TheNewsGuru

Tag: President

  • Don’t wait till you are 40, you can become president at 30, Obasanjo tells Nigerian youths

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said there was nothing wrong if a youth at 30 becomes Nigerian president.

    The former president noted that himself and another former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon became made it to the top Nigerian job at 39 and 33 respectively.

    Obasanjo therefore advised the youths to democratically wrest leadership from the old guards since they are unwilling to quit the stage.

    To Obasanjo, leadership positions are never given on a platter of gold. He urged the youth to work for them.

    The ex – President, who spoke on Saturday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at the Youth Governance Dialogue organised to mark this year’s International Youth Day, added that those seeking leadership positions must also carve a niche for themselves through hard work.

    The programme was organised by the Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library(OOPL), Abeokuta.

    Obasanjo noted that moral values had been eroded, unlike in the 50s and the 60s, adding that sound moral values were necessary ingredients for leadership.

    In Obasanjo’s view, Nigeria is in dire need of leaders who are academically and spiritually sound.

    He urged the youth to stop complaining, “moaning and agonising”. He advised them to get ready to fit into elective offices as there were moves now to lower the age for President, Governor and National Assembly.

    ”I joined politics from the top. The only position I contested for is President, but I had a track record of achievements, which led to that.

    ”Nobody will choose you; you have to choose yourself. Why should you have to become president at the age of 40? “Why can’t you become president at the age of 35? Why can’t you become president at the age of 30?

    ”General Gowon became Head of State at 33. I became Head of State at 39. And it is because of my track record, and thanks to Abacha (the late Gen. Sani Abacha)for putting me in jail.

    ”Those were the reasons why I had the opportunity to come back as elected President. The point is this -how are you prepared? Are you really prepared?

    ”You should engage in things that will bring about unity and integration. You see yourselves as Nigerians and one family instead of pursuing things that could divide the country,” Obasanjo said.

    Also, former Attoney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), in his paper titled “The role of our youth in contributing to the Peace and stability of the nation,” asked youths to strive towards unity and peace of Nigeria.

    ”If Obasanjo can make it, you can also make it. He joined the army and survived. When he was sent to prison, he survived. He was sentenced to death but here he is,” Agabi said.

    The chairman of the occasion, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), advised youths to shun violence and “remain committed to Nigeria’s development”.

     

  • Bishops, Pastors, others back anti-Buhari protesters, say ‘Resign if you can no longer function as president’

    Bishops, Pastors, others back anti-Buhari protesters, say ‘Resign if you can no longer function as president’

    …Says its time for him (Buhari) to open up to Nigerians on his health status

    Sequel to President Muhammadu Buhari’s ailing health, which has kept him permanently out of the country for over 90 days, some Bishops have advised him (Buhari) to resign to fully concentrate on his health to aide his fast recovery.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that President Buhari traveled for medical check-up in London on Sunday, May 7, more than a month he came back into the country from a previous medical vacation.

    The bishops also reprimanded the Presidency for persistently refusing to disclose Buhari’s health status, saying they were in support of protesters demanding the President’s resignation.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that since Monday, the ‘resume or resign’ protesters — backed by a popular artiste, Charles Oputa (also known as Charly Boy) — had accused Buhari’s handlers of holding him captive.

    The protesters had also advised the President to demonstrate his “touted integrity” by resigning from office as it was evident he wasn’t physically fit to carry on the number one job in the country.

    Speaking on Friday at the second session of the Twelfth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Owo, the Bishop of Owo Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Revd. James Oladunjoye, asked Buhari to resign and give room for another person to do the job.

    The bishop said the situation whereby the President had spent several months abroad had not helped the country, adding that it was wrong to conceal his (Buhari) health status as he was no longer a private person.

    Oladunjoye said, “We thank God for the President and for the way he had been ruling according to the law, but there is something wrong that we want him to address.

    “He has been ill for so many months in his tenure and so, is it not proper for the country to know his health condition as he is no more a private personality?

    “He is public property and if he is not strong enough to continue as the leader of this country, it is better for him to resign so that another qualified individual can take up the office legitimately.”

    Speaking based on his personal relationship with Oladunjoye, the Bishop of the Ibadan South Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd. Jacob Ajetunmobi, said his counterpart at the Owo Diocese was speaking based on the experience he (Oladunjoye) had.

    Ajetunmobi said Oladunjoye had had accidents which forced the latter to consider early retirement, adding that if a cleric could be forced to retire early because of his health, the President should also be able to do so.

    However, Ajetunmobi advised Buhari that should he decide not to resign, he should not contemplate running for the second term.

    Ajetunmobi said, “He (Oladunjoye) had separate accidents that led to him suffering from a broken hand. He had taken treatment in Nigeria but had to travel to the United States for more treatment. He is now being forced to retire early before turning 70 as a result of that.

    “He is speaking from personal experience that if health challenge will not permit him to function properly in his position, he would rather resign.

    “Acting President Yemi Osinbajo should be able to carry on with the administration of Nigeria. Buhari was one of those calling for late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s resignation then, but now, he knows that what goes around comes around. We should be careful what we wish others.

    “Here, I am a bit more radical in my opinion, but it is much more complex than we think. There are underpinning theological positions involved.”

    Asking Buhari not to consider running for a second term, Ajetunmobi said, “Buhari has about one more year to spend as President, but he should not think of coming back for a second term. The All Progressives Congress should think along and restructure its leadership or be ready to fail in 2019.”

    Also, the Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese in Edo State, Most Revd. Gabriel Dunia, told one of our correspondents that while the constitution was silent about how long the President could be away after transferring his power to the Vice-President, an honest leader ought to voluntarily declare his inability to continue in office (when he is physically unfit).

    Dunia said, “A sincere person who wants to sincerely help but can no longer perform his function should be able to say, ‘I cannot perform this function anymore.’

    “So, there is no need pretending, unless the person is not honest. And if the person is not sincere, he is not out to help anybody. If I am helping somebody and I know that it is beyond my power to help again, I should be able to come out to say I cannot go further.”

    Dunia also described the Presidency’s prolonged silence on Buhari’s health status as deceptive.

    “That is deception; if they cannot tell Nigerians what is wrong with the President, who is their son, father, brother and friend, then the children (Nigerians) should know what is wrong with their father,” he said.

    The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, Bishop Ransom Bello, indicated his support for the ‘resume or resign’ protest, insisting that it was high time the Presidency opened up on Buhari’s health status.

    The General Overseer, Christ Alive Power Assembly, Bauchi, Pastor Emmanuel Kanti, said the Nigerian constitution should be allowed to take its course in that Buhari should resign because of his illness.

    He said, “If the President is not strong enough to rule the country, he should give way to someone who is healthy and strong enough to rule the country.

    “The number one citizen of a country shouldn’t conceal his health status and put the whole country in dilemma; I think it is unfair. If he’s unhealthy, he should give way to someone else and stop being a ghost President. But if he feels he’s okay, he should come back and continue ruling the country.

    “In fact, the Presidency is playing on the intelligence of Nigerians and there is no reason whatsoever for doing that. They should just tell us the present state of our President.”

    Also speaking, a Pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Christmas Mark, asked President Buhari to honourably resign if he was not fit to rule the country on health grounds.

    He said, “Nigerians have the right to protest in the sense that the President is not a secret position holder; it is not a position that is answerable to a community and inasmuch as he is the President of the country, he is answerable to the people. And the people want to see him at all costs.

    “So, it is not right for the Federal Government to hide him. What they should have done is to set up a medical panel to know his health status. Nigerians do not want information (again); they want to see him.

    “It can even be right for one to say that if he is not fit to rule, to ask him to resign is not out of place. The reason is that people want to see the person they elected. They voted for him to rule.

    “They voted for the President and the Vice-President to rule. Now we are seeing only the Vice-President. Inasmuch as we know the constitution, the Vice-President has limited powers. So, if the President is not fit or if he is incapacitated, let him honourably resign.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the presidency has however rejected calls for the president’s resignation, insisting he formally transmitted powers to the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo before embarking on his medical trip.

     

  • There should be no age limit for president – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said Sunday, that anyone, notwithstanding the age, should be allowed to lead the country, as long as the citizens chose the person.

    He noted that it would be wrong to determine minimum age for a presidential candidate without also specifying the maximum age beyond which one would no longer be able to contest.

    The former president said such things should be hinged on capability and competence, rather than age, citing the example of Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who became military Head of State at the age of 33.

    Obasanjo said this while commenting on the bill by the Senate to reduce the age of presidential candidates from 40 to 35.

    The former president appeared on Sunday as the guest speaker at an exposition series tagged, “God in my life,” organised by the Torchbearer Society of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos.

    “Quite frankly, if we put minimum age, why are we not putting maximum age? If they put minimum age and then say that even if you are 90, you can be president, because there is no age limit to being president.

    “To me, there should be no age limit. Gen. Gowon (retd.) became the Head of State at the age of 33, I became the Head of State at 39…

    “I believe there should be no age limit; let the people decide,” Obasanjo said.

  • Why NASS tried removing president’s powers in constitution amendment – Saraki

    Why NASS tried removing president’s powers in constitution amendment – Saraki

    Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has said that presidential assent was an unnecessary addition to the process of Constitutional amendment.

    Saraki told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja that it was with that conviction that the Senate approved the removal of presidential assent to an amended constitution.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that 92 senators, more than the required four-fifths, had earlier voted to remove the presidential assent.

    However, the proposal did not scale through at the House of Representatives, implying the presidential assent will not be expunged in the ongoing constitution review.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that the 7th Assembly had in 2015, while reviewing the 1999 Constitution, approved the removal of presidential assent from the process of the amendment.

    But, the then president, Goodluck Jonathan, refused assent to the amendment because of the removal of the clause contained in Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Jonathan had insisted that the amendment would have been valid if supported by votes of not less than the four-fifth majority of all the members of each chamber of the National Assembly.

    In addition, he said that it also ought to have been approved by a resolution of the House of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the states as provided by Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.

    However, Saraki said that going by the process of amending the Constitution, the final decision of federal and state legislatures should be seen as the decision of the people.

    “Well, to me, if two-thirds of the National Assembly agrees to something and two-thirds of the state assemblies also agree, in my view, the President should accept that as the wish of the people.

    “Does he really need to assent? Personally, I don’t think so; that is my personal view, because with two-third of National Assembly, two-third of states’ assemblies, the people have spoken,” he said.

    Saraki added that the Senate would follow up on the amendment process in the states to ensure that there was wide consultation and sensitisation.

  • Senegalese singer detained for condemning President Sall

    Renowned Senegalese singer, Amy Colle Dieng is in police detention over offensive comments shared online criticizing President Macky Sall on the organization of recent elections.

    The singer was arrested on Thursday without stipulating why,but audio of her lashing out at the president has been creating a social media outrage.

     

    Dieng was also said to have declared her support for ex-president Abdoulaye Wade, who stood as an opposition candidate in last Sunday’s legislative elections. According to reports, she criticized administrative errors which marred the vote.

     

     

  • See how Chidi Mokeme mocked President Buhari, APC members

    Ace Nollywood actor, Chidi Mokeme took to his Instagram age to mock President Buhari and his APC cohorts. Recall that seven state governors visited the ailing President Muhammadu Buhari in London on Wednesday.

    The outspoken role interpreter shared their picture online, creating a timetable of other political parties and sectors who will be visiting the president.

    Chidi Mokeme wrote: #InOtherNews Following the success of the last 2 editions of the presidential lotto, the organizers,#TheKitchenCabinet, based on doctors recommendations, have in their magnanimity, extended the privilege to other sectors thus, *** PRESIDENCY RELEASES TIMETABLE FOR VISIT TO BUHARI IN LONDON *** 1. APC governors: Balcony cabinet (Visited)

    1. PDP governors: Boys Quater cabinet (Visited- please note Federal Character Compliance)
    2. UPP, APGA, NDP, HDP, ADPA, SDP, AC AND OTHERS (31st July).4. NIGERIAN STUDENTS (3rd August).
    3. FARMERS(5th August)

     

     

     

    1. MEDICAL DOCTORS (10th August).

     

     

     

    1. LECTURERS(12th August).

     

     

     

    1. APC online Zombies (15th August).

     

     

     

    1. PDP WAILING WAILERS (18th August)

     

     

     

    1. OTHER WORKERS NOT MENTIONED ABOVE(20th August).

     

     

     

    1. CRIPPLES AND OTHER DISABLED PEOPLE(23rd August).

     

     

     

    1. IPOB BIAFRANS (25th August).

     

     

     

    1. NIGER DELTA MILITANTS (27th August).

     

     

     

    1. OPC MEMBERS (28th August).

     

     

     

    1. BOKO HARAM MEMBERS (30th August).

     

     

     

    1. AYO FAYOSE, WIKE AND FFK (2nd September proposed but still under consideration)

     

  • Group demands medical panel to ascertain Buhari’s fitness to remain in office

    The Coalition of Concerned Nigerians has urged the Federal Executive Council to ask the National Assembly to request a medical examination of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The coalition made the request in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.

    The statement was signed by the Chairman, National Conscience Party, Alhaji Tanko Yunusa; a lawyer and social activist, Mr. Ikechukwu Ikeji; a former Commissioner, Delta State Oil Producing Commission, Mr. Ken Okolugbo; a lawyer and businessman, Mr. Turner Ogboru; and a chartered accountant and public affairs analyst, Mr. Bala Zakkar.

    The group said the medical examiner will determine the President’s suitability to remain in office.

    Members noted that Buhari has spent 114 days out of the first 180 days of the year on medical leave.

    It also asked the National Assembly to put a limit to the duration a President or governor can go on medical vacation.

    The statement partly reads, “Our worry is as to the exact nature of the President’s health and the fact that this has been kept secret from Nigerians, who pay his medical bills and who are entitled to know the state of health of their President.

    “This situation is unprecedented. When Yar’Adua took ill, the nature of his sickness was disclosed to Nigerians. And when Yar’Adua stayed away from Nigeria for 79 days, it was the present President, Muhammadu Buhari, who called on Yar’Adua to resign or be impeached by the National Assembly.

    “The chicken has come home to roost and it is now the turn of President Buhari to walk his talk. While we are not here calling for his resignation or impeachment, we are insistent that the nature and cause of his sickness be disclosed to Nigerians.”

    The group added that the President’s handlers should be made to reveal the nature of his sickness.

  • 2019: Meet Monica Ambrose, lady who wants to be Nigeria’s next president [Video]

    Apparently disturbed by the spate of challenges troubling Nigeria as country, a concerned Nigerian in the diaspora, identified as Monica Ambrose has declared to contest for presidency come 2019.

    Monica who made her declaration available to the public in a video she shared on the social media is presently trending and driving conversation [eligibility grounds] among Nigerians.

    She said she has been based in the Netherlands for 17 years and stressed that she wants to be ‘President’ because she desires a Nigeria and can make the dream come true by running for President.

    In the video, Monica, however, appealed to Nigerians not to judge her spoken English, which she herself admitted was terrible but begged that they concentrate on her good intents for them.

    Her words, “No be English I wan take carry Nigeria, I don’t need good English to take Nigeria to its destination…I will give you good roads, electricity, I will not disappoint you, I don’t have eyes on your money, my children are born here in the Netherlands and they have a benefit of their own”

    Withing six months that we sign the contract, all the promises will be realised” She added.

    “NDP! Vote for Monica; NDP! Vote for Monica” she chants to end her speech and said she will be releasing more videos on her political ambition.

  • Osinbajo’s visit to Buhari proves president’s health not deteriorating – Kalu

    A former Governor of Abia, Dr Orji Kalu, has said that those peddling rumours that President Muhammadu Buhari is on life support have been proven wrong.

    Kalu, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said the visit of acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to Buhari in London had shown that the rumour peddlers were liars.

    Kalu said that everything possible should be done to reduce increasing hate speeches and `death wish’ in the country.

    “The confirmation of the President’s health status by the acting president and wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari is something good Christians and good Muslims should embrace with joy.

    “Those wishing the President dead and spreading false rumours about his health are exposing their ignorance about life and death.

    “I do not understand what joy people derive in wishing their fellow human being dead. Anybody can fall sick, but no good Christian and Muslim would wish someone dead,’’ he said.

    The former governor also commended Osinbajo for the visit, noting that he had ‘` not only shown leadership, but also maintained the virtues of the President.’’

    He also urged all Nigerians to pray for Buhari’s quicker recovery in the “hope for a better and stronger Nigeria.’’

     

    NAN

  • ‘As long as I remain president, you are EFCC chairman,’ Buhari assures Magu

    ‘As long as I remain president, you are EFCC chairman,’ Buhari assures Magu

    President Muhammadu Buhari has given the assurance that the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu will retain his leadership role of the anti-graft agency.

    This was revealed on Thursday by the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

    Osinbajo, who spoke at the inauguration of the Kaduna office of the anti-graft agency on Thursday, said that those who think that they were winning in fighting back against the government’s war on corruption, should wake up.

    Represented by Gov Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Osinbajo said, so long as Buhari remained Nigeria’ s President Magu would continue to work as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “Mr Chairman, two weeks ago, I discussed the EFCC and your appointment with President Muhammadu Buhari and he told me he has every confidence in you and every confidence in the commission and the work that you have been doing, and as long as he is president you remain the chairman of the EFCC,’’ he said.

    El-Rufa’ is also told the gathering that the Acting President was also solidly behind Magu.

    “Last night, I spoke with the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who reconfirmed the position of the President and told me that as long as he remained the Acting President or Vice President, Ibrahim Magu would remain the chairman of the EFCC.

    “That is the only message from the President, so those thinking that corruption is winning this war, Magu would remain their nightmare for the next two years or six years as the case may be.’’

    The governor had earlier said his administration donated the office to the EFCC to demonstrate its “zero tolerance to bad behaviour by public office holders, contractors, businesses and citizens.

    “We applaud the leadership of the EFCC for taking the significant step to establish a state office in Kaduna.

    “I assure you that you can continue to count on us in Kaduna to support the commission in every facet of its activities.

    “We have set aside land for your training school awaiting the submission of your application.

    “We have also set aside land to build your staff housing estate if you so require.”

    He said the state was first to adopt the Federal Government policy on Single Treasury Account (TSA).

    The governor explained that as a result of that, over N25 billion was realised by the government after it closed about 470 accounts with commercial banks.

    He said the anti-graft agency had assisted the state government in recovering over N400 million from corrupt public officials.

    Earlier, the acting chairman of the EFCC had called for public support to the agency in the fight against corruption in the land.

    Magu said Nigerians must rise and do what is expected of them to reclaim their commonwealth stolen by a few corrupt individuals.

    “If we can pause and trace the root cause of the problem that confronts us as a nation, we will discover they are all linked to corruption.

    “Corruption is the cause of the recession that has pushed our people deeper into poverty and the insurgency that has visited death, displacement and untold hardship on Nigerians in the North East.

    “This is the reason I have suggested that we set up prison for the corrupt in the Sambisa forest, where they can be kept away and have the sobriety to be truly reformed,” Magu said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Senate had on two occasions stepped down the confirmation of Magu as chairman of the anti-graft agency saying he was not fit.