A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Peers Advocacy and Advancement Centre (PAACA), has called for an end to carpet crossing by politicians in the country in order not destroy the role of opposition in democratic governance.

The Executive Director, PAACA, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

He said politicians have outsourced opposition to media and civil society groups but would rather cross carpet to a different political party when they did not succeed with their political ambitions.

"Nigerian politicians have no interest in opposition, their opposition is in writing statements.

“The work of the civil society and the media is not to oppose the government but to clap when the government does well and criticise when they should. But they now want us to play their own role.

"And that is why we need to do something about this movement from one political party to another.

“They are outsourcing the opposition.

That is why when they see us, they say you people are not talking enough, forgetting that the only reason civil societies talked under military rule in the past was because there were no political parties then,” he said.

Ezenwa said that opposition political parties were meant to be shadow governments, through policy differentiation.

"The Republican Party and the Democratic Party of the United States of America do not speak the same language; when they want to speak the same language, they come into a conference.

"The Labour Party and the Conservative Party of the United kingdom do not speak the same language.

“Opposition is a policy; what is your policy in agriculture, in education and health? So, if I compare with the PDP or the APC, then I can make a choice.

“The only difference here is the style of accomplishing those tasks. Opposition is not fashionable to the Nigerian politician.

"Where does it leave the Nigerian people? They are being deceived and aided by a very uninformed populace that do not take the time to differentiate between what is concrete and what is not,” Nwagwu said.

He therefore, said it was necessary to do something to discourage or kill cross carpeting, to ensure Nigeria’s democracy and Nigerians enjoy viable opposition.

Goodlady:

You dey smoke Igbo, no wonder.
Receive healings!

Winnin009:



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Do you even know the meaning? 😂😂😂😂

E say na research. 😂😂😂😂

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Bask in your research. Enjoy your day.

blueAgent:


Story.

Leave this crap story for market women.

Winnin009:



Where did you copy and paste this from?

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Winnin009:


Ogbeni, shut up joor. 😂😂😂😂

So because NK has a few bombs, what now happened?!

If that’s the case; by your analogy, Russia is also afraid of NK na.

People that have never been involved in a conflict outside their region is who you’re talking about?! 😂😂😂

wiseoneking:
You guys have come again with North Korea shiiiiT. That’s how you ruffle the ego of Iran and they are now mourning after spending the billions of dollars nuclear head for nothing against the Israel of God. Iran and North Korea are on thesame level and they can never do any stuff

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared that no human can give power, except God Almighty.

Atiku’s declaration came on the heels of the ongoing controversy trailing the outcome of the 98th National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party held in Abuja on Thursday.

The 2023 PDP presidential standard-bearer’s position was contained in a WhatsApp group chat with some of his supporters in the country on Friday.

According to the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party, among its intra-party resolutions made on Thursday, had approved the reconstitution of its Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees to further ensure its stability.

Among the key decisions made at the NEC meeting, the party also appointed former Akwa-Ibom State governor, Emmanuel Udom, as the head of its Disciplinary Committee, while former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, remains the head of its Reconciliation committee.

But Atiku told his supporters in the Whatsapp group after the NEC meeting that only God gives power.

His reaction follows insinuations by his supporters that he has been betrayed by some elements within the party.

The former vice president, who had contested six different times to become Nigeria’s president, but failed, said, “There is God. It is God that gives power, not anybody.”

Responding, one of his supporters on the social media group, said, “This is very true, Sir and this same God will answer your heart desires and ours too.

"When the day comes, we shall all be alive to celebrate together as one big family of good faith.

“All our hand work will not go to waste, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. We shall all walk and work together to witness the night. Victory shall be ours. It is well with you, Sir.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, Taofeek Arapaja, has addressed the growing calls for the suspension of former Rivers State governor and current Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, and other members of the defunct G5 governors within the PDP over alleged anti-party activities.

He disclosed in an interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday in reaction to the resolutions reached at Thursday’s NEC meeting of the party and its North Central Zone leadership meeting held on Wednesday night.

Ahead of the two meetings, some top chieftains of the party, including former PDP governorship candidate in Kogi State, Senator Dino Melaye, had boasted that every top chieftain of the party accused of anti-party activities would get serious sanctions from the party’s NEC on Thursday.

On Thursday, the PDP NEC, however, failed to comment on the alleged anti-party issues and further retained the party’s former Vice Chairman (North), Umar Damagum as the party’s acting national chairman till its next NEC meeting.

Reacting in an interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, the PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West) said both Wike and Ortom cannot be suspended by the party’s NEC because it is not the duty of the NEC to do so.

He said, “I think that is not part of the activities of the NEC. We have different committees like the reconciliation committee and the disciplinary committee. So we have internal mechanisms to deal with things like that. And then, they have never been accused; they have never been charged and they haven’t presented themselves for the disciplinary committee or anything. So, I don’t think that is for NEC to do.

"Whoever is alleging them of committing anti-party should forward their complaints to the disciplinary committee. That is just it. There are lots of mechanisms and processes that need to take place and things like that are not the duty of the NEC.”

Damagum survives ouster plot

In the meantime, Saturday PUNCH has gathered that the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum, survived a plot to oust him because governors elected on the party’s platform salvaged the situation.

Leading up to the PDP 98 National Executive Committee meeting which held on Thursday, a crucial topic of debate among party officials over the past two weeks centered on whether Damagum should retain his position or be replaced.

The campaign organisation of Labour Party presidential flag bearer in 2023 election, Peter Obi, on Friday, faulted media speculations that his frequent visits to churches and mosques were an act of religious politics deployed to boost his political profile ahead of the 2027 election.

The former Anambra State governor came under heavy criticism last month during the Ramadan season where he was spotted visiting some mosques to celebrate Iftar with the Muslim faithful.

Iftar is the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan to break the day’s fast.

But in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, the chief spokesman of Obi’s presidential campaign organisation, Yunusa Tanko, noted that Obi’s acts of philanthropy and altruism transcend the complex institution of politics and religion.

He also condemned the ‘malicious and unsubstantiated allegation’, saying it is being orchestrated to blackmail the LP presidential candidate.

He said, “Obi’s visit to churches and mosques is purely prompted by his urge to help the less privileged and has nothing to do with political campaigns. In these places, Obi had given messages of hope to lift the spirit of the downtrodden. He hastily and never talked about politics, abused anybody, or indulged in name-calling.

"For instance, during the Ramadan period, Obi visited some praying centres in the North and South breaking fast with Muslim faithful, donating some items to help ameliorate their sufferings and further providing basic amenities such as potable water in some communities.”

Goodlady:

You look like a janjaweêd!
Na men dey take kainkain!

Goodlady:

Nuke on you, N. Korea and Iran. You nor carry ya God001 username. Dem ban you?

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 2023 general election in Nigeria, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that Nigeria's problems are far bigger than the crises that his party is presently experiencing.

He made the remarks during an appearance on HaveYourSay247, an interactive online session with Nigerians.

The former Anambra State governor told the host Rudolf Okonkwo that though he doesn't have control over the Labour Party, he is confident that the crises rocking it will soon be resolved amicably.

"Whatever is happening in the Labour Party is so minute compared to what is happening in the country. So, for me, it is something we will resolve amicably, and it is not anything to worry about. Let's worry about the country and how the average Nigeria would be able to have a means of livelihood to feed themselves," he said.

During the session, the former governor also spoke extensively on sundry issues. Commenting on insinuations that he does not use his influence as the leader of the Labour Party to ensure the party conducts itself orderly, Mr. Obi said that he has no interest in being the party's leader but only to make sure things are done properly.

"We have a more desperate situation to make the party function properly. Parties are just a means to be able to contest elections, and being the leader of a party does not reduce the price of food. What I want to see is that the average Nigerian lives in a society where they have access to education, access to healthcare and a means of livelihood," Obi said.

He also reiterated that he has moved on following the final decision of the Supreme Court on the presidential election, even though he does not agree with it.

On the need for the Labour Party to make accounts of campaign funds available to the public, Obi said that he could only encourage everyone who received funds to account for them.

"The party account is not under my control," he explained. "We have appointed an external auditor to look into it, and anytime they come up with their results, we will make it public. Monies were received by different groups, and I have said that people who received money should account for it. You have seen one of the campaign accounts managed by Aisha Yesufu, which she has made public.

"We have asked everyone at all levels who collected campaign funds to account for it. It is necessary," he said.

The presidential candidate further said that he is going to go around to the places where they think people made donations to say thank you. "If I received their donation, I will let them know, and if I didn't, I will also let them know so they will know who they gave it to and ask questions."

Responding to a question on whether he would be willing to tell Nigerians about his assets, the former governor said he couldn't talk about his assets because he was not in power. "It is not necessary for me to say my assets, but what I can tell Nigerians is that I am not a poor man, and nobody can accuse me of stealing government money," he said.

THE rumour over factional leadership of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation in Lagos has been debunked by the body of Ndi- Eze in Lagos, with a declaration that there was only one Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo President in the state.

To this effect, the body of Ndi-Eze at a conference in Lagos declared that Chief Sunday Ossai was the constitutionally recognised Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo President in Lagos State.

Speaking at the conference, Eze Ndigbo Ikosi/Isheri, Eze Ambassador Remi Anyamele who is also the Secretary General, Council of Ndieze Lagos State and Eze Nicholas Njoku Eziokwubundu, Eze Ndi-Igbo of Ejigbo, clarified that “there can never be two presidents because the single term of four years tenure of office, for the erstwhile president of the organization, Lagos State Chapter, has ended and the constitution of Ohaneze does not allow tenure elongation for any position whatsoever”.

They stated that Ossai was elected into office as the President of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Lagos State Chapter in 2022 and had asserted that he had all it takes to lead Ndi-Igbo in Lagos. The conference according to them became necessary in order to make clarification on who had the legitimate right to move the social cultural organization forward. They said the conference was also to refute claims by anyone parading himself as the leader of the organization.

According to the group: “The consent of court can not be binding on Ohaneze because Igbos don’t rule through the court but utilize the appropriate channels of conflict resolution which entail the people and their heads coming to an agreement through dialogue”.

On their part, Chairman of Chairmen, Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo Lagos State, Chief Mike Orji; South West Coordinator of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Chief Everest Ozonweke and Secretary General Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Lagos State Chapter, Chief Robert Obasi, pledged their allegiance to the leadership of Chief Ossai whom they confirmed to be their authentic president. They stated that the Ime-Obi which was the highest organ of Ndi-Igbo had chosen him.

They said: “Chief Ossai’s legitimacy as president of the organisation in Lagos, is hinged on the fact that the President General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who took up the mantle of leadership after the death of the former President General, late Professor George Obiozo has come to Lagos on more than two occasions to confirm Chief Ossai as the de facto president in Lagos.”

Responding to questions on true leadership, the group’s recognised leader, Ossai, said: “a leader is someone who takes risks for others and who sees himself as a servant to those he is leading and he is an embodiment of that”.

The Labour Party, LP, 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described the death of former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu as a huge loss to Nigeria.

Obi recalled that Onu was a gentle and detribalized Nigerian during his lifetime.

The former Anambra State governor said the ex-Minister pursued justice and courageously stood up for equity and good governance during his lifetime.

Posting on X, Obi wrote: “It is with deep sadness that I received the reports of the death of my dear elder brother; the first civilian governor of Abia State and former minister of science, technology and innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.

“Dr Onu was a gentleman par excellence, a patriotic and detribalised Nigerian who served the nation in different capacities. His contributions to our educational growth as a lecturer and author remain commendable.

“Dr Onu was a leader who stood for peace and progress of the nation. He pursued justice and courageously stood up for equity and good governance. He was committed to the development of the nation.

“As one who understood the critical need to move our nation from consumption to production, he pursued many initiatives to boost local production for the development of the nation.

“His death is, undoubtedly, a huge loss to the nation. May God console his family, and all of us who mourn him, and grant us the fortitude to bear his sad irreplaceable loss. May God grant him eternal rest. -PO”

President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, at their separate praying grounds on Wednesday in Lagos and Katsina states respectively, rejoiced with the Muslim faithful on the celebration of the Eid El-Fitri.

Tinubu and his predecessor called on Nigerians to love the country and support leaders.

Tinubu, who was present at the Dodan Barracks in Ikoyi, Lagos, to observe the Eid prayer, urged Nigerians to defend the integrity of the country.

“The kind of resilience, sacrifice, endurance that we have, we should preserve that for the country. Be a kind and cheerful giver, love our country better than any other country – that is the only one that we have.

"And we must continue to protect the integrity of our government and leadership. The new hope is alive, well and fine and Nigerians should continue to be very hopeful. Without hope there is no salvation, without hope, there is no development, without hope, there is no life,” Tinubu told journalists on his way out of the prayer ground.

Also, speaking to journalists in Daura shortly after observing the Eid prayer, Buhari congratulated fellow Muslims on the successful completion of the 30-day Ramadan fasting, urging “all citizens to support our leaders from the local government level to the highest level, in their efforts to transform and develop the landscape of the nation.”

He urged “Support for our leaders,” saying, “(It) is a vote for a better tomorrow.”

Buhari further said, “It is imperative that we stand united in safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of our nation.”

He called on contestants of political offices “to always ensure a smooth succession from one administration to another without stoking communal tensions and obstructing development, irrespective of political party affiliation.”

Earlier, while leading the prayer session at the Dodan barracks praying ground, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheik Sulaiman Nolla, said fasting had great blessings.

First Lady preaches compassion

The wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, enjoined Muslims across the country to exercise moderation and not discard the lessons of Ramadan on the altar of celebrations.

Urging compassion, Mrs Tinubu, in a statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoy, said, “We should be modest in our celebration and continue to extend love to others. Our kindness to one another and service to humanity should extend beyond the month of Ramadan.

"Let us sustain those virtues of self-purification, sacrifice, self-discipline, and being compassionate to fellow Nigerians. Our priority as a people should include praying for our nation.”

Pray for leaders – Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has encouraged the Muslim Ummah to actively pursue knowledge to strengthen their faith.

In the Sultan’s Eid message on Wednesday, he emphasised the importance of continuing to pray for leaders and the prosperity of the country.

We should express gratitude to Almighty Allah for granting us the gift of life and good health, allowing us to observe the 30 days of fasting and celebrate Eid-el-Fitr.

"Today marks a significant day in Islam as Muslims worldwide commemorate the conclusion of Ramadan and the Eid-el-Fitr festivities.

Moreover, let us perpetuate the spirit of compassion and support for one another, as demonstrated during the month of Ramadan, and extend assistance to those in need,” he appealed.

Govs seek peace

The Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, enjoined the people of the state to work together to ensure peaceful coexistence among diverse interests in the state.

Speaking at the Okene Central Eid Prayer ground, Governor Ododo said, “Let us cherish the spirit of unity and compassion that defines this day and let it inspire us to continue working together towards a brighter future for our people and our state.

"Let us use this period to reflect on our shared values of love, compassion, and solidarity, and to renew our commitment to building a stronger and more vibrant Kogi State together. “

Also, Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State urged the Muslim community in the state to uphold the virtues of Ramadan to attract Allah’s abundant mercy and forgiveness.

"I am aware of the numerous acts of assistance provided by some of our affluent citizens to the needy in our society, which is truly commendable.

President Bola Tinubu has urged Muslims and Nigerians in general never to relent in their faith in his administration’s ability to turn around the economy.

Tinubu also urged Nigerians to remain patriotic citizens as policies aimed at bringing prosperity to all are being diligently implemented.

He gave the assurance on Wednesday in Lagos, when he joined the Muslim faithful to observe Eid-el-Fitr prayers.

Addressing journalists after the prayers at the Eid Ground at the Dodan Barracks, the President said the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, which is aimed at bringing prosperity to Nigerians, is being diligently implemented.

“Continue to have faith in my government and remain patriotic citizens.”

Encouraging Muslims celebrating the conclusion of Ramadan to extend the values of sacrifice and resilience beyond the fasting period, Tinubu emphasized the need for Nigerians to prioritize the exhibition of love for their country.

"The resilience and sacrifice that we have shown and made during these months should be preserved. Be a kind and cheerful giver. We must love our country more than any other country, because that is the only one we have.

“We must continue to protect the integrity of our government and leadership.

"The Renewed Hope Agenda is alive, well and fine, and Nigerians should continue to be very hopeful. Without hope, there is no salvation. Without hope, there is no development. Without hope, there is no life. Eid Mubarak,’’ the President told journalists at the end of the prayers led by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla.

Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam urged Nigerians to shun all acts of violence, ensure peaceful co-existence, and continue to have faith in the country.

He asked those in leadership positions to remain faithful to their oaths of office and work towards alleviating the suffering of the less privileged.

‘‘Let us not forget our brothers and sisters in Gaza and other areas of conflict,’’ the Chief Imam said.

He offered prayers of God’s guidance, wisdom, and protection for the President and the Lagos State government, as well as for peace and stability in the country.

A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, says he is disappointed that some of the founding fathers of the party are watching on while the party bleeds.

Sowunmi, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, said he expects former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan to have stepped in and resolved the protracted conflict that has plagued the party before the 2023 elections.

Recently, certain members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) within the House of Representatives have demanded the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum, alleging his allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Spearheaded by Ikenga UgoChinyere and comprising around “60 lawmakers,” they questioned the party leadership’s silence on the political developments in Rivers State, particularly criticizing their inaction while President Bola Tinubu intervened.

Sowunmi attributed the agitation for Damagum’s resignation and other internal discord within the party leadership to what he referred to as the “Wike problem.”

The ex-Ogun PDP governorship aspirant lamented that the PDP had previously dealt with the challenges posed by the then Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, before the last general elections, yet similar issues persist even a year after the polls.

Expressing regret, the PDP stalwart noted that the internal conflicts within the party have endured beyond the 2023 presidential election.

Sowunmi emphasized that it’s crucial for the founding fathers of the party to intervene and facilitate reconciliation among conflicting party members to strengthen and solidify the achievements of the party.

“A 25-year-old institution is supposed to be one of the legacies that one of the most populous black nations will tell the world that we can also run this thing,” he said.

“I’m disappointed that the founding fathers, the Jonathans of this world, the Obasanjos of this world and co, I am disappointed that they are looking at the platform that gave them the opportunity to lead, I am disappointed that they are looking it bleed.”

Bandits have shot dead a police officer whose identity is yet to be ascertained.

The office was killed when police foiled the abduction of family members of the incumbent chairman of Bwari area council, John Gabaya.

Bandits had invaded Gabwa’s residence at his Tokulo community in the area council, on Sunday.

Before that incident, bandits abducted the council chairman’s father, John Makama, alongside two family members, in 2021.

They regained freedom after an undisclosed ransom was paid to the bandits as ransom.

An aide to the council chairman told Daily Trust that the armed gang returned to the community at about 11:33 pm, on Sunday,.

He said the bandits who invaded Tokulo community through Kaduna forest wielded AK-47 rifles and engaged the vigilantes guarding the chairman’s private residence in a fierce gun battle.

He said during the gunfire exchange, the police team from Bwari division was alerted and they stormed the community immediately.

According to him, one of the police officers was killed during cross fire, but the police officers repelled the attack.

He said the attack on the family of the council chairman by bandits was the third time between February 2021 and April, 6, 2024.

“And if you can recall, the bandits attacked the chairman’s community on February,2 2021, after which they returned again, on February, this year and launched another attack but were resisted through efforts of the security operatives, while on Sunday, April, this year, the bandits struck again and were repelled again,” he said.

FCT police command spokesperson, SP Adeh Josephine, confirmed the latest attack on Tokulo community.

She said some unknown hoodlums armed with other offensive weapons, stormed Tokulo village in the early hours of Sunday, in an attempt to kidnap the family of the council chairman of Bwari area council.

“But unfortunately, the police team came on time to engage the kidnappers in a bloody gun duel and foiled the abduction, in which one of the policemen was killed during the exchange of gun shot,” she said.

According to her, one of the kidnappers too was shot dead during the crossfire with the police, saying the council chairman’s family were later evacuated into the police vehicle from the community to an unknown location.

A bandit kingpin operating around Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara Sani Dangote has been reportedly killed in a deadly rival clash in the state.

Dangote was said to have been killed alongside his two brothers and some of his fighters by a notorious Dankarami in the Dumburum Forest of the area.

A top security intelligence around the local government told Channels Television on Monday morning that the fight ensued when Dankarami rustled some cows belonging to Sani Dangote

The source said the gun battle started around 2 pm on Sunday and lasted till about 6 pm, leaving several bandits dead

“Dankarami rustled cows belonging to Sani Dangote. That was the cause of the fight between the two bandits’ leaders, but Dankarami killed Dangote and his two brothers. The fight started at about 2 pm till around 6 pm,” the source said.

Recently, scores of bandits were also reportedly killed as a result of a heavy fight between two bandit groups in Dajin Haja, a forest between Hayin Alhaji and Munhaye forest of the Tsafe Local Government Area in Zamfara State.

The clash occurred when a group of bandits from neighbouring Katsina State invaded some communities in Zamfara State with about 41 motorcycles to kidnap the residents

But a notorious bandits’ kingpin Ado Alero who is an indigene of the area and operates from Munhaye forest, intervened and refused to allow the rival bandits group to kidnap the villagers.

Residents of Zamfara State are hoping that the rival clash will continue, urging the security agencies to finish off the recalcitrant bandits elements in the state.