Politics
N’ Delta Youth Move Against Buhari’s Re-Election
Youths of the oil-rich Niger Delta region have vowed to work against moves that would extend President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration beyond 2018.
The youths under the aegis of the Niger Delta Youth Coalition (NDYC) who made the vow after their meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital said the administration of President Buhari lacks the capacity to lead the country in modern time.
Spokesman of NDYC, Godwin Ibinabo said Nigerians have been subjected to extreme poverty and avoidable divisions and the only way to extricate the citizenry is to mobilize all legitimate forces towards ensuring that Buhari’s leadership ends at a single term.
The group therefore called on youths from Northern part of the country to carefully select credible and capable presidential hopefuls that will take over from Buhari at the expiration of the present administration.
Ibinabo noted that the youths of the country suffer more from incidences of visionless leadership in Nigeria as government, rather than prompt development, has shut them out from employment opportunities and death of infrastructure.
“For the past two years and half, the nation has continued to degenerate. No job, no infrastructure, no end to Boko Haram war that has gulped billions of Dollas.
We shall no longer watch this ?? administration that is full of empty and unrealizable promises continue while we wallow in poverty in midst of abundant resources’, he said.
He also accused Buhari’s administration of incapable of accounting for the so much money recovered from dubious Nigerians in his anti-corruption fight and challenged Buhari to tell Nigerians what he has been able to achieve.
NDYC further stressed the need for the emergence of younger persons as the presidential hopefuls adding that the era of old and weak leaders should be over for Nigeria to move to the next level.
Nigerians, he said, gave Buhari, the opportunity hoping that the change he promised them will manifest in positive turn of event but regretted that what they were getting after voting him into office is negative change.
“We have seen his change and now it is obvious that his change is not what we desire, the option now is to endure him throughout this tenure while efforts be made to bring a man or woman that can give the nation positive change”, he stated.
Commenting on restructuring, the group spokesman said restructuring is overdue and that only those who are benefitting from the present lopesided structure are scarred of restructuring the nation.
“In the actual sense of true federalism, the resources should be produced by the federating states who in turn pay tax to the central government. But in our present system of federalism everything is under the control of the centre”, he said.
He maintained that instead of encouraging productivity and wealth creation, the ?? style of federalism is frustrating development and resulting in agitations.
By: Chris Oluoh.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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