President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the latest killing of tens of people by bandits in Zamfara State.
The Nigerian leader warned that “such wanton disregard for life will be brought to an end sooner than later.”
President Buhari in a reaction to the incident said that “this insane and persistent violence against innocent people must stop”.
He added that “these criminals should stop pushing their luck too far by believing that the government lacks the capacity to crush them.”
The President directed the military, security and intelligence agencies to take immediate steps to close all existing gaps in their operations being exploited by criminals to wreak havoc.
He expressed hope the Special Operation launched by the military at 3:00am on Thursday from Maru Local Government area will prove decisive in ridding the state of the “frequent and horrifying “bandit activities.
“The violence against poor villagers who are struggling with poverty and other severe economic challenges is not going to be tolerated by this administration,” the President warned.
Buhari has called on the security forces to “redouble their efforts in bringing an end to this mindless violence against innocent people.”
“Let’s not give these criminals any opportunity to succeed by taking the war to their own camps and stop them in their tracks before they even have the time to respond under our massive fire power.”
Buhari reassured the people of Zamfara State that, “despite the latest set back in our efforts to protect our citizens, there will be no compromise in our determination to defeat these enemies of humanity.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the backlash against Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
Buhari declared his support for Pantami amid the backlash from Nigerians.
Pantami was recently linked to terrorists’ organisations like Al-Qaeda and Taliban due to his past radical preachings.
Following the emergence of his past, Nigerians have been calling for his sack and prosecution.
Pantami, however, distanced himself from such extremist groups.
He also admitted making such controversial comments but claimed his perception has changed.
Responding, Buhari berated Nigerians for their harsh disposition towards Pantami and some public officials.
He stated this in a statement signed by his spokesman, Garba Shehu.
The statement reads: “Today, there is an unfortunate fashion in public discourse that makes leaders in politics, religion, and civil society liable in the present for every statement they have ever made in the past – no matter how long ago, and even after they have later rejected them.
“This insidious phenomenon seeks to cancel the careers of others on the basis of a thing they have said, regardless of when they said it.
“The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami is, currently, subject to a “cancel campaign” instigated by those who seek his removal. They do not really care what he may or may not have said some 20 years ago: that is merely the instrument they are using to attempt to “cancel” him. But they will profit should he be stopped from making decisions that improve the lives of everyday Nigerians.
“The Minister has, rightly, apologized for what he said in the early 2000s. The views were absolutely unacceptable then, and would be equally unacceptable today, were he to repeat them. But he will not repeat them – for he has publicly and permanently condemned his earlier utterances as wrong.
“In the 2000s, the Minister was a man in his twenties; next year he will be 50. Time has passed, and people and their opinions – often rightly – change.
“But all discerning Nigerians know this manufactured dispute is nothing to do with the Minister’s prior words, but solely concern his actions in the present.
“This Administration is committed to improving the lives of all Nigerians – and that includes ensuring they are not over-charged or under-protected for those services on which modern life depends.
“The Minister has been leading the charge against illegal data deductions and pricing; he has revolutionized the government’s virtual public engagement to respond to COVID-19 and save taxpayers’ money; he has established ICT start-up centres to boost youth entrepreneurship and create jobs; he has changed policy to ensure locally produced ICT content is used by ministries, starting with his own; and he has deregistered some 9.2 million SIMs – ending the ability for criminals and terrorists to flagrantly use mobile networks undetected. In two short years, Minister Pantami has driven the contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP to more than 18 percent, making it one of the top two playing a critical role in the emergence of the economy from the COVID 19-induced recession.
“In putting people first, the Minister and this administration have made enemies. There are those in the opposition who see success and want it halted by any means. And there is now well-reported information that alleges newspaper editors rebuffed an attempt to financially induce them to run a smear campaign against the minister by some ICT companies, many of which do indeed stand to lose financially through lower prices and greater consumer protections. The government is now investigating the veracity behind these claims of attempted inducement, and – should they be found to hold credence – police and judicial action must be expected.
“The Administration stands behind Minister Pantami and all Nigerian citizens to ensure they receive fair treatment, fair prices, and fair protection in ICT services.”
• Says constitution doesn’t recognise two parliaments
Buhari
The Presidency again, on Tuesday, foreclosed a national conference of the federating states in the country.
Speaking at a forum of All Progressives Congress Professionals Forum held at the party national secretariat, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, said no one would bully President Muhammadu Buhari to convene a gathering of ethnic groups in the country.
In the vanguard of the agitation for a national conference are the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, its counterpart in the South-East, Ohanaeze Ndi’gbo, and the Middle Belt Forum.
Mallam Shehu asked those canvassing for a new Constitution to avail themselves the opportunity provided by the Constitution Review Committee set up by the National Assembly.
He declared that it is the National Assembly that is statutorily vested with the powers to amend the Constitution.
He said: “Yes, there are problems and we are hoping that as people united and loving of one another, we will come together and solve our problems and that leads me to the question, whether there should be National Conference?
“What National Conference? Do you have more than a parliament? Anyone who is a democrat in heart, in practice in their beliefs they should believe in the tripartite structure of government. Governments that are democratic, there is a parliament, the executive arm of the government and the judiciary, each one being independent and cooperating with the other. We have an elected parliament, which has a mandate as the custodian of the sovereignty of the Nigerian people.
“Look, a lot of these people were crying for this secession, they are unelectable. “If you think you are electable go around for a parliamentary seat whether House of Representatives or Senate and come and table an amendment for the Constitution.
“The process is ongoing as we speak now under the Deputy Senate President. They are calling for Memoranda, why can’t you present what you want? So the issue is that people who are not democrats want a parallel parliament to be set up and this Constitution does not recognise two parliaments in this country. We have one parliament that is sovereign, that is the custodian of the sovereignty of the Nigerian people.
“If your member representing you has failed to present this request that you want whether it is a change of the structure at state, local government or national level pull him out four years after, don’t vote for him. Put another representative who will do what you want. This is how democracy works, periodic elections.”
On the demand for the Balkanisation of the country in certain quarters, the Presidential spokesman said President Buhari would not be cowed to take action which could be detrimental to the corporate existence of the nation. He also noted that credible voices and state actors where proponents of secession are resident are against the agitation.
“Look, one thing with this President and the national secretary has said a bit of that, you can’t intimidate Buhari. You can’t bully him. A lot of these people who are calling for secessions are the problem of this country and I’m happy that reasonable voices are now rising. Is it not only yesterday we are reading Afenifere, the most credible faction of Afenifere saying we are not for secession?
The Ohanaeze Ndi’gbo said this over and over again. So this thing about secession is, they had used it in the past. The Governors in the South-West, we have all heard them, they have denounced all of these things. So it’s a sham, Nigerians want to be one, they want to continue.”
Earlier in his remarks, National Secretary of the APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, said no administration has surpassed the Buhari administration in terms of commitment to the needs of Nigerians.
“There has never been a government like this in the history of the nation. And I am not playing politics. Show me any government that has done much than President Buhari that has a direct link with the masses.
“Everywhere in Nigeria, people are having access. The president has thrown his door open for everybody. It doesn’t matter which party you belong to. In the days of PDP, it was not so. It is either PDP or nothing. The President allows everyone to key into his program. As I am talking with you now, people are collecting loans and COVID-19 palliative. Go to the Ministry of Labour and you will find people collecting 450,000 to N1 million. And they are not saying anything.
“Nigerians are enjoying the program. And he is a listening President. We thank you the professionals. In the face of difficulties, frustration and in all, you still stand with the party. You still defend the President. Most of the defence in Twitter by you, I have seen them. You are not selfish. There is nothing you do in this life that the reward is not there. ”
BT Afrika 