TNN.ng: Abdulsalami

Obasanjo In Aso Villa To Puncture Jonathan's Move For Leniency

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYEfCJvr4PKiE2SIAPWuLR2U_do3m6NKuONfyl1JuQD8eLaDjiiYyS_6e2NilSbcW1gxjyyujc8rMC5wTppGkfo9I9aGq0ZieoYzjn6en27qKwGJP2egr3wT1AJPDYxI0yv8PBtl3hf1H/s1600/Peace+Committee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYEfCJvr4PKiE2SIAPWuLR2U_do3m6NKuONfyl1JuQD8eLaDjiiYyS_6e2NilSbcW1gxjyyujc8rMC5wTppGkfo9I9aGq0ZieoYzjn6en27qKwGJP2egr3wT1AJPDYxI0yv8PBtl3hf1H/s640/Peace+Committee.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>ABUJA, NIGERIA - Former military Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd) and other members of the National Peace Committee for the 2015 general elections were rattled by the stubborn posture and utterance of President Muhammadu Buhari during a meeting with him on Monday. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mr. Abubakar had led members of the National Peace Committee in yet another mission to plead with Mr. Buhari not to probe the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, several participants at Monday's meeting told <b><a href="http://saharareporters.com/2015/08/11/corruption-probe-peace-committee-shocked-meeting-president-buhari">SaharaReporters</a></b> that the president remained obstinate and made no secret of his determination to proceed with the probe. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>SaharaReporters</i> learnt that Monday's meeting was a stepped up version of previous failed attempts to sway Mr. Buhari from his determination to probe acts of corruption by officials of Mr. Jonathan's administration. <i>SaharaReporters</i> had revealed that former Commonwealth Secretary General Emeka Anyaoku visited President Buhari to press the case for letting bygone be bygone shortly before the latter’s departure for an official visit to the US. Our sources had disclosed that Mr. Anyaoku had undertaken his mission to the president at the behest of Mr. Jonathan. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After Mr. Buhari's return from the US, President Jonathan stepped up maneuvers to talk him into discontinuing the probe of his administration. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A source close to the former president told <i>SaharaReporters </i>that Mr. Buhari's pronouncements that his government would probe his predecessor had contributed to a major health crisis that beset former First Lady Patience Jonathan. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Madam [Mrs. Jonathan] has been suffering from serious depression," said a source. Ms. Alison-Madueke has also had a share of ill health apparently triggered by being the focus of global attention for symbolizing the pervasive corruption of the past administration. A source close to her in the UK stated that she collapsed in her posh apartment in London due to "exhaustion" and had to be hospitalized for two days. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last week, former President Jonathan reached out to former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and urged him to arrange a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Buhari to discuss his concerns. President Buhari agreed to a secret meeting with the former president last Thursday in the dead of the night. A source familiar with the meeting told <i>SaharaReporters </i>that Mr. Jonathan appeared jittery at the meeting and was unable to articulate the case against probing his government. Instead, the former president reportedly asked mundane questions about how Buhari was coping with governing the country and offered to help in any way.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The meeting was over in less than 30 minutes. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was so incensed on hearing about Mr. Buhari's meeting with Mr. Jonathan that he called at the Presidential Villa 24 hours later to meet with Mr. Buhari behind closed doors. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A source at the Presidency revealed that Mr. Obasanjo, whose record of corruption as president was equally monumental, urged Mr. Buhari to send former President Jonathan to jail. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another source stated that Mr. Obasanjo volunteered to use his international contacts to help trace the funds stolen during Mr. Jonathan's administration, adding that much of the funds were laundered through arms deals as well as shady oil sales and swaps.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On learning of former President Obasanjo's ominous mission to Aso Rock, Mr. Jonathan reportedly contacted General Abubakar (rtd) again, this time pleading with the retired general to intercede with Mr. Buhari. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Monday, Mr. Abubakar and fellow members of the National Peace Committee first met with President Buhari in a closed-door session before appearing before the media. A member of the committee revealed that their team first told President Buhari that they had come to discuss how to "wind up' and to check if there was a new national assignment they could undertake.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The source also revealed that, even though the committee did not mention former President Jonathan by name during their interaction with Mr. Buhari, the committee members cautioned against leaving the impression that the government was targeting "anybody". They also appealed to Mr. Buhari to tarry a little before deciding on probing anybody. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A source at the Presidency stated that Mr. Buhari was well aware of the committee's secret mission, hence his decision to speak forthrightly in response. Among the committee's members is a controversial President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsejafor, a loyalist of Mr. Jonathan. His private jet was involved in an arms deal scandal after South African authorities discovered, and confiscated, $9.3 million in cash inside the aircraft. The Jonathan administration then stated that the funds were meant for the purchase of arms to prosecute the war against Islamist insurgents, Boko Haram. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Officials of the Buhari administration disclosed that the Presidency had already identified and was investigating acts of corruption involving former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and former Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke. In addition, our sources said the new administration was pursuing leads about huge corrupt deals involving former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, former Attorney general, Mohammaed Bello Adoke, the Amnesty Office, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Federal Capital Territory. In one instance, more than $1 million dollars in cash was found at the residence of Gordon Obuah, a former Chief Security Officer to Mr. Jonathan. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"We are also looking at properties purchased in Ghana, Dubai, UK and US by various officials of the immediate past administration," one source disclosed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He added that one of the biggest means of money laundering was the reckless purchase of private jets by former cohorts of Mr. Jonathan. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the end of the meeting yesterday, President Buhari made it clear to members of the committee that his government would soon commence trial of Nigerian treasury looters.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: blue;">Have you got a news tip, article or press release for us? E-mail: <a href="mailto:TNN.ng1@gmail.com" target="_blank"><b>TNN.ng1@gmail.com</b></a></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i><span style="color: blue;">Follow us on <b><a href="https://twitter.com/TNN_ng">Twitter</a></b> , <b><a href="http://facebook.com/TheBluebloodGroup">Facebook</a> </b>and <b><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/109876989019615433095/posts">Google+</a></b></span></i></i></div>
<i>
</i>
<br />
<div style="font-family: ''; text-align: center;">
<b>=============================================================</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: '';"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: large;">PLACE YOUR TEXT ADVERTS HERE  </span>=============================================================</b></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: ''; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u>DUBAI VISAS IN 7-DAYS</u></span></b><br />
<b>Do you need Single-Entry or Multiple-Entry Visas to the UAE (Dubai Visas) for 14-Days (Single-Entry Only), 30-Days or 90-Days? Processing within 7-working days! We guarantee you affordable prices. Contact <span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Rukky Travels and Tours</span> at <span style="color: red;">rukkytravels@gmail.com</span></b><br />
<b>*********************************************************************</b><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: ''; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">YOU TOO CAN HAVE YOUR TEXT ADVERTS PLACED HERE. CONTACT US AT </span><span style="color: red;">tnn.ng1@gmail.com</span><span style="color: blue;"> FOR AD PLACEMENT DETAILS</span></b></div>

Obasanjo In Aso Villa To Puncture Jonathan's Move For Leniency

ABUJA, NIGERIA - Former military Head of State General Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd) and other members of the National Peace Committee for ...

Follow Due Process In Fighting Corruption, Peace C'ttee Advises Buhari

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSK27Ns-X_67qrQDIM1-z9nlLwPIty-wcoWtZG7GYebi4PAoWz8AQT7FS79cBq0mxrKPDryjLrTdGGrfloha_2-oAJEVVzeVfTwEkTuQbYPfremizNPOQJ5L4isQs7JCNhOn12GDwLDSnm/s1600/Peace+Committee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSK27Ns-X_67qrQDIM1-z9nlLwPIty-wcoWtZG7GYebi4PAoWz8AQT7FS79cBq0mxrKPDryjLrTdGGrfloha_2-oAJEVVzeVfTwEkTuQbYPfremizNPOQJ5L4isQs7JCNhOn12GDwLDSnm/s1600/Peace+Committee.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>ABUJA, NIGERIA - The resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the administration of the ousted former President Goodluck Jonathan may have stirred a cold war between him and the former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee for the 2015 General Elections, General Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd).</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Abdusalami Abubakar-led Peace Committee on Monday visited President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock Presidential Villa.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to <b>DAILY TRUST</b>, the committee says it is concerned about the process of the anti-corruption war of Buhari's administration.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Addressing State House journalists after the meeting, a member of the committee, Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Hassan Kukah said the position of the committee was that Nigeria was no longer in a military regime.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kukah said:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It (Buhari's anti-graft war) is not heating up the polity. In our conversation with former President Jonathan and members of the parties, I don't think any Nigerian is in favour of corruption or is against the president’s commitment to ensuring that we turn over a new leaf. </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think what we are concerned about is process. It is no longer a military regime, and under our existing laws, everybody is innocent until proven guilty. Again, our own commitment is not to intimidate or fight anybody. The former president’s commitment and what he did still remains spectacular, and I think that President Buhari himself appreciates that. So, our effort really is to make sure that the right thing is done.</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Other than Kukah and Abdusalami, others present at the meeting included Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III; the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh; Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan; a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs. Priscilla Kuye; and Senator Ben Obi among others.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has vehemently stated that it would not be business as usual in various corrupt practices before his administration, especially in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The President explained that a single treasury account had been established for all federal revenue to ensure greater probity, transparency and accountability in the collection, disbursement and utilisation of national funds.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
President Buhari, who vowed to break the vicious cycle of corruption, unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria, stated that his administration would not only ensure that stolen monies stashed in foreign bank accounts were returned but that the looters must be tried. He disclosed that he was gathering documents which would serve as evidence against suspected culprits in the anti-corruption war.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The meeting between President Buhari and the committee, it was gathered, followed an earlier meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during which committee members were told of the persecution that members of the PDP were facing in the hands of the new governing party.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Nigeria has to break this vicious cycle before we can make progress," the President said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The President, who regretted the sorry state of the country's finances also told the committee that as part of his actions to address the national problems he inherited, he has ordered the reorganization of Nigeria's revenue generating institutions.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
His words: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have really degenerated as a country. Our national institutions, including the military, which did wonderfully on foreign missions in the past, have been compromised. But we are doing something about it. The military is now retraining and morale has been resuscitated. </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As Petroleum Minister under Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1970s, I could not travel abroad until I had taken a memo to the Federal Executive Council asking for estacode. Now, everybody does what he wants. That is why security-wise, and economically, we're in trouble. Those who have stolen the national wealth will be in court in a matter of weeks and Nigerians will know those who have short-changed them.</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The National Peace Committee, then asked him to follow due process in the anti-graft war.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They also reminded the President that Nigeria is not under a military regime, stressing that everyone suspected to have committed any crime was assumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rising from the meeting held behind closed-doors in the Presidential Villa, the committee remarked that though corruption was not to be condoned, the process of prosecuting suspects has to be constitutional.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Speaking to State House Correspondents on behalf of the committee, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, who confirmed the meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan, however, said the former president never begged for their intervention.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to him, the meeting was a hearing-out process.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We gave a bit of update about the relevance of the Peace Committee itself and how we can help to nurture what God has given to us. Anybody is free to come to our committee but President Jonathan never by telephone or another means talked to the committee. We went to see him, but that was after we had already seen members of the political party, members of the civil society; we plan to see the Speaker because we couldn't see him yesterday. </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is a very planned series of interventions essentially just to hear out everybody and I think the good news is that Nigerians are committed to a new nation. They are committed to ensuring that the gains and blessings God has given us come to fruition.</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: blue;">Have you got a news tip, article or press release for us? E-mail: <a href="mailto:TNN.ng1@gmail.com" target="_blank"><b>TNN.ng1@gmail.com</b></a></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i><span style="color: blue;">Follow us on <b><a href="https://twitter.com/TNN_ng">Twitter</a></b> , <b><a href="http://facebook.com/TheBluebloodGroup">Facebook</a> </b>and <b><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/109876989019615433095/posts">Google+</a></b></span></i></i></div>
<i>
</i>
<br />
<div style="font-family: ''; text-align: center;">
<b>=============================================================</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: '';"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: large;">PLACE YOUR TEXT ADVERTS HERE  </span>=============================================================</b></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: ''; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><u>DUBAI VISAS IN 7-DAYS</u></span></b><br />
<b>Do you need Single-Entry or Multiple-Entry Visas to the UAE (Dubai Visas) for 14-Days (Single-Entry Only), 30-Days or 90-Days? Processing within 7-working days! We guarantee you affordable prices. Contact <span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Rukky Travels and Tours</span> at <span style="color: red;">rukkytravels@gmail.com</span></b><br />
<b>*********************************************************************</b><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: ''; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">YOU TOO CAN HAVE YOUR TEXT ADVERTS PLACED HERE. CONTACT US AT </span><span style="color: red;">tnn.ng1@gmail.com</span><span style="color: blue;"> FOR AD PLACEMENT DETAILS</span></b></div>

Follow Due Process In Fighting Corruption, Peace C'ttee Advises Buhari

ABUJA, NIGERIA - The resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the administration of the ousted former President Goodluck Jonathan...

TNN.ng

AdSense1

Obasanjo In Aso Villa To Puncture Jonathan's Move For Leniency

Follow Due Process In Fighting Corruption, Peace C'ttee Advises Buhari

Popular Posts

Labels

Archive