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Perish your plans for 2023, Buhari warns election riggers

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Perish your plans for 2023, Buhari warns election riggers

Perish your plans for 2023, Buhari warns election riggers

President Muhammadu Buhari has on Thursday in Abuja advised those planning to rig the 2023 general elections to perish the thought.

He vowed to use every legitimate means to protect the votes of Nigerians.

The president gave the advice at a dinner he had with members of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria to break Thursday’s Ramadan fasting.

“Those planning to rig the 2023 elections should think twice because I intend to resolutely protect and defend the sacred will of the Nigerian people to be expressed through the ballot box,’’ he said.

He also cautioned against foreign interference in the elections.

“As you are all aware, the tenure of this administration ends on May 29, 2023. Typical of election years all over the world, the tempo of political activities is high.

“That is the nature of democracy. I am committed to bequeathing a stronger culture of credible elections to Nigeria than what I met.

“As Nigeria goes through this trajectory, I urge our friends in the global community, represented by you members of the diplomatic corps to adopt a positive role.

READ ALSO: Army Moves To Boost Intelligence Gathering Via Indigenous Language

“A role that reinforces the doctrine of respect for our internal affairs and respect for facts, devoid of preconceived notions and bias,’’ he stressed.

On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Buhari called for greater consideration for humanitarian conditions in the affected areas, warning that “’ the conflict will get worse if an immediate resolution is not found.

“The war has lasted too long; costs so much and hurt too many people well beyond the immediate theatres.

“The rest of the world is progressively facing the impact of the conflict and this will certainly get worse if an immediate resolution is not found, not least in the area of food security.’’

Buhari welcomed the recent initiative of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Gutteres, who visited Moscow and Kyiv and commended his efforts in search of a ceasefire as a prelude to other enduring solutions.

“The UN must continue to actively lead the way for engagements that would ultimately unlock peace through diplomacy,’’ he said.

He urged the world, especially the Muslim community to use the solemn and rewarding month of Ramadan to intensify prayers for the de-escalation of the conflict and for the return of peace to the world.

He also used the occasion to apprise members of the international community of some critical issues currently on the front burner of his administration’s agenda and spirited efforts at handling them.

“We continue to make steady progress in the daunting tasks of combating insecurity; fighting corruption; diversifying the economy; promoting good governance, and containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In spite of the many challenges we face and continue to face, we have instituted measures to plug leakages, improve the economy and enhance the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“These include renewal of vital infrastructure, including rail and roads; implementation of the N2.3-trillion Economic Sustainability Plan to create jobs and provide support to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

“They also include the launch of the National Development Plan (2021-2025) to spur economic growth and leverage science, technology and innovation.

“Other measures include the establishment of the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on SDGs with the responsibility for ensuring coherence between development policies, plans and strategies.

“Some more is the launch, in collaboration with the UNDP, of the Nigeria SDGs Implementation Plan (2020-2030), to prioritise and mainstream the SDGs into their medium and long-term development policies and plans,’’ he said.

The SDGs are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

The UN set them up in 2015 and they are intended to be achieved by 2030.

On COVID-19, the president, who restated Nigeria’s demand for vaccine equity, said the country would continue to expand its capacities for managing the pandemic.

The president, who also spoke on regional security, told the diplomats that the impact of the Libyan crisis on the countries in the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, and West and Central Africa were enormous and catastrophic.

He expressed concern about the proliferation of small and light weapons in the regions, made worse by the uncontrolled expulsion of foreign fighters from Libya without adequate consultations with the countries of the region.

“The world needs to work together to combat these common challenges.

“I call on all your respective countries to reflect on this and collaborate with countries in the regions to combat this consequential spread of violence,’’ he stressed.

In the fight against Boko Haram, the president said: “as you know well, Nigeria has made significant progress in combating the Boko Haram group in the Northeast.

“We are, however, recently confronted with new tactics deployed by the enemy to threaten our democratic values, as well as the common peace and freedom we enjoy in this country,’’ he noted.

Buhari commended Nigeria’s defence and security servicemen and women for their recent successes in routing the terrorists.

He said he was confident that insecurity in Nigeria would soon be brought under control.

He also acknowledged the support of Nigeria’s friends and partners in the global community, particularly the EU and the United States.

“This is for their understanding, support and agreement to allow us to procure vital equipment and resources to successfully propagate this war,’’ he said.

According to him, there is a need to intensify the cooperation and collaboration in spite of other major challenges confronting the international community.

Responding on behalf of the diplomats, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Amb. Ibrahima Salaheddine pledged that the international community would continue to support Nigeria before, during and after the 2023 general elections.

Salaheddinem is the High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria,

“As Nigeria enters another electoral year, we pray Almighty God to put the electoral process under divine guidance for peaceful, free and fair elections,’’ he said.

He noted that COVID-19 truncated the tradition of meeting the president for the breaking of the fast for two years.

Salaheddinem congratulated the Nigerian government for curtailing the spread of the pandemic.

“The enlightened leadership of President Buhari largely brought its spread in Nigeria under control,’’ he said. 

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Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

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Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

By: Michael Mike

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.

The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.

The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.

The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.

The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.

According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.

The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.

It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
End

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Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

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Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

By: Michael Mike

A community leader and the Waziri Mushere of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chief Yohana Margif has expressed dismay over the incessant killing of innocent citizens of the community.

Margif made this known in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene to halt what he described as genocide against the people, which he said was being perpetrated by suspected herdsmen.

Margif also called on Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, and other security chiefs in the country, to rein in the alleged culprits.

He said: “I would like to draw the attention of the topmost leadership in Nigeria to the deteriorating dire security situation in Plateau, particularly in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos LGA.

“I urge President Tinubu to take immediate decisive action to halt these endless and senseless killings, protect lives and properties, and secure the future of the Mushere people, and other victims of obvious genocide against the people.

“Herdsmen are killing our innocent people, burning their homes, looting their foodstuff, property, livestock, and taking over their ancestral lands,” he said.

According to the Abuja-based real estate mogul, the attacks and attendant killings have intensified recently since the onset of this year’s farming season.

Margif further said that the people had been displaced from their villages and ancestral homes and were forced to become internally displaced persons in the country.

He emphasised that the situation required immediate intervention by all stakeholders in order to prevent further escalation and inflict an irredeemable harm by wiping out the entire community from the surface of the earth.

He lamented that: “Since President Tinubu’s administration began, Plateau State has witnessed an unprecedented escalation of violence and loss of lives.

“This is the current sad reality. Our people are constantly under the threat of the enemy’s bullets and can’t sleep with two eyes closed due to the perpetual unleashing of violence against them by external forces.

“Something urgent must be done to stem the tide of violence and end this war against the people in order not to
harm this administration’s reputation,” Margif said.

In the past couple of days, suspected herdsmen militia killed no fewer than 35 people in the localities of Hokk, Pangkap, Fokoldep, Kopmur, Margif, Horop, Mbor, Mushere and Kwahas localities in Mushere Chiefdom.

Chairman, Bokkos Community Peace Observers, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the killings to newsmen, said the victims included a 70-year-old Pastor of COCIN LCC Kwakas-Mushere, Mimang Lekyil, who was attacked and killed in the church.

He said that the pastor’s wife was also shot in the leg and was admitted at the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment, he said.

“Bokkos has never been this insecure, with the people being butchered as we are currently witnessing,” Lilian Madaki, from the Mushere community told journalists.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Emmanuel Adesina, also confirmed the incident in a statement saying security forces including police and military personnel, had been deployed in the affected communities.

Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

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VP Shettima Leads Mourners At Funeral Prayers For Late Prof. Jibril Aminu

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VP Shettima Leads Mourners At Funeral Prayers For Late Prof. Jibril Aminu

** Says Nigeria has lost an intellectual giant

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima today led other Muslim faithful for the Jana’iza (funeral prayers) of the late elder statesman, renowned medical scholar and former Minister of Education and Petroleum, Prof. Jibril Aminu, at the National Mosque in Abuja.

Prof. Aminu, a one-time President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (OPEC), passed on in Abuja on Thursday after a prolonged illness.

The Vice President, who arrived at the National Mosque at 1:52 pm, commiserated with the family of the deceased and prayed Allah to comfort them and make Aljanna Firdaus the final abode of the late elder statesman.

Noting that the late Prof Aminu’s demise is a great loss to the nation, VP Shettima described the late surgeon, educationist and administrator as a man who saw it all, just as he said the deceased was an intellectual giant who can hardly be replaced.

“It is a very sad loss. Prof Jubril Aminu was the last of the great titans, an iconic figure who enormously contributed to the development of the nation.

“He was variously the Executive Secretary of NUC, Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and Honourable Minister of various ministries across the country and left his landmarks on the sands of time.

“He is irreplaceable. May Allah grant him Aljanatul Firdaus and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. His loss is not just to the good people of Adamawa State but to the nation and Africa at large,” the Vice President prayed.

Born in Song, Adamawa in 1939, Prof. Aminu was a towering figure in Nigerian public life.

The late Consultant Cardiologist served the nation in different capacities, including as Federal Minister of Education and later Federal Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1989–1992), Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States (1999–2003), and Senator representing Adamawa Central (2003–2011).

He was also President of OPEC in 1991 and President of the OPEC Conference between 1991 and 1992 while he was Petroleum Minister.

Other mourners who joined the Vice President at the National Mosque in Abuja for the Jana’iza included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), Dr. Aliyu Modibbo; former Secretary to the Federal Government, Yayale Ahmed; former Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako; former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje; former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai (rtd); former Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman; former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, among many others.

VP Shettima Leads Mourners At Funeral Prayers For Late Prof. Jibril Aminu

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