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Government Sabotage: President Buhari, APC Are Their Own Saboteurs

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president buhari

In an interview with Qatari Aljazeera during his not-so-fruitful trip to Qatar, President Muhammadu Buhari made claim of saboteurs within his government. While reading the interview report, I made attempt to reconcile the claims of the President and facts on ground to establish who really was sabotaging Buhari but I could only find two saboteurs; the first is Buhari, the second is his party and praise-singers.

How Buhari Sabotaged His Own Government:
If we are honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that President Buhari is one lucky President that didn’t inherit problems from his predecessors. For instance, he was lucky enough to inherit a power sector that has already been reformed by Jonathan’s administration and already yielding fruit. He was lucky enough to inherit a Nigeria that wasn’t plagued by ethnic clashes. He was lucky enough to inherit Nigeria’s refineries that was already undergoing infrastructural reform. He was so lucky to inherit a Nigeria that was tagged the number one growing investment haven in Africa. He inherited Youth Empowerment Schemes like YouWIN, and inherited a roadmap that has the potential to lead to permanent restructure of Nigeria, the 2014 Confab Report(which is entirely another story). All that was needed of Buhari was to consolidate on what he met on ground, and take us from where we were(as at May 2015) to where we dream to be. Not forgeting that he is the only President in Nigeria to have the luxury of governing without the distraction of election litigation.

Unfortunately, President Buhari blew away all that. Take the power sector for instance, he assumed that the improved power that came into being when he was sworn-in was due to his body language and ‘fear’ of his person by staffs and management of the various GENSCOs and DISCOs. Instead of crediting the development to reforms of the sector, and improve on the reform President Buhari deliberately refused to bring on board his own power plan nor develop the plan he inherit from his predecessor, he would rather allow the system to flow by itself in “auto-piloting mode”. Six months into his administration, Buhari merged the power sector with two unrelated sectors (works and housing) and brought in Raji Fashola, a lawyer and politician that has no clue about the sector to head the new ministry. The outcome of his mis-steps is the power failure that is being experienced in all part of the country, including Aso Rock. Perhaps, the huge budget on diesel for Aso rock was because President Buhari was prepared for his own power failure.

Buhari failed woefully to put up economic blueprint to transform Nigeria from being the fastest growing investment hub in Africa to a permanent investment haven. Instead he banked on his body language and Lai’s propaganda to do the job, as a result, we not only lost investors coming in but we lost those already in. His failure to put up economic team in his first months in office that would define our fiscal direction led to loss of investors’ confidence.

…Sabotaging Nigeria’s Religious And Social Peace
About a week ago President Buhari confirmed Nigeria’s membership in Saudi-led Islamic Coalition Against Terrorism. Justifying the membership, Buhari said “We are part of it because we have got terrorists in Nigeria that everybody knows which claims that they are Islamic”.Isn’t it an invitation of chaos to associate Nigeria with a particular religion and even make it appear like an Islamic State? Should Buhari insult the Christian community by saying that “Why can’t those Christians that complain go and fight terrorism in Nigeria or fight the militants in the South.” Does he mean that only muslims fight militants in the South South and Boko Haram terrorists in the North East? Is the President’s statement not enough to create religious tension and threaten the relative peace that we enjoy?

…Sabotaging His Own Stand On Secession
The same President Buhari that vowed that “Biafran agitators are joking with the security and Nigeria won’t tolerate Biafra” in his Aljazeera interview, is the same man that pledged Nigeria’s support for secessionist Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) aka Western Sahara(from Morocco) in line with several resolutions of the African Union (AU) on the right of the Sahrawi people to self- determination and independence. He is the same man that pledged “total support” for Palestinian Statehood with Jerusalem as capital. Doesn’t that reeks hypocrisy? Is the AU charter on self determination restricted to only Western Sahara or does it specifically exclude non-Muslim agitators like Biafra? Would Buhari had supported the Biafran agitation if they were predominantly muslims like the Palestinians and Western Saharans? Is Buhari’s action a panacea of peace or chaos?

Marginalising The Southern Minorities in NNPC Appointment
The recent appointment in the NNPC was a clear display of marginalisation of southern minorities whose lands and waters the oil lies and whose environment is polluted. His action is clearly an invitation to rebellion from people from the region. Who will Buhari blame if such rebellion arise?

…His Inaction On Fulani Herdsmen/Terrorists
Fulani herdsmen have graduated from being social and environmental nuisance to full blown terrorists. Killing scores in the most gruesome manner in Agatu(Benue state), Mile 12(Lagos state), and Abia state, yet the government of Buhari has refused to permanently address the issue. It is even shameful that IGP Solomon Arase would tell us to our faces that the Agatu casualty is “overrated”. Is the President inviting ethnic conflict or a civil war before he will act?

Who/What Has Buhari And APC Not Blamed?
Since May 29, 2015, this administration of change(as claimed) has turned into an administration of blame. They blamed Jonathan for all that happened during his government and also blame him for all that is happening now that he has left power. They blamed innocent civil servants for their(government) own failure to put up a sane budget proposal. They blamed the Supreme Court Justices for their own failure to present better argument in the governorship election cases PDP candidates won. They blamed poor oil price for their failure to come up with and implement sound monetary and fiscal policies for the economy. They didn’t just stop there, they blamed God for the collapse of the economy. They blamed oil price for their own failure to meet their campaign promise. Now they are blaming saboteurs. Who are the saboteurs if not Buhari and his army of praise-singers?

Who will they blame next? Like I told some people on Palmchat network, I just hope they don’t shift their blame to the unborn generation.

May God Bless Us All and Bless Nigeria.

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Government

Knocks, Kudos For Judiciary Over Stoppage of Allocations to Rivers State as Fubara Boasts of Coping Without FG’s Funds

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Siminalayi Fubara

A mixture of condemnation and praises has trailed a judgement of a Federal High Court that stopped the release of state allocations to the Rivers State Government.

Investors King had reported that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the stoppage of the release of monthly federal allocations to Rivers State.

Justice Abdulmalik predicated her action on the grounds that the state government was in violation of the Constitution as regarding the state expenditures.

According to the judge, the current budget being operated by the state was not passed by a lawful arm of the Rivers State House of Assembly, therefore, Fubara is not entitled to allocations from the government at the centre.

Meanwhile, some stakeholders in the country have knocked the judiciary over the decision, calling on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to rein in on judges’ actions over the political crisis ravaging Rivers.

For former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the judiciary should be cautioned against setting the South-South State on fire.

In a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the former Vice President, said it was appalling that some elements loyal to the Federal Government were pulling the strings from behind.

Atiku wondered why Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order when it was public knowledge that Rivers State had already challenged the Court of Appeal’s judgement on the legality of Rivers State’s 2024 budget.

He, however, called on Justice Kekere-Ekun to ensure that those found wanting are disciplined in order to restore the fading glory of the nation’s judiciary.

In the same vein, Chief Emeka Kalu, National Coordinator of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Coalition observed that the ongoing crisis plaguing Rivers State must be handled with caution to save it from unnecessarily being flamed in uncontrollable state of lawlessness.

Kalu in the statement said the judiciary is expected to maintain its integrity and protect her independence by working to avoid being politically purchased to harm democratic processes and the ethics of law.

According to him, the recent judgement by the Abuja Federal High Court division directing the RMAFC to stop releasing statutory monthly allocation to the State government was done out of bias and politically motivated plans to disrupt Fubara ‘s administration.

The group affirmed that it remains the height of injustice for a political party under the guise of personal interest to continue raising the dust of anarchy against the will of the people and the judiciary is expected to redeem and revitalize the failed system instead of allowing herself to be used to ruin the polity.

On the contrary, the National Democratic and Change Coalition has hailed the court for the judgment banning further release of allocations to Rivers and called on Governor Fubara to refund all monies spent without appropriation to the state coffers.

The coalition, while expressing satisfaction with the ruling, said the people of Rivers State have been vindicated and the long-awaited justice has been served on the governor.

Reacting via a press release by John Uloko, president of the coalition hailed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik for the judgment, saying that since January 2024, Rivers State had received and spent allocations based on an “illegitimate” budget, thereby describing it as a “constitutional aberration”.

The group, made up of lawyers, agreed with the court that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.

It added that the ruling is a victory for democracy and will teach rogue governors the bitter lesson that the Constitution of the Federal Republic must be respected and the sanctity of the nation’s democratic institutions upheld irrespective of their political desperation.

Nonetheless, the embattled Governor Fubara, on Wednesday said the restriction placed on the state allocations is “the least” of his problems.

Governor Fubara stated this during a special thanksgiving service organised by the state government to celebrate his administration’s resilience amid escalating political crises, which began with the arson attack on the State House of Assembly complex exactly one year ago.

Governor Fubara assured that despite the court order, his administration would continue payments to contractors and ensure workers’ salaries are disbursed from today (Thursday).

He also confirmed that allocations for the 23 Council Chairmen would be credited, as the Joint Accounts Allocation Committee procedures have been completed.

The governor encouraged his supporters to remain resilient, assuring them that all challenges are surmountable.

Reflecting on his administration’s success, Governor Fubara noted that despite predictions that his government would not last even a week, he has successfully led for over a year.

He said his administration has also conducted local government elections against all odds and maintained a full cabinet despite attempts to undermine his leadership through resignations.

Highlighting his administration’s progress, he mentioned ongoing project executions across the state, countering critics who claimed he would be unable to deliver.

He also cited recent reports that position Rivers State as one of the leaders in financial accountability and transparency.

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Court Bars FG From Giving Monthly Allocation To Rivers Government

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Siminalayi Fubara

The Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Federal Government of Nigeria from giving monthly constitutional allocation to Rivers State Government.

Specifically, the court presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.

Justice Abdulmalik stated while delivering the order on Wednesday that further release of monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State government is unconstitutional and an aberration.

The court maintained that the previous collection and disbursement of monthly allocations since January this year by Governor Siminalayi Fubara is a constitutional somersault and aberration that must not be allowed to continue.

The judge anchored his decision on the manner in which Governor Fubara presented the 2024 budget, stressing that the presentation of the fiscal document before a 4-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the Constitutional provision.

He said that Fubara action in implementing unlawful budget smacked gross violations of the 1999 Constitution he swore to protect.

Abdulmalik then stopped the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.

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Government

Senate Postpones Screening Of Ministerial Nominees, Gives Reasons

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Senate President Akpabio

Nigerian Senate has shifted the scheduled screening for ministerial nominees, initially set for today.

The postponement of the exercise to Wednesday is to enable the nominees provide all needed documents as well as allow for sufficient time to complete their documentation and pre-screening processes.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado.

According to Lado, the screening will hold on Wednesday, at 12:00 pm.

Lado, while explaining the reason for the postponement said the scheduled screening of ministerial nominees was shifted by the Senate, adding that it is to allow all nominees to conclude all aspects of documentation and pre-screening exercises.

He said the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters thanked the public for their understanding and cooperation.

Recall that the Special Adviser to the President had on Monday disclosed in a statement that the screening will hold today.

President Tinubu had written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of appointments of seven ministerial nominees announced in Abuja last Wednesday.

Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and read last Thursday during plenary.

According to the letter, the ministerial nominees were Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment; and Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.

Others were Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Development; Idi Muktar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; Rt Hon Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Minister of State, Housing; and Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Minister of State, Education.

President Tinubu in the letter had sought expeditious consideration of his request by the Senate.

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