Tuesday, September 8, 2015

My ministers -; Buhari

By Levinus Nwabughiogu
ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, dismissed insinuations of his plans to defer the formation of a cabinet, as he insisted that his ministerial nominees would be unveiled this month.
Speaking in Aburi, Ghana, the President also reassured Nigerians and the international community that the Boko Haram insurgency was being brought to its knees with the confinement of the insurgents to Sambisa Forest.
The President spoke at a joint press conference with his host, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, who also disclosed that both countries had worked out strategies to jointly stem corruption.
Responding to a question on his delayed formation of a federal cabinet, Buhari said: “After I was sworn in, I said I will have my cabinet in September. I expect that Nigerians should ask me questions after September 30 if I do not do so.”
The delay in the appointment of ministers had raised dust across Nigeria. Buhari’s 100 days after inauguration is the longest period since the advent of the Fourth Republic that a President has operated without a cabinet.
In the interim, the President has been receiving briefings on the state of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.
Answering a question on the security situation in the country, the President said that the Nigerian military, in close collaboration with the Multi-National Joint Task Force, has recorded remarkable progress in the fight against Boko Haram since he assumed office.
“The first thing I did after I came into office was to reorganize the military and clear orders were given to them in terms of retraining, re-equipping and redeployment of troops.
“In the North-East, the military is gaining ground and Boko Haram has been limited to the Sambisa forest.
“Internally Displaced Persons are gradually moving back home and they are being reintegrated into their respective communities,” President Buhari said.
The President also told newsmen that the declaration of assets as he did was a constitutional requirement for all public office holders in Nigeria. According to him, he has declared his assets four times since his first time as a military governor in 1975.
“I recall that in 1975 when late Murtala Muhammed became the Head of State, we were lined up — governors, ministers, and members of the Supreme Military Council. Officials of the Ministry of Justice were brought and every individual was made to declare his assets.
“All Heads of State, governors, ministers, permanent secretaries have to declare their assets because it is a constitutional requirement.
“I have declared my assets four times. When I was governor in 1975, I declared. After being Minister of Petroleum and as a member of Supreme Military Council, I declared. When I was Head of State and now as a President, I have also declared.”
Earlier, President Mahama said both leaders had fruitful discussions on how to enhance bilateral relations and improve regional security.
He also said that Nigeria and Ghana will soon begin the process of reviving their joint commission for cooperation.
The Ghanaian President added that both leaders also agreed to encourage closer cooperation between the intelligence and anti-graft agencies of both countries.
He thanked President Buhari for his visit and assured him of Ghana’s support and cooperation with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Senate begins probe of Obasanjo, Yar Adua,others over power funds mismanagement

By Henry Umoru
ABUJA—THE  Senate will today  begin an inquest into alleged mismanagement of funds appropriated to the power sector from the Olusegun Obasanjo civilian administration to date.

Jonathan, Yardadua and Obasanjo
In a statement, yesterday, by the Clerk of Senate ad hoc Committee on Power, Cletus Ojabo, the power sector probe will be in the form of investigative hearing/interactive session, just as there was an indication that former ministers of power will also be in attendance.
According to Ojabo,  the investigation would centre on funds appropriated for the power sector since 1999 and the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, adding: “ It is expected that all those who played key roles in the power sector since 1999, including ministers and heads of government departments and parastatals, will appear before the panel.”
It will be recalled that Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had last month announced a  13-man ad hoc committee to carry out a holistic investigation into the management of funds appropriated to the power sector from the Olusegun Obasanjo civilian administration to date.
Senator  Saraki had urged members of the committee to consider their reputation and integrity and come up with a report that would be acceptable to Nigerians. He lamented that a lot of money had been spent on the sector with no results, while Nigeria is still faced with the challenge of power supply.
The committee, which has Senator Abubakar Kyari, (APC Borno North) as chairman, was also saddled with the responsibility of looking into irregularities in the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN and to  also probe how the Obasanjo, Umaru Yar‘Adua and Jonathan administrations managed funds allocated to the sector.
The committee was charged with the task of looking into the entire power value chain including generation, transmission and distribution with a view to identifying what the problems in the sector are.
Saraki, who noted at the inauguration of the committee three weeks ago, that the task before the panel is huge, had however, frowned  at the continued absence of regular supply of electricity despite the country’s huge investments in the sector.
Kyari, in his remarks during the inauguration,  detailed the nature of the investigation his committee is saddled with,saying, “ To have a close look at the entire power value chain (generation, transmission and distribution) calls for a review of our policies in order to obtain optimum performances across the board.
According to him, “the abysmal performance of the generation segment is no longer news in view of the current deteriorating power supply which hovers around 4,600MW for a population of over 170 million people, despite the huge resources committed into it.”

Buhari assures of appointing ministers b4 end of September

By Levinus Nwabughiogu
ACCRA- President Mohammadu Buhari on Monday in Aburi, Ghana, reiterated his promise of forming his cabinet by appointing Ministers before the end of September.
President Buhari gave the assurance at a joint press conference with his host, President John Dramani Mahama after bilateral talks at the ‎Peduase Lodge.
Recalling that he made the promise after his swearing in May, the President said that Nigerians could judge him after September 30.
“After I was sworn-in, I said I will have my cabinet in September. I expect that Nigerians should ask me questions after the 30th of September if I do not do so,” he said.
Responding to questions on the declaration of his assets, President Buhari also stated he has had to declare his assets 4 times since 1975.
His words: “I recall that in 1975 when late Murtala Mohammed became the Head of State, we were lined up in the corridor – governors, ministers, members of the Supreme Military Council – and officials of Ministry of Justice were brought and every individual was made to declare his assets.
“So right now, all heads of state and government, governors, ministers, permanent secretaries will have to declare their assets because it is a constitutional requirement.
“In Nigeria, it is a constitutional issue and that is why I am blaming you gentlemen of the press. If you really want to do investigative journalism, you don’t have to worry me at this stage; I have declared my assets four times…

Out of 12 Governors, only 2 were found not guilty of corruption

IN seizing power from General Gowon(80),the then  Military ruler, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed (1938-76) told the nation on July 30 1975 that: “this Government will not tolerate indiscipline. The Government will not condone abuse of office”. He kept his word.
He retired over ten thousand public servants including top military officers. He set up a committee that reviewed the performances of all public officers. At the end of the exercise, only two Ministers were found not guilty, Alhaji Shehu Shagari(90) and Shettima Alli Mongunnu(89).
At that time Nigeria had twelve states governors: Benue-Plateau, Chief Superintendent of Police Joseph Gomwalk, East Central-Ukpabi Asika, Kano-Deputy Police Commissioner Audu Bako, Kwara-Brigadier David Bamigboye, Lagos-Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, Mid-West- Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia, North Central- Brigadier Abba Kyari, North-East Brigadier Musa Usman (Air Force), North- West Police Superintendent Usman Faruk, Rivers- Lieutenant Alfred Diete-Spiff(Navy), South-East- Brigadier Uduokaha Jacob Esuene (Air Force) and West- Brigadier Christopher Oluwole Rotimi.
Only two of the Governors, Brigadiers Oluwole Rotimi and Mobolaji Johnson were cleared of corruption. Quite a number of public servants, Ministers and Governors had their assets seized. No one was prosecuted for corruption.
In taking over power from President Shehu Shagari, the then Major General Muhammadu Buhari  told the nation on January 1, 1984 that: “the change became necessary in order to put an end to the serious economic predicament and the crisis of confidence now afflicting our nation”. He said: “the situation could have been saved if the legislators were alive to their constitutional responsibilities. Instead, the legislators were pre-occupied with determining their salary scales, fringe benefits and unnecessary foreign travels, et cetera, which took no account of the state of the economy and the welfare of the people they represented”.
To mark his one hundred days in office on April 7, 1984, the then Major General Muhammadu Buhari further told the nation that: “we took over from the defunct civilian Administration at the Federal and State levels a financial situation of vast indebtedness. In fact, the depth and seriousness of the financial predicament of the State Governments and, by implication, of the nation has become clearer and clearer, day by day. The Federal Government had to assist State Governments recently with a sum of over N 600 million as loan to enable them pay all arrears of wages and salaries before the end of April 1984”.
At that time he was 42 and still vibrant, resounding and resonant. As a military officer with regimental discipline he turned to decrees to administer the nation.
They are (1.) The Constitution and modification decree 1 of 1984, which he signed into law on February 9 1984 (2.) The state security detention of persons decree of 1984, which he signed into law on February 9 1984, (3.) the Federal Military Government Supremacy and Enforcement of Power  of 1984 which is known as decree 13, which he signed into law on May 13, 1984,(4) the Exchange  Control (anti-sabotage) decree 1984 otherwise known as decree 7 which he signed into law on April 5 1984, (5) the counterfeit currency special provision decree 1984 otherwise known as decree 22 which signed into law on May 17, 1984,(6) the Public officers Protection against false accusations decree 1984 which he signed on April 17 1984, (7)the robbery and fire arms special  provision decree 1984 which set up special tribunal for the trial of armed robbery and special cases, (8) Political Parties (Dissolution and Prohibition) Decree, 1984: this Decree provides for the dissolution and Prohibition of political parties and other similar organisation and forfeiture, disposal and discharge of the assets and liabilities of the dissolved political parties and state Creation movements and (9) the Banking (Freezing of Accounts) Decree, 1984: which empowers the Head of the Federal Military Government, where he suspects or believes that any person has been involved in certain offences, including bribery and abuse of office, to issue or cause orders to be issued authorising an investigation into the accounts of such persons and restricting the operation of such accounts on such conditions as may be prescribed in the order.
He also set-up the recovery of public special Military tribunals amended decree 8 of 1984 which he signed into law on April 5 1984.
In setting up the decree 8, he created in addition, tribunals in five zones of the country. The Enugu zone made up of Anambra, Imo, Cross Rivers and Rivers states was headed by Air Commodore M. Muhammed. Other members include Lt. Col. V.L. Malu, Navy Captain T.U. Odibo, Wing- Commander R.B. Suara and Mr. Justice A. Idoko.
For the Jos zone which comprised Plateau, Bauchi, Gongola, Benue and Borno states. Brigadier Peter Ademokhai was named as the Chairman. Other members of the tribunal include Lt. Col. I.O. Adebunmi, Navy Captain Jubrin O. Ayinla, Wing- Commander S.O. Cole and Mr. Justice J.D. Ogundere.
For the Kaduna zone made up of Kaduna, Kano,Niger, Sokoto states and the Federal Capital Territory. Navy Captain M.A. Elegbede was named as the chairman. Other members were Lt-Col. I.D. Gumel, Lt.-Colonel M. Maina, Wing Commander J.P. Obakpolor and Mr. Justice P.K. Nwokedi.
For the Ibadan zone made up of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Bendel and Kwara states, Brigadier C.B.  Ndiomu was named as the Chairman. Other members are Commodore I.J. Ogohi, Lt.-Colonel Yohanna Madaki, Wing-Commanders C.C. Ohadumere and Mr. Justice S.U. Minjibir.
As for the Lagos zone made up of Lagos state, Brigadier P.U. Omu was named chairman. Other members are Brigadier M.M. Nassarawa, Navy Captain J.N. Kanu, Lt.-Colonel Yinka Martins and Mr. Justice T.A. Oyeyipo.
Major General Buhari at that time was young, vibrant and patriotically adventurous. On August 7 1985, he was toppled at 6.00 a.m. via an announcement by the then Commander of the Armoured Corps of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier Joshua Dongoyaro.
On that day Major General Ibrahim Babangida took over as the head of state.
Major General Buhari was detained for three years thereafter.
He was first detained in a government house at Alagbaka in Akure, where he became my neighbour before he was eventually transferred to Benin City.
On November 24, 1993, General Babangida signed the forfeiture of assets (release of forfeited assets decree 24) and returned some of the forfeited properties to former governors under General Gowon including Faruk and his wife, Brigadiers Samuel Ogbemudia, David Bamigboye, Alfred Diete-spiff and Chief Edwin Clarke who served as Gowon’s Minister of information. The Decree rubbished the anti-corruption crusade of General Murtala Muhammed.
In taking over on May 29 1999 from General Abdusalam Abubakar, President Olusegun Obasanjo set up three panels to probe the administration of General Abdusalam. The three panels were headed by Dr. Christopher Kolade, Brigadier (rtd.) Oluwole Rotimi and Alhaji Igudu Inua. No one has so far been prosecuted. But it was understood that the Kolade’s panel recovered some money to the coffers of the Central Government.
Now President Muhammadu Buhari is back in power. Fully experienced and fully cautious. At seventy-two, having passed through many ordeals he is now more scrupulous and punctilious. In the last few weeks the country has been treated with stories of massive looting by the Goodluck Jonathan’s government.
It appears it is the misfortune of President Muhammadu Buhari to head a corrective regime instead of a regime of continuity. Things have to be so bad that he has to step in to remedy a worse situation. That is the cross he has to carry. To his credit, and in the words of President Barak Obama, “he is a man of integrity”- a befitting testimonial that is very rare among leaders of today’s world.
No more decrees to govern this time. No more Supreme Military Council to guide him. He has to rely on his conscience and his God. The constitution has bestowed on him the sole authority to shape our lives about 180million of us-all blacks. In the immediate he has to reconstruct his government and recover the loot from the officials of the previous government.
If he recovers the lot without prosecution, he is bound to lose a lot of goodwill. If he prosecutes few, he will be judged selective. Even if he prosecutes at all, he should be prepared to face the consequences for corruption has a way of fighting back. President Buhari has a big burden on his shoulder to carry.
With eminent and close friends like Major General Mohammed Magoro(rtd.), Major General General Paul Tarfa (rtd), Alhaji Mamman Daura, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, Lt.General(rtd.) Alani Ipoola Akinrinade, Alhaji Gidado Idris ,the only SGF who served two Heads of States,Alhaji Hayatudeen, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Prince Tony Momoh, Alhaji Sule Lamido Sanusi,the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ismaila Issa Funtua, his inlaw, General T.Y. Danjuma(rtd.), former Inspector General of  Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie-his classmate, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe,former SGF, Dr. (Mrs) Mallia Zayyad, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and others around him, I am sure President Muhammadu Buhari will never walk alone