Kwarans Marginalization: Your Statement Is False, Unpatriotic, Buhari’s Aide Tells Saraki
Mohammed Brimah, Special Assistant on IDPs to President Muhammadu Buhari, has condemned Senate President Bukola Saraki’s statement alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), does not have the interest of Kwara and Kwarans in its agenda.
Saraki, while receiving defectors into the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his home state had stated that “ever since I left the party (APC) as your representative at the National level, who among those calling themselves APC members in Kwara today have been included in any National affairs of APC?”
“If you ask those following them what they have benefited, aside fighting Saraki, nothing tangible will they be able to point at. Is that a party that Nigerians need at the moment?”
Responding to the claims, Brimah, at a meeting with members of the Kwara State Chapter of the All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF), in Abuja, debunked Saraki’s claim and described it as figment of his imagination.
Brimah, who also hails from Kwara State, explained that the Buhari-led administration has stood its ground in committing to youth inclusiveness and participation.
In his words: “President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has spent a total of ?4,105,372,257 in positively impacting the lives of both the young and old in Kwara State.
“The Buhari-led administration has also empowered over 14,000 Kwara youths through one of the Social Investment Programmes – Npower. Another 13,067 beneficiaries are currently benefiting from the Government Enterprise & Empowerment Programme (GEEP). Presently, 13,809 Kwarans are beneficiaries of National Cash Transfer Programme (NCTP).
“In few weeks, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) will be visiting Kwara state to launch the Trader Moni scheme for another set of 35,000 petty traders in Kwara State. These traders will be supported with loans to strengthen the federal government’s commitment to financial inclusion.”
“The presidential aide also enjoined the supporters of President Buhari in the state to always ignore the offensive speeches by Saraki, reminding them that he has shown that he is a very dangerous person who can go any length to promote his personal interests.
“One would think with the experience and position Saraki currently holds, he would managed to play the role of a nationalist and a statesman, but sadly, rather than protect the interest of Nigeria both locally and internationally, he has been at the forefront of frustrating the efforts of President Buhari to reposition the country and make things happen.
“Saraki’s ever failing integrity test and litany of corruption charges against him are now manifesting in his loyalists and aides,” Brimah said.
Recall that Saraki’s anointed candidate for the 2019 gubernatorial election in Kwara State, Hon Razak Atunwa, is already engulfed in in certificate forgery scandal. Report has it that the PDP’s governorship Candidate, Mr. Atunwa did not participate in Nigeria’s compulsory national youth service scheme (NYSC). Instead, he procured a forged discharge certificate of NYSC which he submitted to the PDP to prove his eligibility for public office.
Similarly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Saraki’s aide, Gbenga Makanjuola, for an alleged fraud of N3.5bn. Also, documents revealed that Abiola Aiyegbayo, wife of Bamikole Omisore, Special Adviser on International Relations to Saraki, has been receiving monthly salaries of N151,788 from the Senate without rendering any service to the National Assembly.
Additionally, Saraki is having a running battle with the Nigerian Police over his alleged linkage to the wide-ranging robbery operation that resulted in the death of 33 people in Offa, Kwara State in April.
Brimah, in his closing remarks, urged the youths and support groups in the state to embark on an aggressive campaign for the APC and vote massively for all the party’s candidate in the 2019 general elections.
