How IBB, David Mark Intervened To Stop Gusau From Resigning

Moments after online news portal, Saharareporter broke the news on the resignation of the minister of defence, Lt.-Gen Aliyu Gusau, the Presidency and the Ministry of Defence denied the report stating that Gusau still remains the minister in charge of defence.

But the denial notwithstanding, The Punch in a report said it gathered that minister was on his way out of the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan but for the pressure mounted on him at the instance of President Jonathan.

Sahara Reporters had reported that Gusau threatened to leave office instead of being ridiculed by Badeh and others.

According to the report, the minister, in company with the Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, were said to have been “talked down by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, at a meeting between him and the service chiefs, a development that led to his decision to resign.

But the report by Punch said Jonathan had to quickly call for the intervention of the Senate President,   David Mark, and a former dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida to make the minister have a rethink.

Punch report said

It was gathered that the intervention of the two men was    at the instance of  President Goodluck Jonathan. The President was said to have asked the two men to appeal to Gusau  not  to leave  his government.

It  was further learnt  that Jonathan , who   considered  the move by the minister  to leave office as ridiculous,  also  asked  him (Gusau) to reconsider his position.

Apart from this, the President   reasoned that  his resignation    could  affect the image of the Federal Government negatively.

Our  source said, “This was the reason the President asked  Mark and Babangida to intervene by speaking with Gusau, which they did.

“The two of them spoke with Gusau and he agreed to stay back. The issues he raised that  made him want   to leave office are  being resolved. I know that sooner than later, heads would roll in the military.”

The source   confirmed that Gusau, who probably had an antidote to curb the bloodshed in the North-East, had summoned a meeting  with the  security chiefs  on how to change  military  strategies  in the zone.

“I can tell you that the military and everybody were surprised that Gusau  wanted  to leave the job. Although his threat of  resignation would be denied by the Ministry of Defence, I can tell you that they won’t tell you the details of what transpired,” the source added.

What Centenary Awards Mean To Us – Obasanjo, IBB, Buhari

Past Presidents and Heads of State have expressed appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for honoring them with the Centenary awards in Abuja on Friday.

They also declared that Nigeria has come to stay having remained together as one since 1914.

Seven past leaders – Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Abdusalami Abubakar and Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, were honoured as ‘outstanding promoters of unity, patriotism and National Development’ at the State House, Abuja.

The former Nigerian leaders called for greater security and unity in the country and charged the future generations to strive to take the country to greater heights by achieving milestones than the old and outgoing generation.

Obasanjo said: “The award means Nigeria is making progress. If Nigeria survived the first 100 years, it means that Nigeria has come to stay”.

Buhari: said: “The award means a lot to me to be qualified to be recognised by Nigerians. My wish for Nigeria is security”.

General Babangida said: “The award means a lot. Most of us that were awarded today, the younger generation should try to emulate us because they will survive their sources of inspiration and aspiration”.

On his part, Abdulsalami Abubakar said: “Nigeria has come a long way and we thank God. The future generation should try and do better than what we have done and keep this country together”.

For Shonekan, “The award means a lot to me. It makes me feel to work harder for the unity and progress of the country”.

OBJ, IBB, Buhari, Abdulsalami Shun Centenary Event In Abuja

Four former Heads of State – Generals Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar – as well as Senate President David Mark, were on Thursday conspicuously absent from the country’s centenary being held in Abuja. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar too was missing at the event.

They did not attend the international conference held as part of activities marking the centenary, which was witnessed by no less than 30 heads of governments and international organisations.

The only past leaders in attendance were President Shehu Shagari, former Head of State Yakubu Gowon and former Head of Interim National Government Chief Earnest Shonekan, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and former Chief of General Staff Oladipupo Diya.

The conference tagged, “Human Security, Peace and Development: Agenda for 21st Century Africa”, was held under water-tight security at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Other dignitaries that attended the conference include the Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Aminu Tambuwal; Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha; state governors; security chiefs; former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu; the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih; members of the diplomatic corps, members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council and other top government officials.

PDP crisis: Muazu meets with IBB, Niger Governor Aliyu

Muazu

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu,took his reconciliatory mission to Minna,yesterday, conferring    with former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida.

He also met with Governor Babangida  Aliyu.

With Mu’azu  on the  Minna trip were 14 other top ranking PDP members including  the PDP National Youth Leader, Alhaji Abdullahi Maibasera, former  House of  Representatves Speaker Ghali Na’aba and the state PDP acting chairman, Mr. Tanko Beji.

However,all members of Mu’azu’s entourage were excused from the meeting with General Babangida to enable the duo have a private and confidential chat.

The PDP national chairman and his team drove into Babangida’s premises at about 12:05pm, and immediately  commenced discussion  with the ex-military ruler.

The meeting  lasted till 1:05pm.

General Babangida declined to talk to newsmen at the end of the meeting.

“I am not going to say a word. I am not talking,” he told reporters who had gathered at his residence.

The PDP national chairman however said that he was in Minna   in furtherance of  his reconciliatory initiative.

He said:”I am here in continuation of my visit to our elders and I had a fruitful meeting with the former President. It was a fruitful meeting.”

He gave no details of their discussion.

He merely said:”What we discussed is not meant  for public consumption. All I can say is that we had a fruitful discussion”.

Mu’azu’s entourage  later left for the private residence of Governor  Aliyu for another meeting which lasted twenty minutes.