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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESday, JULY 6, 2016
Politics
Sallah: Saraki laments abuse of power
Ex- Kaduna gov spokesman disassociates Ekweremadu seeks divine intervention self from PDP •As He said: “On this blessed “Again, Nigerians who nurse in the face of daunting socioBy Ikechukwu Okaforadi one grudge or the other against the occasion, I rejoice with the economic challenges. posters “if we all realign our character state should seek for legitimate Nigerian Muslims and wish them he Senate President, From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna
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ormer Director General, Media and Publicity to immediate past Kaduna governor, Ahmed Maiyaki yesterday disassociated himself from those spreading posters, carrying his portrait with the logo of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), conveying goodwill messages on the Eid-el-fitr celebration. According to him, those behind such posters are blackmailers and mischief makers who are bent on creating confusion in the state. Maiyaki disclosed this in a statement signed personally and made available to newsmen in the state. He therefore called on those that have made politics and blackmail a stock in trade to desist from such acts. The statement reads: “My attention has been drawn to the unsolicited acts by some overzealous political jobbers that have sponsored and I wish to make it public that the said posters are clearly the handiwork of mischief makers, who are bent on creating confusion in Kaduna and indeed beyond. “For the avoidance of doubt, I did not solicit nor sponsor any such messages to be printed and pasted around Kaduna metropolis and other towns in Kaduna State. I am not aware and equally not in any way connected to the purported goodwill message. “I consider the posters as a ‘Greek Gift’ from those bent on creating disaffection within the polity, with the aim of achieving their selfish political motives. At no time did I sponsor or ask anyone to on my behalf, directly or indirectly; design, print and circulate the said posters. “At the present time, I am absolutely committed towards discharging my duties as Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency in support of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. I am totally engaged with assisting Mr. President in rehabilitation and resettlement of those affected by insurgency in the North East of the country as well as with planning strategies on ways to proactively manage disasters across the country. “I therefore call on those that have made politics and blackmail a stock in trade to desist from such acts. I have reported to the relevant security agencies for investigations and necessary actions.
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Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has lamented what he described as abuse of power by political leaders, just as his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, seeks divine intervention in the sociopolitical challenges confronting the nation. Saraki, in a Sallah message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the country can only regain its lost glory when the citizenry uphold the virtues of good neighborliness and eschew intolerance of other people’s opinion and disregard for due process and disobedience to the laws of the land. He urged Muslim faithful in the country to sustain the values and virtues which the holy month of Ramadan taught them in their day-to-day relationship with God and fellow human beings. He also urged all Nigerians to remain steadfast and prayerful
and deeds in tune with the wishes of Allah...the country can only regain its lost glory when the citizenry uphold the virtues of good neighborliness and eschew intolerance of other people’s opinion, corruption, abuse of power, disregard for due process and disobedience to the laws of the land”, he said. He further urged all Nigerians, across religious divide, to remain steadfast, prayerful and patriotic, pointing put that the virtues of moderation, piety, regular supplication to Allah and being our brother’s keeper should subsist beyond the Ramadan. “Beyond this, every Nigerian should seek to contribute to rebuilding the nation with renewed vigour. I also urge Boko Haram insurgents and other agents of destabilization across the country to retrace their steps and give peace a chance in the spirit of the Eid-el-fitri.
and peaceful means of expressing their grievances so that it will be possible for their position to be better understood and addressed through constructive dialogue. “Similarly, let us all refrain from using violence to express our stand on issues. Violence only destroy, it does not build. Let us also shun greed and other vices capable of undermining the socio-political growth of our dear nation,” the statement said. In a related development, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has sought for divine intervention in the face of various forms of difficulties confronting the nation. In a Sallah message by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ekweremadu also called for unity and concerted efforts among Nigerians, irrespective of their various religious, tribal, and political inclinations.
a hitch-free Sallah celebration. I equally urge them to carry the lessons of the Holy month of Ramadan beyond the month by remaining a people who forgive and eschew rancour and bitterness, while also remaining just and sincere in their dealings with fellow Nigerians. “As Nigerians, we must continue to strengthen the spirit of oneness, regardless of religious, ethnic, regional, and political diversities, for that is the only way to surmount our daunting challenges and build a greater Nigeria. “In particular, I urge the political class to eschew all forms of recriminations and face squarely the challenges of nation-building, bearing in mind that our generation, posterity, and God Himself will ultimately call our stewardship to scrutiny”, the statement said.
• L-R: Member of Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Obol Patrick Okomiso, Secretary PDP, Prof. Olawale Oladapo, and Factional Chairman PDP , Mr. Ali Modu Sheriff during a press conference on the court judgment on the party Leadership tussle, on Monday in Abuja . Photo: Justin Imo-Owo
Eid- el- Fitri: Dogara urges Muslims to pray for Nigeria By Umar Muhammad Puma
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he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has congratulated the entire Muslim Ummah across the country on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, in Abuja, the Speaker urged Muslims to use the period of Eid- el- Fitri to pray for Nigeria to overcome its
present challenges. Dogara also charged Muslims to allow the lessons of humility, sacrifice,love and selfless service garnered during the 30-day fast to guide their lives and activities. He noted that the holy month of Ramadan afforded Muslims the opportunity to show compassion, mercy and kindness to their fellow men and also advised that they should continue to put smiles on the faces of others beyond the Ramadan period.
“May I use this opportunity to urge the faithful to use the occasion to reflect on the lessons of Ramadan and continue to imbibe its teachings which are primarily premised on selflessness, sacrifice, patience, modesty and spirituality”, Dogara admonished. The Speaker also called for prayers for the success of the country’s leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari for God to continue to guide,
protect and give him the wisdom to steer the affairs of the state and actualise the change agenda. Affirming the National Assembly’s commitment to upholding the tenets of Democracy and championing the cause of the electorates at all times, the Speaker promised that the House will continue to initiate laws and legislative interventions to support the change agenda and improve the living conditions of Nigerians.