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Binani: Shut-Up, Stop The Insult

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The Source
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Comfort Obi

By Comfort Obi

The Adamawa State Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani, should publicly tell her people to shut-up. She should tell them to stop insulting Nigerians and  bury their heads in the dust over the shame they brought upon Nigeria. In more civilized countries, all of them, including Binani, could have been cooling their soiled feet somewhere, and charges of an attempted coup brought upon them.

In case nobody has bluntly told the sweet-faced Senator, what happened in Adamawa State on Sunday, 16th April, 2023, which she endorsed,  was a coup against a country that was already on edge. She staged it in connivance with some Security Agents and Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Adamawa. To seal the coup, Senator Binani played the dishonorable role of reading the speech on a Federal Government-owned national television. She was to be the direct beneficiary of the plot if she had succeeded.

I had feigned paralysis of the hands on the Adamawa Supplementary Governorship Election which painted Nigeria in one of  its worst colours in recent times because I wanted to keep off every criticism against APC’s  Binani. I wanted to keep my admiration and respect for her untainted.

I have never met her. In fact, before she won the Adamawa APC Governorship ticket, I had never heard her name. I never knew of a female Senator bearing that name. Perhaps, I did not pay attention, but I never  heard of any bill she sponsored and/or co-sponsored.

A number of our National Assembly Members are just there. They make no contributions. They are bench-warmers, one of the numbers. They simply show face, and disappear. Some are mostly  away – either out of the country, or within country, running their personal businesses. They  are satisfied answering Distinguished and Honourable. So many of them are not known by the Nigerian public or those they represent. Their constituents see them only when elections are near.

This is not to say that Senator Binani was one of those. As noted above, I may not have taken note. But that disappeared as soon as she won the Governorship ticket of the Adamawa APC . I was thrilled. So, I became her follower. And  admirer. I hung on her every word. I cheered. I rooted for her. I was intrigued and impressed by her victory at the Primaries. God, how I rooted for her!

Here are  why.

I like strong characters. To me, Binani is one. I admire brave woman. To me, Binani is a brave woman. I admire courageous women, women who refuse to be pushed around, or intimidated because  of their gender. To me, Binani is one of such women.

In Nigeria, especially, in Politics, it is difficult for a woman to excel. To do that, she deals with all kinds of persecution and blackmail, including irresponsible talks such as “she slept her way to the top.” It is worse when the woman is also beautiful. From  Binani’s photographs which have been adorning the pages of newspapers since her victory in the Primary, she is a beauty, and exudes  calmness, inspite of her lion heart.

It takes a female lion heart to beat the men and become a Senator. And, it is a big deal, a very big deal, for a woman to win the Governorship ticket of a major Political Party – the ruling Party no less. A look at the caliber and credentials of the men she beat to clinch the ticket, would confirm she is a fearless fighter.

Aishatu Dahiru Binani
Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani

Nigeria has never had an elected female Governor. Most women have been yearning for it. But Nigeria’s leaders are so chauvinistic that they laugh at the idea. When Binani fought her way through to clinch the APC ticket, just like in 2015 when the now late Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan did in Taraba State, I celebrated her the way I celebrated Hillary Clinton when she clinched the Presidential ticket of the Democrats.

While I rooted for Binani, it didn’t matter to me whether she won the Governorship election or not. I knew it was going to be a difficult task for her. Firstly, she was up against an incumbent Governor. Secondly, the Presidential Candidate of PDP, the Governor’s Party, Atiku Abubakar, is from the State. Thirdly, APC didn’t have a good name in the weeks running to the elections. It had a lot of baggage behind it.

So, I had made up my mind that even if she lost, as I grudgingly expected, I was going to celebrate her. By clinching that ticket, contested for with heavy weights, she made women proud. Like Alhassan, she entered the history book.

When the results of the election, first held on Saturday, 18th March, 2023, was declared inconclusive, I was jubilant.  Binani, even though she was coming behind, was doing well. She was not losing disgracelly. It would be a close race. And I was happy.

Having followed the contest closely, and knowing she would lose brilliantly, I was all set to celebrate Binani on Monday, 17th April, 2023. Then, the thunder struck and threw me off balance. As I watched the scene which was unfolding before Nigerians, before the world, my heart broke.

There,  REC Ari sat and wrecked our joy. There he sat, like one under a spell, like one under the influence, brazenly throwing into the gutter, the hopes and yearnings and future of a people. As I watched, I kept asking nobody in particular: What’s wrong with this guy? As Nigerians would say, “did they swear for him”? Is he drunk. Everything pointed out that something greater than him was pushing him. Now, we can guess, almost, accurately.

You know the story. But a brief reminder. He usurped the responsibility of the Returning Officer, Professor Muhammed Mele, and announced Binani  the winner – two hours before the agreed time of re-assembling. Collation of results was still ongoing.

Yet, two things shocked the most. Firstly, Senior Security Officers flanked “wreck Ari”, as he read what, without prejudice to the ordered investigation, was an illegal, fake result. None of them could stop him. None of them could shut him up. And none of them walked out on him. The conclusion, sadly, is that all of them were in that inexplicable disgraceful act together. Why was money spent on them to go to Adamawa? What was their brief, their job? Did they go there to support and elevate fraud? Otherwise, why did they do nothing? And said nothing.

The second surprise was that Binani had an acceptance speech ready, even when she knew, from the first poll, that it would be a miracle for her to win; even when she knew, at least, as a Senator, that the person who declared her “winner” was a usurper, had breached the Electoral Act, even when she knew, as a Candidate, that collation of results was still ongoing. And, still, she went on and read her coup speech. Excuse this cliché, to add insult to injury, when INEC decided to distance itself from the shame, Binani went to Court! To plead what?

I was prepared to ignore all that and not write a word to criticise Binani. I was like, she is down already, why hit her. I was prepared not to add to her obvious discomfort. But this was until Tuesday, 26th April when Binani’s Campaign Council Coordinator insulted women, and tried to blackmail Nigerians by flaunting Binani’s gender!!

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Binani’s Campaign Council Coordinator, Vrati Nzozo, gave the impression that his Principal won the election but was cheated out because she is a woman. He said people were biased against his candidate because of her gender. Say that again?

“As far as we are concerned, there seems to be a very biased position taken against our candidate. And it’s unfortunate. As far as we are concerned, she is being witchhunded and she is being drowned using the Media and other individuals that are out there to victimise her, may be because she is a woman. We are proud of her and her achievement”, Nzozo said.

Absolute nonsense. What has Binani’s gender got to do with the absurdity in Adamawa. What has it got to do with the coup that was staged? What has it got to do with the crisis caused by Ari’s criminal rascality, along with those who backed his illegal action? Does Nzozo realise that innocent people were humiliated and beaten up publicly because of this irresponsible incident? Does he realise that a Professor, a former Vice Chancellor of the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, was beaten up and stripped to his underpants by those who mistook him for Ari?

How I hate it when “because I am a woman” is used as a weapon of blackmail! Who was Nzozo trying to incite? Nigerian women? So, because Binani is a woman, Nigerian women should clap for her for the disgraceful incident in Adamawa? Nigerian women should condone a brazen fraud?

In other climes, Senator Binani should have been facing interrogation since after her acceptance speech to explain her role in the  national  embarrassment which caused, almost, a national crisis. She should have been apologizing profusely, including to her Party.

But here, nothing. Orders have been given for an investigation, but what’s the update? Instead, INEC tells a cock and bull story of how Ari disappeared into thin air. Who would believe that? The man was with senior Security Officers as he announced the fake result. We saw him being shielded by Security Agents as he exited the hall after her infamous act. And, suddenly, INEC tells us a story fit for the marines. It is a shame.

This case must not be swept under the carpet. If the Federal Government, God forbid, does that, then, all the innocent people who were beaten up and humiliated, especially, Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, should rise up. They should sue INEC and Binani for everything they have got.  Our Country has gradually become a joke!

Obi is the Editor-in-Chief/CEO of The Source (Magazine), https://thesourceng.com.  Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Afenifere Canvasses Quick Dispensation Of Election Petitions Before May 29

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has canvassed for speedy disposition of petitions relating to the last general elections.

The group specifically called on the judiciary to ensure that all petitions in respect of the just concluded presidential election be timeously and justly resolved before May 29.

According to it, this is the only way the confidence of Nigerians can be earned.

“Precedents in this regard have been laid even by less endowed countries in Africa.

This was contained in a communique at the end of its monthly meeting held at the residence of Afenifere’s Acting Leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State.

The communique was released in Akure, Ondo State by the Secretary General of the group, Chief Sola Ebiseni on Thursday.

Afenifere advised the federal government to discontinue all the plans and arrangements to conduct the forthcoming National Housing and Population Census in Nigeria.

The group said it bemoaned the conduct of the national exercise, which is scheduled to commence on May 3, saying it was inauspicious in timing and would be impossible in credible implementation.

Some stakeholders, it noted, have raised concerns over conducting the census in the same year of the general election, but the government insisted in going ahead with the exercise.

The group also condemned the N100 billion earmarked for the exercise, describing it as a “scandalous and economic offence.”

“Afenifere recalls that in a paper it presented at the National Consultative Forum on the 2023 Census held at the Banquet Hall, State House Abuja on August 11, 2022, it reiterated the imperative of census in national development.

“It notes that the application and misuse of Census data had been our bane as a country where we lie to ourselves and the world about our number indulging in laughable projections sometimes based on assumed and fixed percentage of population growth across different parts notwithstanding glaring variables.

“It is in the light of the importance of credible exercise that, in the August 2022 Conference, we strongly advised against the conduct of the Census which, among other reasons, we said could not possibly hold in the same year of a General election.

“Other well-meaning personalities and institutions including the UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria who was at another Conference in Port Harcourt on March 26-29 2023 and most recently the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Calabar all have raised concerns on the possibility of reasonable and genuine participation in an acceptable headcount in the current mood of the nation.

“Afenifere is particularly bemused that Government expects participation in headcount by citizens still incensed and distraught by the trauma of violence and brigandage of the elections or by those in IDP camps within their country in whose ancestral homes terrorists in occupation will now be counted as new indigenes.

“That all factors considered, including its inability to supervise a transparent electoral process, and a lesser headcount exercise, the integrity deficiency of this administration are abysmally compounded in conducting census in which partisan disputes in Nigeria are often at the level of communities, states and ethnic nationalities having been politicized over time.

“Afenifere decries the most insensitive deployment of over 100 billion Naira on this wasteful exercise as scandalous and an economic offence.

“Afenifere conclusively says there is no compelling reason why the census must be held by the expiring Buhari administration and calls for all steps and preparations in that regards to be stopped forthwith.”

NIMASA DG Calls For Inter-Agency Synergy To Sustain Govt Efforts

By
James Orji
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The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has stated that inter-agency collaboration is critical to sustaining the efforts to curb criminal activities in the Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea, GoG.

The DG made this assertion when he played host to the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP; Major General (rtd) Barry Ndiomu at the headquarters of the Agency in Lagos. He also applauded the visit of the Amnesty boss, and added that it was timely and a wake-up call to synergy, in order to sustain the tempo of policing the Nigerian waters, while also actively engaging and empowering the youths on opportunities in the Nigerian maritime sector.

Accordingly, he said; “Nigeria has received several commendations from the international community for the visible successes achieved in addressing insecurity in our maritime domain. As such, they are watching to see if we can sustain the tempo, hence the Agency’s willingness to partner with the Presidential Amnesty Programme and other relevant bodies”.

Meanwhile, Jamoh informed the Amnesty Interim Administrator on the viability of creating jobs through the Blue Economy, noting that the maritime sector has the wherewithal to engage the youths, as this will dissuade them from the nefarious activities of perpetuating crimes on the nation’s waterways.

“The Nigerian maritime industry is large enough to sustainably and actively engage the teeming youths, as there are enormous opportunities in the industry that the youths can take advantage of to generate foreign earnings”, the DG said.

He further assured of the Agency’s readiness to collaborate with the Presidential Amnesty Programme in reintegrating beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme into the society.

Earlier in his remarks, Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd) called on NIMASA to fashion out workable and sustained partnerships towards creating opportunities for teeming youths in the Niger Delta region.

General Ndiomu also disclosed that the PAP has trained a large number of youths across institutions in the world in various specializations, some of which include Deep Sea Diving, Underwater Welding, and Marine Engineering, hence the reason for seeking partnership with the Agency to engage them actively on maritime related opportunities.

He also used the opportunity to inform the DG of his agenda for the Amnesty Programme. “My vision is to chart a new path for the Amnesty Programme by upholding the principal objectives of government, by bringing innovative ideas, setting a new Management structure of wealth creation for the teeming youths, instead of depending on monthly stipends, to pave way for a more prosperous future. We are looking at technical support from NIMASA, and job placement opportunities in NIMASA for our qualified delegates, he said.

The Amnesty boss also used the opportunity to commend the DG and his team for redefining the safety and security of Nigeria’s Maritime Industry. “I am aware of your outstanding achievements, particularly in the obvious reduction of piracy on the Gulf of Guinea,” Ndiomu said.

It may be recalled that the Blue Economy mantra has been in the forefront of the campaign under the Jamoh-led administration in NIMASA, which is aimed at educating the public on the ideals of the Blue Economy, while guiding the Federal Government to make policies around the mantra.

The essence of the Blue Economy is to preserve the resources in the oceans towards ensuring sustainability, wealth creation and by extension job creation, which will help curb insecurity in the country, while also reducing overreliance on crude oil, which is fast depreciating in the global space.

Wike Hosts Tinubu In Port Harcourt, Rivers State

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The Source
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Wike and Tinubu

By Charles Igbo

President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,  will visit Rivers State on Wednesday 3rd May, 2023. The visit is on the invitation of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

With the visit, Rivers has become the first State to be visited by Tinubu, officially, after his Presidential victory.

Governor Wike announced Tinubu’s visit in Porthacourt on Wednesday, 26th April while on an inspection of two projects. He was accompanied on the inspection by the State’s Governor-elect, Sim Fubara.

He said that while in the State, Tinubu would commission two projects, the 12th flyover built in the State Capital by his administration, located  at the Rumuokwuta and Rumuola junctions in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, and a Magistrate Court constructed along Moscow Road in Porthacourt Local Government Area.

The President-elect returned to Nigeria on Tuesday after a one month trip to France where he said he went to rest after a hectic Presidential Campaign and election.

Wike, a Peoples Democratic Party Governor, worked for Tinubu, then the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, against the Candidate of his own Party, Abubakar Atiku. Atiku had ignored Wike in the choice of his running mate. He preferred Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to Wike, an action which angered Wike no end, and resulted in his factionalising PDP Governors.

Wike is the leader of the  G5 Governors – Samuel Ortom, Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu, and Seyi Makinde, Oyo – all of whom worked against Atiku in the Presidential election.

Wike’s invitation to Tinubu for the commissioning of the projects is seen by many as a celebration of Tinubu’s Presidential victory.

Speculation is that Wike would likely be rewarded by Tinubu with a  Ministerial appointment.

Umahi Names Ebonyi State Airport After Buhari, Flight Operations Begin

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The Source
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Dave Umahi and Buhari

By Charles Igbo

Out going Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. Dave Umahi, has named the Ebonyi State International Airport after President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Airport, located at Onueke, was built by the Umahi Administration.

The Federal Government has granted approval to the State for an inaugural flight.

This was disclosed on Wednesday to Reporters by Mrs Obianuju Aloh, Umahi’s Senior Special Assistant on Aviation and Technology.

Even though she did not disclose the date for the inaugural flight, she said each Local Government Area in the State has been asked to nominate six persons who will be on the inaugural flight. The bill will be picked by the State Government.

Two flights, she said, would land at the Airport, one each from Abuja and Lagos. After the inaugural flights, two flights will land every week from both Abuja and Lagos. With  operations at the Airport open, Alor said the economy of the State would get a big boost.

Her words: “We are going to have two flights landing at the airport, one from Abuja and another from Lagos.

“And subsequently, two flights will be landing every week, coming from Abuja and Lagos. What it means is that, with the airport inauguration, Ebonyi state is open for business.

“We want to encourage all Ebonyians and investors to come to Ebonyi and do their business. Ebonyi will now start exporting agricultural products to the entire world.

“International airlines will soon be coming to Ebonyi sta3te, and when they come, they will employ the people of the State and the local community will benefit so much from it.”

Umahi, like his set of Governors, will leave office on May 29, 2023.

Mixed Reactions Trail $1.2 Million Spent By FG To Evacuate Nigerians Stranded In Sudan

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Geofrey Onyema

By Akinwale Kasali

Mixed reactions have trailed the statement made by the Federal Government that it spent a whopping $1.2 million to deploy 40 Buses to evacuate, at least, 2,400 stranded Nigerians out of Sudan.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama,  made this disclosure after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers of Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Onyeama said the high cost of the evacuation was to provide security cover for the eight-hour journey from Luxol to Cairo and the eleven-hour trip from Aswan to Cairo, Egypt.

Although the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces agreed to halt hostilities at midnight Monday, local media reports that fighting had resumed even as a hospital was shelled on Wednesday.

While noting that no Nigerian lost their lives in the conflict, Onyeama said there were no talks about alternative plans for continued education for the evacuees, most of whom are students of the University of Khartoum.

This disclosure by the Minister has however led to mixed feelings as some cross section of Nigerians believe that amount was outrageous, suspecting corruption to have taken place.

A Social Commentator, Mayowa Lawal, said that it is outrageous for the FG to have spent close to a Billion to evacuate that number of people is fraudulent.

She argued that for  40 Buses to have charged that amount shows foul play and fraud from the part of the FG and the Ministry.

In the same vein, Dayo Adedoyin another Social Commentator explained that it further shows that the President Buhari Administration is not only corrupt but a shame to the corruption war it portends to fight in which he is also corrupt.

It would be recalled that the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, explained that the evacuation planned for Tuesday failed due to logistic challenges.

Chairperson of the Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, confirmed that the new travel plans were finalised Tuesday night.

She tweeted, “Last night, the Nigeria Evacuation team in Sudan received some buses to transport Nigerian Students to nearby borders in Egypt, before airlifting them to Nigeria, this has been sorted by the Federal Government through @nemanigeria and the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan.

“More buses are arriving this morning and the stranded students will depart today.”

“We’ll Shut Down DSTV, GOTV” –  NANS Fumes

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
DSTV and GOTV

By Akinwale Kasali

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has threatened to shutdown all outlets of MultiChoice Plc, owners of DSTV and GOTV over hike in its subscription rates.

South-West Zone of NANS has given MultiChoice Seven Days to reverse its planned hike on DSTV and GOTV subscription rates or face the wrath of Nigerian students.

In a Statement signed by its Coordinator, Adejuwon Olatunji, Deputy Coordinator, Alao John, and Public Relations Officer, Opeoluwa Awoyinfa, it also noted that tariffs should be charged on a “pay as you view” basis.

It would be recalled that MultiChoice announced an upward review of prices on its DSTV and GOTV packages by 17 per cent, in text messages sent to its subscribers. It stated that the new rates would take effect on May 1, 2023, explaining that rising costs of business operations was the reason behind the increase.

Opposing the subscription hike, NANS said the South African company was bringing hardship on, and extorting Nigerians, without considering their standard of living.

The NANS statement remarked: “Today, we are aware that Multi Choice Digital Satellite has increased its tariffs without considering the standard of living of Nigerians. We have also waited for long to see if this same company will dance to the music of Nigerians who have been clamouring for ‘pay-as-you-view’ tariff, but the reverse is the case.

“This is the time to call on National Broadcasting Commission to go back to the Commission’s act to regulate the ownership, activities and operations of Direct Broadcast Satellite Service Providers. DSTV is one of the leading direct-to-home service providers in Nigeria since its inception of operation from as far back as 1995, and has also made a lot of profit with over 25 million subscribers which is the largest market for its operations.

“We want the Federal Government to stampede their proposed plan in tariffs increment and also force them to implement the pay-as-you-view system. We are aware that DSTV operates a system of pay-as-you-go tariffs in other countries,” NANS declared.

It stated that Nigeria constitutes over 45 per cent of DSTV global market share, and therefore called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and the Minister of Communication to “break the sporting right of MultiChoice” and provide an alternative service provider in the country, so that “Nigerians can stop being exploited on a daily basis.”

Giving the ultimatum, NANS stressed, “We hereby give seven days ultimatum to MultiChoice Digital Satellite Television to reverse the plan of increasing the tariffs and also yield to the call of Nigerians by implementing pay-as-you-view tariffs, or else, we shall be left with no other option but to lock up all offices of DSTV until our demands are met which is the mind of all Nigerians.”

Civil Society Group Laments LASG’s Silence On Activities Of Land Grabbers In Ajiran Land

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
AjiranLand

By Akinwale Kasali

The failure of the Lagos State to step into alleged land-grabbing issues in Ojomu Community in Ajiran Land, Eti Osa Local Government Area in the State, has been condemned by Civil Society Stakeholders under the platform of Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights, CHSR.

The Group said the menace of land grubbing and the inherent danger it portends needs to be addressed  for communal peace and sustainable development in Nigeria’s epicentre of commerce and economic activities.

CHSR in a Statement through its President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse said that following the Group’s interaction with the Media on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, regarding the unlawful activities of land grabbers in Ojomu Community (AJIRAN LAND) it is being inundated with reports relating to recalcitrance of the main actors  in the community’s crisis, including the unfortunate murder of a youth leader, Sheriff Ishola Salami at MOBA town adjacent to AJIRAN.

Omotehinse said that according to reports it gathered, the late Salami who was said to have been gruesomely murdered in broad daylight on April 18 had maintained firm opposition to the activities of land grabbers.

He said following its Press Briefing last week, the Human Rights Group has received scores of telephone calls and representations from victims of land grabbing activities in Lagos State.

“Most complaints from Lagos State speak to the high level of impunity that come with land grabbing. Most victims are disenchanted as well as frustrated by the seemingly lack of commitment of the Lagos State Government to addressing the challenge headlong in spite of the establishment and operation of a Task Force established under the Law of Lagos State.

“Just like the various petitions by concerned community stakeholders and victims of unlawful activities of land grabbers in AJIRAN LAND provided insights into the magnitude of the challenge, CHSR also worried that land grabbers are becoming more entrenched than hitherto imagined in spite of a Task Force established to nip the menace in the bud”.

The Group said it wishes to demand priority attention from the Lagos State Government with the view to making all relevant agencies, particularly the Task Force on Land Grabbing, more responsive to their mandate.

“CHSR is, however, more concerned that most of the land being forcibly confiscated by these land grabbers are legally and validly documented by the original owners most of whom are in possession of genuine Deed of Assignment and with full authorisation of the relevant families from whom the lands were purchased.

“To this end, we are concerned about the seeming complicity of certain actors in the Land Registry of Lagos State without whose connivance falsification or forgery of land documents by land grabbers and their collaborators could not be successfully carried out.

“We are, however, encouraged by the bold step taken by HIS ROYAL MAJESTY OBA RILWANU AKIOLU against land grabbing activities in AJIRAN Land and other communities in the Lekki axis of Eti-Osa Local Government Area. (Please refer to a letter titled REQUEST FOR SPECIAL URGENT INTERVENTION (REF: OOL/017/VOL.III/374 to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba on December 12, 2022.

“We are, therefore, calling on other traditional rulers under the platform of Lagos State Council of Traditional Rulers to rise in unison to denounce the activities of land grabbers in Lagos State.

“We wish to see concrete steps being taken as a matter of urgency by the Lagos State Government towards addressing the menace of land grabbers in the State”.

It added that certain events have unfolded in Ojomu community since its last press briefing, which needed to be highlighted to further draw the attention of Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Police to the continued unwholesome activities of leading actors in land grabbing cases in Ojomu community which is capable of disturbing public peace.

It was gathered that on Tuesday 18th April, 2023, Sheriff Salami was killed in cruel circumstances suspected to be a fallout of the deceased’s opposition to activities of land grabbers in the community.

Following this development, the Group said it is demanding and calling that the Lagos State government and the Police to probe the death of Sheriff Ishola Salami (a.k.a AGBOWORIN) who was a son of late BASHORUN OF AJIRAN Land, Chief Ishola Salami.

It said there must be justice for the deceased Salami who left behind 3 daughters and an aged mother.

Meanwhile, following its last press briefing, a protest was allegedly led by one Wasiu Yekini Akinsemoyin a non-indigene of Ojomu community, an ally of Ahmed Tajudeen who has been fingered in the land grabbing cases by victims; some of whom have narrated their ordeals to CHSR.

The protest was said to have been staged behind the Palace of Oba of AJIRAN LAND, His Royal Highness, OBA AKINLOYE TIJANI SATERU II was without doubt aimed at further harassment of stakeholders and victims who have lodged complaints to CHSR regarding infractions on their rights and corresponding threats to their safety.

The Group said it has videos of harassment and intimidation of community stakeholders and members of the traditional institution orchestrated by these individuals.

It urged the LASG to Wade into the issue, as it  is deeply concerned about the prevailing ugly situation in Ojomu community which evidently has undermined the legitimate traditional institution in AJIRAN

Land leading to flagrant dispossession and confiscation of lands legitimately purchased and validly documented by innocent individuals who have been wantonly victimised with undue sense of impunity by Ahmed Tajudeen led land grabbing group in Ojomu community.

“More importantly, we are disbursed by the apparent silence of the Lagos State Government over the rather reprehensible situation in AJIRAN  Land.

“We wish to therefore see Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu take decisive step, without further delay, to reaffirm the authorities of Oba of AJIYAN Land as the custodians of culture and heritage of the community as vested under the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law of 1981.

“We are convinced intervention of Lagos State Government in this regard is an immediate important step in tackling the menace of land grabbers in Ojomu communities”.

CHSR said it demanding that the Lagos State Government should protect legitimate authority of traditional institution in AJIRAN LAND against further reckless insubordination as well intimidation and harassment by Ahmed Tajudeen led land grabbers.

Also, the Lagos State Government and Nigeria Police should put an end forthwith to the harassment of authentic allottees and rightful land owners and confiscation of lands in Ojomu community and by extension AJIRAN LAND, and should investigate allegations of forgery of DEED OF ASSIGNMENT and other land related documents duly authorized and signed with the authority of Ojomu family as well as Lagos State Land Registry.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu should give immediate directives to relevant agencies; particularly the Task Force on Land Grabbing with the view to putting an end to illegal activities of land grabbers in Ojomu community and other affected communities in Lagos State.

“Lagos State Police Command should investigate the incident that led to the murder of Sheriff Ishola Salami (a.k.a AGBOWORIN) on April 18, 2023 in the interest of justice and peace, and the Lagos State Council of Traditional Rulers should speak out in unison against the activities of land grabbers in their domains and by extension across communities in Lagos State”, the Group demanded.

Shehu Sani Cautions Against Stopping Tinubu’s Inauguration

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani has advised against any attempt to stop the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on May 29.

According to him, stopping Tinubu’s inauguration could lead Nigeria into political paralysis and anarchy.

In a tweet, Sani wrote: “The inauguration should not be stopped so that we don’t jump into political paralysis and anarchy.

“The PDP and LP are in court, and that’s okay. I believe even those who are in court want to inherit the country in one piece.”

Tinubu’s victory in the last presidential election has remained contentious.

The opposition parties, like the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), and Labour Party, (LP), are challenging Tinubu’s victory in court.

Both Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of LP claim they won the election, but Tinubu was declared the winner of the poll.

Only yesterday, a presidential candidate in 2015 election, Ambrose Owuru approached the Court of Appeal claiming he is the right person to succeed President Mohammadu Buhari.

He stated in a fresh motion on notice reasons why Bola Tinubu cannot be Nigeria’s president.

The motion is seeking stoppage of the inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President on May 29, 2023.

Delta Becomes Special Economic Zone, Gets Licence

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Delta state  Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has affirmed that the State is ready to partner investors in its vast oil and gas deposits as the country grappled with economic turnaround.

The Governor made this known on Wednesday, in Abuja, while receiving Delta Special Economic Zone license from Federal Government through Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA).

He said that his administration has provided enabling environment, including peace and security, for businesses to thrive, and assured the sustenance of development in the state.

Okowa expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the special license, and also assured that the state government was prepared to synergize with NEPZA, corporate organizations and groups to achieve the essence of the license.

He commended the management of NEPZA for the support and encouragement toward the realization of the state’s desire to have its resources properly harnessed.

He disclosed that availability of four seaports and two airports, in addition to necessary infrastructure, including good roads network, was a great impetus for businesses to flourish in the state.

In his remarks, Minister of Investment, Commerce and industry, Chief Niyi Adebayo, pledged Federal Government’s support to development the special economic zone in Delta.

Adebayo, who was represented by a Deputy Director in the ministry, Mr S.A. Jaja, said that operation of the economic zone would have multiplier-effect on Delta’s and national economy.

Earlier, the Chairman, Steering Committee for Establishment of Delta Special Economic Zone, Mr Festus Agas, had traced the track led to the presentation of the operating license to the state, and commended Governor Okowa for the effort.

Agas, who is Chief of Staff to Okowa, lauded the Federal Government for discerning the potential in Delta and approving the license.

He also commended NEPZA for the collaboration in seeing the “project” through, and sued for sustenance of the synergy.

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