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APC Restructuring C’ttee’s Report, Fraud – PDP Youth
The youth wing of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, known as the Peoples Democratic Party Youth Frontier has said that the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai Restructuring Committee is a mere campaign strategy for Buhari’s second term and that the recommendations of the committee are a fraud.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, by its National Coordinator, Usman Okai Austin, the PDPNYF, said it was amazing how the same man who openly campaigned against restructuring; describing those championing it as mere political opportunists can now make a u-turn with his clueless committee to endorse an agenda he initially kicked against.
PDPNYF further said “We wonder what has changed the same El-Rufai who described calls for the restructuring of Nigeria as political opportunism and irresponsibility while speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily? Could this volte face be an indicator that his party is fast loosing ground?
PDP National Youth Frontier described the purported document submitted by Kaduna state government as only fit for a trash can and should as a matter of national importance be shredded and discarded accordingly because it is mischievous, self serving and riddled with so much inconsistencies.
More so the group described the APC Government as a disaster, and insisting that President Mohammed Buhari has nothing to offer as it urged him to prepare his exit as Nigerians are ready to kick him out through ballot boxes.
Meanwhile, former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, yesterday in Ibadan expressed doubts about the report of the All Progressives Congress committee on restructuring, which recommended some of the agitations presented by those clamouring for restructuring of the country.
He expressed doubts about the ruling party’s promise to restructure the country, saying that APC had promised what it never intends to do.
Mimiko spoke during the 2018 Yoruba Youth Assembly Lecture themed, ‘National development, restructuring and Yoruba.’
The former governor held that although the report seemed to endorse resource control principle, it has brought back the sensitive and controversial onshore/offshore dichotomy issue.
He also hinged his doubt on what he described as “the inconsistency” between President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech which did not support restructuring and the committee recommendations which he noted was barely made to respond to public outcry against the current system.
He said, “Rather than waste useful time tinkering with the process, the appropriate thing to do is a wholesale review of the nature of the structure, such that it is reconfigured to be able to deliver on APC mandate.
“President’s political party, APC, came out very quickly to attempt a reformulation of the President’s proposition. [This] is needless, as it is doubtful if the party is in a position to veto the president of the nation.
“That President Buhari made his statement in spite of the bold and unequivocal commitment of the APC manifesto to restructuring is also indicative of the questionable pattern in which the party swept its way into office some three years ago.
“APC can, in the circumstances, safely be accused of promising what it never intended to do.
“With its control of the legislative house at the federal and state levels, the APC has capacity to actualise its restructuring agenda before the next election in 2019. Then and only then, to my mind, can the nation believe that the born again restructuring mantra is not another vote-catching gimmick.”
The former governor called on the ruling APC to align its position, instead of making what he called “disjointed statements” that only “expressed different positions,” stressing that he has no confidence in the party’s commitment to restructuring.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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