RESPONSE BY THE PRESIDENCY TO THE STATEMENT MADE BY BISHOP KUKAH BEFORE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
EID EL KABIR: PRESIDENT BUHARI EXTOLS THE SACRIFICES OF NIGERIANS, URGES PATIENCE AS GOVERNMENT ADDRESSES HARDSHIPS
President Muhammadu Buhari sends Eid greetings on the occasion of Eid El-Adha that is being celebrated across the world.
In his message marking the auspicious Muslim occasion, the President restates the determination of his administration to create a just, harmonious and prosperous country in which the safety of life and property is assured.
Reflecting on current challenges facing the country, the President states that “COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the economies of all countries, including Nigeria, in addition to the fact that floods have caused large scale destruction to agricultural farmlands, thereby impacting negatively on our efforts to boost local production in line with our policy to drastically reduce food importation.”
This, he explains, has led to food inflation which the government is working hard to address.
According to President Buhari, “no government in our recent history has invested as heavily as we are doing to promote local production of about 20 other commodities, through the provision of loans and several other forms of support to our farmers.”
He says, “apart from the destruction caused to rice farms by floods, middlemen have also taken advantage of the local rice production to exploit fellow Nigerians, thereby undermining our goal of supporting local food production at affordable prices.”
“As an elected president who enjoys the goodwill of the ordinary people that gave us their mandate, let me assure you that we are continuing with measures to bring relief to Nigerians, including making fertilizer available at affordable prices to our farmers,” he tells Nigerians.
The President also notes that the current insecurity in the country “has produced severe and adverse effects on agriculture because farmers are prevented from accessing their farms by bandits and terrorists.”
“Let me also use this opportunity to reassure Nigerians that we are taking measures to address our security challenges. We have started taking delivery of fighter aircraft and other necessary military equipment and hardware to improve the capacity of our security forces to confront terrorism and banditry,” he adds.
Speaking on the significance of the Eid El-Kabir celebration, the President appeals to Muslims “to demonstrate the good virtues of Islam through personal examples and practices:
“Taking advantage of the celebration to exploit fellow citizens through outrageous prices of food and rams is inconsistent with fine virtues of Islam.
“As practising believers, we shouldn’t seek obscene profits by making life difficult and miserable for others. We should not seek happiness at the expense of others. Remember that Islam is a religion of charity that urges us to love our neighbour as we love ourselves.
“I urge all Muslims to continue to live in peace and harmony with their fellow Nigerians of other faiths in the spirit of peaceful coexistence. Let us pray for the progress of Nigeria at all times. Let us expose undesirable elements among us who are creating security problems for the country.”
Garba Shehu
(Senior Special Assistant to the President)
(Media & Publicity)
July 19, 2021
July 19, 2021
Press Statement
Eid el Kabir: PDP Felicitates With Nigerians, Urges Selflessness
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congratulates all Muslim faithful on this year’s Eid el Kabir and calls on citizens to use the occasion to strengthen their trust in God as the divine source of sustenance as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Ibrahim.
The party stresses that Eid el Kabir presents the nation and indeed humanity with boundless occasion to recommit to the virtues of selflessness, love and care for one another, especially in the face of economic, political and social challenges facing our nation.
The PDP urges leaders at all levels of governance to use the occasion of the Eid el Kabir to show more sacrifices towards the people and pursue only those things that will improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
Our party is however troubled that most Nigerian families are celebrating the Eid el Kabir, under very serious economic despair but urged them not to surrender to despondency but to keep hope alive as we collectively work to rescue our nation.
The PDP therefore calls on the citizens to reach out, share with and uplift one another so that the joy of the Eid el Kabir is spread among all. The party urges them to remain security conscious and observe COVID-19 protocols during the festivities.
The PDP felicitates with Nigerians and wish them a happy Eid el Kabir celebration.
Signed:
National Publicity Secretary
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
EID-EL-KABIR: SANWO-OLU CONGRATULATES MUSLIMS, URGES RESIDENTS TO CELEBRATE WITH CAUTION
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has congratulated Nigerians, especially Muslims across the country on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir festival.
Governor Sanwo-Olu while rejoicing with Muslims on Eid-el-Kabir celebration urged them to celebrate with caution in the wake of the third wave of coronavirus infections in Nigeria. He also advised them to keep to all the COVID-19 protocols.
Sanwo-Olu in his Eid-el-Kabir message issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, advised Lagosians, especially Muslim faithful to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim and work for the peace, stability, unity and progress of the country.
The Governor said there is strong connection between peaceful coexistence of all tribes and religions and development, noting that as Lagosians, every resident must live together peacefully.
“On behalf of my family and government of Lagos State, I join millions of people around the world, to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters in the State and in Nigeria happy Eid-el-Kabir, which comes with significant lessons for mankind.
“Eid al-Adha has become a symbolic event in the history of mankind, following the events that led to the sacrifice by Prophet Ibrahim, who held tenaciously to his faith in God despite his unpleasant circumstances at the time.
“The festival, therefore, reminds us that there will always be great rewards when we have abiding faith and patience in trying periods; persistence in prayers and tenacity in our belief, as well as sacrifice for the progress of mankind and development of our society,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu while seeking Lagosians’ support for development and growth of Lagos State, urged residents to support his government’s efforts in building a ‘Greater Lagos’ that will work for all through the THEMES developmental agenda of his administration.
The Governor also implored Nigerians to support governments at state and federal levels in building a better society that is free from violence, insecurity and other social vices.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
JULY 19, 2021
GETTING 100 MILLION NIGERIANS OUT OF POVERTY CYCLE IS REALISABLE, SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI, URGES MORE SYNERGY FOR RESULTS
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Suduje-Daura, Katsina State, said the vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of the poverty cycle within ten years can be done, with more synergy between government and the people, and diligence in diversifying the economy, with agriculture as the backbone.
President Buhari, who commissioned the first National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) Integrated Farm Estate in Suduje-Daura, noted that reliance on oil had turned a draw back on the economy over the years, with unpredictable and fluctuating global prices that made it more difficult to effectively plan budgets, implement and measure outcomes.
The President said the mainstay of the Nigerian economy remains agriculture, where the country already commands a competitive advantage, with good weather conditions for crop and livestock farming, available manpower and willingness to learn new skills, and good soil types for all season farming.
“I wish to restate my commitment that getting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty is realisable. The country is robustly blessed with good weather conditions, good soil, human and material capacity, and a resilience to make a difference by all the hardworking youths.
“We can do it, and we will do it. No excuse will be good enough to remain a mono-economy with all the challenges in oil production and fluctuating global prices when we have vast opportunities in crop and livestock production,’’ he said.
President Buhari noted that a globalized world places more emphasis on competitive edge of the economy for relevance, and Nigeria would always play a leading role in the agricultural sector, with the vastness in experience, crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and more recently, a rising youth interest.
“As the world becomes more globalized, countries will continue to draw from their competitive advantage to remain relevant. My belief, and it is also shared by many Nigerians, is that our country has a special advantage in food and livestock productions that we must harness and promote to feed ourselves, and build a firm structure for exportation.
“Our vision of a robust agricultural economy continues to provide amazing results. Across the country today, we are seeing rising public and private interests in agriculture, especially among the youth, and a steady migration from subsistence to commercial farming.
“With the support of public institutions, like the Central Bank and Bank of Agriculture, old tools are giving way to more mechanized styles of farming, credit lines are becoming more accessible, and farming is becoming more acceptable and fashionable. Indeed, we are witnessing a revolution in the agricultural sector,’’ the President added.
He said the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) was resuscitated to meet growing needs in the agricultural sector for exploring available potentials of job opportunities, entrepreneurship and marketing, home and abroad.
According to the President, “The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) was already moribund when we assumed office. We had to resuscitate it to meet the growing needs of the country. I am happy to see that the directive to the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of NALDA, Paul Ikonne, and his management team when I launched the National Young Farmers Scheme (NYFS) in November 2020, is gradually taking shape.
“At the launch of the National Young Farmers Scheme, I recall that I told the management that I have directed that all NALDA’s abandoned farm estates be retrieved to enable thousands of our young men and women to be engaged in farming.
“This Administration will be achieving agricultural mechanization through this scheme and I am confident that Nigeria under my watch, we will achieve food security in producing most of what we eat. In good harvest years we may even export our surpluses and earn foreign exchange.”
The President commended the zeal and patriotism of the NALDA team in achieving quick and sustainable results like the Integrated Farming Estate, which had pooled the strength of men, women and youths in 13 communities and channelled them into different kinds of farming in one location.
“The Integrated Farming scheme, again, opens up more opportunities for employment, and most importantly creates communal-based system that promotes food security, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.
“I am impressed to see that this NALDA Integrated Farm Estate is purely organic and it further expresses my desire for Nigeria and Nigerians to have food sufficiency and begin to earn more foreign income through agriculture. As a government, what I am seeing here today shows my administration’s desire is genuine and realizable that our peoples’ orientation to farming can be changed for good,’’ he noted.
President Buhari directed all Federal Government institutions to work in synergy in lifting and diversifying the economy, and NALDA should be given all the support it needs to expand the Integrated Farm Estate across the 109 senatorial zones in the country.
While appreciating the governors, who were at the event to witness the historic commissioning, particularly Governor Aminu Bello Masari of katsina State for providing a 100 hectare land for the project, the President urged them to provide more support to Federal Government institutions that have been mandated to work assiduously in engaging more minds and hands to turn the economy around for good.
In his remarks, the Katsina State Governor thanked the President for the initiative of resuscitating NALDA, noting that agriculture had always being the strength of the Nigerian economy until the 70s.
He said with proper management of the project and a strong irrigation system the integrated farm would serve its full purpose, with benefits to the people and economy of the state.
Kebbi state Governor, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, said all the 36 states of the federation and FCT had benefited from the administration’s policy of always targeting grassroots with development projects.
He said the closure of the border to neighboring countries further demonstrated President Buhari’s seriousness in lifting the Nigerian economy, adding that Nigeria remains sensitive to the plight of neighboring countries.
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said the financial regulatory body will start giving special attention to NALDA, while listing some of the laudable achievements of the administration through the Anchor Borrowers scheme for farmers.
“Your Excellency, Mr President, as you told me during the inspection and I agree with you that this is the best way to spend money,” he said, “You are doing everything that is possible to bring the dividends of democracy to all Nigerians.”
The NALDA Executive Secretary noted that the Integrated Farm Estate had a capacity for 400 birds in the poultry, 200,000 fishes, 500, 000 cows and goats, 540 litres of honey per harvest, 120 units of one bedroom apartment, clinic and a school.
Ikonne said the recycling process on the farm and domestication of tools and skills of workers will guarantee sustainability and 1, 500 farmers will be empowered every year to start their business after learning.
The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk, thanked the President for always projecting the best of the community in his office.
“We are proud of you. We are proud of the legacy you continously project,” he said.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 19, 2021
RESPONSE BY THE PRESIDENCY TO THE STATEMENT MADE BY BISHOP KUKAH BEFORE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
It is unfortunate, and disappointing, for citizens of Nigeria to bear witness to one of their Churchmen castigating their country in front of representatives of a foreign parliament.
We are all too familiar with these overseas political tours that opposition politicians take – visiting foreign leaders and legislators in the United States, United Kingdom and Europe. So, the argument goes, if they are heard seriously abroad, then Nigerian citizens back home should surely listen to them too.
But in order to be heard at all, and to maximise media coverage back home for their activities, inevitably these visits involve painting the worst possible picture of our country before their chosen foreign audience.
Soon enough we inescapably hear an identical list of racist tropes against northerners, how one religion dominates governance above all others, how the government is doing nothing to address herder-farmer disturbances, and how the government spends money on infrastructure to benefit everyone but the group and religion of the speaker. Of course, in order not to disappoint their western audience, regardless of fact, the list is always the same-and always slanted for whoever wishes to cross-check.
Nigerians expect this from their unimaginative opposition – but it is troubling when a so-called man of the Church copies the worst excesses of those seeking personal advancement in public office.
Only this government has put forward the first and singular plan in nearly a century to address herder-farmer challenges – a fact recognised by international NGOs, including the International Crisis Group. To declare to a foreign audience that this government does nothing is an incredible falsehood.
To suggest that investment in infrastructure between Nigeria and Niger is wasteful and biased – when a similar infrastructure project between Lagos and Benin has revolutionised the two neighbouring economies to the advantage of both our countries – is quite disturbing.
There is no bias in this government when the president is northern and Muslim, the vice president southern and Christian, and the cabinet equally balanced between the two religions. But neither is there anything in our Constitution to state that political posts must be apportioned according to ethnicity or faith. It takes a warped frame of mind for a critic to believe ethnicity is of primary importance in public appointments. It is yet more troubling to hear a Churchman isolating one group for criticism purely on ethnic lines.
With due respect to the esteemed position he holds, the Bishop’s assertion that only Christian schools are being targeted by bandits or terrorists is not supported by the facts on the ground. It is sad to say but also true that victims of crime, kidnapping, banditry and terrorism cut across all strata of the society. Sad but true that Kankara students in Katsina State were stolen by bandits of the same Islamic faith as those they took away. The same may be true of those who are still holding the 134 students of the Islamic School at Tegina in Niger State. The nation witnessed the sad incident of the female students abducted by bandits at Jangebe in Zamfara State and the over 100 predominantly Muslim students of the Federal Government Girls College Birnin Yauri in Kebbi State who are currently in captivity- and the nation’s security agencies are hard at work to release them unharmed.
The attack on Christian students is sad and unacceptable; so also is the abduction of students of other faiths. The claim that only Christian schools are being targeted is totally untrue.
As a nation and a people, we must together define evil as evil. We must not allow our religious differences to divide us. No one gains but the evil doers when we divide our ranks according to ethnicity and religion in confronting them. The bandit, kidnapper and terrorist are the enemies of the people who should be confronted in unison.
To be clear, The Bible is definitive on matters of ethnicity and racialism: In Romans 2:9-10, it says: “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good”; And in Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Whether Christian or Muslim, we stand by these beliefs and are steadfastly committed to them in governance.
There is no place in mainstream civil discourse for those who actively, negatively, and publicly label an individual ethnic group, especially before a foreign audience. These are not the views expressed or opinions held by the vast majority of the citizens of Nigeria. For all our challenges as a nation, nearly all of us seek to live together in harmony, celebrating differences, and finding common ground as Nigerians above all. But people like Kukah are doing their best to sow discord and strife among Nigerians.
More than any other set of people, leaders – in politics or religion who preach respect for truth have a duty to practice it. It is a moral and practical responsibility.
Going by the history of the Church as is well known, it will stand up publicly for the truth.
It is time others did the same.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 18, 2021
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
REPLICATE APC VICTORIES IN OUR LG POLL, SANWO-OLU TELLS CANDIDATES
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday charged candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming local government elections to replicate the political victories of the party being witnessed across the country in the poll.
Governor Sanwo-Olu who stated this at the handing over of party flags to the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas chairmanship candidates ahead of the local government poll at the All Progressives Congress secretariat located in Ogba area of the state, said the party’s current successes across the country, culminating in the mass defections of political top echelons to the party showed the acceptance of the party by the people.
He said, “This is a very important and significant event, which is the official handing over of our flags to all of our candidates. We are handing over the flags to the chairmen and the vice chairmen, of course supported ably by the party’s LGA chairmen so that they all can go back and do the same with their councillors and ensure that we have a resounding victory on the 24th of July, 2021.
“They are to go forth to the various local governments and campaign in all the nooks and crannies of the state. We are believing that this significant event will signpost our seriousness in our next local government election. And we are certain that the success we’re are currently enjoying at the national and states will also be translated at the local government elections as well.’’
The governor added that the local government is a critical arm of government, saying “We have three tiers of government and everybody has their roles and responsibilities. But as a state government we will continue to ensure that our development agenda is spread across the state and because we own all the local governments we will ensure it is reflective in all local governments and that is what we are doing.
“So what we expect from them is to key into our agenda. So that when they come in, they can also hit the ground running in all of the wards that we have. We expect them to start work immediately. The state government will carry out some projects in the wards but we expect complimentary roles from these chairmen; we expect them to compliment that and do more.
“There will be quarterly monitoring of their activities. The deputy governor and Speaker have that responsibility, and we expect this to create a healthy rivalry among the councils.
“We pray that APC will come tops; we hope these candidates will do well and they will not disappoint the people that would vote them in.”
Earlier, the party’s Caretaker Chairman in Lagos State Honourable Babatunde Balogun said the party is optimistic of sweeping the local government poll in the state.
Balogun said the ruling party led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the state has endeared the party to the electorate through massive infrastructure development and provision of basic amenities to the residents of the state, saying the party expects the electorate to reciprocate the gestures with votes.
“We expect all of you to be victorious in the next six days with the support of the Lagos electorates by the grace of God.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
JULY 18, 2021
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
NANS CONGRATULATES SANWO-OLU FOR WINNING VANGUARD NEWSPAPER’S PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARD
…Says Award Is Clear Testament Of Governor’s Sterling Leadership To Lagosians
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has congratulated Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for winning the Vanguard Newspaper Personality of The Year Award, saying the well-deserved award is a clear testament of the governor’s sterling leadership qualities and his service to the people of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
NANS in a congratulatory message issued and signed by its President, Comrade Asefon Sunday Dare, said the award is a token in return of the goodness Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership has given to humanity.
The NANS President also assured Governor Sanwo-Olu of the association’s continued support in his quest to achieve the Greater Lagos vision for the residents.
“We write to specially congratulate you on winning the Best Governor of the year 2019 Award. We believe that this honour is not only deserving but also a clear testament of your Sterling leadership to the people of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
“As the Executive Governor of Nigeria’s Most Dynamic State, we are proud of the unprecedented support you have shown to the student community in Lagos State and Nigeria at large. We believe this award is a token in return of the goodness your leadership has given to humanity,” the statement reads in part.
It would be recalled that Governor Sanwo-Olu on Saturday night received the prestigious Vanguard Personality of the Year Award. He personally received his award certificate during the event, which was held at Eko hotels and Suite.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
JULY 18, 2021
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
GOVERNOR SANWO-OLU WINS VANGUARD PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARD
Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu Saturday night received the prestigious Vanguard Personality of the Year Award. Other recipients in this category are Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum and business icon Mr. Femi Otedola.
Governor Sanwo-Olu personally received his award certificate during the event, which was held at Eko hotels and Suite.
The Governor disclosed on his social media pages that the award meant a lot to him as it would constantly remind him and his team to work harder for Lagosians.
He said: “I feel highly honoured to receive the Vanguard Personality 2019/2020 by the Vanguard Newspapers Group. The awards means a lot to me. This prestigious award will be a constant reminder to me and my team to perform better to out do ourselves in the current year for efficient service delivery to the good people of Lagos State.”
Dedicating the award to Lagosians, Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to achieve the Greater Lagos vision in line with the THEMES agenda. He also thanked organisers of the award as well as the citizens for believing in the current administration, pledging that the government would not let them down.
“I wish to dedicate the awards to every Lagosian out there for believing in our administration’s vision of a Greater Lagos. We will not relent in our efforts to achieve this and other set goals along with our THEMES agenda.”
“My special thanks goes to the Vanguard Newspapers Group for the honour. Again, I thank Lagosians for standing by our government through the many phases since the beginning of the administration. Be assured that our best is yet to happen,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Governors of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir El-rufai, his Ekiti State and Ondo State counterparts Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as well as Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu won the 2019 Vanguard Governor of the year category.
Governor Sanwo-Olu was accompanied to the occasion by some of his cabinet members, including the Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, Commissioner for Housing Mr Moruf Fatai-Akinderu, Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi and Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke among others.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
JULY 18, 2021
19th July 2021
Press Statement
EID-UL-ADHA: ELEGUSHI PREACHES PEACE, TOLERANCE
As Muslims in Nigeria, join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-ul-Adha, prominent Lagos monarch, the Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi has admonished Muslims to use the celebration to continue to promote peace and co-existence between all Nigerians, regardless of their faith or ethnic background.
Oba Elegushi in his Sallah message reminded the Islamic faithful of the significance of the Sallah celebration, which is sacrifice and obedience, noting that as Muslims, they must continue to show love to one another, as well as to people of other faith and also ensure the continue to obey the laws of the land as well as respect for authorities.
The monarch, while acknowledging the challenges confronting the nation, also advised the government to increase its capacity to address these challenges and bring an end to the ugly trend of banditry, kidnapping and insecurity currently threatening the peace of the country and has created a mistrust between the citizens and the government.
Oba Elegushi while congratulating Muslims on another Sallah festival, reminded them to celebrate with caution and continue to adhere to all safety protocols, put in place to prevent a third wave of the covid-19 pandemic.
Signed:
Temitope Oyefeso
Special Assistant, Public Affairs to Oba Elegushi
PRESS STATEMENT
Why we voted for e-transmission of results with conditions – Senate President
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has advanced reasons to justify the position taken by the Senate on the electronic transmission of election results.
The Senate on Thursday, while considering the Electoral Act 2010 Amendment Bill, voted that “The Commission(INEC) may consider electronic transmission of results, provided the national coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the National Communications Commission (NCC) and approved by the National Assembly.”
Lawan explained that the Upper Chamber voted the way it did in defence of about half of the Nigerian voters whose votes may not be counted with immediate deployment or application of electronic transmission of election results.
The Senate President spoke to journalists at the weekend while on a constituency visit to his Yobe North Senatorial District.
Asked to comment on the passage of the Electoral Act 2010 Amendment Bill, Lawan said: “I’m happy that we have been able to pass the amendment even though some people are complaining of what we have passed in the Senate and probably what the House of Representatives has also passed.
“When the majority of Senators voted against immediate application or deployment of electronic transmission of results from the polling units, to the ward, to the local government, states and federal, they didn’t say they do not believe in electronic transmission (of election results).
“All of us in the Senate, 109 of us, believe that at one point, our electoral process must deploy electronic transmission so that it eases and enhances the electoral process and give it more credibility and integrity.
“But you see, when you have not reached that stage where you could deploy the electronic transmission from every part of the country, then you have to be very careful. And no matter what anybody may say, you cannot have about 50 percent of Nigerian voters not participating or not getting their votes counted in elections and say it doesn’t matter, that we have to start the electronic transmission.
“We know the evils of not transmitting results electronically but compare the evils of electronically transmitting just half of the electoral votes from Nigerians and say you have elected a President with 50 percent only.
“And others have voted but their results or their votes could not be electronically transmitted. This is disenfranchising Nigerians and we are not going to support this kind of thing because essentially, we are supposed to be fair to every part of Nigeria and when we voted, every part of Nigeria voted for and against(the amendment).
“What I mean here is that, you have Senators from northern part of Nigeria who voted for electronic transmission. Maybe that is their belief or their environment is ready for electronic transmission. And you have Senators from southern part of Nigeria who voted against immediate deployment of electronic transmission but they support that the electronic transmission of results should be allowed after certain conditions are met and the conditions are simple: The National Communication Commission(NCC) had provided the technical information that only NCC could give – that only about 50 percent of the Nigerian environment, the polling units, in the country could possibly have their results electronically transmitted.
“So what happens to the other 50 percent. So we believe that all of us in the Senate were aiming at the same target but chose to go through different routes and that is why in my concluded remarks in the Senate after the debate and voting, I said there was no Victor, no Vanquish because we all meant well.
“And for those Nigerians who still feel that the electronic transmission should have just been allowed to take effect, I said well, this is how democracy works. Democracy is to allow those minority views to be expressed and democracy provides that the majority views will always prevail.”
The Senate President faulted some media reports that insinuated that only the APC Senators voted against immediate application of the electronic transmission of results.
He said the votes cast on either sides of the subject matter cut across party lines and regional divides.
“In this respect, it was not just APC. I have seen it reported in the media that only APC Senators voted against the immediate deployment of electronic transmission.
“There are PDP Senators who voted against that but it appears that some people want to target at APC Senators. There were PDP Senators who voted against immediate deployment. I’m using the word ‘immediate’ with an emphasis.
“Nobody said don’t use electronic transmission at all. You use it when we reach there and only NCC can give you information. That is the main reason why, in the Senate version, clause 52(3), there is that provision to contact the NCC because INEC will not know until they go to NCC.
“So NCC will be the only institution to give that information because they are competent and it’s within their jurisdiction. And we say the National Assembly should approve of it.
“It is not when they want to do transmission that they will have to go to National Assembly that we want to do transmission. No. That once NCC has told INEC is now ready. INEC should come to the National Assembly with the NCC and say we are now ready.
“There is no way any National Assembly, not even this Ninth National Assembly will deny INEC the use of electronic transmission as part of our electoral process when we are ready for it,” Lawan said.
The Senate President said it was wrong to conclude that Senators who voted for electronic transmission with conditions did not like the results transmitted electronically.
“I want to take this opportunity to debunk that insinuation or outright castigation of Senators that voted against immediate deployment of electronic transmission that they don’t like electronic transmission. It is not true.
“Even though I didn’t vote. But I believe that what my colleagues did is binding on all of us in the Senate. 28 against 52…l believe that what we have done requires that the Senate and the House will each constitute a conference committee. What we call harmonisation for the two sides. When we harmonise, then we will send it to Mr President,” Lawan said.
Signed:
Ola Awoniyi
Special Adviser(Media)
to President of the Senate
Sunday, 18th July, 2021
PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES OLUSEGUN AWOLOWO ON ELECTION TO LEAD TRADE PROMOTION ORGANIZATIONS IN WEST AFRICA
President Muhammadu Buhari lauds Executive Director/Chef Executive Officer of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, on his election as President of National Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs) from ECOWAS member States.
The President says Awolowo’s unanimous election is testament to the confidence reposed in him, and in Nigeria, by Chief Executive Officers of trade promotion organizations in West Africa, and urges him to serve to the best of his ability, and do the country proud.
President Buhari notes that an ECOWAS TPO Network holds great possibilities for Nigeria and the sub-region in the areas of exchange of commercial information and business opportunities, adding that the domiciling of the Secretariat in Abuja would open vistas of opportunities for Nigeria.
The President wishes Mr Awolowo well in his new assignment, expressing confidence that Nigeria and ECOWAS would benefit a lot from his expertise in trade promotions.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
July 16, 2021
