Politics
Buhari Doesn’t Deserve A Second Term -N’Delta Agitators
A coalition of ex-Niger
Delta agitators has said that President Muhammadu Buhari does not deserve a second term, accusing him of tribalism and lack of political will to end killings in some parts of the country.
The ex-militants in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt accused the president of shielding members of his government allegedly found culpable in corrupt offences.
The statement was signed by General John Duku, for the ‘Niger Delta Watchdogs’/Convener, ‘Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators’, General Ekpo Ekpo on behalf of ‘Niger Delta Volunteers,’ General Simple Benjamin for the ‘Bakassi Strike Force’ and eleven other militant groups.
The groups also slammed dreaded militants: “The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers” (RNDA) for adopting President Buhari for re-election in 2019, saying such decision is self-serving and did not represent the opinion of the Niger Delta people.
The Tide recalled that the RNDA had recently endorsed President Muhamadu Buhari for re-election in 2019, claiming that he has performed better for the Niger Delta than any of his predecessors.
But the coalition of ex-agitators said, “While we acknowledge the right of the RNDA to adopt, support and vote for any candidate of their choice, we want to state categorically clear that the RNDA did so in their own selfish and pecuniary interest.
“It is not in the overall interest of the Niger Delta people or militants as they did not consult or seek opinion of the people that matters in Niger Delta struggle before their hasty adoption of a person who has divided the country along the ethnic lines than he met it.”
They said the incumbent federal administration has reneged on many of its promises, including the lack of infrastructure in the country.
The statement reads, “We want to ask the RNDA and the federal Ggvernment the following questions: where is the much publicised coastal rail Line they promised that would link the Niger Delta states with Lagos? Where are the modular refineries they promised? Why is it so hard for President Buhari to implement the 16-point demand of the PANDEF that led to our cease-fire in 2016 till now?
“How many years would it take the federal government to complete the East-West road? Why are the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, NDDC and the Amnesty Office underfunded? While we acknowledge that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan did not do much for the Niger Delta people, we commend him for the massive projects he executed in the North: his fair distribution of appointments, respect to the rule of law and upholding the unity of the country when it matters most.
“The present administration under Buhari is a total failure without any infrastructure, the country’s debt profile under him has skyrocketed within three years and killings across the country has become a norm.
“With all sense of responsibility, President Buhari does not deserve a second term and should be shown a way out. The recent appointment of a retired officer from the North, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, in preference to Mr. Matthew Seiyefa, a Niger Deltan, is a case in point.
”The treatment of indicted members of his government found culpable in various corrupt and criminal offences as sacred cows has also proven the President as very tribalistic and self-centered.”
The ex-militants however called people of the Niger Delta to remain calm, focused and disregard the endorsement by the RNDA, saying “At the
Appropriate time we shall consult widely and adopt a candidate that shall ensure that the resources of the Niger Delta people are properly utilized and fairly distributed for the overall benefit of the region.
”A person that has the mental capacity, charisma and political will to bring Nigeria out of the present failure, “it concluded.
Dennis Naku
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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