News recap: Of Buhari’s ‘fake’ death and Atiku’s ambition
The outgoing week was dominated by unsubstantiated news of Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari’s death. Expectedly, the presidency was forced to denounce and deny such reports which were propagated by fake news sites, and, of course, were well received by some.
While that was happening, campaign posters of former Nigeria’s vice president Abubakar Atiku became ubiquitous in Kebbi. Is Turaki Adamawa already gearing up for 2019?
These and more are in our News Recap for the week. Read on!
President Muhammadu Buhari
Troubles don’t come singly. And so was the case for the presidency during the week. Having to fight off deathly rumours about President Muhammadu Buhari was definitely not part of the plans the trio of Garba Shehu, Femi Adesina and Lai Mohammed had for the week, but they had to devote part of their time to discrediting rumours of either Buhari’s death or his terminal infirmity. On one occasion, the president had to remind us, stylishly, he’s still alive.
Wherever I am, I keep up with news from home. Channels TV is one of my favorites. I’m proud of what the Nigerian media are achieving. pic.twitter.com/LciLrzyaxT
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) January 22, 2017
But the nagging questions are: Is the president terminally ill? If not, who wants him dead?
Being linked to death is not strange to some Fulani herdsmen. They are suspected to be behind the Southern Kaduna killings. And when travellers were robbed in two coordinated attacks on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at the beginning of the week, fingers were also pointed at them.
Hull City’s English midfielder Ryan Mason receives medical treatment after a clash of heads as Chelsea’s Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa shows his concern during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge in London on January 22, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS /
He could have died after fracturing his skull playing for his club Hull City against Chelsea in an EPL fixture, but Ryan Mason lived to see another day. The 25-year-old midfielder was in a stable condition after a successful surgery.
But this week isn’t all about ominous events. We caught glimpse of what could happen come 2019.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar
With the 2019 general elections about two years away, the campaign posters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is already being circulated across Kebbi State. The ex-VP who visited the state at the weekend during the Abdullahi Fodio 1805 book launch at the Emir of Gwandu’s palace, was surrounded by political supporters chanting “Sai Atiku Turaki Adamawa for President 2019.”
The artist announced his plans on Wednesday on his Instagram page, stating that protest would hold nationwide on February 5.
Not sure if he will pitch his tent with Atiku but it is quite obvious that the artist once known as Tuface is not a fan of the ruling APC. At least, for now. On Wednesday, the artist now known as 2Baba announced plans to lead a “massive nationwide protest” against the government on his Instagram page, stating that protest would hold on February 5.
“A call for good governance,” 2Baba said of his planned protest. “A call for [an] urgent explanation into the reckless economic downturn nationwide. A call for nationwide protests as we say No to the Executive, No to legislatures, No to judiciary…. You have all failed us.”
While many would heed 2Baba’s call, it is doubtful that as many would listen to Senator Yele Omogunwa’s recent call for corruption to be legalised. His reason: the vice is so pervasive that it has deprived the Nigerian people of certain benefits.
Senator Omogunwa notes that Budgets doesn’t have maximal impact due to corruption. He says corruption shld be legalized/liberalized then.
— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) January 25, 2017
Dangote’s tomato processing company is not about to suffer a sudden death. According to the managing Director of Dangote Tomato Processing Company, Kano State, Abdulkarim Kaita, the firm would resume full operations in the first week of February.
Now, you can keep all those foreign tomato paste brands off your kitchen. Buy Nigerian!
To some techy stuff! German automaker BMW AG will dispatch a fleet of autonomous vehicles to U.S. and European cities in this year’s second half, the next step in its partnership with Mobileye NV and Intel Corp. to introduce fully self-driving vehicles by 2021.
And finally! To Cannabis.
With the legalisation of marijuana on the rise across the world especially in the United States (U.S.), it is more important than ever to get a clear understanding of the drug’s health benefits and risks. The Guardian’s Chukwuma Muanya reported on the risks and benefits of the use of cannabis.
And that’s all on News Recap for this week. Adios!
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3 Comments
Muddled news but the situation on ground remain convincing that Buhari is down and out. 10-day leave is expiring soon so needless to dwell on this shame.
14 TOP SCARY QUOTES OF BUHARI
“I will continue to show openly and inside me the total commitment to the Sharia movement that is sweeping all over Nigeria. God willing, we will not stop the agitation for the total implementation of the Sharia in the country.” – Buhari (Thisday, August 27, 2001)
“If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon will all be soaked in blood.” – Buhari (Vanguard May 15, 2012)
“The last general election was anything but free and fair. The only political parties that could complain of election rigging are those parties that lacked the resources to rig.” – Buhari (First Speech after Military Coup, 31 December, 1983)
“No, no, no; Abacha did not steal Nigeria’s money.” – Buhari (10th Anniversary of Abacha’s death)
“The declaration of state of emergency in three Northern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe is a grave injustice against the North.” – Buhari (Liberty Radio, June 2, 2013)
“I live on borrowing. I borrowed from the banks to build the house in Daura and the one in Abuja and Kano. The bank then was Barclays, now Union Bank.” – Buhari (The SUN Exclusive Interview, December 24, 2012)
“When the Niger Delta militants started their activities in the Southsouth, they were invited by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. An aircraft was sent to them and their leaders met with the late President in Aso Rock and discussed issues. They were given money and a training scheme was introduced for their members. But when the Boko Haram emerged in the North, members of the sect were killed, this is unfair”. – Buhari (Liberty Radio, Kaduna May 14 2012)
“Muslims should only vote those who will promote Islam. We are more than the Christians if you add our Muslim brothers in the West.”- Buhari (Liberty Radio Kaduna, 2003)
“This campaign is the third and last one for me; since, after it, I will not present myself again for election into office of the president.” – Buhari (April, 2011 at the Int’l Conference Centre, Abuja).
“I’ll stabilize oil market if elected.” – Buhari (Channels TV Interview, 2014)
“Why should Christians be concerned when Muslim cut off their limbs? After all, the limbs that are being cut off are Muslim ones and not Christian. So why should Christians bother about it?? – Buhari (Liberty Radio, Kaduna 2003)
“If there is a repeat of the Civil War again, I will kill more Igbos to save the country.” – Buhari (BBC Hausa Service, 2015)
“I can die for the cause of Islam if necessary. We are prepared to fight another Civil War. We cannot be blackmailed into killing Sharia.” – Muhammadu Buhari (Freedom House, 2000)
“I’ll make Naira equal in value to dollar.” – Muhammadu Buhari (Vanguard, March 23, 2015).
Well written piece
We will review and take appropriate action.