2019 Elections: We'll Play By The Rules, Amaechi Assures EU

Director General of the President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has assured the European Union (EU) that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would adhere strictly to the electoral laws in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

Amaechi also assured that President Muhammadu Buhari will accept the outcome of the elections that will be conducted by the electoral umpire.

The Buhari henchman gave the assurances when he received in audience the European Union delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS in Abuja, Wednesday.

Amaechi said, "One assurance I will give you today is that we'll stand by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and we will stand by whatever decision they make. We believe that we promised Nigerians change and I also believe that you can observe the change."

He recalled that at the peak of the 2015 general elections when he was still a serving governor, the former administration of President Goodluck Jonathan stripped him of his security detail and exposed him to series of attacks. 

"By this time in 2014/2015, when I was still in office as governor, I was on fire. Everybody was on my neck. The then President had withdrawn my security. My ADC and CSO were on the run, there was no police security and nobody cared. They didn't bother that I could be killed or attacked. I was attacked severally, I was attacked in Port Harcourt. But now, we believe the President that they were accusing that would be undemocratic because he is a retired Soldier is more democratic than a civilian that was elected in the past.

"During the Anambra State election, when the governor cried out that his ADC had been withdrawn, President Buhari ordered that the governor's ADC be reinstated immediately. So you see, that is the change we are talking about.

"So the assurance I will give you from President Buhari Campaign Organisation is that there will be no interference by the President. We'll play by the rules and whatever the campaign team needs to do to ensure that the election is transparent, we will do. We'll also ensure that the election is such that Nigerians will be proud of, and we hope that the rest who are contesting in other parties will also take the same position," Amaechi stated.

Earlier, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, Head of the European Union delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, explained that the EU would partner with Nigerians to organise credible polls in 2019.

He noted that the EU, was only concerned about the best electoral practices for Nigeria.

"We look forward to a good collaboration on this occasion of the 2019 general elections. We have had election observers in Nigeria for all general elections since 1999.

"For the EU, we really do not have any preferred candidate, we don't have any preferred political party, we don't promote any particular ideology in Nigeria. We are very concerned about having the best possible process in the country. We want to see free, fair, credible and peaceful election. So this is why we have invested not only our time but also a lot of European tax payers' money on engaging with all the Nigerian stakeholders since 1999.

"We have spent more than One hundred million Euros in giving support for electoral process. So currently, we support INEC, we support the National Assembly, we support intra-party democracy and we support all stakeholders. We had also engaged actively in the party primaries and this gives us reason about the optimism of INEC to conduct elections," Karlsen said.

AFRICMIL Asks EFCC, ICPC To Probe Videos Of Gov Ganduje Allegedly Receiving Bribe

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has called on anticorruption agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe video clips showing Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, allegedly receiving bribes from contractors.

AFRICMIL is a nongovernmental organisation working to promote accountability and good governance through whistle blowing and promotion of active citizens' participation.

In a statement by AFRICMIL's Coordinator, Chido Onumah, the organisation described the allegations against the governor as well as the video evidence as "too glaring to ignore."

The allegations came into the open following publication of video clips by online news platform, Daily Nigerian, which showed Gov Ganduje collecting and stashing in his clothe bundles of US dollar from someone purported to be a contractor.

"The allegations are weighty. The videos we have seen further lend credence to the accusation and have made the affair too serious to ignore," Onumah said.

He said the anticorruption agencies "should rise to the occasion by going to the root of this issue and possibly document evidence for eventual prosecution of all those found culpable."

"We are aware that the hands of the anti-corruption agencies are somehow tied by constitutional immunity enjoyed by Mr. Ganduje. This, however, does not stop them from conducting preliminary investigation into the matter," he noted.

According to Onumah, nothing in Section 308 of the constitution that gives immunity to the president and governors stops the anti-corruption agencies from interrogating Mr. Ganduje in the process of the investigation.

"Cases like this serve as litmus tests for the operational independence of our anticorruption agencies and political will of the government," Onumah noted. "ICPC and EFCC must thoroughly investigate these videos which have become national embarrassment and prepare ahead for eventual prosecution of Gov. Ganduje if he is found culpable."

The organisation commended Daily Nigerian for the exposure as well as the contractor who recorded the clips "for patriotic act of whistleblowing."

Police To Destroy 26,000 Illegal Firearms And Prohibited Weapons Before 2019 Elections

........The Force will no longer tolerate laxity on the part any Commissioner of Police who fails to be proactive in dealing with crisis and other violent crimes in their area of responsibilities

The Nigeria Police is to destroy 26,000 illegal firearms and prohibited weapons recovered in the mop-up operations of illegal firearms and prohibited weapons currently ongoing throughout the country before 2019 Elections.

This was made known Thursday, 1st November, 2018 during the Inspector General of Police Conference with Commissioners of Police at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

IGP Idris commended the CPs and their personnel for the hardwork in ensuring adequate security and safety of all Nigerians in their various jurisdictions, nationwide. He said that there is no doubt that the current security situation requires more efforts, commitment and dedication to sustain the level of peace and tranquillity that has been achieved by the Nigeria Police Force throughout the length and breadth of this country. 

"I hereby call on you to be steadfast and more committed to the protection of lives and property, preservation of law and order, prevention and detection of crimes and criminality throughout the country, Idris said.

"The recent crisis in Kaduna State and the Federal Capital Territory have been brought under control and normalcy restored, we must fine-tune and strengthen our strategies proactively to prevent such occurrences anywhere in the country. 

He further reitraited that Ninety Six suspects arrested by the Police for their active involvement in the crisis that occurred in Kaduna State leading to loss of innocent lives and destruction of public and private properties are being prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others while in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over Four Hundred members of the El-Zazakky Group Islamic Movement in Nigeria arrested for causing disturbance of public peace and setting ablaze of a Police patrol vehicle, with Thirty One bottles of petrol bombs and illicit drugs recovered from them are also being prosecuted for acts and offences prohibited under the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013. He emphasized that more patrol vehicles and Police personnel and equipment have been deployed to support the Kaduna and FCT Police Commands to sustain the peace and normalcy that have been restored.

On the Kaduna State crisis, the IGP said he has sent the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7 Headquarters, AIG Taiwo Lakanu to lead the intervention Force from the Force Headquarters and remain in Kaduna State to implement the new security arrangement and strategies to bring lasting and sustainable peace to Kaduna State and environs. 

"The political party primaries of all the Political parties have been held across the Country and the Police ensured peace and safety throughout the period. I therefore implore you to sustain the same level of performance in the upcoming 2019 General Election. 

"The Government and the People expect from us in ensuring security and safety of all Nigerians throughout the country as we go into the 2019 General Election, the Force will no longer tolerate laxity on the part any Commissioner of Police who fails to be proactive in dealing with crisis and other violent crimes in their Area of Responsibilities (AOR). We have to up our games of ensuring adequate security throughout the Country from now on to the election and beyond, Idris said.

The newly promoted Deputy Inspectors General of Police and Assistant Inspectors General of Police were also decorated. The IGP called on them to put in their best in their new dispositions. 

The Inspector General of Police used the opportunity to renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force in reducing crimes and criminalities in the Country to the barest remains unwavering. 

Masari Swears In Safiya As A New Permanent Secretary

The Katsina State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari has sworn in a new solicitor general and permanent secretary in the state ministry of justice.               

Katsina Media and Publicity reports that the new Parmanent Secretary is Barrister Safiya Badamasi Umar.

Speaking shortly after the oath taking, Masari recalled that the former chairman of Commission of inquiry into looted funds who worked with the new appointee described her as hardworking and dedicated civil servant.

Governor Masari charged judicial officers to maintain their position of being last hope of common man.

He however lamented that these days, some lawyers do not uphold the ethics of the profession.              

He reminded judicial officers that as Muslims, after the judgement in this world, there will be that of the hereafter.               

@katgovmedia reports that the swearing in ceremony was attended by the state Chief Judge, the State Grand Khadi, the Secretary to the State Government (SGS), Judges, Qadis, some members of the state executive council, some permanent secretaries and associates as well as relations of the appointee.

Shi'ites: 22 CSOs, NGOs Call For Immediate Proscription Of Islamic Sect

...warn politicians against using group for selfish reasons

The federal government of Nigeria has been asked to proscribe the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, otherwise known as Shi'ites without any further delay.

Over 22 bodies, compromising Civil Society organizations and Non-governmental organizations, which made the appeal on Thursday, said the call became imperative following the recent clashes between security agencies on lawful duty and the group where lives were lost and many injured.

The coalition also warned politicians against hijacking the group for selfish reason ahead of the 2019 general elections .

A statement jointly signed by the bodies, called on the United Nations and all relevant supranational bodies to warn those behind the IMN, who are domiciled in Iran to stop sponsoring terrorism on Nigeria soil. 

The groups also declared that failure of the Federal Government to act within the next 72 hours will force them to stage a mass protest in Abuja in few days to press home their demands, insisting that the group has become a threat to national security and citizens going about their peaceful life in the country. 

Comrade (Patriot) Adodo Solomon, Convener of the Assembly who spokeo behalf of 22 others warned that activities of the IMn must be curtailed before it snowball into hardened extremism and terrorism beyond Boko Haram.

According to him, another worrisome dimension is the revelation that members of the opposition in Nigeria have hijacked the activities of the IMN to destabilize the peace that citizens are currently enjoying. 

The statement reads below.

"On Saturday October 27, 2018 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) clashed with military personnel in Zuba, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The official statement from the military indicated members of the group had attempted to obstruct a military convoy transporting weapons with a view to snatching the consignment. 

"IMN’ official position was that its members were on a trek to storm Abuja with one million members to demand the release of their leader, Mr. Ibrahim El-Zakyzaky.

"The confrontation with the military continued on Sunday October 28, 2018 along the Kubwa Express Way as the IMN members again attempted to storm the nation’s capital. They attacked security personnel, which in turn necessitated the security personnel to take defensive steps.

"IMN issued a statement afterwards to malign the personnel they had attacked by lying that they overheard a conversation about “orders from above” for maximum force to be deployed against their members.

"Monday October 29, 2018 was rendered violent by IMN members, who surfaced this time around in the Karu/Nyanyan/Mararaba axis with the same goal of attempting to overwhelm Abuja in their numbers to carry out violent protests under the guise of demanding the release of El-Zakyzaky.

"This act of criminality forced hardworking Nigerians to trek long distances to get to their homes while children in the affected vicinity have been traumatized by the ringing of gunshots.

"On Tuesday October 30, 2018, IMN members breached the streets housing strategic government institutions and obstructed the free flow of traffic. This was done ostensibly to trigger a faceoff with security agencies but they were disappointed as their mischief is well known. In their determination to provoke security agencies, the IMN members set ablaze a police vehicle in Wuse 2 where they openly attacked security agents and other citizens randomly.

"Previous demonstrations or protests by IMN members were equally violent. There are enough video clips and pictures on the internet of these people attacking security and military personnel. As is the case now, some of these members carry weapons while a large number of them deploy projectiles of various forms that have left several persons hospitalized with life changing injuries.

"Another thing that stands out in the IMN violence is the destruction targeted at public and private property. In the last few days under consideration, they willfully destroyed cars belonging to law abiding Nigerians while also destroying vehicles belonging to law enforcement agents and the military.

''Furthermore, there is a pattern of these IMN members aiming their protests to spill into commercial areas, which gives us the sense that there could be a deliberate ploy to overrun businesses with the intention to loot and pillage.

"In the space of a few weeks, IMN is on the verge of adding Abuja to the list of countries that are not safe for international travel and investment. If they succeed in doing this or if we collectively permit it, then they would have assisted Iran in destroying Nigeria without invading us.

"It is of note that Kaduna State Government had outlawed the IMN as a militarized extremist group that is a clear danger to the society. This decision on the part of Kaduna state government followed the due process established by law and recognized by the constitution, including a Judicial Commission of Inquiry that indicted the IMN.

"Our groups have followed the interventions being made in this matter with keen interest and a large dose of concern chiefly because few organizations and individuals have been objective enough to condemn the acts of terrorism being committed by IMN. What has been dominant is people that are faulting an assumed state high handed response to curtail the destruction being unleashed by the extremists. 

"We recognize that some people that think they are being objective have in reality been manipulated by IMN propaganda, which was designed and developed offshore to be ruthlessly efficient. 

""The regime of fear, intimidation and sheer brigandage run by IMN in Zaria, Kaduna state before they were dislodged is well known across the country and it is not one that should be repeated in any other part of the world and certainly not in Abuja that is the unifying location for Nigerians.

"We therefore caution the appropriate military and security agencies that they have limited time to contain the lawlessness of IMN and take steps to make its members desist from fomenting forthwith. The demanded actions will include identifying the cell leaders that are coordinating these attacks on Nigerians and those with the duty of protecting them.

"Where the authorities fail to rein in the IMN we have no other option than to come out in full to demonstrate that it is not only IMN that has the monopoly to protest. We shall meet the extremist group on the street member for member until they learn to respect the secularity of Nigeria and the supremacy of the Nigerian constitution over dubious sectarian creeds. 

"We strongly advise that the Federal Government wakes up to its responsibility and proscribes the lawlessness terrorist organization that IMN has proven itself to be.  The hate speech by the organization must be curtailed immediately.  Failure for the Federal Government to act within the next 72 hours will force the CSOs in this coalition to stage a mass protest in Abuja on Monday next week. 

"The United Nations and all relevant supranational bodies are urged to warn the sponsors of IMN who are domiciled in Iran to stop sponsoring terrorism on Nigeria soil. If its sponsors believe that the poison that the group is spewing on the streets is good then they should give termless visas and one way flight tickets to the youths they have radicalized to come and take up practice in Iran."

2019: CSO rates Buhari above Atiku, other challengers, give reasons

As preparations heat up ahead of the 2019 general elections, Nigerians have been warned to be wary of candidates who would draw the nation back to dark age.

The New Initiative For Credible Leadership (NICreL), which gave the warning, said having carefully analysed those gunning for the office of the president, it observed that most of the aspirants were chasing personal interest.

The group said from its findings and observations, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, remains the best option to pilot the affairs of the entity called Nigeria for another four years after his first tenure in 2019.

Reverend Samson Onwu, Executive Director of group, why addressing the press on Thursday, noted that other presidential candidates such as Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Oby Ezekwesili, Donald Duke, were only chasing personal interest.

Onwu also cited some of the monumental achievements of the Buhari-led government to include; increase in foreign reserve, completion of abandons projects  as well improved security system.

The group's director, therefore, urged Nigerians to support the Buhari/Osinbajo mandate so perfect the real change the country deserves.

The statement reads in full.

As the 2019 general elections draw near. Different personalities have indicated intent and readiness to contest the next presidential elections. This is very normal and healthy for any thriving democracy. A robust participation is one of the signs of a healthy democracy.

We at the New Initiative For Credible Leadership (NICreL) consider The forth coming elections as very important one for the country. Various individuals have emerged as flag bearers for the different parties- Atiku Abubakar for the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP), Oby Ezekwisili for the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Donald Duke for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Muhammadu  Buhari for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a number of other contestants.

Having appraised all the candidates and carefully analyzed their different abilities vis a vis their various stints at public office, we at the New Initiative for Credible Leadership have reached the conclusion that NONE of them is a better option than President Buhari, judging by antecedents, performance and character. To appreciate this view, it is important that we take a look at where we were as a nation in 2015 and where we are now; by this, we will undoubtedly appreciate the progress made so far in our evolution as a nation.

We have heard a lot of propaganda here and there on the state of the nation and how that life was better under the PDP government than now. Nothing could be further from the truth than that statement.

By May 2015 23 states out of 36 states were owing several months of salary arrears. By May 2015 some federal government agencies owed up to two months in salaries. The insecurity in the country was so pronounced that it was basically the major issue in the presidential campaign of that year. 14 local governments about the size of Belgium were already under Boko Haram control with flags hoisted as their territory. Boko haram attacks were common occurrences, even as near as the federal Capital Abuja.

The foreign reserves dwindled tremendously. From a whopping $48b in 2007 to as low as $29b dollars in 2015. This is despite the fact that oil sold at unprecedented high prices, sometimes even as high as $147 per barrel yet there was no savings rather it was a depletion of the existing saving. That was the kind of economy and government that was handed over to the Buhari administration.

Abandoned projects littered everywhere, not surprising. You cannot be looting and be doing projects at the same time. You either use the money to work for the people or loot the money. We all know what the preferences of the PDP government was, they preferred the looting, and hence the several abandoned projects.

This is just but a few of the decay and rot handed over to the Buhari administration. The question is: what did they do with it? The answer? They got down to work immediately.

According to records from the Debt management office, the Buhari administration has extended more than 1.9trillion Naira to State governments to enable them meet their salary and pension obligations. The support came in the form of Budget support facility, Paris Club Refunds, Infrastructure Loans, Loan restructuring for facilities with commercial banks. All of these are unprecedented.

The trend under the former PDP government was to deny states their entitlements, owe them and in many instances short change them. President Buhari out of his compassion for workers insisted on this interventions not because he wanted to please some governors but because he was concerned about the plight of workers and pensioners. This singular Acton was one of the major things that got us out of a recession.

President Buhari approved the sum of 54 billion Naira to clear pension arrears from 2014 to date. This may look like little things but to the pensioner who has missed his pension for several months this is a huge intervention and there are millions of them across the country that benefited from this intervention.

Despite the sudden plunge in oil prices to as low as $26 per barrel at some point. The Buhari government has invested massively in infrastructure across the country like no other government before it. In the 2016 and 2017 budget alone the Federal government released a total of 2.7 trillion Naira for capital expenditure alone. This is unprecedented in the history of this country. This massive investment has made it possible for work to resume on several stalled projects across the country. Rail projects hitherto abandoned are now being completed in record time, power projects, and numerous road projects across the country.

Despite the low oil prices, The Buhari government has done excellently well with the nation’s resources. It has increased the savings of the country by doubling the external reserve in a very short time from a meager $29 billion in 2015 to over $47 billion. These are facts that can be checked.

The Buhari government has invested over 500b Naira on different Social intervention programs across the country, this is unprecedented in the history of the country. At the moment there are over 8.2m pupils being fed every school day? There are also about 500,000 graduates being paid 30,000 Naira every month. Over 1 million poorest of the poor receiving conditional cash transfer of 5,000 Naira monthly. Hundreds of thousands of traders getting soft loans of 10,000 Naira, plus so many numerous programs across the country. This is simply put a people’s government.

Insecurity has reduced drastically. Boko Haram no longer holds any territory in the country. Except for some pockets of soft target attacks the group is already too decimated to carry out large scale attacks as they use to do in the past. The military has been re invigorated for improved performance. Required equipment is now made available to the troops.

The anti-corruption war has witness unprecedented recoveries from those who looted the treasury. The whistle blower policy has helped expose and recovered looted funds. The implementation of the TSA system by the Buhari administration has helped greatly to reduce leakages in government revenue.

We would have preferred to ignore some of those showing up now to send us back to the biblical Egypt that we have left.  It is just a bit hard to forget so soon the role played by former vice President Atiku Abubakar in the selling off of our national assets to those who rather than turn them around as promised, plunder them and left them desolate. It is hard to ignore how he transmuted from a public servant to a studiously rich man.

You can accuse President Buhari of anything But not vested interest. The same cannot be said of Atiku Abubakar. We have moved far beyond that stage now. Haven enjoyed a President that will always put the interest of the people first. It will not make any sense to now return those who used every opportunity they had to serve the people as an avenue to enrich themselves.

Madam Oby EZekwisili, though quite energetic, can also be calamitous in her approach to issues. We won’t forget so soon how her policy summersaults as Minister of Education then almost bastardized the Unity School system in the country. Her short temper and rigid view of issues, may just not be the best for a country with so much diversity.

All said and done we cannot see any good reason why a working formula will be dropped for one that is known to be ineffective. The Buhari administration in the last three years has done far more than some people did in 16 years with far less than they had to play around with then

It is obvious that amongst those genuinely against the reelection of President Buhari are also looters who have been denied access to the treasury plus those who benefited from the past plunder. We at the NICreL have however decided to go forward and not backward any more. Our support and vote goes to President Buhari in the 2019 election because of the tangible things we have seen.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

2019: CSO rates Buhari above Atiku, other challengers, give reasons

As preparations heat up ahead of the 2019 general elections, Nigerians have been warned to be wary of candidates who would draw the nation back to dark age.

The New Initiative For Credible Leadership (NICreL), which gave the warning, said having carefully analysed those gunning for the office of the president, it observed that most of the aspirants were chasing personal interest.

The group said from its findings and observations, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, remains the best option to pilot the affairs of the entity called Nigeria for another four years after his first tenure in 2019.

Reverend Samson Onwu, Executive Director of group, why addressing the press on Thursday, noted that other presidential candidates such as Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Oby Ezekwesili, Donald Duke, were only chasing personal interest.

Onwu also cited some of the monumental achievements of the Buhari-led government to include; increase in foreign reserve, completion of abandons projects  as well improved security system.

The group's director, therefore, urged Nigerians to support the Buhari/Osinbajo mandate so perfect the real change the country deserves.

The statement reads in full.

As the 2019 general elections draw near. Different personalities have indicated intent and readiness to contest the next presidential elections. This is very normal and healthy for any thriving democracy. A robust participation is one of the signs of a healthy democracy.

We at the New Initiative For Credible Leadership (NICreL) consider The forth coming elections as very important one for the country. Various individuals have emerged as flag bearers for the different parties- Atiku Abubakar for the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP), Oby Ezekwisili for the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Donald Duke for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Muhammadu  Buhari for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a number of other contestants.

Having appraised all the candidates and carefully analyzed their different abilities vis a vis their various stints at public office, we at the New Initiative for Credible Leadership have reached the conclusion that NONE of them is a better option than President Buhari, judging by antecedents, performance and character. To appreciate this view, it is important that we take a look at where we were as a nation in 2015 and where we are now; by this, we will undoubtedly appreciate the progress made so far in our evolution as a nation.

We have heard a lot of propaganda here and there on the state of the nation and how that life was better under the PDP government than now. Nothing could be further from the truth than that statement.

By May 2015 23 states out of 36 states were owing several months of salary arrears. By May 2015 some federal government agencies owed up to two months in salaries. The insecurity in the country was so pronounced that it was basically the major issue in the presidential campaign of that year. 14 local governments about the size of Belgium were already under Boko Haram control with flags hoisted as their territory. Boko haram attacks were common occurrences, even as near as the federal Capital Abuja.

The foreign reserves dwindled tremendously. From a whopping $48b in 2007 to as low as $29b dollars in 2015. This is despite the fact that oil sold at unprecedented high prices, sometimes even as high as $147 per barrel yet there was no savings rather it was a depletion of the existing saving. That was the kind of economy and government that was handed over to the Buhari administration.

Abandoned projects littered everywhere, not surprising. You cannot be looting and be doing projects at the same time. You either use the money to work for the people or loot the money. We all know what the preferences of the PDP government was, they preferred the looting, and hence the several abandoned projects.

This is just but a few of the decay and rot handed over to the Buhari administration. The question is: what did they do with it? The answer? They got down to work immediately.

According to records from the Debt management office, the Buhari administration has extended more than 1.9trillion Naira to State governments to enable them meet their salary and pension obligations. The support came in the form of Budget support facility, Paris Club Refunds, Infrastructure Loans, Loan restructuring for facilities with commercial banks. All of these are unprecedented.

The trend under the former PDP government was to deny states their entitlements, owe them and in many instances short change them. President Buhari out of his compassion for workers insisted on this interventions not because he wanted to please some governors but because he was concerned about the plight of workers and pensioners. This singular Acton was one of the major things that got us out of a recession.

President Buhari approved the sum of 54 billion Naira to clear pension arrears from 2014 to date. This may look like little things but to the pensioner who has missed his pension for several months this is a huge intervention and there are millions of them across the country that benefited from this intervention.

Despite the sudden plunge in oil prices to as low as $26 per barrel at some point. The Buhari government has invested massively in infrastructure across the country like no other government before it. In the 2016 and 2017 budget alone the Federal government released a total of 2.7 trillion Naira for capital expenditure alone. This is unprecedented in the history of this country. This massive investment has made it possible for work to resume on several stalled projects across the country. Rail projects hitherto abandoned are now being completed in record time, power projects, and numerous road projects across the country.

Despite the low oil prices, The Buhari government has done excellently well with the nation’s resources. It has increased the savings of the country by doubling the external reserve in a very short time from a meager $29 billion in 2015 to over $47 billion. These are facts that can be checked.

The Buhari government has invested over 500b Naira on different Social intervention programs across the country, this is unprecedented in the history of the country. At the moment there are over 8.2m pupils being fed every school day? There are also about 500,000 graduates being paid 30,000 Naira every month. Over 1 million poorest of the poor receiving conditional cash transfer of 5,000 Naira monthly. Hundreds of thousands of traders getting soft loans of 10,000 Naira, plus so many numerous programs across the country. This is simply put a people’s government.

Insecurity has reduced drastically. Boko Haram no longer holds any territory in the country. Except for some pockets of soft target attacks the group is already too decimated to carry out large scale attacks as they use to do in the past. The military has been re invigorated for improved performance. Required equipment is now made available to the troops.

The anti-corruption war has witness unprecedented recoveries from those who looted the treasury. The whistle blower policy has helped expose and recovered looted funds. The implementation of the TSA system by the Buhari administration has helped greatly to reduce leakages in government revenue.

We would have preferred to ignore some of those showing up now to send us back to the biblical Egypt that we have left.  It is just a bit hard to forget so soon the role played by former vice President Atiku Abubakar in the selling off of our national assets to those who rather than turn them around as promised, plunder them and left them desolate. It is hard to ignore how he transmuted from a public servant to a studiously rich man.

You can accuse President Buhari of anything But not vested interest. The same cannot be said of Atiku Abubakar. We have moved far beyond that stage now. Haven enjoyed a President that will always put the interest of the people first. It will not make any sense to now return those who used every opportunity they had to serve the people as an avenue to enrich themselves.

Madam Oby EZekwisili, though quite energetic, can also be calamitous in her approach to issues. We won’t forget so soon how her policy summersaults as Minister of Education then almost bastardized the Unity School system in the country. Her short temper and rigid view of issues, may just not be the best for a country with so much diversity.

All said and done we cannot see any good reason why a working formula will be dropped for one that is known to be ineffective. The Buhari administration in the last three years has done far more than some people did in 16 years with far less than they had to play around with then

It is obvious that amongst those genuinely against the reelection of President Buhari are also looters who have been denied access to the treasury plus those who benefited from the past plunder. We at the NICreL have however decided to go forward and not backward any more. Our support and vote goes to President Buhari in the 2019 election because of the tangible things we have seen.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.