EFCC: Group commends President Buhari on Bawa’s nomination

The Patriotic Front of Nigeria (PFN) has welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of Abdulrasheed Bawa as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). 

The group said the president has again confirmed his commitment to rid the nation of corruption by entrusting a youth to lead the war. 

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Kolawole Emmanuel, on Wednesday, the pro-democracy group said that Bawa is tailormade for the job, assuring that as tsar, he will revamp the anti-corruption agency. 

The statement further noted that the rush with which looters and wailers set out to taint the nominee’s image even before screening by the Senate is a confirmation that Mr President got his act right as always.

The group, however, urged Nigerians to disregard the fake news promoted by Peoples Gazette, urging them to inoculate themselves against the series of other lies that those behind this campaign of calumny will attempt to use to mislead the nation in the days ahead until the Senate confirms the nominee. 

While congratulating Bawa on his nomination, the PFN assured him that “Nigerians, particularly the youth whose future corruption threatens, are with him”. 

Read the full statement below: 

The Patriotic Front of Nigeria (PFN) commends President Muhammadu Buhari for strengthening the anti-corruption war with the nomination of Abdulrasheed Bawa as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), subject to confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This appointment has confirmed that Mr President never for a moment shifted his focus from ridding Nigeria of the cankerworm of corruption, which has been the greatest threat to Nigeria’s march to greatness and the root cause of the other problems besetting the country. 

Bawa’s profile as an anti-corruption investigator showed that he had consistently shown mettle for the role that has now been thrust upon him while his last posting as a Deputy Chief Detective Superintendent as the head of the Lagos zonal office of the EFCC testify to the revamp coming to the anti-graft agency.

We, therefore, see President Buhari’s choice of Bawa as EFCC Chairman as another commendable feat meant to impact the younger generation and take the anti-corruption war to the next level. It showed Mr President’s responsiveness to the demand that the younger generations in the country should be allowed to lead. 

The rush with which looters and wailers have set out to taint the nominee’s image even before the Senate has properly screened and confirmed him is confirmation that Mr President got his act right as always. This haste to disparage Mr President’s appointments has become customary for the enemies of Nigeria who persistently try to compromise anyone they see as an asset to Mr President success in fighting corruption. 

We find it reassuring that the EFCC has come out as an institution to debunk the fake news that was deployed against Bawa upon the announcement of his nomination. The lie that the nominee sold off impounded trucks to cronies became laughable the moment the EFCC was able to swiftly establish that Bawa was no longer at the Port-Harcourt office of the Commission as at the time the forfeited truck was auctioned and that even if he was still the head of that office a specialized department of the EFCC was responsible for managing impounded or forfeited assets. 

It is of note that Peoples Gazette, which published the fake news, has lately been at the forefront of a malicious campaign to malign public office holders that are positively contributing to the success of President Buhari’s government. It was therefore not surprising that the publication attempted to tarnish Bawa’s reputation with an alleged crime for which the actual culprits have been sanctioned. 

We urge Nigerians to disregard the fake news being promoted by Peoples Gazette while seeking out correct facts to inoculate themselves against the series of other lies that those behind this campaign of calumny will attempt to use to mislead the nation in the days ahead until the Senate confirms the nominee. Other platforms will be deployed to strengthen the unfolding disinformation and misinformation campaign that is meant to divert attention from the desperate attempts by looters to set the country back.

PFN remains grateful to President Buhari for the consistent manner in which he has resisted the pressure from looters and wailers that want him to abandon the war on corruption. They desire to return to the regime of business as usual, when they were able to corner the commonwealth for personal gains without anyone challenging them. We are confident that such an era is past and can never again return to Nigeria with a young person like Bawa set to entrench an anti-corruption legacy that has sight in the future. 

As we congratulate Bawa on his nomination, we assure him that Nigerians, particularly the youth whose future corruption threatens, are with him and he should not be swayed by the antics of those that are already in dread of the bite he is bringing to the anti-corruption war.

Much Ado About Tunde Sabiu’s Employment In NIA

By Philip Agbese

These are indeed interesting times in Nigeria. I am beginning to believe that it is now an occupation for some individuals and groups to imagine things and pass their imagination to the general public without thinking of the implication of their actions.
The latest in town that got me on the floor rolling is the news making the rounds that the personal assistant to the President, Tunde Sabiu has been appointed an assistant director in the elite National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
This is indeed interesting and I dare say anyone that must have cooked up this story is indeed a legend for coming up with such that is capable of making Nigerians believe that we are still in the year 2020.

I must confess that after reading the news, I asked myself some questions about the challenges of mental health in Nigeria. I am of the considered opinion that some people are undergoing mental health challenges even without their knowledge. I say this because for anyone to have thought it wise that the personal assistant to the president would be employed as an assistant director in one of the country’s most strategic security outfit is a blow below the belt and possibly a sign of hallucination.
Several questions ran through my mind so much so that I wondered how we got it wrong and why some persons would take delight in spreading mischief in the country recklessly. I am not convinced that such a thing would ever happen because, for starters, Tunde Sabiu is not conversant with the operations of the National Intelligence Agency.
I am also aware that the NIA as an agency is tasked with overseeing foreign intelligence and counterintelligence operations. I am also aware that Tunde Sabiu does not have the requisite qualification or expertise to be employed in such an organization and with the position of assistant director.
Let us assume the news is true, what department would he fit in? Is he going to be redeployed from the Office of the President to the National Intelligence Agency? This is just one piece of awful news since the beginning of 2021. If not for anything I have my suspicion that the target is not Tunde Sabiu, but rather President Muhammadu Buhari in the attempt to paint him as despotic leader and promoting nepotism.

This might not be far-fetched in the sense that in recent times there have been scathing attacks on the personality of President Muhammadu Buhari with some insinuating that he is the president for a select few and not the generality of Nigerians. What more can be unpleasant than this.

And now, the polity is awash with news that Tunde Sabiu has gained employment with the National Intelligence Agency out of the blues, and even without merit. I am still in awe of how such a thing would happen in a country such as Nigeria.
When such anomalies are allowed to thrive in Nigeria the consequences might be severe in the sense that lots of misleading information would thrive at the expense of the truth. This is what aroused my concern with the Tunde Sabiu employment news. And to think that a large segment of the population believed the mischief was worrisome.

I think this remains unfair for the young man that is devoted to his job. I am not sure he has any reason to want to be involved in such mischief and I equally do not believe that President Muhammadu Buhari would encourage such under his watch.
This much Tunde Sabiu knows and why he would not undertake to be involved in such an anomaly that would bring disrepute to the administration. At this point, it is expedient that issues are put in proper perspective to douse the tension already created by the obvious fake news.
I will say this again, Tunde Sabiu cannot be employed in the National Intelligence Agency under whatever circumstance because he has no such experience in security issues. Moreover, the NIA is involved in serious business at the international scene and as such there the entrenchment of professionalism.
I am also of the considered view that Tunde Sabiu is the latest victim of the slander campaign of key members of the present administration. President Muhammadu Buhari has had his fair share, and likewise others. But in all of them, that of Tunde Sabiu is the most hilarious because it roundly defeats common sense.
Nigerians must do well to differentiate between truth and falsehood especially in this era of fake news where anything goes, especially in the social media space. This once again reinforces why there should be some form of regulation of contents in the social media space because we must be cognizant of the fact that people react to issues differently.
Having said all, it would be wise for Tunde Sabiu to come out and clear the air at the risk of giving the impression that after all the news is true. I don’t think that would be too much for him to undertake given the fact that his reputation and by extension that of his boss are at stake. And for those spreading falsehood, they need to get some mental health evaluation before things get out of control because saying Tunde Sabiu has gained employment as an assistant director in the National Intelligence Agency is tantamount to saying that the capital of Nigeria is Accra. A word is indeed enough for the wise.

Agbese is a an author and public affairs commentator writing from Abuja.

Time has left you in darkness, Nabena taunts Lai Moh’d

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Yekini Nabena, has described the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed as a total failure in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nabena also said time has left the Minister behind in the scheme of things in APC, adding that he (Mohammed) can no longer catch up with time unless he work with his governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara state.

Lai Mohammed had called Yekini Nabena an impostor for advising him to work with his Kwara state governor and allow peace to reign in the ongoing nationwide membership registration and revalidation exercise of the party.

But replying the Minister in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, Nabena insisted that “Lai Mohammed should go back to his state chapter (Kwara) if he still relevant there and work with the governor and other stakeholders for his voice to be heard at national level.”

According to Nabena, Lai Mohammed and his gang are calling for the cancellation of the registration exercise for their selfish interest, adding that “the details of evil plans to destroy the APC by the likes of the minister has been exposed and the party leadership is fully aware.

“At the right time, Lai Mohammed and his gang will be exposed and Nigerians will then know the real impostor, that time is sooner.”

On the allegation of imposition, Nabena said Lai Mohammed does not understand that “NEC can’t commit suicide and give birth to Caretaker Committee because it is the highest body of the party. Even the President, the governors, Senate President and the Speaker are all nembers of the NEC. So, if NEC commits suicide that shows there is no more party.

“Time has left Lai Mohammed behind and he can’t catch up with time.

Lai Mohammed and his fifth columnists are the biggest problems of this administration. As the Minister of Information and Culture that suppose to explain the policies and programmes, including remarkable achievements of this administration to Nigerians, Lai Muhammed has failed woefully. Whatever he says is considered as a lie. If not, Lai should tell Nigerians what has been his contributions in the last five years,” Nabena challenged the Minister.

The Bayelsa born politician, however said for Lai Mohammed to know the real impostor, he should ask himself and his fifth columnists gang within the APC that are bearing names that are not in the party’s constitution.”

EFCC: Group lauds Buhari over Bawa’s appointment, seeks fair screening

The Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the nomination of Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, as the new helmsman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

By the appointment, the 40-year-old Bawa becomes the youngest person to chair the Commission.

In a statement released on Monday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Femi Adesina, the President asked the Senate to confirm Bawa’s appointment to replace the suspended acting chairman of the Commission Ibrahim Magu.

Responding to the appointment through a statement signed by the Chairman of the anti-corruption group, Comrade Prince Kpokpogri, described the choice of Bawa as the best thing to have happened at the leadership level of the EFCC.

Kpokpogri, who is also the Publisher of Integrity Watchdog Magazine said the Bawa’s 16 years of experience on the job will be an added advantage to the Commission.

“For us in the civil society, we are happy the President Muhammadu Buhari has considered Abdulrasheed Bawa fit to head EFCC. We have agitated severally that a career officer within the Commission should be given a chance. We are thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for given us a listening ear.

“Having served and grew under all EFCC past chairpersons, starting with Nuhu Ribadu, who recruited the first set of civilians into EFCC (including Bawa) in 2005, the competence of Bawa is not in doubt.

“Bawa was trained by the FBI, KPMG and many other institutions in the UK, United States and Nigeria.

“Bawa has led a number of key corruption and financial crimes investigations including the infamous case of former Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, the case of former Niger State governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu and that of the Controversial crude oil swap. He was also involved in the investigation of petroleum subsidy fraud (2012-2015).

“Bawa has headed EFCC zonal offices in Ibadan and Port Harcourt between June 2018 and December 2019. From Port Harcourt, Bawa was posted to Abuja as head of Capacity Development Division of the EFCC Academy, Karu.”

The forum, however called on the Senate to give the new EFCC boss fear screening.

“It is a new down in EFCC. We are appealing to the Senate to consider Bawa worthy of this position by giving him a fair screening and confirmation.

“We also appeal to the Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders to cooperate and work with the new EFCC boss.”

According to Kpokpogri, Bawa has a listening ear and will always ready to consult and carry all the stakeholders along.

“Having interacted and listened to him in several occasions, the new EFCC will bring about fresh air at EFCC,” Kpokpogri assured.

Sadiya Farouq: That special touch in cabinet

By Philip Agbese

Unmistakably, President Muhammadu Buhari has an unquenchable obsession with the plight of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians. A pivotal aspect of his leadership of the nation is to ensure, platforms are erected for less privileged Nigerians to also have access to the nation’s commonwealth, and relish economic empowerment or be assisted through government support schemes to live meaningful lives.

It is evident in the policies and actions of his administration, which have become more pronounced especially in this journey to the #NextLevel. The pursuit of this agenda led to creation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHDS), immediately he was re-elected and inaugurated into office for a second tenure.

And anytime, President Buhari puts his heart to a project, he guns for the best hands to entrust with the work. Therefore, Mr. President appointed an experienced administrative amazon, a compassionate woman, an exact replica of Mother Theresa, an amiable mother and astute manager of human beings and resources, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq to oversee the affairs of the multi-tasked new ministry.

Since Sadiya Farouq took over the dais, together with her team in the ministry, ably supported by the President, they have given a special touch and a new face to the management of humanitarian affairs in the country. Nigeria is a country with multiple humanitarian challenges, from natural disasters to man-made problems. The issues are a dozen, which every day and every hour requires the attention of government to alleviate the hardships or bring succour to distressed Nigerians.

However, it is amazing that though Minister Sadiya Farouq met piles of problems when she assumed office; but she effectively combined the setting up of the structures of a new office as well as responding to both old and fresh humanitarian challenges assailing Nigeria. FMHDS merely clocked a year of operations August 2020.

But regardless of the short time of its existence, and the encumbrances, a peek into the scoresheet of the ministry, pricks anyone very strongly that Hajiya Sadiya Farouq is a special and unique personage in the #NextLevel cabinet of President Buhari. She is factually a blessing to the country and the people.

Nigerians are reaping bountifully from the Minister’s hard work, commitment, straightforwardness and impartial treatment of all Nigerians without succumbing to the temptation of greasing the nation’s faultlines in the patriotic discharge of this national assignment. She works round the clock and personally visits scenes of disasters with her team of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at any instance of disaster to berth succour to distressed people.

FMHDS is unarguably, one of the largest federal ministries, with several agencies under its supervision, but the Honourable Minister has proved herself impressively as an administrator who is equal to the task. To her, it is treading on a familiar terrain, and she does not dread any obstacle, but scores the goals neatly in accordance with her targets.

Whether it is in implementing the functions of NEMA in quick responses to natural or artificial disasters or partnering with the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to wipe away the tears of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in insurgency-ravaged communities, the workaholic Sadiya Farouq has lived her covenant with the masses of Nigeria.

Most notably, as a focal member of the Presidential Task Force on Covid -19 pandemic, Minister Sadiya excellently coordinated Governments responses to the people over the pandemic. She performed this duty in strict adherence to Presidential directives to the Ministry for interventions in providing palliatives to the poor and vulnerable groups throughout the country.

The distribution of the multiple packages of Covid-19 palliatives during the lockdown to the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, seemed an arduous task, but the Minister conquered the sabotaging demons who plotted to frustrate it and met the expectations of Mr. President in this sensitive assignment.

Each state of the federation got its exact share of the palliatives, without distortions and timely. The minister personally visited most states of the federation and supervised the humanitarian interventions and distributions of assorted palliatives packages to the most vulnerable in the society such as refugees, IDP’s, People Living with Disabilities, Older Persons, Trafficked Persons, Orphans, the poorest of the poor and the petty traders amongst others.

Sadiya Farouq has improved and added value to all the schemes domiciled in the Ministry. She has been able to graduate and discharge Batches A & B of the N-Power programme and has kick-started the Batch C of the scheme. And nearly 110, 000 beneficiaries of the dispatched N-Power jobs beneficiaries have established personal businesses.

And through the thoughtful initiatives of the Honourable Minister, thousands of the N-Power beneficiaries have been engaged as aggregators for the Home- Grown School Feeding Programme. Under her supervision, N-Power program is meeting its mandate of net reduction in youth unemployment figures and she has put modalities in place to sustain it to greater impacts.

A foresighted administrator, Sadiya Farouq has birthed the Civil Security Coordination Framework (CSCF) and in progression, also created the National Humanitarian Coordination Forum (NHCF), Humanitarian Policy Dialogue to create a seamless plank for the operations and conduct of all humanitarian interventions across the country by the ministry.

By her progressive initiatives too, the Minister is at the last stages of establishing the National Disability Commission (NDC) and the National Senior Citizens Center (NSCC) to entrench holistic means and channels of flow of Government humanitarian interventions to the targeted groups devoid of hitches. Only a gifted leader would think of durable and permanent structures in the execution of her assignment as exemplified by the Minister.

The FMHDS’s torchlight on one of the Social Investment Programme planks; the Government Enterprise & Empowerment Programme (GEEP) designed to intervene over the challenges of credit and financial inclusion for the over 37 million Nigerians has been most outstanding. It has greatly assisted countless Nigerians from the economic meltdown in the era of Covid-19 epidemic.

It has empowered over 2.3 million such micro-enterprises with interest-free loans to grow their businesses and climbed the ladder as the largest global public microcredit scheme and recognized by African Bankers with the award of the “Most Impactful Micro Credit Programmme in the whole of Africa. Owners of small businesses are loudly attesting to the Minister’s patriotic service to the nation.

And the Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) has become the biggest fish in the pond under the direction of Sadiya Farouq in expansion and enrolment figures. She has not only brought states like Zamfara and Abia previously excluded in the scheme on board; but has also upped the enrolment capacity and number of the Poor and Vulnerable Households to incredible figures of millions of direct beneficiaries.

Presently, Minister Sadiya Farouq is disbursing Cash grant to rural women in Kwara and other states. It is a programme with the window of one-off grant to vulnerable women in rural communities and the expansive framework is projected to cover 150,000 poor rural women across the 36 states of the federation including the FCT. It is an unexpected relief to these less privileged Nigerian women at their doorsteps.

And Sadiya Farouq is the force and the shadows, propelling the marvelous rebuilding and development projects aggressively being executed by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) under the Rapid Response Intervention (RRI) plan, an integral master plan by President Buhari to rebuild the region, which is ravaged by insurgency.

With Boko Haram terrorists reduced to size in the Northeast region by the Nigerian Military and restoration of peace and security, the whole region has become a huge constructions site. About 224 developmental projects spread across 112 Local government areas across the six states of Northeast are currently ongoing; while others have been completed in the areas of education, health, social infrastructures, integrated agricultural programmes and WASH.

Through this clear-cut FMHDS’s partnership with NEDC, its Managing Director, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, another tireless and focused administrator is providing steady back-up support to the Minister to bring solace to the troubled and traumatized peoples of the region who have suffered years of destructions to personal and public properties by rampaging terrorists campaigners. Currently, NEDC has voted N6 billion and dispensing same as annual grants on scholarship for students in the region.

So, tshose only interested in concocting falsehoods against President Buhari or who embark on the campaigns of calumny when they fail to frustrate his laudable programmes targeted at the poor of the poorest and vulnerable groups cannot blight reality. The beneficiaries drawn indiscriminately for the empowerment schemes and relief programmes express appreciations to President Buhari and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs at the slightest opportunity.

The haters can continue to chant meaningless songs; but Minister Sadiya Farouq and her able team of subordinates at in NEDC, NEMA and other agencies under the ministry have redefined the face of humanitarian interventions and disasters management in Nigeria irrefutably.

Agbese is a human rights activist and wrote from Abuja.

Blackmail: Prove your allegation against South-south leaders, group tells Ude

The South-south Emerging Leaders Forum (SELF) has warned the publisher of an online medium Pointblanknews.com Jackson Ude, to stop “his blackmail against some leaders of the South-south extraction or face the consequence.”

A statement signed Monday by the Secretary of the forum, Dr Preye Johnson, asked Ude to prove his recent allegation against the Minister of State for Petroleum Chief Timipre Sylva and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Local Content Board Engr. Simbi Wabote.

Ude through his Pointblanknews.com medium recently accused the duo of bribery scandal in the choice of Saipem, an Italian company in Bonny NLNG Train 7 contract.

But responding to the allegation, SELF wondered “why Ude has always been blackmailing appointees from the region, adding that people from other regions will rather embrace their own in government rather than tarnish their image”.

The group, however, called on Nigerians to throw such allegation, described as malicious into the dustbin, adding that the duo of Timipre Sylva and Simbi Wabote have not committed any wrongdoing in discharging their constitutional duties.

“We strongly condemn the allegation leveled by Pointblanknews.com and its sponsors, this is highly condemnable and viewed as a sponsored plot to instigate hate against the Minister and derail his concentrations. This is ridiculous and belittling of Jackson Ude, the face behind this blackmail for being petty to the ground level for publishing tissues of lies about the persons of Timipre Sylva and Simbi Wabote.

“Nigerians should not believe this and throw it into the dust bin.
It’s incumbent on all well-meaning Nigerians to support the positive drive of the Minister and collaborate with him, towards the actualization of the onerous task at stake.”

The forum specifically asked the Publisher of the online medium to prove his allegation beyond blackmail, alleging that ” the controversial Jackson Ude is afraid to return to Nigeria because of his shadow”.

The forum said: “it will henceforth resist criminality by deploying all known instrumental of law to fight the faces behind these tissues of lies.”

State of the Nation: PDP is pot calling kettle black – Coalition

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been likened to a pot calling a kettle black following its criticism of the current administration. 

The Coalition of Buhari Friends and Supporters (CBFS) described the PDP’s claim of collapse under the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the height of insanity and an indication that the opposition and all that they represent wants to take Nigerians for a ride in their typical manner. 

The group made these known in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Anthony Agada, on Sunday. 

The CBFS said the PDP is attempting to force Nigerians to forget their despicable performance while they held sway.

According to the group, the opposition is economical with the truth over claims that the APC-led government has not done enough to address the security challenges in the country. 

The Buhari coalition further hailed the present administration for being outstanding in clearing the mess left behind by the PDP in the past five years, so much so that the country has witnessed tangible gains in critical sectors of the economy. 

The group, however, called on the PDP to tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians over its puerile attempt at castigating the efforts of the Buhari-led administration in setting Nigeria on the path of greatness. 

The CBFS also warned the opposition to desist from this despicable attempt at insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians still healing from the locust years brought upon the country by successive PDP administrations.  

Read the full statement below:

The Coalition of Buhari Friends and Supporters is alarmed that the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP) is in the news for the wrong reason in a most bizarre attempt to further insult the sensibilities of Nigerians in their latest diatribe against the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in Nigeria. 

The suggestion that the country is fast collapsing due to the failure of the APC-led federal government to effectively manage the economy, administer the complex political and sectional nuances of the nation as well as lack of capacity to confront terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers ravaging our country is the height of insanity and an indication that the PDP and all that they represent wants to take Nigerians for a ride in their typical manner. 

The Coalition of Buhari Friends and Supporters is constrained to lend a voice to this postulations because it smacks of derision, mischief, and gross insensitivity to Nigeria and Nigerians given the fact that our memory is still fresh with the 16 years of PDP misrule that indeed set the country back hundreds of years.  

It is our considered opinion that the PDP is indeed attempting to force Nigerians to forget in a hurry their despicable performance while they held sway that saw to the destruction of institutions of governance that led to a collapsed economy and the entrenchment of ethnoreligious suspicion amongst the various religious and ethnic groups in Nigeria. 

The PDP is indeed economical with the truth in their assertion that the APC led federal government hasn’t done enough to address the security challenges in the country which were largely a result of their rudderless leadership in Nigeria from 1999 to 2015 when the people decided to take their destinies in their hands by voting overwhelmingly for President Muhammadu Buhari to rescue Nigeria from drifting further to the bottomless pit of despair. 

Nigerians must be aware that it is indeed a statement of the fact that the PDP had the golden opportunity of fixing the country yet failed in the areas of the economy, security, and infrastructure at a time that the nation witnessed an oil boom.

If this remains the case, then one wonders why the PDP would have the temerity to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians through outright falsehood and insinuations that defeats commonsense. Unless the PDP has forgotten that under watch, the Boko Haram insurgent group began a violent campaign against Nigeria that led to an uncountable loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties in North-East Nigeria, as well as other parts of the country. 

We wish to remind the PDP that under watch, large swathes of Nigerian territory were under the control of Boko Haram insurgents (over 16 local government areas). Also, major cities across Nigeria were under constant attack so much so that key government infrastructures were attacked including the headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force, as well as the headquarters of the United Nations in Nigeria.  

That no local government area in Nigeria is under the control of Boko Haram insurgents if not for anything should remind the PDP that the Muhammadu Buhari administration has displayed an unalloyed commitment to addressing the security challenges in the country. 

The Coalition of Buhari Friends and Supporters frowns at the intentional forgetfulness of the PDP, and thus failing to realize that the Muhammadu Buhari administration has been outstanding in clearing the mess left behind by the PDP in the past five years, so much so that the country has witnessed tangible gains in critical sectors of the economy, including the volatile security sector. 

We must learn to call a spade a spade as the PDP has no moral right to judge the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari even as it is evident that it left behind a country on the brink of annihilation in 2015. 

We also wish to remind the PDP that under its watch, corruption was entrenched so much so that humongous amount of monies meant for the prosecution of the war against insurgency ended in private pockets as we were regaled with tales of how billions of Naira was siphoned and the nation bleed profusely until the APC government came to the rescue through the various revelations that came to the public space. 

The state of the economy under the 16 years of PDP misrule was abysmal so much that it necessitated the international community calling for caution in the management of the economy of Nigeria at the risk of Nigeria deteriorating into a failed state.   

The Coalition of Buhari Friends and Supporters consequently views the PDP invective as a case of a pot calling kettle black because the various allusions were the hallmark of the 16 years of acute misrule while they held sway of governance in Nigeria. 

We are consequently using this medium for development. 

Group condemns Ortom’s letter to Buhari, says could stoke tension

Foundation for Equity and Justice (FEJ) has condemned Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State as displaying penchant for stoking the fire of religious and ethnic tension with his recent letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ortom had accused the president of not doing enough to halt the herders-farmers conflict in Benue and insecurity in the country. 

But the Foundation for Equity and Justice noted that Ortom aims to cause panic in the state and then point fingers at the Federal Government. 

In a statement signed Friday by its Secretary-General, Raymond Oralu, the group said the governor, being a “herdsman” wants to monopolize cattle business in his state and would go to any length to secure that. 

According to the foundation, Ortom’s claims that Buhari is a Fulani president is an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians. 

The group, however, advised the Benue governor to desist from making unguarded and unsubstantiated statements in the press and concentrate on the task of governance. 

The statement further called on the Ortom to explain how he amassed assets worth over N200b in five years when it is a known fact that under him civil servants are being owed several months’ salaries and arrears.  

While calling on relevant authorities to investigate Ortom, the foundation said the governor should be held responsible for the escalation of farmers-herders conflict in Benue and environs. 

Read the full statement below:

The Foundation for Equity and Justice is issuing this press statement given the statement credited to the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom on the farmers-herders conflict in Benue state and other parts of the country. 

Governor Samuel Ortom with his recent statement confirmed to Nigerians that he indeed harbours sinister motive against the Muhammadu Buhari administration concerning the farmers-herders conflict in Benue State and its environs. 

What the generality of Nigerians does not know is that Governor Samuel Ortom is a herdsman who is actively involved in the cattle business since he became governor of the state. It is also common knowledge that he has been ferocious in taking control of the cattle business in Benue State and its environs hence his frequent castigation of the policies of the federal government towards the restoration of peace amongst farmers and herders in the state. 

The Foundation for Equity and Peace as a body is aware of the plot by Governor Samuel Ortom to stoke tension in Benue state and thereafter point accusing fingers at the Muhammadu Buhari administration. 

The recent statement where he posited that President Muhammadu Buhari is president only for the Fulanis is an insult to our collective sensibilities as a people for it is not only derogatory, it is an affront to our commonsense as a people. 

The performance of Governor Samuel Ortom in Benue State is indeed woeful and as such he has elected to be clever by half by stoking ethnic tension in the state and craftily shifting attention from his inadequacies. 

We wish to advise Governor Samuel Ortom to desist from making unguarded and unsubstantiated statements in the press and concentrate on the task of governance in Benue state towards availing the good people of the state the dividends of democracy. 

Governor Samuel Ortom must also do well to explain how in five years he has amassed assets worth over 200 billion Naira when it is a known fact that under him civil servants are being owed several months’ salaries and arrears.  

Governor Samuel Ortom is indeed the definition of corruption and multiple pieces of evidence indicate how he has continued to divert the resources of Benue State to private pockets while the people suffer untold hardship. 

The Foundation for Equity and Justice is using this medium to call on the relevant security agencies to beam their light on Benue State towards unravelling how Governor Samuel Ortom has been fuelling insecurity in Benue State and environs. 

The security agencies must also unravel how he has been arming ethnic militia groups that have been perpetrating violence under the cover of the state government on innocent people across the state and neighbouring states. 

We know that Governor Samuel Ortom would stop at nothing to ensure that he monopolizes the cattle business in the state hence his penchant for conflict that has continued to put the lives of innocent people at risk daily. 

We find such disposition from a governor of a state who should know better that part of his responsibilities is to protect the people and not subject them to a reign of terror which has remained the hallmark of his administration. 

Governor Samuel Ortom must as a matter of necessity stop playing the gallery on the farmers-herders crisis when it is evident that he is the main instigator of the conflict in fulfilment of his selfish desires which remains a crime against humanity. 

We hereby call on all Nigerians to hold Governor Samuel Ortom responsible for the escalation of the farmers-herders conflict in Benue state and environs as we have it on credible authority that he plans to extend his nefarious activities to other states in the country. 

Nigerians must also be aware that the notoriety of Governor Samuel Ortom is legendary since his days in politics as he has been actively involved in promoting deprivation, sorrow, tears, and blood.  

The Foundation for Equity and Justice is calling on Governor Samuel Ortom to retrace his steps and seek forgiveness from the people of Benue state whose lives he has turned beggarly since he assumed leadership of the state. 

He must also realize that time is indeed running out for him as his gimmicks are now in the public domain and as such no amount of propaganda can erase the hard truths with regards to his penchant for stoking religious and ethnic tension. 

This is a statement of the fact and we stand by our position. 

LGBTQI: NIFROP chides Biden, says threat contravenes sovereignty, democracy

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) has frowned at U.S president, Joe Biden’s threat of sanction on countries opposed to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) laws.

The leadership of the renowned inter-religious group, at a press conference, on Friday, in Abuja, said Biden’s stance is anti-democratic and contrary to the sovereignty nations of the world should enjoy. 

In his first foreign policy speech, the new president ordered all U.S government agencies active abroad to promote the rights of LGBTQI people and to come up with plans within 180 days. 

Among others, Biden threatened financial and travel ban to countries like Nigeria with Same-Sex-Marriage (Prohibition) laws. 

But making its stance known through Director, Public Enlightenment, Bishop Ugo Ugokwe, NIFROP cautioned Biden that Nigeria’s values and beliefs do not encourage relationships between same-sex sexual partners. 

The cleric wondered that as the so-called ‘God’s own country’, the U.S has completely negated the teachings of the Bible with regards to same-sex cohabitation. 

NIFROP, however, in strong terms rejected the position of the U.S, adding that it views the threat as “despicable and must be retracted with an unreserved apology to the Nigerian people”. 

As a sovereign nation, it reminded the United States that Nigeria deserves the right to initiate policies that protect the interest of the generality of its people. 

According to the group, the issue of LGBTQI remains a matter of values and beliefs and not compulsion evident in the threat issued by the Joe Biden administration.

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace further called on all well-meaning individuals and countries to resist this threat. 

Read the full statement below:

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) welcomes you all to this press conference in light of the recent statement issued by the United States of America threatening to impose financial and visa sanctions on countries that fail to offer protection to LGBTQI people worldwide. 

It is imperative to state that the stance of the United States of America toward the entrenchment of rights for lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning is indeed questionable as it infringes on the sovereignty of nations, including Nigeria. 

The President of the United States of America has displayed a gross disregard for the sovereignty of Nigeria by stating that when “When foreign governments move to restrict the rights of LGBTQI+ persons or fail to enforce legal protections in place, thereby contributing to a climate of intolerance, agencies engaged abroad shall consider appropriate responses, including using the full range of diplomatic and assistance tools and, as appropriate, financial sanctions, visa restrictions, and other actions”.

This is on the heels that Nigeria is a sovereign country that is governed by laws just like the United States of America. The anti-gay laws in Nigeria prescribe between 10 and 14 years in prison for anyone caught flouting the law either by cohabitation between same-sex sexual partners, public show of same-sex relationship, registration, operation, or participation in gay clubs, societies, and organization, amongst others.

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace is obliged to state that our values and beliefs do not encourage relationships between same-sex sexual partners for it runs afoul of the biblical injunction in the Book of Romans 1: 26-27 “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.” This was further emphasized in the Book of Leviticus 18:22 “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.”

It thus remains that the United States of America that claims to be God’s own country has completely negated the teachings of the Bible with regards to same-sex cohabitation and therefore it is an affront to our sensibilities as Nigerians for the United States to want to impose such on Nigerians. 

We completely reject the position of the United States of America in this regard and view the threat to impose sanctions as despicable and must be retracted with an unreserved apology to the Nigerian people. 

Nigeria as a sovereign country deserves the right to initiate policies that protect the interest of the generality of the Nigerian people and it suffices to state that same-sex relationships are not one of the values that we hold going by our orientation as a people from time immemorial. 

The United States of America must understand that even in their country, there are divergent opinions on same-sex as evident in the stance of the immediate past administration of President Donald Trump, wherein it weakened the protection for LGBT community by rolling back non-discrimination protections for such people seeking the services of health and welfare programs funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services.  

The implication is that the issue of LGBT remains a matter of values and beliefs and not compulsion evident in the threat issued by the Joe Biden administration which by all intent and purposes is capable of threatening the fragile peace experienced in the world. 

The United States of America must do well not to impose its belief system on independent countries, Nigeria inclusive because that would amount to a fundamental breach typical of intolerant and dictatorial countries on the sovereignty of countries of the world. 

It remains an undemocratic act that must not be allowed to thrive because of the larger consequences in the future. The United States of America must do well to respect the rights of countries unless it intends to return to colonialism through the back door.  

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace is stating that the threats issued by the United States of America is misplaced and herby advise the President of the United States of America to follow the path of caution in the introduction and implementation of policies as it concerns other sovereign countries in the world. 

The directive to the State Department to include anti-LGBTQ violence, discrimination, and laws in its annual human rights report is an anomaly that should be resisted by all well-meaning individuals and countries. 

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace stands firm in condemning the stance of the United States of America and wishes to emphasize that under no circumstance should the government of Nigeria succumb to any form of pressure through threats of sanctions. 

We thank you for your time and attention in this regard. 

God bless Nigeria. 

Associating President Buhari with killer herdsmen a disservice to Nigeria – NCYF

The Northern Christian Youth Forum (NCYF) has frowned at some section of Nigerians linking President Muhammadu Buhari with killer herdsmen in parts of the country. 

The group said those behind this are ignorant and are out to heat the polity unnecessarily with their despicable diatribe.

According to the group, this is the handiwork of enemies of Nigeria that are desirous of an ethnoreligious war by casting aspersion on the image of President Buhari. 

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, Secretary-General, Rev. Josiah Adam, said from all interactions, President Buhari is leading with the fear of God. 

Rev Adam noted that the president is not head of a religious or ethnic group but the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and this much he has exhibited in his actions and inactions since he assumed office. 

The group, however, advised “those at the forefront of this dishonourable campaign to discontinue forthwith and seek forgiveness from Nigerians for attempting to promote religious tension in the country”. 

It noted that instead, they should preoccupy their minds on how to extend support to the Buhari administration in delivering the dividends of democracy at this critical point of the country’s existence. 

Read the full statement below: 

The Northern Christian Youth Forum receives calls by some segment of the country associating President Muhammadu Buhari with the activities of killer herdsmen in some parts of the country with absolute disbelief.  

The allegations are most uncharitable and an indication that indeed there is more than meets the eye in the news making the round with regards to the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in parts of the country. 

The Northern Christian Youth Forum as a body of youths of Northern extraction conversant with the happenings in the region wishes to emphasize that those associating President Muhammadu Buhari with acts of violence are ignorant and out to heat the polity unnecessarily with their diatribe which from all indication is despicable and a disservice to his noble efforts in putting Nigeria on the right track. 

President Muhammadu Buhari from all indications cannot be associated with killer herdsmen in any form for the fact that it defeats common sense. It remains baffling that some individuals and associations would make such allegations in this age and time. 

The Northern Christian Youths Forum from all our interactions and engagements is aware of the efforts of Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in leading with the fear of God and how he has been fair to all concerned as the President of the country. 

We wish to inform members of the unsuspecting general public that President Muhammadu is not the president of a religious group or an ethnic group, but the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and this much he has exhibited in his actions and inactions since he assumed leadership of the country. 

The Northern Christian Youths Forums is alarmed that the slander campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari has assumed a dangerous dimension that requires sober reflection on how we got it wrong in the country. 

This is on the heels that the various instruments of governance in Nigeria provide for checks and balances and there is no way such an anomaly can stand if at all it exists. We are tempted to state further that the allegation remains a figment of the imagination. 

As a body that is conversant with the happenings in the country, we wish to state in unequivocal terms that this remains the handiwork of enemies of Nigeria that are desirous of an ethnoreligious war in the country by casting aspersion on the image of President Muhammadu Buhari and his commitment to a strong and united Nigeria for all Nigerians regardless of ethnic and religious affiliations. 

We consequently wish to advise those at the forefront of this dishonourable campaign to discontinue forthwith and seek forgiveness from Nigerians for attempting to promote religious tension in the country. 

It is our considered opinion that what should preoccupy our minds is how to extend our support to the Muhammadu Buhari administration in delivering the dividends of democracy towards achieving sustainable growth and development in this critical point of our existence as a country. 

It suffices to add that since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed leadership of the country he has through his actions displayed that he belongs to nobody and belongs to everybody and as such it behoves on all well-meaning Nigerians to continue to extend support to the efforts at making Nigeria great for all of us. 

The Northern Christian Youth Forum is aware that the plot to assassinate the character of President Muhammadu Buhari is real and as such wishes to inform the generality of Nigerians to be circumspect with the activities of individuals and groups hiding under various nomenclatures to perpetrate evil in the country. 

It remains a statement of the fact that those at the forefront of this campaign are not happy with the gains recorded in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy and as such, they have been vehement in their resolve to make the country ungovernable because it is no longer business as usual in the conduct of government business. 

The position of the Northern Christian Youth Forum is hinged on facts on the ground and we consequently encourage Nigerians from all walks of life to continue to disregard the diatribe against the Muhammadu Buhari administration. 

There is no doubt with regards to the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari in ensuring that all acts of crime and criminalities are adequately addressed using the instrument of the law and in conformity with the relevant constitutional provisions. 

The Northern Christian Youth Forum is using the occasion of this press conference to pledge our continued support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in the various reforms introduced that have been impactful and beneficial to all sectors of the economy. 

Nigerians must also do well to ensure that they continue to support the president by ensuring that acts of religious and ethnic incitement are vehemently rejected in the interest of peace and tranquillity. 

Nigeria belongs to all and as such it behoves all of us to see the progress of Nigeria as a collective concern as we march towards sustainable growth and development. We must not succumb to cheap blackmail and character assassination from any quarters. 

Thank you all and may God continue to bless us all. 

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.