President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the military was close to defeating terrorists, masquerading under the name of Islam.

“Victory is within sight,” Buhari announced yesterday in his Sallah message to Nigerians as the Holy month of Ramadan reaches its end.

Muslims will officially mark the Eid-el-Fitr on Monday after 30 days of fasting to grow spiritually and get closer to Allah and their loved ones.

The President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, sent his best wishes to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world celebrating the occasion.

He said that with the end of the fast,” we have cause to welcome the occasion( Eid-el-Fitri)  in hope.

Buhari described the war against insurgents and their allies as “long and hard,” saying that with the designation of bandits as terrorists, the challenges of banditry and kidnapping were being tackled differently in the Northwest and Northcentral.

The statement reads in part: ”As the Holy month of Ramadan reaches its end and Muslims mark the Eid, President  Buhari sends his best wishes to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world celebrating the occasion:

“After a period of fasting and reflection this year, we have cause to welcome the occasion in hope.

”The battle waged against terrorists who falsely masquerade under the name of Islam is approaching its conclusion.

“The fight has been long and hard. The final victory is within sight. Boko Haram and its offshoots’ final embers are now fading.

“Last month, the leader of ISWAP was killed in an airstrike. Since the New Year, thousands of fighters have surrendered to enter rehabilitation programmes.

”The territories they used to occupy are now seeing the return of those who were forced to flee their barbarity.

”Normalcy is finally beginning to return to the Northeast. It is a long process. Yet it is one we are together, now embarking upon.

“With the designation of bandit groups as terrorists, the challenges of banditry and kidnapping are being tackled differently in the Northwestern and Northcentral states where the latest military acquisitions and the Armed Forces are being fanned out across the region to thwart acts of terror.”

The president also expressed delight over what he described as ”impressive reports” of the special operations to curb crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Southsouth.

He, however, noted that in spite of the good news,  some unpatriotic elements were bent on causing more pollution and destruction of national assets.

“This administration is equally getting impressive reports of the special operations to curb crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Southsouth with millions of illegally refined products being impounded and illegal refineries destroyed.

“While we are making progress cleaning the environment, some evil people are busy causing more pollution and destruction.”

How also spoke on attacks on security operatives and public facilities in the Southeast, saying that there is concerted military operations to rid the region of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). “Eastern Security Network (ESN) elements have in recent weeks led to the overrunning of IPOB/ESN bases, the seizure of weapons and the arrest of a large number of suspects,’’ Buhari said.

The president revealed that Buhari had since approved the establishment of a Naval Base in Oguta, Imo State.

There is uneasy calm in the All Progressives Congress (APC) over an alleged plot to throw open the presidential ticket.

Some presidential aspirants are believed to be pushing for an all-comers contest.

This is believed to be part of the new scheming to shortchange the Southwest.

It was gathered that part of the anti-Southwest agenda is the plot to drag ex-President Goodluck Jonathan into the race with two Northwest governors as arrowheads.

But some influential Northerners have insisted on zoning the presidency to the Southwest in appreciation of the backing of the zone for power shift to the North in 2015.

The same bigwigs, it was learnt, have been discouraging potential aspirants from the North.

Only Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello from the North has indicated intention to run.

It was gathered that some of those pushing for an open race are hiding under the ambiguity in the APC constitution over power rotation between the North and the South.

They are claiming that the party’s zoning formula applies only to the election of the National Working Committee (NWC) – the organ that runs the party.

It was also gathered that to achieve the open ticket agenda, these forces have opted for a crowded space.

The increasing number of presidential aspirants from the Southsouth and the Southeast was said to be part of the plot to pressurise the party’s leadership to leave APC presidential ticket open.

More presidential aspirants are expected in the race in the next few days.

However, it was gathered that some Northern APC governors have remained adamant that Southwest should produce the standard-bearer of the party.

According to sources, the latest twist on open agenda is the delay in releasing the party’s zoning formula.

There is also a hide and seek game between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Because of this, the sources said the APC may adopt the same zoning formula if PDP throws its ticket open.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Ordinarily, there is no point keeping the leaders and members of APC in suspense on the zoning formula for the presidency and other offices but there is internal politics.

“With the party’s National Chairman coming from the North and the presidency in the North for seven years, it was taken for granted that the South will produce the next presidential candidate of the party.

“But some forces are trying to change the rules of the game midway by claiming that power rotation clause is not in the APC Constitution.

“Some forces in the party are insisting on laying the presidential slot open for all. So far, three aspirants have indicated interest from the North but only Governor Bello has obtained the nomination form.

“The same forces are flying the Southeast and Southsouth kites in order to spite and shortchange the Southwest. This was why they (especially two governors from the Northwest) came up with ex-President Jonathan option.

“The intrigues in the party among the leaders have made APC leadership to be dilly-dallying on zoning. The politics is intense.

“The situation is more complex with the error committed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) which ceded its powers and functions to the NWC till after the primaries.

“It means the NWC can exercise discretion on zoning formula which may not be acceptable.”

Another source said: “Almost a month to the presidential primaries, APC has not come up with a zoning formula.

“Some leaders and members are suspecting a plot to float an open formula for presidential primaries.

“The preponderance of opinion in the party is in favour of the Southwest but the way and manner the space is becoming crowded with aspirants from the Southeast and the Southsouth pointed to a plan to leave the race open.

“All I know is that many APC leaders from the North and influential leaders from the region have preference for the Southwest to enable APC to win 2023.

“It is clear to all that the Southsouth and the Southeast are traditional PDP strongholds. The option left for APC is the Southwest. Some forces, however, have drawn up different permutations.

“It is left to the leadership of the party to consult and release the APC zoning formula.”

Despite the tension, all aspirants have intensified talks and lobbying shuttles to delegates nationwide.

It was learnt that the camp of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reached out to Governor Yahaya Bello’s group for “collaboration.”

“Bello’s group is not yet keen on such a partnership,” a source privy to the discussion said.

Sympathisers trooped to 32, Ibadan Street, where a three-storey building collapsed last night at Ebute-Meta, Lagos mainland.

Many occupants were believed to be trapped in the building, which caved in at about 9.48pm yesterday.

The incident was confirmed by an official of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

The official said that a rescue team from Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and the State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) had arrived the scene.

The number of residents trapped in the building could not be ascertained. But 11 persons were rescued.

Barely a week after releasing photos showing 62 victims in their captivity, terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train have freed one of Sadik, son of Northern Elders Forum (NEF) convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi.

A family member of the abducted train passengers confirmed that Sadik Ango Abdullahi was released on Friday after spending 31 days in captivity.

The Nation also gathered ansom was paid before his release though the actual amount could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

According to him, Sadik was identified by friends and relations when the terrorists released pictures of the 62 abducted train passengers.

It was learnt the terrorists never knew they were keeping the son of the highly respected elder in the north before then.

‘You see,l that’s why we are very careful now. Negotiations between the government and the terrorists for the release of our loved ones has reached an advanced stage.

“We don’t want to jeopardise the process now. We are sure the terrorists found out who Sadik was and later decided to negotiate for his freedom,” a family member said.

Findings revealed Sadik was released after extensive negotiation, leading to payment of ransom last Friday.

He was said to have been reunited with the family.

Sadik is the only son between Professor Ango Abdullahi and his mother, late Hajiya Jummai Alhassan, a former minister, popularly known as Mama Taraba.

It was gathered that he is undergoing a psychological rehabilitation in a private hospital.

As of the time of filing the report, there was no official reaction from the family or security agencies.

The Police have frowned against the involvement of some ladies in bestiality.

The warning came amid concerns over viral videos of some ladies having intercourse with dogs.

The act of humans engaging in intercourse with animals is referred to as bestiality while the attraction to animals is called zoophilia.

Checks by The Nation show the Criminal Code Act and the Penal Code Act criminalise sleeping with an animal.

Sleeping with an animal attracts 14 years imprisonment in Nigeria.

“The punishment is 14 years imprisonment upon conviction based on Section 214 of the Criminal Code Act; Section 284 of the Penal Code Act.

Section 214 of Criminal Code Act states that “Any person who- (1) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or (2) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or (3) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature; is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.”

Read Also; Why some ladies prefer sleeping with dogs

Section 284 of the Penal Code Act states that “Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine.”

Reacting, Force spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi who also cited the Criminal code Act 1990, noted that it’s an offence for anyone to have carnal knowledge of an animal.

His tweet reads: “Can you see this? Read it, so that we tell them oh because they all accept the dirty business. The law condemns it, our tradition condemns it, all the practicable religions condemn it so what are we saying.

“Part of our duties as a responsible institution is to educate our people, Nigerians, on the dos and don’ts as stipulated by our laws. That is why I have uploaded this portion of the law here.”

He warned those in the line of business to stop to avoid spreading strange sicknesses in Nigeria.

“However, we need to tell them to stop that nonsense so that they don’t spread strange sicknesses in the country. The ones they had introduced to our system are enough oh,” he adde.

The Nation learnt Police have launched a manhunt for a lady in a viral TikTok video claiming to have had intercourse with dogs.

Adejobi, said posting bestial-natured videos online won’t be tolerated.

By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

President Muhammadu Buhari and members of his cabinet seeking the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for next year’s elections are currently weighing five options on whether the ministers should quit before the party’s primaries scheduled for the end of this month.

Public pressure is mounting on the ministers to quit in line with the provisions of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022 which prohibits public officers from participating in their party primaries either as voters or as candidates.

The affected ministers are Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Chris Ngige (Labour and Productivity), Abubakar Malami (Justice) and Emeka Nwajiuba (Minister of State for Education).

All of them, save Malami who wants to govern Kebbi State, are seeking the APC presidential ticket.

The section provides thus: “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

But it is currently a subject of litigation at the Federal High Court Abuja where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is praying the court to restrain the National Assembly from deleting the section from the Act allegedly at the instance of the President.

Besides, the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division has fixed May 10 for the hearing of the application of the National Assembly on the judgment of the Federal High Court, Umuahia which ordered deletion of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act.

Buhari sees the section as a contravention of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

The Nation gathered authoritatively yesterday that the presidency and the affected ministers first considered a legal advice which classified them as public officers under Part II of the Fifth Schedule to 1999 Constitution and offered a possible escape route.

But sources said they were not entirely comfortable with the legal advice especially the risk involved for them and the party in the event of the National Assembly winning the case at the Court of Appeal.

One of the possible consequences of that is that the court can void the election of a candidate that falls short of the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Some forces in the Presidency are understood to have worked out options under what sources called a Plan B to take care of the situation.

The options, contained in an advisory said to have been submitted to the President, are as follows:

• Temporary withdrawal of service for a period by ministers/appointees
• Ministers/other appointees may go on annual leave
• Ministers/other appointees may apply for leave of absence 
• Ministers/appointees may take direct permission from President Buhari to contest for primaries
• Waiting for the ruling of the Court of Appeal 

The advisory suggests that “any public servant ready to contest any of our party’s primaries is free and encouraged to do so without resignation till main election. But if such officer feels his/her job will suffer he/she can do a withdrawal of service for a period or take a leave…annual or leave of absence from his direct boss, and in the case of HMs/Special Advisers/Assistants Mr President.”

A top source in government said: “The President and some ministers are aware of the agitation for their resignation before the primaries, but four fundamental issues have not been resolved.

“Part II of the Fifth Schedule to 1999 Constitution described ministers, commissioners and others as public officers for the purpose of the Code of Conduct. So, in the face of the law, they are not political appointees.

“Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act is before the Court of Appeal, and in line with the principle of fairness and equity, the right thing under the law is to maintain status quo ante bellum. It will amount to injustice to ask the ministers and other appointees to step aside.

“The President has consistently maintained that Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act will disenfranchise some Nigerians and he does not want to preside over such a society where the law is, in a vengeful manner, tilted against some citizens.

“For an existing administration, the process of appointing, screening and confirming ministers is cumbersome. Buhari’s administration cannot afford the luxury.”

Speaking on the matter in confidence, a minister said: “Some of our colleagues are not resigning because Section 84(12) amended and took away from public servants right granted by the 1999 constitution.

“Where there is a conflict, the constitution takes pre-eminence over any other law.

“Also, a subsisting judgment of a High Court which struck down Section 84(12) has not been upturned by any Appeal/Supreme Court. On what basis will ministers then resign?

“The situation is constitutionally technical and ministers and other appointees cannot continue to wait because time is not on their side. It is either they fall aside or take the risk.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “I think most of the ministers decided to go ahead to contest the primaries because they knew from the outset that they are not going anywhere.

“In their inner recess, some of the affected ministers are just testing the waters for relevance, ego massaging and to enliven the democratic space.”

Some of those listed as public officers in the constitution are the President, Vice President, Governor and Deputy Ministers of Government of the Federation and Commissioners of Government of States, members of the National Assembly or State Assembly, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justices of the Supreme Court, President and Justices of the Court of Appeal, all other Judicial officers and all staff of court of law.

Others are the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and all members of the Armed Forces of the Federation.

Apart from the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Attorney-General of each state, the list includes Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other officers of Nigerian mission abroad.

The National Assembly has raised five points before the Court of Appeal on why it should quash the judgment deleting Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act.

It asked the Court of Appeal to set aside March 18th, 2022 judgment of Justice E.N Anyadike of the Federal High Court, Umuahia.

But some governors of APC and PDP have decided “not to take unnecessary risk” because of the uncertainty of the outcome of the case.

Some of the affected governors are those of Ogun, Kwara, Ondo, Kano, Osun, Ekiti, Rivers, Kaduna, Delta, Katsina, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ebonyi among others.

House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila warned last week that political appointees who refuse to resign before contesting the forthcoming 2023 elections posed a risk to themselves and their party.

“There are a number of people who have been mischievous. Some appointees have resigned their appointments to seek election, while there are some who remain obstinate, for want of a better word,” Gbajabiamila said on Channels Television.

He added: “Under the amended Act, there is a court decision pending that says there is no provision on this and during our conversation, we have said that the adjudication by the court should not be executed as of yet. Then there has also been an appeal by the National Assembly to set it aside.

“So invariably, it is a personal decision they have to make. Therefore the risk they run at the end of it all, if the court does find that the National Assembly was well within its rights to make such a provision that you are contesting an election while still a political appointee, then you are on a very serious risk of losing your election bid.

“And not only that, you as a person also put the party you belong to at risk.”