Politics

Former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu Is Dead

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The former deputy president of the senate, Ibrahim Mantu is dead.

Mantu reportedly died in the early hours of Tuesday.

He is said to have been sick for days and died in isolation at a private hospital in the federal capital territory (FCT).

The former lawmaker is expected to be laid to rest later today in Abuja.

Mantu was elected as the senator representing Plateau central on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999.

He was elected deputy president of the senate in August 2001.

He was 74.

Politics

PDP accuses Buhari of disrespect for signing PIB

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In the wake of the approval of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the President of a lack of respect over the mandate.

The party stated this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, on Tuesday in Abuja in reaction to the signing of the PIB into law by Buhari.

He expressed surprise that Buhari ignored the huge outcry by the majority of disenchanted Nigerians and signed the bill as passed by the National Assembly into law.

He noted that the signing of the law in spite of widespread public rejection amounted to “endorsement of imposition, lack of respect for the people and the tenets of democracy as a system of government’’.

Ologbondiyan added that signing the bill into law was not in the interest of oil-producing communities, particularly in the face of the challenges they faced as a result of oil exploration.

“Mr President could have returned the bill to the National Assembly with a request that it is made to address the demands of the oil producing communities.

“Our party fears that the new law cannot guarantee the desired stability and development in the oil and gas sector as well as respite in the Niger Delta region.

“The PDP calls on President Buhari to salvage the situation by immediately forwarding an amendment bill to the National Assembly to reflect the true wishes and aspirations of every segment of our nation,” he said.

Politics

NNPC to get a new name in six months —Kyari

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The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Mele Kyari has disclosed that plans are already on the way to transit to a new company in the next six months.

The move according to Kyari is in line with the newly enacted Petroleum Industry Act.

Speaking on ‘Arise News Night’ edition on Monday, the GMD noted that the provision of the new Act states clearly that the NNPC be transformed to a company that will operate under the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

“The meaning of this is that the company will be another privately owned company in a sense, it will pay taxes, pay royalties and pay dividend to its shareholders.

This is not the situation today, because the Corporation has no such obligation, this means that it has stall its growth, its development and prosperity, but with the bill, it means that within six months, a new company will be incorporated,” he said.

He further explained that all liabilities, personnel and assets of the NNPC, within the six months period will be transferred to the new company.

“Within 6 months you must incorporate the NNPC Nigeria limited by law, that means once you incorporate, there will automatically be process of transfer of assets, transfer of personnel and many others, the furthest that we can go while doing this is six months,” he added.

According to the GMD, the transition would promote a more efficient oil company, adding that the transition does not only affect NNPC but all institutions under the PIB.

The government has established a structure and implementation committee to ensure a smooth transition from where we are today, not just NNPC but every institution under the Petroleum Industry Act, and there will be a system and framework that will take care of the transition,” he said.

He further disclosed that with the tremendous growth recorded in the Corporation in the last two years, the financial position of the corporation has moved from a negative position to a positive position, assuring that the company will not declare any loss this year.

“I am very happy and fulfilled that this company is doing very great today, it’s financial position has moved from a negative position of N800bn in 2018 to less than N2bn in 2019, I can tell you that this company will not declare any loss this year.

The law has provided that the company will have to transit to a new company, when this company transit, I will consult my family to see if I will have to apply for a job.

“Once the NNPC limited is incorporated, it is the choice of the owners of the company to decide who runs it and it will be my choice to decide if I will apply for a new job,” he said.

Politics

Gov Mohammed condemns Plateau attack, orders security agents to fish out perpetrators

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The Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, on Monday condemned the killing of travellers by gunmen in Plateau State.

Gunmen had in the early hours of Saturday killed 25 people during an attack on a travelling party along Rukuba Road, Jos North local government area of Plateau State.

The victims were returning from the annual ZIKR (Prayer Session) held in Bauchi to mark the commencement of the Islamic new year when the hoodlums struck.

The governor, who reacted to the incident through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Muhktar Gidado, ordered security agents to fish out the perpetrators of the attack.

The statement read: “Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has condemned in strong terms, the attack by Irigwe militia in Jos, Plateau State, last Saturday, August 14, 2021, on innocent travellers who were returning home after attending the annual ZIKR (Prayer Session) in Bauchi, to mark the commencement of the New Islamic year.

The governor described the attack which claimed the lives of 25 persons, as very sad and unfortunate, cognizant of the fact that they were innocent citizens travelling peacefully.

“Governor Bala Mohammed called for calm among residents and advised the people not to take laws into their hands.

“Commending the proactive measures taken by the authorities in Plateau State to forestall further breach of law and order, he called on the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of this despicable act and bring them to justice

While commiserating with the families of all those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident, he also condoled with the famous Islamic Scholar, Sheik Dahiru Usman Bauchi, for the loss of 25 members of his Tijjaniyah sect and prayed that the Almighty Allah will give their families and other Nigerians the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

Politics

APC dismisses PDP’s claim on alleged plan to rig 2023 elections

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The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday described as baseless the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) claim on the alleged plan by the ruling party to rig the 2023 general elections.

The PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, had on Sunday accused the APC of plotting to rig the elections after the National Assembly gave conditional approval for electronic transmission of election results in the country.

He said the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has no plan to organize free and free elections in the country.

The National Secretary of APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, John Akpanudoedehe, who reacted to the allegation in a statement in Abuja, said the PDP had already conceded defeat before the 2023 elections.

Akpanudoedehe said: “The idle conspiracies and wild allegations being bandied by the PDP on the procurement of e-voting machines and plans to rig the 2023 elections are clear testimonies that the PDP has already conceded election defeat long before the 2023 electioneering process.”

He noted that the PDP had since resorted to several diversionary strategies just to remain in public reckoning.

He listed the recent case filed against the APC national caretaker leadership which had been dismissed by courts as one of the few strategies adopted by the major opposition party to remain relevant in the nation’s space.

Akpanudoedehe, however, assured Nigerians that the party has no plan to rig the 2023 elections.

He added: “Our latest victory is the by-election for the House of Representatives seat in Lere Federal Constituency in Kaduna State.

“Going by PDP’s past and current antecedents, it is obvious that Nigerians will continue to reject the party.

PDP’s rejection is further reinforced by APC’s widely accepted and hugely successful membership registration exercise which has recorded APC membership strength of over 40 million.”

Politics

I did the right thing for Nigeria,’ Babangida defends June 12 annulment again

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The former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd), insisted on Monday that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election was in the best interest of the country.

Bagandida, who featured in a Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today, said he took the decision 28 years ago to save the country from a major crisis.

The former military ruler controversially annulled the election widely acknowledged as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history on June 24, 1993, and plunged the country into a major political crisis that lasted five years.

Babangida had in an interview on Arise TV about two weeks said he annulled the election in order to prevent a violent military coup in Nigeria.

He reaffirmed the position in Monday’s interview.

Babangida said: “It is a decision we took. I had to take that decision. I did that to the best of my knowledge in the interest of the country.

“I did the right thing. I can sit back and say some of the things I said manifested after I had left. We had the coup, and that coup lasted for five years.”

Politics

Calls for new Nigerian constitution unrealistic —Gov Bello

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The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Monday described as unrealistic the calls for a new Nigerian constitution.

Bello, who delivered a keynote address at the fifth edition of the Osasu Show Symposium 2021 titled: “State of the nation: The people’s constitution,” held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, however, called for the amendment of some sections of the 1999 Constitution.

The governor was represented at the forum by the Director-General of the state’s Research and Development Centre, Moses Okezi.

He said: “The constitution of Nigerian 1999 was enacted on May 29, 1999, by military decree 24 inaugurating the Nigerian Fourth Republic and restoring democratic rule.

“I believe the lack of direct origins in the people or some of their representatives is why some citizens and some sections of civil society insist that none of the previous constitutions of Nigeria qualifies to be called a people’s constitution.

“They advocate the total abrogation of the present one while calling for a process that will midwife the emergence of a new constitution which they claim will be the loadstone for a more egalitarian Nigerian society driven by the rule of law.

I understand their arguments. And how I wish I could buy into their optimism. Sadly, given our socio-political realities as a nation, I think calls to dump the present constitution wholesale and make a new one from scratch are not very realistic at this time.”

Politics

Gov Lalong blows hot, says govt will resist religious crisis in Plateau

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Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has vowed that any attempt by anyone to cause a religious crisis in the state will be resisted with all the might of government.

Lalong who made this vow on Monday, described the killings in the state as an act of criminality, and warned that his government would not tolerate any further acts of violence .

Lalong added that the 24’hours curfew imposed on Jos North Local Government Area will remain effective while the dusk to dawn curfew in Jos South and Bassa LGAs, was still in force.

The Governor who was on an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas alongside the head of the Inspector General Special Squad, DIG Sanusi Lemu, promised to deal decisively with anyone who wants to test his government’s resolve.

We in Plateau want to continue to stay in peace but criminal elements are always working to take us backward in which we as a government would resist,” he said.

Lalong once again, condemned the killings in the state and order security agencies to identify and arrest the perpetrators with immediate effects.

This is a clear act of criminality. All those who perpetrated this acts are criminals; nobody would take us back to the days of religious crisis. As the Governor of Plateau, I will not allow this to happen.”

Lalong also warned trouble makers bent on fomenting trouble in the state to desist as the government will not allow any form of lawlessness to disrupt the peace of the state.

“Citizens must comply with the curfew imposed in Jos North , Jos asouth, and Bassa.

“Attacks on innocent citizens, no matter their backgrounds, will never be tolerated in Plateau State and those who are found to be behind such attacks will be dealt with decisively to serve as deterrence and restore public order.

We would ensure that those arrested are dealt with and made to face the full wrath of the law. We have done a lot to ensure peace in Plateau and we never go back to those dark days.

“The Federal Government has already moved in a team led by a DIG of Police with more police mobilised to the state because we do not want this issue to escalate.

“That is why we are taking all this proactive measures to nip the crisis in the bud.”

Politics

Zulum reveals govt’s dilemma over surrendered Boko Haram insurgents

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In the wake of the mass surrender of Boko Haram insurgents, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has revealed the dilemma facing the administration over their reintegration into the wider society.

Zulum made this known on Sunday when he addressed military officers and community leaders at the Brigades in Gwoza and Bama, and community leaders at the palaces of the Emir of Gwoza and Shehu of Bama.

According to him, the situation required diverse stakeholders including representatives of attacked communities, to come together and critically review the pros, cons and implications of the surrender, in order to agree on a framework that was well-thought-out.

We (in Borno) are in a very difficult situation over the ongoing surrender by insurgents. We have to critically look between two extreme conditions and decide our future. We have to choose between an endless war or to cautiously accept the surrendered terrorists, which is really painful and difficult for anyone that has lost loved ones; difficult for all of us and even for the military, whose colleagues have died and for volunteers.

No one would find it easy to accept killers of his or her parents, children and other loved ones. In the last 12 years, we have been in this war, and we have lost thousands of fellow citizens.

“We don’t know the whereabouts of thousands of others; we don’t know whether they are alive or dead? In these 12 years, millions have been made homeless and many wealthy farmers, transporters and others have been rendered poor.

“In these years, we were able to cultivate maybe around 3% of the arable land, and as a result, our people became dependent on food aid amid donor fatigue and potential food insecurity, infact the repercussions of the Boko Haram crisis are enormous and as someone, who has been involved with assessment of the impacts and rebuilding efforts in the last seven years. I am in position to know the endless negative impact the Boko Haram has made in Borno,” Zulum said.

The governor said accepting Boko Haram had the risk of seriously offending the feelings of victims with the potential of civil rebellion, just as there was the risk that if Boko Haram fighters willing to surrender were rejected, they could join ISWAP to swell the ranks of fighters in the bush and the path of peace becomes narrowed.

“On my way travelling to Gwoza and Bama, I saw many people cultivating their farmlands by the roadside and this is an indication of emerging peace, which we have to sustain in order to salvage our people.

“However, as I said, we must come together to carefully analyse the two extremes and come up with a workable framework” Zulum explained further.

Politics

Northern groups petition US over Kyari, claim FBI erred

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Following the indictment of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari, by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the fraud case involving Abass Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has petitioned the US government, demanding fairness in the case.

In the petition signed by CNG’s spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, on Sunday, the group expressed worry over the trajectory around Kyari’s case, urging the US not to discountenance Nigeria’s ability to protect Kyari’s legal rights.

The petition, as seen by Ripples Nigeria, reads:

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), have noticed a number of fundamental procedural lapses in the conduct of the investigation, which tend not only to threaten the sovereign status of Nigeria, but also infringe on its citizen’s rights and civil liberties; threatens the rule of law and confronts the humanity and civilization that the people United States of America stands for.

“We also note that the FBI might have breached another fundamental criminal justice procedure by not according Mr Kyari the benefit of being heard before going ahead with the purported indictment by an American Court in the US for an offence purportedly committed in Nigeria, triable under Nigerian laws, by Nigerian courts and on Nigerian land.

A breach of decorum and the negligence of the procedure might have also occurred when the FBI hurriedly published the purported indictment online without first intimating the Nigerian authorities and hearing the accused’s case.

“Let it also be clear that there is a mounting public concern that the action of the FBI could suggest that the US might willfully be participating in Nigeria’s current political chase game and playing the card of the gang-up of regional and ethnic propagandists against northern interests.

“It is therefore important that our friends in the US understand what a destabilised Nigeria will mean to the entire sub-Saharan region.

“As the most populous country on the continent and one that continues to influence peace and stability across the sub-continent, any breakdown of law and order will further make dangerous the situation in terms of regional security, international cohesion, migration and other challenges that will affect Africa and beyond.

It is important that the US engages protocol and path of justice in the matter of Abba Kyari, who until now, enjoys huge repute as a super cop by all sections of the country. But it is groundless insinuation to suggest that US is playing the card of anti-north tendency.”

Politics

Fani-Kayode warns Nigerian govt not to rely on USA in fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP

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Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, has warned the Federal Government to stop its reliance on American aid while detailing lessons from the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the Taliban in Afghanistan over the weekend took over Kabul, the country’s capital, 20 years after the US chased them out.

This led to the president fleeing the country.

In his reaction via a series of tweets on Sunday, Fani-Kayode stated that this was an indication that Nigeria should not depend on the United States in its fight against ISWAP, Boko Haram and foreign Fulani militias.

The former minister also pointed out that Nigerians must unite and confront the monster of terrorism together.

Two lessons can be learnt from this. Firstly we must NEVER rely on the Americans or the international community to defend our nation from the terrorists that are ravaging our land and instead we must do it ourselves.

Secondly, we must come together, unite, forget our differences & collectively fight and resist the scourge of Islamist terror that has plagued our land. May God NEVER allow Boko Haram, ISWAP, the foreign Fulani militias or any other terrorist organisation to fly their flag over our nation, take over our nations capital, defeat our Armed Forces and conquer Nigeria,” Fani-Kayode noted.

He also explained the implications of the takeover on Afghanis.

Fani-Kayode wrote: “The implications for millions of Afghans are obvious and the implications for the entire region and the international community are legion.

As from today Islamist terrorist groups all over the world will have massive financial, logistical and moral support from a strong Islamist Government in Afghanistan. Apart from that, millions of Afghan men who refuse to accept the dictates of the Islamists and jihadists will be executed and millions of Afghan women and girls will be enslaved.”

Politics

Why Nigerian govt stopped employment in civil service – Ngige

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The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, on Sunday explained why the Federal Government stopped employment in the civil service.

The minister, who made the clarification when the Igwe of Nnewi kingdom, Kenneth Orizu lll; led members of the royal family and leaders of various quarters in the town to his residence in Abuja, said the government’s decision to suspend employment in the civil service was influenced by the poor state of the nation’s economy.

He added that the government created small jobs and empowerment programmes to fortify social safety nets and establish a social protection system in the country.

The delegation had earlier asked Ngige to help secure jobs for young graduates from the town.

The minister said: “The Federal Government placed an embargo on employment because the economy is not in good shape. But, we have the Home Support Programmes like Conditional Cash Transfer and others. Such money is meant for the poor in society.

“I have been making sure that Nnewi town gets its due through my foot soldiers in the community. Nothing is too small but I assure you that we will do more.”

Politics

Governors charge security agencies to fish out perpetrators of Plateau attack

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The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Sunday charged the security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the attack on travellers in Plateau State and prosecute them accordingly.

Gunmen had in the early hours of Saturday killed 22 people during an attack on a travelling party along Rukuba Road, Jos North local government area of Plateau State.

The victims were returning from Bauchi State where they attended an event marking the beginning of the Islamic New Year when the gunmen struck.

The hoodlums also abducted several passengers during the attack.

In a statement signed by NGF’s Head of Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the governors described the killings as barbaric and senseless.

The statement read: “These dastardly actions of Nigeria’s once peaceful locals which have resulted in unwarranted and needless deaths diminish us all as a people and pulls our country down to the deepest recesses of the absence of civilisation.

“They also cause all kinds of reprisal killings and injurious interactions that does nobody any good.

“The Forum views with extreme disgust the horrible and thoughtless loss of precious lives and declares unequivocally that it must stop forthwith.”

Politics

Masari narrates how cattle rustling turned into banditry, insurgency

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Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has given an insight into how cattle rustling snowballed into the current spate of kidnapping and banditry in the North West Zone of the country.

The governor spoke in Katsina during a press conference on Saturday.

The governor attributed part of the security challenges the region was facing to lack of education as well as influx of criminals from some North African countries.

Masari, who said there were ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in the state, lamented that the current situation had prevented farmers from accessing their farmlands.

Unfortunately, what we met as cattle rustling has turned into banditry and insurgency which are depriving people, especially those living in the border area of the forests which are very fertile, from access to their farms, drastically affecting their source of livelihood.

“They have lost their ploughing cattle which they used to plough the land.

”This has caused another challenge to our “Restoration Agenda” in Katsina but we thank God that we can continue,” he said.

Masari revealed that the seven governors from the North West Zone have been meeting to work out modalities on how to end insurgency, part of which is the ongoing training of about 500 vigilance members to be followed by another 3,000 soon.

We have a committee under the North West Zone because of our linkage in terms of the boundary.

”We are strategising on how to deal with the situation.

”And as I talk to you now, we have 500 vigilantes undergoing training and we intend to take another 3,000.

“’We have infiltration from Niger Republic, Mali which has very large ungoverned spaces and you know the problem in Libya has unleashed arms and ammunition on sub-Saharan Africa.

“And we have to accept that within these areas, Nigeria is the richest and an attraction for all forms of criminality and kidnapping.

Even ISWAP will want to at least stay in the North West to institute family here and but are fighting day and night to ensure that it doesn’t happen. We are working night and day to make sure that it doesn’t become a permanent feature.

“The major problem we are facing now is the issue of selected kidnapping; they have moved a step further by going to town to kidnap a member of the family. That is the stage we are dealing with now.”

Politics

More cracks in IPOB as leader, Kanu, suspends ‘Ghost Monday’, sit-at-home

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There seems to be more cracks within the ranks of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after its leader, Nnamdi Kanu reportedly suspended the weekly Monday sit-at-home action tagged “Ghost Monday”.

The group’s Head of Directorate of State, Chika Edoziem announced the suspension of the weekly sit-at-home directive, an action backed by Kanu’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

Edoziem had announced the suspension of the directive on Friday, during a programme on the group’s radio station.

However, the suspension of the sit-at-home action by the group’s directorate seems not to go down well with some of its members, who took to social media platforms to express their displeasure over the suspension.

It would be recalled that the group through its Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, had scheduled the sit-at-home to commence on Monday, August 9, saying it would continue until the release of their leader by the Nigerian government.

But in a directive on Sunday, August 8, Kanunta Kanu, the younger brother of Nnamdi Kanu disagreed with the group over the sit-at-home order, calling off the action and cited the National Examination Council’s (NECO) examinations for junior secondary school students that had just begun as a reason.

In a statement, Kanunta said the group decided to suspend the sit-at-home following pleas from well-meaning individuals and groups within and outside the Igbo land that the action should be suspended to allow students in the region to participate in the NECO examinations.

He argued that going ahead with the sit-at-home directive as earlier planned despite the examinations would amount to assisting South-East enemies to inflict more injuries on her children, noting that the group would announce a new date for the commencement of the sit-at-home.

However, the group’s Publicity Secretary in a counter-statement maintained that the group would go ahead with the sit-at-home as planned, stating that the date remained sacrosanct.

On Monday, August 9, the sit-at-home directive went on as planned in some towns in the South-East region, with IPOB boasting that the exercise was 100 per cent successful in the region.

But in the latest development on Friday, August 13, Edoziem reportedly announced the suspension of the sit-at-home order on Radio Biafra, saying: “I wish to announce this very evening, that as directed by the highest command of this noble movement, our Monday Ghost Town or sit-at-home in Biafra land, stands suspended for now.

“The weekly sit-at-home stands suspended, which means in the coming Monday, there will be no Ghost Town in Biafraland.

“Our sit-at-home will be on each court date when our leader, Onye Ndu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be appearing in court.”

After the announcement, some members of the group took to social media platforms to question the latest development, warning that statements by Edoziem and Kanu’s lead lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor should be scrutinized properly before being accepted “hook, line and sinker.”

A Facebook user, whose name appeared as Elochukwu Ohagi, warned that the information from Kanu’s lawyer words from Kanu must be thoroughly examined.

He said, “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (MNK) is in the dark. MNK doesn’t know what is going on in the outside world. MNK is not watching the news and doesn’t know anything about the events.

“It means that MNK’s decisions about the sit at home were actually what they painted for him. The lawyer must be made to understand that we know this. Let him also know that we are not fools.

“I put it to you that the lawyer is not in support of the sit at home and he worked on MNK to get it cancelled. It is only what he tells MNK that MNK knows and can digest. I am still uncomfortable with that cancellation, and I am still in doubt.

“Let somebody not take advantage of our command and control to destroy the struggle. If you take this as insubordination, that’s because you have a poor understanding of that word.”

Another user, Egwuatu Chukz, wrote on Facebook, “Yes, It’s hard to believe that the (every) Monday Sit At Home protest will be suspended by the highest authority of IPOB, but my take on the various reactions by our people is this;

Firstly it’s very painful that it has come like this after all the resources, strength, fixed schedules, broadcast and strategies been channelled towards the campaign for the weekly Sit At Home, oh it is sad.

“But please let’s be guided with our words and utterances on media space, At this critical period we must be tactical in airing our opinion. Don’t showcase your weakness to our common enemies.

“Very true that If anything went wrong in IPOB today, Directorate of State (DOS) will be held responsible, just as the blame is been rightly direct to them by majority Biafrans, But it is our duty to protect them, shield them until our leader is out.”

“Stop attacking the legal representatives. They are not the authority, they’re just representing IPOB in legal capacities, even (If) any directive or Instruction comes from our leader and message is passed through the lawyer. The announcement or execution of such order lies in the capacity of IPOB Directorates (DOS).”

Meanwhile in a statement on his Facebook page on Saturday, Ejiofor expressed his displeasure over the reaction of IPOB on the suspension of the sit-at-home order.

Ejiofor wrote, “I have observed with dismay, the avalanche of emails and messages from Umuchineke unanimously prodding for a clarification /confirmation on the highlights of the press statement issued by the leadership of our Client, yesterday, suspending their Sit-at-home Order.

“I cannot stop being shocked by the manifested lack of trust/disbelief expressed over the authenticity of the message. There is, therefore, an urgent need that facts are put in their proper perspectives.

“We at the legal team are increasingly becoming embarrassed with the unfortunate manner in which some people, ostensibly moles, notorious for mischief, are deliberately dragging us into the decision making arm of the movement, a position which we never represent.

Responsive listeners/followers should always be smart to decipher the language methodology messages are being conveyed by their leadership at every point in time. You people call it C. and C.

“Introducing insinuations, fundamentally unconnected with the intended motive only means you still have a long way to go. In times like this, people should do away with propaganda, gossip, mischief, a campaign of calumny and pay attention to messages from recognized source(s).

“For your information, if you are expecting me to write it, or answer your questions in black and white, perhaps in a manner that even my aged mother in the village will nod her head in appreciation of the content, then you are very far from getting it here. An Igbo proverb says “atuolu omalu, omalu mana atuolu ofeke ofeyi isi na ofia”, he stated.

Politics

Ahmed Joda a hero for all Nigerians – Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari, has described the late former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, as a hero for all Nigerians.

Joda died after a prolonged illness in his hometown in Yola, Adamawa State, on Friday.

In a condolence message signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Friday in Abuja, Buhari highlighted the deceased monumental contributions to Nigeria’s unity and progress till his death.

The President said Joda’s lofty ideals would continue to motivate millions across the nation.

He said: “We will not forget his sacrifices.”

According to him, the late “super permanent secretary” distinguished himself as a remarkable scholar, journalist, intellectual, public servant, and farmer.

“Joda was a hero for all Nigerians who, even in death will continue to inspire every generation to move forward with love, brotherhood, and harmony,” the President added.

Politics

Police officer dismissed for alleged murder in Osun

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The Osun State Police Command has dismissed a police officer for allegedly shooting a commercial motorcyclist to death in Osogbo, the state capital.

The police officer simply identified as Sgt. Adamu Garba allegedly shot dead the victim, Saheed Olabomi, on July 27.

The command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said the police officer was dismissed after an orderly room trial.

She said: “The general public will recall that on July 27, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, immediately arrested and detained the police officer that shot one Saheed Olabomi in Osogbo, for disciplinary action.

As the CP promised, in the best tradition of transparency and accountability, the outcome of the trial has been brought to the public.

The policeman, F/NO.467549 Sgt. Adamu Garba, has been tried in orderly room procedure in line with the laid down Rules and Regulations of the Nigeria Police Force disciplinary procedure.

“The erring officer has been found guilty of the offence and subsequently dismissed from the Force.

“The orderly room procedure has been forwarded to Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, for necessary action.

“This, the CP believes will serve as a deterrent to other police officers.

“The CP wishes to apprise the general public, most especially the good people of the state that he will never condone any act of indiscipline and unprofessional conduct exhibited by any member(s) of the Nigeria Police under his watch.

He, however, appeals to the members of the public to be law-abiding and be rest assured that justice will prevail.”

Politics

My government’s response to insecurity strong, robust – Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari said on Friday the Federal Government and security agencies have responded to the current insecurity in the country in a “determined and robust” manner.

He stated this during the graduation ceremony for participants of Course 29 at the National Defence College, Abuja.

The President’s statement came just three days after the Amnesty International claimed that bandits and other criminals killed 112 persons and abducted 160 others in one month in Kaduna and Plateau States.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Defence, Major-Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd), said the focus of his administration was to promote multi-national, combined, joint and special inter-agency collaborations in the fight against the criminals terrorizing the citizens across the country.

He said: “Although the nation is still grappling with the challenges of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, farmers and herder clashes, and militancy.

“The responses by my government and security agencies in tackling these threats have been strong, determined, and robust in order to enhance the security of lives and property of Nigerians.

“We consolidated the peace in the Niger Delta and recovered vast territories overtaken by terrorists in the North-East.

“We are making continuous efforts at consolidating the progress made in improving the enabling security environment for peace and development.”

Politics

Osun records seven fresh COVID-19 deaths, 73 cases

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Osun State government on Friday confirmed seven new COVID-19 deaths in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, who disclosed this in a statement in Osogbo, said the state had recorded 73 new cases in the last two weeks.

She urged the people of Osun to play a key role in the ongoing efforts to check the spread of the pandemic in the state.

Egbemode said: “It has become imperative for citizens to consciously take personal responsibility for their own safety because the third wave of this dreaded disease has berthed in Osun.

“In the last two weeks, the state has recorded 73 cases with seven mortality. We can no longer afford to treat our protection with levity. We must wear masks religiously and avoid crowded spaces like a plague. It is becoming more obvious that our lives depend on how well we adhere to safety protocols.

“Osun’s daily COVID-19 case tallies and mortality rate are becoming alarming. The effects of the virus are getting worse by the day because our compliance level is deplorable and alarming.

“Our people need to take responsibility for their own safety by ensuring that they take the COVID-19 tests to be sure of their status, especially when they feel ill. Let us leave no chance for costly assumptions and be deliberate about boosting our immunity.

Partying and appearances at densely populated locations have become dangerous all over the world. We are back to ground zero with the virus, and we cannot continue to pretend like it doesn’t exist.

“The current statistics signal a precarious situation. With 73 positive cases in the last two weeks, from which 10 percent mortality was recorded, continued disregard for safety guidelines and protocols by citizens may result in more frightening statistics with time.

“While the government continues to upscale efforts in combating the pandemic and its effect on the state, citizens should ensure adherence to the safety protocols outlined by the different layers of government. Wear your mask always, keep clean surfaces at home and in workspaces, wash or sanitise your hands and avoid crowded spaces always.

The more nonchalant and careless we become this season, the more we open ourselves up to the dangerous effects of the pandemic.”

Politics

Buhari’s visit to Tinubu not about 2023 election – Presidency

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The Presidency declared on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Tinubu, in the United Kingdom was not to support his 2023 presidential ambition.

The President visited the ex-Lagos State governor in London on Thursday.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, stated this when he featured in a Channels Television programme, Politics Today, in Abuja.

Adesina said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not given approval for the commencement of the 2023 electoral campaign, adding that the President cannot break the rules.

He stressed that President Buhari would only begin campaign after the APC presidential candidate has emerged.

Adesina said: “The President still has two years in his tenure of office. So for him to start supporting somebody now will just be jumping the gun.

And you know that President Buhari will never do that. Before the 2019 election, people started to campaign for him before INEC blew the whistle for the campaign to start. He was the one who came out to say no, don’t do it. Don’t jump the gun.

“So the President himself will dare not jump the gun in terms of supporting one candidate or the other.

“Also recall that he has said that anybody who wants to be President after him should go out and work. That means the President may not be supporting anybody until maybe when the candidate of the party emerges. Knowing President Buhari, he will never jump the gun.”

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