Second Term: I’ll Run Transparent, Inclusive Govt, Buhari Insists

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated that his
administration will in the next four years pursue inclusive and
transparent policies that will guarantee security and economic
safety of every citizen.

According to a statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special
Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), President gave
the assurance when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Union
of Journalists led by Mr Chris Isiguzo at the State House, Abuja on
Thursday

He said: “As I look to the next four years, I will remain
committed to a safe and secure nation; creating an inclusive and
diversified economy; and a governance system that is free of
corrupt practices. In all these areas, we will remain transparent
in implementing our policies.’’

President Buhari urged members of the Nigerian Union of
Journalists to support the government in devising a means to
control the spread of false information, warning that those who
“create alternative reality’’ on social media are steadily eroding
the credibility of journalism.

“Your profession today is undergoing a fundamental shift. For
better or worse, the digital space is now becoming the major outlet
for ‘news’. This space is difficult to regulate and police. In many
instances, the participants in this medium are not trained or
professional journalists.

“The stories they present are neither factual nor true. However,
through the digital platform, they are able to reach millions and
create an alternate reality in their minds. I am sure you will all
agree that the biggest threat to the sustainability and credibility
of your profession is the uncontrolled and unregulated news
platforms operating in the cyberspace,’’ he said.

The President noted that some misleading information in the
social media were created and posted by people who lived outside
the country.

“Many of the perpetrators of these acts do not even live within
our shores. However, they have been able to damage the reputation
of hardworking Nigerian journalists while at the same time
promoting conflict and divisions within our society,’’ he
added.

President Buhari commended Nigerian journalists for the
effective coverage of the 2019 elections, pointing that many, out
of patriotism, went beyond their call of duty and took risks to
ensure full and balanced reporting of the election, assuring the
NUJ that security agencies will do their best to protect
journalists, especially in hostile environments.

In his remarks, the President of the NUJ, Mr Chris Isiguzo,
congratulated the President on winning the 2019 Presidential
Elections, attributing the victory to his integrity and commitment
to the development of the nation.

Isiguzo said the union was concerned by the growing number of
media casualties in Nigeria, and across the continent, in carrying
out their duties, urging Federal and State governments to take
effective measures in protecting journalists.

‘‘Sir, we also wish to encourage your administration to evolve
better ways of impacting positively on the lives of Nigerians who
feel marginalized from the mainstream of Nigeria’s social, economic
and political activities,’’ the NUJ president said.

Youths Give INEC 14 days Ultimatum to Issue Certificate
of Return to Okorocha

Youths under the aegis of Northern Youths Council of Nigeria
(NYCN) have given the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) 14 days ultimatum to issue Anayo Rochas Okorocha his
Certificate of Return or face their wrath.

The NYCN in a statement signed by its National President,
Comrade Isah Abubakar and made available to PRNigeria in Abuja
noted that it was unconstitutional and against the electoral Act as
amended for INEC to refuse the issuance of Certificate of Return to
Rochas Okorocha after his declaration as the winner by the
returning officer.

The statement reads in part:

We demand that; as a matter of urgency the commission should
without any further delay Present the certificate of return of the
Senator elect in person of Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha to him to
avoid the breach of the constitution

That INEC has no Constitutional right to withhold any
certificate of return of any individual that has been pronounce
elected and returned by the returning Officer, as only the tribunal
can hear electoral matter and offences, meanwhile it’s only a
competent court of jurisdiction that have such powers to deny any
individual either returned or otherwise.

That failure of the commission to present to the winner of the
23rd February election his certificate of return in person of
Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha within 14 working days will attract a
massive protest from the youth at the headquarters of the
commission Abuja.

We wish to categorically state that our citizens will not sit
and watch institutions like INEC being bastardized by some few
individuals at the detriment of our hard-earned democracy.

That INEC has failed woefully as they have chosen to hearken to
the voice of their paymasters and deep pocket individuals to the
detriment of Nigerians who have spoken though their votes by
throwing the country into their so-called inconclusive
elections.

That INEC leadership has taken it upon themselves to sabotage
our hard-earned democracy by frustrating the electoral process to
suit some individual interest at the detriment of our Nation and
making mockery of our Nation.

Comrade Isah Abubakar
National President,
Nortrhern Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN)