News
Updated: Osinbajo, Jonathan, Atiku,Tinubu, others extol Buhari qualities at 80
- Delta, Ebonyi, Lagos govs hail PMB too
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, his All Progressives Congress counterpart Boka Tinubu, and incumbent Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have felicitated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 80th birthday.
In a birthday message on Saturday, Osinbajo said Bubari’s unblemished service to Nigeria shows that it is possible to serve the nation honestly and selflessly.
“Your extraordinary life of unblemished service to the nation in the army, as a governor, minister, military Head of State and as a two-term civilian president demonstrates that it is possible to serve the nation and our people honestly, forthrightly and selflessly.
Jonathan, in a message by his Special Adviser on Media, Ikechukwu Eze, prayed for God’s guidance and protection over Buhari as he continued to pilot the affairs of the nation in the remaining months of his administration.
He said the President was given an exceptional opportunity of leading the country twice, both as a military head of state and civilian president.
“As a leader, you are one of the few Nigerians who have been privileged to administer our country at different political eras; both as a military Head of State and civilian President. During these times, you offered your best efforts in the pursuit of your aspirations for the nation,” message partly read.
Atiku, in a statement he personally signed on Friday said “President Buhari, at 80, continues to be a motivation for inner strength.”
The PDP candidate prayed for Buhari “to continue to enjoy the grace of good health and vitality as he continues to play his leadership roles in Nigeria and Africa.”
Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu, described President Buhari as a selfless and steadfast leader, a patriot with uncommon zeal who has dedicated almost his entire life to the service of Nigeria.
Tinubu, in a congratulatory message on Buhari’s 80th birthday, which was signed by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, hailed the president for his commitment to nation-building and long years of patriotic service to the country.
The APC candidate noted that Buhari enlisted himself into the service of the country as a teenager by joining the military immediately after secondary school.
According to him, at 80, the President can look back and be proud of his record of service to the nation throughout his military career as a soldier, platoon commander, General Officer Commanding, military governor, Minister of Petroleum, Head of State, chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund and as the current leader of the country.
Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has also congratulated President Buhari, describing him as a courageous and passionate leader, whose commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria is worthy of emulation.
Sanwo-Olu, in a message issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Gboyega Akosile, said since he assumed office on May 29, 2015, Buhari had demonstrated patriotism, integrity, honesty and courage in the task of steering the ship of Nigeria in the right direction.
Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday, said the government and people of the state were proud of Buhari’s rare life accomplishments.
“We thank God for blessing you with good health, wisdom and rare sense of leadership.
“We also thank God for making you a rallying point in the progressive march of achieving a nation of our pride despite daunting challenges,” he said.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congratulated the President on his 80th birthday.
Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Saturday in Asaba extended the goodwill of the government and people of the state to the President on the landmark anniversary.
He stated, “Your administration has provided support to states and local governments through interventions and refunds to mitigate the myriad of economic challenges faced by the two tiers of government.
“As you celebrate this year’s anniversary, it is my prayer and that of people of Delta that God will continue to grant you good health and wisdom to finish strong as your administration winds down.”
News
Investigation of wanted businesswoman Achimugu not linked with Atiku, Sanwo-Olu – EFCC
Investigation of wanted businesswoman Achimugu not linked with Atiku, Sanwo-Olu – EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has reacted to media reports linking its investigations of Ms. Aisha Achimugu with political undercurrents involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu
This is contained in a statement by the commission on Friday night.
The statement read, “We wish to state unequivocally that the investigations of Achimugu have no correlation of any kind with the two political actors. She is being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering and has since been declared Wanted by the Commission”.
The EFCC started investigating Achimugu in 2022. Although she approached the court to obtain an injunction restraining the Commission from arresting, investigating, inviting or detaining her for any alleged criminal act, the injunction was challenged and vacated on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The court ruled that “…no court has the power to stop the investigative powers of the Police or EFCC or any agency established under our laws to investigate crimes when there is reasonable suspicion of commission of a crime or ample evidence of commission of an offence by a suspect.”
“The court further upheld the interim order of forfeiture of assets of Achimugu suspected to be proceeds of crime, dismissing her suit against it as lacking merit .
“The foregoing clearly establishes that the EFCC’s case against her has no immediate or remote nexus with any politician or any veiled or open reference to any political engagement or transaction.
“The EFCC is non-partisan and non-sectarian. We enjoin the public to continue to keep faith with the professionalism of the Commission without imputing any extraneous consideration to its works.”
News
Why governors’ forum is silent on Rivers emergency, by DG
Why governors’ forum is silent on Rivers emergency, by DG
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday attributed its neutral position on the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State to the need to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests.
Taking positions on contentious partisan issues, the NGF said, would not augur well for it, especially in view of its past experience in fundamental division.
Notwithstanding, the declaration of the state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu yesterday generated more kudos and knocks from across the country.
Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, said the action of the president was meant to ensure protection of lives and restoration of law and order in the state, while the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said his principal was required to “avert needless harm and destruction .”
National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, said Tinubu, by his action, cleared what had manifested as a constitutional crisis in Rivers state.
But former President Goodluck Jonathan saw it from a different perspective.
READ ALSO:
- Senate didn’t get 2\3 majority for Tinubu emergency rule in Rivers –Tambuwal
- FG destroys another 200 containers of expired drugs
- Rivers court bars woman from answering ex-husband’s name
He described “abuse of office and power by the three arms of government in the country“ as a dent on Nigeria’s image.
The NGF, in a statement by its Director General Abdulateef Shittu, said it is essentially “an umbrella body for sub-national governments to promote unified policy positions and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in pursuit of sustainable socio-economic growth and the well-being of the people.”
It added: “As a technical and policy hub comprising governors elected on different platforms, the body elects to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests.
“In whatever language it is written, taking positions on contentious partisan issues would mean a poor sense of history — just a few years after the forum survived a fundamental division following political differences among its members.
“Regardless, the Forum is reputed for its bold positions on governance and general policy matters of profound consequences, such as wages, taxes, education and universal healthcare, among others.”
It asked for “the understanding of the public and the media, confident that appropriate platforms and crisis management mechanisms would take care of any such issues.”
Why governors’ forum is silent on Rivers emergency, by DG
News
Rivers: Tinubu acted to save state, economy, says Karimi
Rivers: Tinubu acted to save state, economy, says Karimi
Chairman of the Senate Services Sunday Karimi has hailed President Bola Tinubu for the decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
He told reporters on Friday in Abuja that the President acted in the best interest of the State and Nigeria, having taken his decision in compliance with the Constitution.
“No President or government worth a name, will fold its arms and watch a political situation deteriorate to what we saw unfolding in Rivers State.
“We saw that bombing of pipelines had begun, and the security situation was getting worse with the tension everywhere”, Karimi stated.
Karimi, who represents Kogi-West on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recalled the “fatherly role” Tinubu had played in the crisis since 2023 in a bid to get the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara to reach an understanding, to no avail.
He explained: “We were all here in 2023 when Mr President called that truce meeting at the Aso Rock Villa. There was the eight-point agenda for settlement reached between the factions.
“When Nigerians expected that progress should be made to achieve peace, things started deteriorating considerably to a point where the governor demolished the House of Assembly building and administered the state with only three legislators.”
READ ALSO:
- Oluwo accuses Ooni of plotting to dethrone him
- Natasha: Court blocks recall attempt, stops INEC
- US ends legal status for 500,000 immigrants
Karimi observed that with the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, which gave the upper hand to the 27 lawmakers loyal to the camp of the FCT Minister, matters merely got worse in the State as the lawmakers were set to impeach the Governor.
“What did you expect would be the implications? There would have been more destruction, killings and economic losses for the country.
“With the bombings that had already started, it was a matter of time before the whole state would be engulfed in flames. No responsible President would sit, arms folded, and allow that to happen “ he added.
The senator further argued that it took “painstaking efforts” by the administration to raise daily crude oil production to around 1,800 barrels, noting that Nigeria’s economy was already “witnessing a rebound under the renewed hope projects of the government.”
“Allowing the situation in Rivers to get worse before he would act, wouldn’t have helped the state or Nigeria as a country in any way.
“Mr. President intervened at the right time, and his actions are covered by law,” he said.
Karimi also spoke on the emergency declaration in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and a couple of other states by former President Goodluck Jonathan without removing the Governors from office or suspending the state assemblies.
According to him, the case with those States was not generated by political crises but rather security concerns.
“So, I will advise those comparing the two scenarios to remember that one was purely about security threats resulting from the insurgency caused by Boko Haram, while that of Rivers is clearly political.
“It was the proper thing to do to suspend the political actors in the two factions to allow for tensions to diffuse. Nigerians should appreciate the President for the action he has taken so far,” he stated.
Sen. Karimi also noted that there was no cause for alarm as the National Assembly had indicated that the emergency rule could be reviewed as soon as there were signs that things could quickly normalise in Rivers State.
Rivers: Tinubu acted to save state, economy, says Karimi
-
Uncategorized7 hours agoBreaking: Moon sighted in Saudi, UAE, others, Eid-Fitr holds Sunday
-
metro3 days agoRivers administrator Ibas fires Fubara’s political appointees
-
metro2 days agoJUST-IN: Ex-Oyo gov Ajimobi’s first child Bisola dies At 42
-
metro2 days agoFG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr
-
metro2 days agoEFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
-
Africa3 days agoNiger coup leader sworn in as president for five years
-
metro3 days agoNatasha: Murray-Bruce slams Atiku, defends Akpabio
-
International3 days agoAI will replace doctors, teachers, others in 10 years – Bill Gates