Saraki replies Tinubu, says ‘you lied on why I left APC’

By Anthony Ogbonna

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has replied the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who had, in an analytical piece about the political situation in Nigeria, titled “They go Away because We go the Right Way,” said both Saraki and the Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal left the APC because the party could not offer them what they wanted.

Saraki

Tinubu, in the political-philosophical analysis accused the duo of leaving the APC because, they both covet the presidency and, according to him, the APC cannot give them their desires.

He said Saraki wants automatic ticket and resource sharing and seeks undemocratic means of achieving his desires.

He also said that had Saraki remained in APC, he would not have been able to reclaim his senate seat much less senate presidency.

However, in a sharp response, Saraki said the APC’s national leader’s analysis is, according to him, as wrong as it is mischievous.

Saraki said he is surprised that Tinubu is “still peddling the falsehood about the fact that my defection is about automatic ticket and sharing of resources.”

Saraki said Tinubu published a false report about the promise of automatic tickets, oil blocks and other benefits in a newspaper he owns.

He said, It was his choice “to join others to present a viable alternative platform for Nigerians in the coming elections and that, since democracy is a system that allows people to freely make their choices, then “Tinubu and leaders of the APC had better respect this decision or lawfully deal with it.”
Below is the full response:

“I have always restrained from joining issues in the media with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and this is based on my respect for him. However, I will not allow him to create a wrong, false and mischievous impression about the reasons for my decision to exit the All Progressives Congress (APC) and present his prejudice as facts for public consumption.

I have been consistent in my complaints to all leaders of the APC, including Tinubu, that a situation where the National Assembly is not constructively engaged or carried along in key policy decisions, particularly those that will eventually require legislative approval, is not in the best interest of the nation.

No genuine leader of the legislature will be comfortable that the Presidency will simply write a terse letter to the National Assembly on key issues which the federal legislature is expected to later deliberate upon and give its approval. The Buhari administration consistently treats the legislature with contempt and acts as if the lawmaking body should be an appendage of the Executive. To me, this is unacceptable.

In the same way, I find it very objectionable that many stakeholders who worked strenuously to get the administration into office have now been excluded in the government and not consulted on key decisions as necessary and expected. In fact, some of them are treated as pariahs. A party that ignores justice, equity and inclusion as basic pre-conditions for peace, unity and stability cannot sustain its membership and leadership.

Let me redirect the attention of the former Governor of Lagos State to the aspect of my July 31, 2018, statement announcing my exit from APC in which I emphasized that the decision “has been inescapably imposed on me by certain elements and forces within the APC who have ensured that the minimum conditions for peace, cooperation, inclusion and a general sense of belonging did not exist”.

In that statement, I further noted that those APC elements “have done everything to ensure that the basic rules of party administration, which should promote harmonious relations among the various elements within the party were blatantly disregarded.

All governance principles which were required for a healthy functioning of the party and the government were deliberately violated or undermined. And all entreaties for justice, equity and fairness as basic precondition for peace and unity, not only within the party, but also the country at large, were simply ignored, or employed as additional pretext for further exclusion.

The experience of my people and associates in the past three years is that they have suffered alienation and have been treated as outsiders in their own party. Thus, many have become disaffected and disenchanted. At the same time, opportunities to seek redress and correct these anomalies were deliberately blocked as a government-within-a-government had formed an impregnable wall and left in the cold, everyone else who was not recognized as “one of us”. This is why my people, like all self-respecting people would do, decided to seek accommodation elsewhere”.

Tinubu himself will recall that during the various meetings he had with me at the time he was pursuing reconciliation within the APC, I raised all the above issues. I can also vividly recall that he himself always expressed his displeasure with the style of the government and also mentioned that he had equally suffered disrespect from the same government which we all worked to put in office. I also made the point that whatever travails I have gone through in the last three years belong to the past and will not shape my decisions now and in the future.

However, during those meetings, the point of disagreement between Tinubu and I is that while I expressed my worries that there is nothing on ground to assure me that the administrative style and attitude would change in the next four years in a manner that will enable us to deliver the positive changes we promised to our people, he (Tinubu) expressed a strong opinion that he would rather ‘support a Buhari on the hospital stretcher’ to get a second term because in 2023, power will shift to the South-west. This viewpoint of Tinubu’s was not only expressed to me but to several of my colleagues. So much for acting in national interest.
It is clear that while my own decision is based on protecting the collective national interest, Tinubu will rather live with the identified inadequacies of the government for the sake of fulfilling and preserving his presidential ambition in 2023. This new position of Tinubu has only demonstrated inconsistency — particularly when one reviews his antecedents over the years.

Again, let me reiterate my position that my uncertain and complex relationship with Tinubu has been continually defined by the event of 2014 when myself and other leaders of the APC opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket arrangement about to be foisted on the APC for the 2015 polls. It should be noted that he has not forgotten the fact that I took the bull by the horns and told him that in the interest of the country, he should accept the need for the party to present a balanced ticket for the 2015 General Elections in terms of religion and geo-political zones. Since that time he has been very active; plotting at every point to undermine me, both within and outside the National Assembly.

It is a surprise to me that Asiwaju Tinubu is still peddling the falsehood about the fact that my defection is about automatic ticket and sharing of resources. Members of the public will recall that when the issue of my decision to quit APC came to the fore and many APC leaders were holding meetings with me, a newspaper owned by the same Tinubu published a false report about the promise of automatic tickets, oil blocks and other benefits. I immediately rebutted their claims and categorically stated that I never discussed any such personal and pecuniary benefits with anybody. My challenge that anybody who has contrary facts should come forward with them still remains open.
It should be known that Democracy is a system that allows people to freely make their choices. It is my choice that I have decided to join others to present a viable alternative platform for Nigerians in the coming elections. Tinubu and leaders of the APC had better respect this decision or lawfully deal with it. As for me, Allah gives power to whom He wishes. Human beings can only aspire and strive to fulfill their aspirations.”

World Mosquito Day: U.S. reaches 570m people in 24 countries.

On World Mosquito Day, the U.S. Government says it has reached 570 million people in 24 “malaria endemic” countries with malaria treatment and prevention services.

World Mosquito Day, observed annually on Aug. 20, is a commemoration of British doctor Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans.

Ross is responsible for the annual observance, having declared shortly after his discovery that the day should be known as World Mosquito Day in the future.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on its official Twitter handle on Monday, stated that it had been able to reach countries through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI).
Using the #WorldMosquitoDay, the USAID added that malaria “is the leading cause of death in children under five years old.

“In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is the leading cause of death in children under five years old.

“The PMI and partners have reached 570 million people in 24 malaria endemic countries with malaria treatment and prevention services.”
USAID also noted that, through the PMI, more than 268 million insecticide-treated nets had been distributed in 27 countries since 2005.

The agency added that treated bed nets were responsible for two-thirds of the seven million lives saved between 2000 and 2015 worldwide.

“We look for these numbers to climb as more people get nets and net technology continues to advance.”

Mosquitoes kill about 445,000 people each year, through the transmission of malaria.

The PMI report stated that some estimates showed that eliminating malaria could save 11 million lives and yield an estimated $2 trillion in economic benefits from gains in productivity and health savings.

“The last decade has brought a number of advances in fighting malaria-carrying mosquitoes, including long-lasting insecticide treated nets and new insecticides for indoor residual spraying.

“New uses of technology, such as mobile phones and internet, can enhance timeliness and quality of relevant data and improve decision-making.

“In the coming years, we anticipate innovations in insecticides and a possible malaria vaccine,” the report stated.

Also, in its 12th Annual Report to the US Congress, released in April 2018, it stated that malaria remained a major public health challenge, despite the progress recorded in malaria interventions.
It added that the challenge could slow down progress made.

“Malaria prevention and control remains an important U.S. foreign assistance priority.

“Foreign assistance investments by the U.S. Government empower people, communities, and economies to progress on the path to self-reliance, and malaria interventions are among the most cost-effective.”

The PMI and other global partners have continually supported governments to prevent malaria mortality, morbidity and ensuring its elimination through a five-year strategy.

The strategy, which spans 2015 till 2020, aims at creating a world without malaria.

World Mosquito Day, observed annually on 20 August, is a commemoration of Sir Ronald Ross’ discovery in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans.

Ross is responsible for the annual observance, having declared shortly after his discovery that the day should be known as World Mosquito Day in the future. (NAN)

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/08/world-mosquito-day-u-s-reaches-570m-people-in-24-countries/

NECO June/July SSCE Results 2018 Out

The National Examinations Council (NECO) June /July 2018 SSCE results have been released. This was disclosed by the acting Registrar/Chief Executive of the Council, Alhaji Abubakar M.Gana.

According to him, a total number of 1,041,536 registered for the examination while 1,032,729 sat for the examination.

A Comparative analysis of candidates with 5 credits and above including English language and Mathematics for 2017 and 2018 shows 70.85 percent for 2017 and 71.48 percent for 2018, showing an increase of 0.63 percent in 2018.
He further disclosed that that there is a drastic decrease in this year examination malpractices. It was also gathered that nine thousand of the candidates that registered for the examinations did not sit for the papers.

S’East region initiates platform for OGP

By Luminous Jannamike
Governments of the five states of the Southeast have established a collective platform to drive transparency and development in the region based on the principles of the Open Government Partnership, OGP.

The platform known as “Sorochia” will be chaired by the Anambra state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mark Okoye, for the next two years.

A statement by Agabaidu Jideani, the Director-General of Sorochia says the initiative is a multi-stakeholder effort that aims at challenging South East governments and local societies to improve quality of governance, spread good practices, reform legislations, improve public participation and closely monitor implementation and impact of public programs.

According to him, the initiative which has received the nod of the Nigeria OGP national secretariat will also coordinate the region’s effort towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the people.

The statement reads: “The people and governments of the South East zone of the country have established a Multi-Stakeholder Initiative to drive transparency and development around OGP and the SDGs for the zone.

“The Anambra State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget Mr. Mark Okoye has been tasked with leading the South East efforts at establishing and implementing the Transparency and Development imperatives of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and achieving the set objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Zone.

“The Multi-Stakeholder Initiative is aimed at challenging South East governments and societies to improve governance, spread good practices, reform legislations, improve public participation and closely monitor implementation and impact of public programs.

“It will provide a platform for peer learning and shared experiences and utilize economies of scale to reduce costs in the introduction and implementation of the OGP principles and SDGs in the South East Zone. This will be cascaded to the local governments and communities utilizing existing formal and informal platforms whilst ensuring inclusivity."

CD demands improved infrastructure in Onitsha

The Campaign for Democracy (CD) has called on Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra to improve the state of public infrastructure in Onitsha, the state’s commercial hub.

Gov Obiano
The National Publicity Secretary of CD, Mr Dede Uzor, via a statement made available to newsmen in Onitsha on Sunday, said most of the contractors executing road projects were not doing good jobs.
“We call on the governor and his commissioner for works to rise up to their responsibilities to address failed roads in Onitsha and environs.

“Some of the roads le Modebe Avenue, Niger Street were 60 per cent rehabilitated and poorly done with sub-standard materials.

“These roads should be revisited for the poor rehabilitation work done on them.
“Other roads affected are Miss Elems/Port Harcourt Road, Zik Avenue/Ochanja junction, Bida Road, Mbonu Ojike Street, Iweka Road to Main Market, Creek Road, Obodo-Ukwu Road and Nwaziki Avenue,” Uzor said.

He said Orlu Street/Aro-Ndizogu, upper-part of Oguta Road and other strategic roads in Fegge, Iyiowa-Odekpe, Awada, Omagba and Nkpor areas near Onitsha, also require standard rehabilitation.
According to him, these roads are in dire need of attention because motorists are having night mares plying them.

“Government should also extend the installation of lights to all these streets,” he stressed.
The group also asked the state government to construct new water schemes in the area to meet the water needs of the people as most residents rely on private boreholes for potable water.

“There has been collapse of public water system even before this current administration, while dependence on boreholes in Onitsha and environs has resulted in unknown sicknesses among the residents.

“The state government as a matter of urgency should revive the Greater Onitsha Water scheme.
“The state government should also help to improve power supply by providing transformers to Fegge, Odoakpu, Okpoko, Awada and others areas, he said.

Rethinking The Nation Nigeria: The Hard Way, The Only Way!

By Olu ‘Gboye
A cursory look at most economically and politically developed nations reveals an almost common denominator – they were at some point driven by near-apocalyptic experiences to chart a beneficial course for themselves. Beleaguered by catastrophes ranging from economic turbulences, wars, resource-starvation, multiracialism, invasions, population explosions to natural disasters, these countries found creative ways to pull themselves out of the dust heap. No country started out great; the great ones marshaled themselves to high standing.

It is obvious even to the casual observer that Nigeria is not living up to its existential potentials. Despite a teeming population and resource-laden land space, the so-called giant of Africa has taken only baby steps in its developmental trajectory. 104 and 58 years post-amalgamation and independence respectively, the country is still under the spell of extreme poverty, ethnic and religious conflicts, gross infrastructural deficit, high maternal and infant mortality rates, internal disharmony etc. These and recent events in the country influence my opinion that only drastic measures can rescue Nigeria from the abyss which she is currently flirting with. Many commentators have tagged Nigeria a failed or failing State but I hold on to the belief that all hope is not lost.

I am however under no illusions that the tide can turn overnight. Nigeria will not become great by some sudden mystical or magical occurrence. The people love to leave it all in the hands of God. They say ‘e go better,’ but this is not underpinned by any real plans. Hope is good for consolation, but is is not a strategy; prayers are good for inspiration, but insufficient if we do nothing. We will not accidentally become a revered nation. Actions must be taken, plans made and executed, and work must be done!

Over time, what we have merely done is apply cosmetics to the issues bedeviling us. We need to face reality and embrace the hard facts we are confronted with. Acknowledgment of truth is the root of real change. Further to this, we must realize that there is no easy path to progress for Nigeria. Far reaching decisions would need to be brokered and very radical steps taken. Anything short of this will leave us in this never ending state of quasi-development.

There have been recent calls and agitations for the restructuring of Nigeria with assorted perspectives as to exactly what that means, and how it should be implemented – from the placatory to the outrightly ludicrous. It is however gratifying to note that a growing number of compatriots identify that there are fundamental issues in the construct called Nigeria that need to be confronted. I aver that the structural defects of the Nigerian Nation State are largely foundational. This is why we have been slow in moving forward and why the patchwork attempted by different government administrations since independence have had minimal effects even when the motives behind them were virtuous.

In civil construction, when a beam is cast and it is realized that it has taken the wrong form after the concrete has set, harder measures (regrettably costly and painful) need to be taken to correct the defect than if the discovery was made before it set. Nigeria over time has taken a shape and form which has pretty much set. Again, when our phones or laptops begin to malfunction, the manufacturers often suggest a hard reset when all else fails. Nigeria is in urgent need of a hard reset. The clamour for restructuring is a good start, but we need more than that; we need a total reset.

THE SOFT
I will get to the point of our political structures, but my first port of visit is our values and orientation as a people. The first thing Nigeria needs is social restructuring. It precedes all else. Restructuring as proposed will be garnished with intrigues, sentiments, and primitive aspirations, and greeted with mutual suspicion, cynicism and disgruntlement, if we do not begin by restructuring our minds.

There are basic human decencies which we have long abandoned for less noble virtues. Simple things like the discipline of keeping to time an excellent example. The cliche ‘Nigerian time’ is an absurdity borne out of a collective predisposition towards tardiness that has done more injury to our corporate existence than we can imagine. It has affected our productivity and credibility. Any person that does not keep to time will not be taken seriously by someone who knows the value of time. Disregard for time is the birthplace of corruption. It starts by being late, then being absent, then evolves into a belief that you can get something having done nothing. Highly industrialized countries are propelled by exceptionally industrious people – Japan, Germany, South Korea, China are shinning examples. The work ethic of a people is sine qua non in their pilgrimage towards progress.

We must relearn how to stand in line and wait our turn. Many times, in Lagos especially, hours are spent in traffic logjams only to get to the head and realize that ‘nothing caused it.’ Of course something did! Lane-hugging and lane-jumping, shunting and animalistic impatience are the joint culprits.

Then respect for the rule of law. This is not limited to just obeying court rulings and judgments. How about simple things like renewing your car papers, or settling your bills, or delivering excellently on your job, not bribing your lecturers, not sleeping with your students; not peeing by the roadside or throwing trash out your car window? The red on the traffic light means stop, it is not a signal to zoom past as fast as you can. How about we agree to start rewarding the quality of people’s work (merit) and not the names of their villages (nepotism)?
All it takes is changing our basic everyday attitudes and actions. In reality, it is as simple as doing the right things all the time. The Nigeria we all wish for, pray for, and ask for is inside of all of us. This may sound like a call to morality but, in truth, only reformed people can produce a reformed society. This is the starting point of a restructured Nigeria. This is the real job of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), not heralding the intrigues of the political class! We must promote and imbibe these values at all levels – from State House to school halls; cascading across urban municipalities and rural courtyards.

Ideally, societal order ought to be administered by relevant agencies of state, but regrettably a lot of them are caught somewhere on the spectrum between compromise and political misuse. I strongly desire that those who hold such positions and responsibilities would bear this charge but a lot of them see their posts as mere ‘settlement (political compensation) andor a platform for advancing their ‘rankadedeism.’

I have met and interacted with some Nigerians who exhibit a love for country and yearn for a Nigeria where things work. I see their commentaries on Social Media. Some here at home, others in diaspora not because they dislike their origins, but simply because they have gone in search of an orderly existence. One of them told me that “the creative solutions that caused countries to develop were results of passionate compatriots who fought to penetrate relevant spheres of influence to become architects of effective social and political structures that lead the populace towards desired change.” So I call on compatriots of the Nigerian estate to champion, exemplify and drive positive behavioral and attitudinal changes wherever they find themselves. Rise up where you are! This country needs us! This is but the beginning.

THE HARD
Let’s move on to more radical prescriptions – the sub-divisions – into States and a Federal Capital Territory. The brutal truth is that Nigeria has too many States and is consequently over-governed! The more states we have, the more the multiplication of all the apparatus and machinery of government – governors, ministries, personnel, aides, parliaments, secretariats, supposed-to-be-official vehicles etc. The sheer cost of governance is mind boggling. Most of the states have been reduced to salary payment agencies for civil servants or ATMs for politicians. Frankly, a good number of them are non-viable and are no more than glorified Local Government Areas. They can only do so much with their allocations which they come to collect, bowl in hand, from the center every month.

Brazil (land mass – 8,515,767 sq.km; population – estimated at 209 million) is 9 times the size of Nigeria (land mass – 923,768 sq.km). It is made up of only 27 Federative Units, some of them larger (Amazonas and Para) than the whole of Nigeria! It is arguable that Nigeria was better governed when we had fewer States, or maybe when we had the Regions.

It is my opinion that the manner in which we created our States (mainly around ethnic configurations) has exacerbated the divisions between us. The way we view and agitate for even more states tends to suggest a lack of understanding of what they are or should be. The argument for more of them is counter-intuitive. Do we ceaselessly continue to decimate our composite units until every hamlet becomes a state?

It is pertinent to mention here that States are artificial creations of man for the purpose of effective administration. As opposed to ethnicities, they are not people groups with a shared ancestry, language or culture. They exist strictly for administrative convenience. The concept of State of Origin is therefore a misnomer. For younger Nigerians, there was no state in Nigeria before 1967, when Gen. Yakubu Gowon created 12. We then moved to 19 and the FCT (by Gen. Murtala Mohammed in 1976), then Gen. IB Babangida expanded them to 21 (1987), then 30 (1991) and finally Gen. Sani Abacha increased them to 36 in 1996.

All our existing States were creations of military fiat, not natural distribution. So when we say we are Jigawites, or Deltans etc., we deceive ourselves for there is no such thing really. Let us take Abia as an example. The name itself is an acronym representing the four major densely populated regions in that pocket of space -Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato & Afikpo (A-B-I-A). So what then or who then is an Abian? The identifier is nothing but a myth. In reality, there is nothing like an Abia origin, unless we want to allude that IBB created a new race or tribe with his proclamation in 1991. The present day Abia State is comprised of multiple Igbo subgroups which are spread across the Eastern States and beyond. For example, the Aro people have a mixed Akpa and Ibibio ancestry originating from Arochukwu, but are today found across Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra and Rivers States, in all of which they are considered indigent. What then is the purpose or meaning of a State of Origin seeing that all Aro people have a common origin which is not linked to any one State?
As a result of demographic evolution and migrations, the historical possession of territories by ethnicities is impracticable in a modern and pluralistic society, more so in one as diverse as Nigeria. To truly have a united Nation, we must come to terms with the fact that the entire territory belongs to the Nigerian State and that though we have locational origins, they should impose no bearing on administrative governance. We can and should indeed preserve our cultures by retaining our traditional institutions. However, the partitions of governance should be for the intendment of strategic national benefits.

What do we then do? I am of the opinion that we reduce the number of federating units to no more than 12, and then realign and strengthen Local Governments so that every Nigeria feels the impact of government at the minutest level. We then adopt State of Abode or Residence, but retain Ethnic Groupings as a demographic index aimed at preserving our cultural heritage.

The 12 states (would help if called something else – Provinces maybe) can be determined and distributed based on size (for instance most of the Sates on the Western US Coast were demarcated this way using longitude and latitude); population spread (so as to have numerical balance); resource distribution; or a combination of all or any of these. We can then follow with proper devolution of powers, state policing, strategic planning etc. For sure, we will need to convene some sort of sovereign conference to accommodate and debate varying opinions, and of course amend the constitution accordingly. There is no easy path to sustainable advancement.

The ideas I have advanced here are intended to stimulate us to venture into new thought frontiers concerning Nigeria. They may come across as extreme or even border on the eccentric to some, but if the soft approach hasn’t worked, it appears the hard way has become inevitable.

Olu Gboye is a business executive, and an advocate for better governance and patriotic citizenship.

2019 election won and lost, APC boasts to PDP

By Omeiza Ajayi

The predictions of a high-stakes political battle ahead of 2019 election, appear to have been corroborated yesterday by the All Progressives Congress, APC, declaration that the poll had been won and lost. A stateument by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of using propaganda to attract votes.

In addition, APC said the party was being obsessed with the amendment to Nigeria’s Electoral Act which had not been signed.

The statement reads: “The PDP has realised that the 2019 election has been won and lost. If the election is held today, it is clear that the APC will win by a landslide, judging by visible and landmark achievements recorded by the President Buhari administration. This is an apparent fact that gives the PDP sleepless nights. Hence its daily lies and propaganda in its desperate early campaign to attract non- existent votes

“PDP’s attempt to hide under the yet to be assented Electoral Act Amendment Bill is an attempt to draw attention away from the treasonable actions of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki who has refused to convene the National Assembly to consider at plenary the crucial 2019 Election Budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”.

“The Electoral Amendment Bill passed by the National Assembly is alive and awaiting assent. However, assent to bills in all democratic governments reflects the prudence and discretion of the president in balancing the powers of key constitutional bodies and understanding the concerns of the executive.

“While we strongly condemn the abuse of office by the Senate President backed by his PDP cohorts in sabotaging the executive, specifically INEC, all well-meaning Nigerians have a duty to speak up and ensure that the National Assembly performs its constitutional role and not serve an individual’s personal interest.

“We call on all Nigerians, civil society and indeed the international community to resist the ongoing travesty and legislative rascality being perpetuated by the Senate President and the PDP. The sanctity of our electoral system is being threatened by this orchestrated sabotage and deliberate attempt to weaken INEC as we prepare for the general elections in 2019. The National Assembly must be convened immediately.’

Source:  https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/08/2019-election-won-and-lost-apc-boasts-to-pdp/