2019: Drop your Presidential ambition for now, Buhari begs youths

ABUJA – AHEAD of the 2019 presidential election, President Muhammadu Buhari has told the youths to drop any ambition of running for Presidency in the next year’s election. President Muhammadu Buhari (M) Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha (6th R) Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari (7th R) Sponsor, ‘NOT-TOO-YOUNG-TO-RUN BILL’ (NTYTR-B) in the Senate, Sen Abdulazeez Mutala-Nyako (5TH R) Sponsor, NTYTR Bill in the House of Representatives, Rep Tony Nwulu (4TH R) Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (3rd R) Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau ( 2nd R) Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (Senate) Sen Ita Enang (2nd L) Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (House of Rep) Suleiman Kawu (r) Leader of the NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN GROUP, Mr Samson Itodo (7th L) and others after the signing the Not Too Young To Run Bill into law by President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday President Buhari who made the plea Thursday, when he signed the “Not Too Young To Run” bill into law at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa Abuja, told the youths to stop any campaign for the forthcoming Elections and keep their Presidential ambition till 2023. He also expressed surprise that the age limit for senators and Governors which presently is 35 years was not reduced but said that that aspect would be revisited. President Buhari described the youths as Nigeria’s most important resource with energy, intelligence and talents that will drive the development of the country. He also described the occasion as very significant for the country especially the young people as regards the role they play for the growth of democracy, politics and national life. This is as the leader of the Not Too Young To Run, Samson Itodo has told President Buhari to impress it on his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to observe internal democracy in carrying out of their activities. The President at the occasion said, “We are gathered here for the signing of the “Not Too Young To Run Bill”, a landmark piece of legislation that was conceived, championed and accomplished by young Nigerians. “The coordinators of the Not Too Young To Run movement have now established a formidable legacy – which is that, in our maturing democracy, if you really want to change something in Nigeria, and if you can organise yourselves and work hard towards it – you can achieve it. The outcome of such efforts is this remarkable feat. “These efforts have resulted in the heroic task of enshrining in law, a reduction of the minimum ages for elective office in Nigeria. “Eligible age for aspirants for members of the State Houses of Assembly will be reduced from 30 to 25 years; “Eligible age for aspirants for members of the Federal House of Representatives will be reduced from 30 to 25 years; and “Eligible age for aspirants for Office of the President, will be lowered from 40 to 35 years. “Surprisingly, the age limits for Senators and Governors was not reduced, as originally proposed by the sponsors of this Bill. This is an issue that may need to be addressed going forward. “Nevertheless, your focus and contributions have now successfully increased the quality and maturity of Nigerian democracy and expanded the playing field for youth participation in politics. “You, the young people of Nigeria, are now set to leave your mark on the political space, just as you have done over the decades in entrepreneurship, sports, art, media entertainment, technology, and several other fields. “You are undoubtedly Nigeria’s most important resource – not oil, not agriculture, not solid minerals – but you and all of us. Your energy, intelligence and talent are what will drive and develop Nigeria, long after we are all gone. “This is an opportunity for me to affirm that this Administration will continue to do everything in its power to make Nigeria work for you. “You may all know that

OBASANJO'S RESPONSE TO BBC HARDTALK: WHY IGBOS ARE ANGRY WITH NIGERIA:

“My friends who are not from the East of Nigeria where Igbos come from often ask me why there is so much anger in the East and among Igbos. Some wonder why, despite the famed Igbo” wealth’ and enterprise all over Nigeria, the people still complain that Nigeria is unfair to them. Some insinuate that the anger comes from the loss of the 2015 election by Jonathan who the Igbos heavily backed. And why is it that the current generation of Igbos are so angry as to contemplate carrying arms against the country? With lots following Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB with his secessionist message. Those not following Kanu may despise his antics and rhetoric but are sympathetic to his underlying message. And what is that message? That Igbos don’t feel wanted in Nigeria. That decades of official marginalization and discrimination should be stopped or they should be allowed to take their chances in a new nation. First, for those who think this is all about Jonathan and Buhari. It is not. Igbos were disappointed that Jonathan did not win. But those whose candidates lose elections lick their wounds. It is allowed. It happens when your candidate loses election. Why did the Igbos invest so much emotions in Jonathan, a non-Igbo from Ijaw? It was more because of the fear of their experience in the past 50 years. Nigeria has placed an embargo on any Igbo man becoming Nigerian president and Igbos understand this. Jonathan was the next best thing. Other parts of Nigeria have supported their sons to the presidency. Some have bombed Nigeria into submission to get their sons to Aso Rock. Igbos have little capacity to blackmail Nigeria to the presidency. They chose Jonathan as their “Igbo”. But that’s not to say that they are angry enough because he lost to contemplate going to war on his behalf. Jonathan was not really the model of a President the Igbo would go to war for. And even his Ijaw people have accepted his loss. So? Igbo anger has been building up in Nigeria since the 70s. As kids, people made choices in other parts of Nigeria school years based on the narrative of the Igbo place in Nigeria. They knew about the glass ceiling against Igbos. After the civil war, despite the “No winner, no vanquished” program, Nigeria placed glass ceilings and no-go areas for Igbos. The war reconstruction program was observed more in the breach. There was the “abandoned” property program that was introduced to drive a wedge between components of the former South-East Nigeria. While the country was too embarrassed to put the discrimination program down in an official gazette, it was there for anyone who cared to look. It was evident in the Igbo police officer who stayed in one position while less qualifies juniors progressed to become his bosses. It was evident when no Igbo qualified to become the Inspector General of Police, or lead any division in the armed forces. It was there when "sensitive" or "lucrative" positions were shared in Nigeria and Igbos were conspicuously absent. It was there when Igbos were only fit enough to be made Minister of Information until Obasanjo administration came to power. And even recently, it was there when Buhari appointed 47 people to man the critical roles in his government and no one from the South east was there. Any time there is a federal appointment in Nigeria, its usually the east that is left to shout. It was there from Buhari first term as a Military Junta to his second coming and any other time in-between. The Igbo elite called it marginalization. Other Nigerians countered by saying no part of Nigeria was getting enough. Marginalization was universal. But they forgot something. The Igbo cry of marginalization was official policy. It was expected. It was programmed. And occasionally, key government officials let it slip that Igbos should not complain. After all, they fought a war with Nigeria. Talk about No Victor, No Vanquished. There was a Victor alrig

Muslim group warns Christians after Trump tackles Buhari on killings

Muslim group warns Christians after Trump tackles Buhari on killingsPublishedonMay 1, 2018ByIfreke InyangThe Muslim Rights Concern(MURIC) has criticised US President, Donald Trump, over hiscomments on the killing of Christians in Nigeria. During a joint press conference with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, Trump said the USwill not accept the attacks on Christian communities inNigeria.Reduce Your Belly Size At Night With A Simple MethodNew Vision Discovery That is Leaving Optometrists Speechless(Do This Tonight)Sponsored by RevcontentIn a statement issued on Tuesday, Ishaq Akintola, director, MURIC, said Trump’s statement, “is prejudiced, parochial and unpresidential”.Akintola also claimed Trump, “is luring Nigerian Christians into bolder confrontation,” with Muslims.“It is sheer interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation. Trump has a bully’s instinct,” the statement read in part.“If this is the same Trump who called African countries ‘shithole’, the same American president who threatened to wipe out North Korea, the same US leader who banned Muslims from entering his country, the same Republican who said, “Torture works, ok folks?”, Nigerians must be wary of America’s involvement in their affairs.“We should remember that Nigeria did not get the required support from the moderate and cool-headed Barrack Obama in its war against terrorism. We should therefore not expectany from Trump who treats vulnerable nations with contempt and has no respect for African countries. Unless Nigerians unite, this country will become America’s ‘shithole’.“Trump’s comment on killings in Nigeria implies that he would prefer that it is Muslims alone who are being killed. We refuse to believe that a whole American president does not know the true situation on ground in this country. He who knows but pretendsnot to know has his own secret agenda. Nigerian Muslims are not intimidatedby Trump’s comment. We only sympathise with those who will be gullible enough to become Trump’s ‘suckers’. Posterity will judge us.“Nigerian Christians should not allow themselves to be deceived by Trump’s comment. The advanced countries of today will not compromise the secret of their technological advancement. Western countries will not teach us what will benefit our people. They will only teachus what will divide us in order to further render us debilitated, impoverished and helpless.“Nay, they will give us fish but refuse to teach us how to fish. They will scatter us like wild oats and then give us weapons to kill ourselves. Then, under the guise of rendering humanitarian services, they will take over our land, our oil, our rich culture and force homosexualism and lesbianism down our throats but at that time, it will be too late to resist. Mark our words.“Trump is only using religion to turn Nigeria into another Iraq. Just as formerUS President Bush used Sunni-Shiite dichotomy to destroy Iraq just to lay his hands on Iraq’s oil field, Trump is also eyeing Nigeria’s oil. His plan is to use Christian-Muslim divideto set Nigeria ablaze. But Nigerians should rememberthat decades after the invasion of Iraq, that country is yet to experience stability. Years after the killing of Ghadaffi, Libya is yet to find its feet. The gunsare still booming in Syria and the world holds its breadth each time North Korea sneezes.“It is our contention that Trump is luring Nigerian Christians into bolder confrontation with their Muslim neighbours. We warn that the West African sub-region will be shaken toits foundation if Nigerian Christians swallow Trump’s bait. The extension to Nigeria of America’s crusade which brought ruins to Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and Sudan will have dire consequences on the wholeAfrican continent.”

Under Jonathan, Boko Haram strolled into Abuja at will — Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured the international community that President Muhammadu Buhari was healthy and fit to seek re-election in 2019. Nigeria ex-President Jonathan . Mohammed, who had been on tour of major media houses and think-tank in the US, said there was nothing to fear about Buhari’s health as he declared his intention to seek re-election. The minister was first in Washington, D.C. and later in New York, where he explained that President Buhari’s administration had done very well and recorded so many achievements in less than three years. He visited CNN, New York Times, Voice of America, Washington Post, Washington Times; Al Jazeera, Reuters, Wall Journal Street, and Atlantic Council and the Foreign Relations Council. He told News Agency of Nigeria: “I think the exchange has been quite robust. We’ve spoken on a wide range number of issues from security to the economy to the fight against corruption. “In particular, the interview dwelt more on insecurity and also they were interested to know why the president wants to seek re-election and whether he is fit to run given the concerns about his health. “Of course, I explained to them that it is those who have a morbid fear about president coming back in 2019 that are flying this kite about his health. “But his health is very good, since he came back in August, he’s feeling very well, he’s never missed a single Federal Executive Council meeting or cancelled any schedule and his schedules have been very hectic. “He has faced his presidential duties with vigour, urgency and purpose. Therefore, there’s nothing to fear about his health.” Under Jonathan, Boko Haram strolled into Abuja at will On Boko Haram, Mohammed recalled that four years ago, the insurgents strolled into Abuja at will under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government, stressing that residents of Maiduguri now had a better lease of life, compared to what obtained under that government. He said: “The important thing is that we made them understand that the unfortunate incident of kidnap of the Dapchi schoolgirls and the recent suicide bombings are not reflective of actually the success of the government in fighting Boko Harm. “When the government says Boko Haram is defeated, it is from the context of what it was when it came in and what we are today. People have forgotten that less than three or four years ago, people in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, could not sleep with their two eyes closed. “That four years ago, the insurgents used to stroll into Abuja at will and no building was sacred to them. I mean they were so bold they attacked the Force Headquarters. “They attacked the UN headquarters, they attacked newspapers head office, Nyanya motor park was attacked twice and states and towns like Suleja, Kano, Sokoto, Kogi, Borno, were game for them. So, when we say we have defeated Boko Haram, it is precisely what we mean.”

THE attempt to recall Senator o Melaye,

(APC, Kogi West) flopped on Saturday following a low turn-out for the verification of signatures of petitioners. Results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC at the end of the exercise showed that only 18,742 signatories to the recall petition could be verified out of the 189,870 signatories on the petition. Verified signatories were below the requirement of the law that 50 per cent and one, of the signatories must be verified before the recall process can continue to the next stage. Sen. Dino Melaye Consequently, the embattled Senator Melaye who is in hospital after the drama that followed his arrest with the Police survived the recall attempt. Many who had thought that incarceration of the senator in the hospital, coupled with his running battle with the police will make his recall easy were disappointed. Not only did he survive, he did so with a large margin as only five percent of the signatures were actually verified. Melaye’s problems started after a petition by some of his constituents in 2017 that he was not representing them well. The senator’s accusers gathered signatures to demand his recall but Melaye counter-accused the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, of being the mastermind of the plot. He subsequently approached the court to stop the process but could not get the relief he sought at the Court of Appeal. With the embattled senator incommunicado after his incarceration, many forces rose to his defence. Among those who rose to defend him was ironically, his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Members of the National Assembly, leading elites of the Okun nation, also strongly mobilised strongly against the recall. National Assembly President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, for whom Melaye had worked as a foot soldier was said to have rallied National Assembly members, especially those from the state to reach out on behalf of Melaye. The three House of Representatives members in the senatorial constituency were said to have been helpful. It was particularly amazing that Reps. Tajudeen Yusuf and Sunday Karimi who are from the PDP and had indicated interest in replacing Melaye in the 2019 General Election rallied to Melaye’s defence. Although, they were not visible at home during the Saturday verification exercise, their underground work was believed to have helped in frustrating the exercise. PDP Nobody or group of persons, however, carried the campaign, #Istand with Dino more than the PDP. Firstly, the party dissociated itself from the exercise and called on its members to shun and vote against the verification. Aside that, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan who is also from the senatorial constituency was a rallying point against the exercise. His was a strong voice and campaigner against the recall exercise. At the end of the exercise, Ologbondinyan said the governor failed to hearken to the appeal to stop the recall, and left them with no option but to mobilise against it. Ologbondinyan said the failure showed that darkness cannot prevail over light. Okun People Okun people of Kogi are an enlightened set of people in the state. They spoke with one voice and stood against the idea. To them, they saw the recall as the project of the governor and saw Melaye as the main challenger to the laxities of the governor. Though many did not like the embattled senator’s style; especially his unbridled tongue, but they averred that they won’t allow the presidency or state governor dictate the political carriage of the area. Many said that Melaye did not offend them; so they would not be used as the political tool for his removal. Indeed a week to the verification, the catch-phrase among the Okun was: “WHATEVER YOU CALL HIM, DINO IS OUR OWN AND WE WILL STAND WITH OUR SON.” Besides, it was evident during the verification exercise that the recall process could have been manipulated from the be

BABANGIDA TO BUHARI: STOP DECEIVING NIGERIANS, YOU ARE THE LEADER OF BOKO HARAM!

BABANGIDA TO BUHARI: STOP DECEIVING NIGERIANS, YOU ARE THE LEADER OF BOKO HARAM! Buhari Stop Deceiving Nigerians You Are The Leader Of Boko Haram! Orders Taken From You. Babangida Breaks Silence . FOLLOW THIS PAGE FOR MORE NEWS. News General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida finally broke silence while receiving and discussing with some delegates that visited him in his house yesterday. General Babangida who was reacting to some critical issues with respect to security and Boko Haram, while speaking said the president should stop deceiving Nigerians that the President himself is the leader of Boko Haram which he formed as a tool to disorganize the Jonathan Lead Government. He went Further to say for Boko Haram to be totally Erased by Mr president that it is indeed a mirage not possible unless otherwise. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida GCFR (born 17 August 1941), is a retired Nigerian Army General who was President of Nigeria from 27 August 1985 to 26 August 1993. He previously served as the chief of army staff from January 1984 to August 1985. Babangida was a key player in most of the military coups in Nigeria (July 1966, February 1976, December 1983, August 1985, December 1985 and April 1990). Ibrahim Babangida was born on 17 August 1941, in Minna, Niger State, to his father Muhammad and mother Aisha Babangida.[2] From 1950 to 1956, Ibrahim Babanginda attended primary school. From 1957 to 1962 Babangida was educated at the Government college, Bida, Niger state, Nigeria Babangida joined the Nigerian Army on 10 December 1962, when he attended the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) in Kaduna. Babangida received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant as a regular combatant officer in the Royal Nigerian Army (a month before it became the Nigerian Army) with the personal army number N/438 from the Indian Military Academy on 26 September 1963.[4]Babangida and General Mohammed Magoro were among the first batch of Nigerian graduates from the NMTC who attended the Indian Military Academy from April to September 1963. Others in subsequent batches from Babangida’s NMTC class include Garba Duba and Ibrahim Sauda.[4] Babangida furthered his armoury training from January 1966 until April 1966 by enrolling in Course 38 of the Young Officers’ Course (ARMED) in the United Kingdom where he received a four-month course in Saladin and gunnery.[5] From August 1972 to June 1973, he took the Advanced Armoured Officers’ course at Armored school. He attended the Senior officers’ course, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, from January 1977 until July 1977 and the Senior International Defence Management Course, Naval Postgraduate school, U.S., in 1980. He was heavily involved in quelling the Nigerian coup of 1976, when he was to ‘liberate’ a radio station from one of the coup plotters, Col Buka Suka Dimka (a close friend of his), to prevent him making further announcements over the air waves. Although he did prevent further broadcasts, Col Dimka managed to escape. He attained the following ranks: Second Lieutenant (1963), Lieutenant (1966), Captain (1968), Major (1970), Lieutenant Colonel (1970), Colonel (1973), Brigadier (1979), Major General (1983), and General (1987). Babangida also served as a member of the Supreme Military Council from 1 August 1975 to October 1979.

WHAT THE TREACHEROUS PRESENT REGIME WILL NOT TELL YOU ABOUT "DINO MELAYA".

What Nigerian Youths can learn from Dino Melaye Dear Nigerian Youth, Dino Melaye graduated from ABU in 1999 or 2000 which ever one Sowore tells you it's true. Going by his year of graduation , Dino cannot be more than 47 years of age, at most. If at 47 years a man is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a position hitherto meant for old recycled millitary men, and ex governors, then from my own estimation, that man should be respected. Irrespective of political affiliation, Dino Melaye has been the most consistent whistle Blower and anti corruption Campaigner in the National Assembly since the advent of Democracy . In 2010, the 2nd Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Runway Contract awarded at the sum of N64 billion to Julius Berger was cancelled after Dino Melaye revealed the fraud that characterized the contract. In the same year, the same Melaye and other members of the House of Reps revealed to Nigerians how the then Speaker, Dimeji Bankole embezzled and misappropriated over $59 million between 2008 and 2009. He was beaten , his clothes torn and almost stripped on the floor of the House in the full glare of cameras. He was later suspended from the House. Some of us still remember what became of Dimeji Bankole. All these while, Dino was a member of the ruling party PDP. Now as a member of the APC, Senator Dino Melaye has been a better and most vibrant opposition to his own party and the Presidency, more than all the PDP Senators put together. It was through Dino Melaye that Nigerians got to know about the "grasscutters" awarding contracts to themselves and embezzling the money in the Presidency while Buhari is busy writing memos and defending the stench of corruption and the deaths it has brought to the IDP Camps. In all these , I cannot recall any corruption charge or allegation against Dino Melaye that we know of since he should naturally be a target because of his activism and brand of politics. Don't get me wrong Dino Melaye is not a saint . My fellow Nigerian Youth, instead for you to take a deep breath and find out how this young man has been able to survive the treacherous murky waters of Nigerian Politics, you join the band wagon of detractors and waste your internet bundle on Dino's Certificates when you have a President who doesn't have the minimum requirement and yet leading the most populous black Nation into peril. Our Youth aspiring into politics should ask Dino Melaye how he was able to defeat the smartest Senator in the last Senate in the 2015 elections, talking about Senator Smart Adeyemi. For me, I have since resolved never to be swayed by the partisan affiliation of political Parties but I will rather look at the substance and character of our political gladiators. Look beyond what they want you to see. They have stolen the future of the Nigerian Youth, now they are going for the future of our Children. Hate him or like him, Senator Dino Melaye is a bold Nigerian Youth and we all have a lot to learn from him. I stand with Dino Melaye! #copied