Politics

Naira redesign policy prevented electoral fraud – Adesina

By Web News 489

By adenitan Akinola

The Special Adviser to immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, on media, Mr Femi Adesina says the naira redesign policy carried out by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) prevented electoral fraud during the last general elections.

Mr Adesina contended that it also reduced the problem of kidnapping. 

Fielding questions from journalists in Osogbo, during a media chat organised by Association of Osun Veteran Journalists, Osun State Chapter, the former Presidential spokesperson said Nigeria had a better election due to the money redesign policy.

He posited that former Governor of CBN sold the idea of naira re-design to the then president and defended it with every facts and the president reportedly gave him approval.

According to him, “Do you know that during the new naira redesign policy that resulted to the money scarcity, kidnappers were out of business?. An APC chairman and Secretary in Kano state was kidnapped when the kidnappers saw that nobody was calling them for ransom they left them”.

He further said: “Have you seen where a seating governor lost an election? Its because of cash policy. Do you know that about 9 former governors lost election into the senate, it was because of the policy”.  

Mr. Adesina noted that, “There was a day my cooking gas got finished I was cooking and I had no money to buy because there was cash scarcity, I had to borrow from someone to finish my cooking. The cash scarcity affected every one including those of us that were at the Presidential Villa as at that time”.

While saying former President Buhari fought insecurity (Boko Haram )to a stand still, he disclosed that there was a time President Buhari gave an order to security agencies to shoot anyone with unauthorised AK47 rifle because it only security personnel were constitutionally authorized to carry such rifle .

Justifying the heated criticism during Buhari administration which he said was majorly coming from the opposition party Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, those who had personal expectations from the president,  Mr Adesina said his principal did his best in tackling insecurity in the country saying Mr president believed that governance is continual.

On the accusation that former President Buhari administration failed to obey many court orders, the former spokesman said it was not on any record that his principal disobeyed court orders, saying that Mr President obeyed court orders, including the Supreme Court order on the usage of old and new naira notes.

When asked to critically access former President Buhari performance during his 8 years of governance, Adesina said, “You cannot access a government in one area but its entirety. You don’t access a government by its head but by entirety of the people”.

On the performance of the present administration of President Bola Tinubu, he said it was too early to access a government that had just spent 108 days in office, urging Nigerians to pray for and support the new administration.

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Politics

Presidency Warns Over Alleged Plot To ‘Overthrow’ Buhari’s Govt

By Web News 596

THE Presidency on Tuesday warned that it will deal decisively with any group that does anything to undermine the democratically elected government in the country. even if some unruly feathers would be ruffled in the process. The Presidency also said that it was ready to keep the country together even if it involves ruffling unruly feathers in the process.

The Presidency in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, in Abuja, alleged that some persons have planned to hold an illegal conference where a vote of no confidence will be passed on President Muhammadu Buhari. It further said that some highly placed individuals in collaboration with some religious leaders and their foreign elements were working hard to undermine the sovereignty and corporate existence of the country. Reacting to the alert earlier raised by the Department of State Services, DSS, the Presidency said that Nigerians opted for democratic rule, adding that the only acceptable way to change a democratically elected government should be through elections.

The statement read, “The Department of State Services (DSS), on Sunday alerted on sinister moves by misguided elements to wreak havoc on the government, sovereignty and corporate existence of the country. “Championed by some disgruntled religious and past political leaders, the intention is to eventually throw the country into a tailspin, which would compel a forceful and undemocratic change of leadership. “Further unimpeachable evidence shows that these disruptive elements are now recruiting the leadership of some ethnic groups and politicians around the country, with the intention of convening some sort of conference, where a vote of no confidence would be passed on the President, thus throwing the land into further turmoil.

“The caterwauling, in recent times, by these elements, is to prepare the grounds adequately for their ignoble intentions, which are designed to cause further grief for the country. “The agent provocateurs hope to achieve through artifice and sleight of hands, what they failed to do through the ballot box in the 2019 elections. “Nigerians have opted for democratic rule, and the only acceptable way to change a democratically elected government is through elections, which hold at prescribed times in the country. Any other way is patently illegal and even treasonable. Of course, such would attract the necessary consequences. “These discredited individuals and groups are also in cahoots with external forces to cause maximum damage in their own country. But the Presidency, already vested with mandate and authority by Nigerians till 2023, pledges to keep the country together, even if some unruly feathers would be ruffled in the process.”

Vanguard

Politics

Nigeria’s unity won at great cost – President Buhari

By Web News 1075

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT BUHARI URGES NIGERIANS TO DESIST FROM DIVISIVE ACTIONS, SAYS COUNTRY’S UNITY WON AT GREAT COST

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja appealed to Nigerians to desist from actions and comments that could jeopardise the unity and progress of the nation.

Launching the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) Emblem and Appeal Fund, President Buhari said this year’s occasion reminds Nigerians of the need to guard jealously the unity of the nation which was won at great cost.

The President, who stressed that ‘‘Nigeria’s strength lies in her diversity’’, honoured the memory of the nation’s fallen heroes and veterans, recounting their sacrifices during the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War and Peace Support Operations around the world.

President Buhari also paid tribute to men and women currently engaged in internal security operations, particularly the ongoing fight against insurgency, terrorism and armed banditry in some parts of the country, praising them for remaining steadfast in the difficult task of restoring peace and security despite the coronavirus pandemic.

”We honour the memory of our gallant officers and men who have paid the supreme sacrifice in order to keep the country united as one entity.”

”The nation remains grateful for the efforts and sacrifice of the Armed Forces especially in the fight against insurgency and other internal security challenges confronting Nigeria.”

”The Armed Forces Remembrance Day or Veterans Day as it is known in some parts of the world is an important event observed in commemoration of the end of the Second World War.”

”In Commonwealth member countries, the Remembrance Day is observed on 11th November yearly.  However, for us the date was changed to 15th January annually to accommodate the commemoration of the end of the Nigerian Civil War,’’ he said.

On security operations in the North West and North Central zones in the country, President Buhari expressed delight at the return of normalcy in some of the areas that previously witnessed security challenges.”

”Our dear nation has witnessed numerous security challenges since independence.”

”These security threats have undermined Nigeria in the areas of trade, investment and economy, education, health as well as agriculture and frequently denied Nigerians the freedom of movement.”

”I am however pleased to state that a lot has been achieved in the Internal Security operations in the North West and North Central zones where in addition to Operations LAFIYA DOLE, HADARIN DAJI, HARBIN KUNAMA, WHIRL STROKE, other operations such as ACCORD, SAHEL SANITY and KATSINA were successfully launched.”

”This has led to the return of normalcy in some of the affected areas. However, all hands must be on deck to check attacks on soft targets, ” he said.”

The President, who restated that his administration will continue to forge useful alliances with neighbours and friends in the international community for the total defeat of the security threats affecting the sub-region, promised to ensure timely provision of adequate resources and necessary logistics support for the Armed Forces.

President Buhari further pledged that under his watch the Nigeria Armed Forces will operate with the best modern warfare equipment, with welfare issues receiving utmost attention.

”We are quite aware that it is our responsibility to provide a conducive environment that is devoid of security threats.”

”I want to re-assure Nigerians that security being one of the pillars of this administration will continue to be at the forefront until peace and security are restored in the country,’’ he said.

The President also used the occasion to reassure Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to creating an environment in which all citizens and foreigners are guaranteed freedom and returns on investments.

He, therefore, urged business enterprises to render discounts and rebates to men and women in uniform as a symbol of appreciation for their sacrifices, saying ‘‘this kind gesture will make life easier for them and deepen their patriotism’’.

On support for families of members of the Armed Forces who died in active service, President Buhari acknowledged that the unfortunate cost of the fight against insurgency and other internal security challenges was the unavoidable loss of lives of some gallant compatriots.

”The reality is that the spouses and defendants of these bread-winners in most cases experience trauma and deprivation. However, we can be of support to them to lighten their burdens especially in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

”I therefore call on all to spare a thought for them and take positive steps to come to their aid,” he said, commending charity organisations engaged in the noble cause of bringing succour to the families of fallen heroes and veterans.”

Speaking as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Legion, the President expressed delighted that the Nigerian legion has continued to be a rallying point of veterans, doing a lot in catering for the welfare of ailing members

”To ensure that our veterans continue to share the comradeship that existed while in Service and that their welfare is adequately catered for, the Federal Government established the Nigerian Legion as well as fully paid all pension arrears of veterans,” he said.

He urged state governors, who are patrons of Legions in their respective States, as well as Nigerians, to continue to support and participate in the Legion’s initiatives in the areas of transportation, agriculture and housing development.

The President called on Nigerians and other residents in the country to procure and wear the emblems with pride in order to identify with those who laid down their lives for the peace and security of the county.

”I encourage all to donate generously in support of our veterans and dependents of our fallen heroes,” he said.

President Buhari announced a donation of 10 million naira to the Nigerian Legion.

In his address of welcome, the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd) called on members of the civil society, religious and political leaders, the academia as well as the media to educate and enlighten Nigerians on the need to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices of gallant compatriots in uniform.

He also encouraged Nigerians to procure and wear the emblem to boost the morale of serving personnel.

In his remarks, the Chairman Nigerian Legion, Brigadier General Adakole Jones Akpa (Rtd), thanked President Buhari for his unrelenting support to the ex-servicemen, particularly in ensuring the prompt payment of pensions.

Brigadier General Akpa, who also recognized the presence and support of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, members of the Diplomatic Corps and the Service Chiefs, to the Nigerian Legion, said despite the challenges facing the country:

”God is with Nigeria. We should sing the Nigerian song as nobody will sing it for us.”

During the emblem launch ceremony, the Chairman Nigerian Legion decorated President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo with the 2021 AFRD emblem.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

October 28, 2020