Politics
Ambassador Tukur Buratai: Commitment To Patriotism Without Limits
Ambassador Tukur Buratai: Commitment To Patriotism Without Limits
Ambassador Tukur Buratai– The convivial mood of the country had changed and the land, especially the north east was reeking in ancient massacre and became devastated with diabolical intrusion.
For the first time in a long time, anger and nihilism became official dictum through organized terrorism.
The peace in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, was displaced by vengeful, omni-directional hatred.
This ugly situation when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015 provoked an immediate need of a trusted General to change the insecurity narrative in Nigeria.
Lieutenant General Yusuf Tukur Buratai (retd), was widely recommended on account of his outstanding military pedigree. He was, unarguably, the pick of the pack. And he became the Chief of Army Staff in July 2015.
He hit the ground running and soldiered on. Despite segmented bashings from stakeholders and sections of the human rights groups who orchestrated hugely unsubstantiated allegations, Buratai continued in a most commendable fashion.
He equally provided leadership and inspired the troops to work harder through dedicated strategies.
In the course of this selfless service, he was grossly abused and insulted even when he daily put his life on the line, fighting insurgents.
By the time he left office in early 2021, the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents have been confined to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region, with no territory under their control and largely carrying out hit-and-run skirmishes.
But for his unalloyed commitment to Nigeria’s unity though dedicated services, Ambassador Tukur Buratai, by now, would have been enjoying his retirement, tending to his post-service engagements in agricultural.
But that was not to be as President Buhari beckoned yet again for “Another important assignment”, few days after service in January, 2021.
The former Chief of Army Staff faithfully obliged to take part, as fully as he can, in any measure designed, in particular, to keep the constituent ethnic units in the federation of Nigeria as one as well as preserve Nigeria as an economic and political entity, but, this time, through diplomatic channels.
The President’s brief was clear and straight forward especially from the already well known international influence, funding and supports for insurgency in Nigeria.
Given his deep understanding of the President’s intentions in view of his direct involvement in counter insurgency operations for reasonable length of years as Army boss, Buratai easily subsumed into Buhari’s tactical design to secure Nigeria’s borders through neighbouring countries as an Ambassador.
He particularly felt it would be untidy of him to abdicate such responsibility when the war against insurgency is yet over.
He reckoned that there was important need to reinforce service chiefs’ efforts from the outside through diplomatic push and supports.
Expectedly, his resumption at the Republic of Benin as Ambassador was the needed signals to smugglers of arms and architects of economic sabotage that the game is over.
First was the case of Sunday Igboho, apostle of secessionist ideology and leading figure in the agitation for the creation of Oduduwa Republic.
Igboho’s agitation ran foul of the regulations. He was discovered to be associated with illegal weapons, a development that undermines government’s commitment to ride the system of illegal arms and promote peace for social harmony and economic growth.
The Nigerian government swung into action and Igboho thought of exploring the Benin Republic loophole to escape justice. But never again. A new Sheriff is in town.
With General Buratai as the Nigerian Ambassador in Benin Republic, such was not going to happen again.
He reawakened all the unused diplomatic regulations including bi lateral relations in line with the science and philosophy of international laws to ensure appropriate diplomatic steps are deployed without infringement on fundamental rights.
To all intending Igbohos, the rhythm of the Nigerian song has changed.
In the economic front, the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, NBS, in late August, released figures of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which grew by 5.01% (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2021, marking three consecutive quarters of growth following the negative growth rates recorded in the second and third quarters of 2020.
Buratai, an economic engineer himself, rose to the occasion to consolidate the gains of the joyous development by ensuring the growth rate is not punctuated through smuggling of contraband goods.
On Tuesday, August 31, he assembled stakeholders and all other security arms and inculcated in them fresh dimensions aimed at reinventing the Nigeria’s narrative.
Buratai met border personnel and inspected facilities at the Nigeria-Benin Republic border.
He shared President Muhammadu Buhari’s renewed vision to the extent that the border should no longer serve as route for smuggling of arms, ammunition and other contraband economic goods.
Speaking with Customs and Immigration personnel, Buratai called for synergy as well as rational measures in the containment of illegal activities in alignment with federal government’s vision.
He injected fresh directives into their operational codes, maintaining that never again should the border become the hub of economic sabotage.
*Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate*
As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.
Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.
Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.
“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”
Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”
Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration
Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.
In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.
“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.
He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.
He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.
Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic
ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.
Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.
“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.
The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.
“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”
The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.
“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.
“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.
“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”
The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.
“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”
Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.
On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.
He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.
Source: Daily Independent
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