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Insecurity: Wike Slams Buhari As Weak Commander-In-Chief
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that if there is a proper Commander-in-Chief, bandits and insurgent groups would not be allowed to drag the country down to the level of unrestrained killings of innocent Nigerians.
Wike described a country going down to mean a place where hunger is not addressed, insecurity is allowed to fester, and marauding bandits kill Nigerians without restriction.
The Rivers State governor decried the Nigerian situation when he met with delegates and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, last Monday, to solicit votes as he seeks to become the presidential flag-bearer of the party.
“A proper Commander-in-Chief will never allow this country to go down like this. What is President Muhammadu Buhari doing with the service chiefs? Their business is to protect Nigeria and Nigerians.
“Look at our country, every day, the only project we get is people have died. The only project Nigeria continues to get is killings. Yesterday (Sunday), 55 people were killed in Zamfara”.
The presidential aspirant maintained that the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government has failed in its primary responsibility to protect lives and property, hence, has no business being in governance.
“First in the oath of office is the protection of lives and property. Any government that cannot protect lives and property, then, you have no business being in governance. APC has no business to being in governance!”
Wike emphasised that what was happening in Nigeria was affecting everybody, including Moslems, Christians, Northerners and Southerners alike.
The Rivers State governor said never had Nigerians been so divided as seen under President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Wike described his quest to rescue Nigeria and ensure safety of lives and property under a proper Commander-in-Chief, as a mission to write the wrongs and give Nigerians back their country.
“Nobody can say what will happen in the next two minutes. As you’re going home now, you don’t know what will happen. Nigeria has come to that stage.
“Look at the hunger. Look at the poverty. This country requires a leader now that can confront the issues of insecurity.
“This country requires a leader that is very courageous. This country requires a leader that is fearless, and I am that leader.”
Wike reiterated his resolve to form a government of national unity, if he secures the presidential ticket of the PDP; contests the 2023 presidential election, and wins resoundingly.
Speaking further, Wike urged the delegates to consider him as the most competent, courageous and fearless leader to vote for during the party’s primary on May 28 and 29, 2022.
Wike enjoined the PDP family in Ekiti State to continue to work in unity, and assured them of his and Oyo State governor’s support at the next gubernatorial election in that state.
Also speaking, the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Oluseyi Makinde, said the South-West geopolitical zone would vote as a bloc during this month’s PDP presidential primary.
“The South-West zone, we will go in one direction. South-West zone will determine who is going to get the ticket of PDP. So, the delegates will have the heavy load of Abuja, and by the grace of God, we will deliver.”
Makinde said the era when the South-West was regarded as untrustworthy was over.
He stressed that the zone would play a central role during the presidential primary, and would also get a central benefit when Wike wins the 2023 presidential election.
Similarly, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, noted that the South-West has suffered gross negligence under the APC administration.
“We are going to go to this convention united. Nobody in the South-West, particularly in Ekiti will start going to one aspirant in the night.”
In his remarks, former Gombe State Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo, said having worked with four Nigerian presidents, he was convinced that Wike was the only aspirant with the resolve to tackle the challenge of insecurity and other issues besetting the Nigerian state.
“He is a man that is a complete party man, a man that has worked for this party. He stood for this party when we had problem and never ran away.”
The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.