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Tag: el-rufai

  • Southern Kaduna crisis: El-Rufai inaugurates religious leaders’ forum

    Southern Kaduna crisis: El-Rufai inaugurates religious leaders’ forum

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Thursday inaugurated a forum for religious leaders as a way of promoting religions harmony and peaceful co-existence in the state.

    El-Rufai said during the inauguration that the forum would provide a platform to preach messages capable of assisting people to imbibe the highest ideals of Christianity and Islam.

    He said it had become crucial to deepen religious harmony and peaceful co-existence among different religions in the state.

    “It will provide the platform for religious leaders to dialogue, interact and assume collective responsibility for messages that assist people imbibe the highest ideals of the two major religions.

    “In spite of our enthusiasm for religion, there has been a legacy of communal and ethno-religious conflicts in the state for a long time.

    “This situation betrays the absence of respect for the rule of law and adherence to the common values of our two dominant religions such as peace, compassion and fairness,” he said.

    According to him, the forum is a reflection of the state government’s belief in religion as a unifying force and promoter of peace.

    “We believe that the diversity of faith can be a vehicle for unity when we respect the rights and liberties of other humans as creatures of God,” he said.

    El-Rufai expressed the government’s expectation that religious leaders would contribute meaningfully to the enthronement of peace and harmony in the state.

    The governor commended the religious leaders for accepting to serve in the forum, and urged them to undertake their duties with utmost commitment.

    He assured that the government fully embraced and support the initiative, spearheaded by the Kaduna State Peace Commission.

    Most Revd. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, Chairman, Kaduna State Peace Commission, and the Executive Vice-Chairman, Priscilla Ankut, explained that the House of Kaduna Family was part of the commission’s initiative to achieve peaceful coexistence in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the House of Kaduna Family include Archbishop Ali Buba, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Gumi, Bishop Timothy Yahaya, Rev. Moses Audi, Sheikh Abdulkarim Hashim, Malam Aminu Alkasim, Sheikh Idris Sabongari and Ishaya Adamu Jangado.

    Others are, Archbishop Matthew Man’o’so, Bishop Julius Kundi, Malam Yakubu Arrigasiyyu, Sheikh Hamza Lawal, Dr Tukur Almannar, Rev. Barnabas Dodo, Archbishop Sunday Oga-Dodo and Dr Mohammed Suleiman.

    The rest include Alhaji Mohammed Maruf-Raji, Alhaji Sheriff Olutusin, Apostle Emanuel Nuhu-Kure, Hajiya Fadila Musa, Rev. Olatubnusin and Mrs Agatha Soje.

  • Buratai presents 3-bedroom house to 85-year-old ex-soldier evicted by El-Rufai

    Buratai presents 3-bedroom house to 85-year-old ex-soldier evicted by El-Rufai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai has presented a new 3-bedroom house to the 85-year-old retired Warrant Officer, Paul Ojo, who was evicted from his home by the Kaduna State Government.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that Ojo was evicted from his former residence at Kabala Costain Kaduna on August 17.
    Buratai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army Kaduna, Maj.-Gen Usman Muhammad, said on Tuesday that he was moved by the unfortunate circumstances that led to Ojo’s eviction.
    “I was emotionally touched by your plight and consequently directed that an alternative permanent accommodation be secured for you and your family.
    “Pursuant to this, we were able to secure a more befitting house at No. 26 Yakowa Street Anguwan Galadima Kaduna.
    “It is thus my pleasure to formally present this 3-bedroom house to you as a mark of goodwill and uncommon gesture.
    “The Nigerian Army has always demonstrated its willingness to impact on personnel welfare and that of their families.
    “It is hoped that this gesture will encourage you to continue to uphold the positive tenets of the Nigerian Army as you live in peace and harmony with members of the civil society.
    “Once more congratulations and I wish you happy stay and enjoying your retirement in peace and tranquility,” Buratai said.
    Responding, the retired Warrant Officer thanked the Army chief for coming to his aid, saying it was a demonstration that his services to the army and Nigeria were not in vain.
    “I don’t know how to thank him, but Almighty God will give us peace to rule Nigeria well, peace that our soldiers will not be facing this type of thing.
    “Without notice or anything, I was ejected and I thank God the ejection has turned into a glory, thank you very much the Chief of Army Staff for what you have done to me.
    “I was ejected from my two bedroom house, they scattered my things but today, the Chief of Army Staff has made it possible for me to live in the type of house I never hope I will be able to build,” Ojo said.
    He prayed that Nigeria will overcome its security challenges so that all Nigerians will live in peace and tranquillity and the country will record economic growth and development.
  • The trial of El-Rufai, By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    The trial of El-Rufai, By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    Last week, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) dramatically withdrew the invitation it had earlier extended to Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to speak at the 2020 Annual General Conference of the NBA slated to hold August 26-29 2020. The gravamen of the charges (emanating from different lawyers including some members of the public) preferred against Governor El-Rufai at the Court of Public Opinion last week, were, inter alia, that since 2015 to date El-Rufai has been fragrantly disobeying court orders; fragrantly disregarding and abusing the rule of law; adopting a laissez-faire or nonchalant attitude to the monumental carnage in Southern Kaduna; making inciting and hubristic comments that had led to the exacerbation of the Southern Kaduna crisis; threatening people whom he feels are opposed to him. For example, on February 5 2019, El-Rufai threatened the international observers covering the last general elections that if they dared interfered with the elections they would go home in “body bags”.

    As at last Friday, the www.change.org/p/nigerian-bar-association-help-stop-nasir-el-rufai-from-speaking-at-nba-agc had collected the signatures of not less than 4, 300 witnesses ready to testify in the charges preferred against El-Rufai. The testimonies of some of the witnesses published online are hereunder stated: “As a lawyer, I join my colleagues in condemning d decision to invite Gov.@elrufai of Kaduna State to address the viral conference of NBA. Kaduna has the record of the highest mass murder & extra-judicial killings in the country” (Nnamdi Asomugha Sr Esq.,). “Governor @elrufai has no business addressing lawyers at the @NigBarAssoc. Conference. As lawyers, it is our duty to uphold the rule of law. Courts have found that El-Rufai’s Government has illegally arrested & incarcerated people. I hereby withdraw my attendance from the Conference” (Lugard Tare-Otu Esq.,). “The nomination of Gov. El-Rufai to address lawyers at the NBA conference is a mockery of the NBA & lawyers in general. How can we sanitize the judiciary with such acts? A kingpin in the abuse & disregard of the rule of law to address lawyers? I will not be attending the NBA Conference” (Buka). “As at today, Southern Kaduna is the most active site of massacres and mass atrocities in Nigeria in Nigeria. Despite this Governor El-Rufai dismissed the atrocities going on in Southern Kaduna as “media hype” (Open Bar Initiative). “For fragrant disregard for the rule of law and disobedience to court orders and for saying that he would give money to the killers in Kaduna to stop their killing, El-Rufai lacks moral right to address lawyers” (Femi Falana SAN)

    In his defence, Governor El-Rufai, together with his witnesses, has lampooned the NBA for allegedly being parochial and bowing to pressure from anonymous crowd without giving him a fair-hearing. Citing section 3 (6) of the Nigerian Bar Association Constitution & Bye-Law in their testimony for El-Rufai, the NBA, (Bauchi Branch) faults the withdrawal of El-Rufai from speaking at the Conference. It calls on the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC) to rescind the withdrawal failure for which the NBA (Bauchi Branch) would boycott the 2020 NBA Conference. Also testifying in support of El-Rufai, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) construes the NBA withdrawal of the invitation of El-Rufai as a “declaration of war”. It says that the NBA is “parochial, myopic and jejune”. It urges all lawyers from Northern Nigeria to boycott the 2020 NBA Conference. What a prescription for intolerance? It casts the Association in a most unflattering, illiberal hue, totally at odds with the image which we like to project of lawyers as a group that espouses the virtues of liberal democracy-particularly freedom of speech…” (Abubakar Sani Esq.,)

    Let me say this again and emphasize it leaving no room for ambiguity: The fundamental issue that calls for determination in this public trial is not the person of His Excellency Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. Far from it. Neither has it got anything to do with tribe and religion. I agree with the out-going NBA President Paul Usoro (SAN) that the trial of El-Rufai has “no ethnic or religious colouration”. The fundamental issue at stake in this trial is the blood of our innocent children, brothers and sisters that is being shed in Southern Kaduna. Therefore any mudsling and rebellious impulses towards tarnishing the image and character of Governor El-Rufai are completely misconceived. El-Rufai, ontologically, is a good person. My closest physical encounter with El-Rufai dates back to his days on the Editorial Board of THISDAY Newspaper. At that time, he stood out for his exceptional brilliance in analyzing national issues. So, Governor El-Rufai is good. Having said this, I wish to reiterate my earlier comment that the main issue in this trial is the spilling of the blood of members of our human family who are in Southern Kaduna. Spilled human blood especially the spilled blood of innocent children inevitably seeks justice. This is why after 55 years the blood of over 1.5 million Jewish Children who were killed during the German Holocaust is still seeking justice today. This is why after 50 years Nigeria has not made any meaningful socio-political progress because the blood of almost two million Biafran civilians (three quarter of them small children) who died from starvation caused by the total blockade of the region by the Nigerian government is still demanding for justice today.. Now, Southern Kaduna is the field of gruesome death. This is a notorious fact requiring no proof. Imagine blindfolding an innocent 3-year old girl and slicing off her head with a machete in Southern Kaduna. In fact no day passes in Southern Kaduna without the shedding of human blood. On August 16 2020, Reverend Adalchi Usman of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Unguwan /Madaki, Maro Ward, in Kajuru Local Council was killed when a commercial vehicle in which he was riding was ambushed by armed assailants. On 17 August Mr. Bulus Joseph was gruesomely killed on his farm in Sabon Gida Idon, along the Kaduna-Kachia road, in Kajuru Local Council by Fulani militia. On 18 August, Malachy Bobai, farmer and a 16-year-old student Ms. Takama Paul were killed by Fulani militia. I can go on and on.

    Rather than remain sober, mournful, remorseful and regretful over the killings, El-Rufai is going about making some statements that suggest that he is playing politics with Southern Kaduna killings. For example, how can El-Rufai dismiss the atrocious killings in Southern Kaduna as “media hype”? Why does he threaten the opposition for expressing different views on the Southern Kaduna killings? The answers to these queries place a heavy moral burden on El-Rufai which he has to discharge. Agreed, El-Rufai is playing politics. But political strategy does not obviate the need to cultivate moral discipline. Contrary to Machiavellianism, the end does not justify the means. For example, a politician cannot commit murder like in Shakespeare’s Macbeth to satisfy his vaulting ambition and feels justified with the words of Lady Macbeth that “a little water cleanses us of this deed”. Pricked by his conscience every man makes amends for his evil deeds. Why? Because justice is not only something dispensed in a court of law: Justice is something profoundly personal. A guilty person might escape human justice in human law court; he might take flight from his guilt through ingenious rationalization, but he cannot escape from the ultimate justice in the recess of his conscience. In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s bestseller novel, Crime and Punishment, Rashkolnikov tried to erase his crime from his heart by ingenious rationalization but upon discovering the inescapable basis for ultimate justice in his heart, he went and voluntarily served an eight year prison in Siberia to appease his guilty conscience.

    Governor El-Rufai, undoubtedly, is conscious of his place in history. He wants posterity to judge him well. He knows that the people’s judgment albeit not the judgment of the law court carries with it a moral opprobrium and social stigma capable of ruining the character and political career of a politician. This is why he should appease his conscience and amend his relationship with the people today.

  • Sultan, El-Rufai meet over Southern Kaduna crisis

    Sultan, El-Rufai meet over Southern Kaduna crisis

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Monday met behind closed doors with the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Sa’ad Abubakar at the Government House Kaduna.
    Though the Sultan did not disclose the outcome of the meeting, the governor said the Sultan “expressed his support for our efforts at bringing peace to Kaduna state.’’
    El-Rufai told newsmen after the meeting that his relationship with the Sultan started when he was a student at Barewa College Zaria.

    “He knew me since I was 12-years-old and he used to advise us on what we needed to do and how to achieve peace and progress.”
    According to him, the Sultan expressed happiness that various religious and ethnic groups have suggested measures on how to promote peace in Kaduna state.
    ‘’The Sultan also prayed to God to bring peace not only in Kaduna state but Nigeria in general, especially the insecurity bedeviling northern Nigeria,’’ he added.
    The governor stressed that the concern of his administration has always been to see people living together in peace.
    He welcomed the Peace and Reconciliation Summit held in Zangon Kataf Local Government on Saturday, where the Atyap, Hausa and Fulani communities resolved to live in peace.
    He noted that the major religions “teach us to love for others what we love for ourselves”.
    “Therefore, we are happy with what the Chief of Atyap started. May God reward him for inviting all the ethnic groups under his chiefdom to agree to live in peace and harmony.’’
    The governor prayed that the initiative would be the beginning of lasting peace in southern Kaduna.
  • Southern Kaduna crisis: El-Rufai relaxes curfew in two troubled LGAs

    Southern Kaduna crisis: El-Rufai relaxes curfew in two troubled LGAs

    The Kaduna State Government on Saturday said that it had relaxed curfew in Kauru and Zango Kataf Local Government Areas of the state.
    Mr Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner for Internal Security & Home Affairs, made the disclosure in a statement in Kaduna.
    Aruwan said that security agencies had advised the state government about the persisting danger of attacks and reprisals, especially in Zangon-Kataf LGA.
    However, the security assessments also acknowledged that there were promising signs of serious efforts at rapprochement between the Atyap, Hausa and Fulani communities of Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area.
    “As efforts to diminish perils to communities and promote peace continue, the Kaduna State Government has accepted the recommendation to relax the curfew in Kauru and Zangon-Kataf LGAs.
    “Curfew hours will now be from 6.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m., effective from today (Saturday, Aug. 22)”
    According to him, this decision completes the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew imposed from June 11, to help contain security challenges initially in Kauru and Zangon-Kataf, but later extended to Kaura and Jema’a Local Government Areas.
  • NBA President defends decision to drop El-Rufai from conference speakers list

    NBA President defends decision to drop El-Rufai from conference speakers list

    The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Paul Usoro (SAN), has defended the association’s decision to withdraw the invitation earlier extended to Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State as guest speaker at its Annual General Conference.

    Usoro, on Friday, also denied the allegation of ethnic and religious bias against Mr El-Rufai.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the National Executive Committee of the lawyers’ association, on Thursday, rescinded its decision on the participation of El-Rufai who has been billed to be one of the main speakers at the conference.

    The Kaduna governor was billed to speak in a session titled ‘Who is a Nigerian?… A Debate on National Identity.’

    However, the association choice of El-Rufai soon sparked protests online with many of the lawyers declining to participate if he (El-Rufai) remains on the guest list.

    Many lawyers also accused El-Rufai of not doing enough to end the killings in the southern part of Kaduna State.

    It was based on the complaints that the NBA leadership withdrew El-Rufai’s participation.

    In his reaction to the development, the governor said the decision was unjust and unfair. He accused the association of embracing a “one-sided narrative”.

    “NBA platform or not, these worthy conversations must continue. He will continue to make his voice heard on the things our country needs to do for its progress.”

    However, the incumbent NBA President, Usoro, in a statement on Friday defending the association’s decision said: “I have received several messages from our members that have attributed ethnic and religious considerations to the decision. That is not correct and is very far from the truth. Neither the NBA nor NEC belong to any religious or ethnic group. We are lawyers and professionals dedicated to the ideals and the promotion and preservation of the Rule of Law and we belong to one indivisible family of the NBA,” the senior lawyer said in a press release on Friday.

    He said the NEC did not infringe on the rule of law by dis-inviting the governor.

    “As I point out in my letter, neither the NBA nor NEC set out to sit in judgment against Mallam el-Rufai and even from that prism, the principle of fair hearing does not apply.”

    He added that none of the persons or parties who are opposed to the invitation of Mr El-Rufai to the conference has been offered the platform to advocate or propagate their viewpoints and positions and so the principle of not hearing the other side does not arise.

    “We are one united Nigerian Bar Association with no religious or ethnic bias or predisposition and shall ever so remain,” Usoro said.

  • El-Rufai ethically unfit to deliver such lecture – Bamgbose supports NBA

    El-Rufai ethically unfit to deliver such lecture – Bamgbose supports NBA

     

    Olusegun Bamgbose, National Coordinator, Concerned Advocates for Good Governance, CAGG, has applauded the National Planning Committee of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, for withdrawing the invitation extended to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, saying that the Kaduna State Governor’s track records in terms of human rights is not good enough.

     

    The NBA yesterday removed the name of El-Rufai from the list of speakers at its 2020 Virtual Annual General Conference (AGC) which is scheduled for 26th to 29th August, 2020.

     

    El-Rufai was billed to speak on the topic: ‘Who is a Nigerian?’ But his addition led to outrage and backlash, even on social media.

     

    Bamgbose, a senior lawyer, noted that the legal profession is a very noble one, and lawyers must jealously guard the nobility of the profession.

     

    The Lagos-based legal practitioner said that El-Rufai is morally and ethically unfit to be a Guest Speaker, at this year’s NBA Conference.

     

    Reacting to the development on Friday, Bamgbose told Daily Post: “The timely withdrawal of the invitation extended to Governor El-Rufai is in order and a welcome development.

     

    “Governor El-Rufai’s track records in terms of human rights, not good enough. He is ethically unfit to deliver a lecture on, ‘Who is a Nigerian?’ Law profession is a noble one and we won’t allow anyone, no matter how highly placed, to decimate or desecrate it.

     

    “I’m really proud of the NBA Planning Committee, prompt and proactive response, to the agitations of lawyers across the country.

     

    “I commend and appreciate the timely withdrawal of the invitation extended to Governor El-Rufai. It’s a big relief.

     

    “This will act as a deterrent to other political office holders, that when it comes to good Governance, the Bar won’t compromise issues.

     

    “Lawyers will not relent in resisting any attempt to politicize the noble profession. Governor El-Rufai’s reaction that the withdrawal is unfair and unjust, holds no water.

     

    “His house is burning, let him ensure safety and security of his subjects in his State, before being accorded the privilege to be a Guest Speaker at NBA Conference. Let him keep his house in order.

     

    “This rejection of him by lawyers, should serve as a notice to him, that his performances so far as Governor of Kaduna State are not well appreciated. His future ambition to be President or Vice President, has thus suffered a big setback.

     

    “The Bar, by this singular action, is sending a signal to the public office holders that come 2023, lawyers won’t sit on the fence, and watch non performing politicians win any election. It’s time to meaningfully contribute our quota to National development.”

     

    El-Rufai has since described the removal of his name as one of guest speakers at the event as an “unfortunate embrace of injustice”.

     

     

  • Over 500 persons sign petition to reject Gov. El-Rufai as speaker at NBA conference

    Over 500 persons sign petition to reject Gov. El-Rufai as speaker at NBA conference

    ….Lawyers seek Zulum as El-rufai’s Replacement
    …. Elrufai must emulate Makarfi says Kaduna Lawmaker

    Ongoing Call for signatures in a petition to stop Kaduna State governor from speaking as guest in the forth Coming Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reached five hundred and still counting.

    The petition was designed by one Usani Odum on change.org after a couple of lawyers claim governor Elrufai is a wrong choice following his recent comments on national TV about killings in his state which they termed “diversionary”.

    According to Odum “….The senseless killings in southern Kaduna must stop. The political correctness of Governor El-Rufai on national TV is diversionary. It is a reversal to have him speak to lawyers on security, when Governor (Babagana) Zulum of Borno a better person can do so”

    “We may not be able to do anything to stop the killings, but we can stop the governor from speaking at the NBA-AGC to show our disapproval of the manner he has handled the situation!!” Odum wrote.

    In a letter addressed to the NBA conference planning committee Chairmam titled “Request to Withdraw the Offer of Platform at the 2020 Annual General Conference of the NBA to Mallam Nasir el-Rufai” a group of lawyers said they are not attending the conference listing ten allegations against el-Rufai and his son, Bello who is currently a legislative Aid to the Kaduna Central lawmaker, Senator Uba Sani.

    “El-Rufai had during the run-up to the 2019 general elections threatened that any foreigner who interfered in the election would leave Nigeria in “body bags”. The lawyers wrote.

    They added that “his recent comments on national TV about the killings in Southern Kaduna is Diversionary”

    Meanwhile reacting to this is the member representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency Mr Amos Gwamna Magaji who called on governor Elrufai to emulate one of is predicessors Ahmed Makarfi. “Makarfi won the war of insecurity in Kaduna because he had the interest of everyone at heart, he didn’t favour those only from his religion, Makarfi was not arrogant, Elrufai must learn this…..” Magaji said.

  • No going back on support for Southern Presidency in 2023 – El-Rufai

    No going back on support for Southern Presidency in 2023 – El-Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai on Sunday said there is no going back on his support that the 2023 presidency should shifts to Southern part of Nigeria.

    El-Rufai, who spoke on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, said based on arrangement, after President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidency should shift to the South.

    According to him, even the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had that arrangement of power rotation, which was why after former President Olusegun Obasanjo, late Umaru Yar’Adua came to power.

    He said he did not say he would not support a northern or southern candidate, but that it is just a fact that power had to shift to the south in 2023, even though there was no such power-sharing in the APC’s constitution.

    “After Buhari, what is honourable is for the northern politicians to put their support for the southern candidate. I don’t believe in zoning but that is my opinion. We have this arrangement, we should maintain it.

    “I don’t believe any part of Nigeria has a monopoly on power. We have an understanding, let us stick to it. In 1998, this nation has a consensus that power should go to the southwest.

    “In 2023, I believe that all parties should present candidates from the south,” he stated.

  • No Northerner should contest presidency in 2023 – El-Rufai

    No Northerner should contest presidency in 2023 – El-Rufai

    …says power must return to South

    …denies nursing presidential ambition

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Saturday made a fresh case for the south to produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor in 2023.

    El-Rufai said on the Hausa Service of BBC that the country’s political arrangement requires a southerner to take over from Buhari.

    “The southern part of the country is supposed to produce the president come 2023. I don’t support a northerner to vie for the seat after President Muhammadu Buhari, based on Nigeria’s political arrangement,” he said.

    He added: “That is why I came out and said that after President Buhari has been in office for eight years, no northerner should run for office. Let the Southerners also have eight years.”

    El-Rufai said although the power rotation arrangement runs contrary to the constitution, it is a political exigency that deserves to be respected by all parties.

    “I believe that (there is) no developed country across the world that considers leadership based on where someone comes from.

    “However, in Nigerian politics, there is an arrangement that we all believe on rotational leadership. We are aware of that. Anyone who denies that is wrong,” he said.

    He denied the speculations that he is aspiring to become president himself, dismissing them as baseless.

    “It has been said that I have loved the presidency since I was minister in the FCT. This is nonsense.

    “I don’t want to be president. Only God decides someone’s future. Whether you like it or not, I have never shown interest for the presidency,” he said.

    The governor said although he supports power rotation at the national level, he is opposed to it in his state because “in Kaduna, I don’t work with people because they came from a particular zone. Rather, I work with you based on your capacity to deliver on a task given to you and your ability to keep public trust.”

    He spoke on the heels of a similar interview granted by President Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura, who said merit rather than zoning should be the sole factor for picking Nigeria’s president.

    Daura’s view drew flaks from many Nigerians, who believed that he was pushing out an agenda.

    The Presidency, however, said Daura spoke for himself.