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Tag: Bukola Saraki

  • Vote for change, APC chieftain tells Kwara people

    Vote for change, APC chieftain tells Kwara people

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara, Mr Iyiola Oyedepo, has urged the people of Kwara to vote for change during the 2019 general elections.

    He told the people of the state not to forget the hardship they had been subjected to since 2003 under the leadership of Dr Bukola Saraki and the current administration in the state.

    Akogun, in his Eid-el-Kabir message, called on Muslim faithful to use the occasion of the celebration to pray for the rescue of the state.

    “Poverty, hunger, misery and despondency are everywhere and on every face of the people of the state.

    “Succeeding governments since 2003 have pauperised the generality of the people of the state; the government has no programme that can benefit the masses,” Akogun said.

    According to him, succeeding governments since 2003 only carried out projects that have no direct impact on the lives of the common people.

    “What is the benefit of Aviation College, Metropolitan Square, Football Academy, Shonga Farm and Underpass to the ordinary people on the streets?

    “All these projects have no direct benefit on the masses of the state,” Oyedepo said.

    Oyedepo also challenged the state government to disclose how much the Aviation College had generated as revenue since its establishment.

    “You should not forget all these wasteful projects when voting during next year’s general election; Kwara people should vote wisely,” he said.

    Oyedepo claimed that the state government since 2003 had received over N1 trillion in federal allocation, Value Added Tax, bonds, internally generated revenue and Paris Club refund.

    “Despite this huge money that has accrued to the state government from 2003, nothing works in the state, all infrastructures are dilapidated.

    “Primary school pupils are learning under trees across the state, secondary schools are in worst shape, roads in Kwara are the worst in Nigeria and no water despite billions of naira spent,’’ he said.

    Oyedepo also appealed to the people of the state to collect their voter’s card to enable them to vote for all APC candidates in the 2019 general elections.

     

  • Eid el-Kabir: Buhari slaughters Sallah rams, as Saraki observes rites in Kwara [Photos]

    President Muhammadu Buhari in the spirit of Sallah celebrations on Tuesday slaughtered his Sallah rams himself to mark the Eid el-Kabir ritual in Daura even as Senate President Bukola Saraki took to Kwara state to mark the celebrations.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Buhari observed this year’s Eid el-Kabir at the Daura Eid ground and that Saraki observed the Eid el-Kabir at the Eid Praying Ground, New Eid Road, Ilorin, Kwara State.

    “Eid-ul-Adha offers an opportunity to remember the submission of Prophet Ibrahim Alaihis-Salam to Allah, by which he taught the world the value of sacrifice in relating with one another,” Buhari stated at the Sallah celebrations.

    The President urged Nigerians to rise above personal, group, sectarian and other interests, and promote harmony and tolerance in dealing with one another at all times.

    In his Sallah message, he urged all Muslims to use the occasion for sober reflection and self-examination, and strive to be good ambassadors of their religion by upholding high moral values.

    He reminded Muslims that this felicitous occasion of Eid-ul-Adha is a remembrance of the submission of Prophet Ibrahim Allaihis-Salam to Allah, his Creator, by which he taught the world the value of sacrifice in relating with one another, and when it comes to nation-building.

    “We must sacrifice for others and remember always those who are less fortunate than ourselves,” the President declared.

    President Buhari explained that religion is a major factor in influencing human behaviour towards good conduct and actions.

    He, however, regretted that selfishness, greed and corruption have overwhelmed human souls to the extent that people abandon their religious beliefs in pursuit of their greed.

    The President stressed that fighting corruption is a task that must be done in order to protect the larger interests of the ordinary Nigerians who are the worst victims of diseases, poverty, malnutrition and other afflictions.

    He said surrendering to corruption is not an option because it destroys society and progress of nations.

    According to President Buhari, “Even if some people hate you for fighting corruption, you should not chicken out from the task as a leader because doing so is a betrayal of public trust.”

    On the current economic challenges facing Nigerians, the President reassured that such are temporary because the welfare of the people is the main thrust of the change agenda of the administration.

    Saraki had in his Sallah message urged Muslims to remember the sacrifice and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim to the will of Allah, and always submit themselves, fully, to the will of the Almighty and in service of all mankind.

    “As we mark the festivities, let us remember the sacrifice and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim to the will of Allah, and always submit ourselves, fully, to the will of the Almighty and in service of all mankind,” Saraki said.

     

  • Tinubu opens up on why Saraki, Tambuwal left APC

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has opened up on the recent defections in the polity, saying Senate President Bukola Saraki and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal among others left the APC because the party could not offer them what they wanted.

    TheNewsGuru reports Tinubu on Sunday in Lagos said that the defectors wanted automatic tickets and sharing of the national wealth which the APC could not guarantee.

    The APC leader unfolded his mind in a lengthy statement he personally signed, entitled “They Go Away Because We Go the Right Way”.

    According to him, the defectors “left the party to return to a motley agglomeration that would promise them what true democracy could not: automatic tickets, sharing of the national wealth and other offices and privileges”.

    Tinubu asked the people to go beyond the debate on the numbers in the Senate of House of Representatives, saying “we must pull back from the shallow headlines to recognize that something fundamental is at stake.

    “Nigeria is undergoing a historic transition. Sometimes awkwardly, tentatively, yet inexorably, we nurture political and governance reform. We steadily close the door on the old malpractices that have caused a rich nation to reside in the tenement of the global poor”.

    Speaking specifically on the Sokoto governor’s defection, the APC leader said: “Governor Tambuwal’s exit can be distilled to one cause. He covets the presidency.

    However, he had not the stomach to challenge President Buhari in a primary. Tambuwal felt further insulted that he would be compelled to face a direct primary just to retain the governorship nomination.

    “But for the promise made by PDP headliners like Rivers State Governor Wike that he would have the PDP presidential nomination, Tambuwal would not have left.

    His exit had nothing to do with governance of the nation. It was about forging a personal ambition predicated on the defeat of progressive reform not the advancement of it”.

    On Senate President, he said: “Much the same for Senate President Saraki. Returning to the PDP, he harbors dreams of the presidency but Tambuwal’s ambition will dwarf Saraki’s when the two collide.

    If Saraki had remained in the APC, he would be unable to reclaim his Senate seat let alone the Senate Presidency. He thus bolted because he lusts for the presidency but was promised by the PDP, at least, a return to his position in the Senate”.

    He added: “For Saraki to talk about lack of governance is for him to deny who he is and the position he holds. This man stands as Nigeria’s Number 3 citizen.

    Clothed is he in ample power and influence. If he saw areas where government and the nation needed help, he could have easily applied his energies to these areas. He could have drafted legislation and easily got laws passed.

    “However, no progressive enactment bears his name for he cared not for progress. He has been more focused on changing the rules of the Senate to favour himself and changing the order of elections so as to coincide with his selfish designs”.

     

  • Saraki’s Aide speaks on Senate President’s Bloomberg interview

    Special Assistant to Senate President Bukola Saraki on New Media, Olu W. Onemola has reacted to the interview the Senate President granted Bloomberg.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Saraki had in an interview with Bloomberg said he is considering running against President Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential election billed for February, 2019.

    The former Governor of Kwara state said he can make the change that Nigeria and Nigerians desire.

    “I am consulting and actively considering it. I believe I can make the change,” Bloomberg quoted Saraki to have said.

    In his reaction, the Senate President’s aide said, “‘considering’ is not a declaration” while stressing that “at the appropriate time, the President of Senate will be specific about his aspiration for 2019.

    “Moreover, the Bloomberg interview was 90% on the economy, and not politics.

    “The President of the Senate has been clear that at the right time, Nigerian’s will know what his plans are.

    “The President of the Senate did not say anything new in that interview that he hasn’t said in Nigeria. He spoke mostly about the economy, not about politics — as always, reporters picked their angle,” he added.

    Saraki, a former chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) defected to the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in what analysts have said is for him to have the opportunity to have a go at the presidency.

    Governors of Benue and Kwara states have also defected to the PDP and fourteen other Senators also recently dumped the APC for PDP and African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party associated with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who Saraki visited recently, further fuelling the rumours of his presidency.

    While the PDP is expected to hold its primary election in October, Saraki claims the party has learnt its lesson from the loss in 2015 and stand a chance of leading Nigeria in the right direction.

     

  • Impeachment: Saraki only postponing his doomsday – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) said it has uncovered sinister plans by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to attack its Senators, even as the party says Senate President Bukola Saraki and his cohorts are only postponing doomsday by not reconvening.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports APC Ag. National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, in a statement on Tuesday made this known while stressing that the change of Senate leadership is imminent.

    “As Chairman of the 8th National Assembly, Saraki’s decision not to reconvene the National Assembly done with the support of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara further buttresses our position that Saraki is ever ready to pursue his selfish interests over National Interest.

    “This is another brazen display of his penchant for abuse of powers and sabotage of government, however the cost and implication.

    “While Saraki and his cohorts continue to postpone their doomsday regarding the imminent Senate leadership change, the yet-to-be considered 2019 budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is dangerously delayed.

    “Clearly, Saraki’s actions as Senate President now bother on high treason.,” the statement read.

    TNG reports the NASS was billed to reconvene today to consider the INEC 2019 elections budget request forwarded by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 17, 2018.

    However, Saraki and Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara , through Yusuph Olaniyonu, Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to Senate President and Turaki Hassan, Special Adviser (Media and Public Affairs) to Speaker, House of Representatives in a statement had given reasons why the NASS was unable to reconvene.

    According to the statement, the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters and officials of the INEC must have held on or before Monday August 13, 2018 before the reconvening of the NASS.

    “The joint committees were also expected to meet with the joint Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Loans and Debts on the Eurobond loan request after which two reports would have been ready for presentation in the two chambers.

    “However, no such meeting had taken place yet as a result of which both Senate and House of Representatives cannot reconvene as there is no report to consider.

    “Until the Committees have a ready report for the consideration of the two chambers, it will be most irresponsible to recall members from recess especially those that may have travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj,” the statement read.

    Meanwhile, speaking on the sinister plans by the PDP to attack APC Senators, Mr. Yekini in the APC statement said, “the plot was hatched in the private residence of a PDP leader in Maitama-Abuja on Sunday night.

    The statement reads:

    “Our attention has been drawn to sinister plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to attack some All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators as part of the PDP’s desperate bid to ensure that Dr. Bukola Saraki clings to the position of Senate President.

    “By this statement, we call on security agents to protect APC Senators. If any Senator is harmed, the PDP and Saraki should be held directly responsible. We call on security agencies to also closely monitor the activities of some PDP leaders including Saraki because the plan to attack APC Senators is real and imminent.

    “We were informed that the plot was hatched in the private residence of a PDP leader in Maitama-Abuja on Sunday night. The meeting was attended by 15 pro-Saraki Senators including the Senate President himself.

    “We learnt that the PDP expressed worry over the APC’s Senate majority and considered several options to stop the APC from taking over the Senate leadership among which is attacking some APC Senators to ensure their inability to attend legislative sittings.

    “The PDP have recruited thugs for this purpose, we have now learnt.

    “During Sunday’s meeting, the PDP Senators planned several types of attack, one of which is to lure some of them (APC Senators) out at night in the guise of inviting Senators to a political settlement meeting and thereafter instigate a violent confrontation during the meeting and unleash standby PDP thugs on APC Senators” Our source privy to the meeting informed us.

    “This revelation has not come to us as a surprise because the Senate President through proxies has made several failed attempts to buy over APC Senators with N100million each.

    “As a Party, we don’t believe in inducing lawmakers to achieve our legitimate goal of removing Saraki as Senate President. We will get the support of some PDP Senators to get the required 2/3 vote and impeach Saraki. We are already talking to some of PDP Senators who believe and support the direction of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to achieve our legitimate goal.

    “We reiterate our call for Saraki’s immediate resignation as Senate President. He cannot lead the APC majority Senate. But if he fails to resign honourably, we will impeach him. The PDP’s propaganda and threat of violence cannot save him”.

     

  • INEC budget: Why no date for NASS to reconvene – Saraki, Dogara

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, said on Tuesday that no date had been fixed for the two chambers to reconvene to consider the INEC 2019 elections budget request forwarded by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    This was contained in a statement by Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Senate President and Mr Turaki Hassan, Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Speaker, House of Representatives in Abuja.

    The Senate president and the speaker said that no meeting between the two chambers took place to consider any report before the National Assembly.

    “Until the committees has a ready report for the consideration of the two chambers, it will be most irresponsible to recall members from recess, especially those that may have travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj,” they said.

    Buhari forwarded the INEC 2019 elections budget request on July 17.

    The Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters and officials of the INEC ought to have met on or before Monday Aug. 13.

    The joint committees were also expected to meet with the joint Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Loans and Debts on the Eurobond loan request after which two reports would have been ready for presentation in the two chambers.

     

  • PDP again cautions Oshiomole over Saraki’s impeachment

    Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned Adams Oshiomole, National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to stop his obsession to change the leadership of the Senate.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the PDP in a statement on Sunday said Oshiomole’s obsession to impeach Senate President Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu is completely out of his reach.

    “We caution the factional National Chairman of the failed and dysfunctional All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole to stop his obsession to change the leadership of the Senate, as such is completely out of his reach.

    “We counsel Oshiomhole to stop his childish tantrums and get educated on the fact that the positions of the Senate President and that of Deputy Senate President do not belong to political parties but to Nigerians, who elect persons into the seats through their elected representatives.

    “We know that Oshiomhole is under intense pressure from the Presidency to overheat the polity, distract the National Assembly members and make as much effort to cause a constitutional crisis in the country, having realized that they cannot win the 2019 general elections.

    “Since his imposition as the factional Chairman of the APC, Mr. Oshiomhole, has done nothing but spewing hate speeches and officially introducing a thug mentality into the polity, while causing confusion in every sector of our national life, including the FEC, etc.

    “We call on Nigerians and the international community to note the activities of Mr. Oshiomhole, as being directed by the Presidency. We know that they are fighting a lost battle as they cannot cow Nigerians into changing their resolve to end this nightmare by voting APC out in 2019,” the statement read.

     

  • You can’t remove Saraki, Ekweremadu – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the All Progressives Congress (APC) lacks the legislative number and constitutional facilities to remove Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

    In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Friday in Abuja, the party advised the Presidency and the APC to “accept the reality’’.

    It said that Presidency and the APC, having realized that there was no way they could muster the constitutionally required two-third votes of the 109 senators, representing 73 senators, was now engaged in under-hand tactics.

    These, according to it, include the invasion of the National Assembly.

    “Even before then, Nigerians were already aware of moves to use humongous funds to induce lawmakers to trigger crisis in the National Assembly and
    pave the way for the removal of presiding officers.

    “Now that they have discovered that there is no way they can achieve their devious intentions, they have commenced a war of blackmail,
    distortions of fact and media trial against the Senate leadership.”

    It said that the attempts would end up as another wasteful venture as Nigerians were aware of the long-drawn desperation to annex the legislature.

    The PDP added that even among the ranks of APC senators and members of House of Representatives, there is huge aversion to the tactics being deployed to force out duly elected presiding officers of the assembly.

    It said that such lawmakers were fully aligned with Nigerians, the PDP and the national assembly leadership in the protection of the independence, sanctity and integrity of the parliament and all democratic institutions in the country.

    “It is therefore instructive for both the Presidency and the APC
    to know that there is no way they can remove the leadership of the
    National Assembly, particularly the Senate.”

    It cautioned against over-heating the polity and attempts to circumvent rules and the Constitution, saying that such would not change the resolve of Nigerians to vote out APC in 2019.

     

  • Breaking: 45 political parties National Chairmen request Saraki for funding

    Forty-five National Chairmen of political parties in Nigeria have demanded the inclusion of funds for all political parties for citizen sensitization in the 2019 budget/supplementary budget request sent by President Muhammadu Buhari for 2019 election.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the 45 National Chairmen of political parties in the country made the request when they paid a solidarity visit to Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    “We wish to demand for inclusion in the 2019 budget/supplementary budget request sent by the Presidency for 2019 election for funds for all political parties for citizen sensitization,” the 45 National Chairmen told the Senate President.

    The 45 National Chairmen condemned the siege on the residences of the principal officers of the National Assembly, the siege on the National Assembly, and the siege on the Benue State House of Assembly.

    “It is with a deep sense of responsibility and patriotism that we have come here to visit you today.

    “We join millions of Nigerian to express solidarity with the leadership of the National Assembly in these trying times in our history.

    “As national leaders of political parties, we cannot sit by and watch our country slide into the Hobbesian state of anarchy, where life has become short, brutish and lawless.

    “Nigeria is gradually turning into a failed state and all the institutions of state have been compromised and desecrated. This is the time to rise in defence of democratic values and nationhood.

    “We unequivocally condemn the use of agencies of state: Nigeria Police, DSS, EFCC, to clamp down on the opposition and stifle democracy as demonstrated in the siege on the residences of the principal officers of the National Assembly, the siege on the National Assembly, and the siege on the Benue State House of Assembly.

    “Today, our country is facing the challenges of pervasive insecurity, massive joblessness and unemployment, ethnic irredentism and disunity.

    “We enjoin the National Assembly to use its constitutionally-guaranteed powers to legislate to arrest the slide; to give the country a new direction and create hope for our country men and women.

    “We note that the courts have rejected attempts by the Accord Party to undermine the constitutional powers of NASS to determine sequence of elections. We, majority of the political parties dissociate ourselves from that inglorious attempt.

    “We wish to demand for inclusion in the 2019 budget/supplementary budget request sent by the Presidency for 2019 election for funds for all political parties for citizen sensitization,” the National Chairmen stated.

    In his response, Saraki expressed pleasure on behalf of the National Assembly, and thanked the 45 National Chairmen for the solidarity message.

    “Truly, we appreciate it as it encourages us further to do what we have to do to defend the democracy of our great country. Our hearts go out to all Nigerians from all aspects of life that have stood, called to support us here at the National Assembly.

    “We will continue to defend it and ensure that the respect for the rule of law and due process will always be what we see in our dear country.

    “This country has made a lot of achievements in the area of democracy, and we will stand for it to be set back in any manner at all.

    “Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate all political parties from different sides of the divide here; you have come together in defence of democracy in Nigeria.

    “I appreciate that and I appreciate your responsibility and your patriotism and I will continue to assure you that this Senate will work closely with you in this regard.

    “It is our hope that those anti-democratic forces would have learnt their lessons from the last three days and listen to the voice of Nigerians; men, women, boys & girls all across the country who have said firmly that we do not support unconstitutional, anti-democratic actions.

    “That voice is loud and clear and I believe we must all respect that and I expect that as we respect all the Nigerians, those who have made sacrifices for us to be here some have made the ultimate sacrifice, and we must respect that and ensure that Nigeria is a country that everyone around the world looks up to. We should be a shining star, an example of a democratic nation.

    “We should not allow anything to get in the way of the image of this great country that we have all worked so hard to build.

    “We also hope that very soon, the government will quickly put in place the machinery to start the investigation of what really happened, because we are hearing too many fairy-tales of the reasons for what happened.

    “I think it’s time for us to see the hard facts and I think that investigative panel should be commissioned soon and is allowed to start work, so that this kind of thing will not happen in the future.

    “Let me also assure you that the new Electoral Amendment Bill that we have sent to Mr. President will go a long way to address some of the issues of more credible elections in that it will also help in improving the standard to ensure that our electoral process is among the most transparent in the world. Let me also take note of your suggestion and contribution of having a liaison officer to work with us.

    “We appreciate that, and we will work closely with you to look at the areas and bills that will also improve the whole electoral process. It is very, very important that we continue to strengthen the electoral process and our politics in the country.

    “It is important to also ensure that we continue to serve our people better, because in the end, all that we are doing; from political parties to electoral processes is to provide a means that we can better represent and ensure that the lives of our people are much better.

    “We should not lose focus of this amidst all these distractions. I want to assure those in the Senate, my colleagues and the National Assembly in general, that our eyes are still on the goal of how to make life better for Nigerians and we will not be distracted by these actions that are not in the interest of Nigerians.

    “Once again, thank you for coming and we will continue to work closely with you during the next few months — which are very critical months and we hope that the events that have happened .will ensure that we will never see where a security agency of government that are meant to be impartial are used in order to try as much as possible to stifle the opposition.

    “This is because any democratic society must have both those who speak for and those who speak against and that is how our society will grow and mature in the interest of our people.

    “Thank you for this courageous move by being here, for speaking and letting your voices be heard and I am sure that Nigerians will remember your role as well in our effort to defend democracy in our country,” Saraki stated.

     

  • Breaking: Saraki meets national chairmen of 45 political parties

    Following his world press conference on Wednesday, Senate President Bukola Saraki is currently holding a meeting with the national chairmen of 45 political parties.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the meeting is being held at the Senate President’s office in the Senate in Abuja.

    Details shortly…