Home Blog Page 8

Anambra SSG: Gov Soludo Nominated Me As Member Of ‘Fake Agency’

By
James Orji
-
0
Charles Soludo
Professor Charles Soludo
The Anambra State Government has  distanced itself from the controversy surrounding a purported Federal Government agency that has been described as fake, explaining how the state became involved in an initiative it believed was an official federal programme.
The Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Chiamaka Nnake, whose photograph and name appeared in connection with the so-called “Made-in-Nigeria Agency,” made the clarification in a statement.
Nnake explained that her involvement began in February 2026, when Governor Chukwuma Soludo nominated her as Anambra State’s focal person for an office that presented itself as operating under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
According to her, the process initially appeared entirely legitimate.
In January, the state government had received a letter from the purported Made-in-Nigeria Office requesting the nomination of a state focal person.
 Following the governor’s approval, Nnake was nominated, after which she joined a WhatsApp group comprising focal persons from the 36 states.
The group, she said, was used to discuss activities and plans attributed to the purported federal office.
The controversy deepened when the same office approached the State government with a request to host the South-East Made-in-Nigeria Fair.
The request was approved by the state, and an inaugural meeting was subsequently held in Anambra, with the purported national coordinator in attendance.
Preparations then began for the event, which was scheduled for December 2–5, 2026.
But what appeared to be a legitimate Federal Government initiative soon unravelled after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission raised concerns and discovered that the office was purportedly fake.
The revelation left the Anambra Government in an embarrassing position, having already committed itself to preparations for the proposed fair.
Seeking to put the controversy to rest, Nnake said her participation was limited strictly to the official engagements initiated through the state government.
She maintained that she had no knowledge of, involvement in, or connection with any other activities, claims or developments associated with the purported office.
Her clarification effectively draws a line between her legitimate role as a state-nominated focal person and whatever activities may have been carried out by those behind the alleged fake agency.

Fuel Subsidy Restoration Will Reverse Nigeria’s Economic Gains

By
James Orji
-
0
Mohammed Idris - Minister of Information and National Orientation
By Mohammed Idris
 
The renewed call for the restoration of petrol subsidy under any guise demands a clear-eyed examination of what Nigeria has gained from reform and what the country would have to surrender by reversing course.
 
The scale of the problem is important to remember. In 2022, when Nigeria was struggling with declining oil production and weak revenues, the country spent about $10 billion on fuel subsidies. The World Bank also warned that the subsidy was consuming resources that could otherwise have gone into education, healthcare, infrastructure and social protection.
 
This is the system that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited and boldly decided to change.
 
At the Federal Government’s recent presentation of “Nigeria’s Reform Scorecard: The Benefits, Costs and Harms Prevented,” the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed that subsidy savings mobilised N15.8tn in resources for the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
 
Of this amount, approximately N5.43tn accrued to the Federal Government, N6.52tn to states and N3.88tn to local governments.
 
It is important to explain these figures honestly. The N15.8tn is not sitting in a government account as a separate pool of cash called “subsidy savings.” It represents resources released within the Federation’s wider fiscal system and made available across the three tiers of government.
 
The additional resources available to states and local governments have strengthened their capacity to meet salaries and pensions obligations and to invest in infrastructure and essential services, including primary healthcare, basic education, roads and other needs. At the federal level, the broader fiscal space created by the reforms has supported major investments and obligations that would have been considerably more difficult to sustain under the old subsidy regime.
 
 
The Federal Government’s Reform Scorecard records approximately N6.47tn in additional expenditure on strategic infrastructure, covering major investments in transport, housing, agriculture, security and other strategic projects. These include major national corridors such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and the Trans-Sahara Superhighway.
 
The reforms have also made room for significant investments in human capital and social support. Over 10 million Nigerian households have benefited from social transfers. The administration has also extended more than N400bn towards landmark social investment initiatives like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND (N223.8bn), the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund, MREIF (N150bn) and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, CREDICORP (N50bn).
 
Renewed domestic and foreign investor confidence founded on the reforms has helped make the Nigerian stock market the world’s best-performing in 2026, pushed the external reserves to the highest level in almost 20 years, and helped the country grow oil production to exceed its OPEC quota for the first time in years.
 
The additional fiscal space has also supported wage adjustments, minimum-wage obligations and pensions, while expanding the capacity for investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, electricity, security and other critical areas of national development.
 
Nigeria is also entering a new phase in its petroleum sector, with marked expansion in domestic refining capacity. Reversing policy now will undermine this progress and introduce fresh uncertainty for investors at precisely the time Nigeria should be consolidating domestic refining and strengthening energy security.
 
Our Reform Scorecard also assesses the economic harm that the reforms have helped Nigeria avert. Had the subsidy regime remained unaddressed, petrol scarcity would have returned, pushing prices above N3,000 per litre on the black market. The legacy Ways and Means financing, which stood at about N30 trillion in May 2023 and has since been curtailed, would have doubled to N60 trillion or more. The Scorecard projects that, without the reforms, the inherited situation of 27 States unable to reliably pay salaries would undoubtedly have worsened.
 
There is another important argument being overlooked. Nigeria already carries a second energy subsidy, on electricity consumption, which cost the country an additional N3.14tn between June 2023 and December 2025. This subsidy helps bridge the gap between actual power production costs and the capped tariffs paid by most consumers. Reintroducing a petrol consumption subsidy on top of this would deal a double blow to Nigeria’s fiscal position.
 
The above illustrates an important point: restoring the subsidy would almost instantly return Nigeria to the economic conditions of 2022, recreating the same fiscal pressures, distortions, scarcity and incentives for arbitrage that made the old system unsustainable in the first place.
 
We are not claiming that the reforms have solved all of Nigeria’s economic challenges; there is indeed still much work to be done to translate improved fiscal capacity into better services, jobs, infrastructure and living standards. But the proper response to the hardship associated with reform is not to dismantle the reform; it is to accelerate the benefits – which remains what the Tinubu administration is resolutely focused on.The objective is clear: to move public resources away from subsidising consumption and towards investing in the Nigerian people and the productive foundations of lasting prosperity.
 
This is also why the debate over restoring subsidy must ultimately come down to hard choices. Do we restore petrol subsidy, or sustain student loans and consumer credit for young Nigerians? Do we restore subsidy, or preserve higher allocations to states and local governments? Do we restore subsidy, or continue funding roads, rail, power and security? Do we restore subsidy, or strengthen the fiscal capacity required to expand healthcare, education and social protection for vulnerable Nigerians?
 
It is equally significant that the Organised Private Sector and the wider economic community have cautioned against reversing the reform, recognising that fiscal sustainability, policy stability and a competitive downstream petroleum sector are essential to investment, job creation and economic growth.
 
Nigeria cannot build tomorrow’s economy by returning to yesterday’s unsustainable subsidy regime. We have moved beyond that model.
 
We do not downplay or deny the challenges associated with subsidy removal and other major reforms. President Bola Tinubu and his administration are daily working – and succeeding – at translating these sacrifices into improved living standards, stronger public services and greater economic opportunities for the Nigerian people.
 
Idris is Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Bauchi Police Command Detains Three Vigilantes Over Death Of Suspect

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Nigerian Police

By Ayodele Oni 

 

The Bauchi State Police Command has commenced investigation into the death of a suspect while in detention at the custody of vigilante corps.

 

Already, the Command has confirmed the arrest of three suspects in connection with the death of a male suspect, Abdulrazak Ibrahim in custody of Vigilante office in Bakin Kura area of the State.

 

The Command’s spokesman, SP Nafiu Habib said in a statement that police have opened inquiry into the death of the 39-year-old suspect, who was taken into vigilante custody, following complaint of alleged theft lodged by the victim’s mother, Hauwa Ibrahim.

 

The incident, according to the statement was reported to police on August, 20, 2026 at about 1839hrs by the Chairman of the Vigilante Group, Bakin Kura Local Government.

 

“Preliminary findings by the police revealed that the deceased was invited to the Vigilante Office following a complaint of theft lodged by his mother, one Hauwa Ibrahim, for investigation, recovery of stolen properties, and to identify possible receivers.

 

“It is unfortunate that during the process, Abdulrazak Ibrahim died while in the custody of the vigilantes.

 

“In response, the Command immediately deployed detectives attached to ‘A’ Division Township to the scene”, leading to the arrest of three members of the Vigilante Group on duty at the time of incident.

 

“Physical examination revealed that the body was intact with no visible sign of violence. However, an autopsy will be conducted to ascertain the actual cause of death.

 

“The corpse of the deceased has been evacuated to ATBU Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, and deposited in the mortuary for preservation.”

 

 Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, who sued for calm, ordered a thoroughly investigation to ensure justice is served.

Lawyers Stuck At Oghara–Sapele Road As NBA Raises Alarm, Seeks Urgent Intervention

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Oghara–Sapele Road

By Ayodele Oni

 

The Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) has raised an alarm as its members and other travelers got stuck in  traffic along Oghara–Sapele Road in Delta State for two days, due to an obstruction caused by two trucks.

 

The NBA called for the immediate intervention of relevant security and traffic management agencies, following reports that lawyers and other travellers heading to Port Harcourt for the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference have remained stranded on the on the highway.

 

In a statement issued on Sunday, and signed by the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Bridget Edokwe, Esq., the Association said it had received reports that the affected travellers had been stranded since the previous day, causing considerable hardship, delays and uncertainty for those travelling to Rivers State for the conference.

 

According to the NBA, two trucks were blocking the roadway, disrupting vehicular movement along the route and leaving lawyers and other motorists unable to continue their journeys.

 

The Association expressed particular concern about the safety, welfare and wellbeing of the stranded travellers, noting that the length of time they had remained on the road could expose them to further risks.

 

“The NBA is deeply concerned about the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all affected travellers,” the statement said.

 

It consequently called on the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Traffic Section of the Nigeria Police Force to intervene immediately, remove the obstruction and restore the free flow of traffic.

 

The NBA urged the agencies to treat the situation as an emergency, stressing that travellers had already spent a prolonged period stranded on the road.

 

“We particularly urge the relevant agencies to treat the situation as an emergency, given the prolonged period for which travellers have remained stranded and the potential risks to their safety and security,” the Association stated.

 

It further appealed to all relevant authorities to deploy the personnel, equipment and other resources necessary to clear the road without further delay.

 

According to the NBA, urgent intervention is required not only to ease the traffic gridlock, but also to guarantee the safe and unhindered movement of lawyers and other travellers proceeding to Port Harcourt for the 2026 Annual General Conference.

 

“The NBA further calls on all relevant authorities to deploy the necessary personnel and resources without further delay to resolve the situation and ensure the safe and unhindered movement of lawyers and other travellers proceeding to the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference,” the statement added.

 

While acknowledging the efforts of agencies and personnel working to facilitate safe travel, the Association urged them to act promptly to bring the situation to an immediate resolution.

Nwabueze, Coordinator Of Alleged Fake Brands Agency Insists It Has Been In Existence For 16 Years

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
George Buchi Nwabueze
George Buchi Nwabueze

By Ayodele Oni

 

The National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, George Nwabueze, has revealed that the office has been in existence for 16 years.

 

Refuting allegations that the office is fake, Nwabueze declared “Made in Nigeria Special Project Office is a project office in the OSGF.”

 

Nwabueze, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH noted that he oversaw an office which was under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, (ICPC) had on Friday said the President had ordered Nwabueze’s arrest for leading and promoting the outfit, which it tagged as a fake federal agency.

 

The ICPC claimed that the accused was running it with the collaboration of senior public servants in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

 

But in his response, he stated that “We don’t know where fake agency comes from. A programme that has been in the SGF’s office since 16 July 2010 was just discovered yesterday (Friday). After 16 years; Nigeria is a funny country.”

 

Nwabueze spoke while responding to enquiries on LinkedIn, where he had earlier posted his appointment letter to rebuff ICPC’s claim of illegality.

 

The letter, dated October 3, 2025, was purportedly issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

 

It was referenced OSGF/MIN/59310/11/205 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Nadungu Gagare.

 

The letter, addressed to “Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, National Coordinator, Made in Nigeria Project Office, OSGF, Three Arms Zone, Abuja,” conveyed the approval of his appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office under the OSGF.

 

According to the document, the appointment was for a five-year tenure beginning from July 2025 and was renewable.

 

“I am directed to formally convey the approval of your appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” the letter stated.

 

It added that the appointment followed “a careful evaluation of your commitment, contribution, and capacity in delivering on the mandate of the Special Project Office.”

 

The document listed Nwabueze’s responsibilities to include the supervision and development of programmes, projects and policies; supervision of regional and state coordinators across the 36 states; and organisation of exhibitions, trade expos, economic summits and other promotional initiatives aimed at promoting indigenous products and services.

 

It further stated that the project was to operate temporarily from Room B53, Ground Floor, within the OSGF complex.

 

“Please note that this appointment is at the pleasure of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and in line with the objectives of the Made in Nigeria initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the letter said.

 

Also, another document shared on Saturday on Linkedin by Nwabueze showed that his office sought to be granted the status of a Special Project.

 

The document, dated April 17, 2025, was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Gagare, and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. It was referenced PS-PEAO/2025/008/4.

 

The document, titled, ‘A proposal for the Made-in-Nigeria Project to be granted Special Project status’, stated that the initiative had been operating for about five years and had promoted Nigerian-made products and services locally and internationally.

 

It claimed that the project had organised economic forums and trade exhibitions in several parts of the world and contributed positively to the Nigerian economy, particularly in the area of foreign direct investment.

 

The document listed increased employment opportunities, economic growth and poverty reduction among the expected benefits of granting the project special status.

 

According to the proposal, the initiative would also contribute to Gross Domestic Product growth by supporting local industries and encouraging domestic production.

 

It further stated that the project would reduce importation by encouraging Nigerians to consume locally made products, thereby reducing dependence on imported goods, conserving foreign exchange and improving the country’s trade balance.

 

The document added that the initiative aligned with the Federal Government’s efforts to diversify the economy, reduce dependence on crude oil and promote the non-oil sector.

 

The Permanent Secretary subsequently invited the SGF to note that granting the project special status would enhance its credibility and performance and enable it to meet its mandate and responsibilities.

 

However, the proposal made clear that the activities of the project were to be reviewed and operational modalities developed.

Finally, Mary Habila’s Remains Are Laid To Rest

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Mary Habila Burial

By Akinwale Kasali 

 

After all the controversies, the remains of  Mary Habila, the Nurse who passed within the Ubulu, Ebonyi State Country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, have  finally been laid to rest.

 

She passed on June 27, 2026, inside her chalet in the staff quarters of the Minister’s country home while she and other staff members of the Ministry of Works were in Ebonyi State with Umahi.

 

Her funeral followed the caving in of his family members who finally agreed to an autopsy to determine the cause of her sudden death. The family had, initially, rejected an autopsy based on cultural beliefs. But Umahi insisted on the autopsy before her funeral in order to clear his name after accusing fingers were pointed at his direction by not a few people who refused to listen to his side of what exactly happened.

 

The 26-Year old was buried on Friday, August 21, in Nok, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State weeks after her death.

 

The late Habila hailed from Nok, Kaduna State.

 

The circumstances surrounding her death led to public outcry and calls for a thorough investigation to unravel what led to her death.

 

It also led to the call for the removal of Umahi as Minister, as there were speculations that there was more than meets the eye to the circumstances surrounding her death. 

 

But the Minister vehemently denied those speculations and revealed that Habila was like his daughter and that he and his family had been picking her bill for an undisclosed ill-health she had been suffering from. Proof: Umahi asked whoever doubted to go to the Turkish Hospital Abuja and ask for her medical records.

 

Umahi had, also, in a video after his birthday on July 25, said he was surprised that the death of his staff member had been turned into a political issue.

 

“Power and might do not belong to social media, it belongs to God. And God sees the heart of men. What surprised me is that when people took the death of one of my best workers and started to play politics, they said the President should sack me,” Umahi said.

 

He however questioned why he should be removed from office over the incident. 

 

The minister had said, “Why should you sack me? For doing what? So anybody that is working with you and dies, then you must be sacked? But the President surprised all of them. Instead, he said, ‘Dave, go and build more roads”.

 

The Minister had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with Habila’s death and said neither he nor any member of his family had anything to do with it.

 

He also criticised those he accused of attempting to profit politically from the tragedy.

 

“My prayer is this: if any member of my family or I had any hand in it, let our own fate be worse than that.

 

“But for those who want to profit from it, for those who want to play politics with it, I give the same prayer to them. If what they are saying is correct, let it be well with them. But otherwise, over the death of the young lady, their own will be worse than that. It’s a fair prayer,” he added.

 

After Habila’s death, her body was moved from Ebonyi State to Abuja for an autopsy after consultations involving her family, legal representatives and authorities handling the case.

 

The transfer followed a request from lawyers representing Umahi for the family’s consent to conduct a forensic examination.

 

The family later agreed to the autopsy but requested that it be carried out in Abuja.

 

In a letter, the family’s lawyer said, “That our client hereby agrees and consent for an autopsy on the body of Late Mary Habila subject to the transfer of the case to the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, FCT.”

 

The family also stated that the decision was aimed at ensuring that the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death were properly established.

 

The lawyers said the request was made “to quench the thirst of the General Public, for transparency, fairness and ensuring that the true cause and manner of the deceased death are conclusively established.”

Nollywood Actor, Ogogo Is Dead

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Taiwo Hassan popular as Ogogo

By Akinwale Kasali

 

 

Veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan popular as Ogogo, has been pronounced dead.

 

The actor has been battling with Stage Four Cancer, prompting his Daughter to call for help last week.

 

The late Actor was reported to have died at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, where he had been receiving medical attention.

 

In an X video, Ogogo’s daughter, Kira Taiwo, is seen reportedly weeping profusely and appealing to her family for help.

 

In the emotional video, Kira was heard saying: “Help me call my sister. My daddy is dead. I can’t believe it, my dad is dead. Mummy, please help me buy my ticket. I want to go home.”

 

His death comes after days of growing concern over his health condition, with members of his family, colleagues and fans rallying support and prayers for the veteran actor.

 

Ogogo had recently been at the centre of an emotional appeal for medical assistance after his daughters revealed that he was battling stage-four cancer.

 

His condition had triggered an outpouring of concern across the Nigerian entertainment industry, with several prominent Yoruba actors and filmmakers organising prayer sessions for his recovery.

 

The actor’s health crisis had also brought together some of his closest colleagues, including veteran stars Jide Kosoko, Yinka Quadri, Antar Laniyan, Bukky Wright, Fausat Balogun (Madam Saje) and Bolaji Amusan (Mr Latin), among others, in solidarity and prayers for his recovery.

 

He has over the years carved a formidable reputation for himself in the Yoruba film industry through decades of memorable performances, distinctive screen presence and contributions to the growth of indigenous Nigerian cinema.

 

His death represents a major loss to Nollywood, particularly the Yoruba movie industry, where he was regarded as one of the veterans who helped shape the industry into what it is today.

 

Tributes are expected to pour in from colleagues, entertainers, political figures, fans and admirers across Nigeria and beyond as news of his passing spreads.

 

However, an official statement from the actor’s family or representatives is still being awaited to formally confirm the report.

MURIC Slams Defence Minister Over Insecurity, Asks Him To Shape-up or Ship-out

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Ishaq Akintola - MURIC

By Ayodele Oni

 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has released an update on insecurity in the country, with a submission that the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, (rtd) has failed and should resign.

 

MURIC disclosed that at least 43 people and an Imam were killed in Sokoto state within the past three weeks, while 19 others were kidnapped in the same period.

 

The group pointed out that the minister had failed to honour a pledge he made when he assumed office to end killings across the country.

 

MURIC issued the ultimatum in a press statement signed by its executive director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola.

 

The group described the victims as all being Muslims and framed the attacks as an assault on the symbolic heart of Islam in Nigeria .

 

“If Abuja is Nigeria’s political capital, if Lagos is the country’s economic hub, then Sokoto is the heart of Islamdom in Nigeria.

 

“Any attack on Sokoto is deemed by Nigerian Muslims as an attack on Muslims in general,” MURIC wrote in the statement.

 

The group held the Nigerian Army directly responsible for the security failures in and around the state, and demanded what it called an “iron-clad defence mechanism” in the area.

 

MURIC also pointed to a recent warning from the Department of State Services (DSS) that terrorists were planning to attack tertiary institutions in Sokoto state, describing it as the moment that pushed the group to act.

Christopher Musa
General Christopher Gwabin Musa, (rtd): Minister of Defence

“The Defence Minister has reneged on his pledge to stop killings. He has failed the people of Sokoto. He has failed Nigerians,” the statement read.

 

The group recalled Musa’s own words on assuming office: “I knew that I could not afford to fail myself, fail my nation, fail my family,” and said his conduct in office had contradicted that commitment.

 

MURIC gave the minister until Monday, August 24, 2026, as the start date of the 14-day countdown, demanding visible and verifiable changes to the security apparatus in and around Sokoto within that window.

 

The group was explicit that the city must be made, in its words, “impregnable and unassailable,” adding that “no single ant must climb on the Sultan’s skin.”

 

“The alternative is for the minister to submit his letter of resignation on or before the ultimatum. There is no other option on the table,” the statement concluded.

“Nigeria Must Not Become Klling Field”  –  Peter Obi

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Peter Obi
Mr Peter Obi

By Ayodele Oni

 

The Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has advised that Nigeria must not allow the worsening insecurity to become normal.

 

A former two-term Governor of Anambra State, Obi called on Governments at all levels to take urgent and decisive action to end the wave of killings, abductions and destruction of communities across the country.

 

Obi, in a statement on Sunday, said the recent attacks in Benue, Plateau and Niger states had further exposed the worsening security situation in Nigeria, warning that the country must not be allowed to degenerate into a “killing field.”

 

He expressed concern over the recent attacks in the three North-Central states, noting that communities had continued to suffer killings, abductions, displacement and destruction of homes and livelihoods.

 

In Plateau State, Obi cited the attack in Jwak Maitumbi, Mangu Local Government Area, where at least 23 people were officially reported killed, while residents reportedly put the death toll above 30. He also noted reports that more than 45 houses were destroyed.

 

He further cited recent attacks in Borgu, Niger State, where reports put the death toll at over 40, with more than 100 people allegedly abducted, although he acknowledged that the figures remained contested.

 

Obi pointed out that the attacks came amid continuing violence in Benue, where communities had faced repeated killings, abductions and destruction of property.

 

“What is happening to our country?” Obi asked, expressing concern that Nigerians were being attacked in their communities despite the country not being formally at war.

 

According to him, citizens were being attacked in their villages, abducted after prayers, driven from their homes and deprived of their means of livelihood.

 

He argued that the violence in Benue, Plateau and Niger should no longer be treated as isolated incidents, but as part of a wider national security crisis requiring coordinated intervention.

 

“What is happening in Benue, Plateau and Niger is similar to what is happening elsewhere in the country, with some attacks even going unreported.

 

“The violence across these states must no longer be treated as isolated incidents. It is a national security emergency requiring urgent and coordinated action.”

 

The presidential candidate urged the Federal, state governments and other relevant authorities to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities and improve intelligence gathering and rapid-response operations.

 

He also called for the rescue of abducted Nigerians and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.

 

“Government must protect vulnerable communities, improve intelligence and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted Nigerians, and arrest and prosecute those responsible,” Obi said.

 

He warned against the continued practice of responding to attacks only after lives had been lost, stressing the need for security agencies to develop stronger preventive measures.

 

“We cannot keep counting bodies after every attack. We must prevent these attacks before they happen.”

 

Obi maintained that the protection of lives and property remained the most fundamental responsibility of government, urging authorities to rise to the challenge and restore the confidence of citizens.

 

“Protecting lives and property is the most basic duty of government. Nigerians deserve nothing less,” he said.

 

He concluded with a warning that “Nigeria must not become a killing field”

Osun Election: ADC Candidate, Salam, Says Supporters Let Him Down

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Najeem Salaam

By Ayodele Oni

 

In his first reaction, the African Democratic Congress, (ADC) governorship candidate in the August 15 election in Osun State, Dr Najeem Salam, has said the outcome of the poll was the will of Almighty God.

 

Incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party was declared the winner of the election, while Salam was distant third.

 

Speaking in a short video, Dr Salam, who spoke in Yoruba language, explained that he contested to better the lives of the people of Osun and not to betray the trust reposed in him by his supporters.

 

“The August 15 Governorship election went as Almighty God wanted it to be. I never disappointed my supporters or collected money from any politician to work for any opposition party,” he said.

 

The former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly added that his decision to run was borne out of a desire to improve the welfare of the people.

 

“I contested the governorship election to better the lives of the people. I did not betray any of my supporters. However, most of my supporters betrayed me,” Dr Salam stated.

 

He did not give further details on the alleged betrayal by some of his supporters.

 

ADC national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi had claimed in Abuja that the party worked with Accord which contributed to the victory of Governor Adeleke.

 

The governor had however debunked the claim, insisting that he had no agreement with ADC before, during and after the election.

1...789...3,065Page 8 of 3,065