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2019: Buhari, Running Self-Indicting Campaign -Atiku
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of running a self-indicting campaign ahead of the polls.
Atiku who was reacting to a charge by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Nigerians to ignore empty promises while carrying out a door-to-door campaign in Lagos, said by failing to deliver on the 2015 electioneering promises; the Vice President has invariably admonished Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2019.
Speaking through his media assistant, Paul Ibe, Atiku for the umpteenth time, promised to usher Nigerians into a new era of job creation, security and a stable economy if voted into power.
Cautioning citizens to be wary of “broken promises,” the former Vice President tasked Nigerians to take a moment to reflect on his campaign blueprint and hold him accountable for every item listed therein, stressing that his motivation to seek the highest elective office in the land is informed by altruistic motive of getting Nigeria to realize her true potentials within the shortest possible time.
In an exclusive chat with our correspondent, Atiku berated the APC-led government for what he called “their helplessness” in failing to provide qualitative governance to the people more than three years “after promises were made to make Nigeria the place to be for all.”
According to Ibe, “Osinbajo is running a self-indicting campaign for his boss and himself.
How can they ask Nigerians to beware of empty promises when they are the ones that made the promises? Come on, do these people think Nigerians are fools? They promised to create three million jobs in a year but we are witnessing job losses in millions since they took over. They promised to make a naira equal to the dollar but a dollar is almost N400 today.
They promised to bring insecurity down on its knees but as I am talking to you now, Zamfara is on fire. Soldiers in large numbers were recently killed. One of our finest former Defence Chiefs, Air Marshal Alex Badeh was a few days ago killed very close to the nation’s capital.
“Do not forget that under this administration, some Nigerians took their lives, unable to put up with what life suddenly threw at them. I can go on and on, but Nigerians know what to do when the time comes.”
He called on eligible voters to trust the PDP flag bearer with their mandate, stating that after making a success of his public office career office as well as his foray in business, Atiku would not disappoint in replicating same feat if voted into power.
“In Let’s Get Nigeria Working Again (Atiku’s blueprint), our candidate will restore hope and make Nigeria proud again. We are asking Nigerians to trust this man who has proven beyond doubt, his capacity to deliver at the big stage. He is not a converted democrat. He is a born democrat, not one who got converted because the old road was closed,” he added.
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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