The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the
February 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi, has reacted to the killing
of five soldiers in Abia State.
Obi who condemned the killing noted via his X Platform that:
“continued brutality and bloodshed in our nation must be met with swift and
decisive action, not empty words and hollow promises”.
He mourned the dead soldiers and demanded for through
investigation to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
His words: “I am appalled and saddened by the attack on our
brave soldiers in Abia State yesterday, resulting in the death of five
soldiers.
“This dastardly act remains condemnable as it is a stark
reminder of the escalating insecurity and violence that has continued to plague
our nation under our collective watch. My heart goes out in solidarity and
sincere condolences to my dear brother, Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State,
and the good people of the state.
“More directly, my condolences to the families of the fallen
heroes, who have paid the ultimate price in service to our country. Their
sacrifice will never be forgotten, and we owe it to them to demand
accountability and justice.
“Our failure as a nation to protect our citizens and
security personnel is a clear dereliction of duty and sign of deficiency of the
Nigerian state. The continued brutality and bloodshed in our nation must be met
with swift and decisive action, not empty words and hollow promises.
“I condemn this atrocity in strong terms, and demand an
immediate and thorough investigation into this crime in order to identify and
punish the culprits. We must not stand idly by while our nation is torn apart
by violence and fear.
We will continue to push for a better future, where our
citizens and security forces are protected and valued”.
Friday, 31 May 2024
Calm in Kano as Sanusi, Bayero hold parallel Friday prayers
their peaceful behaviour as Emirs Muhammad Sanusi II and Aminu Bayero presided
over Friday prayers simultaneously in Kano.
Both Emirs are laying claim to the throne. While Sanisu was
reinstated by Gov. Abba Yusuf, Bayero is contesting his dethronement in the
court.
The city of Kano was predicted to witness clashes between
the supporters of the two parties with the police warning potential
troublemakers to stay away from Kano.
While Sanusi led at the Central Mosque, Bayero, observed his
prayers at the Nasarawa Palace.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Usaini Gumel, told the News
Agency of Nigeria in an interview on Friday, that prayers were conducted in a
peaceful atmosphere across the 44 LGAs of the state.
“I am very pleased with the orderly manner faithful
residents conducted themselves before, during and after the prayer’s without
rancour in all parts of the state.
The Commissioner praised residents for their cooperation
with police personnel deployed in and outside the metropolis, which resulted in
zero crime being recorded.
He appealed to residents to continue cooperating with the
police to ensure peaceful coexistence in the state.
“This is a testament to the effective collaboration between
law enforcement and the community.
“The police command looks forward to continued partnership
in maintaining peace and order in the state”, he said.
Nnamdi Kanu: ‘It is time for political solution’ – Atiku on killing of soldiers
explore a political solution to the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader
of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Atiku made the call while condemning the killing of some
soldiers in the Aba area of Abia State during Thursday’s sit-at-home exercise.
Posting on X, Atiku lamented the impact of the sit-at-home
order on the conduct of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, exam
across the Southeast.
According to Atiku: “The violence that led to the killing of
soldiers and civilians in Abia State on Thursday stands condemned.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends
of those who may have lost a loved one. May their souls rest in peace. But even
more profound is the impact of yesterday’s sit-at-home in the Southeast region
of our country on students writing WAEC examinations.
“The veil of the so-called Unknown Gun Men hiding undercover
to unleash death and mayhem must be lifted to ensure that criminal elements are
separated from legitimate agitators.
“To this end, without prejudice to the ongoing legal
processes, I think the time has come to explore a political resolution to the
Nnamdi Kanu and other associated issues. I believe that this will diffuse the
compressor cooker situation in the region. It will be a win-win for all
parties.”
Kizz Daniel dedicates new song to wife, MJay
The brand new single arrives with a music video starring his wife.
The couple serenade fans with their onscreen chemistry as they offer them a glimpse into their beautiful bond.
The music video, set to premiere on the same day as the audio release, features intimate and joyful moments between Kizz Daniel and his wife, offering fans a glimpse into their beautiful bond.
In a statement, Kizz Daniel said the song is a celebration of love, partnership, and the double joy that comes from sharing life’s journey with someone special
“I wanted to create a song that not only celebrates my love for my wife but also speaks to the beauty of partnership and family,” he said.
“Having her grace the screen with me makes this project even more special to me. I hope that ‘Double’ resonates with everyone who listens and reminds them of the importance of love and togetherness.”
Kizz Daniel is one of the leading figures at the forefront of representing afrobeats on the world stage.
Thursday, 30 May 2024
Trump found guilty on all 34 counts in hush money trial
on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the hush money trial he is
facing.
The verdict was reached by a Manhattan jury on Thursday.
This makes Trump the first former president in US history to
be convicted of a felony.
The verdicts read in the courtroom showed that the 34 counts
stemmed from 11 invoices, 12 vouchers, and 11 from his former personal lawyer,
who fronted the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star.
Trump was charged with falsifying business records to
conceal the payment to Daniels in exchange for her silence about a sexual
encounter she claimed happened with the former president in 2006.
Trump had pleaded not guilty and denied having sex with
Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.
Prosecutors also accused Trump of taking part in an illegal
conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 election and an unlawful plan
to suppress “negative information” revolving around the adult film star.
Todd Blanche, the former president’s attorney, moved for an
acquittal of the charges, but Juan Merchan, the presiding judge, denied the
acquittal motion.
Trump called the hush money trial against him a “disgrace”
and a “rigged trial”.
“We’ll keep fighting; we’ll fight til the end, and we’ll win
because our country’s gone to hell,” Trump said.
“This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound
or hurt an opponent, a political opponent.
“We don’t have the
same country anymore; we have a divided mess. We will fight for our
Constitution. This is long from over.”
Merchan fixed a sentencing hearing for July 11.
Sit-at-home: South East Governors’ Forum reacts to killing of soldiers in Abia
The attack, which occurred at Obikabia junction in Aba, was reportedly carried out by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in a bid to enforce sit-at-home.
They also burnt down security patrol vehicles while enforcing the sit-at-home directive meant to commemorate Biafra Day.
Addressing newsmen in Owerri on Thursday, Chairman of the Forum, and IMO Governor, Hope Uzodimma, described the attack as “unfortunate”.
“On behalf of my brother governors in the South East Governors’ Forum, I condemn that incident and loss of the lives of soldiers who were on their duty posts.
“Without any provocation, they were attacked by the men of the underworld.
“The unfortunate thing is that it is going to act as a major setback to the peace process being pursued by the governors from the zone with the Federal Government, security agencies and other critical stakeholders on how best to resolve the problem of security in the region,” he said.
According to him, the incident will also portray our people in a bad light, as if we do not have sympathy for human beings.
The governor condoled the Chief of Army Staff and the families of soldiers, who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.
“We here in the South East will ensure that we leave no stone unturned to ensure peace in the region needed for development,” he added.
Uzodimma urged security agencies to go all out to ensure that those behind the dastardly act were caught and prosecuted.
He noted that people of the South East, out of fear of the unknown and memories of the past, obeyed the directive of the proscribed group.
He urged them, particularly those in Imo, to find courage and understand that a lot had gone into providing security for them.
“We have peace in Imo; I want people to go about their businesses without fear of being molested by anyone.
“We are after the perpetrators. Those who think we shouldn’t live should not live,” he emphasised.
Kano: Gov Yusuf meets NSA, Nuhu Ribadu over emirate crisis
The Kano governor met with Ribadu in his office in Abuja.
The visit is coming days after Aminu Gwarzo, Deputy Governor of Kano State, accused Ribadu of facilitating the return of Ado Bayero, the dethroned Emir of Kano, to the palace by providing him with two private jets.
NUJ asks Makinde, security agencies to tackle kidnapping in Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun
The union noted that this is necessary in order to tackle the menace of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the areas.
NUJ made the call in a communique issued at the end of its monthly congress held on Wednesday.
The communique was made available to newsmen on Thursday by the NUJ Secretary, Comrade Olusola Oladapo.
There are five local government areas in Ogbomoso, and ten in Oke Ogun.
The union, in the communique, appealed to Makinde and security agencies in the state to urgently deploy operatives to the areas.
The Oyo NUJ Council also urged the governor to address the issue of overpopulation in most of the public secondary schools in the state.
“The Council urgently appeal to the Oyo State government and security agencies to reinforce security in Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun areas to prevent kidnappings and ensure safety.
“Appeal to the Governor to address overpopulation and insufficient teachers in some secondary schools by making the learning environment more conducive, while lauding the recent plan to employ 7,000 additional teachers in primary schools,” parts of the communique read.
‘Nigeria we hail thee’: NASS entertaining Tinubu – Adeyanju on nat’l anthem
A rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Deji Adeyanju,
on Thursday, accused the National Assembly of trying to entertain President
Bola Tinubu and being a stumbling block to Nigerians.
On Wednesday, Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill 2024,
into law to reinstate the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
Reacting, Adeyanju wondered how the reintroduction of the old
national anthem would salvage the current economic situation in the country.
Speaking with Dailypost, Adeyanju said: “These guys at the
National Assembly are overfed and they just want to entertain the president;
that’s why they are doing things like this. Nigerians are hungry; we have an
economic crisis in the country, inflation is at a record high, and two students
of Confluence University in Lokoja were just brutally murdered while others are
still in kidnappers’ den; yet, they can’t find it worthy of calling the
parents.
“The American President would have called the parents, the
leadership of the senate would have held a minute silence for the murdered
students, but no, what we have here is misplaced priorities.
“What’s this old national anthem about? Is that the problem
of Nigeria? Will that affect the price of Garri in the market? Parents can’t
afford to buy Indomie for their children, Garri is becoming a luxurious item
for the poor and you are talking about the old national anthem. Nigerians are
so hungry.
“The old national anthem is long and you are now bringing
another one that is longer, is that the current situation in the country right
now with the level of insecurity? Over 400 students were kidnapped in Zamfara
and you are talking about the old national anthem.”
The rights activist accused Nigerian leaders of being aloof
because there is no emergency that would warrant an emergency to revert to the
old national anthem.
“Our leaders are completely aloof, they behave as if they
are in space, they are completely lost in affluence, lost in the alternative
universe because I can’t understand what is going on. There is no emergency for
us to change the national anthem.
“If this National Assembly is a rubberstamp, it’s even
better, this current NASS is a major stumbling block to Nigerians because
people were expecting that the president will rejig his cabinet; change Adelabu
who is the Minister of Darkness, sack the GMD of NNPC, do something
progressive, sack CBN governor, sack Minister of Finance and put somebody
competent, sack the Minister of Agric and put somebody competent, now look at
what he has done. He changed the national anthem,” he said.
Adeyanju said Tinubu’s assent to the National Anthem bill
was part of the reasons Nigerians should not vote for conventional politicians
during elections.
“Right now, all hope looks like it’s almost lost; Nigerians
must stop voting for conventional politicians; they will only come and play to
the gallery. A nation that borrows to live large is not a viable nation. We
don’t need a bi-cameral legislation. Nigeria needs urgent reform, the ruling
elites don’t see anything urgent about the country so if when you proffer
solutions, you are just wasting your time; they are leaving in a bubble and
alternate universe.
“I hope that when the election comes around, Nigerians will
abandon politicians and go for those who actually carry out holistic and
surgical repairs for the nation,” he added.
Wednesday, 29 May 2024
NigerianEye Poll: Rate President Bola Tinubu's First Year In Office
Tinubu, who contested on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, emerged victorious against his closest rivals, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP.
To mark his first year in office, NigerianEye will be sampling the opinion of our readers concerning the performance of our president after his first 365 days.
How do you rate him after his first year in office? Kindly vote below.
Survey Maker
Bayern appoint former Manchester City defender Kompany as new coach
Bayern Munich named Vincent Kompany as the new coach of the German giants on a three-year contract on Wednesday, in a surprise move.
Kompany, 38, joins Bayern despite seeing his Burnley team relegated from the Premier League this season.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of FC Bayern. It’s a great honour to be able to work for this club – FC Bayern is an institution in international football,” said Kompany in a club statement.
“I’m now looking forward to the basics: working with the players, building a team. Once the basis is right, success will follow.”
Kompany’s hiring brings to an end Bayern’s exhaustive search for a replacement for Thomas Tuchel after the club’s first trophyless season in 12 years.
Bayern announced that Tuchel would depart at the end of the season in February after falling behind eventual champions Bayer Leverkusen in the title race.
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann and Austria manager Ralf Rangnick all reportedly turned down Bayern’s interest.
After taking over at Burnley in July 2022, Kompany led the Clarets to promotion from the second-tier Championship in his first season in charge.
They struggled with the step up to the Premier League, winning just five games and registering 24 points — the club’s lowest top-flight tally in their history.
However, Kompany retained the backing of his old coach at Manchester City Pep Guardiola, who advised his former club to go for the Belgian.
“Vincent Kompany is the type of coach who fits in very well with FC Bayern’s playing philosophy and identity,” said sporting director Christoph Freund.
“He’s a young, very ambitious coach with a lot of international experience.
“He his finger on the pulse when it comes to the players and knows exactly what needs to happen on the pitch. He can and will give our team an enormous amount.”
Kompany has Bundesliga experience, having played at Hamburg for two seasons early in his playing career and his ability to speak German was seen as a major benefit for the Bayern board.
Burnley will reportedly receive £10 million ($13 million) in compensation for allowing their manager to leave.
“Whilst we were initially confident in retaining our manager, the changing dynamics of the situation made this impossible,” Burnley said in a statement.
“We understand the allure and prestige of a club like Bayern Munich and respect Vincent’s ambition to explore new opportunities.”
Dangote refinery to list on NGX, London Stock Exchange
listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
Devakumar Edwin, executive director of Dangote Group, made
this known in a Reuters report on May 28.
Aliko Dangote, the founder of the refiner, was quoted in
reports on May 24 that the company would be listed in Nigeria before the end of
the year.
Edwin said the refinery would be listed on the stock
exchanges in the United Kingdom and Nigeria because the NGX will not have
adequate depth to exclusively handle the petroleum refinery.
“We would have to
take it to LSE (London Stock Exchange) but also list in NSE,” Edwin said.
Subsidiaries of Dangote Group; Dangote Cement, Dangote Flour
Mills, and Dangote Sugar, are all listed on the Nigerian bourse.
The 650,000 barrels per day refinery started operations with
the production of diesel and aviation fuel on January 12 — after receiving six
shipments of crude.
Dangote, on May 17, said Nigeria will not have to import
petrol into the country by June.
Speaking on the commencement of petrol production by the
refiner, Dangote said by June, his company will be producing diesel and
gasoline.
Dangote refinery also plans to buy 24 million barrels of
crude from the United States over the next year.
Minimum wage: TUC threatens strike, says FG nonchalant
President of the TUC, Festus Osifo, made this disclosure in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The labour union threatened to embark on strike if the issue is not resolved.
Osifo said, “The government must be very serious in addressing the issue of a new minimum wage.”
Recall that in the last few months, labour unions and the Federal Government have been locked in negotiations over a new minimum wage with the former giving an ultimatum of May 31st.
Labour had initially demanded a ₦615,000 minimum wage but reduced it twice – now at ₦494,000.
The government and the organised private sector had initially proposed ₦48,000 and ₦54,000 which were also rejected by the labour.
During a meeting of the committee on minimum wage on Tuesday, labour rejected the Federal Government’s new minimum wage proposal.
According to Osifo, the new proposal does not tally with the nation’s economic realities.
He said with Nigeria’s inflation rate of 33.69 per cent as of April 2024 based on data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, labour had to “completely reject” the Federal Government’s latest offer of ₦60,000.
He said, “So, for us, we completely reject it. We want the government to be serious. Let them come and give us a breakdown of how a family is going to live with the minimum wage of ₦60,000.
“Remember, our ultimatum still subsists that we have issued on May 1st and today is the 28th day of May. So, what that clearly means is that we still have three days to resolve this matter.”
President Bola Tinubu has introduced some reforms including the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira.
But Osifo has accused the Tinubu government of policy somersaults and not having “deep thinking”.
The TUC president said, “So, for us, we would rate them 2.5 out of 10 which is 25%.”
Nigerian customs reacts as staff, VIO operatives fight in Abuja
NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Recall that in a viral video, Customs officers and VIO operatives involved in a free-for-all fight at AYA roundabout in less than a week ago.
Reacting to the incident, Maiwada said the service has commenced that investigation into the matter.
“Our attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media showing some officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in a confrontation with Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO). The NCS acknowledges that the event occurred on Friday, 24 May 2024, at AYA Roundabout, Abuja VIO Office.
“The officers involved in this regrettable incident are NCS personnel attached to the Customs Mechanical Unit in Karu Barracks, Abuja.
“The service wishes to express its deepest concern and empathy for those affected by this regrettable incident. Furthermore, the NCS unequivocally dissociate itself from the actions of these officers. Their condemned behaviour, which appears to be self-motivated, is under thorough investigation, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken to forestall future occurrences.
“It is essential to state that this incident contradicts the values and operational standards of the NCS. Such behaviour undermines one of the key policy thrusts of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which is to foster collaboration with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians and their properties.
“The NCS, under the leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management Team, strongly condemn such conduct and does not tolerate any actions that jeopardise the commitment to professionalism and inter-agency cooperation. The Service remains steadfast in its mission to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling to support a more robust and secure economy for all Nigerians,” the statement reads.
Tuesday, 28 May 2024
PHOTOS: Tony Blair visits Tinubu
Minister, Tony Blair, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, shortly
after returning from a four-day working visit to Lagos.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking government
officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila;
Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, Information and National Orientation
Minister, Mohammed Idris, and Special Adviser to the President on Policy
Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman.
Rejig cabinet with best brains, get second term – Dele momodu to Tinubu
Momodu on Tuesday urged President Bola Tinubu to boost his cabinet with the
best brains if he wants to get a second term in office.
Momodu said Tinubu should get Nigerians who can help
surmount the challenges facing the country.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, the
veteran journalists and Publisher of Ovation magazine said the last year of
Tinubu had been difficult for many Nigerians.
According to Momodu: “Nigeria is blessed with some of the
greatest human beings on earth, who are scattered all over the planet. Find
them and bring them into the government.
“The best way to get a second term by any leader is when you
have performed in the first term.
“My honest advice, borne out of patriotism, is that you
urgently get the best people on board.”
Momodu also urged the President to surround himself with
people who would always give him honest feedback.
While describing the culture of sycophancy as an albatross
to good governance, Momodu said the President would do well with people who
speak truth to power.
He urged Tinubu to solve what he called the energy crisis in
the country to propel the country’s development.
The publisher also called on the President to address the
problem of insecurity in the country.
“Until we solve the energy crisis, I don’t think we will be
ready to join the comity of other nations in their march towards advancement.
“We also need a declaration of a state of emergency in
infrastructure, education, food security, and overall security, “he said.
BREAKING: Labour rejects Nigerian Govt’s fresh N60,000 minimum wage offer
The Organised Labour has rejected a fresh minimum wage proposal by the Nigerian Government.
Channels Television reports that the Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, rejected the offer of the Federal Government to pay N60,000 as new minimum wage,.
It was also gathered that labour had shifted grounds from its N497,000 proposal to N494,000.
Channels Television said a prominent member of the Tripartite Committee for the negotiation of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers revealed that the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector side of the talks proposed a N60,000 monthly minimum wage as against the N57,000 they tabled last week when the committee resumed negotiations.
Recall that the government had initially proposed N48,000 and N54,000, which were also rejected by Organised Labour.
However, Labour had also presented N615,000 as the new minimum wage but saw reasons to drop their demand from to N497,000 last week and then to N494,000 on Tuesday.
The Tripartite Committee is yet to agree on a new minimum wage with three days to the May 31 deadline the labour unions gave to the government.
Channels Television reports that the Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, rejected the offer of the Federal Government to pay N60,000 as new minimum wage,.
It was also gathered that labour had shifted grounds from its N497,000 proposal to N494,000.
Channels Television said a prominent member of the Tripartite Committee for the negotiation of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers revealed that the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector side of the talks proposed a N60,000 monthly minimum wage as against the N57,000 they tabled last week when the committee resumed negotiations.
Recall that the government had initially proposed N48,000 and N54,000, which were also rejected by Organised Labour.
However, Labour had also presented N615,000 as the new minimum wage but saw reasons to drop their demand from to N497,000 last week and then to N494,000 on Tuesday.
The Tripartite Committee is yet to agree on a new minimum wage with three days to the May 31 deadline the labour unions gave to the government.
Non-enrolment of children in school now criminal offense – Abia Gov, Otti tells parents
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has criminalized the non enrollment of school-age children in the state, warning of serious penalty for parents and guardians who refuse to enroll their children or wards of school age.
He stated this at Umuahia Township Stadium during the 2024 Children’s Day celebration, noting that the policy would be supported with a legislation by the Abia State House of Assembly which would prescribe a penalty for offenders.
“From now on it is an offence for any child that is of school age not to be sent to school.
“We are going to back that up with a legislation and that legislation will prescribe penalties for any parent who refuses to bring out his child for education,” he said.
He also said scholarship would be created for children whose parents are financially disadvantaged, to ensure that every child of school age goes to school, promising that no child in the state would be marginalized or molested.
He further abolished payment of levies for special books by students of the school for the blind, Afaraukwu, and donated a bus to them.
The governor, who broke down in tears at Umuahia Township Stadium while taking salute from pupils, said he was pained by the plight of the children with special needs like the deaf.
He apologized to Abia children for the past administrations which owed teachers salaries and environments left to rot.
He stated this at Umuahia Township Stadium during the 2024 Children’s Day celebration, noting that the policy would be supported with a legislation by the Abia State House of Assembly which would prescribe a penalty for offenders.
“From now on it is an offence for any child that is of school age not to be sent to school.
“We are going to back that up with a legislation and that legislation will prescribe penalties for any parent who refuses to bring out his child for education,” he said.
He also said scholarship would be created for children whose parents are financially disadvantaged, to ensure that every child of school age goes to school, promising that no child in the state would be marginalized or molested.
He further abolished payment of levies for special books by students of the school for the blind, Afaraukwu, and donated a bus to them.
The governor, who broke down in tears at Umuahia Township Stadium while taking salute from pupils, said he was pained by the plight of the children with special needs like the deaf.
He apologized to Abia children for the past administrations which owed teachers salaries and environments left to rot.
Junior Pope: Police to prosecute blogger for allegedly defaming businessman E-Money
Hundeyin disclosed this on Monday, while parading the suspect before newsmen at the command’s headquarters, Ikeja.
The image maker said that the command received a petition from E-Money about the offensive video, stressing that a crack squad of the command, who swung into action for investigation, arrested the 24-year-old suspect at Uromi in Edo.
“He is going to be prosecuted because the things he engaged in were criminal in nature. He has allegedly defamed E-Money and he is going to be prosecuted.
“We are not prosecuting the suspect because of the personality involved, but because he has allegedly committed crime, the personality goes through the normal channel by reporting the case to the police and we investigated and arrested the suspect.
“If one is defamed and you only talk about it on social media, you have not reported the case yet to the Police, it doesn’t work that way. The best thing to do is report at any police division, area command or police headquarters, we will take it up,” he said.
Hundeyin warned social media users against causing injury to others with their contents, stressing that action may be taken against them if reports of their contents were found offensive by anyone.
He noted that every action has consequences, stressing that the moment false information goes out to the public, a report from a willing complainant, ready to prosecute the offender, the police will bring such a fellow to justice.
Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of the parade, the suspect admitted making the said video to boost his page’s followership level.
He also said that all that he said concerning E-Money in the video were not true.
“I did a video about E-Money. I said a lot of things that are not true in that video, that is why the police arrested me.
“I said something regarding a video I saw online about a woman – saying that Sir E-Money is responsible for the things that happened to Nollywood actor John Odonwodo, aka Junior Pope’s case.
“I said something like that, I also said that Sir E-Money was also having an affairs with Junior Pope’s wife. I have never in my life met E-Money. Everything I made in that video was not true.
“I made the video out of trying to boost my page traffic level, I never knew it will go viral the way it went. I don’t have bad intention to tarnish Sir E-Money’s name. I was just making the video, I didn’t know it will go such wide.
“I know the contents of the video were wrong of me to have made. I don’t know the video will escalate to that extent,” he said.
Monday, 27 May 2024
‘It’s will of Allah’ – ex-Emir of Gaya speaks on dethronement
Aliyu Abdulkadir, dethroned Emir of Gaya, says he has
accepted his faith.
On Friday, Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, dethroned the Emirs
of Bichi, Rano, Karaye, Kano and Gaya, and reinstated Muhammad Sanusi II as the
Emir of Kano.
Sanusi was dethroned in 2020 after he fell out with
Abdullahi Ganduje, former governor of the state.
Yusuf gave the sacked monarchs 48 hours to vacate their
palaces.
While the Emirs of Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya have
complied with the directive, Aminu Ado Bayero, dethroned emir of the Kano, has
not. Bayero has called on the “authorities” to ensure justice.
Speaking with BBC Hausa, Abdulkadir said he believes that
the development was predestined before he was born.
The former emir said he has no plan to challenge the Kano
state government over its decision to sack him, adding that he does not hold
any grudge against anybody.
“If this happens to
anyone, he will not be happy, but Allah has brought it, no matter what, there
is an end to it,” he said.
“Allah has written it even before we were born that it will
be, so we should not be angry about anything. This is Allah’s doing and we
accepted it with open arms.”
“We are the acceptors of destiny. This is what Allah willed
and this is what will be done. We have no intention of going to court. We have
accepted destiny, we thank God.”
There have been protests in some parts of Kano because of
the governor’s decision to reinstate Sanusi.
ASUU kicks against student education loan, calls for intervention in tertiary institutions
Zone, has vehemently opposed the proposed Student Education Loan of the Federal
Government.
It described the loan as not only “strangulating” but has
the capacity of subjecting the benefiting students to slavery, perpetual debt,
depression and eventual suicide.
Addressing a press conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
capital on Monday, the Zonal Cordinator of ASUU, Happiness Uduk flanked by all
the Chapter Chairmen of the zone said it was disheartening that the people who
attended schools on scholarship, enjoyed meal subsidies, bursary awards among
others were the ones making some of these obnoxious policies saying that the
union would not relent in opposing such policies.
Uduk in a statement jointly signed by the eight union
Chairpersons reasoned that instead of giving loans for students education; FG
could use the money for interventions in higher institutions saying that such
would bring about positive turnaround of events that would make the
institutions self reliant with highly subsidized tertiary education in the
country.
According to her, “It is disheartening that people who
attended schools on scholarship,enjoyed meal subsidies, free laundry services
and bursary awards are the same running our economy today. Their Children are
on scholarship in the best foreign universities in the world but after
siphoning our economy, they turn around to impose a strangulating Education
Loan in tax payers’ children so that they will be enslaved and remain indebted
to the country forever. They do not mind the devastating effect of this scheme
on the country, such as depression, suicide, and collosal loss of
intellectuals.
“To this end, we vehemently condemn the idea of Education
Loan and state clearly that using the money for intervention in higher
Institutions will be about a positive turn-around of events that will make our
institutions self reliant on highly subsidized tertiary education in Nigeria.”
The union also called on the federal government to come to a
renegotiation table and reconvene a committee to review the agreement reached
by ASUU leadership and Prof. Nimi Brigs-led Government committee with the view
of adjusting the document according to the current economic realities so as to
have acceptable salary structure for university lecturers.
The union also condemned the indiscriminate proliferations
of universities in Nigeria without adequate funding by both the Federal and
state governments, noting that 2020 ASUU-FGN Memorandum of Action (MoA), which
stressed the need to review the NUC Act to make it more potent in arresting the
reckless and excessive establishment of universities, should be fully
implemented.
“We urge the President Tinubu-led administration to refrain
from further proliferation of universities and rather consolidate on the
already existing ones. What we need are universities that are adequately
equipped and empowered to address the challenges confronting Nigeria, not
glorified schools,” the statement added.
On the ongoing minimum wage negotiation, the ASUU Calabar
Zone urged FG to immediately deploy the instrumentality of collective
bargaining to conclude the social dialogue, saying that such would lessen the
invasive decline in the socio-economic lives of Nigerians.
It further urged federal, state and local governments to
take a critical look at all unworkable policies and programmes sponsored by
international money lenders such as the World Bank and IMF with a view to
reclaiming the country’s sovereignty and restoring the confidence of Nigerians.
The union, however, advised governments and her agencies to
read the Act establishing universities and stop interfering and threatening the
autonomy of the universities, especially in terms of policy, academic planning
and administration, even as it advised that suspended members in Ebonyi State
University be recalled in obedience to the declarations and orders of the
National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
It added that outstanding salaries of academics in all
institutions should be paid without further delay, noting that failure to
accede to their demands would make them embark on industrial action, even as it
regretted that it resorted to strike to press home its demands as that was the
only language the government understood.
What I learnt from indulging in drug abuse – Rapper Odumodublvck
indulge in illicit drugs as an undergraduate student.
Addressing his audience at a recent concert in Houston,
Texas, USA, the ‘Blood On The Dance Floor’ crooner disclosed that he was
abusing crack cocaine before giving up the habit.
He said the lesson he learnt from indulging in drug abuse is
determination.
He, however, emphasised that drug abuse is dangerous to
one’s health.
Odumodublvck said, “I used to take crack cocaine when I was
in Unilag in 2014. It is not good for your life. But while I was smoking it one
day, I learnt a lesson. The lesson is: How bad do you want it?
“And I’m talking to each and everyone of you here, whatever
you are doing in your life, how bad do you want it? Do you want to be the
biggest blogger? Do you want to be the biggest artist? Do you want to be the
biggest businesswoman? How bad do you want it?”
BREAKING: Gunshots as over 100 hoodlums attack Lagos police station
The attack led to exchange of gunshots during which some of the hoodlums were reportedly killed.
Details of the attack are still sketchy at the moment as the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, did not take his calls.
However, learnt that many reinforcements of police operatives have been deployed to the area.
How police officer shot businessman dead over scuffle with Okada rider in Abuja
Onyebuchi, from the information gathered, was murdered few metres away from his residence in an Estate located at Byazhin, along Arab Road, Kubwa, Abuja, at about 10:30 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 on his way home.
Onyebuchi, simply called Onyi by his friends, is a trader who does his business in the Jabi district, Abuja.
It was gathered that the day he met his untimely death, Onyebuchi was returning home from his business and was already close to the gate of the estate, where he resides with his wife and two daughters.
Eyewitnesses in the area narrated that the businessman had an altercation with a commercial motorcyclist, also known as Okada, at a junction leading to the entrance to his residence.
It was said that after a few minutes of argument, Onyi and the bike man came to terms, settled their differences and were about to leave the scene, when a police van arrived.
Both men were said to have informed the policemen of what happened and also told them that the matter had been resolved between them. However, the policemen insisted on taking them to the station.
The okada rider, who had a passenger waiting for him, was said to have swiftly dismissed the policemen, telling them he had no business going to the station and started his motorcycle and zoomed off with the passenger.
However, we understand that the police insisted on taking Onyi to the station and on their van too.
Onyi, according to eyewitnesses, was puzzled and demanded to know why the police wanted him at the station while the okada man was allowed to go.
He also questioned the purpose of going to the station since he had settled amicably with the motorcycle rider.
And when he agreed to follow them to the station, he asked them to allow him to wind up his glasses which were all wound down but the police refused. They were said to have also refused to allow him to follow them riding on his Mercedes Benz.
As they argued, the driver of the police van, who hadn’t been in the picture all this while, according to residents, came out from a vehicle bearing a teargas gun which shot directly on the trader’s forehead at a very close range with the canister piercing through his nose.
Doctors confirmed him dead at about 8 am on Thursday morning at the National Hospital Abuja. He left behind his wife and two daughters.
Ogochukwu Onyebuchi, wife of the deceased, told her story.
“On that fateful day, I spoke with my husband around 8 pm. He told me that he was on his way back. But around 10:45, my neighbour came knocking on my door, calling me to open the door, when I opened the door, the whole estate was outside.
“And I saw them washing my husband’s car. And I asked ‘where’s my husband?’ And they told me to calm down and that they were going to take me to where my husband is. When I insisted, they said I should calm down, that my husband was alive.
“They said they were taking me to the National Hospital. Even while we were on our way to the hospital, nobody told me what happened. When we got to the National Hospital, I saw my husband struggling for his life. He couldn’t breathe.
“His tongue was coming out. But he recognised my voice. Immediately I called him ‘baby, I don’t know what happened but be strong for me, be strong for my children’. He gave me signs that he was strong but he was struggling with his life.
“The doctor told us to go out because they wanted to attend to him, but after an hour, the doctor called me to say that my husband’s brain was blocked for the past one hour but they don’t know what happened, that it started working again.
“He told us to pray. After 30 minutes, they said they were going to do an X-ray. After the X-ray, I checked on him after every 10 minutes and when I talked to him, he no longer responded. He was breathing heavily, battling for his life.
“I was begging God to help me because my husband is a good man. The doctor said they would operate him around 4:30 and as we were waiting for the doctor; they shifted the operation, saying they have to stabilise him first. They shifted it from 4:30 to 8: am.
“But around 8 am I noticed that something was wrong. When I touched his head, it was blocked. His body was blocked. Only his laps were warm. 30 minutes later, the doctor called me and confirmed my husband was dead. His friends rushed him to the ICU but nothing happened.”
On responses they got from the police, she added, “I don’t know their names, maybe he’s the Biaji police station DPO, he just came and said ‘madam, sorry for what happened. We’re carrying out an investigation.’ Today again, the Commissioner of Police came and said ‘I shouldn’t worry that justice must prevail’.
Adaeze, one of the late businessman’s neighbours and friend to the wife, also spoke:
“I’m her [Ogochukwu] friend and neighbour. On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at about 10:30 pm I was lying down and suddenly I was hearing a voice, ‘Somebody help me, somebody help me.’ I became scared and worried.
“And within some time, one of my neighbours called me on the phone. I was surprised because she’s not the kind of person to call by that time of the night. When I picked she told me that Ogochukwu’s husband had been shot.
“I stood up from the chair and ran out immediately. We heard the gunshot, a sound but we didn’t know what it was. When I ran out and asked what happened, they said he was shot as he was coming back from work.
“They said I was called because I’m the only one that can bring her [Ogochukwu] out in this circumstance. Her husband’s car was covered with blood. When we met him at the hospital, he was seeing. His eyes were covered by blood. The eyes bulged out with blood coming out from his nose, ears and mouth. The sight was terrible.
“The canister pierced his nose and entered his tongue. He didn’t have a tongue. It was like his tongue entered inside his mouth. His mouth was just opened but you cannot see his tongue while everywhere was covered with blood. The canister was still stocked on his nose.
“That was the last conversation and by the time we went back there, he had gone into unconsciousness.
“The teargas canister was shot at him at a very close range at his face and the thing stocked his nose and the doctor said the thing is very dangerous. It goes directly to the brain and damages the system within some minutes.
“The doctor said he had a 50-50 chance of survival. The Police Commissioner came here earlier and said the officer is already in detention and he promised to do anything to ensure that justice is served.”
Ugo Maduabuchi, the Coordinator of the business community, where the deceased belong said, “I think it is important to highlight these issues. Because there has been a misconception about this thing, especially from the Commissioner of Police when he alleged at the hospital that it could be a case of accidental discharge.
“It seems the Commissioner of Police wants to preempt the investigation he said he wants to conduct by saying it was an accidental discharge.
“I want to send a message to the Commissioner of Police, who is by the way a good Commissioner of Police, he’s been trying.
“But this incident of distortion by his men must stop because that is what this thing is all about.
“Onyi was coming back from work and had a small scuffle with an okada rider that was carrying a passenger and in the course of argument, the okada rider said he wanted his motorcycle repaired, but Onyi’s car got damaged too.
“The Okada man said it’s not his fault, likewise Onyi. But the passers-by police patrol now saw the scuffle and stopped.
“Initially, Onyi was like, thank God the police are here; unfortunately, they were not there to settle the matter.
“They decided to take two of them to the police station. But the okada man, who said that police are not his friend and refused to follow them to the station, insisted he was on the verge of settling the matter before they came and they did settle and shook hands and the okada man left with his passenger.
“The police allowed the okada man to leave but held onto Onyi maybe because he’s the one with the Benz and they have seen that he’s an Igbo businessman.
“Because they estort more from us, that’s why they insisted he must follow them to the station. Onyi was like, I don’t understand, follow you to the police station for what?
“The person I had issues with has gone and said he doesn’t want a case again. And in the process, they insisted and jacked him from the belt.
“Then Onyi realised that this thing is getting out of hand and told them he had agreed to follow them to the station. But since the car was parked along the road with the glasses all wound down and nobody in it, he said okay, let’s ride with my car to the station or allow us to follow you with my car.
“They said no. That they must take him in their vehicle. He said how can I follow you and leave my car wound down. What if it is vandalised?
“They told him they don’t care. And in the process, the trigger-happy policeman that was the driver, felt he was wasting their time and brought out the canister and aimed straight at Onyi’s head intentionally.
“As a matter of fact, we’re coming from the Deputy Commissioner of Police office and they brought out all the patrol team and they confessed that when he shot that gun they were all surprised because he wasn’t even there ab initio.
“He’s just a trigger-happy policeman that feels he has the whole power because of the uniform he’s wearing and the gun he’s holding.
“This is a clear case of murder. And we from the business community, we’re going fully for justice. The Commissioner has assured us he’s in detention that they will try him, definitely find him guilty, dismiss and hand him over to the law to take its course.
“We’re more than 30,000. We’re a very large business community, UOO and Sabondele located at Jabi. We’ve been trying since yesterday to restrain our members from taking law into their hands. As a matter of fact, there were three attempts to burn down the police station yesterday but we foiled them.
“Now it’s up to the Nigeria police to prove to us if they’re really our friends or enemies. Or that they just armed that policeman to be killing people.”
Mr Michael Nwanna, the deceased father’s brother, who told a similar story, saying, “It happened on Wednesday, when the young man was going home and ‘Okada brushed him’.
“And after one or two arguments, they settled. But the police all of sudden, appeared and said, no no no, you’ve not settled. All of you will go to the station.
“And the Okada refused to follow them, climbed his bike and left. Then they insisted that he (Onyi) must follow them to the station and he refused.
“Then the driver of the police vehicle, who was inside the van while they were arguing, just opened the door and aimed the teargas gun directly at him and shot him.
“The young man he was carrying took him to the hospital. We have his pictures when he was struggling to survive. The police said they’ll do their investigations. Well, let’s see what will come out of it.”
At the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command, the Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident.
She said the police officer in question was already cooling his feet in detention, adding that investigation had commenced immediately.
According to Mrs. Adeh, “Well, the man [the police officer] is under detention and investigations have commenced into the facts of what really happened.
“The investigation is headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID, FCT.
“He is personally investigating this ugly incident and we have to wait till the end of the investigation for us to ascertain what happened and brief members of the public exactly what happened.
“But definitely, the Commissioner of Police has assured that after the investigation, the outcome would be communicated to the members of the public and justice will be duly served.”
Sunday, 26 May 2024
Nigeria’s democracy will mature in another 25 years – Obono-Obla, Ahiakwo
democratic practices will attain maturity in the next 25 years.
Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, a former presidential aide, and
Justice Osai Ahiakwo, a lawyer and public affairs analyst, issued separate
statements to mark Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Both agreed that Nigeria’s democracy and its institutions
are young and even embryonic, requiring time and patience.
Obono-Obla said, “In May 2049, which is 25 years from now,
democratic civil rule in Nigeria will have attained maturity and democratic culture
and values more ingrained in our institutions. It will then usher economic
growth, development and prosperity.”
He stated that no matter how imperfect our democracy is
presently, there is a glimmer of hope that is better than military
dictatorship.
He maintained that 25 years in the life of a human being is
nothing but a learning curve and process.
The former special assistant on prosecution to former
President Buhari said that the earlier 26 years of unbridled military
dictatorship in the country that resulted in the country becoming a pariah
nation, among the comity of nations in the world, really set the country back.
In his own reflection, Justice Ahiakwo said despite
attaining 25 years since returning to democracy, there has not been true reflection
of the government of the people.
He believed that most of the general elections conducted
during these 25 years were not really a reflection of the people’s desires.
“The electioneering processes adopted in the past 25 years
do not have a true reflection of a government of the people, by the people, and
for the people.”
According to him, the voices of the people are not heard
through the ballot boxes.
He expressed disappointment that politicians are still
adopting the same dictatorial military approach even though the soldiers had
since left the political scene.
The lawyer said the high rate of rigging and other electoral
malpractices were still noticeable, resulting in the huge deficit in the
commitment to electing the people’s choices of leaders.
He thinks that politicians in most cases do go against
upholding the rule of law during the adjudication of election matters.
Ahiakwo has therefore canvassed for a review in order to
change the narrative so that Nigerians can be proud of a true democratic
system.
But he has envisioned that the country has the prospects for
the future where it will be reckoned with as a world power if the political
actors can get democratic institutions strengthened.
Kano: Jubilation as Emir Sanusi meets with district heads
Sanusi, Emir of Kano, met with district heads.
He was said to be serenaded with adulation and jubilation
when he ventured outdoors from the main palace on Sunday.
He rode on a royal horse and gesticulated at the crowd who
responded with: “You’re the only Emir we know.”
He also met with some district heads, council members,
vigilantes, women groups and well wishers who were at the palace to pay homage.
Recall that the former governor of the Central Bank of
Nigeria, CBN, made a comeback as Emir on Thursday after Abba Yusuf, Governor of
Kano, signed the new Kano Emirate Council Law.
The law repealed the 2019 version, which balkanized the Kano
emirate into five jurisdictions and was relied upon to depose Sanusi as Emir in
2020.
Despite Sanusi’s reinstatement, some Kano residents are
still pledging fealty to Aminu Bayero, the deposed Emir.
EFCC mourns former chairman, Lamorde
expressed shock at the death of its former chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde.
Lamorde died in the early hours of Sunday, May 26, 2024 in
Egypt where he went for a medical treatment.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, in a statement shortly
after the incident on Sunday said the Commission commiserates with the family
and prayed for the repose of his soul.
He noted that late Lamorde would be greatly missed having
served the nation diligently especially in the fight against corruption.
The statement in parts, “the commission received with shock
the sudden death of one of its former Executive Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde.
*Lamorde, pioneer Director of Operations and third
substantive Chairman of the EFCC between February 15, 2012 and November 9,
2015, served the nation actively as a focused and gallant anti- graft fighter.
“He will be sorely missed both at the EFCC and the nation at
large.
“The Commission prays for the repose of his soul and comfort
for his family, the EFCC and the entire nation.”
Afenifere speaks on alleged "death" of Pa Ayo Adebanjo
group, Afenifere, is alive.
In the early hours of Sunday, there was news circulating
that the leader was dead.
However, Sola Ebisieni, the national secretary of the
organization in a telephone interview debunked the news of the leader’s death.
Ebisieni confirmed that the leader is hale and hearty,
adding that they were together last night.
His words “ That is not correct Pa Ayo Adebanjo our leader
is alive, he is hale and hearty he has even directed me this morning to issue a
statement to that effect. I was with him last night in a meeting with other
Yoruba leaders.
He explained that Pa Adebanjo was mistaken for the former VC
of the University of Ibadan, Ayo Banjo who died on Friday.
“There is a mistaken identity, there was an announcement on
the vice-chancellor from the University of Ibadan, Ayo Banjo who died,” he
said.
Zamfara: Gov Lawal blames banditry activities on low level of education
The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has lamented that lack of education remains the main reason for banditry in the state, saying that the youth of the state have a low level of mentality.
Speaking at the second combined 3rd and 4th convocation ceremonies at the Federal University, Gusau (FUGUS), the Governor said that the state government has allocated a significant amount to the education sector in the 2024 fiscal budget to address the educational backwardness in the state.
According to him, his administration has already declared a state of emergency on education, noting that serious renovation work on schools has been ongoing in the state.
“We are also working day and night on the State University to ensure that it takes off within the shortest period of time,” he said.
“We are not resting, as the standard of education is at its lowest ebb. We must address these critical challenges.”
On security, Governor Lawal said that his administration has invested substantial resources to ensure the success of the local security outfit, the Community Protection Guard (CPG).
“We will continue to put in our best efforts to ensure the security of lives and property in our state. It is very certain that the insecurity situation didn’t start with our administration; we inherited it.”
According to him, since he took office as the governor of the state, a lot has been done to address the significant security challenges.
He noted that the security challenges have been affecting the economic and social development of the state.
“And we cannot treat the ugly situation with a mere wave of the hand. Something must be done to allow our teeming farmers to return to their farming activities.”
Speaking at the second combined 3rd and 4th convocation ceremonies at the Federal University, Gusau (FUGUS), the Governor said that the state government has allocated a significant amount to the education sector in the 2024 fiscal budget to address the educational backwardness in the state.
According to him, his administration has already declared a state of emergency on education, noting that serious renovation work on schools has been ongoing in the state.
“We are also working day and night on the State University to ensure that it takes off within the shortest period of time,” he said.
“We are not resting, as the standard of education is at its lowest ebb. We must address these critical challenges.”
On security, Governor Lawal said that his administration has invested substantial resources to ensure the success of the local security outfit, the Community Protection Guard (CPG).
“We will continue to put in our best efforts to ensure the security of lives and property in our state. It is very certain that the insecurity situation didn’t start with our administration; we inherited it.”
According to him, since he took office as the governor of the state, a lot has been done to address the significant security challenges.
He noted that the security challenges have been affecting the economic and social development of the state.
“And we cannot treat the ugly situation with a mere wave of the hand. Something must be done to allow our teeming farmers to return to their farming activities.”
Saturday, 25 May 2024
Datti Baba-Ahmed to Soyinka: Obi can’t control ‘Obidients’, respect yourself first
Party (LP) in the 2023 election, has taken umbrage at the remarks of Wole
Soyinka, the Nobel laureate.
Baba-Ahmed said Soyinka’s comments on Peter Obi,
presidential candidate of the LP in the last poll, should be dismissed as a
distraction.
In an interview with Noble Eyisi, Soyinka said Obi should
not vie for the presidency in 2027 because he is “unfit” to lead Nigeria.
Soyinka had accused Obi of encouraging the online vitriol
often lobbed by his supporters — who are called ‘Obidients’.
In an interview on Arise Television, Baba-Ahmed said the
Nobel laureate should rather respect himself instead of waiting for Obi to
control the actions of his supporters.
The former senator said Obi would not join issues with
Soyinka, adding that “intellect does not give one a right to insult anybody”.
“The learned elder statesman is scared in advance about what
good Peter Obi would bring to Nigeria. He’s scared that the end is looking very
likely for his principal, for bad governance,” Baba-Ahmed said.
“What Soyinka is doing now is an attempted distraction.
“Nobel laureates all over the world are loved and cherished
by their people, not just their nationals but globally. I have never heard
where Nobel laureates are insulted in the way that Wole Soyinka is.
“There is no way Peter Obi, with all the issues in front of
him and my humble self, can control Obidients.
“Peter Obi entered a canoe without a life jacket and he paid
for it. It is not the work of Peter Obi to control the Obidients, it is the
responsibility of Wole Soyinka to maintain his respect and dignity.
“In the presence of
all these politics, decent Nigerians should continue to offer respect to
others.
“All he is trying to do is an attempted distraction which
Peter Obi and I have excused ourselves from. We will not react to that Nobel
laureate.
“What is Wole Soyinka at a time when the Nigerian armed
forces are killing Nigerians by mistake? At a time when our currency is
hopelessly depreciating and so many other issues.”
In 2023, Soyinka accused Baba-Ahmed of “fascistic language”
and “threatening the judiciary” after the LP vice-presidential candidate said
Bola Tinubu would be leading an unconstitutional government if sworn in as
president.
Baba-Ahmed had maintained that the APC candidate did not
“meet requirements of the law”.
I have no hand in Sanusi’s reinstatement. I’ll find out how it happened– Kwankwaso
(NNPP), says he did not influence the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as
Emir of Kano.
Sanusi became the 14th Emir of Kano in 2014 after the death
of Ado Bayero. He was turbaned during the administration of Kwankwaso, then
governor of the state.
However, Sanusi was dethroned in 2020 by Abdullahi Ganduje,
Kwankwaso’s successor, over allegations of insubordination.
Aminu Bayero, son of the late Bayero and Emir of Bichi, was
installed as Sanusi’s replacement.
On Thursday, the Kano state assembly repealed the law which
was used to unseat Sanusi and balkanise the Kano emirate into five
jurisdictions.
Consequently, Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, announced the
reinstatement of Sanusi as emir after signing the new Kano Emirate Council Law.
Speaking with the BBC Hausa, on Friday, Kwankwaso said he
has no hand in Sanusi’s reinstatement.
The former govenor said he would inquire about the
development when he visits the state.
“I will go to Kano very soon and I will speak with some of
the assembly members, especially the speaker, and the governor on what is
happening,” Kwankwaso said.
In April 2023, Kwankwaso had said the incoming government
would revisit Sanusi’s dethronement.
“Apart from the issue of changing the emir, the emirates
have now been divided into five. All of that will be reviewed too. When a
leader comes into power whether in a country, state or local government area,
he inherits things that are good and things that are difficult and challenging,”
Kwankwaso said at the time.
Speaking with BBC, Kwankwaso clarified his previous
statement, saying he did not dictate what should be done.
“Rabiu Kwankwaso has burnt his hands over dictating what to
do. We are still with the governor working together. It’s just a matter of
offering advice and if you are not asked to, you keep quiet so long things are
going right we just pray and hope that they succeed,” he said.
“When I said we will revisit the case, I didn’t say the
direction to follow. I just said it would be reviewed. When I go there (Kano),
I will hear what happened and I am sure they will tell me whatever happened and
whatever they tell me, we just pray for them. I heard the assembly members have
repealed the law.
“What we were telling them was they should go and
investigate whether what happened was done out of goodwill or not. What
happened appears to be a vendetta or cheating. It’s just a matter of did
Ganduje do right or wrong. It’s not about going against him.”
FG heeds Obong’s plea, begins construction of Lagos-Calabar highway from Calabar
Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu v, who pleaded that the construction of the
Lagos-Calabar coastal highway should commence simultaneously from both ends of
Calabar and Lagos.
The Obong in addressing journalists in his palace last week
said it would abridge the project delivery time and the risks of inflation.
He had also called on the government to hire many competent
engineers and contractors to handle the project to enable swift completion.
The Minister of works, David Umahi announced yesterday that
the construction will start from Calabar and Akwa Ibom ends simultaneously and
immediately on section three of the coastal highway.
He also disclosed that section four will commence from Akwa
Ibom at the same time, pending the completion of the procurement process.
Umahi spoke during a meeting with representatives from communities
along the road’s alignment between Eko Atlantic (Chainage Zero) and Eleko
(Chainage 47.4 km) in Lagos.
“Let me announce also that Mr President has directed that
section three that is starting from Calabar and section four that is starting
from Akwa Ibom should commence immediately; and so, we are in the process of
concluding the procurement.
“And for those who have been saying why not start these
roads in Calabar, one, the zero point is Lagos and what wrong has Lagos done to
these people?
“However, an impartial President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has directed that section three and four be started
from the end of the project. So while this is moving, the other one will be
moving.
“I’m sure that sections five and six will also start in
places like Port Harcourt and Bayelsa,” Umahi said.
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