Politics

FG should begin police reform to end protests

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A former lawmaker, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, has urged the Federal Government to begin the process of police reform to douse the ongoing nationwide protests against police brutality by Nigerian youths.

Ohuabunwa, who represented Abia North in the Eighth Senate, made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Saturday.

He said that police reform would help restore public confidence in the police force.

Ohuabunwa also advised the Federal Government to enter into serious negotiation with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in order to find a lasting solution to the seven-month-old industrial dispute by the union.

He feared that the two knotty issues could snowball into a monstrous national crisis, if not properly addressed.

He said: “Government should act fast and responsibly to end the agitations. It should take cogent steps to yield to the yearnings of the protesters.

“It is a bad omen for any government to allow aggrieved youths to continue to protest on the streets for days.

“Recall that the Arab Spring, which brought down autocratic regimes in some Arab nations, began this way with aggrieved youths.”

Ohuabunwa described the #EndSARS protests as a spontaneous response to police brutality, which had lingered for many years unchecked.

He expressed concern that there was a nexus between the EndSARS protests and the ASUU strike, saying that idle undergraduates remained ready and willing tools for anti-government protests.

Ohuabunwa noted that resolving the Federal Government-ASUU impasse would help to take the youths off the streets and back to classrooms.

He said that the lingering ASUU strike would have a negative impact on the nation’s education sector and the future of the youths.

“The Federal Government should address ASUU’s demands because lecturers are making a tremendous contribution to nation-building,” Ohuabunwa said.

He warned anti-riot police personnel against the use of force in dealing with protesters, saying that “citizens have the right to peaceful protest as guaranteed in the constitution”.

Ohuabunwa, who is a proponent of restructuring Nigeria, added that the current agitation by the nation’s youths underscored the need for the Federal Government to commence the nation’s restructuring without further delay.

According to him, the current developments in the country have heightened the agitation for the restructuring of Nigeria.

Entertainment, Politics

Tacha admonishes End Sars protesters at Lekki to focus on the essence of the protest.

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Ex Big Brother Naija housemate, Tacha has taken to her Instagram page to address End Sars protesters. She admonished protesters at Lekki toll gate to focus on the essence of the protest.

Tacha has shown so much support towards the protest since it started, she went as far as travelling to her state “Port harcourt” to support her people.

She mentioned that youths have to be involved in the panel being set up to negotiate with the federal government. Below is the video she shared to admonish Nigerian youths.

Politics

Prof Yemi Osinbajo has released a speech to address End Sars protesters.

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Vice president of Nigeria,Professor Yemi Osinbajo has released a speech concerning police brutality and the demand of youths to End Sars. He apologised for the incompetence on the government part to address the issue urgently. Below is the speech Professor Osinbajo released via his Twitter account.

Dear Nigerians, I know that many of you are angry, and understandably so. We could’ve moved faster and for this we are sorry.

I fully understand how many young people feel. Many feel that we have been too silent and have simply not done enough.
These feelings of frustration are justified.

There are far too many people who have been brutalised at the hands of the police and this is unacceptable. We must take responsibility for protecting young people, even sometimes from those who are paid to protect them.

Over the past week, we have been following the protests, and I have had a number of discussions with key people in the administration that you deserve to be informed about. Transparency, after all, is a key tenet of government.

Several meetings have been held with: the @SPLawan, @femigbaja, the Chief of Staff to @MuhammaduBuhari, Chairman of the @PoliceServiceC2, the IG of @PoliceNG (IGP), the Executive Secretary of @NHRCNigeria, and governors.

We understand that you want to see action from us and I’m here to tell you that work is ongoing. I chaired a meeting of 36 state governors and the Minister of the FCT (NEC), where we resolved to set up judicial panels of inquiry so we can see justice served, and fast.

The reason being that only state governors, by law, can set up judicial inquiries in their states. The hearings will be public. With Mr. President’s approval, SARS has been completely disestablished, and none of its former members will feature in any police tactical units.

I am sending my deepest condolences to the families of Jimoh Isiaq, and all those who have lost their lives at the hands of wayward police officers. To those injured, I wish a full and speedy recovery.

We have proposed that each state government set up a Victims’ Support Fund, which @NigeriaGov will support. This is the least that we can do to compensate for the injustice suffered at the hands of errant officers.We also understand that the issues that you’re raising are bigger than just SARS. They’re deep and systemic and we’re undertaking comprehensive measures that will revamp the police by addressing issues of welfare, service conditions and training.

On Monday, Mr. President also reiterated his commitment to these extensive police reforms.

We will continue to update and engage with you all on these action steps and the ones to come, in the spirit of transparency, so that you can hold us accountable. We are, after all, here to serve you and we owe you a duty to win back your trust. Keep safe. God bless you.

Politics

End SARS: AD Chieftain, Alao blasts Makinde over donation of N100m for damaged Soun’s palace

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A chieftain of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Oyo State, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao, has condemned Governor Seyi Makinde of the state over the donation of N100m to the Soun of Ogbomoso for the rehabilitation of a portion of his palace partially destroyed on Sunday.

DAILY POST recalls that some angry protesters had on Sunday invaded the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi and destroyed some property.

Makinde who visited the palace on Monday announced the donation of N100m for the rehabilitation of the damaged portion of the palace.

He also announced the sum of N1m each for families of those who lost their lives during the protests.

But Oyedele Hakeem Alao has faulted the decision of the Governor for donating N100m for the rehabilitation of a damaged portion of the palace. He described the donation as reckless spending, considering the financial situation of the state.

Alao, who contested the gubernatorial election on the platform of AD in 2019 general elections, added that the state is not buoyant to the point of doling out 2 per cent of monthly allocation to repair some damaged property at the palace.

The AD chieftain in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Friday through his Media Aide, Omotayo Iyanda, declared that as a good public finance manager, it is wrong for Makinde to just deep his hand into public coffers and spend recklessly.

He said, “In the wake of the #EndSARS protest in Ogbomoso, the palace of our aged royal father was badly vandalized out of unmitigated anger by our irate youth. Our father, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oyewumi Ajagungbade, had little or no power to mitigate the situation.

“It is commendable that our governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde promptly visited Ogbomoso land but it is appalling that Governor Makinde could be so reckless again to publicly announce N100m for the rehabilitation of the damaged portions of the palace. Oyo State government is not buoyant to the point of doling out almost 2% of its monthly allocation. Interestingly, N1m was announced to be donated to the families of those that lost their lives.

“We are not saying our governor should not support our royal father’s palace or the other people. What we are saying is that there are better other ways to come to the aid of the people in distress. Our governor can appeal to the indigenes of Ogbomoso and other Oyo State residents to come together to rescue the situation. As a good public finance manager, you do not just deep your hand into public coffers and spend recklessly”.

Alao added that the End SARS protests across the country is not all about banning SARS but an expression of the peoples’ anger against bad governance.

“It is very obvious that this mass protest significantly by our youths across the country is not only about “End SARS” but is an expression of the peoples’ anger against bad governance, widespread corruption, unemployment, nepotism, cronyism, increasing cost of living, insecurity, poor infrastructure and lack of basic human necessity of food, housing and decent allowance. It is crystal clear from the protests across the country that the Nigerians are getting to the climax of their endurance. It is disheartening and dangerous that the protests do not have clear leadership yet.

‘This is worrisome as it is almost identical to the Arab upspring of 2011. President Muhammadu Buhari, all members of the political class, our royal fathers, religious leaders and civil society groups should rise up to save this country from the stroke of fire that could engulf it so soon.

“However, it is not enough to just scrap SARS and come up with another police formation in the name of SWAT just three days after the disbandment of the dreaded SARS. And worse still, the IGP Muhammed Adamu has stated that some members of the disbanded SARS are still going to be re-integrated into the new SWAT.

“The question is: do we need a new police formation right now? What have we done with other formations not scrapped? Is scrapping the real action needed to get a responsible corrupt-free policing in Nigeria? What about the huge cost of setting up a new police formation? Will the new set-up be able to face the challenges of the insecurity in the country? How will the IGP monitor the new formation to ensure it does not revert to SARS antics? Are there going to be regular courses for the members of the SWAT team on human behaviour and civility?”.

Politics

Lauretta Onochie: US told to prevail on Buhari against destroying INEC’s independence, integrity

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Deji Adeyanju, convener of Concerned Nigerian, has urged the United States, US, to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari not to destroy the integrity and independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Adeyanju made the appeal while condemning Buhari’s nomination of his aide, Lauretta Onochie as an INEC Commissioner.

The activist explained that Onochie’s nomination was unconstitutional and illegal.

In a letter to the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Adeyanju described Onochie as partisan and a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

According to the activist, Nigeria’s constitution prohibits card-carrying members of a political party from becoming an INEC official.

He, therefore, urged the US Ambassador to prevail on Buhari to rescind his nomination.

Adeyanju said: “Nomination of Lauretta Onochie: Prevail on President Buhari not to Destroy the Independence of INEC.

“We write to you as friends of Nigeria and strong democratic partners of our nation on the above subject matter.

“President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of his Personal Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner from Delta State is a reprehensible attempt to destroy the integrity and independence of Nigeria’s electoral commission.

“Lauretta Onochie is an openly partisan, card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party, who constantly attacks and denigrates critics of the ruling party.

“Her appointment is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void, and unacceptable to the generality of the Nigerian people. We appeal to you to pressure President Buhari to rescind this appoint as it is capable of reversing the gains made in our electoral processes.”

Politics

Activists call for suspension of #ENDSARS protest

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A civil society group, Activists for Good Governance (AGG) and its allies have called for suspension of the #EndSARS protest to allow the Federal Government and police authorities carry out the promised reforms.

AGG made the call at a press conference on the #EndSARS protest at the International Press Centre at Ogba on Friday.

Co-Convener of AGG, Comrade Gbenga Soloki, said the government has to demonstrate genuine commitment to fulfill the promises made so as to restore the confidence of the people.

The Convener, Comrade Declan Ihekaire, called on the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu to step down honourably and apologise to Nigerians it took this long to scrap and replace SARS despite series of their activities he had been aware of.

Soloki said. “The sad truth is, trust has been lost! But the Nigerian government has the opportunity to rally the civil society and the organized private sector now to stem the tide and win the trust of the Nigerian people by implementing a comprehensive reform of the Nigerian police.”

AGG stated further if within one week it does not see a genuine demonstration of the commitment, it will not hesitate to call out its members across the nation for a coordinated action against the Federal Government “that will make the on-going rehearsal look like a kindergarten prep”.

While acknowledging the disbanding of SARS by the IG, Soloki said what is required today is complete review and overhaul of the policing system in Nigeria.

He said: “We are of the view that the hasty renaming of SARS as another Special Weapon and Tactics Team (SWAT) is a poorly concieved approach to solving an endemic problem.

“We don’t just want a change in name but a complete reform of the standard operating procedure of the new crime-bursting outfit and indeed the Nigerian police.”

AGG asked government which to put an immediate end to all forms of police brutality, setting up of a judicial commission of inquiry into the operation of the disbanded SARS to bring offenders to book.

Other activists present at the briefing were: Rasak Oladosu of Grasdroot Democratic Initiative; Shina Loremikan of Campaign Against Impunity and Raheem Ajayi of The Development Initiative and others

Politics

FG and ASUU meets again on October 21st.

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On Thursday, 15th of October 2020, the federal government reached an agreement with the academic staff union of universities (ASUU) reached an agreement. In the meeting, the federal government has agreed to release N30billion earned academic allowance to the lecturers between May 2021 and February 2022.

The FG also promised to spend N20bn on the revitalization of the educational sector. Despite the agreement reached by the FG and ASUU, the meeting ended on deadlock. The meeting has been adjourned to October 21 by 3.00pm.

It is expected that ASUU will report back with a decision to end the strike.

Politics

I have been receiving curses- Femi Adesina

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The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, says he has been receiving curses and messages from hell due to false reports that he was against the #EndSARS protests.

Adesina, who is the President’s most senior spokesman, said this in an article titled, ‘An Enemy of the People’ published on Thursday evening.

He said an online medium had falsely accused him of telling the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to ignore the protests and not give in to the demands of ‘Twitter warriors’.

The President’s spokesman said someone went ahead to post his telephone numbers on social media which led to him receiving calls and hate messages.

Adesina stated that he received a second round of attacks when an old interview he had granted Channels Television on the ‘Revolution Now’ protests was twisted to make it appear as if he was referring to the #EndSARS protests.
The President’s spokesman thanked Channels TV for clarifying the interview but said despite the move by the television station, the attacks did not stop.

He wrote, “Those who wanted to, believed the television station. A large number chose not to , bombarded my phone lines with curses, expletives and messages from the pit of hell. Well, if anybody chooses to belong to that nether region, it’s a matter of choice.

“Talking about the bombardment of my phone lines, it had begun on Sunday. A hateful mind had published my two numbers on Twitter, urging people to troll me. They called till the phone batteries went dead. Mum was the word from me.”

Adesina said he never advised the President to ignore the #EndSARS protests rocking the nation.

He stated that the online medium that published the report did not give him a chance to respond to the allegations thereby opening him to attacks.

Adesina claimed many people hated him because they were envious of his position as the President’s spokesman.

Politics

Governor Sanwo-Olu confirms the apprehension of 4 police officers over misconduct.

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Lagos state governor , Babajide Sanwo-Olu has addressed the public concerning the ridiculous attacks on peaceful protesters by sponsored hoodlums.

In his speech, he announced that 4 police officers who were involved in Surulere disruption have been apprehended. Watch the video below to listen to his speech.

Politics

Protesters march on Nigerian parliament after army threatens to step in

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LAGOS/ABUJA (Reuters) – Hundreds of protesters marched to the gates of Nigeria’s parliament on Thursday, hours after the army said it was ready to step in and restore order after more than a week of demonstrations against police brutality.

The protest defied a ban on mass rallies in the capital Abuja that the government said was imposed earlier on Thursday to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Chanting crowds also blocked roads and waved flags and banners in the commercial hub Lagos, where protesters reported clashing with unidentified men wielding weapons.

Video on social media appeared to show men coming out of a bus and chasing protesters, though Reuters could not verify the footage.

“We have suffered enough. We youths want to stand – no more brutality,” one demonstrator, Obinna Paul, said in another part of the city where crowds blocked a toll gate funnelling traffic to and from the main airport.

Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Twitter he condemned the attacks on peaceful protesters “by armed and unscrupulous elements trying to cause chaos”.

Late on Wednesday, the military issued a statement titled “Nigerian Army warns subversive elements and trouble makers”.

“The NA (Nigerian Army) is ready to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively,” it said.

Protesters have staged daily marches since Wednesday last week, calling for an overhaul of police forces.

Police had responded to the demonstrations with beatings, tear gas and gunfire, which human rights group Amnesty International said had killed at least 10 people. But the police agreed on Tuesday to stop using force against protesters.

In response to the protests, the head of Nigeria’s police force on Sunday dissolved the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit that demonstrators have accused of beatings, killings and extortion.

Demonstrators have called for more meaningful reforms. Protesters say they fear a new unit, whose creation to “fill the gaps” left by SARS was announced on Tuesday, was just a rebranding of the squad.

Politics

FG accuses ASUU of being responsible for #EndSARS protests, civil unrest

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The Federal Government on Thursday accused the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of being responsible for the on-going #EndSARS protest and other civil unrest across the country, saying that its prolong industrial action has largely encouraged the protest and unrest.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, made the allegation against the university lecturers while speaking at the conciliatory meeting between the Federal Government and ASUU in Abuja.

The Labour minister as the head of Federal Government delegation, led the meeting, while ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, led the Union delegation.

Ngige believes that if ASUU has not been on strike and the university students are currently in schools, the widespread protest wouldn’t have been possible.

Notwithstanding, the minister pointed out that the government was working tirelessly to ensure that the matter is resolve for students to return to school.

On the University Transparency and Accountability System(UTAS), which is the alternative provided by the union after rejecting the government’s IPPIS, Ngige explained that government has done the first test out of the three to be done on the platform.

He stated that ASUU has presented UTAS platform against the use of Integrated Personal and Payroll System (IPPIS) which has being the caused of the industrial action.

According to the minister: “For the past one week, we have all been on our toes, we have been meeting and we pray that this meeting will yield some good fruits. We don’t take very great pleasure to the fact that the children who are supposed to be in school are being recruited into the #EndSARS, #EndStrike, #EndSWAT and all the kind of situations. As much as possible, we will try to see how we can meet ourselves halfway, so that we can resolve this crisis to the benefits of all and the country at large.”

Ngige pointed out that the government has commenced the process of testing UTAS which ASUU members claimed it accommodates the peculiarities of the university systems, adding that all the three stages of the test will be concluded within the time frame the union gave the government.

He said: “We have had the preliminary report and test run on the UTAS, which is the University Transparency Accountability Solution. We believe that with that, we will be able to get it right.

“Let me make it clear to members of the press, we never said UTAS will replace IPPIS as some of you are reporting. No! The UTAS developed by them is for the university systems and they feel that it captures the peculiarities that are configured to accommodate all the peculiarities of the university systems especially as it affects the Professors and other teaching staff, and even the non-academic staff. That is the situation.

“We, as government feel we are going to put it up for tests – three stages of test. We have done the first stage of test which is within the timeline of six months that ASUU promised. We are going to do other integrity test, Alpha test, Beta test and the one they call roll-over and other whatever test. It is the technologists that know all those tests. But this is the round we are going on now.”

Politics

INEC announces date for 2023 presidential election

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced when the 2023 presidential election will hold.

The date is February 18, 2023.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure on Thursday.

He spoke at the inauguration of the Ad hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

Yakubu told House of Representatives members that they are about 855 days left for the next general elections.

Politics

What exactly do we produce aside ankara fabric?

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The present director general of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye stated that only 30% of medicines are produced in Nigeria while the remaining 70% are imported. Apparently, the statistic of drugs produced in the country is outrageously low. In my own view, I would say that this has been one of the major setbacks for pharmacists in the country and a reason why a youth like me will rather opt to study medicine.

Director General of NAFDAC

Pharmacists, Virologists, Botanists, Biochemists, Chemists, Microbiologists and other related disciplines are needed around the world during a crucial period (pandemic) like this. However , in Nigeria, you see a Biochemist working in the bank as a cashier or in an organization as a personal assistant. Disciplines such as these do not just exist for people to be educated…more than that, it is because they have a purpose to proffer solutions which will make this space, “the earth” , a safe habitat for humans.

Who isn’t relevant? Which discipline isn’t relevant? Now we can see the lapses and downside of not maximizing the potentials of these professionals in Nigeria. Madagascar produced an herbal concoction to fight coronavirus with the support of its government. A similar kind of herbal concoction that Nigerian herbal practitioners produce in their homes to save cost. This calls for attention, how long do we wait before the government begin to explore the talents and brains displayed by its people?

Even a regulatory body like NAFDAC will take forever to approve a medicine or processed food. I must admit that at the moment, setting up a food processing company isn’t an option for me…perhaps, in future. At the moment, I will rather farm and sell the proceeds. Why do I say this? It feels like everything in Nigeria is politicised and being an employee isn’t as difficult as being an entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur you try to set things up but what about the policies? Are there policies which will make entrepreneurs to thrive in their businesses and not create major setbacks?

The director general also stated that capital punishment will be the penalty for people who produce fake drugs. Of course over the years, the agency “NAFDAC” battled with this, even up till now. What about producing items without an approved NAFDAC number? That’s also an offence according to the rules laid down by NAFDAC but what do we see? We see so many entrepreneurs setting up businesses and not getting their commodities approved by NAFDAC when it is required. However desperation and survival reasons are given by entrepreneurs who take this risk.

If it is quite affordable to get a NAFDAC approval in the monetary aspect aside other requirements , I can bet that more people will venture into production. This will in turn drastically reduce the rate at which drugs are imported into the country. If the government doesn’t embrace and support local production, who will? Now the government spends millions to purchase surgical face masks and personal protective equipment for our health practitioners. What exactly do we produce in this country aside ankara fabric?

Politics

Fear of possible attack stops Evans journey to court.

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For fear of possible attack amid the raging #EndSARS protest, the Nigerian Correctional Service on Wednesday did not take alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, and his co-defendants, before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, where their trial was scheduled to continue before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.Evans and his alleged accomplices are facing two separate charges of kidnapping and murder before Justice Taiwo.

The two charges were listed as number 10 and 12 in the court’s cause list for Wednesday but neither the prosecution nor the defence came to court.

On enquiry from the court registrar, the two cases would not go on as the prisons had communicated to the court that they would not bring the defendants to court, citing the unrest in the city occasioned by the widespread #EndSARS protest.

“They are afraid of hijack by protesters,” the court register noted.

The NCS Green Marias were nowhere to be found and the holding cells for keeping inmates on the court premises were empty.

Officials at the holding cells said the NCS had not brought inmates to court since Monday.

Attempt to get the NCS spokesman in Lagos, Rotimi Oladokun, to react failed as his mobile phone number was unavailable.

In one of the two charges before Justice Taiwo, the Lagos DPP accused Evans and three others of killing two persons, in their failed attempt to kidnap the Chairman of Young Shall Grow Motors, Obianodo Vincent on August 27, 2013.

Politics, World News

We will defend Nigeria at all cost – Army

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Following the heightening protests against police brutality across the country, the Nigerian Army has warned it is prepared to protect the country’s democracy at all cost.

Apparently referring to the #EndSARS protesters, the Nigerian Army in a statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, assured it is committed to the “sustenance of peace, security and defence of democracy in Nigeria”

Lieutenant General TY Buratai (Chief of Army Staff)

According to the statement: “The Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to reassure law abiding citizens that it is highly committed to the sustenance of peace, security and defence of democracy in  Nigeria.

“As a responsible and law abiding organisation,  the NA reaffirms its unalloyed loyalty and commitment to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and the Constitution of the Country.

 “The NA hereby warns all subversive elements and trouble makers to desist from such  acts as it remains highly committed to defend the country and her democracy at all cost.

“The NA is ready to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively.

“All officers  and men are directed never to be distracted by anti democratic forces and agents of disunity”.

Apparently referring to the #EndSARS protesters, the Nigerian Army in a statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, assured it is committed to the “sustenance of peace, security and defence of democracy in Nigeria”

According to the statement: “The Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to reassure law abiding citizens that it is highly committed to the sustenance of peace, security and defence of democracy in Nigeria.

“As a responsible and law abiding organisation, the NA reaffirms its unalloyed loyalty and commitment to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and the Constitution of the Country.

“The NA hereby warns all subversive elements and trouble makers to desist from such acts as it remains highly committed to defend the country and her democracy at all cost.

“The NA is ready to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively.

“All officers and men are directed never to be distracted by anti democratic forces and agents of disunity”.

Politics, World News

We will meet in court.- Former presidential aspirant threatens C.E.O of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, for supporting “END SARS” protest.

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During the late hours of yesterday , the co-founder and C.E.O of Twitter, Jack Dorsey solicited for support towards the ongoing “end sars” protest in Nigeria.

He did this through his verified Twitter account and of course, this caused a lot of controversial comments on Twitter. Many Nigerians praised him for showing his concern for Nigerian youths , while others criticised his action.

Jack wrote ;

“Donate via #Bitcoin to help #ENDSARS.”

However, amongst those who criticised Jack Dorsey , is a former presidential aspirant for the 2019 presidential election and C.E.O of IPI group limited, Adam Garba.

Adamu Garba replied Jack Dorsey by tweeting the following statements;

“Dear @jack, It’ll do you a lot more good if you stay away from Nigerian Politics. You should know that the so-called #EndSARS protest have transformed into political agitation, capable of breaking law & order in our country. You should not be a moral & financial sponsor to this.”

“This is Nigeria, most of the demands initially presented was attended to by the responsible authorities. SARS no longer exist in this country. Your support for a disbanded entity was a needless interference. We cannot allow killings again in Nigeria in the name of protests.”

“I understand that this may play well to your business, you have more content, more people & more activity on your platform, but to us is about life, peace & security of our dear Country, we cannot allow you to be part of the people sponsoring disorder. We need peace & prosperity.”

“I can see you are even sharing a link for people to donate money for this protest, an event capable of escalation beyond our already overstretched security management. If this protest continues to evolve into disorder (hopefully not)…As a Nigerian citizen, we’ll meet in court. Thank you. @jack”

Politics

PDP governors reject new Police Act

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum on Wednesday demanded the repeal of some sections of the Police Act recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari over constitutional breaches.

The governors made in demand in a communiqué issued at the end a meeting via Zoom.

The meeting was attended by governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Udom Emmanue (Akwa Ibom), Senator Bala Muhammad (Bauchi) and Douye Diri (Bayelsa).

Others were – Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Dave Umahi (Ebonyi); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde (Oyo) and Bello Muhammad Matawalle (Zamfara).

In the communiqué signed by Tambuwal, who is the Chairman of the Forum, the governors implored President Buhari and the National Assembly to repeal Section 4(1) of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2019 which “purportedly authorises the president to deduct 0.5 percent of the total revenue accruing to the Federation Account for the benefit of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.”

They described the deduction as unconstitutional.

The communiqué read: “The meeting noted the signing of the New Nigeria Police Act, 2020 by Mr. President, Commander in Chief.

“While acknowledging the many important innovations in the new law, the Forum emphasised the need to make the Nigeria Police Council, which has Mr. President as Chairman and 36 state governors as members, fully operational and the clearing-house on all issues bordering on the organisation and administration of the Nigeria Police Force as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

“The Forum further observed the discrepancies in S.12(2) and S.12(4) of the Act on the appropriate authority with the responsibility to deploy Police Commissioners to the respective States. Whereas S.12(2) gives the responsibility to the Police Service Commission, S. 12(4) gives either the Police Service Commission or Inspector-General of Police the same responsibility.

“This is even more regrettable as the Constitution gives this responsibility to the Police Service Commission (S. 215) (1)(b). We advise that the constitutional provision be upheld.

“Furthermore, the Forum canvassed for appropriate consultations with the governors of various states on the deployment of police commissioners to the states since the police is a common institution that executes the laws of both the federal and state governments.

“The Forum implored Mr. President and the National Assembly to repeal Section 4(1) of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2019 which purports to authorise the President to deduct 0.5 percent of the total revenue accruing to the Federation Account for the benefit of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, as it is patently unconstitutional.

“The beneficiaries of the Federation Account are the Federal, States and Local Governments only. More creative funding options should be explored.”

The PDP governors also expressed concerns over the controversy surrounding the Water Resources Bill, 2020.

“Towards this end, the governors called for greater consultations just as they referred the document to the body of Attorney Generals of PDP controlled states to study and advise accordingly.”

Politics

We cannot afford a breakdown of law and order.- Hon. Shina Peller

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Honourable Shina Peller who currently serves in the house of representatives, has made his views concerning the nationwide protest in Nigeria known.

He stated the following through his official Instagram account;

“Nigerian youths should beware of infiltrators. It has been an intense last couple of days across the country, the youths are using their voice to drive social change and the whole country is listening. While we exercise our rights to peaceful protest, we must remain calm and recognise the fact that several of the demands have been met.”

“Our economy has been battered as a result of Covid-19 pandemic,we cannot afford a breakdown of law and order. Change is a process, let us address the root causes to ensure that the reforms are institutionalised.”

The video below has the video of the details of Shina Peller’s speech;

Politics

Governor Seyi Makinde pledges the sum of N100 million to repair Soun of Ogbomosho’s palace.

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Following the SARS protest that occured in Ogbomosho which led to loss of lives and properties, Governor Seyi Makinde paid a visit to Ogbomosho yesterday. The Oyo state governor gave a report of his meetings yesterday through his social media platform.

He stated the following;

Today, we visited Ogbomoso to see the families of three of our children who died during the End SARS protests. We began the process of compensating the families for the losses they suffered and promised to do more in the coming days.

Our hearts go out to all those who have suffered directly and indirectly during these protests. As a government, we will not forget the last few days in a hurry nor the needless deaths of Isiaka Jimoh, Ganiyu Moshood Alabi, and Adeoye Taiwo.

We were also at the Palace of Kabiyesi, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, the Soun of Ogbomoso. We pledged the sum of N100 Million to begin immediate repairs of the palace and replacement of destroyed properties.

We told Kabiyesi not to hold what has happened against our children. Although regretted, all that took place was a result of the years of failure of governance which we are working to correct. We accepted Kabiyesi’s prayers for a better Nigeria and a better Oyo State.

We also spoke with our children in Ogbomoso. We assured them that their agitations were not unfounded. But that we needed to remain peaceful even in protest. We assured them that we were doing all in our power to attack the root cause of these protests.

We returned to the secretariat in Ibadan to speak with our other children who had been waiting all day. We reassured them that these protests are a wake-up call to all. We pledged to do better to meet the needs of young people, especially for employment and a safer environment.

I informed them that our Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo, would work with the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State to ensure that all those who were arrested during the End SARS protests are released without being charged.

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