BUHARI ARRIVES WASHINGTON TO MEET DONALD TRUMP

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday arrived Joint Base Andrews Airport, Washington ahead of his bilateral meeting with US President, Donald Trump. The President’s arrival was confirmed by his Personal Assistant on New Media, Engagement Unit, Bashir Ahmad. A tweet from the presidential aide read, “President @MBuhari has just arrived the Joint Base Andrews Airport, Washington ahead of his bilateral meeting with President @realDonaldTrump tomorrow.” BUHARI is accompanied by Governor Simon Bako Lalong amongst other top Government officials.

Hon Solomon Maren Does it Again With His Medical Outreach

Hon. Engr Solomon Bulus Maren Flags off Phase Two (2) of His Medical Outreach in Mangu and Bokkos local Governments. The Honourable Member Representing Mangu/Bokkos Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Solomon Maren today the 26th of April, 2018 flagged off phase two of his free medical outreach. The flag off commenced at Allah Na Kowa Hospital, Mangu after which Hon. Maren and his entourage proceeded to Lunar Hospital, Bokkos for another flag off. According to Hon. Maren, health is wealth. This necessitated his organizing a medical outreach so his constituency can benefit. He told the crowd that the medical outreach he organised last year was successful as almost four thousand patients were treated and given medications, while almost two hundred had surgeries performed on them which were successful in addition to those suffering from eye related ailments who were treated with quite a score given free medicated glasses. There was huge turnout of patients who trooped to avail themselves of the outreach which they commend as laudable and appreciated Hon. Maren for his giant strides and pray to God to continue to bestow him with wisdom and courage to achieve more. Hon. Solomon Maren was accompanied by his wife, Engr Victoria Maren and the leadership of Plateau State PDP who took time to eulogise on his unprecedented representation which has touched on the lives of his constituents. Those who graced the occasion include, Hon. Amos Gombi the Pleasure State Deputy Chairman of the PDP who represented the State party Chairman, Hon. Benedict Shinugul, Dr. LT Fomson, Elder Lita Shindai, Alhaji Sani Golden, Hon. John T. Akans the Plateau State PDP Publicity Secretary, Hon. Micheal Abi the Chairman of Bokkos PDP, Hon. Mahli Maton and a host of many other stakeholders across the two Local Government Areas. The Free Medical Outreach is billed to run for two days with devices ranging from General ailments to surgeries, eye related services and dental services.

OPINION:Buhari Doesn't Deserve A Second Term -SATMAK DAPAR

As we approach 2019 elections,Various pro- BUHARI groups have come out to drum support for President Muhammadu Buhari's second term bid,The recent endorsement of Buhari by the APC Governors has kick started the game,Mr Satmak Dapar a youth activist and journalist pens words on paper as to why BUHARI doesn't deserve a second term. Mr Dapar clearly states his opinion and it Reads : For the records, let me start by saying that this article is strictly my opinion and I take full responsibility for that. I’m pretty sure it will be read with mixed reactions but that’s ok. This opinion is a clear reflection of my conscience and I’m happy to use this medium to offload an enormous burden that has made me wondering over time which direction my lovely and beautiful country Nigeria is headed. The love I have for Nigeria can’t be quantified. It’s endless in both space and time. Consequently, I’ve had the golden opportunities of contributing to society through philanthropy, journalism, unionism and leadership development services especially in rural areas. I’ve seen for myself firsthand the Nigeria of yesterday and today. It is particularly a Nigeria where poverty, hunger, injustice, massive bloodshed and violence, illiteracy, diseases, decay in critical infrastructure and corruption in high places has taken the place of purposeful and God-fearing leadership. I also have considerable knowledge and the different dots defining conventional politics having done it at almost all levels. Prior to 2015 general elections, the atmosphere was awash and inundated with the fact that Gen. Buhari was coming to power to make the real change Nigerians sought for a reality. Those words kept ringing a bell and Nigerians took a unanimous decision to kick out the Jonathan-led government which was hitherto accused of gross incompetence and corruption. That development ushered the dawn of a new political era and high confidence was reposed in the APC on the basis of its promises, action plans and much-talked-about miraculous change agenda. I was particularly critical of former president Goodluck Jonathan’s style of governance because of many obvious reasons, albeit, I commended him where he exemplified courage in the face of critical odds. It’s now glaring that Gen. Buhari’s change agenda is a mirage and was only used as a campaign strategy but with nothing practical to change Nigeria’s story. What has happened afterwards? What progress have we made? What hope have we achieved? What manner of dignity have we seen and enjoyed at the grassroots level? The abstract of the answer is in these words. Nigeria is at present a country that takes 1 step forward and 2 steps backward. Almost nothing is working in the sacred interest of the masses. President Buhari takes little or no action in stamping out the issue of wanton and unjust killings in the Middle-Belt by terrorist herdsmen. Blood is shed with impunity without justice. The perpetrators unleash their satanic mission and disappear in the thin air. The number of people killed within a span of 3 years is mind-blowing. The number of refugees at the moment is unbelievable. The humanitarian crisis keeps raging and staring us in the face, yet, the killing spree continues in a truly vicious cycle. This is an apparent failure of governance because no responsible government will fold its arm and watch innocent souls perishing on a continuous basis. Similarly, no responsible government will fold its arms and watch poverty, unemployment, frustrations and other ills ravaging the youths without a practical agenda for a way out. We faced same problems before but nothing has changed obviously under the current government. The common man is denied justice. Police unleash mayhem on innocent people without being checked even on a serving senator (Dino Melaye). For a mace to be stolen in a violent invasion of the senate during plenary last week by thugs shows the degree of shame our leaders have brought to Nigeria considering the fact that the senate symbolizes Nigeria’s democracy. In other words, Boko Haram insurgents in their daring but evil campaign against humanity will storm a sleepy community and hack life out of people; yet, get away with such brazen impunity and injustice. They even abducted our daughters and returned some in a broad day light without total clamp down on them. Unfortunately Leah Sharibu is still in captivity because she refused to denounce her Christian faith. How sad! In the light of these troubles, a true leader is expected to show uncommon courage, fight for the cause of justice, suspend protocols, spend sleepless nights, bend some rigid laws, put aside pleasures, suspend unnecessary foreign trips, wear human sympathy and take radical decisions to make things right. The reverse is simply the case. People are suffering. Killings are taking place in the churches, mosques, towns and villages as well as market places. The reality is that nowhere is safe. When Gen T.Y Danjuma recently called for self-defense and the fact that the armed forces collude with armed herdsmen to shed blood, it smacked off nationwide condemnation from especially those in power. That was nothing but the truth. However, I commend Mr. President where he has shown commitment in moving the country forward. The import of this article is to criticize in love. Such criticism is borne out of a deep patriotic mind and spirit. Posterity will judge me if I don’t speak out against the injustice confronting my people. Nigeria needs a stronger, more committed, highly-detribalized, just, fair and leadership oriented leader to save us from the endless problems we are facing. Such leader must be the one that will shake Nigeria, dust her and explore avenues for a new beginning. We thought we had such leader in President Buhari but that was only a wishful thinking. It is far from reality. We need to move forward in a truly holistic manner. Development must take place at all levels and in all ramifications. There must be proper utilization of funds to meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people. Nigerians must heave a sigh of relief, enjoy the dividends of democracy and smile once again that yes! True change has come. It is time to stop issuing condemnations and press releases with little or no action. Any government that cannot protect its citizens and meet their welfare, that government is a failure. As much as we will continue to pray for Nigeria, so also will we continue to criticize constructively until the right thing is done. These killings must stop. Let there justice. On a final note, president Buhari doesn’t deserve a second term. Nigeria’s progress can’t continue in this snail speed rate. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria Written from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus 

IRIGWE NATION RAISE ALARM OVER CONTINOUS SILENT MASSACRE

The Irigwe Nation has come out to describe what it calls a continuous silent killings of its people without the killers apprehended by the security agencies. In a statement signed by The Chairman of the IRIGWE Development Association, Mr SundayA.Abdu and P.R.O Ive Gulu Adu presented to the press in Jos, the group want an end to all the spate of attacks on innocent lives in IRIGWE land. The statement reads; The Irigwe Nation feels compelled to once more raise the alarm over the continuous loss of lives from attacks on innocent villages. We will like to state here, that we view the recent gruesome killing of four of our brothers by Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday 17th April, 2018 as shameless and barbaric. It is most irresponsible coming amidst series of meetings and consultations,aimed at achieving peace, and has shown the Fulani as people that cannot be trusted. For the avoidance of doubt, dialogue has been on at both local and state government levels through constituted committees, which also comprise the Fulani. Another avenue has been under the auspices of the dialogue, reconciliation and peace (DREP)centre, under the leadership of the Catholic Arch Bishop of Jos, Most Reverend IgnatiusKaigama. As a matter of fact, the last meeting at the DREPcentre was held on 5th April, 2018. At that meeting which also had some journalists in attendance, both Irigwe and Fulani representatives expressed commitment and readiness to engage each other constructively and objectively towards ensuring that no further loss of lives are recorded in Irigwe land. Their representatives were on record saying an end to the nocturnal attacks has come. It therefore beats our imagination to wake up to the news of another attack on innocent Irigwe sons at their place of work in NcheTahu, near Rafin Bauna on 17th April, 2018 while excavating sand and loading into their tipper. Not only that, the Fulanis only last week, let their cattle into Irigwe territories for reasons yet to be ascertained. We consider this action as an attempt to raise a false alarm over missing cattle to justify another round of killings of our own who would obviously be accused of the said crime. Fully aware of this, we alerted security personnel and upon arriving to the area, where herds of cattle were left straying, the soldiers encountered resistance from the fire power of the herdsmen. This forced them to seek reinforcement which saw the herdsmen fleeing. As we speak, the soldiers have driven the flock to the sector six headquarters in Jebbu Miango We view this as most irresponsible and a breach of trust and call on all the conveners of the various peace moves to review the genuineness of the commitment of the Fulanis to the various peace initiatives. We wish to state that this is not the only incident that shows lack of willingness on the part of the Fulanis to peace. But for the vigilance of our people who have continued to alert security agencies stationed in our land to wade off planned invasions, we would have lost more lives and properties to the unrepentant militia herdsmen. For the avoidance of doubt, we recently had our annual Zrachi Festival early April but, devoid of the usual fanfare due to the series of threats we kept receiving from the Fulani assailants. But for the doggedness and commitment of the military and police agents who stood their ground in protecting lives and property in Irigweland, that festival would have been a festival of blood, considering the unwavering determination of the marauders to invade our communities. We therefore commend the security agencies (operation safe haven) under the able leadership of the commander Major Anthony Atolagbe, the Commissioner of Police, CP Undie Adie and their officers at various levels. We thank them for their professional commitment to saving lives of the innocent. They have demonstrated that indeed, security agents are out to protect the vulnerable. So sad though, that these killings have continued sporadically despite this unwavering commitment of security agencies who themselves have taken casualties from this senseless carnage. As Irigwe people, we are daily praying for the security of our land and those guarding us against the invaders. We wish to state that the only reward we can offer the security personnel is the return of peace and normalcy, but while we are on this, we wish to state that more ought to be done, especially as the detractors are not resting on unleashing their mayhem on innocent people. We are more concerned and worried now that this has continued while the planting season beckons. We therefore, call on the operation safe haven to step up surveillance and alertness in saving us from an impending hunnger. To other parts of Plateau, i.e Daffo and Berom Communities which have also shared this gruesome experience, accept our sympathies over your losses. And to our Bache neighbours, it has become more imperative to eschew perceived differences of the past and join hands in safeguarding what we have as brothers. It is not the time to write damning releases aimed at escalating differences, but time to join forces and build bridges of good neighbourliness, otherwise we would all be consumed on the same land that we all cherish. Our boundary issue which has brought friction is almost being resolved by the appropriate authorities, let us allow this process to pan out amicably and avoid heating up emotions through comments and releases. Finally, the Irigwe Development Association (IDA) calls on all Irigwe sons to remain calm but vigilant in the face of unprovoked aggression even as we have buried the recent four, slained by the ravaging herdsmen. We call on the government to rise above the usual condemnation and take more practical steps at safeguarding our people. Much as we appreciate the results the strategies have yielded, where they have failed, we urge that a review be done to counter the ever evolving tactics of the assailants. Thank you.

BREAKING:Photos Of Injured DIno Melaye Who Jumped Out of Moving SARS Vehicle.

Photographs have emerged of injured Senator Dino Melaye after he jumped out of a moving vehicle of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad conveying him to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Tuesday. Melaye, as earlier reported by The Eagle Online, jumped out of the moving vehicle after he was arrested from his Abuja home by operatives of SARS. He was being taken to Lokoja where he was invited by the Kogi State Police Command for questioning but refused to heed the call. He was initially arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday.

GOODNEWS AS FG FINALLY ENDS BSC/HND DISPARITY

The difference between Bsc/HND graduates has been put to an end by the federal government - Winifred Oyo-Ita, the Head of Service of the Federation (HOCSF) on Sunday, April 22 issued a circular containing the presidency's resolve on the age-long disparity - The Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) urged government at all levels to set up monitoring groups to see that the decision is implemented Beneficiaries of President Muhammadu Buhari's cancellation of the difference between university and polytechnic graduates in the civil service have praised him for his actions. While the disparity had before now restricted polytechnic graduates to certain Salary Grade Level (SGL) in the civil service, it took the intervention of the National Council on Establishment (NCE) to address the issue, Winifred Oyo-Ita, the Head of Service of the Federation (HOCSF), in a statement dated Monday, March 26, relayed the the decision of the NCE to all concerned and solicited their support for implementation. The circular indicated that NCE approved entry point of SGL 08 for HND holders in the civil service. It also encouraged serving HND officers to fulfil all specified conditions as contained in scheme of service and extant rules for career progression beyond SGL 14. Ahmad Yabagi, the head of the umbrella body of the beneficiaries, the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), informed journalists on Sunday, April 22 in Abuja, that the decision has paved the way for career building. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Yabagi said: “We are glad that this monster called dichotomy that has been a big threat to the development of technology in Nigeria has been defeated. NATE has therefore resolved to support and partner with the Federal Government in the quest to bequeath entrepreneurial skills to Nigerian youths as a means to turn around the economic fortune of Nigeria.” Yabagi, however, advised all government agencies to see that the resolve contained in the circular is implemented throughout the country. Dr Ramon Adedoyin, the executive chairman of the Polytechnic, Ile-Ife, had called for the outright scrapping of the Higher National Diploma (HND) programme, and its replacement with a Bachelor’s degree in Technology, as obtainable in advanced countries. Adedoyin made his comments during a chat with newsmen; against the backdrop of the federal government’s recent removal of the dichotomy between the holders of HND and university degrees.

Thousands Sympathize With Dalung over Demise of Cousin

Various Groups,NGOS,Forums,Colleagues and Thousands of Facebook followers have expressed deep sense of sorrow to Sympathise with the Hon Minister of Youths and Sports Development,Solomon Selcap Dalung,Over the painful and untimely demise of his most Cherished First Cousin,General Nanven Rimtip,describing how unbelievable and shocking the news reached him last week,"It sounds like fake news difficult to believe but indeed the Soldier man is gone. Dalung on his Facebook time line page added, "I cannot question these which I am also a prospective subject" A handful of his Facebook followers commiserated with Dalung and prayed the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable lost.the minister mentioned earlier to our correspondent the burial is scheduled for Friday these week.

CHARLY BOY CALLS FOR AN OUTRIGHT BAN OF BIG BROTHER NAIJA

Veteran entertainer and political activist known for his "Our Mumu Don Do" slogan, Charles Oputa, also known as Charlyboy has called for an outright ban of the Big Brother Naija reality game show. Charlyboy said the reality show should be banned due to its negative impact on Nigerian youths. He also said, “If I had my way, I would ban young people from watching that scrap. With their present predicament, I don’t see how it adds value to their lives or their future.” Despite enjoying large viewership among Nigerians, the reality show has been perceived in certain quarters as having negative impact on youths. The show has been enmeshed with scenes of flash nudity, sexual acts.

Jonathan Divided Nigeria More Than Buhari -FESTUS KEYAMO

Jonathan divided Nigeria more than Buhari –Keyamo Mr. Fetus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was recently appointed the spokesperson of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 re-election campaign. In this interview with Saturday Sun, Keyamo spoke on various issues and accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of dividing the country with religious and tribal sentiments. GODWIN TSA conducted the interview. You have just been appointed the Director, Strategic Communication for President Buhari’s 2019 election campaign but many people did not see this coming based on your background as an activist. Does this bring an end to Festus Keyamo, the social crusader and activist? I am an unrepentant, strong and incontestable focused supporter of President Buhari. And you know why? It’s because of his integrity. We are in a situation in this country now that the way the country has been battered economically, we need somebody with integrity to preside over the affairs of the country and revamp it to glory. If they put two qualities on the floor and asked you to pick only one which is more important to drive the nation now, which one will you pick? Is it health or integrity? You want somebody who is young but without a track record of integrity, nothing to judge him by, coming from nowhere, and you have someone with a proven track record, spoken and attested to by all his colleagues over the years, which one will you pick? My main motivation is that I have decided that I am not going to sit on the fence. You are correct, people will keep asking, Keyamo, you are known as an activist, so continue to remain neutral. Like Zeburudaya, I say ‘fa! fa, foul’. So I am now the idiot and a fool for so many years who will continue to sit on the fence, who will not come down on one side and try help, criticise the government in certain ways and try and build it to succeed. I just realised that if I sit on the fence and continue to wait for an utopia government to arrive from heaven, without a stain, I will wait now till billion years and it will not happen. To some of us, in the pursuit of our beliefs, we have gone through a lot. We have been arrested, detained and tried for our beliefs on what we preach and do, so our convictions are not ordinary convictions, but they come from deep within us. With all sense of modesty, do I look poor, that I need something from any government? I don’t, it is for the good of my country that I am doing what I am doing. The present government is not the best, it is not a divine arrangement that we think that it is God that sent it down from heaven, it has its flaws, it has made some errors in judgment and certain things, but those errors do not amount to amargeddon. But people say Nigeria is more divided under Buhari than ever before. What would you say to that? Who made it happen? It was politics that made it happen and not Buhari. In 2015, you saw that this country was divided by the North/South sentiments and the Christians/ Muslim sentiments. Who made it happen? In 2015, who used religion to campaign? Certainly not Buhari, he did not go to mosque publicly begging Imams and praying in the Mosque, lying down before Imams to bless him and tell their followers to vote for him. He (Buhari) did not do that, so when you say the country is more divided, is it as a result of him? Certainly no. It was because of the dynamism of the politics that brought him into office; the politics of that time under former President Goodluck Jonathan. But luckily for us, God is a kind God, because you know what? On 2019, those people who preached evil against the Hausa – Fulani, those who told their people that these people are not good, those who told their people not to vote for Hausa /Fulani people because they have a mentality of born to rule, these are the same people that have zoned their presidential ticket to the North now. So you know what? They will now go back to the same people that they preached hatred against to undo what they did. They will now see themselves cap in hands, with shame on their faces, they will go back to their people and say, the Hausa/ Fulani are not too bad, let us vote for them. And on that day, their people will question their integrity, but you told us in 2015 that the Hausa/ Fulani are not good people, why did you give your ticket to them now? As a senior lawyer and also a prosecutor, what is your assessment of the fight against corruption? There is always room for improvement in all endeavours, that is why we are not perfect human beings. It is just that the impression that a certain section wants to create the impression that it is a phantom fight, it is selective, fake and not a sincere fight, that is what I take objection to. The issue of selectiveness is the most immoral and unacceptable argument that I have heard in my entire life. Why do I say so? What is the point people who push the selective argument are making? The only reasonable deduction I can make from such an argument is that they may be insisting that those who have been caught should be left alone because there are others who have not been touched. To break it down more simply, the argument seems to be like ‘this thief you have caught, let the thief go because one or two others escaped, you have not caught others.’ It is a very immoral position for anybody at all to take. But having said all of that, except you are one of those people who are saying whatever happens, I will remain a sceptic and have agreed that anything good have been done in the fight against corruption. If you are not that type of extreme person, looking at it objectively, the fact that we are even talking about it now shows that something is happening that did not happen before. There is some movement in the corruption corridor, there is some roughing of feathers; the table is shaking and those who are standing on the table are the ones that are complaining that this table is shaking. So, beyond the noise, we must accept the fact that something different is happening than what happened before. Let me tell you one barometer you can use to know whether the fight against corruption is going on well or not. There is a very small barometer and it is that, once everywhere is quiet, nobody is talking or complaining, the issues are not discussed publicly, everywhere is quiet in terms of people not shouting persecution, selectiveness, once that is going on, you should know that the people in power are stealing something. They are selling up the interest of the people, that is why they are not complaining. It is just like when you come to a house where you have a lot of children and the children are not playing or jumping up and down, the place is not scattered, but they are quiet somewhere, you should know that they are all sleeping or eating. But once there is noise everywhere, you should know that something is happening. So, once there is noise everywhere in terms of the anti-corruption war, in terms of people accusing each other, saying there is selectiveness, once all that is going on, it is a barometer for you to know that you are touching the tiger by the tail and that is what is going on. Still on the issue of corruption, there is a looters’ list released by the Federal Government that is generating a lot of controversy. Is this action of the Federal Government justifiable? I can say yes to that because the list was released in the context of what happened. If I want to take you back, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), without prompting, without any provocation from any quarter and in a desperation to warm themselves back into the hearts of voters in a bid to come back to power in 2019, all of a sudden, from nowhere, said we are sorry, forgive us. The ruling party, the All Progressives Congress(APC), said no, we need genuine repentance or genuine penitence from the PDP, to say to Nigerians, look, we have done something wrong, this is what we have done, our members have looted the national treasury, please forgive us. The PDP did not do that, it did not go into details of the wrong it has committed, so the ruling party (APC) says, let us fill the blanks for you. You stole money, we have details that many of your members stole money, so return these monies as a first step towards penitence. I see sense in that. You stole a car from somebody and you are cruising around town and when you see the person you stole the car from, you will say sorry, I stole your car without returning the car to the owner. You have to first return the car to the person. PDP has to return the stolen money to the national treasury first. From there, things went totally out of hand. PDP said none of its members stole and that if you have evidence, publish it. So you expect that you throw this kind of challenge and somebody will not pick it up. It was an invitation from the PDP, so it cannot amount to defamation, because it was a clear invitation from the PDP to come and throw banters. In response to that challenge, the ruling party say, ok, if that is what you are saying, this is the list of people we have that took money from the national treasury without justification. The controversy about this is that, they say the cases are in court and some have not been charged. I want to draw a parallel for you. As we are sitting here now, you can see I have a Close Circuit Television (CCTv). If I see somebody here now, incontrovertible evidence, snatch my computer and begin to run, if I quickly come out to chase him, do I need a court of law to convict that person before I shout ole! Ole!! thief thief! No, I don’t need that because I have evidence that the person stole my computer. So, the government of the day is not just waking up to say the PDP looted the treasury, it has evidence, so, it is in that context that the names were released. For those who are going to court, when they get there, the law will be espoused and it will enrich our jurisprudence. But like I said, the question is that, do you need a court order convicting somebody before you can accuse a person of taking what does not belong to him, when you have incontrovertible evidence in your box? My answer is simply no! You don’t need a court conviction, if you do have evidence and there is a need to call that person to order, it is perfectly justified and in order. Credit:Sunnewsonline

2019:10 Reasons Why Many Senators, Reps Won't Return to NASS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in January this released the timetable for the 2019 general elections, fixing the presidential and other polls into the 109 senatorial districts and 360 federal constituencies of the country for Saturday, February 16, 2019. As the date approaches, frantic efforts are being made by the lawmakers to secure their party tickets to return to the parliament. Based on the INEC timetable, all party primaries are to be concluded latest by October 7, this year. Daily Trust Saturday’s analysis revealed that many of the lawmakers may lose their seats based on a number of reasons. The attrition rate in the federal parliament has been on the rise over the years, increasing from one Assembly to the other. From the seventh (2011-2015) to the current Assembly, a total of 308 out of the 469 federal lawmakers couldn’t cross the bridge as they lost their bids to return. At the Senate, 79 lost their seats and in the House, 229 suffered the same fate. Only 161 survived the election battle to cross from the last Assembly to the present one. A review of the National Assembly records showed that from 1999 to date, the 469 seats at both Senate and House of Reps have been occupied by 2,345 persons. At the Senate, only Senator David Mark (PDP, Benue) retained his seat at the chamber since 1999, a feat that made him ‘the most senior lawmaker’ in Nigeria. Also, Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe) has been at the National Assembly since 1999, but he was first at the House of Reps before he upped his political career to the Senate in 2007. Like David Mark in the Senate, Nicholas Ebomo Mutu (PDP, Delta) is the one face that has been at the Green Chamber since 1999. Mark, Lawan and Mutu are the three faces that have been at the National Assembly since 1999. Unlike what is obtainable at the United States Congress where a similar bicameral legislature is being operated. At Congress, lawmakers spend decades. For instance, Senator Chuck Grassley was first elected to the US senate in 1980 and before then he was a member of the US House of Reps. Grassley, a Republican is one of the old faces at the US senate. Analysts including serving and former lawmakers told Daily Trust Saturday that the attrition rate in 2015 would be child’s play compared to what would happen next year if the signals come to pass. Some of the reasons follow: 1. Poor performance/bad representation The key function of the National Assembly as stated in the Section 4 (1-9) of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria was to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof. The performance of the lawmakers are determined based on bill sponsorship, oversight, contribution to debate on motions and bills, and other legislative intervention. In August last year, a review of bills sponsorship in the Senate showed that 16 senators had no bills to their credit, 26 months after their inauguration. In the House, only about 160 members out of the 360 have sponsored at least a bill, as at last year. Lamenting on the performance, a ranking Senator from the North said: “It’s unfortunate that we have some of our colleagues that up till this moment are yet to understand what lawmaking is.” A Rep expressed dismay that some of his colleagues cannot second a motion let alone contribute to debate. “Such lawmakers are ‘bench-warmers’. Apart from introducing themselves during committee sittings, there is nothing else they know how to do,” he said. While a some constituents always see their representatives on television or read them on the pages of newspapers contributing to one thing or the other, others don’t get to their theirs at all. This is likely going to count against some lawmakers come 2019. 2. Change in lifestyle Another factor that would likely negate the return of some of the lawmakers is the sudden change in their lifestyles. Before becoming lawmakers, some legislators could be described as poor. But soon after becoming lawmakers, they become obviously affluent. Many constituents grumble at the sudden appearance of posh cars and choice real estate, owned by their representatives. It is noteworthy that in 2015, Senators and Reps spent billions of naira to buy official cars. A lawmaker who does not want to be named, told Daily Trust Saturday that he pities some of his colleagues who suddenly change their lifestyles to that of ‘big men’. “Some of them, after leaving office, just give them six months and see what they’ll become. I think people should learn to think as adults,” he said. 3. Abandoning of constituents At the beginning of each session, newly-elected lawmakers relocate from their constituencies to Abuja, the seat of power. While some go back to their constituencies, weekly or even occasionally, others don’t until elections loom. This usually makes constituents feel ‘used and dumped’. Since the inception of the current 8th Assembly, a number of lawmakers have been attacked in their constituencies for not visiting their constituents. This alone is a pointer to what awaits such lawmakers in the coming elections, should they decide to re-contest. 4. Battle for governorship seats Already some of the lawmakers at both chambers have indicated interest indirectly to contest for the governorship election of their states. It is believed that in coming days some of them will formally declare their intentions. The lawmakers have joined the race to succeed their respective governors, in the case of second-termers, while others are going for the jugular to unseat first-term governors. There are indications that some lawmakers from both the Senate and the House are warming up to contest for governorship in states like Zamfara, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Imo, Jigawa, Borno, Yobe, Taraba, among others. This will mean that such lawmakers will lose the opportunity of returning to the National Assembly, whether they succeed or not. 5. Rotational system/local politics Like at the national level where the presidency is rotated between North and South, in most of the 469 constituencies, similar scenarios are playing out. Stakeholders have adopted rotational system where political offices are rotated among the various local governments or ethnic groups within such areas. For instance, in Bayelsa East senatorial district, where Senator Ben Murray-Bruce represents, the seat is rotated among Ogbia, Nembe and Brass, the three local government areas that make up the area. In the Senatorial District, it’s a one-tenure arrangement. With this arrangement, there is the likelihood that Murray-Bruce’s ‘Common Sense’ contribution may be missing in the next Senate. 6. Clashes with governors A battle line has been drawn by a number of lawmakers with their state governors, a development that is a serious threat to their return bid. In some cases, the misunderstandings between the lawmakers and the governors have gone beyond reconciliation, as a result of which such legislators face threats of being denied return tickets. This kind of scenario obtains in states such as Bauchi, Kano, Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna, Jigawa, Gombe, Katsina, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Imo, Rivers, Delta, among many others. Others that may defect to contest, are likely to meet brick walls, because of the powers governors wield. A senator from the North-West told Daily Trust Saturday that in 2011 when he had issues with his governor, he narrowly returned to the Upper Chamber. He described governors as “evil”. “Before the election day, over 100 of my supporters were in jail because we had issues with my governor. I spent everything to return to the parliament. But in 2015, when we were on the same page, he spent hundreds of millions for my election,” he said. A governor of a Northeast state recently said that while he is in support of the return bid of all the members of the House of Reps from his state, he could not guarantee that for the three senators. 7. Horns-locking with the Executive Lawmakers, especially those from the Northern part of the country, that show any dislike for President Muhammadu Buhari in are seen as enemies of the common man. This much could be seen in the way those that go against the president are tagged ‘enemies of progress’ and often attacked by their constituents. During a recent outing, a lawmakers from the Northeastern part of the country was attacked for opposing Buhari’s position on the plans to change elections sequence in the country. And many lawmakers are poised to lock horns with the Executive further. 8. Jumbo pay The perception of the average Nigerian is that lawmakers enjoy huge pay without doing much to earn it. Because of this, the battle to the National Assembly is always a do-or-die affair. Only recently, Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna State revealed that a senator takes home N13m monthly, which totals N156m annually. Checks showed that a House of Reps member takes about N8m monthly, amounting to N96m each year. This development often leads to bad blood, causing some constituents to vote against their representatives. 9. Abuse of constituency projects Constituency projects are meant to be used by lawmakers to reach out to the various communities in lawmakers’ constituencies, possibly evenly. However, some lawmakers abuse the process by concentrating such projects in certain areas, while other localities do not feel the impact of their representatives. This usually pitch constituents against their reps, which lead to total rejection during subsequent polls. 10. Misconception of Legislature About years 20 years into the return to democracy, many Nigerians are yet to understand the role of lawmakers in the scheme of things. Despite being the closest elective office holders to the grassroots, many Nigerians don’t know the duties of their reps. Some analysts believe that the confusion is being compounded by the lawmakers in their campaigns. Rather than pledging to enact laws for good governance, the lawmakers campaign to their constituents that they will construct bridges,roads,hospitals etc. Amina Alake.

TAROK GROUP COMMENDS SOLOMON DALUNG'S GIGANTIC STRIDES

Wocci Nigeria and Tarok Professionals Forum commends Minister of Youths and Sports development on youths empowerment nation wide. The former General Manager of "Women and children in support of Cummunity Development Initiative" (WOCCI) Hon Edwina Mang has applauded the minister for youths and Sports Development Hon . Solomon Dalung for his recent sponsorship of Hundreds of youths to undergo various vocational training in and outside of the country in a bit to be self reliant. Mrs Mang, A philanthropist and a Plateau stakeholder made this known to Headline news political editor Mr Jeffrey Isaacs in an interview in Abuja recently. In a related development,the convener of a non partisan group " the Tarok Professional Forum" Chief Nanzing Nden was on point to shower commendations and encouraged the Hon Minister Dalung on this people oriented project that is focusing on human capital development which is key to the country's growth.

FESTUS KEYAMO:Why I Accepted To Serve as Buhari's Campaign Spokesperson

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and fiery acclaimed lawyer, Festus Keyamo has come out with a statement narrating why he accepted the challenge of his recent appointment as the spokesperson of President BUHARI'S reelection bid. In a statement made available to newsmen Mr Keyamo bares it all: Just yesterday, my appointment as the Director, Strategic Communications of President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation was made public. In that capacity, I would be the Official Spokesperson of the President’s campaigns for the 2019 Presidential Election. Let me put it on record that I was indeed consulted before the announcement. Upon the offer, I wholeheartedly and proudly accepted the challenge to do this for the good of my country and for posterity. For in President Buhari I have found an approximation of the lofty values I cherish and have fought for all my life. I know millions of Nigerians have never seen me in the mould of partisan politics. This is because for the past two and half decades, I have been under intense public scrutiny while engaging successive governments (military and civilian) in the most critical way possible. The public has also watched me grow steadily all the way from that young, restless lawyer to the exalted position of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). In the process of my restless and relentless engagements of the authorities, I have been hounded, arrested, detained, paraded like a criminal, charged and discharged from courts severally, but remain unbowed. Hence, some of us have been branded as “radicals” and seen as completely apolitical. However, the ultimate aim of every struggle is not really to enthrone a perfect, flawless system. Only the starry-eyed, younger ones think such is possible. That is Utopia. Rather, the ultimate aim of the struggle is to enthrone a government (yes, even with the normal human flaws) that is focused, determined and fiercely opposed to the unscrupulous wheeler-dealers in the society, committed to protecting the interests of the down-trodden, the weak and vulnerable. One of the obvious ways to do this is to ensure that what belongs to all is not cornered by a few; and if they do so, to ensure that they are made to account and brought to justice. I can boldly say that no Government in the history of Nigeria has recovered so much looted funds as that of President Muhammadu Buhari. The fact that this Government has clearly chosen this path in protecting the masses of our country (as unpleasant as it has been to some) is one of the many reasons why I am so proud and bold about my support for the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari. In doing this, I take a cue from my revered late boss, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN who mentored me. Throughout his career, he also consistently and fiercely engaged every government in Nigeria and suffered as a result. Guess what? THE ONLY GOVERNMENT HE FULLY SUPPORTED THROUGHOUT HIS LIFETIME was that led by General Muhammdu Buhari in 1984 – 1985; and that was to the chagrin of some of his professional colleagues and fellow “radicals”. However, he saw what they did not see at that time, because when that government was overthrown by General Babangida, what followed was the worst era in our history in terms of institutionalizing corruption and political chicanery in Nigeria. In the 2007 Presidential election, my late boss again endorsed General Buhari in the following words: “When we talk of anti-corruption war, there is no way you will exclude General Buhari. I don’t want to hear what a political party is going to do, whether ANPP or PDP or NDP or which other political organization. Tell me who is leading the party, tell me who is leading the government, that’s my concern. It’s a matter of leadership. This is a serious election, very serious one”. Some of those same forces and interests that saw the back of General Buhari in 1985 are still very much around with us. You can hear their voices getting louder of late, preaching hate and toiling hard to incite the people against the President. They want us to go back to our old ways, disguised as if they genuinely care for the masses of this country. When you look at the profile and ignoble antecedents of these characters - the emergency heroes, some of us have no option but to undertake this role we have been called upon to assume just to ensure that they do not succeed in their selfish enterprise. For all I have said above, my convictions about this job are deep and well thought-out. Given my background, it is clear that I cannot be a sycophantic rabble-rouser, looking for some personal gains. Having reached the top echelon of my career, some of us can conveniently stay away from all these, and continue to earn a good living from our thriving law practice. However, the call of duty beckons because we are at a critical crossroads in our history where one wrong turn may take us back to the sorry state from which we are emerging. We are here to convince and appeal to the masses not to allow us take that wrong turn. Now, it is important I elaborate a bit on this “sorry state” from which we are coming. Some people always attempt to befuddle the issues by continually reminding us of certain statistics that existed before 2015 and after 2015. However, our situation before 2015 is comparable to that of a car on a high speed, seemingly doing well on the road, but with the temperature gauge already rising. That car is in trouble. But to the uninformed, the car would be seen as doing well. However, the callous driver, fully aware of the rising temperature in the engine, continues to speed on. After some time, it is inevitable that the engine of the car would overheat and crash. In that state, the callous driver hands over the car to the new driver. The new driver, seeing the condition of the vehicle, decides to fix the radiator first which is responsible for the overheating in order to protect the engine, before setting out on the road again. Yet, the callous driver mischievously calls everyone to come and see how the new driver has parked the car to fix the engine before setting out once again. The callous driver tells everyone that the new driver is clueless; that that is why the car was parked briefly. The above anecdote is a graphic reflection of the situation we find ourselves. With the crash in oil prices just before 2015, the previous government resorted to borrowing to pay salaries and recklessly drew down on our foreign reserves, just to give the impression that all was well. So much unearned money was also circulating in the country amongst a few, giving the false impression that we were in a buoyant economy. However, the economy was headed for a crash. All the indices show that the slip into recession started shortly before this government took over, like the car which engine was already over-heating. The attempt by a few to deceive the people that all was well with us before this government took over, is one of the reasons some of us have decided to come out of our shells to put a hole in that false narrative. It is simply a big lie. I am persuaded that the Buhari Government took the right measures to halt a bigger disaster awaiting our economy had it been otherwise. Those who are persuaded otherwise are within their legitimate right to do so. We are all patriots, trying to find the right answers to our problems as a nation. However, if you are persuaded otherwise, kindly state in details what exactly should have been done to run the economy better, given the crash in oil prices and production that dropped to around 700,000 barrels per day. Surely, discerning Nigerians would no longer buy the fable of “Buhari destroyed our economy”. If I voted Buhari in 2015 and I am to vote for him again in 2019, then why can’t I campaign vigorously for him? I see no reason. It is a fallacy to say you are neutral in politics, yet you step forward to cast your vote at elections. If you are persuaded enough to vote for a candidate of your choice, then you must also be persuaded enough to campaign for that candidate, because your vote would be lost if you do not convince others to also adopt your position. That is why I have made my choice for 2019 and I will publicly stand by it. That choice is President Muhammadu Buhari. For those who are persuaded otherwise, I challenge them to also name their choices because you cannot criticise my choice of a candidate without naming your own choice. After all, the President would not be running against ghosts or against a vacuum. Therefore, this is not a time to hide behind a blanket criticism of any candidate. Each candidate should be assessed in comparative terms with other candidates. There has also been much attempt to de-market the President using his age and health as pummeling tools, and as such raising the decibel in the clarion call for a young or younger President. Firstly, on the issues of age and health, it would be ungodly and outrageous for a mere mortal to assume the status of God Almighty to speculate on the longevity or strength of any human being. Even doctors have been proven wrong on so many occasions. It is a matter entirely in the hands of God. Our past Presidents that died in office (Abacha and Yar’Adua) were in their prime. In fact, Abacha did not even show any sign of a failing health before he slumped and died. In Zimbabwe, the main opposition candidate for years, Morgan Tsvangirai used the issue of age and health to campaign against President Mugabe, urging him to go and retire and rest. Yet, just a few weeks ago, Morgan Tsvangirai died at the age of 65 and Mugabe is still alive and kicking at the age of 94. Those are the mysterious ways of God Almighty. No human being should even use that as a campaign gimmick. That person would be courting the wrath of God Almighty. In addition, no one can argue that age has anything to do with the required integrity to be the President of a country. I also firmly believe that our value systems in politics and the society have been so damaged pre-2015, that a firm and experienced hand is needed to reset our collective psyche before we can set sail again. The notion that public office is just available to share money which was the norm pre-2015 is gradually being changed. Spending a few more years to sustain that kind of re-orientation will do us a world of good. President Buhari is one of the very last of the upright Mohicans in Nigeria available to help reclaim public integrity before he takes his bow in 2023, if the Nigerian people so wish. We must take advantage of his still being around to deepen the nation’s moral fabric. The choices before us have never been so CLEAR in the history of our country. On the one hand are those who are already in the mud and seeking to drag others into the mud. These are the ones who keep saying “We are all corrupt together”, and who keep confessing and apologising like people coming out of a trance. They say they should be forgiven because they have been “honest” enough to confess and apologise. Fellow Nigerians, there is nothing like an honest thief. It is a disgusting oxymoron. A thief is a thief. This is especially so if the thief did not willingly come out to admit he was a thief until his hands were caught right inside the cookie jar. The other choice before us is a President who has been accused of everything that is false but even his most ardent critics, and detractors locally and internationally have not accused him of having a penchant for wealth accumulation. I am persuaded to campaign for him by his austere lifestyle, his Spartan taste and frugal nature. I am not looking for a god or an angel to vote for. They are not around here on earth. I am only looking for someone with these minimum personal qualities I have enumerated above. The President’s other human flaws may be there, but I am waiting for the candidates of our opponents to show me their credentials from heaven. People can easily point to those with questionable past in the ruling party, the APC. With my antecedents and in my true conscience, I cannot defend them and cannot make excuses for them. However, in joining the President’s party, they are subjecting themselves to the disciplined leadership of the President. Like Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN said above, it is the leadership that matters. Like I always ask: should we all stop going to church because some known sinners also throng to churches every Sunday? The obvious answer is in the negative. On the other hand, the other party whose key leaders were all part of those who pilfered our commonwealth are about to present us with one amongst themselves as a Presidential candidate in 2019. Of course, reasonable Nigerians are waiting to dismiss that before it happens. However, for some of my friends, colleagues and associates who are still persuaded by the other way of running our country, and who belong to different political platforms, all I can do is to wish them well, but also state that this is a time for us to agree to disagree. It is all for the good of our country. It will bring out the best in us in canvassing our persuasions. However, I will be putting my heart and soul to this assignment and if anyone is offended by my commitment to the cause, I offer no apology. You can also do likewise to advance your cause. Nigerians would decide at the end of the day. My message to all those teeming supporters who did it in 2015 for our President is that you do not abandon a ship with which you set sail midway. Our race is not a 100-meter dash. It is a marathon race to rescue our country. We are almost there. When we turn the corner in 2019, you will see the tape at the finishing line. We must not run out of breaths. We believed in 2015. We must keep that belief alive. The hallmark of true supporters is to stand firm in times of storm and in times of calm. The storm is almost over. The President has battled to take control of the steering wheel of the nation and we are on course. Do not let the naysayers bully you whether in real life or in cyberspaces. When they run out of arguments, they resort to abuses. If they abuse you, see them as patriots, but misguided ones; if they attack you, see them as patriots, but misguided ones; if they call you unprintable names, see them as passionate patriots, but misguided ones. Do not retaliate. With time, especially when majority of votes wipe out their minority opinions in 2019, they will come round to you and acknowledge your vision. So, hold your own and keep your heads up. For us, this race is never a do-or-die affair. We shall present the facts as we see them and let Nigerians decide. We do not have to hire Cambridge Analytica to scare the electorate. They are already sufficiently scared by the humongous corruption that took place under the watch of the last government; the electorate are already sufficiently scared by those who are apologizing just to sneak their way back to power; the electorate are also sufficiently scared by the tons of cash buried in graveyards, farm houses, luxury flats in Ikoyi, in Yachts in the High Seas and those used to buy real estate strewn all over the world. Nigerians know from where their problems came. They know it is not President Buhari. They know it came from some of those battling tooth and nail to displace him. Those who are persuaded by us should not remain aloof, please. Kindly join us in this journey. Thank you.

BUHARI'S VISIT: More Garlands for Plateau State -Yakubu Datti

The Commissioner for Information and communications in Plateau State, Hon.Yakubu Datti has issued a statement to Munatarenews on some of the immediate benefits to Plateau State after the historic visit of President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr Datti says: Following the historic 2-day visit of President Buhari to Plateau-the-beautiful, more benefits have continued to pour into the State. The latest beneficiary is the Babban Lamba - Sharam road project. The 45 km road project will link Babban Lamba with Lagun, Garram, Langshi and Sharam among other major towns. The FEC approved a whooping sum of N19 billion for this road. This is in addition to the on-going Federal road projects in Pankshin, Ballang Kalep, Lere, Tapshin with spur to Chigwon, Wusel, Shipang to Tapshin in neighbouring Bauchi State. Governor Simon Lalong continues to provide visionary leadership through strategic partnership that is attracting Federal presence like never before.

Why I Will Vote Buhari Again-FEMI ADESHINA

The special adviser to the President on media and publicity has come out with cogent reasons why the populace need to vote BUHARI again according to his perspective making Nigetians see reasons why His principal deserves a second term,read the statement below: The greatest talking point in our country this week has been the declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari that he would seek a second term in office next year. And naturally so. Desire by any President, whether positive or negative, should elicit great interest in the citizenry. The President that should be pitied is the one that says something, and the people just shrug, unconcernedly. He is of all men the most miserable. As to be expected, the notice given by President Buhari has engendered diverse emotions and reactions. The joy kiln has ben kindled in the hearts of many millions. They are exultant and ecstatic. I am in that number. While millions are like Romeos beholding their Juliets, others on the flip-side, however, are like King Leah at his worst. It was as if they got blows to the solar plexus. Ouch! And they are wailing, kicking and screaming. Mournfully so. The days of their rustication from power will be extended, and they can't bear it. Doomsday is elongated, doors to freebies shut again. They are quite vocal, but much smaller in number, and the elections next year will so prove. There's still plenty where the bloody nose of 2015 came from. Now, despite the challenges in the country (and very many of them), from Enugu to Borno, Benue to Zamfara, Oke Ogun farmlands in Oyo to Mambilla in Taraba, Plateau to Edo/Delta, virtually everywhere, why is President Buhari still the man to beat? That is the purpose of this piece. Some of the challenges in the country are genuine. Some others are orchestrated by those the President would say are playing "irresponsible politics." For such people, they would first urinate inside the well they want to draw drinking water from. They would gladly step into power, treading on skulls and crossbones, and on the flowing blood of innumerable countrymen. Ogres! But Nigerians are wiser. They know those who are serving them, and who wish to serve more for altruistic reasons. They also know those who just want to grab power, so that the country can return to business as usual, and their snouts can be dipped in the honeypot once again. I'll vote for President Buhari over and over, again and again, because he can be trusted. You can trust him with the resources of the country. He won't filch them. You can trust him with power. He won't misuse it. You can trust him with the well being of the land, he cares. I remember one night, I had gone to the residence to see the President. It was about 8 p.m, and there were just two of us in the waiting room. The other elderly fellow has held power at very senior levels in the country. He had even aspired for the highest office in the land. So, he knows what he's talking about. He told me: "Look at this sprawling place. Just two of us waiting to see the President. It didn't use to be like this. Up to 3 a.m daily, the place used to be like a market, filled with men, women from within and outside the country. They would come to seal all kinds of deals on petroleum, power, transport, iron and steel, and all others. And of course, the President and his household would always have a cut. The wheeler-dealers would also have their cut. Who dares approach this President with such proposals? That is why you see so much sanity here." A President who won't sell our collective patrimony while the rest of the country is sleeping. That's the one I want. And we all know that man. Accountability is another reason. Under some presidents, the rich gets richer, while the poor gets prison. Not under Buhari. The resources of the country are for the people of the country. Greatest good to the greatest number of people. The last administration (we won't and can't stop talking about them, never!) sat over resources in billions of dollars. Oil prices hit $140 dollars per barrel under their watch, and stabilized at about $100-110 for a number of years. They met our foreign reserves at $62 billion. When they left, it was just $29.6, yet oil prices had hit the rooftops. What happened? Thievery. Today, with oil prices having dropped to about $30 per barrel in 2015, and now oscillating between 60 and 70 dollars per barrel, our reserves have hit $47 billion, and still growing. Prudence. Transparency. Resourcefulness. Accountability. Will I then exchange this type of government for another? That would mean willful blindness, after our sights had been amazingly restored. That would mean willful backsliding into perdition, after we had been wonderfully saved. Still talking of accountability, you must have heard of the billions and trillions of naira that accrued to government from agencies like Customs, Federal Inland Revenue Service, NIMASA, JAMB, and many others in recent times. These agencies are not newly created. So, what happened to revenues they made in the past? Your guess is as good as mine. Will I then leave terra firma for terra incognita? God forbid! Because an accountable man is in the driver's seat, the virtue is now flowing downwards. Elections are coming. And there's no need to fear. Why? Because the will of Nigerians will not be subverted. Never! A President once told us in this country that the coming polls would be do or die. Not with President Buhari. Fair is fair. No foul play. Under his watch, his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa and Anambra states. At the last Council of States meeting, Gov Willie Obiano publicly registered his appreciation to President Buhari, for the level playing ground he made available during the election in his state. With do or die apostles, and a certain political party in power, such would never happen. Not with their garrison mentality. All states are territories that must be conquered, willy-nilly. APC has won gubernatorial positions under Buhari in Kogi, Ondo and Edo states. The victories were fair and square. The party lost in Bayelsa and Anambra. This President would never manipulate victory for anyone, not even his own party. And you ask me not to trust him? I will, and no mistake. Global respect. That is what Nigeria has today. I've accompanied President Buhari to over 30 countries in about three years. And he has been resetting the buttons, relaying the foundation of relationships with those countries. And how the leaders respect him. And they say it. Barrack Obama, the then American President said the Nigerian leader came to his job with a "reputation of integrity." At another time, while introducing our President to the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, he said:"Meet the Nigerian President, who is doing a very good job." And the latter concurred. In Britain, when David Cameron was Prime Minister, he had made a faux pas when he named Nigeria and some other countries as being "fantastically corrupt." And who rose in defence of the Nigerian leader? The Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace Justin Welby, who said; "but this particular President is not corrupt." And you ask me to throw away such President when he still wants another term? I'll vote for him again and again, no matter what naysayers claim. What of the personal virtues? I sit with him, speak with him, and I know. Discipline. Simplicity. Love of country. Lack of greed. A heart for the poor and downtrodden. A realization of the ephemeralness of power, and of life itself. These are things that resonate in his speeches. They don't make them like this anymore. And then, I should prematurely jettison the one I have? Even the Heavens will hold a people who take such decision in derision. Some people ask; where are the achievements? Well, if they are of such mindset, unfortunately they can't be helped. We don't have the authority to mix spittle with clay, put on their eyes, and direct them to go to Siloam pool, wash, and come back seeing. Once anybody decides to be willfully blind, no matter what you push in front of his eyes, he wouldn't see. If he decides to be willfully deaf, even if there are thunder peals by his ears, he won't hear. Those of us that manage the media of the President put all the activities and achievements in the public domain. They claim not to know. Good luck to them. Those who know, really know. And they are the millions who will stand by the President any day. Strides in security, agriculture, anti-corruption, infrastructure, and many others are evident. When they drive on Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Aba Port Harcourt Expressway, and hear that early works on the Second Niger Bridge have reached about 45% completion, and still refuse to believe, what then can anybody still do? But thankfully, those who believe far outnumber the inveterate cynics. They talk of the economy, and make it appear as if the heavens were falling upon them. But the economy, according to pundits, began to slow down in 2012. By 2014, it was poised for recession. Before the last administration left, Nigeria was already borrowing to pay salaries, as confirmed by Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. And that was in spite of trillions earned from oil. By 2016, recession was inevitable. But for how long did it last? Just one year. Due to deft footworks,sound economic policies, transparency and accountability, we were soon out. Today, inflation rate has fallen for the 13th month running. The auguries are good for the economy, but all they want to wail about is hunger, to deceive and beguile. But Nigerians know. They know where food self-sufficiency is coming from. They know where their future and those of their children will be guaranteed. The polls would prove it next year. When we were awash with money, what happened to infrastructure? Simply nothing. Power, roads, rail, bridges. Nothing! Now, when we are earning about 60% less than what we used to earn, those things are coming. Power was inherited at about 3,000 megawatts, with a large chunk of it not distributable. Today, power generation stands at over 7,000 megawatts, and over 5,000 MW is distributed. Rail projects will cover the national landscape within the next one year. Abandoned projects are being resuscitated nationwide. Recently, the N8.5 billion water project in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, came on stream. It was not achieved when a native of the area was President. The Lagos-Otta-Abeokuta road has been awarded. It was not done when a son of the area was in power. The dredging of Warri port for N13 billion has been awarded. Was it awarded when a native of the region was in office for six years? Nigeria is making tremendous progress, and things can only get better. For the first time in the history of the country, stealing has become corruption. It didn't use to be so, particularly in the last epoch. No wonder the Excess Crude Account was looted dry. Foreign reserves drawn down. Federation Account, emptied. And the economy was set on an irreversible path to recession. And they say; don't talk about it. Focus on the present and the future only. How we miss Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. He would have said: "I go shout o, I go shout plenty o." If we don't focus on the past, we are then liable to make the same mistakes. "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." (George Santayana). Stolen monies are being recovered in billions of naira and dollars, and being appropriated and spent on infrastructure. Properties acquired with laundered funds are being seized. President Buhari has promised to sell them, and return the funds into public treasury. No wonder some people are running scared, and had tried earnestly to dissuade the man from going for a second term in office. But the die is cast. Let each mother warn her child. Days of reckoning will come. A party left the country in ruins after 16 years. It is now crying that the edifice has not been rebuilt in three years. Is it not easier to destroy than to rebuild? The rebuilding of Nigeria is proceeding apace. Another term for President Buhari will take the job very far. Consolidation of the good works is good prospect, not only for us, but also our children. Things may be tough for Nigerians now, but they are like birth pangs, which begin to fade at a point. And they are fading. A woman brings forth only with pains, tears and groaning. But when she beholds her baby, all those pale into insignificance. A new dawn, new visitation is coming our way. We can see the Promised Land. Nothing should stop us from stepping into it.  Archbishop Justin Welby, Head of the Anglican Communion Worldwide, told President Buhari in London this week: "Great statesmen are those who run for the good of their country." Spot-on. The 2019 race is not for self, but for the good of the country. Discerning Nigerians did it in 2015. In greater numbers, they are poised to do it again in 2019. .Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity

LALONG BOWS TO PRESSURE :DECLARES HIS INTENTION FOR SECOND TERM

On the heels of calls and support from various quarters even with a fourteen (14) day ultimatum given by the APC Youth Online Forum Governor Simon Lalong today yielded to pressure to declare his intention to contest the 2019 Governorship election. The declaration which attracted a standing ovation was made today at the APC Stakeholders meeting held at Yelwa Club in Jos, Plateau State. The meeting chaired by the APC Chairman, Latep Dabang had in attendace, the entire party leadership in the State, the Deputy Governor and members of the State Executive Council, Hon Speaker and members of the Plateau State House of Assembly as well as members of the National Assembly. Speakers including Dame Pauline Tallen, former Deputy Governor, Arc Pam Dung Gyang , former Governorship aspirant, Mallam Samaila Makama, former Chairman, National Population Commission and several others paid glowing tributes to Governor Lalong for successfully steering the APC away from crisis following his Committee report which gave an amicable solution. Earlier at the meeting, Hon Edward Pwajok moved a motion to compel the Governor to declare for contest and it was seconded unanimously. L

BOKKOS:DAFFO WOMEN PROTEST FOR JUSTICE AND IDP COMPENSATION

women of Daffo when were victims of recent herdsmen attacks and displaced during the recent attacks on several communities in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State on Thursday stormed the Plateau State House of Assembly demanding justice for their plight . Leader of the Women Mrs Comfort Malan while presenting their petition to the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Hon. Peter Azi and other members said over 7,000 persons have been displaced from 9 villages of Daffo District of Bokkos LGC of Plateau state The group comprised of 7,000 women who were displaced by the crisis that engulfed some communities in Daffo, Bokkos LGA. The women a d other protesters were warmly received by the Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Azi, other Principal officers and members. Leader of the group, Mrs. Matawal Comfort Malan, urged government to come to the aid of the ravaged communities with humanitarian assistance. She charged government to live up to its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property and asked the State Assembly members to discharge their legislative duties with empathy as true representatives of the people by enacting laws that would permanently address the incessant attacks and killings. She call on government to ensure illegally lands being forcefully taken over and occupied by the attackers are retrieved and returned to their original owners as well as the reconstruction of demolished structures and rehabilitation of displaced persons. The Speaker assured them that all issues raised will be carefully followed with the aim of addressing them. He thanked them for their peaceful, diplomatic and how mature they coordinated the protest. Excerpt of the Press statement duly signed by the leader of the group, Mrs. Matawal Comfort Malan and made available to viewpoint Nigeria is below; The Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Azi. Dear Sir, URGENT CALL TO ACTION ON THE PREVAILING HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN DAFFO FOLLOWING RECENT ATTACKS BY FULANI HERDSMEN. It is no longer news that Daffo District, a community of about 25,000 people of voting age was recently hit by violent attacks by criminal elements believed to be Fulani herdsmen that have been resident in the host communities for years. Our cries with regards to the devastating carnage that occurred on January 24, 2018 at Farundong-Hai and March 8, 2018, which started from Nghakudung and spread to 7 other villages leading to 32 deaths, 10 severe injuries, displacement of over 7,000 from 9 villages and the missing of 10 others are contained in different media reports and official petitions. We wish to acknowledge the prompt response of the government – civil and military authorities to the aforementioned attacks which culminated in the deployment of troops to suppress the violence and prevent further loss of lives and properties. Though grossly inadequate, we believe that without such rapid response, the attacks could have deteriorated to catastrophic proportions. However, it is imperative to call the attention of the government at all levels, security agencies, civil societies, the media, religious bodies and other kind-spirited individuals to the prevailing and/or incipient humanitarian situation facing us the victims of those attacks. Presently, we numbering at least 7,000, comprising mainly women and children are faced with the most threatening state of healthcare, destitution, poverty, hunger and food insecurity as a result of the violent displacements during the attacks. As you may be aware, different studies indicate that hunger is related to poor health outcomes, including a higher risk of depression, violence and suicidal ideation in adolescents, and chronic conditions, particularly asthma. In addition, nutrient deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, are known to impair learning and cause decreased productivity in school-age children, and maternal depressive disorders. This therefore implies that while the violent aspects of the crisis may have been contained, a bigger and perhaps more threatening conflict still stares us in the face. Indeed, resource scarcity, poverty, inequality and structural imbalances are among the top known conflict triggers which when left unattended could result in even greater losses. In fact, poverty as it is said creates powerlessness to determine the quality of life, and compounds vulnerability when conflict or natural disaster strikes. Already, many of us have been completely thrown off balance having been parted with their lifetime investments in food crops, houses and other properties. Many again still face threats of losing their farmlands to the marauding Fulani who are reported to have commenced trespass into our farmlands, clearing and tilling, obviously for the purpose of cultivation as the farming season approaches. This is in addition to the trauma already built up in our minds and the fear of insecurity which might not allow us resume and face our normal socioeconomic lives with the required vigour to flourish. In the light of the above, we wish to make the following demands as a matter of urgency: 1. Adequate security should be supplied to the affected communities and the same strategy employed to guard farmers in the northeast and elsewhere on their farms should be employed to enable our farmers pickup economically. Considering that the 2018 rainy season has commenced, any further delay in ensuring that these villagers return to their ancestral homes and farmlands would create severe food shortages and debilitating poverty. 2. Sufficient food, clothing and other necessities of life should be urgently supplied to us to reduce our sufferings and enable us face life with ease. 3. Proper compensation and rebuilding of the damaged communities is hereby demanded of the government in line with its obligations and the citizens’ rights to security and social welfare. According to the records, 1017 houses were razed down during the attacks. Other assets that were either burnt down or looted include; livestock, household appliances, vehicles, water pumping machines, electrical generating sets, assorted foodstuff, cash sums of money, furniture and other valuables worth millions of naira. Thousands of school children are equally out of school, losing study time and facing threats of being dragged into various social vices due to restiveness and illiteracy. 4. We further demand that community leaders should be empowered to in conjunction with security agencies enforce resolutions/agreements reached at peace and/or security meetings with relevant stakeholders. 5. The constitutional provisions empowering traditional institutions to decline hospitality to anybody they consider as a threat to their subjects physically, psychologically or economically should be strengthened and emphasized at security meetings. In conclusion, we believe that as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), once warned, under-nourishment and starvation should not be considered less serious than blatant violations of other human rights. In this regard, we wish to demand that these prayers be urgently attended to without any further delay. Failure to do so would amount to a confirmation of the failure of elected officials to uphold their oaths of office, thus portraying governance as a failed venture in the eyes of the citizens. Thank you and God bless you as we await your swift response to this matter. Signed: Mrs. Matawal Comfort Malan, for IDW Daffo

LALONG INTERACTS WITH PLATEAU YOUTHS AT LARGER HOUSE

Governor Simon Bako Lalong paid an impromptu visit to the Larger house of Plateau Youths council today to interact with youths in the state. The Governor was welcomed by the Chairman of the larger house Chief Micheal Makwal who welcomed the Governor on behalf of the house and reminded him of his promises made about three years ago about restoring the Youths council embroiled in court cases that stalled elections, He applauded the Governor for keeping to his word and highlighted the myriads of challenges faced by the youths from Unemployment ,Drug abuse and other vices and pleaded the Rehabilitation of youth centers across the three zones of the state. . Dr Jemchang Fabong, Chairman of the Youth Council in his opening remark reminded the Governor of his plan for a youth commission during his campaign and appealed for assistance towards silver Dakun a plateau youth diagnosed with cancer of the blood. After series of questions from the youths the Governor responded by saying he is glad the youth council is back. " I feel proud to say I have the voice from the youths,Youths and women are always worried about employment, their future and environment" On employment the Governor response is "when we cane on board we had to battle with payment of abandoned arrears of salaries and I took it upon myself to concentrate on completion of projects abandoned,Pensioners and gratuities, we want to rescue our parents who are dying,vut While we do that we must also do something for the youths along with our cardinal points of engagement, employment and empowerment. It's difficult to get employment these days so the APC Government is focused on youth empowerment." he stressed " In Abuja I am in almost every committee and one of our reccomendations to avoid herdsmen attacked is to engage the youths skillfully in farming,Food security and agricultural empowerment and the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari is set to Injecr Billions of Naira to agricultural sector with the youths at the center of it all. About 1billion us dollars is to be release to that effect before end of the year. On Scholarship,Lalong said they met a Bulk of over seven years non payment. " we looked into the situation and resolved to pay in tranches as we cannot not pay all at once . I can guarantee that those with First Class we will train them up to PHD level" On the issue of Youth commission,The Governor asked the Youth council to submit the draft. "Youth center0 I am surprised to see the dilapidated state of the council, we will renovate it" The Governor promised to take care of the operation of Silver Dakun To be flown out immediately for treatment abroad. On Security "i was deeply involved as a speaker which led to a state of emergency, I am lained that there is no mutual understanding amongst people, Criminals stock in trade is to kill people,We are suppose to be security conscious and protect our land,it is the Understanding of the people that led to the peace we had when we came into Government, I received a text after my statements in Abuja about Benue and some threatened 'We will make your state ungovernable, security issues are politicised and it is not good for us." he said On his reelection bid, the Governor said he just came back from national assignment and he needs to rest and at the right time he will respond to the ultimatum of the APC Youth Online forum him to declare his intention to run. Makut Alfred Mashat