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Shehu Sani Says Ondo Political Drama Reminiscence Of Late President Yar’Adua’s Era

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has said the continued absence of Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, from his duty post is not new in Nigeria politics.

Sani criticized the refusal of Akeredolu to resume duties months after his return from overseas medical leave, despite transmitting to the State House of Assembly that he has resumed.

Mr Sani, in a short post, compared the current situation in the state with that of the late President Musa Yar’Adua.

“Ondo State is in the Yar’Adua quagmire situation,” Mr Sani, who represented Kaduna central senatorial district in the 9th National Assembly, posted on X account.

“In 2009, Nigerians witnessed a similar political impasse when Mr Yar’Adua, seeking medical treatment overseas, refused to hand over power to his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan.

“Mr Yar’Adua’s hard-line kitchen cabinet and family members also hijacked the presidency and held on to power by refusing Mr Jonathan to ‘act’ in the absence of the president. It took the National Assembly’s invocation of the “Doctrine of Necessity’’ to resolve the stalemate.

“Ailing Governor Akeredolu, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, was one of the vocal voices at the time, asking Mr Yar’Adua to hand over power.”

However, Mr Sani’s criticism of the continued absence of Mr Akeredolu from the state re-echoed the protests by the opposition groups over the failure of the governor to hand over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Mr Akeredolu, who is on second-term tenure, has yet to return to the state more than three months after his return to the country from a medical trip overseas.

Different political groups including members of the opposition party have berated the governor for still holding on to power despite his health challenges.

The state government stated Mr Akeredolu still attends to files and official documents on his sick bed despite his health challenges.

“As I’m standing before you now, I sent two files to Mr governor and two files came back within a week and he approved what I asked for,” Bamidele Olateju-Ademola, the state commissioner for information and orientation, said in a recent interview.

Why Ooni Visited Kuje Prison, Says Not For Emefiele

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ooni of Ife visits Kuje prison

By Ayodele Oni

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has confirmed his visit to Kuje prison early this week but said he was not there to discuss with  former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, explained to journalists in Ile Ife that Oba Ogunwusi was at the correctional facility at the instance of a Non-Governmental Organisation, (NGO)owned by one of his wives,  Temitope, Hopes Alive Initiative, (HAI), which is on advocacy to the correction centre.

He said the programme, which was organized in partnership with Kuje correctional authority, centred around giving hope to inmates on reintegration into society after completing their terms, and the Ooni was part of it, in commemoration of his eighth anniversary.

“The intent of those spreading the news was to blackmail the monarch; there is nothing hidden about the event. In any case, the king never met Emefiele because it was an official event organized by the NGO in conjunction with the Kuje Correction Centre.

“The programme centres around giving hope to the inmate that, after serving out their terms, they still have hope to reintegrate back to the society. The Arole Ooni was invited to chair the event in commemoration of his eighth anniversary on the throne.

“What is exclusive about a public programme where different public figures spoke and representatives of the inmate also spoke? How then did the Ooni manage to meet Emefiele?

“We must be careful with how people spread falsehoods about people. The video of the event is available to the public. I am not even sure Emefiele attended the programme because he is only in detention and not an inmate yet, so why link the programme to Emefiele? It is simply to achieve blackmail.”

ECOWAS Lament Insecurity In West Africa, Fault Coups In Mail, Niger, Burkina As Fuelling Crisis

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Omar Touray, the Economic Community of West Africa States, ECOWAS, Commission President has lamented the coups in Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Mail as fuelling insecurity in West Africa.

Touray made this assertion in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital, during his welcome remarks at the 51st Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial Level on Wednesday.

He noted that the overall security environment in the region has continued to be challenged.

He said, “On the political front, the transition roadmaps and timetables agreed with the transition authorities in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso for rapid and peaceful restoration of constitutional order have been implemented at varied paces amid worsening security situations.

“The attempted coup d’état in Niger has further distracted attention from the support to these transition processes as the transition countries seek to forge solidarity with the military authorities in the Republic of Niger, thereby creating an impression of a divide between them and ECOWAS.”

Touray noted that these military coups are not only “based on fake narratives and false justifications; they are also a driver of insecurity in the region.”

To drive home the gravity of the insecurity to which military coups contributed from January 1–October 23, 2023, the President said, “In just Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, a total of 4.8 million people face food insecurity, 2.4 million people are internally displaced, and close to 9 000 schools remain closed.

“A disaggregation of the data shows that Burkina Faso has the highest number of food-insecure people—close to 2.2 million—followed by Niger with 1.9 million and Mali with about 800,000.

“Burkina Faso also accounts for the largest number of internally displaced people—about 2 million—while Mali and Niger each have close to half a million displaced persons. The number of schools closed stands at 6,000 in Burkina Faso, 1,700 in Mali, and 1,000 in Niger.

Dissecting the insecurity menace in West Africa, Touray said, “From January to November 30, 2023, the number of terrorist attacks in Burkina was 1,256; in Mali, 1,032; and in Niger, 391. The figures in terms of casualties were 4,788 in Burkina Faso, 2,174 in Mali, and 606 in Niger.”

He further noted that the persistence of insecurity and instability has driven the humanitarian needs of millions of vulnerable populations to new heights and further weakened their resilience.

He said, “We have a huge humanitarian situation in our hands, which will take decades to resolve. Internal displacement and forced migration, food insecurity, poor nutrition, and educational challenges, amongst others, remain serious concerns.

“Humanitarian access has remained more complex and restricted, making it difficult for millions of civilians trapped in conflict zones and displaced persons to be reached. This is particularly the case with our people in the frontline states of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria.”

He, however, pledged that the region would continue “to make efforts for a quick return to constitutional order in these Member States,” adding that “as part of our humanitarian response, the Commission is taking several significant steps to increase its intervention assistance, including the deployment of some funds from the Counterterrorism Fund to provide for basic education to conflict-affected children, livelihood support, and resilience building.”

NDLEA Warns Public Against Trending Online Drug Sales

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has disclosed that there are certain Online Platforms where illicit Drugs are being sold.

The Agency urged Nigerians to be at alert, describing this trend as the new dimension in which drug is being abused in the country.

The NDLEA Commander in Kwara State, Ibrahim Mohammed, said drug abuse is a global phenomenon, common among youths, and the new fad of Online Drug Sales is another dimension used by dealers in selling the wares to their clients and prospective clients.

Speaking on the title, “Uprise in Drug Abuse, Role of Parents”, at a Week Long International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Week celebrations, organised by the Kwara State chapter, in Ilorin, the State Capital, Mohammed said menace of Drugs is major issue which shouldn’t be treated with kid gloves, urging Parents to be watchful of their children, their behaviour, friends and their lifestyles.

He stated: “We call it the darknet where drugs are being sold online without the seller and the buyer knowing each other. All they need is contact and they make the call and the substance is delivered. It is very common here now.

“What we have been doing is to see how to intercept them, especially the waybill coming from neighbouring states through some commercial vehicles. We have intensified our patrol system around the state.

“We are gathering intelligence and making very good use of it. We have intercepted quite a number of them through control delivery.”

The Anti-graft czar appreciated Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s proactiveness, as he supported the agency with infrastructure to tackle the menace.

Mohammed stressed that the prevalence of drug use, abuse and addiction had led to increase in crime rate, asserted that there is no crime without drug undertone.

He suggested some preventive measures against the menace such as family harmony and bonding, affection and love for family members, proactive and positive parenting. He advised parents not to be judgmental but ensure effective monitoring of their children, among others.

According to the Chairperson of Kwara FIDA, Gloria Okoduwa, phones have taken many children away from their parents, and that family discussion has now been neglected.

She announced plans by FIDA to take a campaign against drug abuse and its effect to major markets and other public places in the state to drive down the message, saying that many parents failed the generation with their poor parenting attitude.

Kaduna Airstrike: ACF Says Soldiers “Gone Rogue” Under Tinubu, Dropping “Bombs On Our People”

By
James Orji
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A top member of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Prof. Usman Yusuf says President Bola Tinubu does not care about the security in the country. His focus is on the economy, the NEF chieftain said on Tuesday in an interview on Arise Television.

Prof. Yusuf spoke on the heels of the killings of some people in Kaduna on Monday by an armed drone belonging to the Nigerian Army.

The Army said its target was some terrorists planning to attack the state.

As of Tuesday, the death toll has hit over 120 according to report from the state, while others who are critically injured from the incident are still in the hospital receiving treatment.

President Tinubu had ordered investigation into the incident.

The university don while reacting to the issue stated that the body language of the president does not indicate that he’s interested in taming the hydra-headed insecurity in the country.

As the commander-in-chief of the Armed forces of Nigeria, the Professor stated more supervision of the military is expected of him, but President Tinubu he noted has allowed the armed forces to go “rogue, dropping bombs on our people”.

Prof Yusuf said, “Our president and commander in chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from his words, deeds, and body language, is not interested in security. All he’s interested in is the economy, where the money is, and he’s planted his people. Security, banditry, and others appear irritant to him.

“We don’t see the president hands-on with our security. Our military is not supervised by civilian authority; they’ve gone rogue, dropping bombs on our people, and they’re not answerable to anybody. In the United States, where we copied the presidential system, the military is subordinate to civilian authority.”

Yusuf said the incident in Kaduna must be properly investigated.

He said: “Whatever the president is planning to do, the military cannot investigate itself. We’ve had several incidences, and there have been no outcomes.

“There should be an independent judicial panel headed by a retired CJN, a former defence chief, traditional leaders, and religious leaders who are interested in protecting the people.”

MURIC Flays Kaduna Accidental Bombing By Army, Wants Culprits Punished

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has described as carelessness and lack of professionalism the killing of innocent muslim adherents in a village in Kaduna State whole celebrating birth of Prophet Muhammad by the military.

The Islamic group tasked the Federal Government to investigate the bombing of the 120 villagers in Tudun-Biri, Igabi Local Government of Kaduna State by the Nigerian Army.

Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director, MURIC, said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

“Army drones killed 120 innocent villagers at Tudun-Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday, Dec. 3. The victims were celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) when the ugly incident occurred.

“Although the Nigerian Army has accepted responsibility for the attack. We strongly condemn the killing of unarmed and innocent villagers. The incident reflects carelessness and lack of professionalism.

“MURIC demands full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this disaster. Those found responsible for the callous murder of these innocent Muslim villagers must be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“We also demand full compensation for lives lost and properties destroyed in this thoughtless attack. Live is sacred and soldiers should not turn innocent civilians to lawful targets of their killing machines.”

Already, report said the Nigerian Army has donated N10 million to take care survivors of the incident just as it was reported that some of those receiving treatment died.

Hope: Supremely Legitimised Again

By
The Source
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Onwuasoanya FCC Jones

By Onwuasoanya FCC Jones

Yesterday,(Tuesday) a final nail was drilled down the coffin of the last vestige of judicial distraction on the legitimacy of His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma as the duly elected and legitimately affirmed governor of Imo State, when the Nigerian Supreme Court took Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome to the cleaners for deceiving his clients, by bringing a matter, that is both statue barred and ridiculously vexatious to the Supreme Court, apparently to waste the time of the court.

Before yesterday, Governor Hope Uzodimma has had to contend with numerous other challenges to his legitimacy as the governor of Imo State, and on each occasion he has come out victorious, dusting his opponents and their supporters. These series of judicial and political distractions are enough to excuse poor performance in his first term as governor, but it is creditable to posit that the distinguished power player and indubitably benevolent leader, has not only refused to be distracted, but has performed creditably, to contend with Dee Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory, as one of the best governors Imo State has had since its creation. There will be enough time to discuss this, subsequently.

His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, even though he wasn’t a party to the case decided yesterday by the Supreme Court, is the biggest victor in this matter, because it brings a final closure to any argument or confusion about the legitimacy of his governorship in the first term, while he prepares to, in the next 40 days or thereabouts, to renew his oath of office as the overwhelmingly reelected governor of Imo State.

The Justices of the Supreme Court did not just throw away the case because it was statute-barred or on any other technical grounds, but also reaffirmed that the verdict of the apex court on the 14th of January, 2020 was not in error, but correctly given and in tune with justice. Given that this reaffirmation of Governor Uzodimma’s victory in the 2019 election is coming under a different CJN and under a completely different panel of Supreme Court panel, it clears every doubt about its incorruptibility and fairness, except for those who want to remain stuck in malicious envy and denial, this judgement affirms that Governor Uzodimma is the man elected by majority of Imo voters in the 2019 governorship election and variously affirmed by the judiciary.

The essence of the judiciary is to intercede and correct acts of injustice, whether assumed or real. Governor Uzodimma equipped with relevant evidence, approached the courts in 2019 seeking to be declared governor with INEC authorised results from different polling units, but which, as was confirmed by the supreme court, unlawfully excluded from the final compilation of the result of that election. While it was expected that everyone would align to the judgement of the Supreme Court after it was delivered and either work with the governor or channel their efforts towards winning the next election, the governor had the unusual experience of being litigated against, up till one month to the end of his tenure.

While I would have preferred and even advised that this matter was withdrawn before this time, as it obviously had no path to succeeding and was more or less an unnecessary distraction, I am happy that it has been brought to a logical end, and opens an opportunity for everyone, to focus energy and resources on what truly matters, it also makes an eediot of anyone who tries to question the legitimacy of the governor or ever make mention that he was unelected by Imo people. Those who seek to be in opposition, going forward, must play it, more responsibly, forthwith.

The governor will be going into his second term with less distractions and assuredly, with better performance. Because, if he could execute the signature projects and achieve some laudable reforms he achieved in his first term with all the distractions he had to contend with, then, Imolites can be sure that the next four years will be the best we have had since the creation of Imo State in 1976.

IMO HAS WON!

Onwuasoanya is an accomplished analyst and commentator on current issues

DSS: COPIN Calls For Jackson Ude’s Arrest

By
James Orji
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Yusuf Magaji Bichi - DSS DG

Jackson Ude’s allegation of fraud against Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, is false, says the Coalition for Peace in Nigeria, COPIN.

Ude, a controversial blogger had published a report alleging that the DSS boss siphoned subsidy funds allocated to the staff of the agency by the federal government.

The spokesman for the DSS has denied the allegation in a statement made available to the media.

The Civil society group made this known in a statement on Wednesday, saying its investigations proved that Ude lied against the DSS boss.

The group called on security agencies in the country to invite Ude for questioning, to substantiate his claim, failure to do so, COPIN stated he must be prosecuted “to serve as deterrence to mess-of-pottage activists.”

The statement signed in Abuja by COPIN National Coordinator, Pharmacist Emeka Akwuobi, said Bichi has been on its radar since his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018, stressing that nothing incriminating has been found against him.

According to COPIN, “Our regular evaluation reports of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in relation to performance have continued to put the Department of State Services (DSS) at the top of the radar.

“In his latest outing, our team found that Jackson Ude accused DG Bichi of alleged looting of grants meant for staff of the service.

“Upon seeing his post on X, we commissioned our crack team to unravel the truth or otherwise of the allegation of impropriety against the leadership of the foremost domestic intelligence agency.

“Our findings will shock members of the public: no subsidy grants, in whatever description, have been released for personnel of the Department of State Services.

“The question we pose to Use and his paymasters is: can you loot what you do not have?

“Nigerians should, please, identify and shame the likes of Ude, who seek to pull down hard-working and patriotic leaders whose only disposition is to make Nigeria greater than she is currently.

“We, therefore, call on relevant security agencies to, as a matter of national security, invite Ude to substantiate his allegation against DG Bichi, failure of which he should be prosecuted, to serve as deterrence to mess-of-pottage activists.”

Kaduna Bombing Error: Obi Mourns, Urges More Diligence From Troops

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25, 2023 General election, Peter Obi, has reacted to the mistaken Army bombing of Tudun Biri village in Igabi local government area of Kaduna state describing it as most unfortunate.

Obi advised the military authorities to always apply extreme caution and professionalism while defending the country to avoid any situation that will lead to the loss of lives of innocent citizens.

Obi said in his X handle that such an accident is painful and that no nation would desire it even in a war situation.

“I read with sadness, the devastating reports of the accidental bombing of Tudun Biri Village in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, by a Nigerian Army craft that mistook the villagers for terrorists.

“The lethal incident left death tolls reported to have risen to 80 persons, with several others injured.

“While our military continues to fight impressively against insecurity in many parts of the country, they must exercise utmost caution and professionalism to avoid this kind of embarrassment to both the military and the country.

The LP standard bearer advised that “Any incident that leads to harm or loss of lives of the innocent people they are meant to protect should be avoided.

He noted that “Even though the mishap is one too many, the security agencies should work with reliable human intelligence report on the ground before any offensive attack to avoid innocent casualties as has been reported in this case.

“Fatal mistakes like this leave indelible trauma on the families who have lost their loved ones to this ugly and unfortunate mishap.

He commiserated with families that lost their loved ones. And to the dead, I pray God Almighty to forgive their sins and grant them eternal rest, and quick healing to the injured.  And prayed that such a mistake lead to a sorrowful outcome, as this, never happen again in our country.

“Regrettably, the problem of insecurity in our nation has persisted for so long that we are now paying such unintended human costs as collateral damage.-PO

Imo: Who’s PDP Chairman?

By
James Orji
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Barely 24 hours after the state’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman Charles Ugwu was suspended by a group in the party, another group within the party has maintained that he remained the chairman.

On Tuesday, the state PDP Secretary, Njaka Duruiheoma announced the suspension of Ugwu, a former Minister of Commerce and Industry from his position.

According to a statement signed by the PDP scribe, the minister was suspended for alleged misconduct.

The statement further stated that the Zonal Chairman of the party for the Okigwe zone, Chidi Dike, has been appointed in his place as the Acting state Chairman.

However in another group in the party led by its Legal Adviser, Kissinger Ikoku said Ugwu remains the chairman of the PDP in the state, he urged the public to ignore his purported removal, saying the embattled chairman still enjoys the support of majority of members in the State Working Committee, SWC), and State Executive Committee, SEC.

According to a statement made available to the media on Wednesday, the Legal Adviser said some elements in the party were out to destroy it, he appealed to members of the party in the state to remain steadfast.

Ikoku described the “resolution” passed by some members of the PDP executive in the state removing the chairman as a nullity.

He cited ‘article 47 (3) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as amended, to support his position.

The Legal Adviser condemned what he described as “an unlawful attempt to undermine the democratic processes within the PDP structure,” in the state.

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