina shortly afterwards. He is expected to receive a rousing welcome from people of his hometown, at the event, which will be hosted by Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar.

    The new governor of the state, Dr. Dikko Radda, his deputy, Farouk Jobe, former governor, Aminu Masari, and other dignitaries are expected to grace the occasion.

    Part of the activities include horse racing and riding by hundreds of community members and district heads, adorned with traditional gowns and turbaned caps.

    Local hunters, political and religious groups, as well as market men and women, are also expected to participate in the welcoming ceremony.