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Friday, March 29, 2024

Nigerian newspapers headlines Wednesday morning

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Groups hit FG over claim bandits have been degraded [PUNCH]

On a day that the Federal Government claimed that bandits had been degraded, there were attacks in Kaduna, Zamfara and Edo states, which resulted in the loss of lives and the abduction of many.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, had stated in an interview with state House correspondents after a security meeting presided over by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), that the bandits had been degraded and were engaging in a “hit-and-run kind of tactics.”

He also said there was no truth in the report that policemen had abandoned the Abuja-Kaduna Road.

While insisting that policemen and soldiers were embarking on joint patrols of the road, the minister, however, agreed that efforts must be intensified to make it safe for travellers.

Dingyadi also said he reported to the council that policemen had returned to their duty posts after their withdrawal in the wake of the violence that followed the #EndSARS protests.

He, however, admitted that policemen could not be everywhere at the same time.

Vice-President Yemi Osinabjo, relevant ministers and heads of the nation’s security agencies attended the meeting with Buhari.

On banditry, Dingyadi said, “These bandits have already been degraded. So, there is no way they can resuscitate themselves and take over.

“I think they have already been degraded; what they are doing is just a hit-and-run kind of tactics.

“So, we don’t see any sign of them coming to take over or overpower. I think they have been well degraded and they are just trying to show their presence in a very cowardice manner.”

On the concerns that the police had abandoned the Abuja-Kaduna Road and plans to ensure that peace returned to the route, the minister stated, “Once a small thing happens in a particular place like this, we begin to talk about lack of security in that area.

“That place is being monitored 24 hours. There are police and the army, who are on a kind of joint patrol on a 24-hour basis.

“Whenever this kind of thing happens, we pursue them like what happened just two days ago, those people were rescued. So, the police and security personnel will continue to monitor this road and all other places to ensure that peace is, to a very large extent, maintained in the area.”

Gunmen kill Kaduna district head, son

However, gunmen, in the early hours of Tuesday, invaded Gidan Zaki in the Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State and killed the District Head, Mr Haruna Kuye, and his son, Destiny.

The monarch’s wife was said to have been dealt machete blows, while the daughter sustained a gunshot injury on her hand.

Similarly, bandits suspected to be kidnappers attacked Fatika, Kaya and Yakawada villages, all in the Giwa Local Government Area of the state, where they killed two persons and abducted scores of villagers.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, said in a statement that troops of the Operation Safe Haven informed the state government of the attack on the monarch’s family.

According to him, at the location where the district head, his son and other family members were shot, three empty cases and a live round of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered.

Aruwan added that the troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, were carrying out investigation and trailing the assailants in a bid to apprehend them.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the statement added, condemned the killing of the district head and his son, and gave a marching order to security operatives to thoroughly investigate the matter.

The statement said read in part, “The military, under the auspices of Operation Safe Haven, has informed the Kaduna State Government of the killing of the District Head of Gidan Zaki, Mr Haruna Kuye, and his son, Destiny Kuye, in the early hours of today, Tuesday, November 17, 2020. They were killed in their residence at Gidan Zaki, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.

“The district head’s wife, according to the military, sustained machete wounds on her hand, while his daughter had a gunshot wound on her finger.

“The security report further stated that the act was carried out by about five men wielding AK-47 rifles and machetes, who also tried to burn the house and a vehicle.”

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union condemned the killing of the district head and his son.

A statement by the SOKAPU’s National Public Relations Officer, Mr Luka Binniyat, also condemned the attack on Albasu villages in Giwa and Igabi local government areas of the state, which claimed more than 12 lives.

 

ASUU strike: Integrity test on UTAS to last eight weeks —Ngige [PUNCH]

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, on Tuesday, said the integrity test being conducted on the software of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution being proposed by the Academic Staff Union of Universities would take between six and eight months to be completed.

ASUU is currently on strike in protest against the Federal Government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.

In its stead, the union proposed UTAS as an alternative.

Speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting he had with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Ngige said the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency was conducting the integrity test on the software.

The minister however said while the software was available, there was no hardware to back it up.

He claimed that if the software passed the integrity test being conducted by NITDA, the university teachers do not have the needed fund to procure the necessary hardware for its implementation.

He explained that the Federal Government did not make provision for the procurement of the UTAS hardware in the budget.

He said the decision to send the UTAS software to NITDA for integrity test was based on the fact that the Federal Government will not want to discourage anybody or group from providing homegrown solutions to issues.

He explained further, “The UTAS, that is the University Transparent System which they brought, is not yet ready.

“It is not fully ready, it is undergoing an integrity test for the software. I am not a computer scientist, but you must also know that you must test the hardware and the integrity test for the software.

“As we speak, ASUU has no hardware and UTAS does not have hardware backing.

“I am waiting for the NITDA’s full report but the preliminary report they gave me, the software integrity test will take them about six to eight weeks and thereafter, we go to the hardware.

“But the big issue is, who will provide the hardware?

“ASUU does not have the finances to do so. Has the government budgeted for it now as we speak? So, that one is a major problem. But we don’t have to dissuade anybody, we don’t have to tell anybody not to carry on, we like local content development, we need our things to be home grown. So, we are really encouraging them.”

 

Nigerians will soon know why Umahi left PDP —Ologbondiyan [PUNCH]

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kola Ologbondiyan, says Nigerians will, “at the fullness of time”, know why Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, left the party.

Ologbondiyan, who stated this on Tuesday night via his Twitter handle, wrote, “The PDP says that the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi left our party for personal reasons, which Nigerians will come to know at the fullness of time.

“Our party thanks Governor Umahi for services rendered to the people of Ebonyi State, as the State Chairman of Ebonyi PDP (2003 to 2007); deputy governor of Ebonyi State (2007 to 2015) and two-term governor of Ebonyi (2015 till date), all elected on the platform of the PDP.

“As we wish Governor Umahi all the best in his adventure, we call on the members of our party to remain calm and committed to the ideals of our party as no individual is bigger than the PDP.”

Umahi officially defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday, ending weeks of reports that he had dumped the opposition party for the ruling party.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that Umahi told the PDP National Working Committee at a meeting in Abuja last week of his decision to leave the party for the ruling APC.

The governor had also told the PDP NWC led by the party National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, that the APC would protect the interest of the South-East in the 2023 elections.

Why I left PDP —Umahi [PUNCH]

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has said he wants to be a martyr who will be sacrificed to achieve the much-sought Igbo presidency.

Umahi made the declaration on Tuesday in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen, noting that only martyrs make sacrifices for the peoples’ interest in difficult times.

The governor, who confirmed that he is defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress, said he will not regret the decision no matter its outcome.

“I have to lead the protest against the marginalisation of the Igbos by the PDP and I don’t have to consult anybody to lead such a protest.

“I don’t want the PDP to collapse in the South-East but it can collapse itself in the zone if it does not heed the peoples’ advice to entrench justice, fairness, and equity.

“The PDP should be bold to declare its stand on zoning of the presidency to the South-East and if it cannot, should tell us why we are not capable of holding such a position but will come for our votes during elections,” he said.

Umahi said that the decision to leave PDP was not about leadership but about patriotism, justice, fairness and the overall interest of the people.

“I am not vying for any position in the APC so anybody who does not like me over the defection will be fighting the air.

“I will instead play the fatherly role of guiding anyone who wants to vie for any position because it is a waste of time for any governor to seek to replace himself.

“When you are looking for everybody to be loyal to you in politics, you might not get to your destination because destinations are not straight but full of obstacles,” he said.

Umahi said that he will not be disturbed if the APC fails to zone the presidency to the South-East but will depend on God to determine the matter.

“The APC, however, appears to be amenable towards working with the South-East even though the South-East never supported it the way it supported the PDP since 1999.

“We would be 24 years with the PDP by 2023 and Ebonyi, under my administration, will testify the numerous feats we have attained with the support of my friend and father, President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

He said his defection has created a political gathering and mass movement, unprecedented in Ebonyi history with both PDP and APC faithful coming together to pursue a common cause.

“I will have no regrets if our agitations are not met in APC as it will be on record that a governor was sacrificed for the betterment of his people on what is rightfully, their due.

“We will still protest if we are still unfairly treated in the APC because protest is the beauty of democracy and if it doesn’t work now, it can work in future,” he said.

 

Nigerians will soon know why Umahi left PDP —Ologbondiyan [PUNCH]

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kola Ologbondiyan, says Nigerians will, “at the fullness of time”, know why Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, left the party.

Ologbondiyan, who stated this on Tuesday night via his Twitter handle, wrote, “The PDP says that the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi left our party for personal reasons, which Nigerians will come to know at the fullness of time.

“Our party thanks Governor Umahi for services rendered to the people of Ebonyi State, as the State Chairman of Ebonyi PDP (2003 to 2007); deputy governor of Ebonyi State (2007 to 2015) and two-term governor of Ebonyi (2015 till date), all elected on the platform of the PDP.

“As we wish Governor Umahi all the best in his adventure, we call on the members of our party to remain calm and committed to the ideals of our party as no individual is bigger than the PDP.”

Umahi officially defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday, ending weeks of reports that he had dumped the opposition party for the ruling party.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that Umahi told the PDP National Working Committee at a meeting in Abuja last week of his decision to leave the party for the ruling APC.

The governor had also told the PDP NWC led by the party National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, that the APC would protect the interest of the South-East in the 2023 elections.

 

2023: PDP fumes as its governor defects to APC [THE NATION]

THERE was disquiet in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, following the defection of Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was learnt that the defection unsettled the party’s leadership after making a last-minute effort to dissuade Umahi from leaving its fold.

The party said it will not panic over anyone’s defection

“For us, the PDP is a well-structured political party with an experience of nothing less than 22 years in the political firmament of our nation.

“We are not a party that will be responding to issues on impulse. We are not a party that will be pushed around by any individual”, Spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan said, adding: “no individual is bigger than the PDP.”

Ologbondiyan explained: “Umahi served as the State Chairman of Ebonyi PDP (2003 to 2007); deputy governor of the state (2007 to 2015) and two term governor of Ebonyi (2015 till date), all elected on the platform of the PDP.”

While wishing Umahi the best in his adventure, the party called on it members to remain calm and committed to its ideals, saying, no individual is bigger than the PDP.

The opposition party hurriedly convened an emergency meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC), where a decision was taken to dissolve the ward, local government and state executive committees of the party with immediate effect.

It also dissolved the Southeast zonal executive.

Mr Ologbondiyan said “these decisions are pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC by the PDP Constitution”.

The move, according to a source, was to prevent the defection of party officers to the APC along with the governor.

 

Banks offer youths N2b agric loan at 5% interest [THE NATION]

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has authorised commercial banks to give up to N2 billion maximum loan to youths interested in going into agriculture.

The loan, which comes under the Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme (AADS) at five per cent interest rate per annum was created by the apex bank in collaboration with state governments to engage 370,000 youth in agricultural production.

According to the loan guideline released on Tuesday and signed by CBN Director Development Finance Department, Yusuf Yila Philip, the maximum loan accessible under the scheme shall be N2 billion per obligor.

Philip said the country’s population pyramid is bulging around the youth segment, with an estimated 75 per cent of the population identified to be aged below 35 years, saying a large segment of this population would have eked out a living if adequate opportunities were harnessed in agriculture given its potential of employing over 70 per cent of the nation’s workforce.

He listed agricultural commodities eligible for consideration under the scheme as rice,  maize, cassava, cotton, wheat , tomato, poultry and fish, among others.

Philip said obligors are to have a contiguous land of not less than 20 hectares  provided for specified agricultural commodities cultivation. Also, there should be evidence of land ownership in form of any acceptable title including lease of a minimum of 15 years.

He said the CBN will bear 50 per cent of the credit risk in the event of default by the participant while repayment of the facility will be made on installment basis through the participating banks and spread over the Economics of Production (EOP) of the cultivated commodities.

Participating banks are to conduct due diligence on prospective obligors, access funds from the CBN for on-lending and ensure that payments are made directly to mechanization service providers for the land clearing.

The participating banks are to remit repayments received to the CBN on quarterly or annual basis depending on the commodity financed

The Private Sector-Led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme (P-AADS) was also developed to complement AADS by exploring private sector partnership to facilitate more rapid land clearing for production of key agricultural commodities.

The facility shall be repaid from the Economics of Production (EOP) for cultivating on the cleared farmland.

“Interest rate under the intervention shall be five per cent per annum  (all inclusive) up to 28th February 2021. Interest on the facility from 1st March 2021 shall be nine per cent per annum (all inclusive),” the guidelines said.

The collateral to be pledged by participants under the scheme shall be title of the cleared land and other acceptable collateral prescribed under the Anchor Borrowers Programme.

 

Zulum to rebuild Chibok school where girls were abducted [THE NATION]

GOVERNMENT Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State is back in the news once again.

It is the school where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents while writing exams in April 2014.

More than 100 of the abducted girls, whose kidnap attracted world attention, are yet to be found, six and a half years after.

A little over one year after the kidnap, the then Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, led a Federal Government delegation to the school to lay a foundation of blocks of classrooms. But no significant progress has been made.

Even the roof of some classrooms fixed by the defunct Presidential Committee on Northeast Intervention (PCNI) has been blown off.

But on Tuesday, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum offered a new lease of life for the school.

He promised during a visit to the school “to deploy a team of experts to assess  the entire school and come up with a design and costing”  for its  immediate reconstruction and remodeling.”

Zulum assured the people that the school would have full complement of teaching and non- teaching staff and learning tools.

He said: “We will also ensure that the school is allocated adequate teachers. Already, I have given a directive for the recruitment of more teachers both on permanent and ad-hoc staffing basis  that will include volunteer teachers.

“Before the allocation of teachers, the reconstruction will involve the provision of all components of learning materials, including a functional laboratory for sciences. By the time I return here next time, I want to see a completely different scene.”

Zulum also donated  N11m to  83 families affected by Boko Haram attacks in Takulashi, a community  near Chibok.

In Takulashi, Zulum commiserated with the people over the attack on them by insurgents.

 

No end to varsity teachers’ strike, says ASUU coordinator [THE NATION]

THERE is no end in sight to the lingering varsity teachers’ strike, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) said through his Abuja Zonal Coordinator Prof. Theophilus Lagi on Tuesday.

He attributed the decision not to suspend the eight-month-old job boycott was due to alleged lack of commitment on the part of the Federal Government.

Lagi spoke at a news conference at Gwagwalada, Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday urged the striking lecturers to return to classrooms.

The President gave the order at the 72nd Foundation Day/Convocation ceremonies of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Represented by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Abubakar Rasheed, the President described as unacceptable the prolonged disruption of the academic calendar of public universities.

“This (disruption of calendar) is as a result of strikes by university-based unions particularly members of the academic staff union,” the President said.

In the Abuja Zone under Lagi are the Federal University of Technology, Minna; Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai; Federal University of Lafia, and University of Abuja.

According to him, the strike had since February because the government has not shown commitment or willingness towards addressing the union’s core demands for students to resume studies.

He reminded members of the union of the advice to seek other legitimate means of survival as the government has not released salaries withheld since February, 2020.

Lagi said: “Today, we wish to let Nigerians, especially our students and parents know that there is no hope in sight to ending or suspending the ASUU strike that lingered for long.

“Government is yet to show serious commitment towards addressing our core demands.

“One needs not to be a psychologist to understand the behaviour and recent utterances of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, by showing his disdain for Nigerian academics and has failed to play the role of an unbiased umpire in moderating the imbroglio.

“He has now become the spokesperson to the accountant General of the Federation and Ministry of finance, instead of finding solution for lecturers to get back to work.

“He is turning the wheel of progress backwards by setting ASUU on collision with other pressure groups in the university.

“In the past few weeks for instance, Ngige has said one thing when he met with the union and a different thing on the same subject in an interview with the media.

He described as worrisome not only to students but parents who patronise public varsities the attitude of the minister as a negotiator in the face-off.

“On this, we will like to educate the honourable minister that public universities in Nigeria are creatures of law as each university is established by an Act enacted by the National Assembly,” he said.

 

How we will prevent another #EndSARS protest, by President [THE NATION]

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said the Federal Government will carry youths along in policy formulation and implementation to prevent a recurrence of the issues that led to the #EndSARS protests.

He spoke during the National Security Council (NSC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, briefed correspondents on the deliberations.

According to him, the Council is concerned about the worsening security situation in the North and emphasised the need to better equip the police.

“The meeting note with concern the increasing cases of armed banditry, particularly in the Northwest and Northeast.

‘The meeting agreed to be more proactive in dealing with the situation in a more decisive manner.

“The meeting noted the need to pay greater attention to the police in the discharge of its functions to maintain peace in the country, in the areas of equipment and modern technology.

“Mr. President assured Nigerians that he will do whatever it takes to ensure the repeat of ENDSARS protests does not occur in Nigeria again.

“He reassured them that all stakeholders will be involved in the process of maintaining peace in the country, particularly the youth, community leaders, traditional rulers, politicians, public servants, religious leaders and others.

“The Federal Government will continue to maintain its bureaucratic, humane and just postures in handling security matters in the country,” Dingyadi said.

Asked whether the Federal Government plans a crackdown on protests, the minister said: “On the issue of #EndSARS that you have raised, what we are saying is that government will continue to dialogue.

“It will continue to listen and will continue to carry all stakeholders along in ensuring that there is no repeat of what happened that destroyed a lot of properties, public and private, individuals in this country.”

 

Malami justifies planned sale of forfeited assets [THE NATION]

ATTORNEY-GENERAL of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister Abubkar Malami has justified his recent constitution of a 22-member inter-ministerial committee for the disposal of assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

Malami, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, argued that those criticising his decision for constituting the committee and pursuant to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive, merely exhibited ignorance of the law.

The statement by the AGF’s spokesman, Dr. Umar Gwndu, reads: “…Malami (SAN) acted in compliance with the extant laws, including the provisions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Establishment Act 2004 in setting up the recently inaugurated Inter-Ministerial Asset Disposal Committee.

“A community reading of the provisions of Section 31(1-4) and Section 43 of the EFFC Establishment Act 2004 will not only justify the action of the minister but also clear doubts on the misconceived and shallow legal analysis in the public space on the legality or otherwise of the committee.

“The lack of understanding of the law was imminent in the wrong impression being created which was fuelled by the faulty assumption that only the EFCC is engaged in asset recovery and forfeiture proceedings. Hence the challenge to the setting-up and mandate of the Committee.

“In issuing regulations and setting up a committee for asset disposal, the Attorney-General of the Federation was guided, amongst other statutory provisions, by the wordings of sections 31(4) & 43 of the EFCC Act, which confers the Attorney-General of the Federation with the powers to make rules or regulations with respect to the exercise of any of the duties, functions or powers of the EFCC (inclusive of asset disposal).

“For the avoidance of doubt Section 43 of the EFFC Act provides thus: ‘The Attorney-General of the Federation may make rules or regulations with respect to the exercise of any of the duties, functions or powers of the commission under this Act.’

“It is elementary law that the process of asset forfeiture and disposal constitutes part and parcel of criminal prosecution. It is also trite law that all prosecuting agencies derive their powers to prosecute from that of the constitutional and statutory powers of the Attorney General of the Federation.”

The Sun Awards Lockdown Edition Coming… Why I accepted The Sun Award –Ortom [SUN]

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has praised The Sun for its professionalism and objectivity,  saying these virtues prompted him to accept The Sun Courage in Leadership Award.

Ortom and 28 other award winners will be showcased at The Sun Awards Lockdown Edition celebration coming up before the end of the year.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday, when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, led a team to present to him notification letter and Courage in Leadership Award for 2019, Ortom said he had turned down many awards but decided to accept The Sun’s because the newspaper has distinguished itself as a reputable platform for objective journalism.

According to Ortom, “The Sun is always objective in its reportage, in analysing issues and in expressing its views on governance and leadership.”

He praised The Sun for its courage in the practice of journalism and in standing with the people, saying: “Let me use this opportunity again to appreciate The Sun Newspaper for standing with me, for standing with Benue people during our trying times. You did so well.”

Governor Ortom said The Sun reported things that happened in Benue during the state’s security challenges for other Nigerians to know the people’s plight.

“That went a long way in drawing the attention of government to our plight. Today, I can say that we appreciate the Federal Government. We appreciate the security agencies for supporting us, for not allowing our land to be invaded by terrorist herdsmen. We are happy that we are enjoying relative peace today. The Sun played a role in making us enjoy this relative peace,” Ortom said.

 

Police storm Afrika Shrine [SUN]

Armed riot policemen, yesterday, took over the Afrika Shrine in Lagos, restricting access into the relaxation centre to prevent a meeting of #EndSARS protesters.

Seun, one of the sons of Afro Beat King, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, had earlier sent out flyers announcing a meeting on the lessons from #EndSARS protests scheduled to hold at the centre.

But the police wrote to the Anikulapo family, demanding that the meeting must not hold at the shrine.

Seun had shared snapshots of the letter on social media.

According to the letter, “You are hereby warned to suspend such gathering as any infraction that may emerge from this gathering will be tagged a deliberate action to sabotage the transition and restoration of peace in Lagos State by the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force.”

Addressing a handful of persons later, Seun said though they diminished the size of the event, they could not reduce the idea which was meant to birth the Movement of the People Platform.

 

I won’t allow repeat of #EndSARS protests –Buhari [SUN]

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned that he would not allow a repeat of the recent #EndSARS protests that led to deaths and destruction of properties in the country.

Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi made this disclosure when he briefed State House Correspondents on the outcome of the quarterly meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) held at the presidential villa, Abuja, yesterday.

He  said the meeting was convened to brief President Buhari on the security situation in the country and that the president reassured that all stakeholders, especially the youths would be carried along to forestall a repeat of the protests.

The president also asured that youths, community leaders, traditional rulers, politicians, public servants and religious leaders.would  be involved in the process of maintaining peace in the country and that the Federal Government would continue to maintain its bureaucratic, humane and just postures in handling security matters in the country.

Asked whether it would include a crackdown on potential protesters, the minister replied: “On the issue of #EndSARS that you have raised, what we are saying is that government will continue to dialogue, it will continue to listen and will continue to carry all stakeholders along in ensuring that there is no repeat of what happened that destroyed a lot of properties, public and private, individuals in this country.”

Dingyadi said the meeting which was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, also noted with concerns the increasing cases of banditry, particularly in the North West and North East of the country and agreed to be more proactive in dealing with the situation in a decisive manner.

“The meeting noted the need to pay greater attention to the police in the discharge of its functions to maintain peace in the country, in the areas of equipment and modern technology. The meeting thanked the president for the concern which he has shown in repositioning the police to perform more effectively.

“In his concluding remarks, Mr. President thanked members for the efforts they are making in maintaining peace and assured members that he will do whatever it takes to support security agencies in providing peace in the country.”

On what specific things were being done by the government to change the current security situation in country, the minister said: “You see, these bandits have already been degraded, so there is no way they can resuscitate themselves and take over. What they do is  just hit and run kind of tactics; they are just trying to show their presence.

 

IBB, Abdulsalami back formation of North Central Peoples Forum [SUN]

Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida and former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, have endorsed the formation of the North Central Peoples Forum (NCPF), describing it as a welcome development for the zone of the county.

The endorsement is against the backdrop of recent position of the North Central Governor’s Forum (NCGF), which distanced itself from the body, saying it was illegal.

The NCGF chaired by Niger Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, in a communique after it meeting in August practically disowned the North Central Peoples Forum “saying the group is not recognized by the leadership of the North Central geopolitical zone.”

But General Babangida and General Abdulsalami, in a separate audience with the leadership of the Forum led by former minister of FCT and People Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2019 General election in Plateau State, Lt.Gen. Jerimah Useni, in Minna, expressed their total support for the Forum.

General Abubakar told the leadership of the Forum that the formation of the regional group was long overdue.

General Abdulsalami commended those behind its formation saying it would bring the necessary harmony among the people of the zone.

While receiving the Forum at his Hilltop residence, IBB said it was the best thing that has happened to the region.

Babangida said God has bless the North Central zone, but it has not been able to organise itself to play a leading role in the scheme of things in the country.

“You have made my date today. I have heard of North East, North West commission, South South Peoples Forum and the rest of them but when I didn’t hear of North Central, I kept wondering what is happening until this day.

“I know you will be the envy of all the regions. In the area of votes, the North Central has more than the North West, yet North West make more noise than the North Central.

Babangida commended the leadership of the Forum for a job well done, and expressed his total support to enable it succeed in all its activities.

 

Constitutional abuse: Court hears southern leaders’ N50bn suit against Buhari today [SUN]

The Suit by  16 elder statesmen and leaders  of socio-cultural groups in the southern region of Nigeria and the middle Belt against President Muhammadu Buhari comes up today at a Federal High Court, Abuja.

The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/595/2020 which was first heard on June 22, alleges “flagrant constitutional abuses” and abuse of power against the president. The plaintiffs who are leaders of  Ohanaeze, Afenifere, PANDEF  (Pan Niger Delta Forum) and Middle Belt Forum are  seeking a declaration “that the  Defendants’  collective failure to comply with the relevant provisions of the 1999 constitution particularly section 14(3)(4) and other laws are a flagrant violation of the  plaintiffs rights, guaranteed  by the 1999 constitution and other laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are therefore praying for a perpetual injunction restraining the president from further violations of the constitution and other laws of the country. They are also seeking the award of N50b to them as exemplary and aggravated damages by the defendants.

The plaintiffs are led by Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Dr John Nnia Nwodo, Dr Pogu Bitrus, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Alaowei Bozimo, Mrs Sarah Doketri, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, and Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga,.    They are also, among other things prayng to court to determine whether it was not “reckless and adverse to the interest of Nigeria” for president Buhari to obtain a loan facility from the Islamic Development Bank, African Development Bank, the World Bank, China, Japan and Germany amounting to $22.7 billion for infrastructural development only to allocate the bulk of the fund to the Northern region. They are seeking a declaration that the loan facility  purportedly for infrastructural development wherein less than 1% of the amount is to be allocated to the South east zone of Nigeria violates section 16(1)(a) (b) and S16(2) (A) (B) (C) of the Nigerian Constitution( as amended).  It also includes a declaration  “that the 1st defendant’s procurement of any loan which would increase Nigeria’s outstanding debt by 30% of its GDP or which  would increase its  interest payment above 50% of government revenue is unconstitutional”.

Other plaintiffs in the suit include Senator Koforola Bucknor- Akerele, Prof Julie Umukoro, Elder Stephen Bangoji, Alhaji Tijani Babatunde, Mrs Rose Obioforibo, Mr Adakole Ijogi and Dr Charles Nwakeaku.

Aside from President Buhari, also listed as 2nd to 4th defendants in the matter include the Attorney General of the Federation, Clerk of National Assembly, and the Federal Character Commission. The Plaintiffs are represented by a consortium of lawyers comprising 10 Senior Advocates of Nigeria led by Chief Solomon Asemota, SAN, and Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN. They are further praying the court to determine whether:” The power to appoint designated offices including permanent secretaries, principal representatives of Nigeria abroad, which is vested in the 1st defendant has been lawfully exercised by him since the inception of his administration, from 201`5 to date, and whether his actions are in breach of Sections 171(5),814(3) (4) of  the 1999 constitution(as amended).

Whether the power to appoint Nigeria’s  Armed  Services Chiefs, other commanders or  top officials of the respective Armed Forces  Higher and   high commands General Staff; namely  the Chief of Defense Staff,(CDS) Chief of Army Staff(COAS) Chief of Naval Staff(CNS) AND Chief of Air Staff,((CAS), the other statutorily established  Nigerian Security  agencies or services namely: The Inspector General of Police, (IGP) the Directors General of the  State Security Service,(SSS) National Intelligence Agency, (NIA) and the Defense Intelligence Agency, (DIA); the heads of the  National Security Associated Federal Government(FG)  establishments, namely  Nigerian Civil Defense and Security Corps, (NCDSC) Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) the Nigerian Customs and Excise Service, the Nigerian Immigration Services,(NIS) the Nigerian Correctional Services(NCS) the National Emergency Management  Authority, (NEMA) the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), the National security Adviser,(NSA), the ministers of Defence, Interior, Police and the  respective national security ministries’ permanent secretaries’ which is vested in the 1st defendant, has been lawfully exercised by the 1st defendant  since the inception of his administration and whether these appointments  are in compliance with  61(2), 814(3)(4) 8217(3) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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