NEWS EXTRA I’m sure history will be kind to Buhari – Ghanaian President

By Egena Sunday Ode

It was all eulogies and accolades by dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria, led by the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, for President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday as two books written about his life and times as well as his leadership experience were launched.

Speaking as Chairman of the Occasion at the public presentation and launch of the two biographies, President AkufoAddo assured his Nigerian counterpart that history will be kind to him.

The Ghanaian President, who took time in his opening remarks to highlight some of the achievements of Buhari, whom he noted shared a similar experience in the journey to the Presidency with, however said Africa and the world would miss his leadership when he leaves office in a few days.

The two books; “State of Repair: How Muhammadu Buhari Tried to Change Nigeria for Good”, written by Antony Goldman and “The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari”, written by Senator Abu Ibrahim, were reviewed by the former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Professor Abubakar Sadeeque Abba.

The highlight of the ceremony was the realization of about N500 million at the launching of the books by the dignitaries at the event, led by the Co-Launchers, the Chairman of the BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu and Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam.

In his Opening Remarks, President Akufo-Addo, while eulogizing President Buhari for providing model leadership for Nigeria and other regional and international organizations that he had been tasked to lead, particularly noted how he tamed the

•As Buhari’s biographies generate over N500m

Boko Haram menace.

“Likewise, through the launch of today’s biographies, the story of President Muhammadu Buhari, a man who made such a great effort to change Nigeria for good, is being told by those who’ve had the opportunity to see for themselves at firsthand, from the beginning of his mandate as a democratically elected president, to his last days in office, the highs and lows of his tenure thus far. From what I have read and know, the life of Muhammadu Buhari has been truly an amazing story.

“The works the President Buhari has done in helping to diversify Nigerian agriculture and thereby enhancing significantly agricultural productivity, reviving the economy and ensuring consistently fast rates of growth. These developments, for me, have vindicated the choice of Nigerians, which I believe enabled continuity in office for the APC, through President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“You can imagine the excitement in the ranks of the NPP with the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, about the prospects of a third term agenda for the NPP, what we in NPP call ‘breaking the eight’.

“By the same token, the efforts President Buhari has made to defeat the scourge of Boko Haram, a process which is still ongoing are also testimonies of his determination to establish full normalcy and security in Nigeria.

“His tentacles extended beyond Nigeria; Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS; Chairperson of the Gulf of Guinea Commission; ECOWAS Chairman in the coordination of the fight against COVID-19, amongst several others, and in all of these, he has spared no effort to ensure the successful execution of the objectives of his office.

“As leaders, we all have our high and low moments, but I have no doubt that posterity will be kind to Muhammadu Buhari.

“President Buhari, we will miss you. West Africa, Africa, and indeed, the world will miss your leadership, the leadership of a military ruler, turned consummate democrat, who’s extremely solicitous of Nigerian and African interests and who sought for principles in all decisions which he took.

“I’m yet to have a book written about me, let alone author one myself. I have some 19 months to leave the office and I guess I have to take a cue from my seniors and hope the books will give about me”, he said.

After the unveiling of the books by the Ghanaian President, various guests at the event launched them, bringing the money generated to something above N500 million.

The Chairman of BUA Group, Rabiu, led other donors with the sum of N200 million, followed by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who launched with the sum of N100 million to obtain copies of both books just as Muhammed Idimi also bought copies of the books for N100 million.

The President-elect and the Vice President-elect, Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima obtained copies for a combined amount of N40 million.

Besides the President-elect, who was represented by the Vice-President-elect,

10th NASS Speakership: Wase vows never to step down

By Egena Sunday Ode

There are clear indications that the gaps in efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to narrow the contention in the race for the Speaker of the 10th National Assembly has continued to increase as many of the frontliners have continued their campaigns in defiance of the consensus arrangement being preached by the party.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase, who is believed to be one of the candidates to beat said on Friday that there was no going back on the race, adding that he won’t step down for any contender.

Wase made this assertion at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The APC had earlier announced that it had zoned the position to the

Northwest and zeroed in on Tajudeen Abass, a development that had triggered protests by lawmakers-elect especially those that had indicated interest in the plum position.

Their grouse is that the party’s National Working Committee took the decision without consulting with them.

Wase said, “I am in the race, and by the grace of God, I am going to conclude the race. I have not withdrawn or stepped down for anybody.”

However, he argued that the National Working Committee (NWC) letter, which outlined the zoning as advisory, also allows for continued discussions on the matter.

According to Wase, the advisory nature of the letter contradicts the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, Section 14(4) as amended.

He stated that Section 14(4) of the Nigerian Constitution states that the composition of the Government of the

Federation, including its agencies, should reflect the federal character of Nigeria.

He emphasised that this provision aims to promote national unity, avoid the dominance of individuals from specific states or ethnic groups, and ensure the loyalty and harmony of the nation.

Highlighting the importance of diversity in leadership, Wase emphasised that Nigeria has six geopolitical zones and that the government currently comprises six presiding officers.

Also, he argued that neglecting the deputy speaker position for his zone would not only be contrary to the constitutional principle of federal character but would also disregard the significant support and votes his region has contributed to the government.

“I am not just speaking for myself,” Wase asserts, underlining the shared sentiments among his fellow candidates. You can’t bring a deputy senate president, but you can give us the deputy speaker role.

“You cannot neglect us, even though we have given one of the best outcomes in terms of voting and support to the government,” he said.