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Killings: Blaming Gaddafi, Embarrassment To Nigeria -Fayose …Bishop Tells Buhari To Confess His Sins
Governor Ayodele Fayose has said that President Muhammadu Buhari should be made to read speeches, saying his speaking extempore was “becoming an embarrassment to Nigerians.”
Governor Fayose said in a statement, yesterday that President Buhari’s claim that former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, should be blamed for the ongoing herdsmen killings across the North Central of Nigeria was indeed a national embarrassment .
Fayose in the statement by his special assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said: “It is embarrassingly shameful that the President has taken his blame game to the international level by blaming the dead for his cluelessness.”
Fayose said: “Very soon, President Buhari will blame those who elected him for his failure.”
While meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in London Wednesday, President Buhari had said that the arms Gaddafi, who was killed seven years ago provided to his supporters had filtered into Nigeria where they are now being used to fuel killings across the North-Central.
Governor Fayose, who described the President’s statement as embarrassing, asked how many Libyans were killed by herdsmen in the last three years.
“Nigerians are accusing President Buhari and his government of complicity in the herdsmen killings and all that the President could do in response is to blame Gaddafi, who became history seven years ago? This is no doubt another international embarrassment from a President who knows nothing other than to blame people for his own failure.
“He thinks those handling the President should see to it that he is prevented from speaking outside Nigeria without a prepared speech.
“The other time, he went to Germany to embarrass Nigeria by referring to the chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, as ‘President Michelle of West Germany.”
Governor Fayose said President Buhari should rather face the reality of his government’s failure to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians as well as its seeming culpability in the herdsmen killings instead of going to foreign lands to advertise his cluelessness by blaming the dead.
Meanwhile, General Overseer of Christian Central Chapel International, Bishop Emma Gospel Isong has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to confess his sins to Nigerians and pray for forgiveness if he wants to win his second terms bid in the 2019 presidential election.
Isong stated that the President has committed so many sins against Nigerians but admitted that to seek a second term in office was Buhari’s constitutional right.
The cleric however maintained that there are many hurdles for the President to cross, including the confession of sins to Nigerians.
Bishop Isong, who was spoke with newsmen in a telephone interview said, stated that Buhari will be taking Nigerians for a ride if between now and May 2019, he cannot convince citizens that he is risking his life and risking the chances of his party to remain in power.
According to him, “But if Mr President sit back and look at his record and be honest to himself and come out, it is not late to confess, the Bible says whoever confesses his sins shall be forgiven, if Mr President can come back and confess and say 90 per cent of security chiefs are Fulanis.
“If he can come back and say the economy is hitting the bottom rock, people are losing jobs, like in our churches, people are packing out to their villages, they are leaving town, they are resigning, if Mr President can come out and confess that I have not been fair to South-South, I have not been fair to South-East.
“Even in the Middle Belt, in terms of Taraba State, Nassarawa State and of course Benue State, I have not come out with strong government policy to stop Fulani herdsmen from killing innocent Nigerians, if Mr President can come out and confess and repent of course, I will cast my vote for him to be President for second term” he stated.
Bishop Isong said that if President Buhari cannot do this, then he is taking his party as well as its electoral chances for granted, he is making a mockery of democracy and risking his name and integrity which he had built for more than 40 years.
“President Jonathan did not perform this badly after his first term, he lost the election and if he want to go by that record, Buhari government is worse than Jonathan and therefore he cannot be given second term chance if Nigerians’ vote is to be counted,” he stressed.
Speaking further, the cleric stated that declaring intention to re-contest does not automatically amount to winning the elections all things being equal and votes count.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.
