Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Fuel scarcity and new Naira notes: Help us beg General Buhari

    Fuel scarcity and new Naira notes: Help us beg General Buhari

    Have you heard the song “E ba ni be ijoba wa”? A group of residents, largely young people, were shown singing a song with the phrase Help us beseech our government in a Tunde Kilani film. They ask leaders to get up and stop the devastation of this nation.

    Help us, please, General Buhari. Let this government get to work and improve our lives. They simply want to be able to sleep peacefully, work properly, and earn well. However, it appears that the nation’s proprietors are not concerned with the welfare of its citizens or locals.

    Recently, General Buhari and his administration have demonstrated that they are indifferent to the suffering and tribulations of the majority of Nigerians. I would like to think that he does not read newspapers or watch cable news to gauge the mood of the country.

    I wonder whether Buhari ever understood that the poor are the main victims of this enduring ailment when he declared that the wealthy and powerful politicians are his objective with the new Naira design notes.

    The wealthy are not the ones who are attacked by security personnel in front of banks. The struggle to feed their family is not something that the wealthy engage in with bank employees. The protesting woman who undressed in a banking hall is from an impoverished neighborhood.

    Three mothers who live in the same colony as the impoverished and whose children missed school for two days in a row due to a lack of funds for transportation. Not the wealthy people are standing in a very lengthy line under the hot heat. The wealthy are receiving Naira notes through proxies while relaxing in their homes.

    Fuel stations also have a similar story to the banking facilities. Average Nigerians wait in large lines to purchase fuel at #300 or N350 per litre, including bikers and business owners that depend on generators to increase their production.

    How recently have you been to a bank, an ATM location, or a fuel station? Only those who visit these locations can truly comprehend the suffering of the underprivileged, defenseless, and vulnerable.

    On Tuesday afternoon, when I was making my way to a friend’s house, I was horrified by the lengthy lines I noticed at commercial banks. In the sweltering weather, I observed old, spry men and women, nursing mothers, pregnant women, and nursing mothers attempting to withdraw money from ATMs.

    Nigerians are going through a challenging time. The situation is terrible everywhere, from the cities to the countryside, and it has made a lot of Nigerians miserable. I’ve read about nations where a lack of fuel caused civil instability that resulted in casualties. It continues to surprise me that there is comparatively calm in Nigeria despite the fact that Nigerians are currently dealing with two shortages: money and fuel.

    If you look around, you would see a lot of frustrated and dejected citizens who are lamenting the unfavorable state of the country. If you look further, you would see another set of angry citizens who have completely lost hope in this country and have resolved that it can not be better. Yet we have a government under the leadership of an individual who’s not bothered about the pains of his people he claimed to love and appreciate.

    Fuel shortages were where it all began. Petrol prices increased, which led to a shortage. Even those who were willing to pay any amount for gasoline suffered.

    I once talked with a mother whose children missed school because she had to wait 48 hours to purchase gasoline at the BOVAS filling station for 190 cents per liter. I’ve heard of people who had to leave their loved ones and spend the night in their automobiles in order to acquire petrol.

    Nigeria appears to be a poor orphan in the care of evil relatives when considering the entire circumstances and the suspected conspiracy behind it. These unscrupulous relatives intensify their depraved schemes the more the orphan suffers. The only one who can escape the evil people’s clutches is a restless orphan who needs independence. Any orphan who doesn’t try to make amends will eventually become the victim of assault or battery.

    Can Nigerians get away from this adversity? This rhetorical query has no obvious solution. Because it serves a particular goal or sentiment, those who are to blame for this suffering are unwilling to make it better. Two tragedies at once: a lack of fuel and a lack of money. It reveals the administration’s shortcomings and brutal nature as well as President Buhari’s personality.

    If these shortages are not properly addressed, there is a chance that civil unrest will start to spread throughout the nation. People are incredibly irate, annoyed, and agitated. They are in dire need of a high standard of living. They will stop at nothing to obtain petrol and fresh Naira bills. Any kind of incitement would result in further problems. We must grovel to President Buhari to stop this. We must urge his government to take notice of public opinion and analyze it.

    But President Buhari needs to understand that he cannot bring an end to Nigeria. This nation has never been overthrown in history. Despite how ruthless Abacha was, he was unable to overthrow a nation with a plan. Citizens always triumph over dictatorial, callous, and evil rulers.

    In the worst case scenario, citizens would erect a statue of shame and disgrace for such leaders and publish a book detailing their biographies and horrible deeds so that future generations and their families will be aware of how tyrannical their relative was while in office.

    If people choose a leader who lacks compassion, they will undoubtedly live with regrets. Unless Nigerians unite to use their votes to save this dying country, the agony will continue. Who will assist us in pleading with President Buhari till we elect responsible and caring people to office?

  • Arewa Youth Forum to Buhari: Act now to prevent another civil war

    Arewa Youth Forum to Buhari: Act now to prevent another civil war

    The Federal Government has been called by the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) to take urgent actions to douse the tension across the country caused by activities of armed Fulani herdsmen.

    The group also noted that another civil war could break out if the government doesn’t act.

     

    In a statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Gujungu and released on Wednesday, February 17 in Kaduna, the northern youths expressed their worry over the rising tension across the country.

    They said: “The Arewa Youth Forum is worried by the prevailing impasse and rising tension across the country precipitated by the quit notice given to Fulani herdsmen by the Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and the actions that had trailed that incident.

    “As it stands, owning to the actions of non-state actors and inaction of state actors, mainly the Federal Government and the state governors, the country is fast drifting and action must be taken immediately to stem this drift.

    “After keeping silent for a long time, the Federal Government has, again, resorted to its usual rhetoric of issuing statements that over time had not made any impact on the situation of things in the country. Instead, the situation in the country has continued to deteriorate with each region looking within and resorting to self help as if the centre is no longer there.

    “It is in view of this that the AYF is calling on the Federal Government to immediately act, on behalf of Nigerians that voted them into power, to prevent another civil war in the country. Many citizens across the country are agitated in view of the prevailing situation.”

    According to the Arewa youths, unity of the country could only be achieved if government makes haste in dealing with insecurity, poverty, deprivation and endemic unemployment ravaging the people.

    The statement continues: “There is a serious need for synergy between the Federal Government and the states to achieve all these and many more. State governors should be told that government’s inability to clamp down on criminals should not be an avenue to malign a whole ethnic group or even a group of people.

     

    “Criminals should be treated as criminals, arrested, prosecuted and made to face the full wrath of the law anywhere they reside or commit crime in Nigeria. This is what government is expected to do.

     

    “The invention of quit notice is not only alien to us but a recipe for anarchy, disaster and even war. This is a road we all as citizens must strive not to travel”.

    “We have at different times aired our views on the need for government to put its house in order and tackle the insecurity in the country headlong. We appreciate that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, has listened to agitations of Nigerians by bringing on board new service chiefs. However, they should hit the ground running because there is no time for honeymoon.

    “The new service chiefs should immediately come up with a new agenda on how to end the insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West and the general insecurity across the country. The time to act is now before the situation gets out of hand.”

  • I inherited banditry, says Matawalle as he rolls out plans to solve crisis in Zamfara

    I inherited banditry, says Matawalle as he rolls out plans to solve crisis in Zamfara

    The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle has disclosed that he inherited the issue of banditry among others as the overall leader of the state.

    This was disclosed by the state governor after he met with President Buhari on Wednesday, February 17 to discuss the security situation in his state.

    Matawalle said there is peace in Zamfara after he initiated dialogue with bandits.

    According to Matawalle, most of the people responsible for the criminality in Zamfara are not from the state.

    He said;

    “I was called by Mr President and I am here to brief him on some issues pertaining to security in my state. 

    “We discussed much about them and I briefed him. All the supports needed from him, he assigned all where to get all the supports. I appreciate his effort for making me proud of what he has been doing for the state.

    “In terms of security, particularly in Nigeria, everybody knows what is happening today. But in Zamfara, we thank Allah for giving us that achievement because even today, about 358 special police forces were deployed to the state to tackle some challenges.

    “We are on course and I believe that you have heard about it because before, Zamfara was almost in a flashpoint and bad reportage of kidnappings, killings and so on. But today in Zamfara, we are witnessing little peace in the state. We thank Allah for that.

    “Banditry is something I inherited. It was ongoing for almost eight years in the state but due to my initiative of dialoguing with them, now Zamfara is very calm.

    “Among them, there is somebody from Yobe state, two people are from Kaduna, two people from Niger state. It is a gang of some criminals. They normally invite their friends to participate in those activities.”

    On steps he is taking to ensure there is peace in Zamfara state, Matawalle said;

    “I am constructing RUGA for them, like a settlement that can contain some of them because sincerely speaking, if we allow them going round from one place to another, we cannot find a solution to this issue.

    “So the only thing the governors should do and we are discussing that is to contain them in one place. Like a Fulani from Zamfara should not migrate to another neighbouring state. How are we going to do that? This is something that needs a lot of resources because you will have to create something that can engage them.

    “You have to provide social amenities for them. Like the RUGA that we are doing, we have many amenities like school, hospital, veterinary clinic, market and even mini-stadium.”

  • Insecurity: Buhari’s administration is incompetent, says APC senator

    Insecurity: Buhari’s administration is incompetent, says APC senator

    Bima Enagi, senator representing Niger south on the platform of the All Progressives Congress has decried the alarming rate of insecurity in the country, saying the present administration is incompetent.

    This was made known by the Senator while contributing to a debate on a motion sponsored by Mohammed Sani Musa, senator representing Niger east on the abduction of some staff and students of a secondary school in the North Central state.

    He said;

    “As my brother reported, early this morning terrorists went to a secondary and kidnapped students, small students. 

    “The enemies of God, bandits, terrorists, kidnappers are everywhere. Where are we heading to in this country? What else do we need as lawmakers that we are not doing? Can we rightly say that the government, is incompetent? Because this issue has been discussed here over and over and there is no improvement.

    “It is getting worse, I’m sure everybody here has stories to tell about the security challenges. What else are we supposed to do that we are not doing? Are we supposed to amend the laws in this country to give every citizen freedom to carry arms?

    “Are we going to amend the constitution to give more powers to the governors who are the security heads in their various states because our government at the centre is showing incompetence in handling insecurity because it is not his son or his daughter that has been kidnapped.

    “I expect everybody in government to think like that.”

  • Senate to President Buhari: Declare state of emergency on insecurity

    Senate to President Buhari: Declare state of emergency on insecurity

    The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, February 17 has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on insecurity in the country.

    This call was made by the senators while reacting to the abduction of staff and students of Government Science College in Kagara, Niger state in the early hours of today, February 17.

    Part of the resolution of the Senate during plenary includes;

    i. Condemn in very strong terms the attack on Government Science School, Kagara, Niger State.

    ii. Urge the President and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to as a matter of urgency, declare a State of Emergency on insecurity in Nigeria

    iii. Urge the President and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to consider and implement the recommendations of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Nigeria’s security challenges dated March 17, 2020 and Senate’s resolution therefore as a holistic response to the mounting security challenges across the country.”

  • We will succeed over those who feel they don’t need Nigeria, says Buhari

    We will succeed over those who feel they don’t need Nigeria, says Buhari

    Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari has stated that his administration will continue to see to the stability of Nigeria and always ensured that it is maintained.

    Buhari made it known while receiving a delegation of Borno/Yobe elders forum on Tuesday.

    According to the president, Nigeria will succeed over those who feel they do not need the country.

    Buhari blamed ‘a few people with resources and influence’ being the cause and promoters of the crisis in different part of the nation.

    Buhari also stated that these promoters will be identified and dealt with in due course.

    He expressed optimism that the country will prevail over whatever challenges it faces.

    “We need this country. We will continue to work for its stability. I feel that whatever happens, we will continue to make it, and will keep on praying to God, so that for those who feel that they don’t need Nigeria, we will succeed over their intentions and actions,” Buhari said.

    “I am confident that we will eventually convince the small number of people with resource and influence that are a nuisance to this great country. God willing, we will identify them, and deal with them. I am extremely concerned about your constituency like the rest of the country.”

    Buhari noted the request for an upgrade and development of infrastructure in the north-east region, and assured the elders that while he would do his best in that regard, he would, however, prioritise development in education.

    “We are aware of the infrastructure deficit. Our priorities will be education, because all our citizens know that children within a certain age must receive it. Otherwise, if they miss it, the future is destroyed,” he added.

  • Akeredolu to Buhari: Tell Nigerians you do not support criminality

    Akeredolu to Buhari: Tell Nigerians you do not support criminality

    The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu on Monday disclosed that he will never support people taking law into their hands.

    This disclosure was made by the Ondo state governor, Akeredolu while speaking on Monday in an interview on Channels TV.

    According to Akeredolu, Sunday Igboho is a child of circumstance, and we must look at the circumstances that led to his intervention. I do not support people taking law into their hands. I do not support illegality. Those circumstances might not be legal, but when you look at it, you’ll know we are a child of circumstance.

    He said most of the criminal herdsmen caught in Ondo State were speaking “Fulfude”.

    Akeredolu said: “Essentially in Ondo State is our discovery of criminal herdsmen who were using our forest reserve to perpetrate crimes and we said look we cannot stay by and watch things happen this way. People were kidnapped. We’ve been debriefed by all of them, and we know people who took them.

    “If you’re not licensed to be in the forest, then you’ll be taken to be doing illegal ventures, that’s where we stand.

    “My duty does not include profiling those who come into the country, but all I know is that those perpetrating these crimes speak common language. Whether they are foreigners or from here, it is a matter of police to go after them and identify them..

    “What we had from those who have been debriefed is that they spoke the language that were clear to them, Most of them were speaking Fulfulde and that is clear, this is a common language spoken across the length and breadth particularly in West Africa and some part of North Africa, so how did they come here?, one of our major problem is when we have issues of this nature, and we have Miyeti Allah. If they are not your members, there is no need to defend them.

    Akeredolu, who is also the Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum, said: “What we expect from Mr. President is for him to come out and let Nigerians know that he does not support criminality. He once said, if you find anybody with arms without a license, they should be arrested. Security agencies must be at work without rest. Everyone has said no to open grazing, then the law should follow.”

    Akeredolu berated Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, saying he did not speak like a “statesman”.

    He said: “Bala Mohammed has not spoken like a statesman. How can you come out to say people should come out and carry firearms (AK-47) when it is illegal, people are not licensed to carry guns?

    “Bala Mohammed has only added more petrol to the fire. No governor should speak that way, so I should ask my people to carry guns? Statements like that must be condemned and I condemn it.”

  • Buhari cautions Nigerians against stocking ethnic violence

    Buhari cautions Nigerians against stocking ethnic violence

    Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari has cautioned Nigerians against stocking violence through ethnic hatred.

    Buhari added that his government will deal decisively with perpetrators of such act.

    This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu.

    Buhari said his administration is committed to ensuring the security of all Nigerians, irrespective of religious affiliation or ethnicity.

    Recall that there was a bloodly clash between Hausa/Fulani/Yoruba residents of Shasha community in Oyo last week as a result of an argument between a Yoruba man and a Hausa resident.

    The clash led to violence, which resulted in the destruction of properties, and the death of one person.

    The crisis had led to tension in the area, with unconfirmed reports flooding social media platforms of multiple attacks against persons in Oyo, based on ethnicity.

    However, according to the president, such ethnic hatred would not be tolerated.

    He also called on governors, religious leaders, traditional rulers, among others, to endeavour to promote peaceful coexistence in their communities.

    “Our government will protect all religious and ethnic groups in Nigeria, whether majority or minority, in line with our responsibility under the constitution,” Buhari said.

    “We will not allow any ethnic or religious group to stoke hatred and violence against other groups.

    “I appeal to religious and traditional leaders, as well as Governors and other elected leaders across the country, to join hands with the Federal Government to ensure that communities in their domain are not splintered along ethnic and other primordial lines.”

  • ‘President Buhari is not doing well’, says Benue Gov Ortom as he speaks on insecurity

    ‘President Buhari is not doing well’, says Benue Gov Ortom as he speaks on insecurity

    The Executive Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom on Thursday stated that President Buhari is not doing well in tackling the alarming rate of insecurity in the country.

    This statement was made by Benue state governor, Ortom during a press briefing on Thursday, February 11.

    According to him, when President Buhari assumed office in 2015, he said he was going to be the president of everyone but as it stands now, the President is just for ”everyone and some people”.

    He called on President Buhari to declare a state of emergency on security in the country.

    In his words;

    ”The President as our leader is not doing well and that is why I am calling on him to step up his action and act faster than the way it is being done right now. He should declare state of emergency in security right now so that all resources and more strength would be channeled towards ensuring that we have security for lives and property in this country because for now, everything is in disarray and without security there can be no meaningful development.

    The Presidency is not doing well and that is why I had to write to him and publicly declare that the President must come out and take steps that would redeem his image.

    President Buhari served this country as a Military head of state and Nigerians appreciated him for who he was and that was why overwhelmingly he was voted into power in 2015.

    Honestly, what is happening now, the body language shows clearly he is not the President who is supposed to be the President of everybody but for nobody. It is clear to me that the President is the President for everybody and for some people. This is the challenge I have”

    Reacting to media publications from some politicians claiming he is the least performing governor in Nigeria, the governor said;

    ”Since I left APC, I have been a performing governor.”

  • President Buhari: African Union must be reformed to stay relevant

    President Buhari: African Union must be reformed to stay relevant

    Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has called for the reformation of the structures and operations of the African Union.

    This call was made by the president during a virtual intervention at the ongoing two-day 34th Summit of the AU.

    President Buhari also congratulated elected members of the African Union Commission, 2021, which include the Chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chad, and Deputy Chairman, Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Rwanda.

    According to President Buhari, AU would become stale except it becomes more result oriented.

    A statement released by Buhari’s media aide, Garba Shehu read;

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called for a comprehensive reform of the structures and operations of the African Union, to make it more functional in meeting targets, warning that the organization would become stale, except it becomes more result oriented.

    In an intervention at the ongoing two-day 34th Summit of the AU, held virtually, the President said:  “As your excellences are no doubt aware, global realities demand that the AU be overhauled, if it must remain relevant in intergovernmental processes.

    “We must work concertedly to ensure a productive, self-sufficient and purpose driven organization that will fully serve the interests of the people.

    “As we commence the operationalization of this new structure and system, Nigeria demands a truly reformed, efficient and effective AU Commission, one that is fully committed to the discharge of its duties and responsibilities.’’

    President Buhari commended President Paul Kagame of Rwanda for presenting a special report on the need to reform the AU.

    The President also appreciated the support of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in the election of Amb. Bankole Adeoye as Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

    President Buhari notes, with gratitude, the overwhelming and historic endorsement of the ambassador with 55 votes, an indication that all the members voted, while congratulating the career diplomat, who also serves as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the AU and UNECA.

    President Buhari urges Amb. Adeoye to deploy his knowledge and experience in foreign policy and diplomacy, particularly on bilateral and multilateral issues, to bring value to the new position, with an assurance of the country’s support.

    The President congratulates all elected members of the African Union Commission, 2021, which include the Chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chad, and Deputy Chairman, Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Rwanda.