GENERAL BURATAI MOURNS HAJIYA DADA MUSA ‘YAR’ADUA, ENCOURAGES FAMILY TO UPHOLD HER REMARKABLE LEGACY

Global News Reports That On Friday, 6 September, His Excellency, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd) CFR, Betara of Biu, Garkuwan Keffi, former Chief of Army Staff, and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Benin Republic, visited Katsina to extend his heartfelt condolences to the ‘Yar’adua family following the passing of their revered matriarch, Hajiya Habiba Dada Musa ‘Yar’adua.

Upon his arrival at the family home, General Buratai was warmly received by Distinguished Senator Abdulaziz Musa ‘Yar’adua, Matawallen Katsina, and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Alhaji Mustapha and Major General Abubakar Adamu (rtd). In a solemn moment, the General offered prayers for the repose of Hajiya Dada’s soul, asking for Allah’s continuous blessings and protection over the family and the enduring legacy she left behind.

General Buratai also spoke highly of the late Hajiya Dada, describing her as a mother anyone could wish for, whose legacy of strength, humility, and dedication to her family and community was nothing short of remarkable. He emphasized that her influence would be deeply missed by all who knew her and encouraged the family to take solace and pride in the indelible mark she left on Nigeria’s history.

In response, Senator Abdulaziz Musa ‘Yar’adua expressed profound gratitude to General Buratai for his presence and kind words. He lauded the General as a true leader whose contributions to national development, peace, and security are beyond measure. The Senator also highlighted General Buratai’s compassion and dedication to the welfare of troops, and veterans, both in service and after retirement.

General Buratai was accompanied on the condolence visit by Brigadier General SK Usman (rtd) mni, Honourable Alhaji Aminu Balele (Dan Arewa), and Alhaji Ibrahim Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi, among others.

APC Youths Demand Kyari’s Removal Over $6.8b NNPCL Debt

Global News Reports That The APC Youth Solidarity Network has demanded the immediate resignation or sack of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC Ltd), following the company’s admission of owing a staggering $6.8 billion in debt.

This shocking revelation has sparked widespread outrage and raised fundamental questions about Kyari’s leadership and governance style.

Olalekan Isaac, the President of the group, at a press conference in Abuja, branded Kyari’s leadership a “catastrophic failure” marked by a lack of transparency, accountability, and fiscal prudence.

He condemned NNPC’s initial denial of the debt as a “brazen lie” that has eroded trust in the institution and undermined the nation’s economic stability.

The APC Youth Solidarity Network questioned how NNPC, under Kyari’s watch, could accumulate such a massive debt despite the nation’s vast oil resources.

They also lamented the nation’s reliance on imported fuel, despite being Africa’s largest oil exporter, as a direct consequence of years of systemic neglect and mismanagement of the state-owned oil refineries.

The group urged President Bola Tinubu to take swift and decisive action in addressing this crisis, including facilitating Kyari’s immediate resignation, initiating a comprehensive investigation into NNPC’s financial dealings, and implementing measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Isaac warned that Kyari’s continued occupation of office would only exacerbate the nation’s economic woes and tarnish the reputation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigerian people.

He demanded leadership that embodies transparency, consistency, and accountability, and called on President Tinubu to act decisively to restore the nation’s trust and confidence in its institutions.

Read full statement below:

Today, we convene in a somber atmosphere, compelled to address a pressing issue of profound gravity that has emerged within the hallowed halls of our nation’s premier oil entity, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC Ltd). With deep regret and a profound sense of dismay, we acknowledge the startling admission by NNPC Ltd, under the stewardship of Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, that it has accrued a staggering debt of $6.8 billion—a stark reversal of their initial assertions, which vehemently dismissed such claims as baseless and unfounded.

This astonishing admission not only validates the conspicuous financial encumbrance that NNPC has become but also raises fundamental questions regarding the leadership and governance style of Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd. His tenure has been characterized by an unacceptable lack of transparency, accountability, and fiscal prudence, culminating in this colossal debt that threatens the very fabric of our national economy.

It has become painfully evident that the national oil corporation’s financial woes commenced early this year, when overdue payments for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly referred to as petrol, skyrocketed to an alarming $3 billion. Regrettably, this figure has since ballooned to an unprecedented $6.8 billion, representing a staggering 100% increase since April, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) grapples with the unsustainable disparity between fixed pump prices and escalating international fuel costs.

This shocking revelation has sparked widespread consternation, igniting a maelstrom of confusion, distrust, and disillusionment among the Nigerian populace. The very foundation of our institutions’ integrity is being eroded, casting a dark shadow on the nation’s future.

As the APC Youth Solidarity Network, we are profoundly dismayed by this disturbing development. As representatives of the youth and prospective leaders of this great nation, we cannot idly stand by while the credibility and trustworthiness of our institutions are mercilessly compromised.

How can we, the standard-bearers of Nigeria’s future, acquiesce to this systemic failure, which undermines the very fabric of our national identity? The APC Youth Solidarity Network will not remain silent in the face of this unfolding crisis.

Mr. Mele Kyari’s tenure has precipitated a crisis of confidence, rendering him an untenable moral and economic liability, not only to Mr President, but also to the nation at large. His prolonged occupation of office has devolved into an unmitigated embarrassment, casting a pall of shame not merely on the All Progressives Congress (APC) but on the entirety of Nigerians who rightfully demand transparency, accountability, and visionary leadership from institutions critical to our national well-being.

A poignant question echoes through the corridors of our collective conscience: How can we credibly entertain the narratives proffered by NNPC Ltd when they have so flagrantly flouted the principles of truthfulness and integrity? The stark inconsistency between their August 18th press release, which categorically denied any outstanding debts, and today’s admission of culpability, has spawned an environment of pervasive uncertainty.

Nigerians are now confronted with an existential dilemma: what to believe and whom to trust? The erosion of trust in our national institutions undermines the very fabric of our society, threatening our collective future.

This issue transcends mere financial accountability; it is a bad reflection of our nation’s pride and integrity. The citizens of Nigeria rightfully demand and deserve leadership that embodies transparency, consistency, and accountability, one that unswayed by the short tides of public opinion.

We, the APC Youth Solidarity Network, resolutely maintain that the time has arrived for Mr. Mele Kyari to assume full responsibility for this leadership failure. It is imperative that he relinquish his position, thereby sparing our nation further international embarrassment and ridicule.

Regrettably, Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil exporter, finds itself in the incongruous position of importing virtually all its fuel requirements. This anomaly is obviously a direct consequence of years of systemic neglect and mismanagement of our state-owned oil refineries. Furthermore, the selfish interests and lack of visionary leadership within our oil and gas sector have hindered the optimal utilization of the newly commissioned 650,000 barrel-per-day Dangote refinery. Instead of producing marketable petrol for domestic consumption, this facility is compelled to export other fuels abroad, exacerbating our nation’s energy woes.

This critical moment serves as a clarion call for transformative change, heralding a new era of transparency, accountability, and visionary leadership. We fervently implore Mr. Mele Kyari to relinquish his position, paving the way for fresh leadership that embodies the sacred values of openness, integrity, and responsibility that our citizens rightfully deserve.

Mr. Kyari’s protracted occupation of office has devolved into an unrelenting source of embarrassment, tarnishing the reputation of our esteemed party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Nigerian people. We urge him to take the noble path of resignation, immediately relinquishing his duties to spare our nation further discomfort, reputational damage, and international ridicule.

By resigning, Mr. Kyari would demonstrate his commitment to integrity, accountability, and the values that our party holds sacrosanct. The youth of this nation are vigilantly observing, and we demand leadership that mirrors our aspirations for a brighter, and more prosperous future.

To this end, we issue a heartfelt appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to take swift, and decisive action in addressing this crisis. Mr. President, we implore you to:

1. Facilitate the immediate resignation of Mr. Mele Kyari as Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, thereby ending his tenure of questionable leadership.

2. Initiate a comprehensive, impartial investigation into NNPC’s financial dealings, aiming to unravel the circumstances surrounding the staggering $6 billion debt.

3. Implement stringent measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future, ensuring the corporation’s fiscal discipline and transparency.

Through these decisive measures, we aim to achieve a trifecta of transformative outcomes: restoring the tarnished integrity of NNPC Ltd, upholding the sacred values of our party, and revitalizing the eroded trust of the Nigerian people.

Moreover, we seek to rekindle faith in our institutions, ensuring that those entrusted with leadership roles are strongly committed to the prosperity and progress of our great nation.

As a party, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to upholding the timeless values of transparency, accountability, and exemplary governance. We shall persist in advocating for a Nigeria where accountability reigns supreme, and our leaders are held to the highest standards of integrity, probity, and moral rectitude.

Our vision is of a nation where leadership is characterized by selflessness, transparency, and an unyielding dedication to the well-being of all citizens. We will tirelessly strive to create an environment where accountability is not merely an aspiration but a lived reality.

Bashir Hadejia Supporters Demand Arrest of Badaru, Gov Lawal Over Links to Suspected Criminal

Global News Reports That The Concerned Muslim Youths in Nigeria (CMYN), supporters of Bashir Hadejia, have called for the arrest of Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal over their alleged links to the suspected criminal.

The group condemned the arrest of Hadejia by the Force Intelligence Department-Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) over alleged treason and subversion against the state, describing it as a clear case of victimization and selective justice.

In a statement signed by Alhaji Alhassan Yahaya, the youths demanded to know why Bashir Hadejia was being held in custody while those who instigated and funded him, including Badaru and Lawal, were still walking free.

“We are compelled to speak out against the unjust treatment of our brother. Bashir’s arrest is a clear case of victimization and selective justice,” Yahaya said.

“He was arrested for his involvement in a protest and alleged terrorism but we ask: what about those who instigated and funded him?

“We believe that there must be no sacred cow. You can’t treat Bashir Hadeija like leaders of proscribed groups such as Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, Nnamdi Kanu, and leave other accomplices out because of their status. Everyone connected to this case must be treated equally and without bias.

“We demand justice for Bashir Hadejia and call for the arrest of all high-profile individuals connected to this case. Enough of selective justice!”

They also criticised Governor Lawal for denying his involvement with Bashir Hadejia despite glaring evidence, describing it as a clear indication of his cowardice and lack of integrity.

Yahaya added: “Governor Lawal’s denial of Bashir Hadejia is a clear indication of his cowardice and lack of integrity.

“He has always been known to abandon his allies when it suits him. We demand that Governor Lawal comes clean and tells the truth about his involvement with Bashir Hadejia.

“Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru has also been dragged into this saga. We demand to know why Bashir Hadeija will be held in custody while Badaru and Dauda Lawal, who engaged him for all these, will be free men.

“Why did Badaru visit Bashir two days before the protest to give him $20,000 and other undisclosed sums, yet he continues to sit as a federal minister whilst Bashir is being treated like El-Zakzakky and Nnamdi Kanu?

“We warn the Federal Government to learn to treat everyone equally. No one is above the law. If Bashir Hadejia can be treated like El-Zakzaky and Nnamdi Kanu, then everyone connected to this case must face the same treatment.

“We demand justice for Bashir Hadejia and call for the arrest of all high-profile individuals connected to this case. Enough of selective justice!”