Killings in Nigeria: Fulani group asks Buhari to listen to Obasanjo’s advice

NEWS

Killings in Nigeria: Fulani group asks Buhari to listen to Obasanjo’s advice

 

The Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency listen to the advice of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on how to move the nation forward and halt the numerous crises bedeviling the country.

Speaking with newsmen in Jos, the Plateau State capital, the National Chairman of the group, Alhaji Sale Bayari, said the present administration ought to listen to other eminent Nigerians too in solving the nation’s problems, but that from the signs he is getting, things are not in order.

He said considering the tribal, ethnic, religious and sectional agitations from the South, East, North and West, things must be done urgently to address and avert national crises. According to him, there was no part of the country that agitation is currently not going on.

He stressed that even the crises that is already happening in the Northern states like Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Benue, Nassarawa and so on, are not good for the country, including that of the other regions like Niger-Delta militants, IPOB, Afenifere and the rest.

“In moving the nation forward, the government must listen to some elder statesmen irrespective of whatever their political views or affiliation is. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is one of them. I have found out that if any government in Africa is to tap one-third of what is in the brain of Obasanjo and use it, Africa will be better. Similarly, West Africa and Nigeria will be better for it.

“Obasanjo knows our problem; and then whenever he talks and explodes sometimes, I have found out that it is because he has made efforts to be listened to without success. He will then feel that posterity will judge him harshly if he does not come out to tell Nigerians and the world the truth of things”, he explained.

“Undoubtedly, Obasanjo is an embodiment of knowledge, experience and he knows very well the problem of our country, Nigeria. There is nobody dead or alive today that thinks the way Obasanjo does or knows what Obasanjo knows.

“He knows Nigeria, Africa and the entire world like the back of his hand. That is why I am advising this government to tap the brains of people like Obasanjo.

“He is a person that can lead the government into looking critically at the problem bedeviling the nation and finding a way forward.

According to him, “We know that government can do and undo, but any government desiring to move forward will require the support of statesmen and nationalists like Obasanjo.

“There are other statesmen the government should listen to; people like Yakubu Gowon, Ango Abdullahi, Sultan of Sokoto, Oni of Ife, Eze of Onitsha, and others. These are people that have this nation at heart and would not want it to disintegrate.

Bayeri maintained that, “If they put their machinery in place, I bet you that peace and progress will be achieved.

“But unfortunately, nobody is mobilizing them or seeking their input in solving the national crises. These people know what to do or the right people to call, among other things in solving the problems,” he said.

Bayeri said his fear is that if the government does not carefully handle these looming crises and they degenerate, the nation does not have the well-withal in terms of security to tackle it.

He said if the nation has been unable to tackle Boko Haram since 2009, then it is a greater danger if crises burst out in other states or regions in the nation.

“Recently, the Secretary to the Government of the Federal, Boss Mustapha said if the armed banditry is not carefully handled, it will be worse than the Boko Haram insurgency. I totally agree with him entirely because if you look at the way the thing is building up now, then you will understand what I am talking about.

“Very soon, some religious and insurgent groups may capitalize on it to recruit people for other nefarious acts. We should not allow this to happen, and we should do everything possible to halt it,” he warned.

 

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Nobody can kidnap me, I’ve passed that level, – Gov. Akeredolu boasts

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Nobody can kidnap me, I’ve passed that level, – Gov. Akeredolu boasts

 

Ondo State Governor, Oluwatotimi Akeredolu, on Sunday evening boasted that with his status, he can no longer be kidnapped; stressing that only those with security convoys are safe from the menace of kidnappers.

Akeredolu, who was speaking during a live TV/Radio programme in the state tagged “Speak With Mr. Governor” revealed that sometimes his convoy has been confronted by suspected kidnappers on Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan highway.

According to him, on those occasions the kidnappers always run into the bush when his security men opened fire.

“I’ve encountered then once or twice as governor.

“My convoy was almost attacked but my security people shot into the air to scare them (kidnappers) to the bush. That’s the advantage we have as governors. It is a serious problem on Akure-Ibadan road.

“I remember, I had to tell my people (convoy) to move. Where ever they are, we confronted them. There’s no need to run away.

“Even at a time of such incidence, my orderly was shaking.

“Even if I walk, they can’t kidnap me. I have passed that stage. They dare not try it.

“It is real that lives of travellers are not safe on the road. On a serious note, kidnapping is not limited to just poor people, but for us with convoys we move easily.

The governor added that, “Armed robbery is fading away and it’s being replaced by kidnapping. Its now criminals new fashion trend.”

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Buhari: You’re playing piano in the rain – Shehu Sani mocks IBB

POLITICS

Buhari: You’re playing piano in the rain – Shehu Sani mocks IBB

 

The lawmaker representing Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, has mocked former military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda, (rtd) for assuring Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari would resolve the issue of insecurity in the country.

Shehu Sani said IBB was only ‘playing piano in the rain.’

We had reported yesterday that Babangida assured Nigerians that Buhari would resolve the issue of insecurity in the country.

This, was as he expressed confidence in the ability of the President to fulfill his electoral promises to Nigerians.

The former Head of State gave the assurance while addressing journalists at his Hilltop residence on Tuesday in Minna, Niger State.

Babangida had said, “Buhari has the capacity to deal with the challenges but Nigerians need to be patient with the president.

“Buhari is not disposed to idle talk; he is known to be a man of his words.”

However, Senator Shehu Sani tweeted on Wednesday morning, saying “Our Uncle IBB is playing piano in the rain.”

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Zamfara: Gov. Matawalle leads operation against bandits in the state

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Zamfara: Gov. Matawalle leads operation against bandits in the state

 

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has led security agencies in the state on an operation against bandits in their bush camps and hideouts near Wonaka town in Gusau Local Government area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governor was yesterday accompanied by his deputy, Mahadi Aliyu-Gusau, and heads of security agencies in the state on his way to Lilo community in Mada district of Gusau Local Government Area.

Bandits had on Saturday attacked Lilo community which resulted in the killing of eight persons while 18 others were injured. 

The bandits were chased away at their camps during the governor’s unannounced visit to the area.

They abandoned their hideouts and crossed a nearby river and disappeared from the operatives who were on the governor’s motorcade.

The governor said, “As Chief security officer of the state, l have to show a good example, I have no option than to lead security agencies for this operation.”

“As a leader, I have to show commitment to my people toward addressing this problem.”

The entourage also included the Emir of Gusau, Ibrahim Bello, Secretary to the State Government, Bello Bala, State Chairman of People Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Mallaha, and other top government officials in the state.

The District Head of Wonaka, Kogo Balarabe, thanked the governor for the visit.

Mr Balarabe said, “We are happy with this visit, for over eight years, we have no any concern from the authorities like this, we cannot express our feelings today.

“We are happy with the efforts of government, we thank security agencies intervention during yesterday’s attacks which helped in containing the situation,” he said.

The Chairman of Vigilante Group in the area, Sani Danmudi, appealed to government for more intervention to address the security challenges in the area, saying that many villages in the area had been sacked by the bandits.

(NAN)

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Past leaders laid foundation for Islamisation of Nigeria – CAN backs Obasanjo

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Past leaders laid foundation for Islamisation of Nigeria – CAN backs Obasanjo

 

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for coming out to speak against the alleged planned Fulanization/Islamization of the country.

CAN also urged the Federal Government to take the alarm raised by the former President seriously and act accordingly.

The Christian body stated this through its National Director, Legal and Public Affairs, Evangelist Kwamkur Samuel Vondip, on the forthcoming CAN presidential elections and the state of the nation, in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.

Vondip said, “Level of insecurity of the nation; the increase and expansion of the activities of insurgencies, armed bandits, armed robbery, kidnappers, killer Fulani herdsmen seem to have continued unabated.

“We expect the government to be bold enough to take responsibility and be sincere in providing convincing lasting solutions.

“The situation whereby the government would be denying the increasing rate of insecurity while the security budget keeps swelling up with increase in casualties amongst the security operatives, increase in number of victims and cry by communities is worrisome and calls for serious reflections.

He added that, “We advocate further for the creation of state police as the major solutions to ending this communities’ invasions by so called unknown gunmen.

“The inability of the Federal Government to ensure the release of Leah Sharibu and other abducted victims of Boko Haram gives us sleeplessness.

“One of the cardinal promises of President Buhari administration is the end to the reign of terrorism and ensuring the release of captured victims of insurgents but the first tenure ended up without achieving maximally such result. We pray and hope that President Buhari will do everything within his ability to achieve this goal if he is to be taken more seriously.

Speaking on the alleged planned Fulanization or Islamization of the country, Vondip said, “CAN believes that the foundation for Islamisation of Nigeria has since been laid by the makers of the Nigeria Constitution and some previous leaders of Nigeria.

“Particular examples are the provisions made in the Constitution for the operation of Sharia laws and courts. This makes the common law and the Sharia law to be operating in the same constitution. This naturally has divided the nation into two and sets the tone for Islamization. The implication of this scenario is confusion,” he maintained.

“Furthermore, as we have said before, the registration of Nigeria, (a secular state) as a member of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) by military fiat is a further confirmation of deliberate Islamization of the country. This calls for review if our leaders are sincere with their claim that nobody is Islamizing the country.”

The Christian body commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for speaking against the aforementioned plan.

“We commend sincerely the position of the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for opening up against the planned Islamization of Nigeria. The former President simply repeated what many of our CAN leaders have said before.

“We had even taken this in written a form to the Presidency for immediate attention. If what Obasanjo said should be doubted, what is the justification for the community cleansing by killer Fulani herdsmen who jump on innocent communities in the night killing them and taking over their communities? He asked.

“We never saw any far reaching steps taken to bring these killer herdsmen to book!

“What is the justification for the Federal Government effort to create and maintain cattle routes or colony for Fulani herders despite their level of impunity? He asked.

“How can you justify the Federal Government’s establishment of a radio station for Fulani? (Though this is being denied recently that is was established for nomadic education).

“Why can’t strict security measures that silenced the IPOB in few days be taken against Boko Haram and killer Fulani Herdsmen?

According to CAN, “We cannot for many years claim that our borders are porous and nothing is done about it. Nigeria cannot afford to be losing her citizens for years because we have an uncontrolled border.

“We commend Chief Obasanjo’s boldness to speak out at this critical period of the nation. We wonder what will become the fate of Nigeria and Nigerians if respected and bold leaders like Obasanjo are no more there to speak.

“We call on the Federal Government to take seriously the alarm raised by Chief Obasanjo and act on it if they are to be trusted.

Adding that, “Chief Obasanjo has spoken the mind of many people and we urge that he should never be intimidated by government for the sake of peace”.

On the fight against corruption; CAN said, “While quite a number of Nigerians have been arrested and prosecuted with others undergoing investigation and prosecution, it is not news that a lot of corrupt former and present leaders are moving freely suggesting the selective nature of the fight.

“It is a shame to our nation and for citizens to believe the notion that when you join the team of the President or the ruling party then ‘your sins are forgiven’.

“The fight against corruption must go beyond media propaganda and be wholistic and no less,” the Christian body stressed.

Speaking on the forthcoming CAN elections, the CAN Official said, “Each bloc was contacted to submit names of candidates interested in contesting for the office of the President.

“Three blocs indicated interest namely, CCN, OAIC and TEKAN/ECWA. The Electoral College which was inaugurated early May 2019 has sat on the nominations and elected two out of the three candidates namely Rev. Dr Samson Ayokunle the current President of CAN who is going for a possible second tenure from CCN and Rev. Dr Caleb Solomon Ahima from TEKAN/ECWA.

He maintained that, “From the forgoing, there are only two stages remaining for the election to be completed.

“The National Executive Committee (NEC) will vote for the two nominated candidates and the person with the highest vote will be deemed elected as President while the runner up will be considered elected as the Vice President.

According him, “The process will be completed with the final ratification of the two elected leaders by the National Assembly of the Association at a later date.”

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President Buhari failed in scurity, corruption, economy – N’Delta group

NEWS

President Buhari failed in scurity, corruption, economy – N’Delta group

A Niger Delta group, the Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade, CHURAC, has taken an appriasal of the first term of the current federal government, stating that President Muhammadu Buhari has failed in his three focal areas of security, fighting corruption and the economy.

The group stressed that the president failed in his terms of his performances in office, warning that “the country should not continue in this miserable path in his second term”.

It claimed that Buhari’s first tenure has been characterised by economic repression, ethnocentrism, nepotism, lack of parity in the composition of government, gross abuse of human rights, persecution of old-time enemies as well as political rivals in the name of anti-corruption war as well as unbridled abuse of all known democratic ethos.

This was contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Warri by the CHURAC’s national president, Cleric E. Alaowei, Esq, ahead of President Buhari’s inauguration for second term in office on Wednesday.

CHURAC said further, “The vain-glory and ego-boasting achievements in the four years of office by President Muhammadu Buhari is rather a mishmash of economic disaster, which has been ennobled as achievements by the sugar-coated propaganda of image laundering being anchored in the present Government.

“However, in the real sense, the Government’s celebrated achievements are democratic attrition to the nation.”

“This APC led-Government after mesmerizing Nigerians with its edited but failed to be executed 2015 campaign promises to entrust the Party with their votes, has shown that it’s four years was far worst than the PDP’s sixteen years rule.

“One eventful but excuses-coated four years have gone down the drain, yet this APC Government of propaganda has not formulated and or implemented any policy to recoup Nigerians of the mass feelings of distrust and gross incompetence displayed by the Government to pilot the affairs of the nation.

“High point of the Government’s shenanigan is its decision to go back to the APC’s vomit when the later was in opposition.

“The then opposition party, (APC), now groping around for help at the alter of governance, spared no minute in rebuking and reproving the PDP led-Government over the removal of fuel subsidy.

“We are surprised why this APC led-Government find the fuel subsidy removal parody as its best democracy gift to the economically pauperised and beleaguered Nigerians in his first term?

“Despite the social pariahs former President Jonathon’s Government was being subjected to, the Buhari’s Government is virtually doing everything left on the table of governance by the immediate past PDP led-Government.

“Prominent among those areas are the railway and road constructions which the present Government is celebrating as its achievements.

“The few self-serving, jingoistic and esoteric policies of this Government have not only polarised the Country along ethnic/religious lines but it has also plunged the Country into economic recess thereby elicited an unprecedented double digits inflationary rates.

“There is hardship everywhere in the Country although the Presidency said the Government has delivered in its first term. The question is: what are the achievements in Buhari’s first term?

“Insecurity is worst compared to the PDP’s era. The Government’s lackadaisical attitude in confronting the identified causes of the various ethno-religious crisis headlong has escalated the scourge of insecurity.

“While Fulani herdsmen are being tagged as the world’s fourth dangerous terrorist group by the International Terrorism Index, the same people who are waging a genocidal war against other Nigerians are being pampered by the Government of Mohammadu Buhari.

“Also, a good number of Boko Haram members who arrested and tried by the previous government of Goodluck Jonathan were released by the Government of the day who were alleged to have been granted amnesty. However, the same acclaimed repented terrorists have gone back to the trenches to embolden the Boko Haram jihads.

“Similarly, another factor that seemed to be escalating insecurity in the land under this Government was the Buhari’s ill-conceived decision to appoint top security positions from only one ethnic group/religion together with his resolve to keep them in office despite the fact they have overstayed their statutory years in office.

“On corruption, though it is fighting the menace with a determined vigor, the Government’s lukewarm attitude to the official corruption involving his appointees and political associates has proven to be a major setback to his avowal.

“Nigeria under Buhari is more corrupt than the Jonathan’s government. This position has been testified by the Transparency International through its yearly analysis of official corruption among countries in the world. Its Global Corruption Perception Index on Nigeria being released in 2018 and 2019 has shown that the Country has moved from its earlier position in 2014 when Buhari took over the Government.

“Transparency International rating of the Country’s Global Corruption Perception Index of 2017 but was released in 2018 which placed Nigeria at 148th position. However, in the 2018 report which was released in 2019, Nigeria moved to 144th from 148th in Transparency International latest corruption perception index worldwide.

“The Country made the four notch jump without improving its score of 27 out of a possible 100 as recorded in 2017. This is ironically an upward movement from its earlier position of 136th in 2014 under the PDP government.

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‘Give us security votes to end kidnapping, banditry, others’ – Iwo monarch tells FG

NEWS

‘Give us security votes to end kidnapping, banditry, others’ – Iwo monarch tells FG

 

Oluwo of Iwoland in Osun State, Oba Adbulrasheed Akanbi, has called on the Federal Government to make provision for security votes for the traditional institution to help fight insecurity in the country.

Akanbi, who spoke to journalists in Osogbo yesterday, said the traditional rulers were closer to the grassroots and were privy to the intelligence needed to curb crimes in communities.

He said: “Traditional rulers should be empowered to domesticate security at the grassroots which constitutes higher percent of the hideouts for kidnappers. Co-opting monarchs will unavoidably decimate security threat.

“Traditional institution should be given security vote to engage local hunters, vigilante, the Agbekoyas, trusted local Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), among others.

“In my own capacity, I am trying my utmost best in my domain but the institution I represent deserves security funding to act more.

“I have personally arrested a criminal in my domain and handed him over to the police. I know the nooks and crannies of my city. No criminal can survive with illegality here. I have instilled the fear in them and this has decimated atrocities in Iwo. I am ready to do more if empowered by engaging trusted local security details.

“The police saddled with this primary responsibility is underfunded and under staffed. Nigeria of over 200 million population is parading about 300,000 policemen. The police should be equipped with modern tools and should be paid good salaries and as well be assured of job security to motivate them for maximal performance.

“Government should provide surveillance helicopters to aid technical detective assignments by the police, most especially when searching kidnappers’ hideouts.”

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Insecurity: Cargo load of arms, ammunition lands in Nigeria

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Insecurity: Cargo load of arms, ammunition lands in Nigeria

 

A cargo airplane laddened with assorted arms and ammunitions has been delivered to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the prosecution of war against terrorism and other forms of criminal activities plaguing the country.

A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa indicated that the, cargo plane landed on Monday at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“Slovakia bound cargo just landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja loaded with various types of arms and ammunition.

“The weapons were ordered by the Federal Government to boost the war against terrorism and other criminal activities in Nigeria.

“More cargoes are expected soon”, he added.

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Insecurity: Atiku urges Buhari govt to end killings in Nigeria

NEWS

Insecurity: Atiku urges Buhari govt to end killings in Nigeria

 

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 2019 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the killing of 20 people in Katsina State by unknown gunmen.

About 20 people at three villages in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State were killed by the unknown gunmen on Tuesday.

Reacting to the incident, Abubakar called on the Federal Government to review the security architecture across the country.

In a tweet, the Wazirin Adamawa wrote: “No one is exempted and no place appears immune to the scourge of insecurity.

“Our communities and people deserve to be safe and secured. It is about time our security architecture is reviewed. Security is absolutely necessary to progress and development. -AA.”

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Insecurity: Cardinal Onaiyekan lambasts Buhari’s Govt

NEWS

Insecurity: Cardinal Onaiyekan lambasts Buhari’s Govt

 

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has said that the government may continue to be indifferent to the security situation in the country until President Muhammadu Buhari or any member of his immediate family was kidnapped.

The cleric, who took a swipe at the Buhari Government’s perceived powerlessness in the face of Nigeria’s mounting security challenges, said the security of the people can no longer be guaranteed by the government.

According to Vanguard, Onaiyekan accused some people within the corridors of power of “doing business” with the nation’s state of insecurity.

He said, “Is it until the President himself or a member of his immediate family is kidnapped before the government will do something about kidnapping?

“How come kidnapping is going on consistently on specific roads and the security agents can’t do anything?

“Does it mean there are collaborators among them and the people at the top levels of government?

“The government and police have told us several times that they have put up high level security checks and that they have cleared the roads but the criminals are still operating on the roads.

“It is sad that the kidnappers operate regularly on the highway and demand ransom and go to the extent of collecting the ransom without being arrested. It seems some people are doing business with the nation’s insecurity.”

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Insecurity: El-Rufai meets Sultan of Sokoto, and Security Chiefs

BREAKING NEWS

Insecurity: El-Rufai meets Sultan of Sokoto, and Security Chiefs

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State is currently meeting with the acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar over security issues in the state and other parts of the north.

The meeting, which started around 11:30 am, is holding at the Arewa House in Kaduna.

Others in attendance are; Mansur Muhammad Dan Ali, the Defence Minister, and Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, made this known on Twitter Tuesday afternoon.

Ahmad said the theme of the meeting was “how to tackle the menace of insecurity ravaging the North”.

He wrote: “SECURITY ISSUES; Regional Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council is currently taking place at Arewa House in Kaduna. Hosted by @GovKaduna. Theme; how to tackle the menace of insecurity ravaging the North. Sultan of Sokoto, SGF, IGP and Defence Minister in attendance.”

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$1 Billion Arms Fund: No One should Play Politics With Security Of Nigerians - Presidency

​BREAKING NEWS

$1 Billion Arms Fund: No One should Play Politics With Security Of Nigerians - Presidency

The Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, on Thursday said the $1 billion approved by the President is not illegal.

The sum was approved for the procurement of military equipment. 

Onochie pointed out that the release was approved by the National Economic Council and the state Houses of Assembly.

In a series of tweets on Thursday, Onochie, said, “The NEC, made up of state governors, approved the $ 1 bn given to the military to purchase arms.

“The state Houses of Assembly approved same. There is no illegality in the release of the fund to the military.

“No one should play politics with the security of Nigerians.”

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$1 Billion Arms Fund: Those Who Kick Against It Are Playing Politics With The Lives Of Nigerians - Presidency

​BREAKING NEWS

$1 Billion Arms Fund: Those Who Kick Against It Are Playing Politics With The Lives Of Nigerians - Presidency

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina says those criticizing President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval of one billion dollars for security funding are only playing politics with the lives of Nigerians.

President Buhari had approved the fund during a meeting with the Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), and the service chiefs on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. .

Governor Fayose, on his part, alleged that the approval was a clever move by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government to raise funds to finance the 2019 presidential election and the July 14 governorship poll in Ekiti.

Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday condemned the presidential approval of the one billion dollars without recourse to the National Assembly.

Responding to criticisms, Femi Adesina, Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, who spoke on Channels Tv, Thursday night said that proper procedures for the release of the fund were being followed.

He dismissed reports that the amount was too huge to be spent only on security matters, saying no individual or government could quantify the value of human lives.

He said: “As we speak now the communication to the National Assembly is about ready. Those who have been flexing muscles over the matter should just have bothered to make inquiries from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters.

“If they had inquired, they would have been told that the communication would soon be on the way to the National Assembly.

“Talking about the timing, there is no timing that is not good for security. Every time is security time. Those who are reading political meaning into it is just unfortunate they play politics with everything and they will play politics with the very lives of Nigerians, which is very bad.’

“It is not something that I think any government could begin to disclose. But we know that it is expensive. I remember that the Chief of Army Staff spoke about some trillions of naira recently – security is expensive but human life is much, much expensive.’’

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Gov. Fayose Is Ignorant Of Why $1 Billion Arms Procurement Fund Was Approved By Buhari - Col. Hassan Labo

​BREAKING NEWS

Gov. Fayose Is Ignorant Of Why $1 Billion Arms Procurement Fund Was Approved By Buhari - Col. Hassan Labo

 
A retired military officer, Col. Hassan Labo has said Governor Ayodele Fayose is ignorant of why President Muhammadu Buhari approved the sum of $1billion for the purchase of military equipment.

The ex-military personnel said this on Thursday during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

President Buhari had approved the fund during a meeting with the Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), and the service chiefs on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. .

Governor Fayose, on his part, alleged that the approval was a clever moveby the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government to raisefunds to finance the 2019 presidential election and the July 14 governorshippoll in Ekiti.

Reacting to the governor’s comment, Labo said, “I just listened to His Excellency, Governor Ayo Fayose and with due respect, I want to say His Excellency is speaking from a position of ignorance.

“How do I mean? This money, to start with, is going to help in enhancing the procurement deficit we have presently (which has existed) for quite some while now because we’ve never taken the pain to allot adequately to the military.”

“The military has always been short-changed at the point of statutory appropriation – that is to say in the Congress (National Assembly) – such that at the end of the day, there is no single pin that you buy in the military that is produced in this country, we import nearly everything,” he explained.

Amid the insecurity issues in the country, including the Boko Haram insurgency and herdsmen attacks in parts of the country, the retired colonel noted that Nigeria can afford to use and should use such huge sum of money for security.

He further reminded Nigerians that the fund was not just meant for the fight against insurgency in the North East, but also to tackle other insecurity challenges in the country.

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