Ex-minister, Nduese Essien dares Buhari to publish looters names

A former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Nduese Essien, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to publish names of treasury looters who had returned the stolen funds.

Essien made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

According to him, publishing the names of the looters will make more impact in the fight against corruption.

“President Muhammadu Buhari should publish those names that have willingly returned stolen wealth or those who have been forced to return stolen money.

 “Let the public know how much has been returned, where it is paid into and its ultilisation.

“We don’t want a situation where money is returned and we don’t know where the money has gone to,” he said.

Essien called on the government to ensure that recovered fund was used to develop the country and in the interest of the masses, who had been deprived.

He lauded the government’s anti-corruption war, saying that it had made people to sit up.

“People are now afraid of indulging in corrupt activities for fear of being investigated after leaving office,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the anti-corruption war would work under Buhari, because he would not condone corrupt practices.

The former minister added that the war should be extended to persons working in the Presidency.

“Anti-corruption crusade is not suppose to hinge entirely on the past; it should also prevent those who are working with the President presently from getting involved in corrupt activities,’’ he said.

Culled from Punch newspaper

Fuss over Buhari's appointment: “I don't care if A'Ibom governor is a Muslim,” says A'Ibom man

By Nse Peter
An Akwa Ibom man resident in Louisiana, United States of America has expressed his indifference about where Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari picks members of his team from, as long as they perform their duty.

“I will always support performance mix with the fear of God rather than brotherhood mix with corruption and outright evilness,” says Daniel Umoh in a message he sent to Ibom Forum, an Akwa Ibom online group hoisted on Yahoo! Mr. Umoh was commenting on the controversy over the alleged lopsidedness of the President's appointments so far in favour of the predominantly muslim north.

Religion and ‘state of origin’ are considered as powerful factors in Nigerian politics, including appointment into public offices.

But Mr. Umoh said he’ll like to know what politicians from Akwa Ibom who had held national positions in the past brought back to the people, other than enriching themselves. 

Umoh’s position on the controversy over Buhari’s appointments represents a new thinking across Nigeria, influenced largely by the President’s ant-graft posture. But such thinking, nevertheless, is in the minority, as most Nigerians have faulted the President’s appointments as being in favour of the north alone where he comes from.

“I remember the argument sometime about Buhari being a Muslim and Jonathan being a Christian and my take on the issue was I don't care if my next governor is a Muslim or not as long as he or she performs.

“I will also look back in my state to realize that in the past eight years it was not a Muslim who was the governor when our people were killed and kidnapped and some of us could not travel home. It was our brother,” Umoh said.

Umana hails Buhari on Enang’s appointment – Punch newspaper

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the April 11 governorship poll in Akwa Ibom State, Umana Umana, has hailed the appointment of Ita Enang as Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters.

Enang is a member of the legal team representing Umana at the state governorship election petitions tribunal, sitting in Abuja.
Before the elections, Ita Enang, who was representing Uyo Senatorial District in the National Assembly, pledged to support Umana, a former Secretary to the State Government.
Umana expressed confidence in the ability of the former Senate Committee Chairman on Rules and Business to deliver on his present appointment, urging the ex-federal lawmaker to make the people of Akwa Ibom proud.
He added that the appointment was a sign of recognition of the people of the state, urging the people of Akwa ibom to pledge their full support for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Umana stated, “Let nobody be deceived; the current President knows what he is doing and he is on the right track. He is determined to ensure fairness and justice at all levels. Anybody who thinks he can get away with crime or any form of impunity, as witnessed in the past, should know that the game is over.
“Buhari is a man who will never sit back and allow anyone to be cheated. I urge everyone to give the appointee the necessary support to enable him to discharge his duties effectively.
“Like I have always said, the APC is a party where you get recognition for credibility and good work. I therefore urge the people of Akwa Ibom, who are not yet members of the party, to join the train and enjoy the dividends of democracy.”

Culled from The Punch