Metro
Buhari’s Six Years of Frustration, Unemployment, Killings, Hunger by Don Harmattan
Nothing will excite Nigerians more at this period than a return to the time before May 29, 2015 when President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) came to power.
Looking back to the last 6 years of APC rule, the stack reality on the faces of Nigerians is one of Unemployment, starvation, insecurity, unabated killings and destruction of lives and properties. Increased cost of living with no money to buy essential basic needs, increased electricity cost with no regular supply and increased protroleum pump price with it’s spiral and cumulative consequences has been the hallmark of APC rule in the last 6 years.
In the government circles, fighting perceived opposition, invading of judges homes, unlawful arrest and detentions of opposition figures, desecration of our courts, illegal de-registration of political parties perceived to be opposition parties, disobedience to court decisions and disrespect for the rule of law, constitutional violation of the Federal character principles, appointment of family members, ethnic and religious hegemony in government, devaluation of the Naira, boarder closures that yielded no positive result apart from enriching Fulani custom officers while Fulani militias from neighbouring countries with AK 47 were freely allowed entry to cause mayhem and take land by force from Nigerians.
In the last 6 years, Nigeria witnessed bloodletting, killing of men, women and children including raping of our young girls and destruction of farmlands while the president who took oath to defend our constitution and Nigerians was unperturbed. Not even to shed a bit of the tears like he did when he lost election in 2011 but instead told Nigerians to cohabit with their Neigbours.
In 6 years, Nigerians were subjected to live under sever pain and penury. While Nigerians were languishing in abject poverty, new rail lines worth millions of Dollars were constructed to Maradi the capital of Niger Republic. Needless to say that APC government under the leadership of president Mohammadu Buhari is a colossal failure, a disapointment , a National embarrassment and disgrace.
Nigerians sought for help, direction and leadership and there was none. Many scattered and sought for shelter in IDP camps, yet they were killed in what was supposed to be a protected refugee camps. We became refugees in our own homelands.
A one time peaceful country were freedoms abound prior to 2015 has been turned into a militia war country under the leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari whose only solution as been circulated in some quaters is to suspend our constitution which he took an oath of office. This action if and when taken will put flames in the already tense situation the country is currently passing through.
It is regrettable that Nigerians are just waking up from slumber to realize that the man who once said that he belongs to nobody seriously meant what he said and that includes even if you are being killed by militias or you die in active duty, for him it does not matter because he belongs to nobody.
It is only in Nigeria that ethnic, sectional and parochial interest, self aggrandisement as against national patriotism have led this governments to deregister 74 political parties that once had an active work force and contributing to the National Gross Domestic product (GDP) without caring about the socio-economic implications or backlash of such action on the country.
Political parties who are supposed to speak out for the masses were illegally and unconstitutionally deregistered in a military style fashion because this administration knew it’s plans before hand to keep the rigging machinery on alert for 2023.
This administration unilaterally declared free entry for African Fulani militias to enter Nigeria without visas to destroy our people, our monuments, our lands and our livelihood including preparing them for the voting spree come 2023 at a time no political parties were able to speak out.
All we are asking President Buhari is to return Nigeria to were it was in 2015 and avoid this impending pogrom and dismembering of the Nigerian state by allowing Nigerians a sovereign national Conference without gimmicks of any kind or government interference. A conference that will produce a new Magna Carta that brings hope, aspirations and peaceful coexistence to every region and by extension Nigerians at large.
Finally it should be made clear that Nigeria is not a conquered territory by anyone or ethnic group and can never be, neither is it for sale to anyone or race.
The distinguished Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, His Excellency, Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, has extended warm congratulations to Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.
In a heartfelt message, Senator Daniel praised Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing for his outstanding dedication and immense contributions to the Nigerian housing sector. He described the celebrant as a shining example in the business community, whose passion and commitment have left an indelible mark on the real estate industry across Nigeria.
“You are indeed a source of inspiration to your generation and a shining example within the business environment. There is no doubt that you had written your name in an indelible ink across Nigeria and most especially among the real estate developers,” he wrote.
Senator Daniel also acknowledged Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing’s conferment as the ‘Otun-Asiwaju of Remo Christians’ by the Ogun State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), as a reflection of his God-fearing nature, philanthropic spirit, and commitment to humanity.
The senator offered prayers for good health, greater accomplishments, and many more remarkable years ahead for the business mogul.
He concluded by affirming his highest regards and admiration for the celebrant.
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has directed Commanding Officers to ensure full deployment of staff for maximum visibility, prompt removal of obstructions and ease of movement on all highways across the country. This is in line with the operational guidelines of this year’s Easter special patrol scheduled to commence from 16th to 23 April, 2024.
According to the Operation Order, obtained by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the objectives of the special operations are reduction in road traffic crashes, road traffic fatalities and road traffic Injuries; prompt response to road traffic crash victims; unhindered in purposeful public education and speedy removal of obstructions from the highways, amongst others.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed assured members of the public that in achieving the objectives of the special operations, the Corps will combine the engagement of the motoring public through purposeful and impactful public education programmes, strengthening of surveillance activities to regulate unprofessional excesses, sustained effective patrol operations as well as adequate monitoring on the highways.
To this end, the Corps would carryout aggressive enforcement including conducting over 200 Mobile Courts operations, with the aim of checking the following offences:
Speeding and Dangerous Driving/Overtaking,
b. Lane indiscipline/Route violation,
c. Road Obstructions,
d. Use of Phone while Driving,
e. Overloading,
f. Seatbelt/Child restraint Use Violations,
g. Passenger’s Manifest Violation,
h. Operation of mechanical deficient and rickety vehicles,
i. Latching and Twist-Locks Violation,
To achieve the aforementioned, over 743 patrol vehicles, 184 administrative vehicles, 92 ambulances, 23 tow trucks and 144 motorbikes are being deployed as part of the patrol logistics.
Furthermore, reflective jackets, traffic cones, tyre pressure gauges, a number of extricating machines and digital breathalyzers are part of the tools set aside for the special operations.
Added to the above is, a total of 23 Help Areas mobilised to ensure prompt removal of obstructions, and rescue operations during the period. This, he said, is in addition to the 15 traffic control camps which would be dedicated solely to identifying traffic gridlock areas to be manned by our personnel on 24/7 basis.
For effective monitoring and prompt response, the Corps has put in place a Situation Room at the National Headquarters to monitor the activities across the country, collate and process information for dissemination to relevant commands and stakeholders as the case may be.
This is in addition to 28 Road Traffic Crash Clinics and 53 Zebra points located along the major routes. This would be covered by 92 ambulances to be fully utilized for prompt response to crashes and rescue of injured victims to hospitals for more professional attention.
He also directed the Commanding Officers to liaise with other strategic stakeholders within their operational areas to secure the needed moral and logistics as well as security support. The Corps Marshal identified some of the stakeholders as Military formations (enroute or resident); the Nigeria Police (enroute or resident); DSS (enroute or resident); the Nigeria Immigration Service; the NSCDC (enroute or resident).
Others are Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); State Traffic Management Agencies; State owned NGO’s ambulance Services providers; National Network on Emergency Rescue Services (NNES);
Federal Road Maintenance Agencies and
Federal Fire Service.
On the overall preparedness of the Corps for the special operations, he expressed optimism that Nigerians would as usual, cooperate with members of the Corps and other security agencies as well as volunteers who would come out to assist the Corps in traffic management.
Expectedly, with the massive deployment of personnel and logistics and the envisaged public support, the Corps Marshal is confident that the celebration would be a huge success.
While reassuring the motoring public of FRSC’s renewed vigour towards entrenching sanity on the roads, the Corps Marshal also wishes all Nigerians safe and peaceful Easter celebrations.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting in Ojokoro LCDA, Lagos State, ended in chaos on Monday over alleged imposition of a chairmanship candidate.
The meeting began peacefully at 7, Ijaoye Street, at 4:00 pm before aggrieved members stormed the venue in protest.
Protesters chanted “(unprintable word”; “We can’t take it”, and accused Speaker of State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, of imposing a candidate from Agege on Ojokoro residents.
Other chants included “Who knows Sanusi?”, “Obasa can’t control us from Agege”, and “We won’t allow a stranger rule us here”.
Speaking after the disruption, one of the protesters, Mr. Olusegun Akinoso-Olawaye said the meeting was a ploy to ratify an imposed candidate with no ties to the council.
He stressed that a chairmanship aspirant must reside in Ojokoro, and have worked for the party and actively participated in council politics.
He warned that imposing an outsider with no electoral history in Ojokoro would have negative consequences.
“We are here to reject imposition. All aspirants deserve a fair contest to prove their political relevance,” Akinoso-Olawaye stated.
He noted there are at least 18 aspirants for the chairmanship, all of whom had supporters present at the protest.
Another protest leader, Mrs. Bola Ojetayo, lamented that party leaders often prioritise personal interests over the will of the people.
She said the protest aimed to prevent installation of an unfamiliar figure as the next council chairman.
“We must not sell our seat to outsiders. A stranger cannot come and lead us in our own home.
“Leaders can’t sit elsewhere and decide for us. Someone in Agege shouldn’t determine Ojokoro’s leadership,” Ojetayo said.
In response, Mr. James Owolabi, a former House of Representatives member, and APC stalwart in Ojokoro, urged protesters to remain peaceful and avoid violence.
Owolabi, who represented Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency, acknowledged the concerns and affirmed their right to protest within the party.
“You have a voice in the party. Express yourselves peacefully without violence,” Owolabi advised.
Other APC leaders present included Mr Jelili Oseni, council chairman, and Ipoola Omisore, a former Lagos Assembly member.
Also in attendance were Alh. Amosu Aminu, Chief Oriyomi Olaogun, and Mr Akindele Aremu, among others.
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) had scheduled the local government elections for July 12, 2025.
