Politics
Stop Blame Game, APC Chieftain Chides Buhari, NGF
A onetime All Progressives Congress, APC governorship aspirant in Bauchi State, Muhammad Sani Al’ameen has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Governors Forum to develop the political will to tackle the problems bedeviling the country rather than blaming each other for the current woes.
Al’ameen stated this in Bauchi on Monday when he interacted with journalists, lamenting that the major problems of the country included poverty, insecurity, high cost of living, and bad governance.
The politician said Nigerian leaders had failed to meet the yearning and aspirations of the electorate that voted them into power, leaving the masses crying in difficulties in virtually all aspects of living.
He decried the inability of the nation’s leaders to make judicious use of the resources at their disposal to improve the living standard of the common man, saying this has led to the rising level of poverty among Nigerians.
Al’ameen said Buhari is the chief security officer of the country, while the governors are chief security officers of their states, saying both have failed in the area of providing adequate security and public safety which is the primary duty of any government.
He pointed out that security was paramount to ensure the safety of lives and property, without which no sensible human activity takes place.
“But government at all levels are unable to fulfill this covenant with the people, thus allowing bandits, insurgents, and kidnappers to turn the country into a killing field, maiming and abducting people, in schools, market squares and even on their farmlands all over the country,” he lamented.
“Under the current administration, the NNPC failed to remit statutory allocations to states for several months, even monies budgeted for such federal ministries like agriculture, rural development, and humanitarian affairs, are not being deployed in the direction of the people.
“On many occasions the people at the helm of affairs of these ministries were accused of diverting the money, through alleged dubious ways and corruption, but the executives were silent, they didn’t investigate the allegations. They allowed them to continue in office”
The former governorship aspirant said it was high time our leaders emulated leaders of other countries in the world who when they see they are failing in office resigned in the best interest of the country.
Al’ameen urged the political class to provide credible leadership that will rescue the country from sinking instead of the blame games against each other.
He advised those in power to provide exemplary leadership that will ease the hostile environmental where the common man is the only one feeling the harsh socioeconomic condition always.
He prayed for a peaceful general election in 2023, appealing to President Buhari to fulfill his promise of conducting credible, free and fair elections as the very important legacy he will leave for the country.
He said the President must ensure that the autonomy of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is respected , urging for the provision of adequate security to ensure peaceful 2023 elections in the country.
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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