Minister mulls Buhari’s second term, to open campaign office in S’West

Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu

• Seals deal on two new satellites from China
The Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, has disclosed that he would open a campaign office in the southwest for the second term bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He told State House Correspondents yesterday, that a Board of Trustees of the Buhari/Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group ‎would be launched on February 28, 2018.

Shittu explained that he would chair the board of the campaign organisation, adding that Nigerians have never had it so good as with President Buhari.

He said: “Since he came into office, all his activities have been geared towards letting the people know that they have a savior and a rescuer. He is somebody who is committed to providing relief for Nigerians in all respects.”

The minister declared that despite the president’s failure in tackling the sundry insecurity challenges across the country, he deserves a second term in office.

He cited such shortcomings as the inability to curtail the activities of the marauding Fulani herdsmen.

He claimed that Buhari has done well in certain areas, including the fight against corruption and insurgency, whether in the northeast or the Niger Delta.

Shittu added that the president has also performed well in the area of the economy, provision of jobs, as well as social stability.

“You will agree with me that today, but for Buhari, Boko Haram ‎would have invaded even Lagos,” he said.

On whether the campaigns have started for the 2019 elections, he responded: “If you have a child who went to primary school and performed well, proceeded to secondary school and also did well, could you keep asking whether he is going to the university?”

The minister stressed that even though the president had not disclosed that he would run, he, along with other ardent supporters would urge him to contest for a second term.

Shittu further disclosed that he was at the Aso Rock Villa to brief Buhari on the planned procurement of two new satellites from China.

He said the satellites would ensure ‎that the Nigerian Satellite Company, NigComSat, has the capacity to conquer the entire African continent in the provision satellite communication services.

He explained: “Initially the agreement was that China would provide the cost of the two satellites at $550million, minus 15 per cen, which is the counterpart funding.

“But, because we could not afford the 15 per cent, we renegotiated with the China EXIM Bank ‎and the China Great Walls whic are the manufacturers. They have happily agreed to pay the entire $550 million to procure the two satellites.”

“It is not a loan, but an equity participation of the Chinese company in our business. NigComSat is a limited liability company owned entirely by the Federal Government and we will agree on percentage sharing,” he said.