All Progressives Congress Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has lamented the rising insecurity in the country.
He said he was angered by it, but he warned against succumbing to the threats.
He noted in some tweets on Thursday: ‘Like all decent Nigerians, I am angered and troubled by the terror and cruelty being visited upon the people of Borno, Yobe, Benue, Niger, Imo and other parts of the nation.
These attacks have caused many to disparage our military and security forces. This we must not do. Valiant men and women serve in our security forces, risking their lives to protect us.
We stand with them. Government also must continue to encourage the security forces to do their utmost to subdue this threat. The lives of innocent Nigerians and the future progress of the nation may lie in the balance.
As a people, we must never surrender to the fearful temptation to blame one another. Regardless of region or religion, we must unite against a common foe. Discord will only invite defeat.
The enemy’s attacks seem to focus on our schools, religious institutions and security forces. They seek to extinguish the light of knowledge and hope by shrouding us in the darkness of fear and brutal ordeal.
We must not tremble. They will be vanquished. In the end, tolerance, justice and compassion shall win the day.”
All Progressives Congress (APC) Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has expressed convictions about President Muhammadu Buhari concerning his readiness to uphold the Constitution.
According to him, the APC is loved by Nigerians and has bright chances of ruling the country beyond 2023, but Buhari will not tinker with the calendar.
Tinubu stated this when he fielded questions from State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He also reassured Nigerians that President Buhari respects the Nigerian Constitution and would vacate office at the expiration of his tenure on May 29, 2023.
He said: “The chances are as bright as a midnight star and we will continue to work for a better Nigeria.
“We cannot interject politics and assumption in everything, we have a nation to build.
“We have a baton to pass. You can depend on Buhari that he will not spend one hour beyond his tenure. He will comply with the constitution.”
The APC chieftain also charged all well-meaning citizens to remain united in the wake of current security challenges confronting some parts of the country.
He said all Nigerians must put aside their religious, political or ethnic differences and cooperate with security agents to surmount the problem.
He said: “Yes, every nation will go through these curves and difficult times but how we communicate it to the people and what are the areas to make it easier for the people to bear, those are ideas we have to be able to exchange with the leadership of the country.
“It calls for coming together to reduce banditry, move for unity and be able to bring a better Nigeria to the people because the welfare of our people is extremely important.
“This also calls for cooperation and understanding, effective security and effective giving of information.”
According to him, the president has the interest of all Nigerians at heart and will not like to see them facing difficulties.
“There is no president who will want to see his country in chaos nor is there anyone who will want to see his citizens exposed to banditry and danger.
“No president or a leader that will want to see his nation fractured in tribalism or religious differences and others.
“The current challenges call for serious management, evaluation and dialogue once in a while,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, who also met behind closed door with the president, told the correspondents that he updated President Buhari on recent happenings in the North-East region.
Zulum expressed deep condolences to the families of soldiers who recently lost their lives in the fight against terrorists in the North-East.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to extend my condolences to the families of the deceased.
“I think it is my own responsibility to come and say the truth to the President, to let him know what is going on in the entire North-East sub-region.
“I think there is a need for us to get support in order for us to succeed in this war against insurgents.
“It is very pathetic; a few days ago, Damasak (Borno) was attacked, hundreds of people started fleeing Damasak and now, Geidam (Yobe) is almost deserted because many people have left Geidam.”
File photo: When President Bola Tinubu was at Hajj
Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has highlighted the significance of the Ramadan.
Urging Muslims to abstain from worldly things, he said it was a period for self discovery and introspection.
In a Twitter message on Tuesday, he said:
“During this month, adult Muslims are enjoined to abstain from food and drinks and other worldly things from dawn to sunset.
“This spirit of sacrifice, discipline, and perseverance symbolised by denying the body of food and drinks must engender the spirit of humility, mercy and kindness in us individually and as a true community of faith.
“Through this self-control and perseverance, we are moved to beneficial introspection, self-discovery and self-development.
“I urge our Muslim brothers and sisters to be guided by this spirit in their interactions with fellow Muslims, but equally important also in their relations with their neighbours and Nigerians of other faiths as well.
“Nigeria faces many present challenges but none of these challenges can defeat us so long as we remain true to the tenets of our faith by extending the hand of brotherhood and goodness to those around us.
“We grow in strength through unity and compassion, not through division and recrimination. Thus, the call and spirit of the holy month are much needed now.
“May we all join as brothers in pursuit of peace and harmony for all Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
“May Almighty Allah continue to guide us with his munificent hand and open our hearts and minds that we may have the ability to fast, worship and reap the spiritual benefits of this holy month. Ramadan Mubarak.”
All Progressives Congress Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has recalled the role that deceased Spokesperson of the Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, played during the June 12 struggle.
He said he fought with all his heart to see the watershed presidential election won by the late MKO Abiola but annulled by the Babangida junta realised.
Tinubu paid Odumakin tribute in a statement on Saturday.
Odumakin died of COVID-19 complications.
Tinubu said:
“In the struggle against the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election and the perpetuation of military dictatorship, Odumakin was never found wanting.
“He was at the vanguard of the battle even at the risk of his life and liberty. It is impossible to credibly tell the story of the emergence of the democracy we enjoy in this dispensation today without emblazoning Odumakin’s name in gold.
“He was a doughty fighter for freedom and the rule of law. He was rock solid in his commitment to Afenifere, the Yoruba people and the several other civil society groups in which he played active roles.
“In the course of the last two and a half decades, Odumakin and I had cause to collaborate in various organisations and in pursuit of different political causes at different times and I can testify to his capacity for hard work, his brilliance, his tenacity in his loyalty to his cherished principles.
“Even if we differed politically, I had no cause to doubt his sincerity in charting his chosen path. He will forever remain a model of what a citizen who places the good of his country above his personal interest could be.”
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has described All Progressives Congress leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as a friend and brother.
He said this in a congratulatory message to Tinubu, who clocked 69 on Monday.
“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu @AsiwajuTinubu and I have come a long way in the common mission to restore and promote democracy in Nigeria.
“On this special occasion of your birthday, I pray to the Almighty Allah to grant you long life and more vigour to keep the march on in the quest for good governance and a better life for our people. Congratulations, dear friend and brother,” he said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has lauded Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State for strengthening anti-corruption institutions.
Tinubu gave the commendation on Sunday in Kano while inaugurating the Office of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
The APC leader, who lauded the governor for the restructured edifice also praised him for his efforts in fighting corruption.
“This is a welcome development indeed and we salute the governor for this encouraging effort.
“In ensuring Nigeria becomes a member of a committed international community that frees us from the burden of corruption this and similar edifices could play an important role in that.
“To a lot of us looking forward to a prosperous, corruption-free Nigeria and Africa today is dedicated to that objective,” he pointed out.
In his remark, Ganduje said that at the time his administration took over, the institution had achieved little.
He said that he appointed a very vibrant human rights activist, Muhuyi Rmin-Gado, to chair the agency.
“When he was appointed as the chairman, we made it very clear that there would be no interference in the activities of the agency and up till now we have not interfered in any of its activities,” the governor added.
He said that his administration would continue to support the anti-graft body for effective and efficient operations.
Tinubu also inspected some other projects being executed by the state government.
Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has congratulated the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, on the occasion of his 69th birthday.
Fayemi, in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Iyebode, described Tinubu as leader of leaders.
The governor said that the former Lagos governor was a distinguished Nigerian and courageous, reliable, dependable and passionate leader.
Fayemi, who is the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), also described Tinubu as a statesman, with an uncommon political sagacity and generousity.
According to him, the two qualities have made the APC leader to stand out as one of the leading lights of progressive politics in the country.
“Asiwaju Tinubu’s ability to identify, nurture and engage talents is unequalled. His life has been a testimony of human capital development in an unrelenting struggle for a better life for people.
“He is not only an accomplished politician; he is a statesman par excellence, a dogged fighter and strong voice in the fight against military dictatorship and enthronement of democratic rule in the country.
“We can only wish him many more useful and productive years in service to humanity.
“I, on behalf of my wife, Bisi, the government and good people of Ekiti, celebrate our dear Asiwaju Tinubu on his birthday and pray that God rewards his labour of love with long life in good health and unspeakable joy,” Fayemi said.
President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the governing party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and its teeming members in congratulating Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on his 69th birthday.
In a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Sunday, Buhari also shared the joyous occasion with the former two-term Governor of Lagos State, ”whose acumen and influence continue to resonate round the country and beyond.”
The president rejoiced with the “patriot and statesman” on the 12th colloquium, an intellectual gathering to commemorate his birthday.
He noted that the colloquium had over the years turned into a veritable opportunity for discussing topical national issues, and harnessing ideas that would move the nation forward.
The president described the theme of the 12th Bola Tinubu Colloquium, “Our Common Bond, Our Common Wealth: Imperative of National Cohesion for Growth and Prosperity’’, as timely.
He believed the choice of further ”highlighting loyalty to the country and the shared vision that will bring harmony and well-being to everyone is most timely, clearly reflecting Sen. Tinubu’s patriotism and benevolence.”
According to the president, the former Lagos State governor has inspired many leaders and continues to nurture talents for the benefit of the country.
He also acknowledged Tinubu’s role in the stability of the APC, and advocating good governance.
The president also felicitated with family, friends and political associates of the astute politician, praying that God will grant him longer life, good health and more wisdom.
Lawyer, journalist and one of the associates of Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Mobolaji Sanusi, has described the politician as a brand that no noteworthy politician can ignore in Nigeria and beyond.
Sanusi, who is the former MD/CEO of Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency, noted this as Tinubu turns 69 tomorrow, March 29.
In a tribute widely published today Sunday, Sanusi situates Tinubu in the realm of great politicians who defined the choices and processes of their times.
He writes:
“Tinubu, despite his unrivaled contemporary vilification by envious political gladiators and parasites, remains the most-sought-after politician and perhaps, one of the few most significant of the progressive hue in modern-day Nigeria. The reality, even amongst those that hate to love Tinubu, is that he has become a veritable political brand that can be ignored at the peril of any noteworthy politician in the nation. Since 1999, when this new political experiment was born, Tinubu, like Awolowo achieved until his death in 1987, has been the main issue in our current democratic journey. When his political party was in the opposition until 2015, the concerns of previous governments was what will be Tinubu’s reactions to their policies and actions: Now that his party controls the federal government, the concerns of those in government and also within the ruling political party’s topmost hierarchy is whether Tinubu is with them or how best they could tame his looming political image. Until he speaks on any issue of national significance, public opinion is not settled. That shows how purposefully powerful Tinubu has, so far, been to our body polity. The Asiwaju of Lagos has faced fears, betrayal and treachery but at the end of it all remain undaunted.”
Below is the full article:
By Mobolaji Sanusi
It is not by human power but by the grace of almighty God that in over two decades of the current democratic dispensation, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), has become a puzzle that power brokers in the nation’s political firmament have found a hard row to hoe. Tinubu, omo olodo ide, holds numerous important titles including the Jagaban of Borgu land, Asiwaju of Lagos and governor emeritus of Lagos State. Tomorrow(March 29, 2021), he will clock 69, but yet remains an enigma that keeps waxing stronger and escaping, in the process, the unceasing traps of his ever mounting socio-political traducers. This unfaltering torchbearer of progressive politics, looks set, to remain for a long time to come, a mystery that fake friends masquerading as his genuine allies, and confessed foes alike will try, albeit unsuccessfully, to unravel.
Tinubu, despite his unrivaled contemporary vilification by envious political gladiators and parasites, remains the most-sought-after politician and perhaps, one of the few most significant of the progressive hue in modern-day Nigeria. The reality, even amongst those that hate to love Tinubu, is that he has become a veritable political brand that can be ignored at the peril of any noteworthy politician in the nation. Since 1999, when this new political experiment was born, Tinubu, like Awolowo achieved until his death in 1987, has been the main issue in our current democratic journey. When his political party was in the opposition until 2015, the concerns of previous governments was what will be Tinubu’s reactions to their policies and actions: Now that his party controls the federal government, the concerns of those in government and also within the ruling political party’s topmost hierarchy is whether Tinubu is with them or how best they could tame his looming political image. Until he speaks on any issue of national significance, public opinion is not settled. That shows how purposefully powerful Tinubu has, so far, been to our body polity. The Asiwaju of Lagos has faced fears, betrayal and treachery but at the end of it all remain undaunted.
Today , in our political firmament, Tinubu has become a political brand whose name, most politicians deploy to win support at national and state levels during electioneering periods. The question to ask any aspiring politician seeking public office to determine his prospects or seriousness is: Have you been endorsed by Tinubu or not? That is how politically turbulent the Tinubu phenomenon is in today’s Nigeria.
Tinubu
This writer keeps observing how political ignoramuses deride him; the grovelers of centrist conservative elements impugn his character, but that is Tinubu, the enigma still standing like the rock of Gibraltar. No doubt, Tinubu has the skills of political liberation and he’s equally imbued with the power of intuition which makes him tower above adversaries. This man of unquantifiable knack for philanthropy has this uncanny nerve for discovering talent not minding the fact that most of these people turn out to stab him in the back. But Tinubu, at sixty-nine, must ask himself a self reassessment question to wit: Could it be genuinely said that his created talents are discovering fresh beneficial talents or just using the platform he created for them to pursue their selfish agenda? It has become imperative for Asiwaju to start paying attention to how he handles back-stabbers and over-fed loyalists with diminished passion for what he stands for other than to continue to use his brand to extort, undermine and be envious of younger loyalists, creating avoidably in the process, more enemies for him.
Out of sheer envy for Tinubu’s result-oriented political track record; his steadfast commitment to finding solutions to political challenges, most people that he helped to power later see him as serious threat to their ambitions to cling onto power.
Some, out of steep spite of his large-heart and enormous goodwill, will query his source of wealth: And simply because the man is doing what they cannot ever do or are not privileged to do since they are not in a position to do it, they harbour the ache in their bellies. Some see him as being immoderate. But Benjamin Disraeli had an answer for the Tinubu-phobia when he said: ‘Moderation has been called a virtue to limit the ambition of great men, and to console undistinguished people for their want of fortune and their lack of merit.’ There are empirical examples of Nigerians, irrespective of tribes and especially among the Yoruba, the man’s cradle, that have benefited immensely from his political and pecuniary largesse. But sadly, these same people still hypocritically relish speaking ill of him. Surprisingly, Tinubu relishes welcoming such backstabbers back to his fold. Most of us see this as a weakness but he sees that to be one sacrifice of greatness that he must pay. One can only hope that this inclination of taking back dangerous backstabbers would not turn to be his undoing later in life.
Whoever doubts Tinubu’s progressive credentials needs to embark on historical excursion. After not less than three failed attempts at the presidency, current president, General Muhamadu Buhari eventually clinched the coveted post in 2015 and 2019 respectively because of the invaluable support and political ingenuity of Tinubu. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, whatever reservation he might have for Tinubu will forever be secretly grateful for the irreplaceable support that Tinubu gave him in 2011. Also worthy of mention is the fact that at a time that the Yoruba states of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Osun and Ekiti were falling to the gangsterism of dethroned People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2003 and 2007, it was only Asiwaju’s Lagos that stood to absorb the heat of conservatism before eventually launching, single-handedly, the worthwhile battle that liberated the former western region but Ondo, from the grips of rampaging agents of feudal politics. Progressivism is indeed taking firm root in the country today because of the great political mind possessed by Tinubu.
Despite the sleaze of political mudslinging by mostly beneficiaries of his political large-heartedness, Tinubu’s democratic scorecard remains very glittering and unassailable.
Tinubu is indeed and always politically determined to succeed. And it is this uncommon determination to be great and to politically liberate the people from the yoke of reactionary politics that compelled him to take with zeal, progressive politics, since year 2014’s merger of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with other opposition parties – far beyond the west and to all parts of the country. This gave birth to All Progressives Congress (APC) that today controls the seat of power in Abuja. The move at that time generated spite, covetousness as much as cynicism from those who always see impossibility rather than possibility in Tinubu’s laudable political initiatives.
The difference between Tinubu and the rest in the political arena is that he sees possibility where others predict doom. His often-talked-about political superiority complex does not mean haughtiness; although it might appear to be so in the eyes of the mischievous among politicians/citizens who want to see it so. Tinubu feels a higher esteem over the obstacles he desires to surmount and he is blessed with the rare courage of overcoming them, with enough energy reserved for any eventuality.
The positive roles of Tinubu in the successful political merger of the opposition parties; the outcome of the 2015 general elections in favour of then opposition and the fact that a precedent has been set that makes it impossible for a ruling party, especially at the centre, to take others for granted in the political space have become a burden of envy in the minds of most politicians that see Tinubu as a threat. Rejection of Tinubu’s political ingenuity is nothing but a deliberate creation of avoidable amphitheatre of perfidious hypocrisy.
The current firm control of the centre by erstwhile opposition, hitherto considered as impossible, and the invaluable role played by the Jagaban of Borgu land in bringing it to fruition merely confirmed him as the definitive contemporary political leader of the progressives in the country.
Like Awolowo during his lifetime, Tinubu, ‘omo olodo ide, has, in contemporary Nigerian politics, become a thorn in the flesh of conservative/progressive politicians of less candour. This unjustifiable kvetching syndrome by some of the current political elite class against Tinubu has become a catalyst that gives him more inspiration to surpass his present enviable feat. Tinubu must realize that this is not the time to rest on his oars. Things are really tough in the country and like the political magician that we know him to be, he should, once again, step forward and rescue this country from the current abyss of undesired change. This writer, wholeheartedly wishes Asiwaju, the husband of adorable Senator Oluremi Tinubu, plenteous happy returns of your day in sound health and continuing political relevance. Happy birthday to you sir. And as the Yoruba would pray: Akanbi, omo olodo ide, “igba odun, odun kan.”
— Sanusi, a lawyer/Journalist is the immediate past MD/CEO of Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the Federal Government to invest massively on job creation to tackle insecurity and unemployment in the country.
Tinubu made the appeal in a remark at the opening of the 2021 annual Arewa House Lectures, which he chaired on Saturday in Kaduna.
The lecture was on “Reduction of the Cost of Governance for Inclusive Growth and Youth Development in Northern Nigeria in a Post- COVID-19 era”.
He said that government must urgently think outside of the box in finding solutions to the challenges posed by unemployment.
According to him, the frustration and despair among the youth was largely caused by chronic poverty and breakdown in social institutions.
“Building vital infrastructure such as irrigation and water catchment systems will help agriculture, arrest desertification and provide jobs.
“Another readily available area primed for investment is the agro allied industry which, for the northern region is particularly advantageous,” he said.
Tinubu added that government must implement a national industrial policy to encourage key industries to begin to employ the country’s growing population.
On the herder and farmer dispute, the former Lagos State Governor said the government “must appreciate that martial security measures alone will not suffice”.
“Problems that are essentially of an economic origin must also have an economic solution.
“Enhanced security may be the necessary first step, but it cannot be the only step.
“We cannot resolve this problem by holding on to one-dimensional answers. We must all be dispassionate in our search for solutions.
“These challenges are multi-faceted and so the solutions must be.
“The issue of insecurity, unemployment and extremism has many things to do with governance, over time. We must tackle our deep and widespread poverty.
“If we limit government’s role under the erroneous assumption that government spending is intrinsically unproductive, then we tether ourselves to failure.”
He also cautioned those advocating for “small government”, advising them to learn from history.
“We would do well to more critically study how other populous nations such as the UK, US, Germany and China charted their course during their formative years.
“You will see that they did not adhere to small government or the purportedly free market.
“Government engaged in massive spending on infrastructure and education while also engaging in policies that protected industrial development and key aspects of the agricultural sector.
“Only when they matured and held advantages over other nations, did the UK and US begin to champion free markets and small government.
“We would do well to understand this history and learn what it means for our own pursuit of development,” Tinubu added.
He also cautioned against the assumption that government spending was unproductive.
“The development of any populous nation has always been dependent on the ability of government to allocate sufficient funds to projects and programs that create and encourage enduring growth and employment.
“We must reject that mode of thinking that assumes government expenditure is inherently unproductive as well as harmful to the overall economy.
“It is not the fact that government expenditure is intrinsically wrong any more than one can say all private sector activity is economically positive.
“Government can be wasteful or it can be the key component to growth just as a private sector business can function profitably or spend itself into bankruptcy.
“The issue is not whether government is spending money or not. The real issue is the economic utility and quality of the expenditure,” the Asiwaju said.
Tinubu suggested fiscal wisdom in running the nation’s economy, which he noted was weak due to the efforts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Fiscal wisdom but not necessarily austerity is required for an economy like ours in a time like this, to ensure equitable wealth redistribution and meaningful use of resources.
“The years have shown that the private sector is much too weak to spur the growth we need.
“If the private sector could manage this feat, it would have already done so. Where the private sector is too weak or unable, the government must fill the void.
“This means government must not be afraid to embark on an activist fiscal policy to create jobs, build infrastructure and develop our industrial sector as well as continue to improve agriculture.
“This means government must spend money on those things that bring the requisite economic returns for the nation,” he said.
Tinubu advised states and local governments to shape their budgets to suit their revenues, as federal government spend more to create more jobs for the youth.
This, he said was to eradicate restiveness and sundry criminality among the youth.
On the effects of COVID-19 on the economy, Tinubu advised the government to provide more stimulus packages to revive the fledgling economy.
“In the midst of our local challenges came the COVID-19 pandemic, with its debilitating impact on the global and domestic economies.
“Nigeria, like many other countries, has not been spared the impact of the pandemic.
“Commendably, however, President Muhammadu Buhari has been carefully steering the country through the pandemic such that the negative impact on us and the economy has not been as harsh as it might have been.
“The economy’s relapse into recession has ended, but we must admit the economy remains weak with too much unemployment and resources left idle,” he added.
He stressed that nations that recovered most quickly from the 2009 economic crisis and now from COVID-19 were those that engaged most in government stimulus spending.
