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Aisha Buhari apologises to Nigerians over hardship
The First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, yesterday apologised to Nigerians over the state of the economy and the security.
Mrs Buhari tendered the apology at a special Independence Day Anniversary Juma’at prayer and public lecture, themed ‘Shura: The Islamic Foundation of True Democracy’, held at the National Mosque Conference Hall in Abuja.
She, however, urged Nigerians to pray for a peaceful transition of power in 2023, adding that the citizens must unite to restore normalcy and peace in the most troubled parts of the country.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady said “Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, as you may be aware that this government is making its exit and perhaps witnessing the last anniversary of the regime, I ask Nigerians to pray for a successful election and transition programme.
“The regime might not have been a perfect one, but I want to seize this opportunity to seek forgiveness from the Ulamas and Nigerians in general. We all need to work together to achieve a better Nigeria.
“Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, it is also noticeable that our Naira is being evaluated and the foreign exchange rate has affected our economy causing a lot of hardship and difficulties in terms of education, health and other day-to-day activities of our citizens.”
While lauding the efforts of security agencies in fighting terrorism, she said Nigerians “must unite and fight against security challenges.
“I’m particularly happy that our security agents have stood up to the challenges of security more than ever before. And at the moment, their efforts have been pushing the effects of banditry, kidnapping and many other ills in the society.
“I commend the efforts of our gallant security men and women and I want to pray for more successes in their operations,” Mrs. Buhari added.
To supplement the government’s efforts towards citizens’ welfare, she said her office had put many programmes in place in areas such as agriculture, entrepreneurship, and engagement of youth and women to cushion the effects and provide alternatives.
“I, through my Aisha Buhari and Future Assured Foundation, have put in place deliberate efforts and programmes focused on improving the quality of women, youth and children.
“Through this effect, I have empowered many communities. I appreciate all my partners and collaborators, the wives of the governors, the wives of service chiefs, my associates, well-wishers, and international bodies, that is, development partners, I thank them all”, she said.
A video currently circulating online has captured the moment a mentally derailed man is seen eating a sacrifice on the street of Lagos.
The video which is currently generating lots of comments online was recorded at a polling unit at Graceland Estate in Ajah
While eating it, passersby provided him with a bottle of water
In the video, a voice could be heard saying ” This is an overnight sacrifice that was kept in one of the polling units. A madman suddenly came out and started eating it. This is how God is destroying the work of the enemies. God will keep frustrating their plans in Jesus’ name “
See what happened to one of their sacrifices at a polling unit. Grace land estate Ajah so that people won’t vote 🤣
🤣🤣— Dr Penking™🇳🇬🇦🇺 (@drpenking) March 18, 2023
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos, Segun Agbaje addresses reporters on March 18, 2023
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections in 10 polling units in the Victoria Garden City (VGC) around the Lekki area of the state.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Segun Agbaje made the announcement when he addressed reporters at the VGC.
According to him, corps members deployed as ad hoc staff on Saturday were hesitant to enter the VGC estate as they alleged that they were held hostage in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Agbaje said the commission’s ad hoc staff set up voting materials in front of the estate on Saturday but the estate residents claimed that hoodlums might disrupt the process, so they did not feel secure and could not cast their votes.
He said the situation was difficult for security agents to contain hence he and his team had to come to the area.
“We have eight polling units here with 6,024 registered voters and out of which 5,624 people have their PVCs,” he stated, adding that two other polling units at the estate’s main gate were also affected. “Eight here (in the estate) and two outside,” he noted.
“After due consultation and further directive from the national headquarters that we should remobilise here tomorrow (Sunday) morning by 08:30am to conduct the elections.
“By 08:30am tomorrow (Sunday), we will reconvene here.”
Agbaje said the chairman of the security committee of the estate had assured the commission of the safety of corps members and INEC staff as well as the safety of voters.
Some of the polling units affected include PU 032,033, 119 -12
The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Tunde Doherty, whose polling unit is in the VGC scolded INEC for poor arrangement, saying the situation is “unfortunate”.
A party agent was arrested in the Oshodi area of Lagos with N3.2 million cash. This is just as a woman, who identified herself as a Ward leader in the Ejigbo area of Lagos was arrested with a herbalist, on the Isolo/Egbe road.
It was gathered that some Military men on patrol, who were alerted on the harassment of voters by thugs, were on their way to attend to the distress call when they intercepted some persons in one of the pooling units in Oshodi.
The bag of one of the unidentified agent attracted the Military personnel, who insisted to know what was inside.
After much hesitant, the party agent(names withheld) reluctantly opened the bag , where its content was discovered to be naira notes.
It was gathered that one of the Military patrol teams attended to not less than 24 distress calls between 8.30 am and 1.30 pm, from different polling units in Oshodi, Jakande Estate, Ejigbo, Ajao and Oke- Afa areas of the state.
One of the distress calls received from Igala estate on the Isolo/Egbe road, had a report of a voter whose skull was broken by a thug.
While attending another one at the Borokini hall, on the same axis at about 11.45am, a tricycle in which were three passengers was flagged down.
While one of the occupants, a woman whose identity could not be immediately ascertained claimed she was on her way to her ward in Ejigbo, others simply said they were going to vote .
However, when the two men were searched, one of them was discovered to have guarded his waist with kneated charms.
Upon further enquiry, the self acclaimed Ward leader said she hired the service of the herbalist and the other passenger to accompany her to her ward.
Three of them were whisked away in the Military patrol van.
Some suspected thugs were also arrested .
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