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OPINION: Miyetti Allah Vigilante Mocks Elite Hypocrisy

January 25, 2024

By Azu Ishiekwene

The report was treated like a footnote in the main press, but social media and online news platforms gave it a wider play. It’s the story of the launch of a nomadic vigilante service by Miyetti Allah, a group of herders turned political pressure group, comprising mostly Fulani.

The national president, Bello Bodejo, said in Lafia, Nasarawa State, where the launch took place, that the vigilante service, which had already recruited 1,144 Fulani youths, would assist security agencies in the state to combat criminal activities.

Four years ago, the Nnamdi Kanu-led separatist group, IPOB, made similar doubtful claims when the group set up the Eastern Security Network (ESN),for the South-east states. But federal security agencies crushed it. Yet, in a move that seemed to suggest that one vigilante group is greater than the other, the Nasarawa State Police Commissioner was a special guest at the Miyetti Allah vigilante service launch last week.

There was a report on Wednesday that Bodejo had been arrested by the DSS, but the DSS has since denied. While no one is sure of the whereabouts of Bodejo, he appears to have launched a vigilante service that, regardless of the pretence of confusion surrounding it, bears the mark of official approval.

It would be a mistake, however, to think that this once mostly feared and despised association of herdsmen and the police are in bed after only one evening of flirting. Of course, Miyetti Allah may have been motivated more by group self-interest, relevance and survival. But the dalliance with the police, the indifference of the main press, and the muted public response, are not an accident.

Epidemic of desperation

They are a reflection of the despair and desperation over the growing insecurity in the country, especially its latest franchise in form of widespread kidnappings, even in places once thought to be safe havens.

As a result of multiple internal security challenges from banditry and insurgencies in the North-east, North-west and North-central, the unrest and violence by separatist groups in the South-east, not to mention pipeline vandalism in the South-south, the police have almost been reduced to Boys Scouts, while the military is doing more for less.

A recent report by The Economist, citing ACLED, a global monitor of conflict, said more than 3,600 people were kidnapped in 2023, with the sharpest rise in May – the most ever – while almost about 9,000 Nigerians were killed in conflict last year.

In a horror story that spooked memories of the Chibok girls, the family of Mansoor Al-Kadriyar was attacked in their home in Bwari, Abuja on January 2, and six of the girls were abducted. The eldest was killed and the other five released after 19 days in captivity and N55million reportedly paid in ransom.

It’s in light of this widespread misery and what appears to be a general state of helplessness that Miyetti Allah, a symbol of Fulani hegemony, launched its nomadic vigilante service in a region fraught with a variety of deadly clashes, the latest of which has been the murderous rampage of ethnic violence in Plateau State that has, so far, claimed nearly 200 lives in less than two months.

Ostrich game

Thanks to elite hypocrisy, after years of playing the ostrich, we are back where we started: a realisation that the current policing model is not working. With broken noses, bleeding hearts, and a variety of poor imitations, we’re dragging ourselves back to the very thing that we have always tried to run away from: state police. State police is not a silver bullet, of course. But in the last 25 years, we have seen improvisations that have barely dented the monster.

The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), for example, founded by Fredrick Faseun and Gani Adams was a citizen vigilante-led attempt to curb insecurity in the South-west. It’s still active in many parts of the region. But former President Olusegun Obasanjo with those close to him who feared it was a South-west agenda towards state police, kept OPC in check, often deploying an iron fist.

In a watered-down attempt to devolve more policing powers from the centre, we’ve seen attempts by the Federal Government at so-called community policing end up with greater Federal control, with the notorious pay-as-you-go police protection being enjoyed by the rich, especially politicians, who can afford them. It was only when the farmer-herder clashes threatened to ruin some states in the South-west that governors in the region, led by late Rotimi Akeredolu, rallied to form Amotekun.

The South-east followed this lead with Ebubeagu, and a number of states in the North-west, especially, also set up their own vigilante services. In August 2022, then Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, launched the Community Volunteer Guard.

In spite of states drifting towards it, in spite of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) including state police in its manifesto, and in spite of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu being one of the most notable champions of it, the idea is still something of anathema.

Constitutional Conference report

Ten years ago, state police was one of the most hotly debated issues at the Goodluck Jonathan-brokered National Conference, a conference whose report, unlike those of a number in the past, has proved quite durable.

A summary of the 2014 conference report presented at the Second Chris Ogunbanjo Lecture Series in 2017 by a member of the conference and Chairman Emeritus of PUNCH,Chief AjibolaOgunshola, said, “Any state that requires it, can establish a State Police for that state, which should operate in accordance with the provisions of the law setting it up, to be passed by the State House of Assembly.

“Its powers or functions will be determined by such legislation and should not be in conflict with the duties and powers of the Federal Police.”

The conference also made suggestions about changes in nomenclature and structure of the police and also in the relevant sections of the constitution. Of course, nothing significant has been done since, which is not a surprise. Former President Muhammadu Buhari whose lot it was to get it off the ground, told me during an interview nearly two years after he took office that he had not read the report and was not interested.

If Buhari preferred treading the beaten path, Tinubu cannot pretend that we can continue the same way, or that he is unfamiliar with the merits of state police.

There’s a familiar trope against it, and I have heard it over and over again: that state police in the hands of the states would be used by governors against their opponents. That’s a genuine concern, especially in a country where governors behave as if the states were their fiefdoms. But isn’t it warped to argue that it’s OK for the Federal Government to use the Federal police against its own opponents in the centre and in the states while we’re all held hostage by the fear that the states would abuse it?

Bull by the horns

In the case of Miyetti Allah’s nomadic service, which potentially is worse for regulation than Amotekun which is at least under the control of the states, whose weapon would the vigilante be? The Federal Government’s, the states’ or the battering ram of an unrepentant ethnic militia called Miyetti Allah?

Ethnic militias are festering because the elite, especially members of the National Assembly, that are supposed to take the bull by the horns have refused to do what they should do to emplace structure and regulation by amending the constitution to allow the states play a more active role in policing.

Tinubu cannot afford to allow the drift to continue. He cannot manage the country’s security the same way that Buhari did for eight years and expect a different result.

Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP

Abuja Airport Breaks Peter Obi’s Lion Heart, Says “Nothing Private About A Sitting President”

The Source

January 25, 2024

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has screamed at the depilated state of National Assets in the country.

Obi was heartbroken on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as he watched a disabled being carried along with his wheelchair through the staircase as the elevator and escalator at the Airport have been down for three months now.

Writing only his X-handle platform, the LP standard bearer wondered why public assets are overlooked by leaders.

He also frowned at the Presidency’s claim that the President of the country is embarking on a private trip saying that there is nothing private for a sitting President.

According to the former Anambra state Governor, “Just yesterday, I saw a heart-wrenching sight of a physically challenged traveler in a wheelchair being carried up the stairs by four men, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport, Abuja because neither the elevator nor the escalator had been functional, for the past 3 months.

“The situation becomes more disturbing when you imagine that such is happening in our nation’s capital, where our dignitaries and foreign investors travel through constantly. This was the same Airport and the same day that our dear President flew out on a private visit

“I have been wondering what is private for a sitting President who is not on vacation to embark on a publicly funded ‘private’ visit.

May I humbly remind the President that he is now a public national asset.

“Therefore, all his movements now should be public knowledge and matters of public interest. Even when he needs a private visit like a holiday, family gathering, etc, he should state so, which is graciously allowed, but private visits, like the one he has embarked on now, should be done at his expense and not at public cost. That is part of the cost-cutting measures desperately needed by the nation now. We now require savings of sorts to deal with every little issue that requires attention, like the maintenance of small public assets.

“Otherwise, how do we explain as a country, that for the past three months both the escalator and elevator at the domestic wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, have remained dysfunctional?

“I often wonder how we the leaders feel traveling in sophisticated manners while the majority of our infrastructure being used by the majority, including our foreign investors, is left dilapidated.

“The situation we find ourselves in calls for such drastic cuts in the cost of governance, and attendant savings, to be appropriately used for every minor public good. That is the spirit of the New Nigeria we are clamoring for.

“I must however acknowledge some efforts by the President to cut costs like his recent 60% cost on travel but that is still insignificant given the quantum of problems waiting to be tackled like the elevator issue in our prime airport.” -PO

OPINION: Soludo’s Many Many Battle Fronts

The Source

January 25, 2024

By Ike Abonyi

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” – Charles Darwin

In 2025, Anambra State will return to the polls to change or retain Governor Charles Soludo. The incumbent will be battling to get a second term after completing a turbulent first term.

When Governor Soludo won his election in 2021, many agreed that a square peg was in a square hole, delivering the goods. Why not? Professor of Economics, World Bank-trained development economist, and Governor of the Central Bank for five years. He was undoubtedly entering the stage fortified for the job.

As a result, many envied Anambra, unlike some states whose governors had and still have dubious antecedents. Anambra even took off well because the governor drew up attractive development plans. As it appears, some water passed under the bridge, causing a derailment.

One thing about democratic governance is that you must do well in all the components of the power equation to achieve your desired goals. Having a big dream is just the first step to a long journey that requires many critical players to be carried along.

Many politicians in high office who do well or mean well have ended up on the wrong side of the people either due to arrogance or disrespect of critical stakeholders. The inability of a player to carry other necessary players along ends up aborting good dreams.

For instance, as Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike did well in infrastructural development. This earned him a pet name Mr Project from then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was from a rival party. But the same Wike ended his tenure on a low tone because of the way he handled his politics. His success entered his head and made him look down on everybody including traditional, religious, and political leaders in Rivers. He became an emperor who needed no counsel.

Suddenly, his success in infrastructure got drowned in his poor manners relating to people. As a result, Wike left Rivers State where he did a lot with most people wishing to see his back. Nobody wanted to ascribe or mitigate his shortcomings with his achievements.

It was therefore not surprising that less than six months after his exit the governor he selected turned his back in search of new friends because his godfather had left him with too many enemies.

Perhaps, as a carryover from Rivers State, some good jobs the same Wike is doing as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory are being clouded by his past and attitude towards people. What it means is that Wike did not learn from his past in his new job. Going by social media ratings, Wike is easily one of the most unpopular politicians in this country due to his ascetic utterances and uncultured approach to issues. When a leader talks from both sides of the mouth, he loses his audience and that is what is happening to Wike.

Governor Similaya Fubara is not the first or the fastest godson to look away from his godfather. In 2007, newly sworn-in Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State soon after the oath of office, did a 360-degree turn from his godfather. Dr Chimaroke Nnamani had ruled like an emperor and left Chime baggage that the godson shook off in a hurry to move forward. Governor Chime did that successfully for eight years and left Enugu State as one of the best.

Ahead of next year’s gubernatorial election in Anambra, reports there show that Governor Soludo’s politics are creating some disquiet that may significantly affect his reelection one way or the other. If Governor Soludo is doing anything meaningful in the state in the infrastructure development, his politics appears to be drowning it. His unguarded utterances also are playing into the hands of his opponents and those eyeing the Agu Awka gubernatorial seat.

Soludo’s ill-advised outbursts against Peter Obi, who had been governor before him, during the 2023 electioneering still haunt him and have even drawn the template for the 2025 gubernatorial election. His preference for the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar did not expose him as a tactical politician and a patriotic Anambrian or Igbo patriot. Not that every Anambra or Igbo person must support their own but that the political equation was clearly against Atiku Abubakar whose Fulani brother from the North was leaving office after eight years. But Soludo dabbed the injury with salt by attacking Obi as wasting time and blocking other people’s chances.

Not a few had thought that the backlash from Governor Soludo’s senseless attack on Obi should be a lesson going forward, but reports from Anambra State show no lessons learned.

Besides the political class undoubtedly led by the outstanding Peter Obi, reports indicate that Governor Soludo is also not on the same page on several issues with the church, traditional rulers, and traders whose tremendous goodwill Obi enjoys.

Anybody familiar with Anambra State should know that these three institutions are critical to every issue, including politics. Everybody in Anambra, so to say, is a trader. Therefore, any policy or act of government that adversely affects business in the state touches everyone and everything. The Onitsha main market is not the biggest in West Africa for nothing. The World Bank-type tax policy of the Soludo administration is not going down well with the people, needless to say.

His latest row with the church over burial rites that caused the venerated Archbishop Valerian Okeke to show open umbrage against Soludo could have been averted. If a church has done or is not doing what you like, a public arena is not the best place to bellyache over it. As important as political leaders are, what the church means to the people is so deep that deriding it openly will receive public condemnation. Soludo should have known that the church should be the last area to provoke as a politician looking for votes, no matter what.

We know that today’s churches have been bastardised, but in Igboland the wise one should try to avoid any collision with the Catholic or Anglican Church. Politicians never won any battle with the church in Igboland. Shouldn’t Soludo pick lessons from Hyde Onuaguluchi who broke the cross as a politician in the second republic or the Ikiri of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim who had issues with a priest? One had expected good politics from Soludo; apologising to the angry Archbishop there and then and receiving the blessing therein rather than allowing it to fester.

Another unnecessary fight from Soludo is with the traditional rulers. The suspension of the traditional ruler of Neni, Igwe Damian Ezeani, for conferring a title on a serving Senator, Ifeanyi Ubah, was unwise by any standard. Yes, some traditional rulers in Igboland have bastardised their titles; so has the church, the universities, judiciary with knighthood, honorary degrees, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria respectively. Media houses have joined the bandwagon with their annual patronising awards. Whatever anybody might say of Senator Ubah in Anambra State, he is not a riff-raff. He won a senate seat twice on the platform of an unknown political party and is on record to have touched more lives than any politician in his constituency.

Moreover, that he Ubah is challenging Soludo in the forthcoming election is the more reason his chieftaincy conferment should have been left alone. As if adding salt to an injury, the breach of protocol with the traditional rulers in handling the suspension was provocative enough to draw blood from the revered chair of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and Obi of Onitsha, Agbogidi Nnaemeka Achebe. The Shell BP-trained technocrat before taking his ancestor’s throne as a royal father commands respect nationally and internationally. Prof Soludo should have known that by even consulting him before the suspension of his member, the Igwe.

It’s not in dispute that Prof Soludo is an icon in his own right, but governing Anambra State requires some peculiar ingenuity. The most successful governor of the state, Peter Obi, approached governance with the trader mentality and achieved a lot. Governor Soludo should know that it is hard to lead mounted troops if you think you are too big to ride a horse. Archbishop Okeke and Igwe Achebe represent the Igbo finest personages in their respective sectors as they are indisputably purveyors of character and integrity and Governor Soludo should strive to be in their good books at all costs.

I would like to end this week’s discourse with the admonition from American satirist, Arnold Glasow: “One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognise a problem before it becomes an emergency.” Soludo and his spinners should have noticed these problems to prevent them from being a political issue in 2025.

Abonyi is an accomplished Journalist and Columnist

Adelami Becomes Ondo Deputy Governor As Assembly Confirms Nomination

Ayodele Oni

January 25, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed Dr Olayide Owolabi Adelami as the Deputy Governor of the State.

He was confirmed on Thursday at a plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Olamide Oladiji.

This is sequel to the submission and consideration of a report by the house selection committee Chaired by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji.

The house had earlier conducted screening exercise for the nominees at the assembly complex.

The Clerk of the House, Jaiyeola Benjamin read the letter sent to the House by the State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the consideration of the nominee for the vacant position of a Deputy Governor.

While submitting the report, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Prince Abayomi Akinruntan recommended the confirmation of the appointment of the nominee whom he affirmed has been properly screened.

Akinruntan said the nominee responded to all questions raised by the Committee in a very eloquent and explicit order, noting that he has a clear understanding of the position, adding that he possesses the required academic qualifications, physically, mentally and emotionally stable and fit to accomplish the task.

The report also stated that he has the required experience, charisma and the much needed exposure to function effectively.

The Majority leader of the House, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi moved the motion for the report to be considered and the nominee be confirmed and was seconded by Felix Afe representing Akoko North West 2.

The Speaker, Oladiji who moved for the confirmation, congratulated the Deputy Governor designate, urging him to put in his best and pledged the house support to the executive for the people to enjoy more democracy dividend.

In his response, Adelami appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for nominating him, promising not to betray his emotion and confidence reposed in him.

He also appreciated the lawmakers for the efforts they have put in place during the screening and confirmation noting that promoting understanding between arms of government will be his priority.

Dr Olayide Owolabi Adelami, a retired Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, who hails from Owo, promised to do everything at his disposal to function effectively, pledging not to disappoint the people of Ondo State .

Sokoto: Governor Aliyu’s Victory Upheld By Supreme Court

Akinwale Kasali

January 25, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Apex Court has upheld the victory of Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu.

In upholding it, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its Governorship candidate, Saidu Umar, which challenged the outcome of the Governorship election held in the state on March 18, 2023.

The Supreme Court, in its lead judgement delivered by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, held that it found no reason to set aside the concurrent judgements of the Court of Appeal and the Sokoto State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which dismissed the appeal that sought to upturn the election victory of Governor Aliyu, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

It would be recalled that the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had announced that Governor Aliyu polled a total of 453,661 votes to defeat his closest rival, Umar of the PDP who polled 404,632 votes.

Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, Umar and the PDP approached the tribunal, alleging that Aliyu and his deputy, Idris Gobir, were not eligible to contest the gubernatorial poll.

The petitioners contended that Governor Idris and his deputy did not secure the majority of valid votes that were cast at the election to be declared winners by INEC.

They further alleged that the election was not only marred by irregularities but was also not conducted in substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

Aside from alleging that the governor and his deputy submitted forged certificates, with variations of names, to INEC in aid of their qualification to contest the election, the petitioners added that electoral fraud occurred in 138 polling units in the state.

However, the three-man panel tribunal, in a judgement it delivered on September 30, 2023, dismissed the petition as lacking in merit.

The Justice Haruna Mshelia-led tribunal held that the petitioners were unable to prove any of the allegations they raised in the petition.

It held that evidence of most of the witnesses who testified for the PDP and its candidate were incompetent as their statements on oath were not front-loaded alongside the petition as required by law.

The tribunal held that the allegation of forgery, being criminal, ought to have been proved beyond reasonable doubt, a burden it said the petitioners failed to discharge.

Supreme Court Affirms Governor Fubara Duly Elected Rivers Governor

Akinwale Kasali

January 25, 2024

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State

By Akinwale Kasali

The Supreme Court, on Thursday, affirmed the victory of Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the March 18th, 2023 Governorship Election.

The Court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, dismissed as lacking in merit, an appeal the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Tonye Cole, filed to challenge the outcome of the governorship election in the state.

In the lead judgement delivered by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, the apex court said it found no reason to dislodge the concurrent verdicts of the Court of Appeal and the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld Fubara’s victory at the poll.

The court held that Cole did not establish that the election was not conducted in compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

It will be recalled that the APC pulled out from the case against Governor Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while it was being heard by the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

Despite the position of the party not to challenge the declaration of Fubara as winner of the gubernatorial contest by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr. Cole, vowed to prosecute his petition to its logical conclusion.

INEC had declared that Fubara of the PDP polled a total of 302,614 votes to defeat his closets rival, Cole of the APC who got a total of 95,274 votes.

Dissatisfied with the outcome of the poll, Cole approached the tribunal to challenge it.

The appellant, among other things, alleged that the Rivers State governorship poll was marred by corrupt practices, insisting that it was not conducted in substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

It would be recalled that Cole had alleged that Fubara did not validly resign his previous position as required by the law, before the election held.

He alleged that Fubara continued to sign documents as the Accountant-General of Rivers State, even after he was nominated as the candidate of the PDP for the governorship election.

Consequently, he urged the tribunal to nullify the Certificate of Return that was issued to Fubara and declare that he was not the bonafide winner of the election.

Cole further prayed the tribunal to declare that he was the authentic winner of the gubernatorial contest.

However, both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal dismissed his case for want of merit.

Though the appellate court, in the verdict it delivered on November 28, 2023, affirmed the unanimous judgement of the tribunal that dismissed Cole’s case, it, however, faulted the lower court over its position that the petition was invalidated by the withdrawal of APC which has the statutory responsibility of nominating and sponsoring a candidate for the election.

The appellate court held that the fact that APC withdrew from the petition against Fubara’s victory, did not prohibit its candidate, Cole, from pursuing the appeal in his own right.

The Supreme Court had earlier dismissed a separate appeal that was entered against Fubara by the candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, APM, in the election, Innocent Kere.

PSC Appoints Galadanci DIG, Promotes 1,897 Senior Officers

The Source

January 25, 2024

The Police Service Commission on Tuesday, January, 23rd, 2024, approved the appointment of AIG Dasuki Galadanci AIG incharge of Zone 12 Bauchi as a Deputy Inspector General of Police to represent the North West Geopolitical zone of the country. He will replace DIG Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje who is expected to retire 2nd of February this year.

The Commission also approved the promotion of 1897 senior Police Officers to their next substantive ranks.

The Commission elevated 14 Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police. However, one of the Commissioners for promotion to AIG was stepped down to enable the Commission review the Pending Disciplinary Matters against the Officer which was sent to the Commission by the Nigeria Police Force.

The new AIGs, according to a statement signed by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Information, PSC, are: Yetunde O. Longe, CP Eastern Ports, Portharcourt; Haruna Gabriel Garba, CP Federal Capital Territory; Tajudeen Akinwale Abass, CP Delta State; Rex Dundun, CP General Investigation, FCID Annex Kaduna; Durosinmi Olatoye, CP Akwa Ibom State; Afolabi Babatola Adeniyi, CP Adamawa State; Abiodun Oladimeji Asabi, CP Ondo State; CP Julius Alawari Okoro; CP Plateau state; George Chijioke Chuku, CP Benue State; Paul Alifa Omata, CP K9 Force Headquarters; Yusuf Adesina Akeem, CP Research and Development, Force Headquarters; Bzigu Yakabu kwazhi Dali, CP Osun State; Idris Nagoyo, Police Mounted troop Squadron and Cp Ogundare Dare Emmanuel, Cp Ekiti state.

The Commission also promoted 21 Deputy Commissioners of Police to the substantive rank of Commissioners ; 20 Assistant Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners, 109 Chief Superintendents to Assistant Commissioners and 184 Superintendents to Chief Superintendents.

It, also, considered and approved the promotion of 1549 Assistant Superintendents to Deputy Superintendents.

The Commission Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police who presided over the Management Meeting of the Commission has accordingly given anticipatory approval for the appointment of one DIG and promotion of 1897 senior Police Officers recommended to the Commission by the Inspector General of Police.

The 14 Commissioners of Police and 21 Deputy Commissioners appeared before the Management of the Commission for an interactive promotion interview, a condition precedent for their elevation to the next ranks.

Dr. Arase, at the interactive session, charged the Officers to quickly settle down to their new ranks and go forth and win the war against banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes in the country.

Dr. Arase said the nation is facing an avoidable unprecedented wave of criminal assaults on all fronts and said the Commission is uncomfortable with the trend of events.

The PSC Chairman enjoined the Officers to settle down and crime map their various areas of responsibility by being conversant with trends and patterns of crimes in their domain and should be able to engage in predictive policing to mitigate the current criminal disorders by criminal gangs now mauruding across the lenght and breadth of the country.

As senior Officers, he said they must be held responsible for any relapse in the security apparatus of the nation adding that they must see their new ranks as a call to greater dedication to the service of their fatherland. “These promotions should further ignite the indomitable fighting spirit of the Officers and Men”,he admonished the newly promoted Officers.

The Deputy Commissioners promoted to the next rank of substantive Commissioners are; Olanrewaju Peter Ogunlowo, Assistant Chief of Mission in Somalia; Mohammed Dahiru, DCP State CID Adamawa; Sunday Olukayode, DCP Operations, Plateau State; Peter Ukachi Opara, DCP Admin, Imo State; Illiyasu Yahaya Kwarbai, DCP investagion Zonal Command Bauchi; Bello Mohammed Sani, DCP Projects Monitoring, IGP Secretariat; Mohammed Umar Abba, DCP State CID, Delta Command; Dankombo Faling Morris, DCP Ops Adamawa Command; Bello Shehu, National Defence College; Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba; DCP Zonal CID Kano; Ahmed Musa, DCP State CID, FCT Cmd, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, former Force Public Relations Officer and currently DCP General Investigation Unit, FCID Annex, Gombe; Simeon Udofia Akpanudom, DCP Ops Cross Rivers State Command; Olugbemiga Emmanuel Adesina, DCP Benue State Command and David Iloyanomon, DCP Administration. Anambra Command.

Others are; Haruna Olufemi, DCP Force Intelligence Bureau; Rose Chollom Dung, DCP Administration, Bauchi Command; Obono Nnaghe Itam, DCP Operations Zone 6 Calabar; Adedamola Waheed Ayilara, DCP FCID Panti Lagos; Abel Jangnap Miri Zwalchir, DCP ICT Administration Force Headquarters and Ifeanyi Uka DCP/ second in Command Works, Force Headquarters Abuja.

The 20 Assistant Commissioners of Police promoted to Deputy Commissioners, include ; Gerald Ngoziabata, Nigerian Army Resource Centre; Okenla Oluseyi ACP DFA, Cooperatives, Lagos; Olubunmi Fakeye, ACP Police College Ikeja; Ayodeji Adelogagunduro, Area Commander Ayetoro, Ogun State; Samuel Dalti Dang of Armament section, Force Headquarters;

Some of the CSPs promoted to Assistant Commissioners are; Casmir Ihiezu, Lagos Command; Charity Belema Megbope, Ogun Command; Gamaliel Alex, Rivers State Command ; Sani Ahmed, DPO Awada Anambra stste; Cecilia Aniedy Udo, DPO Mini Okoro, Portharcourt; CSP Dalapo Badmos, CSP Administration Provost Marshal Force Headquarters; Adamu Ahmadu, Commander C41 Intelligence Unit, Rivers State Command; CSP Collins Eruogu, former Commanding Officer 33PMF and presently Commander AKS/RRS Anambra State Command; CSP Isreal Effiong Ukpong 2/ic 19PMF Portharcourt; CSP Linus Uche Nwaiwu, Police Training school, Nekede, Imo state; CSP Onoh Charles, CSP Administration ICT, Force Headquarters; CSP Abubakar Abdulkarim, DPO Kubwa FCT; CSP Taiwo Oladipupo Akingbehin, Commander EOD, Force Headquarters Annex Ikeja; CSP Moses Odu Osor, Zone 7 Abuja; CSP Garba Bala, DPO Dawakin, FCT; CSP Benjamin Igometi and CSP Chinna Joe-Iruobe of the Veterinary section, Force Headquarters.

Some of the 184 Officers promoted to CSP from the rank of SPs are; Victor Olowola; Ibrahim Abdullahi; Hassiani Audu; Stephen Bob Samuel; Mohammed Alhaji; Onukafor Kingsley Nkuma, ADC to the Governor of Anambra State; Fabian Iloabanafor, Commander CP Monitoring and Surveillance team, Ebonyi state Command; Luka Paul Sambo, DPO New Benin, Benin City, Edo State and Agboni Jacob Christopher, 54 PMF, Onitsha;

The approval has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.

OPINION: Hurray, My Dead Community School Resurrects!

The Source

January 25, 2024

By Steve Osuji

About two years ago, this column had bemoaned what it described as the ‘Demise of my Old Community Primary School’. Illustrated with ugly photos of a crumbling edifice with roofs caved in and the surroundings taken over by weeds. It was a picture of dereliction writ large.

Readers of the article had mourned with me, many mooting the idea of initiating a self-help drive to rebuild the school. Apparently moved by the Igbo spirit of communalism and self-improvement, some men and women of Ibeme town who returned for the year-end seasonal festivities in 2022 couldn’t bear the sight anymore. They decided to take their destiny in their hands.

The seed of Ibeme Unity and Development Initiative (IUDI) was sown in December 2022. IUDI idea found fertile grounds among Ibeme forward-looking sons and daughters and the seed grew in leaps and bounds. It was registered as an NGO designed to help forge unity between the two autonomous communities that make up Ibeme in Ugiri, Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.

Like many other towns in Imo State, Ibeme had been deeply fractured by the vile politics of autonomous communities imposed by equally vile politicians. Since the return of partisan politics, many states in the southeast have been mired by the idea of creating myriads of mushroom communities ostensibly for deepening grassroots development.

But the dozens of little fiefdoms have only created more discord among the people and little progress and development. Friction and bad blood have grown between two hitherto single communities; tussle for ezeship which linger for decades have been the order and brothers have become mortal enemies in many places.

Ibeme had her share of autonomous communities’ blues – and nary any development had been occasioned by the break up of Ibeme.

Those who envisioned IUDI had this scenario in mind. It shall promote unity and harmony among the people and work fervently for the progress and development of the entire homeland.

IUDI, is a model NGO, we dare say, and it shall be fiercely apolitical.

It has a peculiar administrative structure viz: a Board of Trustees; a Management Committee and a General Council. By the end of the first quarter of 2O23, registration of IUDI with the CAC had been concluded and funding raising started by August.

Ibeme sons and daughters, home and in diaspora responded to the call with a rare enthusiasm never known before in the land. Many donated as little as ten thousand naira while some brought in the significant millions. Many contributed materials and some gave of their time and skills – pro bono.

Soon there was enough funds in the kitty to begin. It was a complete revamp of the E block made up of 12 classrooms and the principal’s office. The project gulped about N25m.

Accountability was the watchword; and no member was allowed to profit from any aspect of the project as a matter of rule. The work which started in September was completed and handed over on January 4th this year.

IUDI enjoyed the buy in of the traditional rulers of the two autonomous communities making up Ibeme (Ibeme Amaise Heritage Kingdom and Ibeme Ancient Kingdom). The people of Ibeme were joyous as they marvelled at the scope of work accomplished in such and short period. This is an unprecedented feat in Ibeme, everyone seemed to say.

Other stakeholders like the Presidents-General, Local Government Education Board, the Imo State Universal Education Board (IMSUBEB), among others were properly apprised of the IUDI mission.

During the handover of the completed work a couple of weeks ago, the IMSUBEB chairman, represented by board member for Okigwe, was full of praise for IUDI and Ibeme people as a whole. He said Ibeme raised the bar in the noble art of self- improvement and development.

Of course, it’s the long-held Igbo ethos of ibu anyi danda; the same spirit that drove Ndigbo to build the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA) in the 80s before crowd funding was born, baptised and made a modern vogue.

It bears emphasising that SMICA is the only airport in Nigeria built solely by the people. It is also remarkable that Ibeme Community School (ICS) which is 80 years today, (having been founded in 1944) was established through the communal efforts of our fathers who sojourned in Port Harcourt.

In closing, it needs to be reported that it’s not only the primary school that was dilapidated, the entire Ibeme is in disrepair lacking roads, hospital and other basic infrastructure.

IUDI as a change agent is poised to kick off another project as help doesn’t seem to be coming from anywhere soon. Across the country, the LGAs which are set up to cater for the grassroots have been hamstrung by state governments. This is why a school would go to ruins in the first place – because the LGA system in Nigeria has failed.

While others would choose to sit down and lament this sad situation, IUDI would rather seize the bull by the horn and take action.

As IUDI kicks off her PROJECT 2024, it beckons on friends, associates and all people of goodwill to come give a hand of support.

Osuji, an accomplished Journalist, Columnist, former Member, Editorial Board, The Nation, was the Special Adviser to Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, former Governor, Imo State.

Aiyedatiwa’s Team Unfolds

Ayodele Oni

January 25, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Exactly 27 days in the saddle of governance of Ondo state, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has started to unfold his identity and assert himself as the executive Governor of the State.

Since his swearing-in as Governor after the death of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Governor Aiyedatiwa has been behaving as if he does not understand what the new office entails.

There have been shouts here and there that Aiyedatiwa had been too slow in taking some vital decisions, especially making a choice of his deputy. The silence and long period gave birth to various opinions about the person and area where the deputy will emerge.

A school of thought advised that in honour of his late boss, the Deputy should come from Owo. There is another thinking that the central senatorial too is qualify, while some religious faith maintained that the nominee must be a Muslim and possibly a woman, if gender would be considered.

There were occasions that some members of the dissolved executive council openly tackled, insulted and harassed the governor over decisions he took. Even at the level of the state executive council meeting, the reality has not fell on members to see that Aiyedatiwa is now the executive governor of Ondo state.

It is no surprise when the news came on Wednesday that the state executive council had been dissolved with all political appointees of the late Governor Akeredolu sacked.

There was this comment on the Facebook page of a former member of the House of Representatives, Mike Omogbein which captured what Aiyedatiwa actually faced in the hand of the former political office holders.

Omogbein wrote “There’s a Yoruba adage; Eni f’oju ana w’oku, ebora a bo laso!

“You must know when there’s a shift in power and stop undermining the new sheriff, even if he was your house boy.

“You guys are lucky that we’re in a democracy and Ayedatiwa is not a retired General like OBJ, you should have been despatched with some strokes of the cane for gross disrespect to authority.

“You expect him to wait till the burial of your former boss, but you want to continue in the business of disrespecting him forever, abi?

I have no more an atom of respect for you guys..Good radiance to bad rubbish….arrogant, power drunk, spoilt brats dede!

Ondo State would be better for it….”

When the expected news of dissolution was made public even civil servants could not hide their joy as at one of the ministries, the former Commissioner there was openly harassed and chased out of office due to his unfriendly attitude to the workers. There was another particular one that received loud ovation from the workers too for his excellent performance. They even urged Aiyedatiwa to reappoint him.

To be followed immediately after the dissolution were appointments. First was that of the deputy governor. In this one, Aiyedatiwa listened to pleas for an Owo indigene, but he did not fall into the trap set for him with some names suggested for him.

Rather than picking one of the politicians as his deputy, Aiyedatiwa went for a Technocrat whose name did not ring bell among political actors in the state, in person of Olayide Adelami, a former deputy clerk of the national assembly.

There is this position that the choice of an elderly and Technocrat to fill that position is best for the governor, especially now that it is becoming clearer that he will have a shot at the governorship. Any appointment to be made now by Aiyedatiwa must be in tandem with his aspiration. One is not surprised when he brought back Tayo Oluwatuyi, aka Tukana from Akure as the secretary to the state government. Oluwatuyi once served in that position during the first term of late Governor Akeredolu.

Oluwatuyi, is a grassroot politician from Akure and highly respected. He once served as chairman of Akure South local government. He will surely use his credibility to mobilize for Aiyedatiwa at that area. Definitely, he will be on the field with the Governor to canvass for votes.

Those that will now emerge as members of the state executive council too are definitely going to be loyalists of Mr Governor and likely form part of the electoral college during the primary to elect a governorship candidate in April. The people of the state look forward to know the new set of Commissioners that will work with Governor Aiyedatiwa.

How Speculated Return Of Former Emir Sanusi Landed APC Chief In Jail

The Source

January 25, 2024

By Daniel Maduka

The festering alleged moves by the Kano State authorities to reinstate deposed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammad Sanusi Lamido on Tuesday January 23, 2024, recorded its first major casualty , with the arrest, arraignment and subsequent remand in a Kano Correctional facility of fiery Kano politician and social critic, Alhaji Abdulmajid Danbiliki,aka. Kwanmanda.

His ordeal came minutes before the commencement of a scheduled interactive session with The source News Magazine on some sundry issues ranging from the recent call by a purported APC Youth Group for the removal of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the National Chairman, to an insight in to how the party in Kano is coping post Supreme Court affirmation of rival New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP,s Abba Kabir Yusuf as the duly elected Governor of the state.

Danbiliki, a prominent member of both President Bola Tinubu ,and Nasiru Gawuna campaign organizations during the 2023 general elections was reportedly arrested by security operatives over alleged incendiary and provocative comments during a Kano local Radio programme.

The APC chieftain, is alleged to have threatened to mobilize the people in making the Centre of Commerce ungovernable, should the State authorities go ahead to make good their alleged plans to railroad Sanusi back to the throne.

Alhaji Abdullmajd, an unrepentant and vocal critic of the Kwankwasia political movement and its progenitor, former Presidential Candidate of the NNPP and former Governor of kano , Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, was remanded, after ruling on his bail application was reserved for January 29 ,by a Kano magistrate court .

The current ordeal of Danbiliki has, however, once more, brought to the front burner the heightened apprehensions, tension and anxiety that have persistently trailed the fate of the deposed Emir Sanusi and the five Emirs that subsequently emerged from the ashes of his dethronement in 2021 by the immediate past Governor of the state Dr Ganduje.

Since mounting the saddle ,Governor Yusuf, himself a scion of the Kano Royal Family, has not done much to clear the air, with his mien and that of his Political benefactor Rabiu Kwankwaso rather accentuating speculations that the subsisting royal architecture may not have been cast in stone.

Instructively, the clamour for the return of the deposed Emir is as old as the Government of Governor Yusuf, whose inauguration on May 29 2023 was over shadowed by chants by some widely perceived rented youths for Sanusi’s reinstatement

The Source’s findings have revealed that the fate of deposed Emir Sanusi and those of the present five Royal fathers of the State is being keenly monitored by not a few stakeholders and residents, who believe strongly that it holds equally much stake for the peace of the commercial hub of the Northern Region.

” Well, the sincere prayers of many well meaning people of kano is for wisdom and understanding to prevail on the issue at hand .

“We are grateful that Kano residents so far have proved to Nigerians and the entire world that they can manage their political differences, going by the peace prevalent in the state after the Supreme court judgment .

I believe that the same wisdom will be applied in the case of the speculations or what ever surrounding the royal stool of Kano .

I know that our leaders from all the political divides are conscious of the need to preserve the peace ,unity and cohesion among the people. In all , I can assure that in the end the over all interests of Kano people, the peace and stability of the state will supersede all other considerations” a prominent kano opinion leader stated.

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