Buhari said -‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody’

Full text of the inaugural speech by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari following his swearing-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29th May, 2015

I am immensely grateful to God Who Has preserved us to witness this day and this occasion. Today marks a triumph for Nigeria and an occasion to celebrate her freedom and cherish her democracy. Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy and are determined to entrench its culture. Our journey has not been easy but thanks to the determination of our people and strong support from friends abroad we have today a truly democratically elected government in place.

I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. With the support and cooperation he has given to the transition process, he has made it possible for us to show the world that

I have stepped on many big toes, particularly, political cabals —Diezani Allison Maduekwe

Diezani

Abuja—Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deziani Allison Maduekwe, has denied media reports that she was seeking asylum in some foreign countriesAddressing state House correspondents after yesterday’s Federal Executive Council, the Minister said she was not leaving the country, adding that she had no reason to do so.

She blamed what she described as consistent malicious and libellous attacks on her person on the reforms she brought about in the oil and gas sector in the country.

The minister said: “Let me state it clearly for the records that Nigeria is my country and am not going anywhere. I love my country and I do think that I have done the best for my country and I would also like to point out that these malicious, malevolence, vindictive libels coming out of places like Osun

Defender and other faceless online and other entities need to stop.

“For everything that has a beginning there is an end and that is not a surprise. What is the surprise is the sort of malevolence bordering on personal malicious libel to my person during this period of time.

‘’I do believe that I have done the best for Nigeria in this job and I have attained many firsts in the history of oil and gas, especially in the reforms that we have done. In this period of time, I have stepped on many big toes, particularly the feet of the cabal in the industry when we came in.

Zoning: APC meets today

The National Executive Committee, NEC of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is meeting today to resolve the issues outstanding from the zoning of principal office positions in the party as recommended by the National Working Committee, NWC of the party last week.

APC

The deliberation of the party’s highest decision making body is expected to quell rising anxiety within the party over the allocation of party positions that has seen zonal leaders position their interests against those of other zones.

The party NWC had reportedly zoned the position of Senate President to the North-Central a development that has seen two of the major gladiators from the zone, Senators Bukola Saraki and George Akume turning into the front leaders for the contest.

APC Sack Three Party Chieftains for Gross-Misconduct

As part of efforts to show to Nigerians how transparent the All Progressive Congress (APC) administration is going to be, the leadership of the party on Tuesday sacked three of its chieftains for diverting campaign funds.

As part of efforts to show to Nigerians how transparent the All Progressive Congress (APC) administration is going to be, the leadership of the party on Tuesday sacked three of its chieftains for diverting campaign funds.

PMNEWS reports that the Delta State chapter of the party expelled three of its chieftains for allegedly embezzling campaign funds as well as indulging in anti-party activities.

It was gathered that the expulsion took place at a meeting held on Monday at the party’s secretariat in Asaba, the state capital as leaders were reviewing the performance of the party in the just concluded general elections.

The notice of expulsion was published in a national daily by the party on Tuesday, April 14, 2015.

 The party listed the affected members as Hon. Temi Harriman, who was expelled because she allegedly diverted the presidential election support funds remitted to the state.

Nigeria’s top five governor battles

Nigeria’s 36 state governors wield enormous power and influence – some have control of budgets larger than neighbouring countries.

This weekend Nigerians will be voting for 29 of them – two weeks after the historic vote which saw veteran opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari defeat Goodluck Jonathan, the incumbent president.

It will also be a titanic battle between Mr Jonathan’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Gen Buhari.

Here are the five most important battlegrounds:             

Rivers: Current Happening

By Gbenga Oke

It was a disaster long predicted to happen. When eventually the presidential election took place penultimate weekend, it neither passed the benchmark of the foreign observers nor that of many other domestic observers.

The violence that marred the presidential election in the state was as expected escalated during the governorship and legislative elections given the determination of the local champions to sustain their political leverages.

Wike & Amechi 

In the end as many as six persons were killed and many others injured in the election that as at press time was predicted to return the PDP to power.

The incumbent governor of the state, Governor Rotimi Amaechi who marshalled the successful All Progressives Congress, APC presidential campaign has, however, cried foul alleging that elections did not take place in most areas of the country. According to him the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP simply wrote results with the assistance of security men.

APC wins as INEC announces Jigawa gov election result

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

DUTSE – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Jigawa state has announced Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Badaru as the winner of the 2015 gubernatorial election.

Declaring the result, the Returning Officer, Professor James Ayatse said the APC governorship candidate scored a total 648,045 votes defeating his PDP opponent, Malam Aminu Ringim who scored a total 479, 447 votes.

Eleven Members of the Jigawa State House of Representatives and 25 members of the state assembly lost their seats at the state and federal chambers, as APC is leading in 20 local government out of the 27 LGA’s of the state.

whirlwind Buhari makes Landfall

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

Egos were bruised when long-standing patrons who for long dictated the pace and pattern of policies and politics were buried after the governorship elections last weekend.

A Hurricane is a huge storm that normally clears almost every physical impediment on its way.

Hurricane Buhari had been long in formation. When it made landfall two weeks ago, it comprehensively removed the hands of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from the gears of governance at the presidency and parliament.

It was such a comedown for a party whose officials not too long ago boasted that they would rule the country for an uninterrupted 60 year stretch.

Unlike most hurricanes that lose momentum and savagery as they go inland, Hurricane Buhari after two weeks was not less savaging as indications showed from the governorship and state legislative elections at the weekend.

National party

INEC declares Imo governorship election inconclusive

The INEC Returning  Officer for the governorship election in Imo State,  Prof Ibidapo Obe has  declared  the  results of Imo state governorship  election inconclusive following detected electoral malpractices in some local government area.

After counting and collation, summary of  Imo governorship election results is as follows:

APC: 385,671

PDP: 306,142

Margin of win: 79,529

Cancelled Votes: 144,715

Verdict: Election is Inconclusive

Lagos – Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot, emerge winner of Lagos House Rep

Lagos  –  Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot, of the All Progressives  Congress (APC) on Sunday polled 23,141 votes at the Surulere state constituency l to emerge winner.

Mr Bayo Smith, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 12,546 votes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Dr Mariam Quadri, made the declaration at Surulere Collation Centre.

”That Desmond Olusola Elliot of APC having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared winner and is returned elected, ” she said.

For Surulere Constituency ll, the Returning Officer, Quadri,  declared Mrs Mosunmola Sangodara-Rotimi of PDP winner with 33, 583 votes closely trailed by Mr Abiodun Awobotu of  APC with 32, 767

votes.

”That Sangdara Mosunmola of PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared winner and is returned elected, ” she said.

Mr Folajimi Mohammed, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, who is son of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC’s spokesman, was also declared the winner of Ikeja Constituency l House of Assembly election of April 11.

INEC Returning Officer, Mr Onochie Mordi, made this declaration at about 5.40am at the end of the collation of the results on April 12 at the Central Primary School, Ikeja

Oshiomhole floors PDP, wins 21 out of 24 House of Assembly seats

BENIN CITY – GOVENROR Adams Oshiomhole led All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state floored the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Assembly elections held Saturday, winning 21 out of the 24 House of Assembly seats in the state.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih picked three seats for his party in his Edo Central senatorial district of the state.

Meanwhile unofficial results in the rescheduled Edo South senartorial election in Oriomnwon Local Government Area of Edo state, indicated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Pharm. Matthew Urhoghide defeated the Minority whip of the House of Representatives and APC candidate, Mr Samson Osagie.

Results from polling units indicated that though Osagie defeated Urhoghide in Oriomwon but the poor voters turn out affected his chances in upturning the about 27,000 votes which Urhoghide was leading with after the March 28, National Assembly elections in six Local Government Areas in Edo South.

Meantime, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo state, Mr Mike Igini, who declared that elections have been concluded in the state, commended the people of the state for their support throughout the elections.

Ambode wins Lagos gov poll

All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos Governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has emerged winner in the governorship election in Lagos beating his arch rival of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Jimi Agbaje as runner-up.

Akinwunmi Ambode

Ibeju-Lekki LGA

No of Registered voters

81,455

Accredited voters

2, 7634

No of political parties contested

16

Poll

APC 14,696

PDP, 11, 292

Total valid vote 26, 258

PDP agent accused INEC of giving accreditation to 10, 000 voters manually  therefore, urged the returning officer to look into it.

No such reports of manual acctreditation

REC: Akin Orebiyi: To submit to the commission and complaint be looked into

Lagos Island LGA

2.     Gbemisola Onilere Rec officer

Dr Martha Amadi returning/ collation LGA

No of registered voters

178,322

No of accredited voters

53,502

I’ll rather resign from politics than defect – Gov

Gov. Aliyu

The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has described politicians defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC) as people who are suffering from poverty of integrity, morality and principle.

Aliyu who was receiving guests at his office yesterday in Minna said electorate should not be deterred by defections from PDP adding that those who should should worry are members of the APC who will soon have problems of political profiteers in their hands.

I rather resign from politics instead of defecting from PDP. Those defecting from PDP based on the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly election lack principles of integrity and morality, they are indeed stomach politicians.”

Buhari’s Ministers List: New Details Emerge

Though some candidates have been marked down for definite offices, the selection of those to fill the sought-after “juicy” positions may not be an easy task, as powerful party members and others who gave Buhari support from outside the APC are pushing their own nominees.

  

According to Daily Post, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, may have been offered the Ministry of Finance in the Buhari government by the ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo.

Soludo was a member of the economic team for the Obasanjo government prior to becoming the governor of the CBN.

Many APC leaders are said to be against him. One of the reasons is that Soludo remains a card-carrying member of the All Progressive Grand Alliance.

Why President-elect’s wife will not be Nigeria’s next First Lady

Aisha Buhari

Aisha Buhari might not be Nigeria’s next First Lady, at least not in the modern sense of the word.

The term “First Lady” is an unofficial title for a President’s wife but in Nigeria, it has received near-official status due to the fact that funding and staff have been allocated to First Ladies since independence.

However, the Nigerian Constitution does not in any way provide for the “office” of the First Lady.

This was the reason given by President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari when he said during an interview with Daily Trust in December 2014 that there would be no such office during his regime.

“The [office of] First Lady is not in the constitution, so there’s no official role for them,” Buhari said.

Mrs Buhari also expressed support for her husband’s position while speaking during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Campaign Council in January.

“When my husband is elected as the president of this country, he will rule the country within the rule of law based on the constitution of the country,” she said.

“If the office of the first lady is constitutionally recognized, he will not tamper with it but if it is not, that’s okay. For me I will perform my duties and role as the wife of the President of Nigeria traditionally,” she added.

Muhammadu Buhari emerged winner of Nigeria’s Presidential elections on Tuesday, March 31.

He will be sworn in on Friday, May 29, 2015. (BraveheartNaija)

I’ve no reason to defect to APC—-Mark

Senate President David Mark

ABUJA—–SENATE President, David Mark, yesterday ruled out the possibility of him defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, which will have the majority members in the 8th senate, saying that he had no reason to jump ship.

There have been speculations that the Senate President and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, were contemplating dumping the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the APC, so as to remain relevant in the leadership of the National Assembly.

About 24 hours after the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu had vowed to remain with the PDP despite the fact it will be in the minority in the 8th senate to commence June this year, Senator Mark said even if every other person would leave the PDP, he would still be the last person to do that.

Speaking at the Church Service to Mark his 67th birthday at St. Mulumba’s Catholic Church, Apo, in Abuja, Senator said, “I have no reason to jump ship. I will not leave the PDP. I will be the last man standing for the PDP. The party gave me the platform to be where I am today.

“I will stay in the PDP to contribute my quota to the rebuilding and restructuring of the party. This is democracy. Winners emerge and the losers goes back to the drawing board and rejuvenate.”

He further “The outcome of the presidential election in favour of APC is the will of God and majority of NIGERIANS. We, in the PDP have accepted the result in good faith.

Akiolu: Resist intimidation, vote your conscience, Ohanaeze tells Igbo

BraveheartNaija 

ENUGU – The umbrella Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has directed Igbo in living in Lagos to resist acts of intimidation and vote their conscience.

Condemning the threat by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, Ohanaeze,  in a statement by its President General, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey said; “We view this with serious concern especially coming from a first class traditional ruler in the country at a time when Nigerians are celebrating the peaceful conduct of the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections.”‘

“As a people, Ndiigbo live in all parts of the country and have respect for the culture and traditions of their host communities, including Lagos. We therefore have respect for the ancient heritage of the throne the Oba of Lagos occupies.

“Lagos, by its special designation in the country, for over a century, has been home to all tribes from far and near. The Lagos we see today, is the product of the sweat of all Nigerians.

Buhari’s Presidency’ll take Nigeria to Greater Heights, says Anenih

BraveheartNaija

Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih

Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih

Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih

Chief Anthony Anenih

ABUJA—CHAIRMAN, Board of Trustees, BoT of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief   Tony Anenih, said yesterday that with the election of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, (retd) during the March 28 Presidential election, there was hope that the administration of the President- elect would take Nigeria to greater heights.

Anenih in a two- page statement, titled, “Marching on with Hope” in Abuja, urged those who might still be aggrieved by the outcome of the March 28 Presidential Election   to emulate the selflessness and magnanimity of President Goodluck Jonathan who conceded victory.

Anenih, who congratulated Buhari on his victory, hailed President Jonathan’s statesmanship in conceding defeat.

He also noted that with the action,   the President   made an indelible mark on the sands of time, adding that President Jonathan accepted the outcome of the polls   to ensure that Nigeria   enjoyed peace, and march to greatness and prosperity.

He said:   “A keenly contested Presidential Election, which many predicted would spell doom for Nigeria, has ended, gloriously, with everyone a winner.

“I congratulate the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on his victory.   Nigerians are expecting great things from him; it is my hope that he will take this great country to greater heights in the journey towards our manifest destiny.

“I salute the statesmanship of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, in conceding defeat, even before the official declaration of results was done. By this noble act, President Jonathan has made an indelible mark on the sands of time. History will be very kind to him.

I’ve been in cage for 16 years – Jonathan

Abuja — Barely a month to his exit, having lost the Presidential election, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, reviewed his sojourn in government and declared that he has been in a cage for 16 years.

President Jonathan, who bared his mind when the Christian community in Abuja paid him the traditional Easter homage, said he has ha

d enough and expressed gratitude to Nigerians for giving him the opportunity to serve.

While describing himself as one of the luckiest Nigerians today, President Jonathan said Nigerians had given him opportunity to serve the country in the last 16 years at different levels of leadership, noting that he remained grateful to God and the people of the country for providing him with such privilege.