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Buhari Didn’t Order Siege to Saraki, Ekweremadu’s Homes – Presidency

Published

6 years ago

July 25, 2018

Eric

The Nigerian presidency came out swinging Tuesday against relentless allegations of presidential interference in the affairs of security agencies across the country, admonishing critics and opposition figures to desist from politicising law enforcement.

“It is odd, strange and bizarre that while ordinary citizens can be called up to answer questions or be interrogated, the VIP cannot be questioned without the annoying insinuations of partisanship, persecution or outright politicisation,” presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu said in a statement Tuesday night.

The statement came hours after Senate President Bukola Saraki accused security agencies of plotting to prevent a mass defection of federal lawmakers from the ruling All Progressives Congress at Tuesday’s plenary.

The defection later played out almost as planned, but the conduct of security agencies in the hours preceding the exercise elicited suspicion from Nigerians who accused President Muhammadu Buhari’s as the instigator.

Mr Shehu’s message was apparently aimed at checking a widening narrative that cast Mr Buhari as a vindictive puppeteer of security agencies’ operations, especially as concerns political heavyweights whose loyalties are at variance with or lie outside the president’s interests.

Insinuations that Mr Buhari had converted law enforcement agencies to his personal attack dogs has simmered for the better part of his leadership, starting with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s crackdown on those perceived as corrupt.

The agency’s anti-corruption efforts, a crucial part of the administration’s larger campaign against graft, have seen scores of alleged corrupt politicians and their enablers taken into custody. The EFCC said it recovered billions from senior officials in the immediate-past administration, including ministers, security chiefs and shady contractors.

But at the peak of the campaign, independent anti-corruption experts said it became increasingly clear that opposition politicians were being specifically targeted. While corruption dossiers submitted against Mr Buhari’s appointees would be essentially ignored by anti-graft detectives, opposition politicians, especially those in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were being locked up, sometimes for months amidst unsigned or suspiciously-procured remand warrants.

Earlier this year, Transparency International found that Mr Buhari’s anti-corruption tactics actually worsened rather than improving the country’s long-standing corruption perception. The administration’s response to the verdict was mixed, with officials like Mr Shehu dismissing it as politically-motivated while Vice President Yemi Osinbajo took it as a bracer to fine tune their approach.

Mr Buhari’s loyalists with specific and difficult-to-controvert allegations of corruption but whom security agencies have been reluctant to go after included Babachir Lawal, the former cabinet secretary who was caught apparently dipping his hands into funds earmarked for the victims of Boko Haram, and Kemi Adeosun, the finance minister who was recently exposed as forging a national youth service certificate.

Despite the signals pointing to possible presidential interference in the conduct of security agencies, Mr Shehu absolved his principal, saying Nigerians are judging him by the objectionable manner with which past presidents approach law enforcement.

Mr Shehu dismissed allegations of Mr Buhari’s involvement in the onslaught against political foes as an “orchestrated campaign,” insisting strongly that the president does not dictate the direction of activities for agencies.

“This country cannot achieve development in peace when important cases are viewed through a political prism and the law is considered as being applicable to some, and not applicable to others,” Mr Shehu said. “The law of the land is intended for all, not for the poor or those at the lowest rungs of the social ladder.”

Echoes of tyranny blared through the country’s political spectrum on Tuesday morning, following revelations that the homes of Senate presiding officers had been blockaded. Top opposition politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Balarabe Musa, were amongst those who condemned the action of the police and cautioned Mr Buhari against truncating the country’s democracy.

Mr Shehu said the Nigerian Constitution was at play yesterday and not the president, whom he said will not tolerate recklessness from security agencies but will not prevent them from cracking down on individuals —their social status notwithstanding— who have criminal questions to answer.

“President Buhari does not stand in the way of law enforcement either. Under our constitution, he has no powers to stop the investigation of anyone or institution. When they are set to investigate anything and anyone, the best friend of the law is the one who lets them do their work.

“The President’s constant refrain is that he will not tolerate any form of illegality including corruption and the law enforcement agencies have been given complete freedom to identify and bring all culprits to justice. His instructions to them are very clear: Anyone with a case to answer or found guilty should not be spared,” Mr Shehu said.

Mr Saraki has faced allegations he conspired with the suspects of a deadly armed robbery attack in Offa, Kwara State, in April. The police invited Mr Saraki for further questioning over the matter on Monday night, giving him until 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday to turn himself in. But the Senate President failed to comply with the directive, and instead emerged at the Senate where he presided over the plenary.

Mr Saraki said he played down the police’s invitation after he learnt that other security agencies were holding Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu at his residence. Yesterday’s plenary would not have held if the two presiding officers were unavailable.

In June, PREMIUM TIMES learnt that Mr Buhari permitted Inspector-General Ibrahim Idris to take Mr Saraki into custody if the police had enough grounds to do so, especially in relations to the Offa robbery carnage. This revelation had been used to support partisan arguments of Mr Buhari’s critics and supporters alike.

While the critics said Mr Idris’ visit to the president over such a matter showed that he had been taking directives from him on similar matters in the past, supporters focused on the president’s response instead, saying it was a remarkable act done to strengthen the independence of public institutions.

PREMIUM TIMES also uncovered yesterday that the siege laid to the residences of Messrs Saraki and Ekweremadu came at the instance of Buhari administration officials.

PDP spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, said it is difficult if not outright ridiculous to claim that Mr Buhari was given security agencies a hands-off approach, especially after he defended the Zaria massacre of Shiites and the failed assets declaration trial of Mr Saraki.

“Also, take the most-recent instance of the president’s approach to Kemi Adeosun’s certificate scandal, you will see clearly that the president gives direct orders to security agencies or his body language sanctions lawlessness on the parts of security agencies,” Mr Ologbondiyan told PREMIUM TIMES by telephone Wednesday morning.

“This government thrives on pretense, pretending not to know that the finance minister is involved in certificate scandal,” he added. “It is a waste of time exchanging words with characters like Garba Shehu.”

Culled from Premium Times

Featured

‘Osun is Proud of You’, Gov Adeleke Hails Davido at 32

Published

15 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Eric

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated his nephew and global music icon, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a superstar Osun State is proud of.

In a statement by his Spokesperson Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor added that Davido’s consistency, energy and passion is evident in the result he has recorded not only in his music career but also in his life as a person.

Governor Adeleke furthered prayed for progress, more success and achievement for him while commending his continuous outreach to the orphanages and less privileged stating that it is a noble act every blessed hand in Nigeria must emulate.

He said, ” I want to rejoice with my nephew, David Adeleke Davido, on the occasion of his 32nd birthday, I am very happy we are all alive to witness it.

“Davido is a global super star that Osun state is very proud of. The consistency, energy and passion he has inserted into building his music career is evident in the result he has recorded not only in his career but also in his life as a person.

“I pray for him for progress, more success and achievement in long life, prosperity, sound health and mind.

“I equally want to commend his continuous outreach to the orphanages and less privileged. I must say that this is a noble act every blessed hand in Nigeria must emulate.

“Once again Happy Birthday to Davido”.

Featured

Glo Festival of Joy Promo: Security Trust Boss Wins Toyota Prado in Warri

Published

2 days ago

November 23, 2024

Eric

Warri was agog with excitement on Thursday as the Board Chairman of Delta State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Daniel Mayuku, became the first winner of the much coveted Toyota Prado in Globacom’s Festival of Joy promotion.

Mr Mayuku was presented the keys to the prized asset at a ceremony held by the company on Thursday, November 21, at Gloworld, Delta Mall, Warri, by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area, Chief Anthony Ofoni. Friends, admirers and other Glo subscribers joined in the celebration which turned into a carnival in the city with electrifying performances by Ema Dance Troupe.

An overjoyed Mayuku declared: “When I received the first call that I won a Prado in Glo Festival of Joy promo, I believed it was a scam and I immediately told the caller not to call me again. However, after few minutes, I started receiving calls from friends and I decided to call my friends in Glo and they confirmed it. I was in disbelief; I thought it was a scam. I jokingly asked for the car immediately and I was told to come to Glo office for verification and today the jeep has just been presented to me. Globacom is truly Nigerian, a network that delights its subscribers every year. They are still the best.

Other lucky winners also went home with tricycles (Keke), power generating sets, sewing machines and grinding machines. Ovueve Efejiro, a native of Ughelli, who won Keke, said, ”I just won Keke through Festival of Joy promo, I am very grateful to Glo. This Keke will help my family. My brother will use it for commercial purpose immediately”, while a generator winner Felix Gabriel thanked Globacom for always remembering Nigerians every year in its annual promos.

Speaking at the presentation, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly Hon. Emomotimi Guwor who was the special guest, said “Globacom is a network that is known for giving. Over the years, many Nigerians have been empowered by Glo. The people of my constituency in Warri South West and entire Delta people are grateful to Glo. We will continue to use Glo and I also want to be part of the winners one day soon. So, I will ensure that my line is always on and ready. Kudos to Glo and our own Dr. Mike Adenuga. Please keep on empowering Nigerians.

Similarly, the Head of licensing and operation, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Delta State office, Mrs Anwuli Efejuku, commended Globacom for the transparent nature of the promo. She said, “We witnessed the raffle draw few days ago here in Warri where it was conducted in the presence of everyone and today the winners that emerged have been presented their prizes. Congratulations to all the winners.

To participate in the Festival of Joy promo, new and existing subscribers should dial *611# to opt into the promo and to keep recharging. He added that new subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.

“Customers are required to recharge up to N100, 000 cumulatively during the promo period to qualify for the draw for the Prado Jeep, N50, 000 cumulative recharge for Kia Picanto, N10, 000 in a month for tricycle and N5, 000 total recharge in a month to win a generator. For the sewing machine, a total recharge of N2, 500 in a month is required, while for grinding machine, a recharge of N500 in a day will be eligible for the draw. New subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#, Globacom explained.

Guests at the event included representative of Urhobo community in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Hon. Karo Goru Jonathan; Chairman Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Anthony Ofoni; representative of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Delta State office, Mrs Anwuli Efejuku; representatives of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Chief Okieneni and Chief Emmanuel Eyela; President of of Igbudu Market Association, Warri, Chief Rume Kugberu and Nollywood actors, Ese Eriata and comedians Gordons and M.C. Forever.

The next prize-presentation exercise comes up in Lagos, where another set of Nigerians will go home with different prizes including another brand new Toyota Prado, Kia Picanto car, Keke and others.

Featured

Ozekhome Hails Goodluck Jonathan on 67th Birthday

Published

4 days ago

November 20, 2024

Eric

Leading human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Prof Mike Ozekhome, has celebrated former President Goodluck Jonathan as he turns 67 today.

In a heroic-worded eulogy, the renowned author, who recently launched 50 books at once, praised the former president for his gigantic strides during his tenure, and for putting the nation above his personal interest in the aftermath of the 2015 general election.

Below is Ozekhome’s full statement:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR BROTHER AND GOOD FRIEND,DR GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR

BY PROF MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN, CON, OFR.

GEJ, you are a true democrat in the truest sense of the word.More than 8 years after you left office, many Nigerians are still yearning for your kind of humane and purposeful leadership that shunned discrimination, tribalism, sectionalism, prebendalism and cronyism.

Nigeria surely prospered under you, overtaking South Africa as the biggest rebased economy in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. For the common man,life was good. You certainly made your mistakes, like us all humans and mortals. But your gargantuan pluses far outweigh your few minuses. God has indeed been very kind to you, raising you from a bootstrap state of nadir to the zenith of power as president of the biggest democracy in the black world. But you never allowed power to intoxicate or overwhelm you as an aphrodisiac.

You showed uncommon humility and selfless leadership- a servant leader. As a living icon phenomenon, you have exemplified the quintessence of the highest virtues and nobility of a good man. At a time Nigeria was on the precipice of collapsing under a looming electoral inferno in 2015, you placed the national interest above your personal interest by conceding defeat to then candidate Muhammadu Buhari, even when votes were still being counted. Your immortal words before that historic occasion to the effect that “My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian” easily placed you in the pantheon of rare heroes. The words rekindled the genre of Abraham Lincoln’s imperishable words during his 18th November, 1863 Gettysburg declaration, that “Democracy is government of the people, for the people and by the people”. Your continuous shuttle diplomacy across the world with which you illuminate dark electoral crevices has proven you to be a world leader of respected pedigree.

Through you, Nigeria exports Democracy.

Happy birthday to an iconic and uncommon democrat.