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Senegal Crisis: Falana Calls On ECOWAS To Sanction Sall

By
James Orji
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Senegal President Sall

Femi Falana, a human rights activist has called on the Economic Community of West African Countries, ECOWAS, to sanction President Macky Sall of Senegal for postponing the presidential election.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said all Senegalese government officials involved in the shift of the presidential poll should be sanctioned too.

President Sall had shifted the election amidst various human right violations by his government, including the arrest and harassment of opposition leaders, Ousmane Sonko in the west African country.

The election was billed originally billed for February 25, and campaign were billed to start in few days before the government announced the shift.

It’s the fist time that the presidential election was postponed in the country where democratic government has endured despite some frictions among various parties trying to take power.

The shift has caused a division in the country after the National Assembly postponed the election for 10 months.

In a statement on Wednesday, Falana said Sally and other government officials need to be sanctioned by ECOWAS for trying to truncate democracy in the now very volatile country, adding that the sudden postponement was a constitutional coup by President Sally, stressing that the action is inconsistent with the provisions of ECOWAS treaties and protocols including Article 45 (2) of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance signed by Senegal.

Part of the statement, said, “The ECOWAS leaders should consider imposing targeted sanctions, including imposing travel bans, asset freezes and other targeted sanctions on Mr Sall and officials of his government responsible for serious violations of the democratic rights of the people of Senegal.

“Since then, he (Sall) has been manipulating the democratic process to install his surrogate. The illegal postponement of the elections is due to President Sacky Mall’s fear that his chosen candidate would be rejected in the polls by the Senegalese people,” Falana said.

“The postponement of the elections is also a fundamental breach of the Lome Declaration and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance which Senegal has signed. Senegal signed the charter on December 15, 2008, and as such, the government has a good faith obligation to comply with the provisions of the charter.

“The postponement of the elections suggests a deliberate ploy by Mr Sall to manipulate the country’s constitution in order to hold onto power against the will of the people and popular aspirations.”

Not a few watching what is happening in the country insist that the postponement could lead to instability and the prospect of  a forced unconstitutional change of government, similar to what happened in Niger recently and some other neighbouring West African countries as a result of leaders trying to sit-tight in power.

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AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Breaks 11 Year-old Jinx,  Cruises Into Final, Dumps Bafana Bafana

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana

By Akinwale Kasali

After an 11 years wait to be in an African Cup of Nations championship final, the Super Eagles finally did it. The team defeated high flying Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a pulsating semi final match at the Bouake Stadium in Côte d’Ivoire.

It took penalties for Nigeria to zoom into the AFCON final after a 1-1 draw score line for the entire 120 minutes of football action.

After a goalless first half with Nigeria creating few chances, while the South Africans tested the Nigerian goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali several times, and made him make crucial saves, it all ended in penalty shoot-out.

It took 67 Minutes to get the much needed goal courtesy of a spot kick converted by William Troost Ekong after Victor Osimhen was brought down by Mothobi Mvala.

The Super Eagles thought they had doubled their lead when Osimhen tapped in a low cross from Samuel Bright Osayi, but the Video Assistant Referee cancelled the goal, citing an infringement in the Super Eagles box, as Yusuf Alhassan fouled a South African player.

Teboho Mokoena converted the resulting penalty to give South Africa the much needed eqauliser.

The South Africans could have scored a last gasp goal as Nwabali parried a free kick to the path of a Bafana Bafana player who ballooned the ball over the bar.

The game went into extra time, with South Africa slowing the pace of the game, while the Super Eagles mounted pressure.

This paid off as South Africa’s Grant Kekana fouled Terem Moffi who replaced Victor Osimhen. It earned him a red carded, but the resulting freekick was not converted by Kelechi  Iheanacho.

As the game went into penalties, Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Magkopa lost their spot kicks, while William Troost Ekong, Terem Moffi, Kenneth Omeruo and Kelechi Iheanacho converted their Spot kicks. Ola Aina lost his.

Coach Jose Peseiro started the match with his regulars first eleven but Samuel Bright Osayi came in for the injured Zaidu Sanusi in the starting line, while Samuel Chukwueze, Joe Aribo, Terem Moffi, Kenneth Omeruo, Kelechi Iheanacho and Yusuf Alhassan werep substitutes used in the game coming in for Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Victor Osimhen.

With this victory, the Super Eagles will meet the host  country, Côte d’Ivoire which defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo by a lone goal in the finals scheduled for Sunday, February 11th, 2024.

SW PDP Raps Tinubu Led Govt Over Insecurity

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

South West zone of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Bola Tinubu led Federal Government to rise up to its primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties of the Nigerians.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of its meeting in Ibadan, Oyo state on Wednesday.

The Communique, signed by zonal publicity secretary of the party, Sanya Atofarati, stated among others “That we empathize with the Nigerian people as they are confronted daily with the hash economic policies of the APC led government.

“We condemn in strong terms the rising abduction and killings of the innocent, helpless and defenseless Nigerian

“We are calling on the Tinubu led Federal Government to rise up to its primary responsibility to protecting lives and property of the Nigerian citizens.

“We appreciate the Executive Governors of Oyo and Osun states, Engr Seyi Makinde and Gov Ademola Adeleke for their concerted efforts to combating crimes across the region, while calling on other Governors regardless of political affiliation, to join forces to save the region.”

Sealing Of Secretariat: PDP Abia Accuses Gov. Otti Of Witch Hunt, Property Government’s Own – Abia State Government

By
The Source
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By Daniel Maduka

The Abia State Headquarters of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was on Wednesday February 7 2024 sealed by Officials of   Umuahia Capital Development Authority UCDA .

This is even as the Acting State Vice Chairman/ Publicity Secretary of the Abia PDP,,Comrade Abraham Amah has accused the Labour Party  LP  controlled Abia State Government of deliberate acts of witch hunting, intimidation and harassment.

The UCDA officials, accompanied by some stern looking security personnel, stormed the PDP Secretariat on St Finbars Road Umuahia, the State capital and ordered out all members of staff, including the Party’s Adminstrative Secretary, before sealing the building.

Comrade Amah who, in an exclusive interview with   The Source ,accused  Governor Alex Otti’s led Abia State Government of masterminding the development, said it smacks of a well orchestrated plan to muscle opposition voices in Abia State.

But the Abia State Government claims the property belongs to the State. However, not a few people insist that even if that was true, the State House ought to have followed due process and given the occupants of the property notice to quit.

Speaking to this medium, Amah said: “A few minutes ago , the Administrative Secretary called to inform me that some officials from the UCDA accompanied by hordes of security personnel invaded the secretariat,and ordered everyone out before proceeding to seal the building.

“For one,  our party staff and officials were not told the reasons for the action.

However, whatever be the  reasons, I believe that law and due process demand  that we be informed about any plan to seal our Secretariat and the possible reasons for it.

“But in this case, nobody and/ or entity wrote to the party. No official communication as to what we may have done wrong and or failed to do as demanded of us by law.

“The building to the best of my knowledge, was donated to the PDP by one of our stakeholders. And since ,we have been there for years now, nobody has come to stake contrary ownership including the Government.

“So for the Abia state  Government using the UCDA to come and seal the place, without any prior notice, is tantamount to a deliberate act of intimidation, harassment , and witch hunting.

It is targeted at silencing opposition voices in Abia State by the LP-led administration.

“But, I want to assure that as a party, we can not be intimidated,” Amah stated.

Super Eagles N200m Richer, Thanks To Uzodimma-led Progressive Governors’ Forum

By
The Source
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Super Eagles of Nigeria

The sports loving Progressives Governors’ Forum, ably led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, has doled out a whopping N200 million in support of the Super Eagles players currently gunning for the trophy of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte D’ Ivoire.

The Super Eagles are taking on the Bafana Banana of South Africa today in the semi final encounter.

Governor Uzodimma who has consistently sent words of encouragement to the Super Eagles players since the tournament got to it’s critical stages also promised them government’s total support that will make Nigeria lift the trophy.

In a statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Sen Uzodimma, the Governor said no amount of support extended to the Super Eagles players who are currently making Nigeria proud in Cote D’ Ivoire, and on their way to making another continental history for the country, will be a waste.

The Imo State Governor used the opportunity to renew his call to the players and their handlers to remain focused and committed to the course of the 2023 AFCON, noting that while victory awaits their efforts, jubilation looms at all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh broke the news of the Progressive Governors largesse to the Super Eagles, a development that reportedly elicited excitement and jubilation at the camp.

Senator Enoh said: “I want to thank the Progressive Governors’ Forum under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for galvanizing and redeeming the sum of two hundred million Naira only to the Super Eagles of Nigeria who are currently in Cote D’Ivoire for AFCON 2023.”

The Minister not only commended the enthusiasm of Governor Uzodimma and  members of his Forum for the swift action taken to support the boys, but noted that it would go a long way in motivating the Nigerian team ahead of the semi finals match against South Africa at Stade Bouaké in Bouaké, Ivory Coast.

Human Trafficking: NSCDC Fingers Couple, Arrests Wife

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), has arrested a woman who specializes in human trafficking to Libya.

The Command stated that human trafficking is the job of the suspect and her husband, who is still at large.

NSCDC gave details of the suspect as “One Mrs Ayegbusi Oluwaseun, middle aged woman, arrested by the command on the 5th February, 2024 for trafficking a 13years old girl, name withheld to Lybia.”

A statement by its spokesman, Aidamenbor Daniel explained that “Mrs Akinsanmi Oluwatofunmi, the mother of the victim had declared her daughter missing since December 31st, 2023 after she discovered that her daughter ran away from home.

“Investigation revealed that the suspect had  recently  trafficked the victim and one other to Lybia on the 26th of January 2024, an act that was aided by her husband Mr. Jamiu Muibi who is currently at large.

“The suspect has made useful confessional statement and case transfered to NAPTIP Ondo State Command for further investigation and prosecution.

“It imperative to warn that human trafficking is real and our wards could be  victim of trafficking. Let’s report any suspicious activities around us to the command for prompt actions.”

Family Of School Bus Driver Killed By Abductors Beg For His Body

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Abducted Ekiti School Pupils

By Adesina Soyooye

The family of the school bus  in Ekiti, Taiwo Olugbaye, who was kidnapped along with six pupils and three teachers, has passionately and emotionally, pleaded for  his body to be returned home.

Olugbaye, a driver with Apostolic Faith Schools, Emure, Ekiti, was not released along with the pupils and the teachers when they were set free.

Speaking in an interview, members of his family said that in their sorrow and agony, nothing would give them more joy than seeing his body to enable them bury him. It does not matter to them, they said, what remains of it, even if it comes in pieces, all they ask from the Police, the State, and Federal  Government is to help them return it just like that.

Sadly, their passionate request may not materialise as Olugbaye’s body was  burnt by the heartless criminals.

According to the parent of one of the freed pupils, Olugbaye was brutally hit on the head and left to writh in pains for five days before he was finally killed and his body burnt. He was killed because when the abductors asked him for the phone numbers of his wife and the school proprietor, Gabriel Adesanya, he said he could not remember any of the numbers off-hand.

Infuriated by his response, he was hit on the head, finally killed five days after, and his body burnt.

The family, also, asked the Government to help the family by giving employment to even one family member as the late driver was their breadwinner. “No other person here is working. He was the only person working and helping our mother. Now there is nobody for her”,  said a relation.

Edo: PDP Faction Rejects Outcome Of Ward Congresses Over Alleged Manipulation

By
The Source
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Godwin Obaseki

By Ayodele Oni

  • “It is a Governor Obaseki Congress, not PDP Congress”

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Edo State, has called for a fresh ward Congress due to an alleged manipulation.

The party explained that it has no option than to reject the outcome of the ward congresses conducted last Sunday, which it described  as a “Governor Obaseki Congress” and not a “PDP Congress.”

Apart from an alleged manipulation of the Congress, it claimed that thugs were deployed to prevent supporters of nine of the ten aspirants from partaking in the exercise.

The PDP faction,  in a statement on Wednesday, also alleged that the materials for the exercise were handed over to the Governor even as State Government officials were used to supervise the Congress.

The statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Ogie Vasco,asked the National Leadership to address the issues of the State PDP concerning the alleged malpractices.

“The leaders of the Edo State Chapter of the PDP have rejected in totality the results of the purported ward congresses that took place on Sunday the 4th of February 2024 across the state.

“The results are not a true reflection of what took place, as they only represent a Governor Godwin Obaseki Congress, not a PDP Congress.

“After a cursory overview of the whole charade put up by the state government and certain individuals in the NWC, the leaders in their wisdom have denounced the whole process as a sham marred by acute manipulation.

“In particular, the leaders noticed that:the agents of Governor Godwin Obaseki, made the stipulated venues inaccessible to the other nine aspirants and their supporters by flooding the venues with armed thugs that were hostile and intimidating.

“They would only grant access if an individual was going to vote for the pre-selected delegates in favour of the Governor’s aspirant. Consequently, no voting was conducted in 92% of the stipulated venues.

“The office of the National Organizing Secretary published three conflicting letters on the composition of officers in charge of the congress both at the wards and local government areas.

“The last letter comprised names of serving government officials in Edo and Delta States. This irregular act had earlier been communicated to national leadership of the party by the nine aspirants so affected.

“The materials for the conduct of the purported Congress had been deposited with the state governor who is an interested party in this Congress, for days prior to the stipulated date.

“Where is the fairness the NWC has preached in the various engagements with stakeholders leading to the this Congress? These and other infractions observed need to be addressed properly.

“Consequently, the leadership of the party calls on all party faithfuls to join in the call to right the wrongs of the sham perpetrated this past weekend. And also call for a total cancellation of the exercise.”

Insecurity: Again, Senate To Meet Service Chiefs Next Week

By
James Orji
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The Nigerian Senate has postponed the security briefing from Service Chiefs.

The briefing would now hold on February 13, according to the Senate President Godswill Akpabio who ruled on the motion moved by Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader that the meeting needed to be expanded to accommodate other stakeholders in the country.

The motion was seconded by Senator Abba Moro, Senate Minority Leader.

The Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber had last week summoned the security top brass to brief them on the security situation in the country which has gone hay wire in the last few weeks.

Sources in the chamber told the magazine that the Senate decided to summon the service chiefs which included the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Maj. Gen. C.G Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen T. A Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla;  Inspector-General of Police, DIG Kayode Egbetokun  in response to Nigerians outbursts over the current insecurity in the country.

Recall that gunmen attacked two local governments in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi on Christmas Eve last year, leaving close to 200 dead in the wake of the brutal attack on the two communities.

Barely a week after, gun men returned to Durbi village of Shere district, Jos East local government area, of the state killing a father and his son.

Within the same period, Abuja, the nation’s capital was sacked by armed bandits who ran riot by kidnapping many residents, killing some of the abductees when ransom could not be raised by their families for their release.

Calm has now returned to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, after security agencies swung into action to root out criminals from their hideouts, sources in the nation’s capital said.

Ogun: Double Trouble For Adebutu

By
James Orji
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Oladipupo Adebutu

For Ladi Adebutu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last governorship election in the state, things are not going on well.

Ladi, the son of Betting Mogul, Adebutu Kessington, who lost his appeal against the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun, last month,  was on Tuesday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over alleged vote buying during the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the Gateway state as Ogun is popular.

The politician was arraigned by the federal government in the criminal case marked AB/10c/2023 in Abeokuta the state capital yesterday.

According to the facts of the case seen by the magazine, the PDP governorship candidate was alleged to have induced voters during the poll by giving them 200,000 vouchers pre-loaded with N10,000.

He pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned alongside five others before Justice Abiodun Akinyemi of the state High Court in Kobape Road, Abeokuta.

He had been released on bail by the judge after his counsel pleaded for him that he would be available in court whenever he’s required to do so.

For those watching the state, Adebutu’s situation can be described as a double jeopardy having recently lost his appeal at the nation’s Supreme Court which affirmed the incumbent as governor.

Following the declaration of Governor Abiodun by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the PDP candidate challenged his election at the state Election Tribunal, on the basis that the election did not comply with the Electoral Act 2019 as amended.

The tribunal rejected his plea and affirmed Abiodun as dully elected.

Adebutu later approached the Court of Appeal last year, praying that the verdict of the tribunal be overturned in his favour, his appeal was thrown out by the panel, after which he approached the apex court for justice.

On January 19, the Supreme Court upheld the election of Abiodun, ruling that Adebutu failed to prove allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the conduct of the 18 March election .

“This appeal is unmeritorious and ought to be dismissed and it is hereby dismissed. The judgement of the Court is hereby affirmed,” Justice Tijjani Abubakar, who read the judgement, said.

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