Headline

Buhari’s Three Years in Office: The Score Card

Published

6 years ago

May 26, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

…Nigeria’s economy improving, future very bright – President Buhari

Between May 29, 2015 when it came to power and August 2017, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC), struggled to find its feet in its self-created muddy waters of administration. The confusion that characterized the period in question was complicated by the fact that the President was never at home as he was busy gallivanting and crisscrossing the globe. At a time when it looks like he will face administration, Buhari was struck by a yet to be known ailment, which kept him away from office for a whopping 150 days. Much as the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was in charge in his absence, he was incapable of taking any policy decision, and the country continued on its auto-pilot flight.

It was not until October 2017 while Nigeria was celebrating its 57th Independence anniversary that the Buhari administration through the office of the Vice President, released what he termed 57 achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari to mark the independence anniversary. Among the achievements were the release of 106 Chibok girls and the decimation of the Boko Haram sect.

Some of the reported achievements on the list include but not limited to the following

The release of 106 Chibok girls
The arrest of 16,000 Boko Haram members
Tackling insurgency
Decimation of Boko Haram in the North East
Recovering 14 local governments and territories previously under Boko Haram control
Rebuilding the lives of citizens affected by Boko Haram
Curbing the incidence of kidnap across the country including the arrest of kidnap kingpins
Restoring morale of the Nigerian military
Re-organising and better equipping the Nigerian Armed Forces
Purchase of 12 Super-Tucano aircrafts worth $600 million
Ensuring continued peace in the Niger Delta through consistent funding of the FG amnesty programme for ex-militants
Introduction of an improved mechanism for distribution of aid to IDPs
The implementation of the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan to aid economic recovery
Taking the country out of her first worst recession in 29 years, despite fall in oil prices
The N1.2 trillion expended on capital/infrastructure projects nationwide
The effective implementation of the Treasury Single Account 17. Increasing government revenue by over N3 trillion
Entrenching transparency and accountability
Implementation of the Bank Verification Number
The signing into law of two bills from the National Assembly (Acts are the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act, 2017 (otherwise known as Collateral Registry Act) and the Credit Reporting Act, 2017) to improve ease of doing business
The establishment of the Presidential Quarterly Business Forum
The prosecution of corrupt alleged public officers
Institutionalising E-governance
The successful establishment of the whistle-blower policy
Voluntary Income Asset Declaration Scheme
Signing of agreements with a number of nations to provide Automatic Exchange of Information
Signing of the Extradition Treaty between Nigeria and United Arab Emirates toward strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign
The establishment of PACAC
The eradication of polio in the country
The introduction of the One Primary Health Centre per ward

In Buhari’s own words, he said: “In the almost two years of this administration, we have worked hard to meet the expectations of Nigerians by improving security, especially in the North-East, sustaining the campaign against corruption and have taken steps to revitalise the economy.”

But civil societies as well as the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismissed the President’s assessment as laughable, saying the so-called achievements were lies.

Responding through the office of the Publicity Secretary, the PDP said “these comments from Mr. President are to say the least untrue and an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians who have been at the receiving end of his government’s mismanagement in the last two years.

“‎Fellow citizens, we…wish to crave your indulgence to reflect on the state of affairs in the country before and after President Buhari’s APC led administration took over two years ago.”

The party went on to state that most of what the APC stated as achievements were actually their programmes before they left office and blamed the ruling party for feeding Nigerians with the wrong narrative.

“‎But Nigerians have been fed continuously with the wrong narrative as if we have all slipped into collective amnesia…,” it said.

The president’s efforts have had little or no effect on the man on the street as every Nigerian continues to power his own home and business concerns with the use of generator and expensive fuel; provide his own water through self-dug borehole, even tackles his own security with recruitment of vigilantes and other security mechanism at his disposal

Again in January 2018, the Presidency came up with another list of achievement, but this time either reduced in quantity or shrunk. Instead of the previously published 57 of about four months behind, the achievements were 17 in number vis-à-vis

Exit from the worst recession in decades. Also, Inflation fell for ten consecutive months during 2017 (February to November).
Stabilisation of the naira against the dollar, after the Central Bank introduced a new forex window for Investors and Exporters.
Nigeria’s stock market emerged one of the best-performing in the world, delivering returns in excess of 40 percent.
Bumper food harvests, especially in rice, which local production continues to rise significantly with states like Ebonyi, Kebbi, Kano leading the pack, and Ogun joining at the end of 2017.
Launched of 701 billion Naira Intervention Fund (‘Payment Assurance Programme’) aimed at supporting power generation companies to meet their payment obligations to gas and equipment suppliers, banks and other partners.
Payment of pensions to police officers who were granted Presidential pardon in 2000 after serving in the former Biafran Police during the Nigerian Civil War.
Nigeria moved 24 places on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings, and earned a place on the List of Top 10 Reformers in the world.
Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves grew by $12 billion, reaching the highest level since 2014 and added an additional $250m to its Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Nigeria successfully issued two Eurobonds (US$4.5bn), a Sukuk Bond (100 billion Naira), a Diaspora Bond (US$300m), and the first Sovereign Climate Bond in Africa, raising billions of dollars for infrastructure spending.
The Federal Government launched a Tax Amnesty scheme expected to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenues when it closes in March 2018.
Implementation of Whistleblowing Programme that has so far seen recoveries of tens of millions of dollars.
The Social Investment Programme, which feeds over 5.2 million primary school children across selected states daily in addition to Npower project which has enlisted about 200,000 unemployed graduated.

Other reported achievements, according to the party, were the reorganization of Joint and Admission and Matriculation Board and The Nigeria Customs Service which have remitted more than it used to. It also noted that with the footprints of 2017, the year 2018 will mark a revolution in agriculture and infrastructure.

However, during the week, the Presidency in recognition of the third anniversary, released yet another list of achievements in a statement it tagged The Economy: Facts are Stubborn Things, and signed by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina. He condemned as many that suggest through their actions and inactions that President Buhari has achieved nothing good on the economy while highlighting the following achievements and quoting the National Bureau of Statistics, which suggests that ‘the economy has recovered from the slow-down and eventual recession, which started in 2014’.

Most of the problems the average Nigerian is facing today may have been there before the present administration, but the difference lies in the fact that Buhari and his co-travellers made us believe that they have the antidote to the good life Nigerians yearn for, but unfortunately, the case is even worse today. The country is not any better three years after the change regime came in with a lot of hope – a lot of dashed hope

Improvement with stronger growth for three successive quarters, where from contracting by 0.91% in Q1 2017, the economy has grown by 0.72 percent in Q2 2017, to 1.17 percent in Q3 2017, and 2.11 percent in Q4 2017.

Again, the Q1 2018 GDP, showed that the economy has recorded a GDP growth of 1.95 percent, compared to a contraction of 0.91 percent in Q1 2017.

The Nigerian economy is on the road to diversification, indicating that the oil sector’s contribution to GDP is 9.61 percent, while non-oil sector’s share is 90.39 percent.

Spending of about N1.5trn on infrastructure projects in 2017 which resulted in the positive performance of the economy in Q1 2018

Consistent decline of inflation in 15 months from 18.72 percent to 12.48 percent

Continuous growth in total capital importation into the country, the fourth consecutive quarterly increase since Q2 2017

Foreign reserves stand at $47.79bn, compared to $29.6bn inherited in May 2015, after about six years boom in oil prices in the international market. The increase came at a time of modest oil prices, showing transparency and accountability by government.

Nigeria’s Stock Market ended 2017 as one of the best-performing in the world, with returns of about 40 percent.

Tax revenue increased to N1.17trn, in Q1 2018, a 51 percent increase on the Q1 2017 figure.

Milled rice production has increased from 2.5MT to 4MT, and rice imports have dropped from 580,000MT in 2015 to 58,000MT in 2016.

It would be recalled that, according to Adesina, that on exiting recession last year, President Muhammadu Buhari had said he would not consider the job done, until the ordinary man feels the impact of the rebounding economy on his life and pocket. The question now is ‘has the ‘ordinary man’ felt the impact…’

Buhari’s administration kicked off in 2015 on a tripod stand of Fight against corruption, Security and the Economy, and even as the Presidency has given itself pass mark on all fronts, the majority of Nigerians think otherwise

A cross section of Nigerians who spoke to The Boss unanimously agreed that the president’s efforts have had little or no effect on the man on the street as every Nigerian continues to power his own home and business concerns with the use of generator and expensive fuel; provide his own water through self-dug borehole, even tackles his own security with recruitment of vigilantes and other security mechanism at his disposal.

“Most of the problems the average Nigerian is facing today may have been there before the present administration, but the difference lies in the fact that Buhari and his co-travellers made us believe that they have the antidote to the good life Nigerians yearn for, but unfortunately, the case is even worse today. The country is not any better three years after the change regime came in with a lot of hope – a lot of dashed hope,” a Lagos resident recounted.

Never in the history of the nation that so pronounced discordant tunes ever experience. It is just 10 months before the next election, and 12 months before the inauguration of a new regime. Will it still be Buhari; will it be someone else?

Time, as usual, will surely tell.

Headline

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Prioritize Existing Unfinished Projects, Peter Obi Tells FG

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2024

Eric

Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has advised the federal government to prioritize existing unfinished projects spread across the country instead of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

Obi, in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, stated that the project was a misplaced priority given the numerous unfinished roads throughout the country.

The former governor of Anambra State mentioned that the budget allocated to the Ministry of Works is insufficient for significant progress on the country’s various unfinished roads, much less their completion.

Obi therefore, advised that the government prioritize the existing infrastructural projects in the country before embarking on any new and colossal projects like the Lagos-Calabar super highway project.

“The Federal Ministry of Works 2024 capital budget of N892,461,262,656.00, additional funding from multilateral loan projects of N94,828,535,243.00, alongside other expected contributions from sources like the China-Exim Bank and the World Bank, will not be enough for serious work on all the critical roads, some of which I enumerated above, let alone their completion.

So, why embark on another huge project that will not be completed in the next 20 or 30 years?

“To do so will only exacerbate the problem of abandoned, uncompleted projects that are not contributing to economic growth and overall development.

“Therefore, while acknowledging the potential benefits of coastal superhighway infrastructure, I urge prioritization of our existing uncompleted projects. We must allocate resources towards repairing and completing existing infrastructure.

“In any development formula, the primary focus should be on completing and rehabilitating existing infrastructure rather than embarking on colossal new projects that may never reach completion within the next 30 years,” Obi said.

Back in March, the Federal Government began constructing the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, designed to extend through 9 states with two spurs leading to the Northern States.

Recall that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, had earlier described the project as a fraud.

“Umahi had announced that Hitech would fully fund the project, and based on this, there was no competitive bidding. He (Umahi) then said that Hitech could only raise just 6% of the money for the pilot phase. This smacks of deceit,” Atiku said.

Headline

2027 Presidential Race: Opposition Parties Under Attack

Published

4 days ago

April 21, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

While it is still a whole three years before the next general election in 2027, The Boss has learnt that opposition parties in the countries are being muffled to pave the way for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to, and retain power.

From the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the Labour Party (LP), and down to the New Nigerian Peoples Paty (NNPP), crises have engulfed the rank and files, in what a source told this paper was the attempt and making of the ruling party, APC, to decimate, destabilize and make redundant the machineries of the opposition parties.

It is believed that by 2027, the apparatuses holding together the various opposition parties would have weakened irredeemably to the extent the country would seemingly nosedive into the inglorious one party state that every civil right advocate and democrats abhor.

It is alleged that all the crises in all the opposition parties are being engineered by the President Bola Tinubu-led ruling APC, with the hope of getting the fibres of their system weakened, thereby luring the members of the crisis-ridden parties into the APC.

Slightly one year after the last presidential election, the two major opposition platforms, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, have separately been embroiled in a crisis of confidence which has diminished their capacity to provide viable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The crises in both opposition parties got to a head. The Labour Party led by its national chairman Julius Abure held its much-opposed national convention which was boycotted by its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; its only governor, Alex Otti of Abia State; federal and state lawmakers elected on its platform, and the organised Labour.

In the Labour Labour, members have been embroiled in endless battle of supremacy with a faction led by Mr. Apapa steadily contesting the leadership of Julius Abure.

Consequently, the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, reverence as a leader in the fold, noting that whatever the party faces presently, that Nigeria’s problems are far bigger than the crises in his party.

The LP has been embroiled in crises — ranging from allegations of misappropriation of funds, and leadership tussle, to calls for the resignation of the party’s national chairman.

TheCable reported that “On March 27, the LP conducted a national convention in Anambra state where Julius Abure was re-elected as its national chairman.

Obi did not attend the convention, fuelling speculations that he may be mulling over ditching the LP for another platform.

Speaking during an appearance on HaveYourSay247, an interactive online session hosted by Rudolf Okonkwo over the weekend, Obi said he is confident that the crises rocking the LP will soon be resolved amicably.

“Whatever is happening in the Labour Party is so minute compared to what is happening in the country,” Obi said.

“So, for me, it is something we will resolve amicably, and it is not anything to worry about. Let us worry about the country.

“Let us worry about how the average Nigerian would be able to have a means of livelihood to be able to eat, that should be our worry.”

Obi said he has no interest in being the party’s leader but only to make sure things are done properly.

“I don’t see what I do in politics as being the leader of any place or not. My position is that just like I always say, I am not desperate to be president of Nigeria, I am desperate to see Nigeria work because I know it can work,” he added.

“We have a more desperate situation. Parties are just a means to be able to contest elections. What is important is that being a leader of a party does not reduce the price of food.

In the PDP, the shenanigans of former Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has practically kept the party in constant crisis with many observers concluding that the now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is working for the APC, and is just a mole in the PDP. Wike has denied the allegation, however,

But news filtered in last week as that the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, and Minister may have concluded plans to attend the much advertised National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), billed to hold on Thursday, in Abuja.

Impeccable source, who is in the know, told The Boss that the minister, whose membership of the PDP is yet to be revoked even as he frolicks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and serving in the President Bola Tinubu government as a minister.

The Source told The Boss that Wike’s impending presence at the NEC meeting on Thursday was not unconnected with plans, already hatched with some governors, to weaken the opposition PDP.

“Yes, we have on good authority that FCT minister, Wike is planning to attend the NEC meeting tomorrow all in a bid to weaken the fabrics of the PDP, and pave the way for the continuation of the Tinubu administration come 2027, and by extension, relapse Nigeria to a full blown one party state.

“From every indication, Wike and his co-travellers, are bent on unleashing the same crisis ravaging the third force, Labour Party, and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Nigerian National People’s Party (NNPP) on the PDP for the APC to remain the only political party in the country, and ensure that Tinubu has no challenger, come 2027,” the Source said.

It would be recalled that Wike has boasted over and again that there’s no opposition against Tinubu’s re-emergence in 2027, and that they have made sure of that. He has been compensated with the Ministerial job after he withdrew support for his party, and supported the APC and Tinubu to emerge as national government.

The Source further revealed that in the attempt to actualize the intended one party state, a lot of funding is ongoing to ensure that concerned stakeholders are ‘settled’ handsomely.

Wike, prior, during and after the 2023 general elections, has been floating in between the two major political parties; the APC and the PDP. While he claim to still be a member of the PDP, he is functioning as a minister in an APC government, mocking the inability of his party to discipline him.

While political stakeholders concluded that the outcome of the Thursday’s PDP NEC meeting will determine the path Nigeria’s political trajectory will take, and that it may portend the end of multi-party system and political democracy if Wike succeeds in his plan; every page of what finally transpired at the meeting pointed to the fact.

The much touted removal of the party chairman, who is believed to be a crony of the Abuja minister, Damagum, retained his seat, with his executives.

“It is very clear to everyone that a lot of money politics is being played to cajole many loyal members of the party, forcing them into frustration, and eventually it of the party. The option afterwards, will be the APC. This, will for all intent and purpose actualize the intended one party state as an APC agenda.

The Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso-led NNPP is not faring better either. The only governor under their ticket, Abba Kabir Yusuf, just had the confidence of their party on him withdrawn. He was fighting for his political life until suddenly it was announced the the APC in Kano has collapsed its structure into the NNPP.

“This is just another APC strategy to actualize their hidden intentions. Time will reveal the very sinister agenda they harboring,” an analyst said.

Much as 2027 is still three years away, but intrigues are in play to render Nigeria a one party state, and perpetuate the APC in power. The three other opposition parties are basically under attack to bring to pass this unpopular agenda.

Headline

Akwa Ibom Government, Governor Umo Eno Receive Top Honors at the 10th Wonders of the World Expo in Lagos

Published

4 days ago

April 21, 2024

Admin

The Akwa Ibom State Government and Governor Pastor Umo Eno were recognized with Travellers Awards at the 10th Wonders of the World Expo in Lagos for their sustained enhancement of infrastructure, support for local talent, and dedication to investment in the tourism sector. The ceremony took place at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos.

While Akwa Ibom won the Most Active Tourism State of the Year, Governor Eno was adjudged the most Tourism-Friendly Governor of the Year at the event that had Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade John in attendance.

According to Amb. Ikechi Uko, Founder/Publisher of ATQ Magazine, the organizers of the event which is in its tenth edition, Akwa Ibom State won the top prize “in recognition of its valiant and resourceful efforts to drive and sustain domestic tourism by promoting the industry.

‘In 2023, Akwa Ibom was one of the states that hosted World Tourism Day (WTD ) events. The state also organized the famous Christmas Unplugged, which featured music, food, and cultures from all 31 LGAs as well as ensured friendly policies.”

While hoping that the Travellers Awards would spur Akwa Ibom to do more to dominate the domestic tourism industry, the organizers hoped that the state would gradually evolve into one of Nigeria’s top international tourism destinations.

That was not all, the state Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh was also recognized as one of the Top 100 Tourism Personalities in Nigeria for demonstrating exceptional leadership and innovation in the travel and tourism industry, while other Akwa Ibom indigenes and entity were also celebrated: Mrs. Ime Udo, Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor( Tourism) won Tourism Promoter of the Year, Favour Udo won Tourism Photographer of the Year, Loretta Effiong and Prince Uduak Sunday (Qua Tours) were listed among the Tourism Personalities of the Year and Ibom Air won Airline of the Year International.

In his remarks, Sir Charles Udoh, who represented the Governor at the event, thanked the organizers for the awards and noted that Akwa Ibom is certainly enjoying the golden era when it comes to tourism development. He stated that Governor Umo Eno is very keen on making Akwa Ibom a leading tourism destination with his programmes and policies.

He revealed that with the new Victor Attah International Airport nearing completion, the purchase of a ferry for the Oron-Calabar route, new developments along its coastline and the restoration work that will be done at all its major tourism sites, Akwa Ibom is well on the way to becoming the number one destination for all domestic and foreign tourists.

In her speech, Tourism Minister, Mrs. Ade John hailed the organizers for hosting the Expo, where practitioners were lectured by top experts while also rewarding those who have excelled in the past year.

She affirmed that her ministry is open to partnership with public and private sector operators, adding that tourism development can only be successful through collaborative efforts.

The event, which attracted leading and budding tourism professionals, also featured interactive and entertainment sessions.

Apart from Sir Charles Udoh and Mrs. Ime Udo, the Akwa Ibom State delegation, also included: Mr. Michael Effiong James, Senior Special Assistant (Lagos Liaison) to Governor, Mrs. Eme Bassey, Special Assistant to Governor (Lagos Liaison) and Akparawa John Offiong, Deputy Director ( Culture) Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

More photos below: