Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma on Friday assured the Igbo living in Lagos that he would broker an enduring peace between them and the Yorubs to ensure peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect for each side.
He said he would meet with the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo Olu, and other stakeholders to broker an enduring peace between the Igbo and their Yoruba brothers.
Senator Uzodimma spoke when he met with different Igbo interest groups in Lagos.
The governor described as unfortunate the misunderstanding among some Yoruba and Igbo as a result of political differences, assuring that the situation will normalize soon.
He noted that although the constitution of Nigeria guarantees everyone the right to reside in any part of the country, the owners of the land must be accorded the necessary respect.
He traced the relationship between Igbo and Yoruba to many decades, resulting in marriages and business partnerships, saying that he would work towards the renewal and strengthening of that relationship.
Uzodimma who is the Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum urged them not to panic as he would lead a delegation of Igbo intelligentsia and other stakeholders in Lagos to meet with the Lagos State government and stakeholders from Lagos.
Earlier, Representatives of the various groups in Lagos had commended Governor Uzodimma for answering their distress call to wade into the crisis of confidence between them and their Yoruba brothers living in Lagos.
They canvassed the intervention of the governor for a peaceful resolution of the misunderstanding to enable them carry out their businesses in peace under a relaxed atmosphere.
In their separate speeches, the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief Sunday Osaiah, regretted the misunderstanding among some Yorubas and Igbos and described it as unfortunate.
He disclosed that Igbos in Lagos sent a distress call to Governor Uzodimma for him to leverage on his excellent relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to bring a lasting solution to the problem.
Also speaking, the President of Ndigbo Lagos, General Austin Umahi (Rtd) expressed appreciation to Governor Uzodimma for his quick response to the distress call from his brothers in Lagos. He thanked the organisers for putting the meeting together.
He assured the governor that Igbos in Lagos were not planning to relocate outside Lagos but wanted to be guaranteed a conducive atmosphere to live and transact their businesses.
Others who spoke along the same lines include President of Igbo Amaka, Chief Obinna Ukatu, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, former MD/CEO of Pfizer, Chief Obi Azodo, Chairman, Marbles Gardens Estate and representative of the Oil and Gas Sector, Mrs Uju Ifejika.
A senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana has stated that the final report of the European Union (EU) election observation mission in Nigeria on the 2023 polls can not be relied upon.
This was made known on Friday by Falana while speaking in an interview on Channels Television.
Falana said it smacks of colonial mentality for Nigerians to start celebrating or debating the EU mission report on the elections.
Recall that the EU mission on Tuesday presented its report on the general election in Abuja.
Barry Andrews, the chief observer, said the report was based on the analysis of compliance with Nigeria’s regional and international commitments for democratic elections.
The observation team said the elections exposed enduring systemic weaknesses that needed to be corrected.
Reacting to the development, the human rights lawyer said the reports by local media regarding the elections were “more credible” than what the EU election observers presented.
“I’m very reluctant to speak about the report of the EU observers team because it smacks of colonial mentality for us in this age and time to be celebrating the report of the EU observers,” Falana said.
“I have found reports in the local media much more credible than the report of the EU. We should not waste our time debating what the EU observers found.
“For instance, they were saying that about 97 people were killed. The local media have reported about 137 deaths and that has been confirmed by the human rights community.
“I can count other areas that one cannot rely upon.”
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) spokesperson, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said that no Nigerian leader would be worse than the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Reflecting on eight years of the previous administration, Baba-Ahmed said the former president left the seat of power with more challenges than he met.
According to him, Buhari came into power with enthusiasm that he would fight corruption, insecurity and a bad economy. But that he things became worse under him.
Naija News understands that Baba-Ahmed said this when asked during an interview if he expect things to be different under the incumbent administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Eight years ago, when President Buhari came, he cleared all checkpoints, removed Service Chiefs, and ordered the military to relocate to Borno, then Boko Haram was chased and limited substantially. These were greeted by the same euphoria. There was enthusiasm that he would fight corruption, insecurity, and a bad economy. But look at where we are now after eight years. We are worse than when he came in. Certainly, the entire country had not been in the situation before. So, forgive me if the Northern Elders Forum has a different perspective on the euphoria as a result of the tentative action or salvo being released by President Tinubu against the economy, corruption and service chiefs, and others. I will rather exercise some reservations. It is good he is starting with some policies, but he has to be very careful, he should not rush into putting in policies just because he wants to be different from Buhari. Although by all means, any worst government will be better than Buhari’s government of misrule, indifference, and incompetence. I am sorry if I don’t share your enthusiasm (about Tinubu). I will rather advise him to be different from Buhari and address those issues that needed to be addressed with courage and sensitivity. Buhari had lowered the bar of governance and lowered our status of existence; insecurity and poverty are more pronounced,” the NEF spokesperson told Vanguard.
Tinubu Must Be Careful Not To Repeat Buhari’s Failures
Baba-Ahmed cautioned President Tinubu to thread carefully not to repeat the same mistake Buhari made while in office.
He warned Tinubu not to get carried away by the euphoria of actions and picking points.
The NEF leader also urged the President to be careful about policies. He said: “For me, I will not rush but I also will not hesitate to put a distance between Tinubu’s administration and Buhari’s. Tinubu’s administration must be infinitely better because this country cannot stand another eight years of misgovernance, indifference, and incompetence.”
Tension has enveloped Amaraku Market in the Isiala Mbano council area of Imo state, following the stealing of a seven-month-old baby by a suspected child traffic syndicate, last Friday.
It was gathered the incident caused pandemonium within the area as residents continued to assist in the search for the missing child.
An eyewitness, who is a trader but does not want her name mentioned, narrated the incident saying a suspected child trafficker targeted the crying baby wrapped on her mother’s back, while the mother was selling at her shop.
The suspect approached the woman and offered to assist her carry the crying baby. She even collected a wrapper from the mother of the child.
However, as the mother of the child was busy selling her wares, the suspected child trafficker disappeared with the baby.
According to the eyewitness, “I was buying some foodstuff at Amaraku Market when a woman started shouting, ‘My baby, my baby, where is my baby?’
“She had given her seven-month-old baby out to a stranger, while she was selling okro and other vegetables because the baby was crying and disturbing.
“The stranger carried the baby on her back but later disappeared into the crowd. When the woman realised the woman was no longer in sight, she started shouting and crying.
“Other traders around helped to search for the woman but could not find her. The woman may have been charmed by the stranger because no one in her right senses will release her baby in such an environment with over ten thousand buyers and sellers.
“What is she going to tell her husband?”
At the time of filing this story the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, was yet to respond to the inquiry.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to forward names of ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation less than one month before the expiration of the constitutionally-mandated 60 days within which the Federal Executive Council (FEC) must be constituted.
Since his swearing-in on May 29th, Tinubu has taken some tough decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidy, suspension of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa, sacking and appointment of new security chiefs, among others.
However, the new amendment to the 1999 Constitution, mandates the president and governors to submit the names of persons nominated as ministers or commissioners within 60 days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or state House of Assembly.
Currently on a three-week break, the Senate is expected to reconvene next Tuesday, ahead of the possible screening of ministerial nominees.
Speaking to Saturday Sun, an ally of President Tinubu disclosed that the delay in announcing the names is as a result of the realities the President met on the ground when he took office in May.
He stated that the former Lagos State Governor would submit the names of the ministerial nominees to the Senate before the middle of this month.
According to the source, Tinubu would find a way to balance the political equation in many states where there are conflicting interests in order not to face a rebellion from his allies.
He said Ogun, Kano, Delta, Kaduna, and Lagos, are among the key states where the President is facing serious headaches over conflicting interests.
Another ally of the President revealed that lobbyists angling for ministerial positions have been harassing close friends and allies of the President.
He accused some of the lobbyists of offering money to secure appointments as ministers, or heads of departments and agencies, including Federal Boards.
The source, a former governor, said some of the lobbyists have also reached out to traditional and religious leaders from the South West, who are believed to command the respect of President Tinubu.
In a noteworthy event on Friday, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, made a visit to his predecessor in office, Senator Ahmed Lawan, at his residence in Abuja to celebrate Sallah.
[LIST] Former Service Chiefs to Get 4 Bulletproof SUVs, 20 Dedicated Aides, and 36 Armed Guards
AdminRetiring Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs in Nigeria will be granted certain benefits upon retirement.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that these benefits, outlined in a confidential document known as the Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces, include bulletproof vehicles, personal assistants, guards, and generous medical allowances both in Nigeria and abroad.
Among the retirees set to receive these benefits are General Lucky Irabor, the former Chief of Defence Staff, along with other military leaders such as Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, and Air Marshal Isiaka Amao.
According to Section 11.8 of the revised HTACOS 2017 (a revision of the HTACOS 2012), the retirement benefits for the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs encompass several privileges. These include a bulletproof SUV or an equivalent vehicle, to be maintained and replaced every four years by the military service. Additionally, they will receive a Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle, along with five domestic aides consisting of two service cooks, two stewards, and a civilian gardener.
Furthermore, each retiree is entitled to an Aide-de-Camp or security officer, a special assistant of lieutenant/captain rank or equivalent, or a personal assistant of warrant officer rank or equivalent. Additionally, they will have nine soldiers serving as standard guards.
In terms of transportation, the former Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs will have access to three service drivers and one service orderly. They will also be provided with escorts by appropriate military units or formations when required. Furthermore, the retirement benefits include free medical coverage within Nigeria and abroad.
Retirees will have the privilege of retaining their military uniforms and accoutrements for ceremonial purposes, as well as personal firearms. However, it should be noted that such firearms will be reclaimed by the relevant services upon the beneficiaries’ demise.
Section 11.19 of the HTACOS 2017 specifies the retirement benefits for Lieutenant Generals in the Nigerian Army, Vice Admirals in the Navy, and Air Marshals in the Air Force. These benefits include two Peugeot 508 cars or one Toyota Land Cruiser, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, one service orderly, two service drivers, and free medical treatment in Nigeria and abroad, amounting to $20,000 per year.
For Major Generals in the Army, Rear Admirals in the Navy, and Air Vice Marshals in the Air Force, who hold the rank of two-star officers, retirement benefits consist of one Peugeot 508, a cook, a steward, two residential guards, one service orderly, one service driver, and free medical coverage within Nigeria and abroad, up to $15,000 annually.
Brigadier Generals, Commodores, and Air Commodores, who are one-star officers, will be entitled to one Peugeot 408, a service driver, two residential guards, one service orderly, and free medical coverage in Nigeria and abroad, totaling $10,000 each.
As for Colonels, Captains, and Group Captains in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, respectively, their retirement benefits include a Peugeot 301 or a vehicle of similar value, as well as free medical coverage within the country.
It’s worth noting that the document underwent a review in 2022 after a five-year period. However, it remains unsigned due to concerns regarding unequal distribution of benefits. In order for the revised terms to take effect, the Chief of Defence Staff requires permission from the President to sign the document.
The current HTACOS, which is in effect, specifies that the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs must hold the rank of four-star Generals and serve in these positions for a continuous period of two years. The Commander-in-Chief has the authority to extend these appointments for an additional two-year term following the initial expiration.
Despite the detailed provisions outlined, the duration of the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs’ tenure ultimately rests at the discretion of the President. This has raised concerns about potential unfair extensions, as was the case under the previous administration when President Muhammadu Buhari extended the tenure of service chiefs appointed in 2015 until their replacement in January 2021.
[PoliticsNigeria]
A former chairman, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Tunji Oyebanji, has cautioned Nigerians and marketers against speculations over the pump price of petrol.
Oyetunji in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos said in a deregulated market, prices would be determined by market forces, noting that it was a needless speculation to project that a litre of petrol would sell for N700.
Oyebanji was reacting to a recent statement by the National Controller, Operations, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr Mike Osatuyi, who said the pump price of petrol could hit N700 per litre, especially in the North once independent marketers started importing the products from July.
Oyebanji said no marketer could predict the pump price until importation of the product commenced.
Oyebanji, who is the Managing Director, 11 Plc, said, “It depends on the exchange rate. If those factors are changing, prices of those products will also change. As you know, at a time, diesel went up significantly at above N800 per litre, but now it has come down to within N600 to N620 per litre.
“So, once you are in a deregulated environment, that is how it is, especially when you are importing the product. I cannot predict the price of petrol for now until we import the product.”
“Not until you order a cargo and know the exchange rate before you can predict the price. Those projecting the price are just saying this on a sensational basis to get marketers excited. I do not think anybody needs to do that. If you are observing the exchange rates, you will see that it is getting worse. If the price at the international market is also going up, then, you see how those things are being affected and that is how the price comes in.”
He said people would “have to adjust their spending accordingly and prioritise their choices”.
Oyebanji, however, added that the price could drop depending on the exchange rate, adding that it would create a healthy competition among marketers.
He noted, “The bottom line is that there will be an adjustment in price. Yes, it may go up and can also drop, depending on the exchange rate. But the good thing is that products will be everywhere. If people see that yours is more expensive than those of the filling stations around them, they will not patronise you. Then, you will be forced to bring down prices.
Osatuyi told NAN that fuel being sold by marketers such as DAPPMAN, IPMAN and MOMAN were old stock
He added, “Nobody has imported new products from the new foreign exchange regime and the new deregulation. Marketers are just planning to import, so everybody is in a transition pricing to the new regime.”
[Punch]
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he could have chosen to maintain the hitherto multiple foreign exchange systems and benefit from it, but instead opted to unify the official and parallel market rates to save the country from financial hemorrhage.
Speaking on Thursday at a civic reception organised in his honour by the Lagos State Government at the Lagos House, Marina, he explained that said he took the decision in the nation’s best interest just like he did with fuel subsidy removal.
“I could afford to share the benefit by participating in the arbitrage, but God forbid! That’s not why you voted for me,” he said.
The President said it was imperative to take those decisive actions in the early days of his administration.
“We need to take the steps to stop the bleeding of our finances through speedy action on fuel subsidy. We have no choice,” a statement by Dele Alake
Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, quoted him as saying.
President Tinubu said as a way of ensuring good use of available resources, the government would “re-engineer the effectiveness of the control and management of our resources in order to meet the obligations to Nigerians by political officeholders”.
The President used the opportunity to solicit the support of governors present at the event to work with him in ensuring even development of the country.
“We will work together with an open door policy. We will bring Nigeria from the brink to a resilient economy. I want us to be partners so that we can rescue our land and make it a born-again nation,” he further said.
According to the statement, President Tinubu, who was thankful to the Lagos State Government for putting together the reception and to his friends and associates who attended, apologised to some of his friends in the audience who, he said, had been yearning to see him but could not, because of the demands of his office.
“The assignment is greater than the love of the living room. We got to do the job,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while appreciating guests, expressed gratitude to God for making President Tinubu the leader of Nigeria. He described him as a competent manager of human and financial resources with the midas touch to turn around the economic fortunes of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the forum, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, pledged that state chief executives, regardless of party affiliations, were ready to cooperate and work with the President to ensure the country becomes better and safer for all citizens.
“NGF is excited that both the President and Vice President are alumni of the Governors’ Forum. We are committed to work with a federalist who worked to get things done in a truly federal system. We reiterate our support for a renewed hope agenda regardless of our parties.”
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who spoke on behalf of members of the National Assembly, thanked President Tinubu for his leadership in smoothening the take-off of the 10th National Assembly.
“You will succeed. Nigerians are proud of you and the National Assembly is here for you 100 percent. We will do whatever is legislatively possible to make you succeed,” Akpabio said.
Immediate-past Minister of Works and Housing and former Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, pleaded with governors and Nigerians that the work of remaking Nigeria should not be left alone to the President, stating that good governance must be replicated across 36 states.
Going down memory lane, leader of Lagos Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Pa Tajudeen Olusi, said the emergence of President Tinubu was a pay-back time for the state having contributed significantly to the political evolution of Nigeria since the colonial era of Herbert Macaulay till date.
“Those who have led this country were tutored in Lagos. We are grateful that the President of Nigeria this time finally came from Lagos. We have a man whom we are proud of. He has already started well and Nigerians have seen his first 30 days as remarkable.”
The event was attended by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima; wife of the president, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of House Representatives, Special Advisers, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, among others.
Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat delivered the vote of thanks at the occasion which was also attended by serving and former govenors from across party lines in solidarity with the President.
He sacrificed national interest for selfish benefits —Nigerians
He’s Nigeria’s most ethnic-chauvinist president—Ex-minister
Winning election more important to him than national interest —Prof Ezeibe
Tinubu must probe Buhari’s administration —Prof Madubuike
In a stunning admission on Monday, former Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, revealed that the withdrawal of oil subsidy was not motivated by the country’s economic interests but rather as a political move to benefit the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its then-presidential candidate, leader, Bola Tinubu, in the February 25, 2023 elections.
This revelation, which came through a press statement by former presidential media aide Mallam Garba Shehu, has ignited a firestorm of criticism, raising broader questions about how national interests were prioritized throughout Buhari’s tenure and shedding light on a range of pressing issues that plagued Nigeria during his time in office.
Former President Buhari’s reported confession regarding the withdrawal of oil subsidy also triggered a wave of public outrage. Nigerians from all walks of life are now questioning whether their ex-leader’s decisions had been guided by a genuine commitment to serving the nation’s interests or instead driven by political calculations.
The decision to remove the subsidy has been met with widespread backlash, as it led to an immediate increase in fuel prices, exacerbating the economic challenges faced by ordinary citizens.
The former President’s admission further raised concerns about the governance ethics under his leadership. Critics argue that his alleged inaction or turning a blind eye to corrupt practices within his administration allowed a culture of impunity to thrive.
Voodoo contracts, oil theft, and massive stealing became rampant, further eroding public trust in the government’s ability to tackle corruption effectively. The lack of accountability contributed to the country’s economic woes and hindered its progress.
Another troubling aspect of Buhari’s presidency was his perceived inaction in addressing the escalating violence perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen.
The President’s ‘body language,’ as some critics put it, was seen as encouraging these attacks, which resulted in countless lives lost, kidnappings, and disrupted farming activities. The failure of the military to respond adequately to these atrocities added to the growing sense of insecurity and instability in affected communities.
Reactions
In light of President Buhari’s confession, Nigerian leaders from various sectors and civil society organizations have come forward to express their concerns and demand accountability.
National interests compromised during Buhari’s tenure —Isa Yuguda
Former Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State described the delayed removal of the fuel subsidy as a clear indictment of the President’s lack of political will, suggesting that national interests were indeed compromised during his tenure. Yuguda emphasized, “The issue of subsidy removal had been talked about so much under the previous government that it is comparable to motion without movement. It had been just a talk shop while the government lacked political will. Implementing policies, especially when vested interests and a cabal exist, can be very frustrating. It is similar to the issue of illegal oil bunkering and theft. It can be stopped, but the political will to do so is not there. There are so many interests involved, and that is what is leading Nigeria to where we are today. The subsidy regime should have been abolished back in 2012. Anyone who makes excuses against subsidy removal is a selfish person connected to the scammers that are harming this country.”
Other prominent figures, such as Prof. Charles Nwekeaku, Secretary of Igbo Elders Consultative Forum led by former Anambra Governor, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife; the Executive Director Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Head of Transparency International Nigeria and Chair Board of Trustees Amnesty International Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani; and former Chief Imam of National Assembly Legislative Quarters Mosque, Shiekh Muhammad Nuru Khalid, echoed similar sentiments, calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations.
Politicians must not sacrifice the nation for their selfish political interests —Sheikh Khalid
Sheikh Khalid, who spoke to Saturday Vanguard from Saudi Arabia where he is currently observing the Hajj pilgrimage rites, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “Former President Buhari’s admission is a wake-up call for all Nigerians. We must hold our leaders accountable for their actions and demand transparency in governance. Our democracy cannot thrive if political interests consistently take precedence over the welfare of the people. Politicians must sacrifice for the nation and not sacrifice the nation for their selfish political interests. This lack of accountability has undermined our country’s development and left ordinary Nigerians suffering.”
His confession represents a high level of irresponsibility —Prof. Nwekeaku
In a similar conversation with Prof. Nwekeaku, scribe of the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, he expressed his disappointment, saying, “Nigerians trusted Former President Buhari to make decisions that would benefit the country, but this revelation shows that the trust was misplaced. How can we have faith in a government that sacrifices our well-being for political gain? In governance, national interest overrides every other interest. You don’t solve a problem by postponing it. His (Buhari’s) confession represents a high level of irresponsibility, lack of commitment, and insensitivity to the feelings of the people. It also confirms what many of us suspected all along—that corruption was given a free pass under his watch.”
Buhari’s government had been lying, deceiving, misrepresenting facts to Nigerians —Rafsanjani
For Rafsanjani, who heads Transparency International Nigeria and chairs the Board of Trustees of Amnesty International Nigeria, there was a disconnect between what the former president was doing and what his aides were saying to Nigerians. He said, “Firstly, Garba Shehu, the former presidential spokesman who reportedly made the confession about the reason behind the fuel subsidy removal could have done that to seek attention because he has always been contradicting himself. However, the former president had been docile and didn’t care about his public image and reputation, he allowed Shehu to be flippant in a disrespectful manner. The implication of Shehu’s confession is that Buhari’s government had been lying, cheating, deceiving and misrepresenting facts to Nigerians and did not mean well for the nation. On the other hand, now that we have succeeded in stopping the payment of fraudulent fuel subsidy, we don’t want another set of looters to emerge.”
Nigerians must probe Buhari’s administration —Prof Madubuike
Two-time Minister of Education and Health respectively, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, said the ex-President unlike any other President since the history of Nigeria, placed the interest of his ethnic Fulani above any other consideration. The former lawmaker and Commissioner for Finance in the Old Imo State, further said he would not be surprised if Buhari sacrificed national interest at the alter of ethnic, party or personal interests in some of his actions and in-actions while in office.
His words: “Buhari was, and is still an ethnic bigot. Everything Fulani was his interest. Anything that would advance the fortunes of the Fulani he would do, and he achieved that through his party. At the end of the day Nigeria must rank him as the most ethnic-chauvinist President that the country has ever produced. If Nigerians can have the courage to investigate the eight years of Buhari’s leadership, then the outcome will determine what the next step will be”. Professor Madubuike who regretted that Nigeria was under state capture under ex-President Buhari, wished the authorities would be courageous enough to probe the former President’s administration.
Winning election more important to APC than national interest —Prof Ezeibe
Also reacting, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of a Think Tank, Professor Madubuike Ezeibe, said by Buhari’s confession, the ruling APC, was ready to undermine national interest to protect party interest.
He said that such confession was suggestive that the party might have directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to compromise standards provided the party’s interest was served. According to him, “if APC has confessed that winning election was more important to them than the national interest it is clear the party encouraged INEC to neglect the Electoral Act and election regulations including real time transfer of results (from polling units to IReV) just to ensure they ‘won’. This was the same attitude the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, exhibited which was the reason Buhari, Babangida and Abacha gave for truncating the second republic.
“Disaffection from elections also led to the crisis in the Western region which led to the truncation of the First Republic. The actors usually boast that nothing will happen but Nigeria has always been torn apart by this attitude of sacrificing National interests for personal and partisan interests. The only difference is that in the 2023 election, efforts to divide Nigerians along tribal and religious lines failed. That is the reason INEC chose to avoid transparency.
“Everybody should encourage the judiciary (our last hope) to collate the results from polling units so that if APC won the election, their government can have legitimacy but if they did not win, whichever party Nigerians chose would be declared winner so that we can have peace and progress.”
Buhari never wanted Tinubu to win —Coalition of Northern Groups
Also reacting, the Spokesperson of the Coalition of Northern Groups, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman said “The confession by the former President Buhari did not come as a surprise to us at the CNG. If anything, it is a confirmation of what we have been pointing out throughout the eight years of that citadel of poor governance, indifference, insensitivity and unprecedented plunder that was the Buhari presidency.
“We however disagree slightly with Buhari because everyone is aware by now that he never wanted Tinubu to win, and never worked for his victory. Instead, he supported policy directions and encouraged actions that clearly aimed to subvert it. The failure of the Buhari administration to announce the removal of the fuel subsidy was merely one out of the several indecisions, lack of courage and political will to tackle national issues around security, the economy and reintegration that characterized an administration wrapped in the crude cover of crass political opportunism and breathtaking ineptitude.
“It is part of the burdens of the shared legacy of the Buhari administration in the bombs and bullets of insurgents, bandits, and the deteriorating standards of living as politicians and top government officials fleeced the poor of resources to develop, officials whose personal greed and ambitions remained tied to the continuation of decay and destruction of a nation and a people.
“He treated as enemies those of us who tried to wake him up to the magnitude of the humanitarian disaster that criminal activities have created with about five million of our fellow citizens internally displaced with hundreds of thousands of orphans, hunger and malnourishment, previously unknown in our land becoming alarming features of existence.
“Buhari’s confession is part of the unfortunate eight years under a leader who had spent a large part of his life asking all Nigerians to trust him to lead, but ended up getting the nation critically endangered by officials who failed to lead with justice and sensitivity to its plural nature and the limitations of our political process.
“Buhari’s confession had only proved that the nation was not wrong when it insisted that his image and vision were not being served by the quality and competence of almost all of the people he assembled to work with him and see the nation through its most difficult period.
It is a vindication for those of us who were labelled enemies for insisting that the Buhari administration could do much better in managing the economy, in the all-important fight against corruption within the laws of the land, and in rebuilding a nation united around the values of justice and honest enterprise.
It is a vindication for those of us who reminded him daily that hunger was stalking millions of homes, inflation was making life difficult by the day; people were losing jobs, businesses closing down, and infrastructure was decaying. It is also a belated admission that in the last eight years, he led an administration that had acquired the reputation of being the worst in the history of our nation in terms of any capacity to generate confidence in achieving credible national goals.
Our constitution was set aside for selfish interest — Rev Joseph Hayab
In his own submission, Rev Joseph John Hayab, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, said, “During Buhari’s administration, most of the decisions and actions taken were from a political lens and for their political successes regardless of how the citizens felt and what happened to them and the country. Nigerians have not yet heard the whole stories of the poor and inhuman decisions that the Buhari administration took when they were in power. The honeymoon will soon be over and we will hear more from both those who benefited from the system and those who were sidelined but could not speak due to fear. Governance is about the people and national development, but sadly Buhari and members of his team brought every good thing down to the level that even outside this country people were wondering if we, the citizens have brains and what happened to our eyes that we could not see the many atrocities committed in our country. Our constitution was set aside for selfish interest. Those in authority were only doing what they liked as against our common agreement. What they are telling us today should not be mentioned even in a zoo but because they have divided citizens along religion, ethnic and sectional lines and we cannot team up to fight them, that is why they are now speaking out without shame.”
Other political analysts and experts have also commented, highlighting the damaging impact of prioritizing political gains over the welfare of the nation. They argue that such actions not only erode public trust but also hinder Nigeria’s development and progress. The need for stronger institutions, checks and balances, and a commitment to transparency and accountability has become even more apparent.
Dr. Chidi Azubuike, a renowned political analyst, commented, “President Buhari’s admission reveals a deep-rooted problem in our political system. It highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure that our leaders prioritize the interests of the nation over personal and party gains. It is time to strengthen our institutions and establish a culture of good governance that places the people at the center.”
Chris Kehinde-Nwandu, a member of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, said: “The fact remains that even the election (ex-President Buhari referenced) is still being disputed. Many still believe that the election was flawed. The fact that he came out to say he delayed the removal of subsidy is no news because it was supposed to be removed long ago, but he delayed it until the tail end of his administration.”
Mnena Kwaghor, a victim of Fulani herdsmen violence, tearfully shared her harrowing experience, saying, “I lost my husband in a brutal attack by Fulani herdsmen. Thinking about the former president’s confession, it breaks my heart to see that he may not have taken decisive action to protect innocent lives because of political interests. How could Nigerians have trusted a government that failed to prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens?”
Conclusion
Former President Buhari’s recent admission regarding the withdrawal of oil subsidy has opened a Pandora’s box of questions about how national interests were handled during his time in office. The confession underscores the need for a critical examination of government ethics and the impact of political considerations on the welfare of the nation.
As Nigeria moves forward, it is crucial to learn from these experiences and ensure that future leaders prioritize the interests of the country above all else. It is a call for Nigerian citizens to remain vigilant, demand accountability, and actively participate in shaping the future of the nation.
By holding their leaders responsible for their actions, Nigerians can strive for a more transparent, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria, where national interests are safeguarded, and the well-being of the people takes precedence.
The path to a better Nigeria lies in learning from the past and working towards a future where governance serves the people’s interests, uplifts the nation, and fosters unity and progress.
More...
Retirement windfall: Ex-service chiefs get four bulletproof SUVs, 20 domestic aides, 36 soldiers
AdminThe Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs, who were retired by President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, June 19, 2023, are to get bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicles, personal aides, guards and other perks of office, including generous allowance for medical treatment abroad, as retirement benefits, Saturday PUNCH has gathered.
The affected senior military officers are the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao.
The Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria 2017 (revised), which was exclusively obtained by Saturday PUNCH and marked as “Restricted”, listed the benefits of the retired Generals upon leaving the respective services.
Section 11.8 of the HTACOS 2017, a revised version of the HTACOS 2012, listed the benefits of a retiring CDS and service chiefs to include one bulletproof SUV or equivalent vehicle to be maintained by the service and to be replaced every four years; Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle; and five domestic aides made up of two service cooks, two stewards and a civilian gardener.
Each of them is also entitled to an Aide-de-Camp/security officer; special assistant of a lieutenant/captain or equivalent, or personal assistant of the rank of warrant officer or equivalent; and nine standard guards of nine soldiers.
The immediate past CDS and service chiefs are also entitled to three service drivers; one service orderly; escorts to be provided by the appropriate military units/formations as the need arises; and free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.
They are also to retain all military uniforms and accoutrements to be worn for appropriate ceremonies, as well as personal firearms. However, such firearms shall be retrieved by the relevant services upon the death of the beneficiaries.
Section 11.19 of the HTACOS 2017 also listed the retirement benefits of a Lieutenant General for the Nigerian Army, Vice Admiral for the Navy and Air Marshal for the Air Force to include two Peugeot 508 cars, or one Toyota Land Cruiser, two cooks, two stewards, four residential guards, one service orderly, two service drivers, free medical treatment in the country and abroad to the tune of $20,000 yearly.
Meanwhile, many Major Generals and equivalence in the Navy and Air Force are expected to apply for voluntary retirement latest by Monday following the appointment of a new CDS and service chiefs by the President.
In the HTACOS, however, the retirement benefits for a Major General in the Army, Rear Admiral in the Navy and Air Vice Marshal in Air Force, who are two-star officers, include one Peugeot 508, a cook, a steward, two residential guards, one service orderly, one service driver, free medicals in Nigeria and abroad to the tune of $15,000 per year.
Their one-star officers who are Brigadier Generals, Commodore and Air Commodore upon retirement are entitled to one Peugeot 408, a service driver, two residential guards, one service orderly and free medicals locally and abroad to the tune of $10,000 each.
For Colonels, Captains and Group Captains in the Army, Navy and Air Force, respectively, each of them is expected to go with a Peugeot 301 or another car of the same value and free medical cover in the country.
The harmonised conditions of service, however, provided that for Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Colonels and their equivalents in the Navy and the Air Force, all the benefits could be monetised for the retiring officers.
In comparison, the 2012 version of the HTACOS made provisions for one security car to be maintained by the respective service and replaced every four years; retention of all military uniforms and accoutrements to be worn for appropriate ceremonies, as well as personal firearms, which shall be retrieved by the relevant services upon the death of the beneficiaries; three domestic civilian aides (cook, gardener and steward), or cash in lieu; Aide-de-Camp/security officer; six standard guards; one service driver; and one service orderly for retiring Generals, CDS and service chiefs in Section 09.17.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the HTACOS was reviewed in 2022 in accordance with the five-year review period, but it was not signed due to rumblings that the senior generals were taking good care of themselves at the expense of the rank and file.
It was learnt that to become operative, the HTACOS would be signed by the CDS with the permission of the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The current HTACOS in use specifies that the CDS and service chiefs must be four-star Generals and can hold the positions for a continuous period of two years and that the Commander-in-Chief can extend such appointments for another period of two years from the date of the expiration of the initial two-year period.
However, Section 11.09 leaves the tenure of the CDS and service chiefs open and at the discretion of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, stating, “The foregoing notwithstanding, the President, C-in-C reserves the prerogative to extend the tenure of a CDS/service chief irrespective of his age or length of service.”
Former President Muhammadu Buhari relied on this provision to retain the services of Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who were appointed in 2015 but were not replaced until January 2021 even though there were calls for them to be sacked based on the rising insecurity in the country.
‘Too many generals’
A former spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Sadeeq Shehu (retd.), said the country had too many generals, which he noted had led to difficulties in appointing service chiefs in the military.
Shehu stated this on Friday in an interview with Arise TV, which was monitored by one of our correspondents.
He said, “The retirement is going to include the Generals in the Army, Air Force and the Navy. What is important is not the effect that this retirement will have on security, because we have enough Generals. If these people go, they will be replaced.
“However, it is important to note that it is not normal for the military anywhere in the world to retire about 100 Generals, and by my own estimate, we have close to 133 Major Generals in the Army, Rear Admirals in the Navy and Air Vice Marshals in the Air Force, that are leaving. We also have to remember that this is not the first time. When the last set of service chiefs retired in 2022, we had another batch of about 100 who left.
“The issue here is when you look at the money that is spent on training these people, whether it is foreign courses or the ones here, the experience we are losing and the money we are wasting on these people and then telling them to go is not good for the national economy.
“On the individual level, I must put the premise that our President and Commander-in-Chief, according to the constitutional requirement in Section 217, has the right to appoint service chiefs and the constitution does not tie his hands that in appointing service chiefs, he must pick either the most senior or the middle senior or the most junior. It is completely within his right to do that.
“But President Bola Tinubu came and met about 350 Major Generals across the services, so to be honest with you, his work was not even easy in picking his service chiefs. I think there is a problem that started long ago. We should not be having 350 Major Generals for the President to pick from. The services themselves or the superintendents in the Ministry of Defence approved that number.”
Shehu added, “When you join the military, they will tell you that the military is a pyramid. Now to maintain that pyramid, the lower bottom of the military should be higher than the next higher level. You are supposed to have a large base of Second Lieutenants who came out of the Nigerian Defence Academy in the Navy, Air Force and Army and as they progress into their second rank, which is full Lieutenant, it is almost automatic unless someone dies.
“But from Lieutenant rank, when you are moving to captain that is when the process of filtering starts coming in such a way that you have like 80 per cent, and from Captain to Major, you have like 70 per cent. Towards the end, at the top which is the General, the ideal is that you have like two per cent and a maximum of three or five per cent. But what do we have in Nigeria?
“According to the research I made, there are some courses that since they went out of the NDA, about 44 per cent of them became Major Generals. This is not a good way to go about it. So, I think the failure has to do with a well-coordinated and modern military personnel management system.
“So, I think the problem was not made by the President himself, but the military as an institution with the strict supervision of the Ministry of Defence should be able to follow this filtering process so that only the best become Generals in line with global practices. Unfortunately, that filter has not been working.”
The former NAF spokesman stated, “Those of us that studied these things as far back as 2012 noticed this tendency of promoting too many Generals. There are too many Generals. I know the times are not like when I joined the military, but I remember in 1984 when I joined the military in Kaduna, you could hardly see a Brigadier around. But what do we have now? We have too many Generals.
“We need to listen to our elders. General Ishola Williams, as far back as 2020, gave us this warning that we are having too many Generals and too little field troops. In the long run, it is the country that loses.”
Experts weigh in
Shehu added that ex-military Generals worked for their pay and that service chiefs who are made to retire suddenly, often leave the military unprepared.
He stated, “The issue is that when you continue doing this, people who leave, not really unprepared but you know what the military promises them, they are not going to attain it. So it is not a win-win situation for everybody. You lose vibrant young men, they leave unprepared and then you have a bloated military structure. And what does a bloated military do? It costs a lot of money.
“Let us be frank, there is no money you can pay somebody for his life. Whatever you pay a General after serving 35 or 30 years, he is worth it because they are in the bush and stay awake while others sleep.”
A security expert, Kabiru Adamu, said the appointment of service chiefs was political as well as professional, adding that they should benefit from what their counterparts in other parts of the world were enjoying.
He said, “There are a lot of things that are wrong with our security structure at the moment. For example, the position and role of our service chiefs is somewhere in between political and professional, and this has put them in a very difficult situation that sometimes they have to dance to the dictum of politicians.
“As an example, when they are appointed, their tenure is not clearly stated. If they are professionals, their appointments should be based on certain professional codes. Why I am saying this is to indicate that because their role is not entirely professional; it also has a political undertone; they’re entitled to benefit from the largesse of any political administration.
“By that, I mean any benefits that political appointees will get, they should get. Is this the best way to run a government, especially where the cost of governance is one of the factors affecting our economy? No. It is not, but I don’t want us to isolate them. It is something that is general with civilian administrations and sadly over time, the problem has deepened. “
Brigadier General, Bashir Adewinibi (retd.), said, “I don’t know what the service chiefs are entitled to but we have terms and conditions in the armed forces and I believe that whatever they will be entitled to would have been stated there and it will be implemented to the letter. It is their entitlement and nothing can be done to it except it is not in the harmonised conditions of service. “
On his part, Colonel Saka Foluso (retd.), said, “I don’t think there is anything too much for Generals who have put their lives on the line for over 35 years. Political appointees, who have not done what the Generals have done, get more than that for say the eight years they have served. There is nothing given to them (military officers) that is too much.
“What they will be given has been stated already, which includes driver, car and what have you; they are not too much. They have made sacrifices for these. Do you know how many joined the service with them who are no more? If you are complaining about the economy, let us block the leakages elsewhere. Curbing oil theft is one of the ways we can generate more money.”
A former military governor of the defunct Western Region, Maj. Gen. David Jemibewon (retd.), said the retirement benefits earmarked for the outgoing service chiefs and other military officers were well deserved.
He stated that it showed that the country was now paying better attention to the welfare of the “persons who have served it meritoriously and retired.”
Jemibewon said, “I don’t think there is anything wrong with the retirement packages for these men, who have served the country meritoriously and retired.
“This is evidence that the country is making positive progress towards the stabilisation of professions and recognition of efficient performance in one’s position.
“It will also, perhaps, promote higher and satisfactory performance among the serving chiefs in that they know that they will be highly rewarded for good service to the nation.
“It was not like that when I retired. This is why I said it was an improvement. The country is making a lot of progress. It was not as detailed as it is now. It is a welcome development.”
However, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Armourcop G. Security Systems Limited, Mr Timothy Avele, said he did not see how the purchase of bulletproof vehicles for the retired service chiefs would look to the common man who can barely feed at this time.
In a message to one of our correspondents, Avele said, “I don’t see the benefits of purchasing bulletproof vehicles for the retired Generals, especially now that even the common man cannot feed. I think the government just wants to appease them, otherwise, it is a drain on the economy.”
Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor has warned politicians not to play politics with the military which enjoys unity and bond not found in any other sectors.
Irabor gave the warning while speaking at a reception organised by the Defence Headquarters after his Pulling-Out-Parade from service on Friday in Abuja.
The immediate CDS said the friendship and unity that existed within the armed forces could not be found anywhere else.
Irabor described the military as an institution that had people from the 774 Local Government Areas of the country being represented.
“The military is a family for those who may not know and I have answered so many questions on we being given an injection.
“What is that injection? There is no injection. The injection is training and discipline.
“They also said we operate like a cult, the process alone there is nothing wrong if I say we are in a cult but it is a good cult.
“In the training establishment when I was a cadet, we spend three years but two years later, it became a five year programme.
“When it was three years, the admission was every six months and when it became five year, the admission became every year.
“For you to finish a three year programme means that you will have five sets of your senior and five sets of your junior.
“The bonding that comes with it, you can’t find it in any other place and that is why you think is a cult.
“The values and traditions are transmitted from one generation to the other and when you get to the field you see yourself as brothers,” he said.
Adeyeye Adeola, a talented Nigerian chef, has embarked on a remarkable culinary journey to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon (individual).
Adeola’s cook-a-thon began on Friday, June 30, 2023, in the Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State and is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, July 6, 2023.
This is coming after another Nigerian chef, Adeparusi Damilola, also known as Chef Dammy embarked on a 120-hour cook-a-thon in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
Chef Dammy, a 26-year-old student at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, aimed to push the boundaries of culinary endurance.
The PUNCH reports that another Nigerian chef, Hilda Baci, currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon.
Baci’s certification announcement, best-ever performing tweet — Guinness World Records
Baci’s record-breaking attempt took place from Thursday, May 11 to Monday, May 15, during which she cooked over 100 pots of food over four days.
In an official statement on its website, the Guinness World Records confirmed Hilda Effiong Bassey, also known as Hilda Baci, as the record holder for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with an impressive time of 93 hours and 11 minutes.
The GWR in a statement on its website, said, “Following a thorough review of all the evidence, Guinness World Records can now confirm that Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, has officially broken the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.”
However, Adeola’s 150-hour cook-a-thon if achieved will break Hilda Baci’s record and also set a new world record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.
Nigerians eagerly await the outcome, hoping to witness Adeola’s extraordinary achievement in setting a new Guinness World Record.
The Federal Government spent $62.66m to service railway-related debts in the first quarter of 2023, according to Nigeria’s external debt service payments report by the Debt Management Office.
Between January and March 2023, The Nigeria Railway Modernisation Project (Idu-Kaduna Section) took $23.1m
The Nigeria Railway Modernisation Project (Lagos-Ibadan Section) gulped $15.49m.
The PUNCH also learnt that the Nigeria Abuja Light Rail Project gulping $24.07m.
The total amount spent in Q1 2023 is a slight increase from the $61.73m spent in Q1 2022.
The rising railway debt servicing costs occurred as the government struggled to generate revenue from the railway sector.
The National Bureau of Statistics disclosed that rail transportation passengers declined by 53.65 per cent from 953,099 in the first quarter of 2022 to 441,725 in the first quarter of 2023.
The statistics body noted that a total of 59,966 tonnes of goods were transported in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 39,379 tonnes reported in the same quarter of 2022.
In terms of revenue generation, N768.44m was received from passengers over the period, a decrease of 63.02 per cent relative to N2.08bn in the same quarter of the previous year.
A professor of Economics at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sheriffdeen Tella, recently said a number of factors, such as insecurity, among others, affect the patronage of train services in the country.
He said, “It’s being affected by insecurities, the cost of transportation, i.e., fare compared with other modes, and maintenance of the facilities, i.e., maintaining a standard of operation.”