₦airaland Forum

Herdsmen under the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has said they will not relocate to Northern Nigeria from the Southern part of the country.

The herders also vowed to remain where ever they are nationwide and defend themselves if attacked.

This is in reaction to the call for them to relocate back to their respective region by the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).

Advising it members not to relocate, Saleh Alhassan, the National Secretary of the group said state governors from the southern part of the country will be held responsible for whatever that befalls the pastoralists.

“We are Nigerians and we have a history. Anybody that thinks he can wake up and take on the Fulani pastoralist is making a grievous mistake; we are well prepared to defend our fundamental human rights of movement in this country,” Mr Alhassan was quoted as saying in an interview with Punch Newspaper.

“They (herdsmen) are Nigerians, so they are entitled to stay where they are. They should remain where they are and defend themselves against ethnic militia and assert their citizenship in this country.

“The only thing we would say is that we will hold all the governors of those states responsible for their safety and security, but if any ethnic militia, by any name, attacks our members, they should defend themselves in a manner that nobody would try such again.

“We have been saying it that people behind insecurity are not herders; bandits are behind these killings, and if the government is saying foreigners have infiltrated the herders, have they been arrested and what is their nationality? Anybody that is trying to destabilise this country should be dealt with.

“We are Nigerians and we are not going anywhere. Our attachment to the land is opportunistic; we don’t farm the land. So, if anybody is thinking that because he has cultivated the land in a particular place for long and he has rights there more than us, then we would ask where is the grazing area that the colonial masters created for us?

“Politicians can play their politics but they should leave our people out of it because it is the desperate politicians that are causing this confusion and they are looking for anything to hang on to, but we are watching them critically.

“If you threaten the herders, they react; they cannot be used for any political game because we have our way of defending ourselves. We hate injustice and we fight it. Anybody that thinks we can be squeezed is making a mistake.” the Miyetti Allah helmsman added.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/we-are-well-prepared-to-defend-ourselves-herdsmen-vow-not-to-relocate-from-south/

lalasticlala

Danjuma Goje, lawmaker representing Gombe Central at the Senate has explained why corruption charges preferred against him by the federal government was withdrawn.

Mr Goje whose trial has been going on since 2010 for looting over N5 billion when he held sway as governor of the state, saw the end in sight of the corruption charges against him after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari who asked him to shield his Senate Presidency ambition.

Mr Buhari after a meeting with the former governor asked the latter to step down for the preferred candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) Ahmed Lawan for the top job. He did and days after, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) handed over the trial that has been going on for over eight years to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).



At the next sitting last month, a legal representative from the office of the AGF told the court they were unwilling to continue with the trial and it was struck out.

Explaining why the trial was withdrawn, in a statement signed by Paul Erokoro (SAN), the lawmaker said it was because the charges against him were an embarrassing triviality.

Read More>>> https://todaypoliticsng.com/why-corruption-charges-against-me-were-withdrawn-goje/

Rubber stamping National Assembly begins duty.

This present National Assembly can't surpass the achievements of the 8th Senate under Bukola Saraki.

oyebanji44:
what answer? and what Evidence? So ,in your mind all these crimes were committed by the fulanis.

No they are committed by me,,,,,,,dun.dee.

Until you answer my questions I will treat you like a foo.l

oyebanji44:
The evidence just seems to point in that direction.but in point of fact,there is no concrete evidence for now.,

You call killing, maiming and raping not concrete enough?

Seems you're among those who equate human lives with that of animals

You are yet to answer my question, mind you.

oyebanji44:
Gosh! What do you mean,You thought the fulani were responsible for all the killings in this country.Is not logical my brother..

Is not logical? Despite evidence? So who are those responsible for invading farmlands, raping women and killing their husbands?

Oga always condemn violence when you see one except if you have sinister motives.

Why are herdsmen carrying AK47 if they are innocent as you alleged? What are they using the guns for?

State governors from the South-East region has described the call for the relocation of herdsmen from Southern Nigeria as a welcome development.

Herdsmen were recalled from the protectorate by the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) who issued a 30-day ultimatum to opposing state governors who kicked against the establishment of Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) in their domain.

The relocation call was backed by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) who advised pastoralists from Fulani extraction to return home from the South-East, South-West and South-South regions if their place of abode is no longer conducive for them.



Constitutionally, Nigerians are allowed to reside in any part of the country but the menace of violent herders, whom the federal government once described as foreigners terrorising the citizens, has painted the pastoralists in bad light.

This led to the rejection of Ruga settlements for the herders in the south and the initiative was suspended despite some states in the North indicating interest for the project said to be optional.

The government decision to establish the settlements in all parts of the country, including states that rejected it, further fuelled speculations that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was out on a land grabbing mission for herdsmen who are largely from his Fulani tribe.

Reacting, the chairman of the South-East Governors Forum (SGF) and Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, described the call as a welcome development.

Read More: https://todaypoliticsng.com/igbo-govs-back-call-for-relocation-of-herdsmen-from-southern-nigeria/

President Muhammadu Buhari has advised herdsmen on what to do pertaining to the call for their relocation from the southern part of the country.

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) backed by Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had called for the relocation of herdsmen in the protectorate.

Their decision to recall the herders was hinged on the reactions that greeted the federal government’s decision to establish Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) for the pastoralists.

Reacting to the call by the group, the president through his spokesman, Garba Shehu, advised herdsmen to disregard the order as they were constitutionally allowed to reside where ever they wished to within the nation.

“No one has the right to ask anyone or group to depart from any part of the country, whether North, South, East or West,” Shehu quoted his principal as saying, in a statement.

“They have no one’s authority to make such pronouncements.

“The polarising role of the Northern Elders Forum and all those other groups dabbling into issues of security to score cheap political points has for long been a sore point in Nigeria’s body polity.

ALSO READ: You're playing with fire - Fani-kayode tells Herdsmen, dares Buhari to arrest Obasanjo

“They should not be allowed to mislead anyone, least of all the Fulani herders.

“The Buhari administration is fully devoted to finding a lasting solution to the herder-farmer clashes in different parts of Nigeria- one that would be acceptable to all the parties involved,” the statement added.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/relocation-order-buhari-advises-herdsmen-on-what-to-do/

lalasticlala

Mohammed Tanko, the most senior judge at the Supreme Court has been confirmed as the new Chief Judge of Nigeria (CJN).

The appointment of Mr Tanko was confirmed on Wednesday by the Nigerian Senate.

This is sequel to the request of President Muhammadu Buhari last week Thursday, that the top jurist be confirm for the position.



Tanko arrived the National Assembly at about 10am and headed for the Senate Chamber where he was screened and confirmed as the substantive head of the judicial arm of government.

He was in acting capacity when his predecessor Walter Onnoghen, ousted for allegedly failing to declare some assets traced to him.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/mohammed-tanko-confirmed-as-new-chief-justice-of-nigeria/

Did he just say they should surrender their arms?

Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, has commended the call for herdsmen to leave southern part of Nigeria.

The area comprising of the South-West, South-East and South-South region are often under attacks by suspected armed herdsmen who kill, maim, rape and destroy landed properties and farmlands.

The plan by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to create Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) nationwide for the herders was met with stiff resistance by southerners who accused the government of embarking on a land grabbing mission for herdsmen from the Fulani extraction.



Calling on the herders to leave the protectorate is the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) backed by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).

This is after the CNG threatened the security of southerners living in their domain with the presidency asking the residents to discountenance the threat.

Hailing the decision, Mr Fani-Kayode said the call when heeded to will return peace in the troubled areas.

ALSO READ: What Buhari should do to Obasanjo's latest letter - Shehu Sani
The former minister asked the groups to also withdraw their kinsmen from the North Central also known as Middle Belt region.

“I welcome the call by the NEF and the NCG for the Fulani herdsmen to leave the south,” the former minister said in a tweet on Wednesday.

“This will help restore peace, unity and national cohesion. They should leave the Middle Belt as well, renounce violence, stop the killings, stop the terror and turn in their deadly weapons,” he added.

Source: https://todaypoliticsng.com/fani-kayode-reacts-to-call-for-relocation-of-herdsmen-from-southern-nigeria/

Shehu Sani, lawmaker representing Kaduna Central has cautioned the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, William Kumuyi, to allow Nigerians express their views about their leaders.

Mr Kumuyi had on Sunday told Christians not to criticize their leaders including President Muhammadu Buhari.

The cleric gave the advise on Sunday during his sermon at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Headquarters, Gbagada, in Lagos said that real Christians must obey constituted authorities and shun violence.

He said Christians are strangers and pilgrims in the world and must be Christ-like in their character, conducts and conversations.

“Don’t attack the president of the country whether in words or in the newspapers or through internet,” Kumuyi was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to have said.

“Honour kings; don’t disrespect or dishonour the governors. Don’t disrespect leaders of the community and leaders in the church.

“If we are to honour the governors in the states, how much more the pastors, ” he added.

But disagreeing with the cleric, the Kaduna lawmaker said criticism is the only shield by which democracy flourish.

Read More: https://politicstimesng.com/let-nigerians-express-their-views-shehu-sani-cautions-kumuyi/

Shehu Sani, lawmaker representing Kaduna Central at the Senate has cautioned Local Government chairmen who spend money on the directive of their respective state governors to desist from doing so.

The outgoing Senator gave the advise on Saturday as the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) guidelines on the finance of local government areas takes effect.

The NFIU early last month issued the guidelines barring state governors from tampering with funds meant for local government areas. Expected to begin on June 1, the policy if implemented, will now see shares of the local government go straight to their accounts from the federation account.

The guidelines has been rejected by state governors who described the move as unconstitutional.

Reminding the council chairmen that the day of accountability must come, the Kaduna lawmaker urged those who will henceforth obey the directive of their governor, in sharing the money accrued to them, to ensure they document names of those receiving the money.

Read More: https://politicstimesng.com/shehu-sani-cautions-lg-chairmen-spending-money-on-state-governors-directive/

Political parties in the country have been advised to do away with political godfathers in their respective domains.

The advise is coming from John Oyegun, former national chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

The issue of godfatherism was first brought to the front burner recently by Nasir El-rufai, the governor of Kaduna State.

Mr El-rufai recently advised residents of Lagos State on how to end the reign of political godfathers in their domain, claiming he did same in his own state.

The action of the governor was largely seen as an indirect attack on Bola Tinubu, national leader of the APC who is adjudged to be the politically father of Lagos State.

Making his own contribution, the former APC chairman, in an interview News Telegraph, said godfathers should be done away with in political parties because they prevents the flourishing of internal democracy and breeds corruption.

“I think the basic problem we have all over is the godfather thing. Internal democracy simply means that if 10 people want to vie for an office, so be it. Let the electorate decide,” Oyegun said.

“But when party leaders are the ones deciding who is fit or who is not fit, that becomes a problem.

“That is the decision of the electorate. And when they start displacing persons with their friends and other undesirable inducement, that is totally unacceptable.

“The damage it does is that you are destroying the belief of the electorate in due process. So, it becomes more difficult to accept the result of an election.

“The moment people start believing that they cannot get a fair share, that the system cannot be fair to them, whereas if you painstakingly pursue the process of letting the electorate decide, eventually you will find out that this going to court will begin to go down.

“But once you do otherwise, people would have at the back of their minds that they are not fairly treated and would look for every manner of excuse to go to court.

“That alone opens up the judicial system and the entire political system to another level and different levels of corruption.

“So, the damage is intense and I pray that our politicians will see the need for a proper internal democracy and allow due process and allow the people to thoroughly decide,” the former APC chairman added.

Source: https://politicstimesng.com/why-political-parties-should-do-away-with-godfathers-oyegun/

Rochas Okorocha, the outgoing governor of Imo State, has reacted to news of his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A national daily had earlier in the day reported how the immediate past governor who handed over power yesterday was picked up by the anti-graft agency.

The news medium said the wife of the former governor alongside two of his brothers were arrested in Ogboko area of the state.

Read More: https://politicstimesng.com/okorocha-speaks-on-arrest-by-efcc/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested immediate past governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha.

Also arrested by the anti-graft agency on Thursday, are the former governor’s wife, Nkechi Okorocha and his brothers, Gerald and Okey Okorocha.

Read More: https://politicstimesng.com/okorocha-wife-brothers-arrested-by-efcc/

Your url

And we call this one president? This guy is a robot.

I doubt if the aide that claimed the former president didn't escape the mishap knew his principal travelled.

lalasticlala

Olusegun Obasanjo, former president, has narrated his experience of what transpired while an airline he was inside attempted to crash at the Lagos international airport.

Mr Obasanjo alongside others who boarded an Ethiopian airline while returning from an engagement in Addis Ababa, were reported to have escaped death on Wednesday.

Narrating what transpired, the former president in an interview said while the tensed atmosphere lasted, he was relaxed as he could do nothing but hand over the situation to God.

“While it all happened, I was reading my papers,” Mr Obasanjo recalled when consulted by Premium Times.

“One man, who was next to me, said, ‘Oga you no worry?’ I said, ‘Íf I worry, what will I do? If you are on a plane and you have a situation like this, why should you worry?’ I left everything in the hands of God,” he said.

ALSO READ: Buhari sworn-in as president for another term of 4 years

The former military head of state said the mishap was caused by bad weather occasioned by rain. He said the pilot who made effort to land at about 12:20pm aborted his first attempt to touch down but later landed 10 minutes later.

“I was on Ethiopian Airline. Rain just came down heavily. The pilot thought he could land. And he landed. He touched down. But I think he took a swift decision that he had to take off again.

“So he took off. If he did not, I think he probably would have overrun the runway. He then apologised and said he would try to land again. He tried again, and we landed safely. And we all clapped.

“He touched the ground. Then he took off and apologised and landed again at about 12.30. We spent just about 10 minutes in the air before we landed again,” the former president added.

Obasanjo alongside former president, Goodluck Jonathan, were noticeably absent at the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office.

Read More: https://politicstimesng.com/obasanjo-narrates-experience-on-airline-that-almost-crashed-at-lagos-airport/

lalasticlala

Olusegun Obasanjo, former president, has reportedly escaped death on Wednesday.

This information is coming from Femi Fani-Kayode, former minister of Aviation.

Mr Obasanjo was said to have boarded an Ethiopian airline when he escaped death.

“I just confirmed that an Ethiopian Airline plane in which our father and leader Pres. Obasanjo was flying ALMOST crashed,” the former minister tweeted on Wednesday.

Read More: https://politicstimesng.com/obasanjo-escaped-death-on-ethiopian-airlines-today-fani-kayode/