Despite the threat by the police that no rally should hold in Ogun State on Saturday, Yoruba nation agitators are currently on the streets of Abeokuta, the state capital.
DAILY POST reports that the agitators, dressed in various local outfits, marched through Ake palace to access other parts of the state capital.
A leader of the group, while addressing the people, said “we had spoken with the police. Nobody can stop us from walking freely on our fatherland.
“That’s Alake’s palace, we are going there. They all know we are fighting their cause. They know we want to save them from the Fulanis.
“Yorubas can plan a seven-day battle for seven years. What we are doing now is preparation. Just continue repeating that what we want is Yoruba nation.
“Do not fight anybody. We are not criminals. We are not here to attack anybody. We did not come here with any weapons. What we want is Yoruba nation.”
SOUTH-EAST SECURITY: IGP COMMENCES OVERHAULING OF SECURITY ARCHITECTURE
· CP Chris Owolabi now CP Anambra, 2 DCPs, 14 ACPs, others, deployed to Region
The Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has ordered the posting of CP Christopher A. Owolabi as the new Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of Anambra State Police Command.
The deployment of the new CP is part of the ongoing efforts at re-ordering, overhauling and strengthening the security and policing architecture in Anambra State and other States of the South-East and South-South geo-political zones of the country.
This is ultimately designed to improve the operational efficiency of the commands and enhance public safety and security. CP Chris Owolabi takes over from CP Monday Bala Kuryas, fsi who has been redeployed to the Anti-Fraud Section of the Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos.
In a similar vein, the IGP has ordered the posting of other strategic and tactical commanders within the zones. A total of two (2) Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), fourteen (14) Assistant Commissioners of Police and other mid-level officers were affected.
The Inspector General of Police charged the new Commissioner of Police in Anambra State to take adequate measures in consolidating and improving on the gains of his predecessor.
He further charged the CP to rejig the security apparatus of the State, harness the full potential of the command – its workforce, assets and stakeholders - in advancing the collective safety of all citizens.
The IGP equally enjoined the people of South-East and South-South zones to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies to enable them succeed in the responsibilities of safeguarding them and the common wealth of the nation.
Some senators and members of the House of Representatives as well as sociocultural organisations on Thursday expressed divergent views on the call by the spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Father Ejike Mbaka, on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign or be impeached.
The cleric, who publicly supported the candidature of President Buhari in the build-up to the 2015 elections, said “God is angry with the president.”
His call for Buhari’s resignation or impeachment came 24 hours after a renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi raised the alarm that nobody is safe anymore in the country, and challenged the president to act.
While some members of the National Assembly said Father Mbaka was right, others said the suggestion was overkill.
The Yoruba sociocultural organisation, Afenifere, said the president’s removal was long overdue but its counterpart in the North, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said the reverend father should concentrate on his spiritual calling, insisting that he was confusing his followers by delving into politics.
Presidential spokesmen, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu were not reachable for comments by Father Mbaka on their principal to resign. The duo did not pick phone calls placed to them. The text messages sent to them were not replied to.
Speaking at the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Mbaka had said; “I know people will say, Mbaka did you not pray for Buhari, did Samuel not anoint Saul? What are you talking about? Am I the creator of Buhari? God created him, Nigerians trusted him because he has done well some time ago but now, how can people just be dying?
“God will ask Nigerians: Nigerians why are you crying? We are crying because our leaders have failed us woefully. If it is in a civilised country, by now, President Buhari will resign. Quote me anywhere and let the whole world hear it. By now, with what is happening, President Buhari should honourably resign.
“We are crying because we don’t have a shepherd. All those that will fight what I am saying now will eventually suffer the rot. If you can’t do it, either you resign or you be changed. A good coach cannot watch his team defeated when he has players sitting watching on the bench. Either Buhari resigns by himself or he will be impeached.”
Turning to lawmakers, the cleric said: “If the members of these two houses do not want to impeach him and they want to begin to fight Father Mbaka, something worse than what they ever imagined will happen to the members of the Senate and members of the House of Representatives. Disaster is coming.”
Curiously, Father Mbaka also blessed the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu “for championing the cause of his people.”
He spoke highly of Kanu whose group has been proscribed and labelled a terrorist organisation by the federal government.
“Up till today, I don’t know who Nnamdi Kanu is. I have never seen him face to face. Look at my hand on the altar. But I want to tell you something. Wherever he is, may God bless him. Because if somebody has risen to shout that his brothers are suffering, is it a crime? May the lord bless his courage,” Mbaka said.
‘Impeachment long overdue’
A ranking lawmaker, who is an APC chieftain, said the impeachment of President Buhari was long overdue.
The lawmaker, who does not want to be named, said in a telephone interview: “His impeachment is long overdue because the main purpose of government, as enshrined in section 14 (2b) of the 1999 Constitution is security and welfare of the citizens; but as it is now, Nigerians are neither secured nor their welfare is being taken care of. So, it means the purpose of Buhari in government has been defeated.The lawmaker, however, said the president cannot be impeached.
“The president cannot be impeached because he has the leadership of both chambers. That was why at the inauguration of the 9th assembly, the presidency ensured that its candidates were the ones that got elected as presiding officers.
Another lawmaker tongue-lashed the president, saying no sane person will defend failure.
His words: “I’m not happy with the way the president is managing the country. Defending him will amount to contradicting my conscience. But another senator countered saying the insecurity in Nigeria is a “serious problem” inherited by President Buhari. “Why are we crucifying the president as if he is the architect of the problems?” the senator retorted.
“The situation would have been worse if it were another person. Buhari met Nigeria in comatose when he took over, he is doing his best and should all play our parts and we address the security challenges in our immediate environments,” he said. On his part, a former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, warned that Nigeria was fast falling apart and burning to death but said could be redeemed. He spoke on Thursday at the 10th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Umuahia themed, ‘Let us Rebuild and End this Reproach.’
The Senator, who was represented by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Alex Chiedozie Ogbonnia, said the country was at crossroads and it was high time leaders urgently rescue it.
Similarly, a member of the House of Representatives, Dachung Bagos (PDP, Plateau), said the National Assembly will move to impeach Buhari if the executive does not act on its resolutions on security.
Bagos, who was referring to the 40-member special committee on security inaugurated by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila on Wednesday said impeachment processes will be initiated if the summit’s resolutions were not acted upon by the executive.
The lawmaker spoke on a Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily on Thursday.
Contacted, the House Spokesperson, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (APC, Abia), said the House will work with its resolutions on all issues.
“At all times, the parliament will continue to put the interest of the nation first before that of any political office holder in this country and that includes us.
“The resolution of the house will define as usual our expectations and outline our lines of actions thereto. Till then it will be wrong to pre-empt it.”
Impeachment not solution – Sen Kaita
Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita, who represents Katsina North Senatorial District, where President Buhari hails from, after lamenting the deteriorating insecurity in the country said impeachment was not the solution. Kaita, who chairs the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND said nobody is happy with the happenings in the country but that impeachment is not the way out.
“Nobody is happy with what is happening, with the situation we find ourselves, the spilling of blood in the land, no sane human being will be happy with what is happening but impeachment is not the solution to our problems rather, what we need is for all the three arms of government and other stakeholders to rally round Mr President and help him out of the mess we find ourselves. The blood being spilled is unacceptable,” he said.
On Tuesday, Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger), had said that impeachment would worsen the rising insecurity situation.
“I do not subscribe to a situation whereby because we have the legislative powers to impeach, that we are bringing a motion for impeachment. No. This is not the time for a motion on impeachment. We are just at the mid-term of this administration. What we need now is to focus and see where we go,” he said.
The Senate has declined to comment on Mbaka’s call. Senate spokesperson, Senator Ajibola Basiru, did not respond to the calls and WhatsApp messages to him seeking reaction of the Red Chamber on the impeachment call.
Buhari should have resigned since – Afenifere
The Pan Yoruba Sociocultural organisation, Afenifere, yesterday backed the call for the resignation of Buhari over rising insecurity in the country.
Leader of the group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo in a chat with Daily Trust said the president should have long resigned, noting that the country was collapsing under his watch.
“Young officers are being killed on a daily basis. He should have gone since; he is just doing things that will make the country to break. He should go. Law and order have broken down. It is only God that can save us from Buhari now.”
You’re confusing your congregation – ACF tells Mbaka
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on Father Mbaka to stop venturing into political matters and concentrate on his spiritual and religious callings. It said Mbaka had only succeeded in confusing Nigerians especially his congregation.
ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, said, “He should concentrate on spiritual and religious matters and leave politics to the politicians, his comments on politics are rather confusing people including his followers.”
Yawe, who spoke with Daily Trust on phone, said though the increasing insecurity in Nigeria remained a thing of concern to everyone, Father Mbaka’s statement asking the National Assembly to impeach the president showed he had delved into political matters.
“He is not only talking of the president resigning but that the National Assembly should impeach him, which is a full political exercise. It is a political trial of an elected leader and so there is an extent to which a religious person can deviate into politics; that remains unacceptable.
“In that his Catholic church, you have the president’s supporters and you have those who oppose the president and by the way Father Mbaka speaks, sometimes when he is supporting the president, he offends those who are against the president and when he is not supporting the president, he also offends those who support him and because of this, his spiritual messages will then hardly be accepted by all those who go to his church.”
Speaking on security in the country, he said: “The president is too relaxed as if people are not dying, as if people are not being held prisoners against their will. These people will go to a university and start shooting students and the body language of the president doesn’t seem as if he is disturbed by what is going on.”
President can’t be impeached by mere call- Lawyers
Lawyers have unanimously declared that mere call by a citizen cannot warrant the removal of the president except there are impeachable offences.
Dayo Akinlaja, SAN, said although Mbaka has the constitutional freedom of expression and opinion, it was not the right approach to commence the president’s impeachment.
“There is nothing beyond saying what he said. Having said it, there are options for the president to consider. If the president is of the candid view that in view of the circumstances in the country, that it is worthwhile for him to resign and he accedes the request, you cannot fault the president. The constitution recognises that the president can resign.
“It is left for the National Assembly to see whether or not there is good cause for them to commence impeachment proceedings. But certainly, it cannot be on the basis that a priest said the president should resign and the president has refused to do so,” he said.
Similarly, Yusuf Ali, SAN, said impeachment procedure cannot be based on mere call but there must be a list of impeachable offences against a particular public official like the president.
For his part, Yusuf Buhari Esq said the call for the president’s impeachment is more political than legal since there are no clear grounds of a misnomer by the president which would warrant a Nigerian citizen to call for the impeachment.
Mbaka playing politics with vision – APC
Contacted, the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, cautioned Mbaka to stop playing politics with his vision about Nigeria.
“He should be careful. He should stop playing politics with his vision about Nigeria, if not, he will be exposed. Mbaka has entered too deep into politics. He does not understand the meaning of spiritual warfare that is why he is saying those things.
“After seeing the vision he should pray for Nigeria and not condemn it. He should fast and pray for Nigeria and not involved in politics,” the ruling party said.
The Federal Government has declared Monday, May 3, 2021, public holiday to mark this year’s International Workers Day Celebration.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the federal government, congratulated Nigerian Workers for witnessing this year’s celebration.
He commended them for their patience, understanding and support in driving the policies and programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its determination to move the country to the next level of socio-economic development.
Aregbesola called for more dedication and patriotism from all Nigerian Workers and the Labour Unions, saying the challenges of the moment will soon be over as the government is committed to the security of lives and property of all Nigerians.
“Government is putting all strategies in place to curb the challenges of insecurity in the country. I therefore call on the Labour Force and all patriotic citizens to be fully committed to the task of putting insecurity to a permanent end as much as possible,” he stressed.
Aregbesola wishes all Nigerian Workers a peaceful May Day Celebration.
The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dispelled insinuation of crisis between him and President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that his relationship with the President “cordial, frank and honest.”
Tinubu, however, asked Nigerians to support for the President’s efforts at addressing the increasing security challenges facing the country.
Asiwaju made the appeal shortly after a closed door meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Monday night in company of former Osun state governor, Chief Bisi Akande.
The APC chieftain who granted Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) interview shortly after the meeting urged Nigerians to bury their differences and support the efforts of the government in addressing the various challenges facing the country.
The NTA report which was monitored Tuesday Abuja further quoted Asiwaju as stressing the need for all elected office holders to adhere strictly to the constitutional term limit.
According to Asiwaju, “there is nothing like unhealthy relationship. Who is our doctor? Is it the social media that is measuring the relationship? I don’t have to disturb him openly on camera. We have so many ways of looking at issues. We have nothing like unhealthy relationship.”
When asked if the relationship is cordial, Asiwaju quipped, “the relationship with the President is very, very, very close, cordial, frank and honest”
On the worsening insecurity, Asiwaju said: “No President will want his country in chaos. Have you seen one? There is no one that will want his citizens exposed to banditry and danger. No President or leader that will want his nation fractured in tribalism, religious differences and others.
“The situation calls for cooperation, understanding and coming together for our unity in order to be able to bring a better Nigeria to the people.”
Ahead 2023 elections, Tinubu expressed optimism that the governing the party will be the party to beat at the next general elections. He described the chances of the party at the next polls as very bright.
“The chances of APC is as bright as the mid-night Star. We will continue to work for a better Nigeria.”
The former Lagos State Governor also dispelled rumour of strain and unhealthy relationship between him and President Buhari, insisting that the rumour was baseless and unfounded.
Anambra State Government Imposes Curfew On Igbariam, Aguleri, Umueri, Nteje, Awkuzu And Umunya Communities
Anambra State government has imposed curfew on the following Anambra communities; Igbariam, Aguleri, Umueri, Nteje, Awkuzu And Umunya.
In a statement, the Secretary to Anambra state government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu said the curfew which begins today, Monday, 26th April, 2021, is between 7pm and 6am daily, until further notice.
The statement advised Ndi Anambra and residents of the state living in these communities to obey the curfew order, as security personnel are on strict orders to enforce the curfew.
Gory details have emerged of how over 70 gunmen raided checkpoints along the busy Port Harcourt-Owerri Road, killing about eight security operatives.
It was gathered the gunmen, who started their operations around 8pm on Saturday, attacked four checkpoints from Elele to Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State.
Out of the eight operatives killed, three were said to be military personnel, three Customs officials and two policemen.
Some were reportedly beheaded while others were burnt beyond recognition.
Sources said the gunmen gained entrance into Omagwa and Elele through the border towns in Imo State.
They were said to have marched through the bush paths and swooped on innocent security men on duty.
A police situation report dated April 25, identified the gunmen as members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
One of the attacked checkpoints located along Airport Road Omagwa, belonged to the Joint Task Force (JTF) and was manned by nine policemen and two soldiers.
It was gathered two burnt corpses of security operatives were later recovered at the JTF checkpoint, which was scattered and burnt by the gunmen.
The gunmen, according to the report, later invaded a checkpoint of the Nigeria Customs Service at Isiokpo killing three customs officials.
It was gathered the hoodlums carted away the rifles of the security operatives and their patrol vans with sirens.
They were said to have advanced to attack the Police Area Command at Isiokpo but were repelled by gallant policemen on duty.
A combined team of security operatives were said to have launched a manhunt for the fleeing gunmen.
The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the attacks on police checkpoints but failed to mention casualty figures.
He said: “I can confirm the attack on security personnel along the Omagwa/Isiokpo/Elele Owerri Road. Details are sketchy.
“The Commissioner of Police has launched a full scale Investigation into the dastardly attack with a view to arresting the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
“Meanwhile, the area is calm with reinforced and increased joint patrols of that stretch and other areas in the state by the security Agencies. So far, the State is calm and secure and no cause for alarm”.
Former Special Adviser on Religious Affairs to Governor Patrick Yakowa, Reverend John Hayab, on Thursday, urged Nigerians against linking the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, to the death of his principal.
Hayab, who made the call in a statement, also warned those having an axe to grind with Pantami to do so within the limits of the law.
There have been concerns regarding a communique purportedly adopted at the meeting of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, at the Bauchi Central Mosque in 2010, where an alleged plot to kill the former Kaduna governor was hatched
But Hayab, who doubles as the Vice Chairman of Northern CAN, said the apex Christian body and Yakowa’s family take the allegation very seriously, considering the adverse impact it could have on peace and national security.
He said, “I have followed the unfolding saga and grievous revelations against the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami. However, I am alarmed by the dangerous turns of events, especially the issue linked with the release of some documents with doubtful authenticity linking the embattled minister, Pantami and the Muslim community with the death of His Excellency, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.
“The church and Yakowa’s family consider the allegation very serious with a possible adverse impact on peace and national security. Consequently, we express strong reservations and concerns about statements like the ones associated in the past by Pantami as circulated in audios and videos released on social media. “Society’s discomforts and disagreements should, however, should not be enough reasons for us to approve the circulation of phony and injurious statements against any perceived foe.
“However, we consider that the communique could be doctored. We are aware that in this age of technological advancements, we have to take any allegations with a pinch of salt until we are confident of the authenticity of the source.
“Sensitive documents like the ones purported to be from the JNI meeting in Bauchi should be subjected to thorough security investigation and trials, not tools for social media warfare.
“The danger of making this a media issue, instead of a legal and a security issue that it ought to be, is that we stand to lose the most important point; that of bringing to justice persons accused to have wronged the law.
Accordingly, there is a need for circumspection and care so that we do not throw our communities into further chaos in the rush to hang one man.”
Hayab noted that at a time of strained relationships, mediation and peace-building interventions were needed.
“To be sure, when Sir, Yakowa died in an air crash there was no inquiry to determine the cause of his death, aside from the immediate and likely technical fault leading to the helicopter crash.
“We, the Christian community and indeed his immediate family acknowledged the tragedy, submitting to the will of God Almighty. For that purpose, there is no point, now or later, to open up what will not bring back our leader and father but rather open up old wounds in a very controversial manner.
“Hence, those with an axe to grind with Pantami should do so within their limits. As a Church leader, I chose to speak because of my deep belief that justice is natural and we shall live to account before our Lord.
“Besides, if we support unverified allegations against someone today because we loathe the person, the monster could be deployed against us or someone we will cherish tomorrow.
“As someone very close to the late Yakowa, I call on all Nigerians to ignore the insinuations linking Pantami with Sir Yakowa’s death, endangering national peace,” he added.
The clergyman also called on security agencies to step in and tame the circulation of such unverified documents.
Hayab said, “We cannot afford to stock fire when we should be pouring more water. Those who feel they have information to help the security agencies investigate whatever crimes against groups or individuals should do so within the provided window, without exacerbating the tension of formulating tales in the public space.”
DSS informed FG of Pantami’s extremist views before ministerial appointment, says ex-director, Amachree
Former Assistant Director with the Department of State Services, Dennis Amachree, has said the secret police informed the Federal Government and the National Assembly of the past radical pro-Taliban views of embattled Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami before his confirmation as minister in 2019.
This came as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, said the alleged link of the minister with Al-Qaeda and Taliban some years ago was not discussed at its meeting yesterday.
These came on a day the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, at plenary, moved for the immediate resignation or sack of the minister for showing sympathy to the deadly activities of insurgents.
Amachree, who spoke while featuring on PUNCH Online interview programme, The Roundtable, yesterday, however, said the minister must have been confirmed by the National Assembly due to a lot of factors, including federal character balancing.
Pantami, a former director-general with the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, is the only member of the Federal Executive Council from Gombe State.
Amachree also said the minister should resign as it was difficult to deradicalise someone of his kind.
He said DSS had information on all individuals of interest, adding that the minister’s past extremist views were communicated to the Federal Government and the legislature.
He said: “There is no information that escapes the DSS. We have all of it, all. When I was working there, we keep a catalogue of anybody of interest that comes up to limelight in this country.
“During the vetting process for anybody to be appointed a minister or commissioner or anything, your name is sent to the DSS for vetting. They check your background up to the extent of your grandmother.
‘’They check your schools up to the extent of your primary school. And of course, they keep a tab on you online and offline. We get a lot from open source intelligence and I can tell you that in Pantami’s case, we have it.
“But there is a political angle to it. When somebody is being appointed, if the security agencies see that there is something wrong with his name, they will send it to the appointing agency.
‘’The appointing agency will now decide amongst other variables either religious variable, federal character balancing variable, or political variable and say that, ‘Oh, yes, we know that this guy has this and that but let’s appoint him.
“So, the political decision is not taken by the SSS. Even when you go to the Senate for confirmation, there is party by party and you can see that there are some political candidates that the opposition party will say that this one will not be appointed but because he belongs to that party, they will appoint him.
‘’So, these are political and federal balancing where they will say that there is nobody from this place that has been appointed, so let’s appoint him.”
The ex-DSS director, who disclosed that the United States was gathering information on the communications minister, said: “He (Pantami) has just submitted his name into US database. The cataloguing of people is not automatic, it comes in drips and drops.
‘’Now, people are talking about him and that has come to the attention of the United States Embassy in Nigeria already. Now, they will do a deeper dive into his background. They will catalogue him and now they will start watching him and if it comes to a very critical level, they will place him on a no-fly zone.”
Also yesterday the Federal Executive Council, FEC, said the minister’s alleged link with Al-Qaeda and Taliban some years ago was not discussed at its meeting.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who briefed State House correspondents at the end of the council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the issue was not raised at the meeting.
Pantami was not physically present at the meeting but attended virtually from his office.
Fielding questions on whether the council discussed the matter and government was comfortable with its burden on its image, Alhaji Mohammed said: “I’m not going to go into the issue of whether government is comfortable or not. I will answer your question directly. It was not discussed at the council meeting.”
Pantami, who had been embroiled in controversies over his previous comments endorsing both terrorists organizations has, however, announced that he had renounced the views.
He said during his daily Ramadan lecture at Annor Mosque in Abuja last Saturday that he now knew better about some of the comments he made in the past.
Pantami had posited that the campaign against him was politically motivated, saying “for 15 years, I have moved round the country while educating people about the dangers of terrorism.
‘’I have traveled to Katsina, Gombe, Borno, Kano states and Difa in Niger Republic to preach against terrorism.
“I have engaged those with Boko Haram ideologies in different places. I have been writing pamphlets in Hausa, English and Arabic. I have managed to bring back several young persons who have derailed from the right path.
“Some of the comments I made some years ago that are generating controversies now were based on my understanding of religious issues at the time, and I have changed several positions taken in the past, based on new evidence and maturity.
“I was young when I made some of the comments; I was in university, some of the comments were made when I was a teenager.
“I started preaching when I was 13, many scholars and individuals did not understand some of international events and, therefore, took some positions based on their understanding, some have come to change their positions later.”
Meanwhile, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, yesterday called for the immediate resignation or sack of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami for showing sympathy to the deadly activities of insurgents.
Relying under matters of privilege, Elumelu asked the House to cause a debate on the issue, particularly demanding Pantami’s exit from office.
Elumelu said that Pantami’s apology didn’t hold water, stressing that even the minister had apologized for his previous links with terrorists.
He said: “Mr Speaker, my privilege borders on one of the serving ministers called Sheikh Ali Isa Ibrahim Pantami. He is the Minister for Communication and Digital Economy of the federal republic. And the portfolio that he currently occupies gives him the free latitude to administer, coordinate and manage flow of sensitive information within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
“Mr. Speaker, there have been insinuations that he has direct links and personally subscribes to the extreme Islamic beliefs of Al-Qaeda, Taliban and Boko Haram sects. Evidence compelling the cyber space lays strong credence to a relationship and existing mutual collaboration between him and the deceased Yemen terrorist.
‘’Recently, Mr speaker, while the minister was answering questions during his daily Ramandan lecture a few days ago, he owned up that he took extreme positions in support of the brutal exploits of Al-Queda and Taliban out of ignorance, claiming that he was young when he did that but now he is matured.
“Mr Speaker, I feel it will be out of place for me to sit here and allow this chamber not to speak about it and totally call for his resignation or suspension.”
Ruling on the matter, the speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, who presided over plenary, faulted Elumelu for raising a point of privilege without showing how his privileges were breached.
This however, came when many members had indicated interests to speak on the matter.
Usually, such issues are presented as a formal motion to be debated but Elumelu came under point of personal privilege, prompting a technicality to it.
“I think you came under the wrong order. But your point of order is well noted. As you know, we don’t debate such issues, if it comes under privilege. Thank you,” Gbajabiamila said.
Nigerian Union of Pensioners will embark on a nationwide protest on Friday over Federal Government’s continuous refusal to implement consequential adjustment on pensions as was done for workers’ salary.
Amazon has concluded plans to open its African headquarters in South Africa with a real estate investment of over R4 billion.
Authorities in Cape Town said Amazon would be occupying a new development in River Club, a prime section of the city, local media reported on Wednesday.
The 15-hectare parcel of land will cost R4 billion and include two precincts. Authorities said the first precinct of 60,000sqm will occupy different layers of development; while the second section of 70,000 will hold Amazon headquarters in Africa.
“The development is envisaged to take place in phases, with construction set to take place over three to five years,” Cape Town city officials said in a statement.
Over 5,000 direct construction jobs and 19,000 indirect jobs are expected to be created as a result of the move, Business Tech reported.
INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION INEC - HEADQUARTERS Plot 436, Zambezi Crescent, Maitama District, P.M.B 0184, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Website: www.inecnigena.org Online Newspaper.www_Inecnews.com PRESS RELEASE
FIRE AT INEC DATA PROCESSING CENTRE IN KANO
On 20th April 2021 the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kano State, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu, reported a fire incident at the INEC Data Processing Centre (DPC) located at the premises of the Commission's state office in Kano. The fire started around 10.15am and engulfed the said DPC before it was contained by the Federal Fire Service.
The Staff made spirited efforts to bring the fire under control using fire extinguishers, but they were overwhelmed until the arrival of officers of the Federal Fire Service who subsequently quenched the fire.
The physical items burnt include Industrial Printers used for the printing hard copies of the voter register, Laser Jet Printers, Dell and Blade repositories containing soft copies of the voters' register for the State, Desk Top Computers, Laptops for training, inverters and other accessories and fittings.
Fortunately, all the data in the Voter Register for the State, as well as all other sensitive documents of the State Office are backed up offsite and therefore safe. They will be recovered swiftly.
We assure members of the public that this incident will not in any way affect the operations of the Commission.
Investigation into the cause of the fire incident has commenced and measures will be put in place to avert future occurrence. The Commission appreciates the concerns of the stakeholders about the incident.
Festus Okoye Esq National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee Tuesday 20th April 2021.
Tribunal dismisses Eyitayo Jegede's petition against the election of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State in the 2020 Governorship election held in the State
The Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Akure, on Tuesday, dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, against the winner of the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the state, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.
Justice Umar Abubakar led Tribunal struck out the petition for want of jurisdiction.
The Justice Umar Abubakar led three-man panel ruled that; “issue raised therein in this petition are settled, issue of internal affairs and management of a political party which this Tribunal has no jurisdiction.”
Jegede had challenged the re-election of Akeredolu for a second term in office in the October 10, 2020 governorship election.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has finally agreed to implement autonomy for state legislative and judiciary, with effect from May 2021.
Kayode Fayose, Ekiti state governor who is the NGF chairman, disclosed this to state house correspondents on Monday.
Fayemi said the decision was reached in a meeting attended by federal lawmakers, representatives of the judiciary and legislative staff, and Ibrahim Gambari, chief of staff to the president.
He insisted the governors never objected to full autonomy for the state assemblies and judiciary, adding that “the issue is about implementation.”
“There has been no objection from governors on judicial and legislative autonomies. As a matter of fact, it would not have passed if governors were not in support in the first instance, in the state assemblies,” he said.
“As soon as the final document that is being cleaned up emerges, that is preparatory to implementation. We’re not going to put a timeframe in the air, but it will be implemented as soon as possible, definitely no later than the end of May 2021.”
TROOPS ARREST BOKO HARAM INFORMANT, TIGHTEN SECURITY AROUND KAMUYA, YOBE STATE
Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have arrested suspected Boko Haram informant whose spying activities and that of his accomplices were responsible for the attacks on troops position by terrorists in Kamuya, Yobe State. The informant who was identified as Modu Ari was apprehended by troops of 27 Task Force Brigade.
On interrogation, he confessed to have revealed troops' movements and position to his Boko Haram collaborators. Investigation is however ongoing to unravel the network of local informants whose nefarious activities have endangered troops on clearance operations around the fringes of Timbuktu Triangle.
The unfortunate sabotage of troops movement by Ari and his accomplices made it possible for the terrorists to attack the rear element of troops on patrol. Though the attack was swiftly repelled by troops from the Tactical Headquarters of 27 Task Force Brigade and Army Super Camp 3 Buratai, own troops suffered some casualties.
In spite of the setback, the Chief of Army Staff has encouraged troops of Operation Tura Takaibango to keep their fighting spirit up and to remain dedicated in the effort to flush out the remnants of the terrorists as quickly as possible. He charged them not to relent even in the face of gross unpatriotic acts of some locals who are snitching on their movements and positions.
The COAS also admonished citizens to as a matter of patriotic duty, avail the troops of credible and timely information that will help them flush out the adversaries.
Mohammed Yerima Brigadier General Director Army Public Relations 18 April, 2021
Ex-Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has said some governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worked against former President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid.
Reacting to his purported suspension by the PDP in Chachanga Local Government Area of Niger, the former governor said some PDP governors worked against Jonathan in 2015 because the immediate past president reneged on an agreement not to seek a second term.
The PDP in the LGA had said Aliyu was suspended for anti-party activities, including working against Jonathan in 2015.
Jonathan, the presidential candidate of the PDP in the election lost to President Muhammadu Buhari. He is the first incumbent Nigerian president to lose an election.
But Aliyu, a former chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, said the north would have lost out completely if Jonathan got reelected.
He said after northern governors supported Jonathan to complete the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the former president was still allowed to contest in 2011.
“Following the sudden passage of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on May 5th, 2010, the leadership of the then governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with the state governors under the flagship of the party had series of meetings on the presidency and the future of our great party.
“All the governors in the North under the PDP supported the then Vice President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to complete the remaining years of Yar’Adua’s tenure and to contest the next presidential election as a sole candidate of our great party.
“However, midway, President Goodluck Jonathan insisted to run for the office in 2015 against the grain of our earlier agreement,” Aliyu said in a statement.
Aliyu said since the governors in the North felt their region would been shortchanged if Jonathan had succeeded, they rose stoutly to insist on the enforcement of the agreement.
“On that premise, we opposed Jonathan. But all along, Goodluck Jonathan had enjoyed every support from the governors in the north and the entire region.
“As chairman of the 19 Northern States Governors Forum, the task was on my shoulders to voice out the position of the North which stood disadvantaged by the demise of Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua and the insistence that Jonathan should run for the office of president in 2015.
“We acted in good spirit and argued our points based on principle and on the subsisting agreement we had with Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. That agreement was written and accepted by all. It is, therefore, wrong for anyone to erroneously say that I, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu had opposed Goodluck Jonathan,” he said.
Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has denied distributing bags of rice to IDPs in Borno State.
Recall that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudasiru Osaba had donated 10,000 bags of 15kg rice to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Borno State.
The rice which had the photograph of Tinubu was said to be aimed at cushioning the hardship faced by thousands of IDPs during the holy month of Ramadan fasting.
Reacting, Tinubu insisted that he was not responsible for the gesture.
In a statement by his Media Aide, Tunde Rahman, the former Lagos State governor, however, commended the efforts of the various groups for their benevolence, NAN reports.
“We have seen the images being circulated of bags of rice depicting Asiwaju’s face being distributed across parts of the North.
“I am not responsible for this initiative but l commend the efforts of the various volunteer groups responsible for this benign act of charity and love for one another, particularly in this Holy month of Ramadan,” the statement said.
No fewer than 10 gunmen invaded one of the banks in Anambra on Thursday and hoisted Biafra flags after destroying vehicles in the premises.
The incident happened at Abagana, Njikoka local government area around 4pm.
It was gathered the gunmen shot sporadically but no one was killed.
The attack took place barely hours after Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu raised the alarm over alleged DSS’ plan to attack banks in South East.
He alleged the ploy was to accuse IPOB of being responsible for it.
The shooting in front of the old generation bank scared passersby, customers and staff who took to their heels.
The gunmen, according to an eyewitness, drove in black Honda Pilot Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
The source further said they set fire on a Nissan Pathfinder SUV with registration number UR 640 KJA and smashed glasses of a Honda car with registration number FST 456 AC, all parked in front of the bank.
Confirming the incident, Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu said the Command was on the trail of the hoodlums.
According to him: “Those hoodlums were pursuing their target and when they could not get him, they started shooting sporadically in the air.
“They smashed some vehicles but we can not ascertain at the moment whether anyone was injured or the actual damage caused as a result
“The Command will not allow such hoodlums to run over Anambra State. Investigations are on to actually, unravel the cause of the incident.”
The Federal Government says the issuance of new SIM cards will resume on April 19.
Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, made this known in a statement released by Femi Adeluyi, his technical aide (information technology), on Thursday.
In December 2020, the government suspended the activity as it embarked on an audit of the subscriber registration database.
Pantami announced that the country is set to implement a revised national digital identity policy for SIM card registration, adding that the national identification number (NIN) is mandatory at all levels.
“The policy includes guidelines on new SIM Acquisition and Activation, SIM Replacement, New SIM Activation for Corporates and Internet-of-Things/Machine-to-Machine (IoT/M2M), amongst others,” the statement read.
“The possession of a National Identity number will be a prerequisite for each of these categories.
“For the corporate registration, institutions will be required to appoint a telecoms master (at the minimum of an executive management level) to provide the operational Primary NIN representation. The telecoms master will also be responsible to ensuring that the users provide their NINs to serve as a secondary NIN.
“For IoT/M2M activations, SIM security protocols would be implemented on the SIM profile to ensure that SIMs can only be used for point to point data services specific to the URL they are working with. All other services will be barred.
“In the event that a data only service is particular to individual use (eg home car tracking, WiFi, MiFi services, etc), the standard NIN registration process will be followed. A telecoms Master will also be required for corporates requiring IoT/M2M activations.
“The full details of the requirements for each class of service will be made available in due course.”
Pantami further directed the Nigerian Comunications Commission (NCC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure that the provisions of the policy are strictly followed by all operators and subscribers.
“The revised policy will ensure that operators conform to the required standards for biometric capture,” the statement added.
“The guidelines in the Policy have been painstakingly developed and while they are thorough, it should be noted that they have been developed that way in national interest since the SIM is essentially a national resource.
“The implementation of the Policy will commence on Monday, 19th of April 2021. The issuance of New SIMs and other suspended activities will resume on the same date, as long as verification is done and the guidelines are fully adhered to.”
Senator Rochas Okorocha was grilled at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday for “suspected multiple cases of fraud and money laundering during his tenure as governor”.
Okorocha, representing Imo West in the Senate, was governor between 2011 and 2019.
He was arrested about 4pm according to a source in the anti-graft agency to answer questions on various allegations leveled against him including alleged N7.9 billion fraud.
The ex-governor is also being probed for another N1.5 billion hospital linked to one of his former aides.
The EFCC had secured a final forfeiture order on the hospital in the court of Justice T G Ringim of the Federal High Court in Owerri.
The state-of-the art 200-bed Dews of Hope Hospital, Owerri, was suspected to have been built with Imo State funds when Okorocha held the forte as governor.
An EFCC source said: “The ex-governor has been on the EFCC radar in the last three years over alleged N7. 9 billion money laundering. One of our investigators appeared in court and declared why he was wanted.
“He also has questions to answer on a separate N1.5 billion hospital built with funds from the Imo State accounts and traced to one of his former aides.
“On July 25, 2019, we invoked Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud, and other Related Offences Act 2006 to seize the hospital which ex-aide disowned.
“Okorocha has to explain the mystery behind the hospital. His former aide and members of board of directors of the hospital said they did not know how it was built.
“The managing director of the hospital, on invitation, could not also explain how the hospital project was funded.
“But, preliminary investigation confirmed that a former permanent secretary during Okorocha’s administration was a signatory to the hospital’s accounts.”
The source added: “There may be other multiple cases as uncovered by the past and present administrations in the state. He is undergoing interrogation as I speak with you.”
It was unclear if Okorocha will be quizzed over N112.8 billion “dubious debts” owed the state by nine commercial banks.
A Commission of Inquiry had recommended that Okorocha should account for the debts.
The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “It is true that Okorocha has been arrested. It is about a case some of you are familiar with.”
Okorocha’s arrest was the climax of his attempt to stop his investigation by the EFCC in the last one year.
On May 18, last year, the former governor filed a suit to stop the EFCC from probing him.
He prayed the court to “direct the 1st defendant (EFCC) and the 3rd to the 10th defendants (the Imo state attorney-general (AG) and the Justice Iheaka-led probe panel on contract awards) to stay all further actions and proceedings until the 2nd defendant (the state AG) decides who should carry out the investigation.”
But on July 8, a Federal High Court in Abuja refused his application to restrain the EFCC from investigating him for alleged financial violations while in office.
Okorocha has also been having a running battle with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma over alleged acquisition of public assets, including a university.
The state government also linked him to the recent attacks on Owerri by gunmen who invaded the state police headquarters and the Correctional Centre where they freed almost 2,000 prisoners.
The candidate presented by the camp of ex-governor Ayo Fayose for the post of youth leader at the PDP zonal Congress had been disqualified for being over-aged.
Announcing the disqualification, Dr. Benson Abounu, said Aremo Femi Adetola from Oyo State from the papers presented to the screening committee, is 49 years old.
Abounu said the PDP constitution stipulates that whoever will vie for the post of Youth Leader of the party must be between 18 and 40 years.
Reacting, Fayose and Adetola, accepted the disqualification.
Security had been beefed up in Osogbo, the Osun capital as the Peoples Democratic Party holds its zonal congress.
There is a heavy security presence at the Women and Children Development Initiative Foundation, the venue of the congress on Monday, in Osogbo.
Men of the Nigeria Police, Department of State Security Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were sighted at the entrance and around the venue.
Some of the security personnel were also strategically located a few kilometres away from the venue of the congress.
Though accreditation of delegates was fixed for 9: 00 a.m., it started two hours after.
42 aspirants were cleared by the PDP screening committee on Sunday to contest for the various positions in the zone.
The congress would be attended by 734 delegates across the six western states, The PUNCH learnt.
According to the list released by Retired Col. Austin Akobundu, the PDP National Organising Secretary, Oyo has 171 delegates, Osun – 130, Lagos 101, Ogun- 112, Ondo 114, and Ekiti with 115 delegates.
A former deputy governor of Oyo State, Taofeek Arapaja, and the immediate zonal chairman of the party, Dr Eddy Olafeso, are contesting for the chairmanship position.
While Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is supporting Arapaja for the chairmanship position, Mr Ayo Fayose, a former Ekiti governor is supporting Olafeso.
Former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose has conceded the South-West leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde.
He made the declaration on Monday during the South-West Zonal Congress at the Women and Children Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF), Osogbo, Osun State.
Speaking in English and Yoruba, Fayose said “Nothing will last forever. And if I have offended anybody, I apologize.
“Don’t allow them to give us a name that’s not ours in Yorubaland. The time of our Governor, Seyi Makinde, will not fail.
Fayose further used a proverb to describe what went wrong. He said “Ija l’ode t’orin d’owe”. Meaning: “It was the fight that occurred that made a song become a proverb”.
“Seyi Makinde and I are one since. But under any leadership regardless of the level, you are our father. God will help you succeed.”
Governor Samuel Ortom, Chairman of the South-West Zonal Congress Electoral/Congress Committee, was represented by his Deputy, Benson Adounu.
The former Governor of Ekiti State, H.E Ayodele Fayose has agreed to the leadership of Oyo State Governor, H.E., Seyi Makinde in PDP South West. He has apologised for his wrongs and pledged his support for the Party and Seyi Makinde leadership.
[Video here]
The former Governor of Ekiti State, H.E Ayodele Fayose has agreed to the leadership of Oyo State Governor, H.E., Seyi Makinde in PDP South West. He has apologised for his wrongs and pledged his support for the Party and Seyi Makinde leadership. pic.twitter.com/lWAWaCMWJO
Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, says the body of her husband, late Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 24.
Okei-Odumakin, a rights activist, made the announcement of the order of funeral rites available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
According to her, “the rites will span three days, starting from Thursday, April 22, Friday 23 and Saturday, April, 24.
“There would be day of tributes and Service of Songs at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm while his body lies in state on Thursday, April, 22.
“On Friday 23, his body departs Lagos for Moro, his country home, in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun.
“There will be a Christian wake keep by 5:00 pm at the Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro, which will be followed by a Candle light procession,” the widow said.
Okei- Odumakin disclosed there would be Lying in State at Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro by 8: 00 am on April 24
This will be followed by a funeral service by 10:00 am, after which his remains will be committed to Mother Earth at a private interment,” she said
NAN reports that the late Afenifere spokesperson, 54, died on Friday, April 2, after battling with respiratory problems occasioned by COVID-19 complications.
Nonagerian politician Tanko Yakasai has slammed President Muhammadu Buhari as too lazy and corrupt to solve Nigeria’s problems, saying he only presented himself for election “to have power and make money.”
Mr Yankasai, who served as an aide to former President Shehu Shagari, told Sunday Tribune that Mr Buhari’s incompetence is evident in his failure to develop a programme that will aid in tackling the country’s challenges. He described Mr Buhari’s election as the greatest mistake made by Nigerians.
“I have never supported and will never support Buhari. I know Buhari has no competence to rule the country,” he said. “I have never changed my mind about his lack of competence to lead the country.”
Mr Yankasai, 94, said he has always opposed Mr Buhari’s regime “because I knew he could not solve our problems as a country. The capacity is not just there,” while stating that he “would join efforts to look for somebody who can solve our problems.”
The elder statesman believes that Nigeria’s problems cannot be solved until there are key strategies put in place.
“Nobody can solve Nigeria’s problems until there is a programme for solving the problems,” he said, adding that “Many now want to become president because they want to have power and to make money.”
“Such people can’t solve our problems or the problems of any country. Only people who put their minds to the problems can solve such problems. If we want to develop agriculture, we must have a programme that solves the problems in that area,” he added.
Mr Yankasai, however, noted that despite his opposition to Mr Buhari’s regime, he would not support those seeking to break Nigeria apart.
The president is believed to have failed Nigerians in his promises of curbing corruption, insecurity, improving the citizens’ quality of life, as well as tackling the country’s economic woes.
Mr Buhari’s regime has been accused of worsening corruption, nepotism, banditry and kidnapping across the country. The United States recently described his regime as also worsening human rights in Nigeria while looting the country with impunity.
The president has consistently pushed back against claims that he’s lazy or corrupt by pointing to rail construction and other key projects of his administration. The president also said his anti-corruption drive, which includes the raging confrontation with university teachers over centralised personnel payroll system, has been unmatched by any previous administration.
Hours after the Southeast region launched its own joint security outfit codenamed EBUBE AGU, Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has explained why the governors took the decision.
Ikpeazu who spoke from Umuahia, the Abia State capital during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, said the new security outfit would oversee and monitor the activities of vigilante groups in the region.
“Today we have come together to synergise and see how best we can protect lives and properties of citizens within this geopolitical zone,” he said.
“Security situation across Nigeria as it is today is dynamic. We are just trying to respond to our peculiar circumstances in the southeast.”
When asked if the new security outfit would bear arms and wear uniforms, Governor Ikpeazu neither confirmed nor denied it.
The Abia governor explained that he and his colleagues from Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi and Enugu would cooperate to ensure that operatives of EBUBE AGU would be properly equipped.
“Ebube Agu would be a security outfit both in name, purpose and action. It will be properly equipped. I want to assure you that all the states in the southeast already has various vigilante outfits.
“In Abia, we call our own ‘the Homeland Security outfit.’ In Enugu, it is called the Forest Guards. But we want to call for a harmonised synergised system of action to be able to compare notes to be able to set up digital platforms that can respond to communication challenges,” he added.
Speaking further, Ikpeazu said the new outfit would be rural-based, adding “it is also going to be intelligence-based.
The governor also spoke on his administration’s strides in Abia, noting that the state since his assumption into office in 2015 “remains one of the safest states in Nigeria and we have statistics to show for that.
On his political future in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under whose platform he was elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019, Ikpeazu reiterated his commitment to remain in the party.
His remarks come shortly after governors from the South East established a security outfit called EBUBE AGU as part of plans to checkmate the rising unrest in the region, stemming from an increase in criminal activities.
According to a communique put out by governors of the Southeast, the agency is to oversee and monitor the activities of vigilante groups in the region.
Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum, Dave Umahi who read the statement after a meeting in Imo State, noted that the headquarters of EBUBE AGU security outfit will be in Enugu state.
A group in the South West People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has rejected the choice of Senator Dino Melaye as Chairman of the Congress Screening Committee.
The group insisted on Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, earlier agreed upon by both parties, saying “the sudden emergence of Senator Dino Melaye is suggestive of a planned hatchet job.”
This was contained in a release jointly issued by Fayose, PDP governorship candidates in Osun and Ogun States, Senator Ademola Adeleke and Hon Ladi Adebutu respectively as well as the immediate past Zonal Chairman and aspirant in the next Monday, April 12th, Congress, Dr Eddy Olafeso.
They said “What the party told us was that Senator Abaribe will be chairman of the screening committee.
“To us, this sudden use of Senator Dino Melaye is suspicious and we will not accept it.
“If Senator Abaribe is not available, there should be someone acceptable to the two parties to replace him, not Dino Melaye.
“Therefore, for equity, fairness and transparency, we call on the National Working Committee to replace Senator Dino Melaye with someone that is acceptable to both contending parties as Chairman of the Screening Committee.”
The Nigerian Army has released the names of rescued students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna who were kidnapped by bandits on 11 March 21.
The recovered students, according to the Director, Army Public Relation, Brigadier General Brigadier Mohammed Yerima, are Abubakar Yakubu, Francis Paul, Obadiya Habakkuk, Amina Yusuf and Maryam Danladi.
He said, “The rescued students are currently receiving medical attention in a military facility in Kaduna.
“The GOC 1 Division, Maj Gen DH Ali-Keffi has commended the troops for their effort and charged them not to rest on their oars until all kidnap victims are rescued and returned to their families.”
Daily Trust had earlier reported that parents of the students had neither met nor been told the identities of the rescued students.
The Kaduna State Government, on Monday, announced that five of the 39 students abducted from the school dormitory on March 11 2021 had been recovered by the Nigerian army.
Daily Trust reports that five of the students were rescued 25 days after gunmen breached the perimeter fence of the institution at Afaka, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State and abducted 39 students.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has announced the appointment of the Acting Chairman of the state’s revenue board, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad Garba Gunna (Dan Majen Kagara) as the new Emir of Kagara, Headquarters of Rafi Local Government Area of the state.
Tribune Online gathered that the appointment of the new Emir follows the death of the immediate past Emir, Alhaji Salihu Tanko Kagara on 1st March 2021, after a protracted illness in a hospital in Minna, the state capital.
The Governor, through the Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji made the disclosure, on Wednesday in Minna, after receiving the reports of the 14 kingmakers, headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad (Madakin Gunna).
The Governor said the appointment of the new Emir was in accordance with section 3 subsection (1) of the Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) law, Chapter 19, the law of Niger State.
According to him, “having received the advice of the Niger State Council of Chiefs as required under section 7, of Cap 19, I hereby appoint you, Ahmad Garba Gunna as the second Emir of Kagara.”
Until his appointment at the age of 46 years and second Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmad Garba Gunna, was the Acting Chairman of the Niger State board of internal revenue.
The Village Head of Yakila in Gunna District and Dan Majen Kagara emerged as the new Emir of Kagara after defeating five other contestants in an electoral college conducted by the 14 kingmakers of the Kagara Emirate.
Others who contested with him were Alhaji Muhammad Salihu Tanko, (Bunun Kagara) the son of the late Emir, Alhaji Garba Bako (Dan Galadiman Kagara), Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad Kusherki (Katukan Kagara) and Alhaji Idris Aliyu Jibrin (Barajen Kagara).
The Bureau’s current stand negates its 2019 move that led to the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen.
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) says it is illegal to release asset declarations of public officeholders.
This is despite the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act of 2011 that mandates public offices like the CBB to make records and other vital information of public interest freely available to the public.
The Act was enacted by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2011, to further deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
The act places access to vital information held by public authorities as a fundamental element of the right to freedom of expression as provided under Section 39 of the Constitution.
In a series of letters obtained by Peoples Gazette, the Code of Conduct Bureau, while acknowledging that the FOI act guarantees the right of a person to information, argued that the request for asset declaration of public office holders constitute an invasion of privacy which is against the provision of the act.
The Bureau’s current stand negates its 2019 move that led to the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen who was sacked over false asset declaration.
The CCB in 2019 did not consider the privacy of the former CJN before expeditiously providing his asset declaration data to Anti Corruption and Research Base Data Initiatives, the body which filed the petition that led to Mr Onnoghen’s removal.
While the FOI had given room for free access to public information, government offices like the CCB have habitually frustrated the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians to gain access to needed information.
Dated March 30, 2021, the letters by Munirah Elabor, the chairman of CCB, refused to honour the request by anti-corruption campaigner Deji Adeyanju who asked for access to the asset declaration documents of Delta Senator James Manager, NDDC interim administrator Effiong Okon Akwa and Hamza Ibrahim Jamo.
“It is conceded that section 1 (1) 3 and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2011 guarantees the right of a person to access or request information whether or not in written form, in custody of any public agency.
“Conversely, by virtue of section 12 (1)(a)(v), 14(1)(b) and 15(1)(a) of the same act, the bureau is not under any obligation to grant any request which constitutes invasion of personal privacy. Asset declarations by public office officers contain such personal information which falls within the exemption of the disclosure of information in the FOIA,” the letter by CCB read.
Further making reference to paragraph 3 (c) of the third schedule of the 1999 constitution, the Bureau agreed it has been mandated to make asset declaration of public holders available for public inspection but claimed that the National Assembly had not prescribed terms and conditions under which that could be done.
Prior to the FOIA of 2011, vital information useful to the public had been seemingly difficult to access.
Politics › Oduduwa Republic: Yoruba Nation Rally Holds In Abeokuta Despite Police Ban by Kwanza(op): 1:02pm On May 01, 2021
