Tag: presidential spokesman

27Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Seeks Relocation Of US Africa Command Headquarters From Germany

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the United States to consider relocating the headquarters of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), from Germany. The president made the request on Tuesday, during a virtual meeting with Anthony Blinken, US secretary of state. AFRICOM, with headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, is one of the 11 department of defence combatant commands of the US, which focuses on addressing security challenges affecting African countries. According to a statement by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, Buhari said the relocation is necessary as part of efforts to address insecurity in Nigeria and other African nations. “The security challenges in Nigeria remain of great concern to us and impacted more negatively, by existing complex negative pressures in the Sah...

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26Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Isa Pantami: The Nigerian Minister Haunted By His Extremist Views – BBC

Nigeria's presidency says it "stands behind" an embattled minister facing calls for his resignation after extreme Islamist views he held in the past recently came to light. Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, and also a renowned Muslim cleric, expressed views sympathetic to groups such as al-Qaeda and Boko Haram. In one sermon from the 2000s he said he considered al-Qaeda founder, Osama Bin Laden, a better Muslim than himself, and in another, he said he was happy when infidels were massacred. Recordings of him expressing these views began circulating on social media last week, leading to calls for his resignation or sacking by President Muhammadu Buhari. But in its first reaction since the saga began, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said the mini...

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15Apr By dthataNo Comments

News

No Official Update As Buhari Remains In UK After Two Weeks

The presidency has remained mum over the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from London, the United Kingdom where he is currently undergoing a medical check-up. Recall that on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, exactly two weeks ago, the president departed Nigeria for London where he was expected to receive medical attention from his physician. Prior to his departure, a statement from the Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, stated that Buhari was expected to return to the country within the second week of April. According to Garba Shehu, the president “is due back in the country during the second week of April 2021.” Meanwhile, the second week ends today, April 15 without an update from the presidency regarding the president’s return. Recall that the president’s trip to the U...

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13Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Garba Shehu Denies Commenting On Twitter Picking Ghana As Africa HQ

Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu has denied commenting on the choice of Ghana as Twitter’s headquarters for its Africa operations. Several media outlets (not Qed.ng) quoted Mr Shehu as knocking Twitter for its decision made public by the tech company’s CEO Jack Dorsey on Monday. But Shehu said in a tweet on Tuesday that he did not make any comment on the matter. “I did not comment on the Twitter choice of Ghana as their Africa base. There are many who have the same names with me. It will be mistaken of anyone to attribute a quote to me or even the Presidency that my verified handles did not bear,” he said. While Shehu did not speak on the matter, presidential aide Tolu Ogunlesi downplayed the development, saying Facebook had also announced that it would be opening an office i...

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5Apr By dthataNo Comments

Politics

You Didn’t Speak Like A Man Of God, Garba Shehu Attacks Kukah

Malam Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, has accused Bishop Mathew Kukah, Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese of playing partisan politics. While reacting to Kukah’s message, where the cleric said the Boko Haram crisis has worsened under President Muhammadu Buhari, Shehu said Kukah did not speak like a man of God. Taunting Kukah, Shehu asked him to visit the North-East and ask residents if there is any improvement in security. “All citizens have their individual ideologies, even their own versions of truth. But if you profess to being a man of God, as Father Mathew Hassan Kukah does, ideology should not stand in the way of facts and fairness.” “Father Kukah has said some things that are inexplicable in his Easter massage. But, in saying that the Boko Haram terrorism is ...

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24Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

2023: Tinubu Is My Strong Ally – President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has put to death rumours of an alleged rift with political collosus, Bola Ahmed Tinubu adding that he is a Strong Ally. In a statement on Wednesday, signed by Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, President Buhari described the Asiwaju of Lagos as "one of the most respected political leaders in the country who has stuck to his principles in the face of all adversities". "Recent reports of a rift between the two leaders of our party are false; the handiwork of some media mischief makers. It is quite unfortunate that certain sections of the media feed on birthing controversies, providing a nexus for naysayers who work behind the scenes planting such stories which are absolutely false." The President also described Tinubu, who is also known as the "Jagab...

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4Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Bello Matawalle Offers To Resign Over Rising Insecurity

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has offered to resign if taking such step will bring a lasting solution to the high level of insecurity in his state. Zamfara is one of the north-west states affected by banditry. Many persons have been killed while countless people have been abducted in attacks by different armed gangs. Responding to the disturbing trend in the state, the federal government declared Zamfara a no-fly zone on Tuesday and also banned mining activities there. Malam Garba Shehu, Presidential Spokesman, had told Daily Trust that the action was taken based on the suspicion that choppers ferry in arms for bandits. Speaking when he featured on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Wednesday, Matawalle said he does not mind using his job as a sacr...

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16Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Many Herdsmen Being Prosecuted For Alleged Killings — Garba Shehu

The Presidency yesterday said many herdsmen were undergoing trials and prosecuted in several parts of Nigeria for alleged killings and criminal activities. A presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, monitored by our reporter. He was reacting to reports that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s silence on the farmers-herders crisis parts of the country was bolstering and shielding crimes allegedly committed by herders. Shehu challenged the Nigeria Police Force to publish names of herders undergoing trials. He also said the president was not complicit in the herdsmen crisis. “The president is more than concerned of the ongoing situation, he is fully conscious of the fact that it is the responsibility of his government to work with ...

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15Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Garba Shehu Asks Police To Publish Names Of Criminal Herders Undergoing Trial

- Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu has reacted to the insinuations that President Buhari is not doing enough to address the herdsmen crisis in the country. - Shehu said the insinuations are untrue, noting that many criminal herdsmen are being tried and convicted - The presidential spokesman also wants the Nigerian police to publish the names of the convicted criminal herders to back up his statement. The presidency has dismissed the insinuations that President Muhammadu Buhari is taking a soft approach to the herdsmen crisis in the country based on ethnic affiliations. Most herdsmen in the country are Fulani, the same ethnicity as President Buhari. Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said on Channels TV on Monday, February 15, that there is no substance to such insinuati...

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10Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Orders Arrest, Prosecution Of Illegal Arms Bearers

President Muhumaadu Buhari has ordered arrest and prosecution of all illegal arms bearers in the country irrespective of their ethnic affiliation. Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, yesterday disclosed this on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme monitored by our reporter. Daily Trust had exclusively reported on Sunday that proliferation of arms was fuelling insecurity across the country. Adesina said the president has zero tolerance for criminal elements and would not harbour anyone found wanting by security agencies. “The president has always held the stance that anyone seen carrying a gun unlawfully should be arrested and tried regardless of where he comes from,” he said. On the efforts of the Presidency towards bringing an end to the herdsmen’s crisis, A...

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2Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari, King Mohammed Discuss Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, Fertilizer Plant

President Muhammadu Buhari and King Mohammed VI of Morroco on Sunday had a telephone conversation. A presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, in a statement on Monday, said the two leaders discussed joint efforts towards the realization of strategic development projects that included Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline and a fertilizer production plant. Shehu said they welcomed the positive and dynamic bilateral relations in all fields between the two nations since the King’s visit to Nigeria in December 2016, and Buhari’s visit to Morocco in June 2018. He said President Buhari and King Mohammed expressed determination to carry out, as soon as possible, the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline and construction of a fertilizer production plant in Nigeria. He said Buhari, who spoke with His Maj...

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27Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Satisfied With Performance Of Ex-service Chiefs – Femi Adesina

Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, says President Muhammadu Buhari is satisfied with the performance of the service chiefs he replaced on Tuesday. Adesina, who said this when he appeared on Channels TV, added that the president replaced them because he “just felt it was time to have fresh energy.” The president replaced the service chiefs who have been in office three months into his first term in 2015. During the television programme, Adesina said: “The fact that they (the service chiefs) had to leave today does not mean that they have failed. “The president in the statement we issued also commended the outgoing service chiefs for their contributions in engendering a safer country. “That shows that by and large, he was satisfied with their performances and he just fe...

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24Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

IGP Adamu Orders Arrest Of Sunday Igboho Over Eviction Notice

Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), has ordered the arrest of Sunday Adeyemo, youth leader better known as Sunday Igboho, over the quit notice he issued to herdsmen. BBC Hausa quoted Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, as confirming the arrest order during its programme on Friday. Shehu reportedly said the IGP informed him of his directive to Ngozi Onadeko, the Oyo commissioner of police, to arrest Igboho and transfer him to Abuja. Frank Mba, police spokesman, did not immediately respond to TheCable’s inquiry on the order of the IGP. Igboho had asked herdsmen in Igangan in Ibarapa north local government area of Oyo to leave within seven days following reports of the killing of some Oyo citizens. He had blamed herders and Fulanis, including Saliu Kadri, th...

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20Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Ondo Herdsmen: ‘Stop Turning Blind Eye On Your Tribesmen’ – FFK To Buhari

Femi Fani-Kayode has attacked the Buhari-led administration for condemning Governor Rotimi Akeredolu's ultimatum for herdsmen to leave forest reserves in Ondo state within 7 days. The governor gave the directive on Monday, January 18 following claims that “bad elements” have turned the forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating for ransom and carrying out other criminal activities. In a statement released on Tuesday January 19, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, stated that the governor being a senior lawyer should know better than unilaterally expelling thousands of herders who have lived all their lives in the state. FFK in a series of tweets posted this morning said Garba Shehu's position is ''insulting, provocative, asinine & absurd....

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15Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Troops Killed 2,403 Terrorists, Bandits, Kidnappers In 9 Months – Femi Adesina

The Presidency Thursday said various nits of the Nigerian Armed Forces, in coordinated operations, across the country between March 18 and December 30, 2020 had eliminated over 2,403 terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and criminals of other sorts. Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, stated this in “a checklist of successes of the Nigerian Armed Forces”, released to State House reporters in commemoration of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day. He said this was in addition to terrorists and bandits killed during air strikes by the Nigeria Air Force. The checklist segmented the achievements into regions with special attention on the activities in the northeast mostly affected by the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group. The checklist also revealed figures of the re...

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2Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Service Chiefs Will Remain As Far As Buhari Is Satisfied With Them – Garba Shehu

Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesman, says the nation’s service chiefs will remain in office as far as President Muhammadu Buhari is satisfied with their performance. Shehu, who featured during an Arise TV programme on Monday night, said the calls for the sack of the service chiefs are “out of place”. Parts of the country have seen a rise in attacks in recent months, communities in the north-west and north-central regions have been victims of bandits attacks while kidnappers are on rampage across some states. Over the weekend, Boko Haram insurgents struck in Borno state, killing more than 40 farmers in a community about 20 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital. As the growing security challenges renewed calls for the sack of the service chiefs, Buhari said he has gi...

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15Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

‘Traditional Rulers In Katsina Are Aiding Bandits’ – Garba Shehu

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, says some traditional rulers are aiding bandits in Katsina, the state President Muhammadu Buhari hails from. Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Monday, Shehu said these traditional rulers help gunmen escape when security agencies are planning attacks. Katsina has come under attacks by gunmen in recent times. A number of people have lost their lives and property in the incidents. Shehu said there are people who are benefiting from the attacks. “It is not that we are making direct accusations on anyone but it is also true that even in the president’s native state of Katsina, some traditional rulers have been found complicit in collaboration with the bandits to harm their own people,” he said. “In neighbouring...

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28Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

I’m Surprised Boko Haram Is Still Existing – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he is surprised that Boko Haram terrorists are still existing. Mr Buhari stated this in Abuja when he played host to Eminent and Respected Citizens of Niger State. The delegation led by Governor Abubakar Bello, visited the State House, on Tuesday. “I was taken aback by what is happening in the North West and other parts of the country,” presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement, quoted his principal as saying. “During our campaigns, we knew about the Boko Haram. What is coming now is surprising. It is not ethnicity or religion, rather it is one evil plan against the country,” the president added. The Nigerian leader promised to increase the war tempo against the terrorists and bandits. “We have to be harder on them. One o...

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28Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Aisha Yesufu Replies Femi Adesina, Blasts Buhari’s Government

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, says Nigerians ought to be thankful that the spate of attacks by Boko Haram has dropped. - See post. Reacting to the presidential spokesman's comment on channels tv, the BBOG co-convener listed things that have gone wrong since 2015 which was the beginning of the Buhari led administration. The activist listed Leah Shaibu, Zaria-Kaduna-Abuja road kidnappings and killings by bandits, poverty, CAN leader beheading, Jos-Maiduguri road menace, herdsmen crises, etc She insisted that Femi Adesina can't deny not to be aware of all these, In her words, we did not vote in 2015 for comparison of the killings Aisha noted that: In 2015 Nigeria was not the poverty capital of the world. In 2015 Leah Sharibu w...

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24Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Stop Acting Like Opposition Party, Presidency Slams CAN

The Presidency on Friday descended heavily on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), stating it has been acting and reacting more like an Opposition Party on national issues. CAN, in reaction to the beheading of its chairman in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa, Rev Lawan Andimi on Tuesday by Boko Haram insurgents, lampooned the federal government for the growing attacks on Christians in parts of the north. The Christian group castigated President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing the administration of colluding with terrorists to target Christians. Reacting to the accusations, the Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in his debut weekly column titled From The Inside on Friday described CAN’s reactions as divisive and unworthy of a Christian group. Adesina, a Pastor w...

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11Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

A Youth Will Be President – Buhari

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the youths that they will be in charge of leadership of Nigeria. Speaking when he hosted youth leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the six geo-political zones, Buhari said the change will take place whether the older generation of leaders like it or not. Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, quoted Buhari as asking the youth to prepare for when they will be saddled with the responsibility of presiding over the affairs of Africa’s giant and most populous black nation. He also advised the younger generation to keep a broader view of the country as one entity, and “continuously de-emphasize ethnic and religious backgrounds in nation-building”. “With all certainty, someday you will have to take up the mantle of lead...

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30Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Silent As Defence Minister, Bashir Magashi Is Named In $550,000 Fund Diversion

President Muhammadu Buhari came under heavy criticism yesterday for his failure to act in the alleged indictment of his Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, for a $550,000 security fund diversion. Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu deflected response on the allegation to the office of the Minister of Defence when The Guardian sought the presidency’s reaction on the matter. Against a groundswell of allegations of cherry-picking on whom to prosecute in his anti-corruption offensive, Buhari is now directly fingered for shielding Magashi, who is accused of stealing and shipping $550,000 from the nation’s treasury to an offshore account. Magashi has been called out to explain his role in the slush amount he received from the infamous ‘Abacha loot’ estimated by Transparency International t...

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22Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

We Don’t Have Cabal, It’s Called “Kitchen Cabinet” – Garba Shehu

The Presidency has again reacted to claims that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has been hijacked and now at the mercy of a power-hungry cabal. Presidential Spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu said no president can operate alone without having a team of close confidants. Shehu disclosed this at the weekend in Abuja during a dinner organized by the Press Corps of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC. According to him, in other climes, every president usually has a “Kitchen Cabinet”, but that in Nigeria, government antagonists would prefer to refer to such collection of self-sacrificing individuals as cabals. Shehu said: “What is the meaning of cabal? I just googled Thesaurus and among many other definitions, what they are saying is that cabal means ‘conspire, intr...

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28Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari To Spend 2 Weeks In London On Private Visit

President Muhammadu Buhari will travel to London at the end of his trip to Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, who disclosed this in a statement, said the president will spend two weeks in London on a private visit. ”President Muhammadu Buhari leaves the country today on an official trip to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend Economic Forum of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh,” he said. ”On the sideline of the event, President Buhari will hold bilateral talks with His Majesty King Salman and His Majesty King Abdullah ll of Jordan. ”On Wednesday, 30th October, 2019, the President will participate in the High Level Event titled “What is Next for Africa: How will Investment and Trade Transform the Continent into the Next Great Economic...

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10Sep By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigeria Built On False Foundation – Femi Adesina

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, confirmed, on Monday, that Nigeria was built on a false foundation. He regretted the fact that the cracks on Nigeria’s foundation had continued to widen due to unpatriotic activities fuelled by religious divide, ethnic consideration, nepotism and most recently, fake news on social media. He said that though there is hope for a better and greater Nigeria, if only the citizens would own, love, cherish Nigeria and most importantly, discouraged anything that would damage its reputation in the comity of nations. Adesina spoke at a youth engagement programme, Naija Youth Talk, with the theme “the Nigeria we want,” jointly organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Department for International Development (DFID) to mark the ...

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26Jul By dthataNo Comments

Politics

President Buhari Receives Liberia’s Highest National Honour

President Muhammadu Buhari has been conferred with “The Grand Cordon of the Knighthood of Venerable Order of the Pioneers”, the highest national honour of the Republic of Liberia. The president is the Special Guest of Honour at the country’s 172nd Independence Anniversary. He was conferred the honour on Friday by President George Weah. Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said “the award is presented by the government for outstanding and distinguished service in international affairs, government, religion, art, science and commerce, Igbere TV reports. “It is also for singular acts of philanthropy and deeds of heroism and valour.” On the entourage of the president is Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe. Also...

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22Jul By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Why Shiites Protesters Are Not Intelligent – Garba Shehu

The presidency has described Shiites members protesting and demanding the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-zakzaky, as those who are stupid. The members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as Shiites, have continued to protest against the detention of Mr El-zakzaky. The cleric has been in detention since members of his movement clashed with personnel of the Nigerian Army in 2017. Despite granting his release by several competent court of jurisdiction, the federal government has continued to hold the sect leader hostage, citing national security as reason. Speaking when he appeared on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said members of the IMN are stupid because the statement of the presidency pertaining to the ...

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13Jul By dthataNo Comments

Politics

President Buhari Condoles With Fasoranti Over Daughter’s Killing

President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with Afenifere chairman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, whose daughter, Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, was killed by suspected herdsmen. On Friday, it was reported that Mrs Funke Olakunrin, a 58-year-old woman heading to Ore Junction from Akure, Ondo State, when she was attacked and shot by the herdsmen. Femi Joseph, the Ondo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), had earlier confirmed the killing, saying the suspects were herdsmen who also engaged in armed robbery. He said the herdsmen attacked three vehicles, including a luxurious bus belonging to the Young Shall Grow Motors, adding that the passengers in the luxurious bus were travelling from Imo State to Lagos. Joseph added that Mrs Olakunrin was the only one killed in the incident. Olakunrin is...

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2Jul By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Sends Ministerial List To National Assembly

President Muhammadu Buhari has released the long-awaited ministerial list. The list has now been forwarded to the National Assembly for approval, Daily Independent is reporting. It quoted presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, who has promised that the list will be uploaded online for everybody to read before the end of Tuesday, July 2.

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20Jun By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Obasanjo Should Explain Why He Failed To Attend May 29, June 12 Events – Garba Shehu

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, will explain why he refused to attend the May 29 and June 12 state functions in the country, the Nigerian Presidency has said. While President Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated for another term of four years on May 29, the nation celebrated the democracy day on June 12. Mr Obasanjo did not attend the two events. He is not the only past leader to have stayed away from the state functions. The president’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan; former military leaders; Ibrahim Babangida and Abdusalam Abubakar were all absent during the celebrations which held at the Eagle Square. While Yakubu Gowon, former military leader, attended the president’s inauguration, he however stayed away during the democracy day celebration. The presidency in a stateme...

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11May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Why Miyetti Allah Should Not Be Respected – Fani-Kayode

Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, has opined why Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), should not be respected as canvassed by the Nigerian Presidency. The presidency had warned against criminalising the cattle-breeding group, saying they are also stakeholders in the country. In a statement on Friday, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman said the group ought to be respected. This is after he had likened Miyetti Allah to other socio-cultural groups in the country. Disagreeing with the position, Mr Fani-Kayode opined that the activities of the group ought to earn them hatred from Nigerians and not the respect as proposed by the presidential spokesman. He said the group should be hated because its members have killed Nigerians much more tha...

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8May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Miyetti Allah: Fani-kayode Disagrees With Presidency

Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, has disagreed with the presidency on the recent claim of the latter that Miyetti Allah, a cattle-breeding group, is likened to other socio-cultural groups in the country. Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, had on Tuesday said Miyetti Allah is like Afenifere, Ohanaeze and should not be criminalised due to certain bad eggs among the group. He defended the recent meeting between the Federal Government and the cattle-breeding group, saying the gathering was to proffer solutions to the recent spike in crimes in some parts of the North. The presidential spokesman also denied the group was offered monetary compensation during the meeting to help curtail violence allegedly being carried out by its members. But disagreeing with Mr Shehu,...

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8May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Miyetti Allah, Bandits Were Not Offered N100billion – Presidency

The Nigerian Presidency has denied offering Miyetti Allah and armed bandits monetary compensation to help maintain peace in Northern Nigeria. There were reports that the Federal Government had offered the cattle breeding group alongside others a N100 billion to curtail crimes allegedly being carried out by its members. The amount was reportedly agreed upon when delegations from the parties involved held a meeting with the delegation of the Federal Government headed by the acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu. The planned monetary compensation drew condemnation from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA). But reacting on Tuesday, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, defended the meeting but denied monetary compensation were discussed. “That...

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6May By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Presidency Reacts As PDP Says Buhari Incompetent, Managing Himself

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) were doing a bad job in handling the nation’s security challenges. PDP chieftain, Mr. Kassim Afegbua, said this on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, shortly after Buhari arrived in Nigeria. “The President has no capacity to manage us because he is busy managing himself,” Afegbua said “I think what we have witnessed in the last four years is a replay of crass incompetence in the way and manner that the security of this country is being handled. “And as we speak today, without sounding immodest, you will agree with me that it will be a surprise if tomorrow’s headline says no killing because almost every day when you read the newspaper it is one killing,...

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7Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Turn Out En Masse On Saturday To Vote, Buhari Appeals To Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Abuja urged Nigerians to troop out en masse to cast their votes at the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections holding on Saturday. The president, in a statement he personally signed, commiserated with families that lost their loved ones at the February 23 presidential and National Assembly polls, and encouraged all eligible voters not to be complacent on Saturday, but should rather view the governorship and assembly elections as important as the last presidential poll. Giving reasons why the electorate should troop out to vote on Saturday, Buhari said governance at the state level is closer to them than the federal government and hence, the need for them to be involved in the process of electing politicians who will govern them in th...

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28Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Likely To Dissolve Cabinet Before May 29 – Adesina

Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, says President Muhammadu Buhari will likely dissolve his cabinet before May 29. After assuming office in 2015, it took Buhari six months to unveil his cabinet and this attracted widespread criticisms. But speaking on Arise Television on Thursday, Adesina said the president will not spend a long time before choosing his cabinet members. He said the president had already promised to do so as soon as possible. When asked if the president would reshuffle his cabinet, Adesina said: “One thing about governance is that the first mandate was for four years. “That mandate lapses on May 29, and shortly before May 29, the president is likely going to officially dissolve his government. That is the way it is usually done. “He says thank you t...

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21Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Presidency Lists 10 Things To Know About Nigeria’s Rising Economy

Below is a statement from the Nigerian Presidency signed by Spokesman, Femi Adesina; "The Fourth Quarter 2018 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) results released recently by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) give lots of cause to cheer. Below are salient points to note from the report, as the Muhammadu Buhari administration puts the Nigerian economy on firm, solid footing: 1. The economy has recorded continued progress since it emerged from recession in 2017. Current result shows a Real GDP growth of 2.38% compared to 1.81% in Q3 last year, representing the strongest growth since the economy slipped into recession in 2016. 2. For more than five decades, Nigeria has paid lip service to diversifying the economy, from sole dependence on oil. The latest result shows that econom...

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1Dec By dthataNo Comments

Politics

President Buhari To Attend Climate Change Summit In Poland

President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja on Saturday for Katowice, Poland, to attend the 24th session of the Climate Change Conference known as the Parties (COP24). Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, announced this in a statement on Friday. The statement said COP24, under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), would hold from December 2 to December 4. During the summit, Buhari will deliver a national statement highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to addressing climate change by implementing the goals set out in its national determined contributions. “President Buhari will continue to champion these pressing issues at COP24 in Katowice, among others, as well as reiterate Nigeria’s position on the need for African countries to access financial resources, e...

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6Oct By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Osun Election: Why PDP Leaders Protested At INEC Headquarters – Keyamo

Festus Keyamo, the official spokesperson for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election campaign, has opined why some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) protested at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The PDP protesters led by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, are demanding the cancellation of the recently concluded re-run governorship election in Osun State. The PDP members are also demanding the declaration of their party’s candidate, Ademola Adeleke, as winner of the election. Mr Adeleke lost to Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Osun election after a controversial rerun exercise in seven polling units. Mr Saraki until recently was a member of the APC. He was appointed head of the PDP National Camp...

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11Jun By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments

News

Moroccans File Out To Give President Buhari A Rousing Welcome

President Buhari yesterday departed Nigeria for Morocco on a two-day visit. Moroccans filed out to give him a rousing welcome. According to a statement on Saturday by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, the visit, which is at the invitation of His Royal Majesty, King Mohammed VI, will see the two leaders discuss socio-economic matters affecting their countries. It follows prior engagements in December 2016, during the official visit of His Majesty to Nigeria. In Rabat, discussions will focus on strengthening existing agreements on the fertilizer industry, education cooperation, the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project and establishing a basic chemical platform to harness Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources and support Morocco’s diammonium phosphate industry. “It is noteworthy...

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9Jan By raymonNo Comments

News

How I predicted Nigerians Would Be Victims Of Buhari-APC ‘One-Chance’ Bus – Abati

Former presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati has recalled that he warned Nigerians to avoid President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC). In his latest article ‘Buhari: Between yesterday and tomorrow’, Abati said he was sure Buhari was driving a “One Chance” bus, and trying to lure unsuspecting Nigerians to certain despair. “I wrote an article shortly after the postponement of the 2015 Presidential elections”, he said. “The piece, titled ‘Buhari’s One Chance Campaign’ never got published. One of my colleagues to whom I showed it advised against its publication. His point was that we should remain professional and not get involved in partisan politics”, he disclosed. In the excerpts, Abati noted that Buhari was unelectable in 2003, 2007, 2011, and he was even far ...

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26Aug By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments

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The Speech President Buhari Failed To Deliver

Fellow Nigerians, congratulations on the arrival of our dear President Muhammadu Buhari from a prolonged medical vacation. Let’s all raise our voices and thank God for performing what the President himself described as a miracle. “I’ve never been this sick,” the President had repeatedly told well-wishers. Before his sudden departure from Abuja House, the official residence of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, events were getting rough and embarrassing as some aggrieved Nigerians had started making a willow cabin at his gate, raking and ranting about the President’s decision to seek medical succour abroad while the state of healthcare back home remains pitiably scandalous. It was a great relief to most Nigerians when news came from the Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesin...

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13Aug By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments

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Buhari Values Nigeria’s Ties With China – Adesina

Presidential spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, says the relationship between Nigeria and China is one that President Muhammadu Buhari cherishes and values highly. Mr Adesina stated this when he received in audience the Vice Minister of Information of State Council, People’s Republic of China, Mr Guo Weimin who was on an official visit to Nigeria. The Presidential spokesman said the fact that the Nigerian President cherishes the cooperation between Nigeria and China automatically means there will always be areas of mutual cooperation between the two countries from which their media organisations should profit. He reiterated the readiness of the presidential media team to build on the existing relationship while also exploring other areas of cooperation. Mr Adesina further assured the ...

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1Aug By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments

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Aso Villa Staff Put On Standby For President Buhari’s Return

All is now set for President Muhammadu Buhari’s return from the United Kingdom as State House staff have been put on standby. Daily Trust learnt that some family members of the president and his wife’s security aides arrived Abuja yesterday. An aide to the wife of the president hinted that Mrs Aisha Buhari might also return to Nigeria Wednesday. President Buhari has been in the United Kingdom since May 7 undergoing treatment for an undisclosed ailment. Mrs Buhari’s aide said: “The information just reached me now from the wife of the president, that everything is set for the return of Mr President to Nigeria. Already, some of the president’s family members and security aides of madam (Aisha Buhari) have just returned from London. “The wife of the president may either leave Lo...

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4May By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments

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Cabal Ruling Nigeria As Buhari Misses FEC Meeting Again- PDP

The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has alleged that a cabal is now ruling Nigeria. It believes the health challenge of President Muhammadu Buhari has shown that some individuals have taken over the running of the government from the ailing President. The reaction of the committee followed the inability of Buhari to attend the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting for the third consecutive week. Though there is nothing unusual in the President being sick, the former ruling party submitted that what was bad was the refusal of the President to disclose the true state of his health. The PDP argued that the health of the President must be bad to have prevented him from attending the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting consecutively for three...

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26Apr By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments

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“Buhari’s Government Harassing My Family” – Jonathan

Ex-president criticises anti-graft war ‘Mua’zu, Jega disappointed me’ former President Goodluck Jonathan believes that his family is being hounded by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. He said he lost the 2015 election because he was betrayed by the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Muazu and some Northern leaders in the party. Jonathan, who made his feelings known in a book, “Against The Run of Play”, written by the Chairman of ThisDay Editorial Board, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, said Buhari could still fight corruption using a different style. He said: “I feel sad about the way my family is being hounded.” “Society is like a building. You build it one block at a time. If every president decides to go in to dismantle what ...

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24Apr By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments

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SGF Suspension: How Threat To Withhold $1:2bn EU Aid Forced Buhari’s Hand

· How Lawal cornered Committee and burnt his fingers · Why the VP couldn’t save him · The Tinubu angle President Muham­madu Buhari’s hands were forced by west­ern countries and do­nor agencies when he moved swiftly last week to revive his waning war against corruption by suspending David Babachir Lawal as the Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG). Indications have emerged that the European Union coun­tries, the United Nations and the other major international agencies forced President Bu­hari to act to clean up the Au­gean stable soiled by some of the key principal officers of his government. The choice for the President was clear: sack Lawal or forget donor countries’ funds for the reconstruction of the North East, devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency. Norway, Germany...

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5Apr By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments

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2019: Why Buhari’s Exit Is Sacrosanct

I read the statement credited to Presidential Spokesman Segun Adesina advocating that President Muhammadu Buhari, his boss should seek reelection in 2019 and even assured him of victory. One of the problems with public administration in this country is the attitude of those around the corridors of power and their shameless sycophancy. It is only a sycophant that will suggest that a president, that not only failed woefully within two years of assuming power but also is caught up with the challenges that comes with his age as a 74 years old. FEMI STATEMENT INSULTING ON NIGERIANS I find it insulting on the intelligence of Nigerians that instead of the President Aide to advice his boss to consider bowing out in honor in 2019 if he wouldn't for the sake of his ego step down now, Femi ins...

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31Mar By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments

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Buhari Sacks Muhammed Sani-Sidi, NEMA DG, Approves Other Executive Management

PRESIDENT Muhammadu BUhari has sacked the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Muhammed Sani-Sidi. A replacement was immediately announced for him. This information and appointment of executive management for some other Federal Government agencies and parastatals were contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, on Friday. Adesina said Sani-Sidi is to be replaced by Engineer Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja. According to available information, Sani-Sidi’s tenure should have ended in 2018. The NEMA Board is now to be chaired by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN). Other members of the NEMA Board are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. David Babachir Lawal; Captain Talba Alkali, representing Mi...

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27Jan By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments

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Buhari Cannot Be Forced To Address Nigerians On Rumors Of His Death- Presidency

Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot be coerced to address the nation to quell rumors of his death. "The President is in London on vacation. He is not in any hospital and he is not ill," Mr. Adesina said on Thursday in an interview with CNBC Africa. "When he was traveling last week, the statement we put out was that he was going on vacation and during the vacation, he would do routine medical check-up and nothing has changed from what we pushed out last week. "If anybody has fed something else into the rumour mill, that is just what it is- a rumor." "The fact that he is a President, he still has his rights. Compelling him to come out and talk will be infringing on his rights. "The president will talk if he wishes to. If he d...

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