TheNewsGuru

Tag: NEC

  • Human Capital Index: FG reacts to World Bank ranking of Nigeria

    Following ranking of Nigeria among the seven worst countries in the newly released World Bank’s Human Capital Index report, the federal government (FG) has called on all stakeholders to find country-led solutions to the critical human capital challenges facing the nation.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Minister of Finance, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, who made this known on Sunday, said some of the challenges facing the nation include demography, stunting and education.
    The World Bank’s Human Capital Index report released on Thursday at the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings, in Bali, Indonesia, ranked Nigeria 152 out of 157 countries on the list, with the country sharing bottom of the index with countries like Chad, South Sudan, Niger, Mali, Liberia.
    The Minister of Finance, who said though data derived for the ranking was from a pre-2015 survey, said “While this is disheartening, it reinforces a call for action already embedded in the ‘Investing in People’ pillar of Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP)”.
    Zainab said it was in lieu of disheartening reports such as this the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo comprising Federal Ministers and State Governors met on March 2018 in a special session to look at the role of Human Capital Investment in supporting pro-poor programmes and long-term economic growth.
    “At the meeting, we formed the Human Capital Core Working Group comprising key agencies of the government, private sector, non-government, and development partners with a mandate to develop a unified vision for Human Capital Development, and to drive implementation of high-impact interventions that complement the ongoing efforts in health and education and poverty alleviation under the ERGP pillar ‘investing in our people,” the Minister recalled.
    She stated that “In the immediate future, the Government of Nigeria will focus on high-impact policies and interventions to make dramatic progress in improving human capital. For example, Nigeria is on the cusp of eradicating polio.
    “This would be an important accomplishment as the last polio cases were found in the conflict-stricken North-East states of Borno and Yobe. Other more complex human capital challenges like demography, out-of-school children, learning quality, under-five child mortality, youth employment, and women empowerment will require sustained long-term efforts”.
    The Minister noted that the ERGP’s vision for a healthy, educated, productive, and resilient population is ambitious but necessary to ensure the nation can grow and compete in the economies of the future, reduce poverty and achieve peace and stability.
    “To address these challenges, the Federal Government will continue to empower States to identify and implement programmes that will allow for citizens to access their right to basic health and education while holding States accountable to deliver results.
    “We call on all stakeholders, including community service organizations, the private sector, traditional leaders and development partners, to foster a national dialogue and work together with Government to find country-led solutions to the critical human capital challenges facing the nation. Some of the challenges include demography, stunting and education,” she stated.
     

  • Appointment: Festus Keyamo delays official statement as Nigerians react

    Festus Keyamo has delayed official statements on his recent appointment as director and spokesman for President Muhammadu Buhari 2019 presidential campaigns to a “much later” date.

    “I will be making a formal statement on this much later,” the Senior Advocate of Nigeria stated alongside other comments announcing his appointment.

    TheNewsGuru reports Keyamo was appointed the Director of Strategic Communications and as the Official Spokesperson of the President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organization, which has Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi as its Director General.

    As part of Keyamo’s duties in his new post in the Buhari’s campaign organization, he will aid in getting the nomination of Buhari as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flagbearer in the 2019 elections.

    He will also serve to ensure the success of the subsequent campaigns for the 2019 presidential election.

    “In your capacity, you are to be the Spokesperson for the Campaign during the nomination process and also at the subsequent campaigns for the 2019 presidential elections,” the letter appointing Keyamo read.

    However, mixed reactions have surrounded Keyamo’s appointment with certain Nigerians questioning the appointment.

    “Ohh. That was your motive all the while? We already knew though so this news is stale. The rest of us have been appointed the spokespersons of the Nigerians. We will see who will prevail,” Nwaegbe Nkem stated on Twitter.

    https://twitter.com/kallfrancis/status/986193081690218496

    https://twitter.com/maziubadire/status/986192766127439872

    https://twitter.com/scarydream2001/status/986232180958474240

    https://twitter.com/temmiloluwa_/status/986199312131502080

    https://twitter.com/temmiloluwa_/status/986205029202833409

    TheNewsGuru reports President Buhari announced he would seek reelection in the 2019 presidential elections before jetting out of the country to London last week.

    The development was made public by the president’s personal assistant on new media, Bashir Ahmad and confirmed by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai.

    Ahmad took to his Twitter handle, @BashirAhmaad, to announce the development on Monday, April 9.

    He further disclosed that the president made the announcement during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

     

  • Second term: Buhari’s remarks at APC NEC meeting

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja declared his intention to seek re-election for second term in the 2019 general elections.

    President Buhari made the declaration at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The President said he was responding to the clamour by Nigerians to recontest in 2019, adding that he wanted to give NEC the honour of notifying them first.

    Shortly before making the declaration, the President presented a speech on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee.

    His remarks:

    REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, ON THE REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS NATIONAL EXECUTIVE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 9TH APRIL, 2018

    I am delighted to welcome you all to this very important meeting in the affairs of our party and our country. I want to specifically thank members of the Technical Committee for a job well done within the limited time frame.

    2. It shows a great sense of commitment to the ideals of our party with a view to consolidating and positioning the party to continue delivering good governance in the overall interest of Nigerians.

    3. With the present state of the party and based on the report submitted by the Technical Committee, it is important to focus on how to move the party forward by avoiding actions detrimental to the interest of the party. Considering that politics is a game of numbers, we must not be a house divided against itself and must try to note, appreciate and accommodate our differences as far as the law permits.

    4. Upon my review of the Report, my position is to ensure that the party tows the path of unity, legality and cohesion and not that of division.

    5. Therefore, I am stressing that we should strengthen our internal democracy by organising the Party’s Congresses and Convention where election of National Executive Committee members would be held. This will automatically end the cases filed by members seeking orders of Court compelling the party to hold its Congresses.

    6. I also believe that the current executives should be free to vie for elective positions in the party if they so wish as permitted by our Party constitution.

    7. However, considering the provision of Article 31(1)(iii) of the APC Constitution which requires any serving officer desirous of seeking re-election to resign from office 30 days before election, I am not sure of the practicality of present serving officers’ ability to meet this condition.

    8. Accordingly, the party may consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised from participating in the elections should they wish to do so, provided this does not violate our rules.

    9. Necessary waiver(s) should also be extended to executives at the Ward level whose tenures may have elapsed, and indeed to anyone knocking at our doors from other political parties. This is in the spirit of the Right to Freedom of Association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

    10. In this circumstance, the party should officially issue a statement on the above Waivers so that our house may be full. We all must not be ignorant of the times, and the journey that is ahead of us.

    11. Just like our party symbol; “the Broom,” which typifies strength in unity, let us strive to remain united in our purpose. Victory is sure by the Grace of God, and together we must continue to sanitize Nigeria’s political environment.

    12. Once again, I welcome you all to this meeting with the hope that we will, in our deliberations today, conduct ourselves without rancour and promote the highest interest of the party and the nation.

     

  • Nigerians reacts as Buhari confirms contesting 2019 presidential elections

    Nigerians reacts as Buhari confirms contesting 2019 presidential elections

    Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, amidst reactions, has doused speculation surrounding his second term ambition by personally confirming he will contest the 2019 presidential elections.

    President Buhari made the confirmation after his personal assistant, Bashir Ahmad, first tweeted about it on Monday morning.

    “Today at the National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting of our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), I announced my intention to run for a second term of Office in the 2019 Presidential Elections,” Buhari confirms.

    This ends months of speculation about whether 74-year-old President Buhari plans to run for reelection.

    Meanwhile, Nigerians have reacted to the Buhari’s declaration and key among them are Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, and former aide to the ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri.

    “@MBuhari has declared his intention to seek for a fresh mandate.He should prepare himself for the biggest demystification in Nigeria’s history.A man whose legacy is nothing but blood, death, destruction, corruption,division,conflict,failure and carnage wants to run.He will FAIL!” Fani-Kayode posted on Twitter.

    “It is a good thing that it was @Elrufai who announced President @MBuhari’s second term because his chances of re-election is as tall as Elrufai. A man whose supporters can’t declare one thing he has initiated and completed has declared us all fools by this 2nd term declaration.

    “Since Buhari hasn’t initiated and completed even one project as #BuhariChallenge proves, I urge him to use 2019 election to redeem himself. Initiate and complete a free election and give Nigerians the opportunity to fulfill their desire to retire you from politics next February!

    “The man knew that his 2nd term declaration is unpopular, unpleasant and unpalatable to the vast majority of Nigerians which is why he ran away to London as soon as he announced the news. One would have thought he is contesting for @Theresa_May’s job the way he dashes to the UK,” Omokri stated.

     

    Buhari’s first term has been beset by poor health, which saw him spend months in the UK last year receiving treatment.

    Meanwhile, before announcing his reelection bid, Buhari has been reported ready to leave Abuja for the United Kingdom today.

    “Buhari will today leave Abuja for an official visit to Britain where he is due to hold discussions on Nigeria- British relations with Prime Minister Theresa May, prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings scheduled for 18th to 20th April,” the presidency said in a statement.

    However, the statement did not mention if the President will undergo any medical checkups in the UK.

    The statement did say the President will also meet the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Plc, Mr. Ben van Beurden in connection with Shell and other partners’ plan to invest $15b in Nigeria’s oil industry.

    According to the Presidency, these investment ventures will lay the foundation for the next 20 years’ production and domestic gas supply.

    Buhari will also in the UK renew discussions with the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, a good friend of the President, on inter-religious harmony in Nigeria and worldwide.

    President Buhari defeated former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential elections.

     

  • Breaking: Buhari officially announces intention to run in 2019

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who is expected to leave Abuja today for an official visit to the United Kingdom, has officially announced his intention to contest the 2019 presidential elections.

    Bashir Ahmad, Personal Assistant to Buhari on New Media made this known on Monday morning.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has just officially announced his intention to seek re-election in 2019. Details soon…,” he posted on Twitter.

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has also confirmed the President’s intent.

    Shortly before making the declaration, the President presented a speech on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee.

    Buhari’s Speech:

    1. I am delighted to welcome you all to this very important meeting in the affairs of our party and our country. I want to specifically thank members of the Technical Committee for a job well done within the limited time frame.

    2. It shows a great sense of commitment to the ideals of our party with a view to consolidating and positioning the party to continue delivering good governance in the overall interest of Nigerians.

    3. With the present state of the party and based on the report submitted by the Technical Committee, It is important to focus on how to move the party forward by avoiding actions detrimental to the interest of the party. Considering that politics is a game of numbers, we must not be a house divided against itself and must try to note, appreciate and accommodate our differences as far as the law permits.

    4. Upon my review of the Report, my position is to ensure that the party tows the path of unity, legality and cohesion and not that of division.

    5. Therefore, I am stressing that we should strengthen our internal democracy by organising the Party’s Congresses and Convention where election of National Executive Committee members would be held. This will automatically end the cases filed by members seeking orders of Court compelling the party to hold its Congresses.

    6. I also believe that the current executives should be free to vie for elective positions in the party if they so wish as permitted by our Party constitution.

    7. However, considering the provision of Article 31(1)(iii) of the APC Constitution which requires any serving officer desirous of seeking re-election to resign from office 30 days before election, I am not sure of the practicality of present serving officers’ ability to meet this condition.

    8. Accordingly, the party may consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised from participating in the elections should they wish to do so, provided this does not violate our rules.

    9. Necessary waiver(s) should also be extended to executives at the Ward level whose tenures may have elapsed, and indeed to anyone knocking at our doors from other political parties. This is in the spirit of the Right to Freedom of Association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

    10. In this circumstance, the party should officially issue a statement on the above Waivers so that our house may be full. We all must not be ignorant of the times, and the journey that is ahead of us.

    11. Just like our party symbol; “the Broom,” which typifies strength in unity, let us strive to remain united in our purpose. Victory is sure by the Grace of God, and together we must continue to sanitize Nigeria’s political environment.

    12. Once again, I welcome you all to this meeting with the hope that we will, in our deliberations today, conduct ourselves without rancour and promote the highest interest of the party and the nation.

    ——————————————————————-

    Buhari will today leave Abuja for an official visit to Britain where he is due to hold discussions on Nigeria- British relations with Prime Minister Theresa May, prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings scheduled for 18th to 20th April.

    The President will also meet the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Plc, Mr. Ben van Beurden in connection with Shell and other partners’ plan to invest $15b in Nigeria’s oil industry.

    These investment ventures will lay the foundation for the next 20 years’ production and domestic gas supply, according to the Presidency.

    President Muhammadu Buhari will also in the UK renew discussions with the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, a good friend of the President, on inter-religious harmony in Nigeria and worldwide.

     

  • Senator Abe commends Buhari, wants more from APC NEC

    The Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has urged members of National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to place the interest of the party above every other consideration.

    He also urged them to respect the informed position of President Muhammadu Buhari to conduct congresses across all strata of the party to bring it in conformity with extant constitutional provisions of the Nigerian constitution and its own constitution.

    Abe, who spoke during an extraordinary stakeholders meeting of the party in Port Harcourt commended Buhari for his clear, bold and courageous stand on the constitutional issue of the elected party officials.

    He said, “the President’s position has not only shown that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a party that respects the true tenets of internal democracy and the dictates of the law, but has also steered the party clear of prospective danger”.

    The Senator went further to assure that the party is irrevocably committed to the restoration of Rivers State to the expected dream of the people where justice and opportunities to create wealth would be made available to all.

    Abe said, “Those of us who have faith in what we are doing, don’t be deterred, don’t be worried; continue to work hard. We are irrevocably committed to the emancipation of Rivers State. We are totally dedicated to the restoration of our state. We are completely determined to recalibrate the entire engine, the machinery of our state so that this state will be what our founding fathers had intended”.

    “A place where there would be justice for all, both small and big; a place where there would be opportunity for all both small and big. A place where every tribe, every tongue, every denomination, every stranger will feel completely at home and will be given an opportunity to contribute their own quota to the development and prosperity of our state”.

    He regretted that members of the APC has dumped the party for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), due to crumbs promised them, saying that that the solution to the hunger we are currently facing in Rivers State is not by going to beg crumbs from the table of anybody.

    Abe, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on FERMA, said, “Sometimes when you are doing something, all kinds of naysayers will come up, all kinds of doubters will come, all kinds of inflections will come to try to dissuade you, try to defray people, they try to defeat you even before you go into any contest.

    “But those who know the secret of success know that first of all before you do anything, you must first convince yourself that what you are doing is the right thing. Once you are doing the right thing at the right time and in the right place, nobody can come to shake you from what you are doing”.

    “I am saying this because some members of our party across the state who left the party were misinformed, misguided and deceived to move because they feel we are divided so they moved to somewhere, where they can see something to eat immediately”.

    “But, let me say to everybody, that the solution to the hunger we are currently facing in Rivers State is not by going to beg crumbs from the table of anybody, it is by doing the right thing so that you are strong enough to be one of those that will cook the food that will be on the table. I think it is only when we do that and we can expand the table to increase the food, that is when the challenge of hunger that is currently the bane of Rivers society will be totally and completely eliminated”.

    “Today, Rivers State has one of the highest unemployment figures in the entire country and yet, this state has some of the greatest natural advantages, with which wealth can be created but we are not giving it that attention that is needed to generate wealth and create employment opportunities for thousands of our people”.

    The communiqué issued at the end of the stakeholders meeting, which was read by Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche enjoined members of the APC in Rivers State to return all party executives at all levels in the event of congresses irrespective of their factional leanings as a reward for their sacrifice and commitment to the APC, in the face of threats, intimidation and even physical danger.

    Earlier, former senator representing Rivers West District in the National Assembly, Senator Wilson Ake, who chaired the event stated that the attitude and attributes of Senator Magnus Abe has convinced members of the party to mobilize support for him.

    Also speaking, the member representing Ikwerre-Emohua Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chidi Wihioka, urged Nigerians to be vigilant and alleged that some names on permanent voter’s cards (PVC) issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are missing from the commission’s data base.

     

  • UPDATED: Buhari addresses APC NEC, rejects Oyegun’s tenure elongation

    UPDATED: Buhari addresses APC NEC, rejects Oyegun’s tenure elongation

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday addressed members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and insisted that the recent tenure elongation of executives of the party was against the party and Nigeria’s constitution.

    Recall that the APC had in its NEC meeting on February 28 extended the tenure of members of National Working Committee (NWC) led by its chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun by one year.

    The decision, however, did not go down with some powerful members of the party who had since been mounting pressures that the decision be reversed.

    Speaking shortly before the commencement of NEC meeting Tuesday, President Buhari told party members at the APC national secretariat to cancel the tenure extension decision because “it is against the party constitution and the Nigerian constitution.”

    He therefore, presented the matter “for discussion” at the meeting.

    The president noted he is having a change of heart because he doesn’t want the party’s activities to be faulted by any court of law.

    NEC members were shocked because the issue of tenure extension is not in the agenda circulated to members.

    It was also not discussed at the national caucus meeting which held at the Presidential Villa Monday night, Mr. Odigie-Oyegun had said.

    Caucus meetings are precursor to what would be discussed at NEC.

    Read the president’s full speech below:

    REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE APC ON TUESDAY, 27TH MARCH, 2018

    I am delighted to once again welcome you to this National Executive Committee Meeting of our great party. As we usually do, I hope we will take the opportunity of this gathering to resolve outstanding issues and consolidate our plans towards making APC the strongest defender of the interests of our people.

    2. In particular, I think it is important for me to speak quickly on the contentious issue of the tenure of our National and State Executive Officers. As we all know, a motion was moved at the last National Executive Committee meeting of February 27, 2018, to the effect that when the tenure of the current executives expire in June this year, they should be allowed to continue for one year.

    3. This motion was duly carried by a majority of members present at the last NEC Meeting, even though some of our party members have since spoken up very vehemently against it. Others have even taken the matter to court.

    4. On my own part, I have taken some time to review and seek advise on the resolution. And what I found is that it contravenes both our party Constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    5. While the APC Constitution, in Article 17(1) and 13.2(B), limits the tenure of elected officers to four years, renewable once by another election, the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), in section 223, also prescribes periodic elections for party executives at regular intervals, which must not exceed four years.

    6. Furthermore, Article 31 of our Party Constitution provides that any principal officer wishing to re-contest or contest for another post, must resign from his current post at least one month before the election

    7. In this circumstance, what is expected of us is to conduct fresh elections, once the tenure of the current executives approaches its end. A Caretaker Committee cannot remedy this situation, and cannot validly act in place of elected officers.

    8. Furthermore, I think if we deviate from the constitutional provisions, we might be endangering the fortunes of our party. If the tenure of our party executives can be legally faulted, then it means that any nominations and primary elections that they may conduct, can also be faulted.

    9. This is not to talk of divisions that would arise, and is already arising within the party, when some of our members feel that they are being denied the right to aspire to executive positions, or that internal democracy is not at play within the party.

    10. I am therefore of the firm view that it is better to follow strictly the dictates of our party and national constitutions, rather than put APC and its activities at grave risk.

    11. Fortunately, we have already approved a timetable for the holding of congresses and elections. I think these should be allowed to go forward and all efforts should now be geared towards making them a great success.

    12. Once again, I welcome you all to this meeting with the hope that we will promote, always, the highest interest of the party and of our people.

     

    Thank you.

     

  • APC Caucus Meeting: We discussed serious issues, not my removal – Odigie-Oyegun

    The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr John Odigie-Oyegun has said that the meeting of the party’s national caucus on Monday night discussed more serious issues but not about his removal from office.

    Odigie-Oyegun, who fielded questions from State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting which was chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, said the meeting discussed the party’s report on true federalism.

    He dismissed the insinuation that the members of the national caucus deliberated on a court case instituted against him by some aggrieved members of the party.

    Some members of the APC had dragged the national chairman to court over what they described as “illegal tenure elongation’’

    Others alleged that Odigie-Oyegun had been running the accounts of the party without recourse to majority of national officers of the party.
    But the party chairman said that the issue of his removal from office as being advocated by the aggrieved members had now become history.

    “No, the meeting concluded the agenda we started the last time we met which we did not complete.

    “Today we discussed true federalism, something a lot more serious, a lot more serious,’’ he added.

    Also commenting on the outcome of the meeting, the speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Yakubu Dogara said that it was a routine meeting of the party to set the agenda for the NEC holding on Tuesday.

    “All I can tell you is that there is a meeting which is routine and the caucus meeting is determined to set up an agenda of the NEC meeting tomorrow. And all I can tell you is that the agenda is well set.

    “I believe that it will be the responsibility of NEC to decide and after a decision is taken, some of our faithful members will address the press.

    “I don’t think it is in my place to divulge what was discussed.

    “Tactically, it is an agenda setting meeting and we have had that meeting but the main meeting will take place tomorrow,’’ Dogara said.

    Asked whether he was worried over the elongation of the tenure of the party chairman, Dogara said, “It is not a question of my being worried because I am just one perhaps of millions of APC members.

    “Like I said, certainly it’s going to be an agenda for the consideration of NEC, whatever NEC decides, that will be binding on all of us as faithful members of the party.”

    Also, The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, described the meeting as “a good meeting’’, adding that members deliberated on a number of issues to do with the party’s constitution.

    “We deliberated a number of issues to do with the constitution of the party which are very important issues here, the constitution, and to prepare for NEC tomorrow, it was a good meeting,” he said.

    Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, expressed delight with the attendance and comments of members at the meeting

    “We discussed so many things – one of them is the proposed amendment of the constitution.

    “We are united as a party and we believe the amendment of the constitution would unite us more and we are happy with attendance and comments by members of the caucus,’’ he added.

    The meeting was attended by the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and past state governors of APC, members of the National Assembly, Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Mr Boss Mustapha and other cabinet ministers

    Two chieftains of the party, a former Lagos State Governor, Chief Bola Tinubu, and Chief Bisi Akande as well as Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara were absent at the meeting.

     

  • BREAKING: Liberia’s NEC schedules presidential runoff for Dec 26

    The runoff in Liberia’s presidential elections will be held on December 26, the country’s electoral overseer announced on Tuesday, clearing a final hurdle in a protracted saga.

    “I am pleased to announce that the 2017 presidential runoff elections will be conducted on Tuesday December 26, 2017,” the president of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Jerome Korkoya, said.

    The Supreme Court last Thursday ordered the commission to proceed with the vote after it was delayed for a month by fraud complaints.

  • Buhari lists regular power, fuel supply, anti-corruption fight… as achievements of APC-led govt

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday enumerated improvement in power and fuel supply; war against corruption as some of the laudable achievements recorded by his administration in two years.

    Buhari who made the disclosure while delivering his speech to the National Executive Committee meeting of the APC which held today, in Abuja said he is proud of the achievements he has recorded in the last two years.

    “We can be proud of our achievements in the last two years, Boko Haram, Niger Delta, Regular Fuel, Improved Power, TSA, Agriculture and Fertilizer, above all, the knowledge that corruption will not be tolerated in this Government. We all know there is CHANGE.

    Read his statement in full, “Let me on a personal note thank you all for your prayers and good wishes, which the Almighty Allah answered in the restoration of my health. I wish to thank you all Party leaders for helping to keep the government running smoothly during my prolonged absence.

    “I would like to start by commending our Party Leadership chaired by His Excellency, Chief John Oyegun. The Chairman and I worked harmoniously during 1984-85 in a previous government. Happily, circumstances have brought us again to positions of leadership in the country.

    “I want to thank Chief Oyegun and his staff for steering the party in the last two and a half years. Sometimes it is easier to manage failure than to manage success – and a big success such as that we have achieved.

    “I must also commend the leadership of the National Assembly led by Senate President His Excellency, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Rt. Hon. Speaker Mr. Yakubu Dogara. I must place on record the cooperation and understanding of the National Assembly including some non-APC members who rose above petty party interests and acted in the national interest.

    “My deep thanks also go to our State Governors who faced stiff challenges, especially their determination to maintain unity and tolerance among our communities. This is in the face of unnecessary politically motivated strife and violence. Credit should go to APC Governors for extending their hand of fellowship to their colleagues from other parties.

    “In my remarks to the Caucus meeting yesterday, I enumerated the progress that our government has made in the implementation of the programs of government and the Party Manifesto.

    “We can be proud of our achievements in the last two years, Boko Haram, Niger Delta, Regular Fuel, Improved Power, TSA, Agriculture and Fertilizer, above all, the knowledge that corruption will not be tolerated in this Government. We all know there is CHANGE.

    “Nigeria’s prestige has gone up, Nigeria is now credit –worthy, a clear testimony of which was the over-subscription of the Euro-Bond by 4 times. Nevertheless, we are not resting on our achievements. I am quite aware of the challenges before us.

    “Last year, I said we would re-constitute the Boards of Parastatals. I must regret the fact that we have not done so, for many reasons.

    “Some of us in this meeting may know I had given instructions since October 2015 for this exercise to start. But there have been inordinate delays through several Committees in an attempt to get the balance right and to make sure all parts of the country are equitably represented.

    “On the other hand, I am keenly aware that our supporters are very eager for these appointments to be announced. By the Grace of God these appointments will be announced soon. Especially now that the economy is improving, we will have the resources to cater for the appointees.

    “By the same token, the compressed Federal Executive Council will be expanded to bring in more supporters at Federal Level, with fresh ideas to be injected into the government.

    “Let me thank you all again for the commitment and dedicated service to our Party and to remind you that much more will be required of you in the coming months. I hope we can continue to depend on you. If we keep united and rise above petty or personal quarrels, we will surely achieve the desired CHANGE in the country.”