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Medical Trip: Buhari Has Ignited Power Tussle Among Aso Rock Cabals – HURIWA

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Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, on Monday, chastised the President, Muhammadu Buhari, for his frequent medical trips overseas.

It was reported that Buhari on Sunday traveled to the United Kingdom on a two-week routine medical check-up after attending the United Nations Environmental Programme in Nairobi, Kenya.

Reacting, HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, faulted the President, saying he “perpetually travels to London for a medical checkup while leaving the health sector in Nigeria to wobble amid constant strikes and underfunding.”

The group also said it was regrettable that the President serially disrespects the 1999 Constitution by not officially transmitting power to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), whenever he travels abroad.

This, the group said, has created the vacuum that will lead to power tussles among the different power blocs in Aso Rock including the infamous cabal.

The statement read in part, “In recent years, the UK has become a choice destination for the Nigerian elite including the President who frequent London for medical tourism while perpetual industrial actions, lack of modern equipment, failure of government to pay doctors’ salaries, amongst others, mar Nigeria’s health sector.

“According to reports, as of the end of 2021, Buhari had been to London for medical checkups a number of times and had spent a total of over 200 days on medical leave in the UK since his regime began on May 29, 2015.

“Despite Buhari’s preference for foreign medical care, the Federal Ministry of Health has consumed over N2.3tn from 2016 to date, while the State House Medical Centre has received over N6.2bn, according to the respective appropriation acts available on the website of the Budget Office of the Federation.

“The presidential clinic caters for the President, Vice President, their families, and members of staff of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
But despite the huge allocations for the clinic, Buhari and his family members continue to patronize the UK, Dubai, and other foreign countries for medical needs.

“The President is also infamous for not handing over power to his VP while away, an action that HURIWA declared unconstitutional.

“Before Sunday’s trip, the last time the President reportedly transferred power to the VP was in 2017 when he spent months in the UK treating an undisclosed ailment.

“But as a sharp departure from the convention, Buhari on Sunday before his aircraft took off from the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, said Osinbajo is in charge while he is away.”

Before traveling, Buhari was asked by reporters who would be in charge during his trip.

The President said, “I cannot claim to be doing the work alone. The government is fully represented. The Vice President is there.

“Constitutionally when I am away, he is in charge. And then the Secretary to the Government (Boss Mustapha), and the Chief of Staff (Ibrahim Gambari) are also there. So, there is no problem.”

Reacting, HURIWA said, “However, it was clear that the President acted illegally as he did not notify the National Assembly as permitted by the country’s constitution.”

The group said, “By virtue of Section 145(1)(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2011 as amended, the President has a constitutional duty to always transmit power whenever he embarks on a medical trip or any form of vacation whatsoever.

“Section 145(1)(2) of the 1999 Constitution unambiguously provides that: “(1) Whenever the President is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the house of representatives to that effect, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, the Vice-President shall perform the functions of the President as Acting President.

“(2) In the event that the President is unable or fails to transmit the written declaration mentioned in subsection (1) of this section within 21 days, the National Assembly shall, by a resolution made by a simple majority of the vote of each House of the National Assembly, mandate the Vice-President to perform the functions of the office of the President as Acting President until the President transmits a letter to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives that he is now available to resume his functions as President.

“But Buhari has not respected the constitution by officially handing power over to his VP pending his return. Transmission of power has a process and a method spelled out by the constitution; it must be written and transmitted to the National Assembly; it is beyond mere rhetorics. Buhari’s action is condemnable just as his many medical trips cost taxpayers’ so much.

“By his vague utterance, Buhari has created the vacuum that will throw up power tussles by the different power blocs in Aso Rock including the infamous cabal.

“Overall, it is a scandal of unimaginable dimension that Buhari has spent seven years in power but all the strategic sectors of the economy have been ruined by his regime, starting from health, education, infrastructure, power, amongst others. It is even unfortunate that the President who is also the Minister of Petroleum and controls the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has successfully turned the near-moribund refineries into a cash cow for the last seven years. Buhari has left the country in comatose, such a bad second term gift.”

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Stella Visited Vatican City To Secure My Release From Prison — Former President Obasanjo

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has shared the significant role his late wife, Stella Obasanjo, played in securing his release from prison.

In 1995, Obasanjo was arrested and convicted by the military regime of the late Sani Abacha for his alleged involvement in a planned coup.

After four years of detention, Obasanjo was released in 1998 by Abdulsalami Abubakar, following Abacha’s death.

During his imprisonment, Stella was a strong advocate, relentlessly demanding her husband’s release.

She tragically passed away on October 23, 2005, during a liposuction surgery.

Speaking on Friday at the inauguration of the 250-bed Stella Obasanjo Hospital in Benin, the Edo state capital, the former president recounted how his late wife traveled to the Vatican City and other parts of the world to secure his freedom.

“My late wife went everywhere to ensure that I came out of prison alive. She was in Vatican City, France, and other parts of the world,” Obasanjo said.

“We were planning for her 68th birthday anniversary but never had it before she died. It was very painful for me in particular and for all of us in my family.

“So you can appreciate how thankful I am to you for doing this in her honour.”

He expressed gratitude to the Edo state government for recognizing his late wife, “who made tremendous contributions to my achievements in public life.”

Obasanjo also praised Governor Godwin Obaseki for “starting and finishing well.”

“I have worked in the past with the likes of John Oyegun; he was a fantastic permanent secretary. I reminded him recently of some of the things that he practised on me and the ones I practised on him,” Obasanjo added.

“With this hospital, you’re assured of first-class treatment for any ailment. More grace to the elbows of the governor. With this kind of edifice, I can say that the governor started well and is finishing well.”

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Court Remands Woman For Allegedly Stabbing Husband To Death In Ibadan

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An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday ordered the remand of a housewife, Olajumoke Olalere, 33, at Agodi Correctional facility, Ibadan, for allegedly stabbing her husband to death.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who did not take the defendant’s plea for lack of jurisdiction, ordered her remand pending the legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

She, thereafter, adjourned the case until March 5, 2025 for mention.

According to The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the police charged Olalere with a count of murder.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Akeem Akinloye, had told the court that the defendant on October 30, at 9.00 p.m. allegedly caused the death of her 39-year-old husband, Oluwasegun Tinubu.

Akinloye said the defendant allegedly stabbed her husband with a knife during a disagreement at their house, at Zone 5, Gbelu, Iyana – Agbala, Ibadan.

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BIG STORY

UPDATE: EFCC Grants Former Delta Governor Okowa Bail Over Alleged N1.3trn Fraud

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The Port Harcourt zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted administrative bail to Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, a former governor of Delta State, over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

Okowa was arrested on Monday, November 4, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after reporting to the Port Harcourt Directorate of the EFCC at the invitation of investigators handling his case.

Sources confirmed that the former governor left the EFCC facility around 9 pm on Wednesday night.

A source under anonymity stated: “He left the facility at about 9 pm yesterday (Wednesday).”

“Okowa is expected to return soon to provide documents and answer more questions before the matter will be charged to court.”

The former governor is accused of failing to account for the 13% derivation funds, as well as an additional N40 billion, which he allegedly claimed to have used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

Specifically, Okowa is said to have purchased N40 billion worth of shares in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake in the offshore LNG venture.

The funds are also alleged to have been diverted for other purposes, including acquiring properties in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State.

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