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Buhari’s 2018 Budget of Calamity and Stagnation

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After overseeing one of the slowest recoveries ever recorded in modern history, the Buhari government has confirmed with the recently approved 2018 budget that it has no capacity for managing a growing economy such as Nigeria’s.

There are four issues with the 2018 budget that we wish to call out.

Firstly, the 2018 budget is lacking in imagination and ambition. The focus of the budget remains fixated on the same incremental steps that kept Nigeria locked in a needless recession for two years, and delivered a tepid GDP growth of 0.8% in 2017, in the same environment where many developing economies were recording stellar growth. The Buhari government can learn how to take bold steps to grow an economy from the following nations that recorded higher GDP growth numbers in 2017: Ethiopia (7.5%), Rwanda (6.1%), Ghana (5.8%), Tanzania (6.8%), Uganda (5%), Niger (5.2%), Togo (5%), Senegal (6.8%), Sudan (3.7%) and Cameroon (3.7%).

Secondly, the Buhari government continues to throw good money after terrible and ill-conceived ideas. We are particularly concerned by plans to have government fund initiatives like the creation of commercial ranches, when innovative private sector driven schemes can be utilised to drive such programs. We encourage the Buhari government to study our manifesto in detail to understand how such programs can be effectively managed and implemented.

Thirdly, the dismal performance on the implementation of the 2017 budget does not inspire confidence that any of the goals set for the 2018 budget will be met. Of the N5.08 Trillion projected for revenues in 2017, only N2.7 trillion was raised (53%). The Buhari government achieved just 50% of its own GDP projection of 1.5%. A government that was unable to meet its revenue projection of N5.08 Trillion in 2017 has now raised its target to N7.16 Trillion in 2018. We are concerned that these unrealistic targets are setting Nigeria on course for record deficits and debt. When the fact is considered that this is an election year, we cannot help but wonder whether the stage is being set to leverage the national budget to fund the APC and President Buhari’s 2019 re-election campaign.

Finally, by the Buhari government’s own admission, the 2018 budget has been compromised due to an alarming N500 Billion padding corruptly inserted by members of the APC controlled National Assembly (NASS) for frivolous projects. It is a disgrace that the Nigerian people will be the ones to suffer the APC’s failure to effectively govern.

We wish to assure the Nigerian people that our movement has plans in place to rescue the Nigerian economy from the visionless programs of the Buhari government by developing infrastructure, expanding power generation, prioritising job creation, boosting agriculture production, and expanding health care access to all Nigerians. We invite the Nigerian people to review our detailed plans for growing and transforming the Nigerian economy by reviewing our manifesto for progress and growth: https://sowore2019.org/our-manifesto-full/.

Nigeria MUST progress!

Rachel Onamusi – Kpiasi

Director, PR & Media
TakeItBack Movement / Sowore 2019

*Feature picture courtesy: Channels TV

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Politics

Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

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Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

 

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has issued a strong warning to dissidents within the All Progressives Congress, APC, that are spreading false reports about the House of Assembly primaries held Wednesday, May 20 across all the wards in the local government.

 

Supervising officers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the immediate past Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, High Chief Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, and Barrister. Azeez Oladapo Ninalowo as winners of Agege Constituencies I and II respectively. Egunjobi polled 10, 126 votes while Ninalowo scored 12, 455 votes. Both candidates had earlier emerged as consensus aspirants during a caucus meeting of the party presided over by Speaker Obasa last Tuesday.

 

Obasa spoke at the Agege Stadium earlier today, Thursday, May 21, as the APC faithful and stakeholders converged in their thousands to affirm incumbent deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as the consensus candidate of the party in the 2027 governorship election.

 

Speaking on the outcome of the primaries, Obasa declared: “We’ve done everything according to the dictates of the party. Dr Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat is our governorship candidate. Senator Idiat Adebule is our candidate in the Lagos West Senatorial District, and Mudashiru Obasa is the candidate for Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Collectively, we have decided and we are standing by the decision of our members.”

 

He commended INEC and security agencies “for helping us to have a free, fair, and transparent exercise devoid of violence and disorderliness.” The Speaker also praised party members for their loyalty and steadfastness, stating: “Agege is always here for the party. We are always present. When you are a member of a party, you should always participate in all its activities. Why will anyone who isn’t here claim to be part of us?

 

“You can’t be absent from all primaries and still claim that you are with us. We have conducted House of Representatives, Senate, House of Assembly, and Governorship primaries, yet some disgruntled party members have consistently stayed away. It is not possible. They are not part of us.”

 

Further, Obasa said: “We should be mindful of the people we send to represent us in any position. If they disregard us, we will wait until their tenure expires and remove them. The beauty of any political structure is continuity. Agege remains a shining example of a well-structured political organisation at the local government level.

 

“Nothing was done by subterfuge; everything was done in the open. INEC, DSS, Police, the media, and party leaders were all present. There’s nothing to fear. If anybody is initiating fake reports, let them continue. Anybody who has a problem should go and challenge the result in court. After the general election, maybe they will wake up,” he added.

 

With Hamzat’s candidacy sealed and Obasa drawing a hard line against internal dissent, Agege has sent a clear message: the APC’s fortress stands on loyalty and discipline, and those unwilling to march in step will be left behind as the party advances toward 2027.

 

Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State deserves commendation for the peaceful, transparent, and highly successful conduct of its primary elections across the various elective positions

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State deserves commendation for the peaceful, transparent, and highly successful conduct of its primary elections across the various elective positions, 

……ranging from the State House of Assembly to the House of Representatives and the Senate.

 

The victories recorded so far are not just individual triumphs, but collective victories for the party, democracy, and the good people of Edo State. The process has once again demonstrated the maturity, strength, and internal democratic values of our great party.

 

Special appreciation must also go to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo whose wisdom, leadership, fairness, and large-heartedness ensured the conduct of rancour-free primaries that have left party members satisfied and proud of the APC family.

 

As we look forward with great optimism to the presidential primary tomorrow, we remain confident that the same spirit of unity, peace, and brotherhood will prevail.

 

Congratulations to all the winners. As leaders entrusted with the confidence of the party, we urge them to be magnanimous in victory, extend hands of fellowship to other contestants, and work together in the overall interest of the APC and the progress of Edo State.

 

Together, we shall continue to build a stronger, united, and victorious party.

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Governor Dauda Lawal Emerges APC Consensus Governorship Candidate for Zamfara 2027 Election

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Governor Dauda Lawal Emerges APC Consensus Governorship Candidate for Zamfara 2027 Election

 

Governor Dauda Lawal Ph.d has officially emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election in Zamfara State, following a consensus arrangement adopted by the party for its primaries.

 

The governor secured the ticket after party members and supporters gathered across various wards to endorse him as the APC’s flagbearer for the forthcoming election. The consensus model, which allowed party stakeholders to unite behind a single candidate, was embraced as a strategy to avoid a contentious primary and strengthen internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 polls.

 

Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, Governor Lawal expressed profound gratitude to party members for the confidence reposed in him. He reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Zamfara, pledging to consolidate ongoing developmental projects aimed at improving the lives of residents across the state.

 

“I am deeply honored by the trust and support of our party faithful,” Lawal said. “We will not relent in our efforts to deliver meaningful development, enhance security, and create opportunities for all citizens of Zamfara State.”

 

His emergence underscores the party’s push to build continuity and strong leadership in the northwest region.

 

Political analysts note that the adoption of consensus candidate signals the APC’s preference for unity and reduced internal friction as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.

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