Category: Featured

The Federal Government has revealed that the ongoing intense terrorist activities in the north, including the recent attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train, are being carried out by an alliance of bandits and Boko Haram elements.

It also revealed it is working at various levels to do everything possible to get victims of the train attack, who were abducted from the train by terrorists, out of captivity, even as it said it had the whole situation under control.

Responding to questions from correspondents after the week’s virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Minister of Defense, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi, and his Information and Culture counterpart, Lai Mohammed, said the government is not folding its arms in the face of the security crisis but explained that disclosing details of the action plan in the media would be counter-productive.

According to the Ministers, though security agencies are still working hard to unveil the group behind the attack, a preliminary report showed that the criminal groups were collaborating, urging Nigerians to also collaborate with the government to smoke the criminals out.

Read Also: How Boko Haram shattered our life dreams, turned us into breadwinners from childhood

Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai had revealed that the attack on the train was carried out by Boko Haram terrorists, in collaboration with some bandits operating in Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto Niger and Kebbi States.

While responding to a question on whether government had identified those behind the attack, Magashi said: “Honestly, I think the security chiefs are working hard to unveil those that are involved, and we will tell you very soon those that are carrying out these attacks.

“Both attacks in Jos and Kaduna, we will come and explain to the public what is really going on and our efforts to ensure that all these activities are stopped once and for all. We are really on top of the situation, we are planning hard and we will get it out as soon as possible.”

Elaborating the situation, Mohammed said: “What is happening now is that there is a kind of an unholy handshake between bandits and Boko Haram insurgents.

“Preliminary reports of what transpired at the Kaduna train attacks show that there is a kind of collaboration between the bandits and the dislodged Boko Haram terrorists from the northeast. I can tell you very confidently that the Federal Government on the top of this matter.”

Details Shortly…

The completed registration of no fewer than 106,280 voters in Ekiti and Osun States have been declared invalid by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for flouting the guidelines stipulated for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

In Ekiti State, a total of 40,234 new voters were registered out of which 17,640 were voided representing 43.9% of the completed registrations while in Osun State, 218,142 new registrations were completed, out of which 88,630 were invalidated, representing 40.6% of the total number of new voters.

INEC Chairman, who gave the statistics during a press conference at the Commission’s Headquarters, said the infraction happened in all the states of the Federation.

According to him, out of the 2,523,458 new registrations, 1,126,359, representing 44.6% were invalid, adding that the infraction which was uncovered while cleaning up the voter register, happened across the 36 states.

Read Also: INEC publishes final list of Osun Gov candidates

He said: “While the number of new registrants is very impressive and demonstrates the eagerness of Nigerians to vote in the forthcoming elections, the Commission has a duty to clean up the data to ensure that only eligible Nigerians are registered.

“As you are aware, the foundation for any credible election rests on the credibility of the Register of Voters. The introduction of the biometric registration of voters in 2011 has helped to sanitize the Register. You may recall that initially, 73,528,040 Nigerians were registered in 2011.

“Using the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), the Commission was able to remove 4,239,923 invalid registrations. Consequently, the Register of Voters for the 2015 General Election stood at 69,288,117 voters.

“Subsequently, some 432,173 new voters were added to the Register during the CVR exercises ahead of the off-cycle Governorship elections in five States (Bayelsa, Kogi, Edo, Ondo and Anambra) from late 2015 to early 2017, bringing the total number of registered voters in Nigeria to 69,720,350.”

Details Shortly…

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria needs a courageous leader to effect drastic changes that will bring revenue and build the nation.

He described himself as that man Nigeria needs to take charge of the wheel of progress.

Tinubu spoke at one-day parley between current Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the APC-led States.

The theme was ‘The Legislature, Changing times and Nigeria’s Democratic Journey’.

Read Also: Tinubu’s excellent footprints in Lagos

It was hosted by Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

Tinubu said: “Nigeria needs me even as I need Nigeria. Nigeria needs drastic courageous changes that will bring revenue and I am that courageous one it needs.

“I was raised to be courageous and this has been working for me. I want to bring same to bear as president of Nigeria.

” Accelerated development of our nation is about thinking and doing, and I am ready to do that again because I am a thinker and doer.”

Details Shortly…

Gunmen have killed eight persons, including four policemen in Nnewi and Ogbaru local government areas of Anambra State.

The two incidents happened in the early hours of Wednesday.

Anambra police spokesman Ikenga Tochukwu told The Nation the Nnewi incident was an accident involving tricycle operators and another vehicle.

The incident, he said, led to a protest but nobody was killed.

He said the situation had been brought under control by security operatives, adding that the motorcycle operator was seriously wounded and taken to the hospital in the area.

Read Also: Gunmen kill Ebonyi businessman one week to wedding

He confirmed the Ogbaru incident, describing it as unfortunate.

He said the Command lost four gallant men during a duel with the gunmen.

Tochukwu further said the police station at Atani in Ogbaru local government area was not razed but partially torched by the hoodlums.

He said the hoodlums ran away after sighting reinforcement by the Command led by Commissioner of Police Echeng Echeng.

The incident, according to the PPRO, took place around 1am on Wednesday, adding that security operatives were still in the hunt of the hoodlums.

An eyewitness however told The Nation the Nnewi incident was not an accident as claimed by the Police.

He said it was an attack by gunmen who invaded the arena with three vehicles, shot people and left almost immediately.

At Atani in Ogbaru local government area, a source said the gunmen shot non-stop and killed some policemen before burning the station.

Agale of resignations is sweeping through states following governors’ directives to political appointees interested in vying for offices in next year’s general election to resign.

The governors are enforcing the provision of Section 84(12) of the amended Electoral Act which stipulates that appointees such as commissioners, special advisers and others should quit to be eligible to participate either as delegates or contestants at the convention of their political parties.

This is in spite of the ongoing legal battle on that clause of the Electoral Act.

Political parties have a June 3 cut off date to complete their primaries, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.

No less than 12 governors have asked their appointees to quit. And they have been complying.

Yesterday, eight appointees of the Ondo State government indicated interest to leave after Governor Rotimi Akeredolu issued a 48-hour ultimatum.

Two officials have resigned in Ogun State according to Commissioner for Information, Mr. Waheed Odusile.

Akeredolu’s directive, conveyed in a statement by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Oladunni Odu, gave tomorrow as a deadline.

Names of the eight political appointees set to bow out were not made known but those who have begun subtle campaigns ahead of next year’s general election include Information Commissioner Donald Ojogo, who is eyeing the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency’s ticket; Special Adviser on Investment Boye Oyewumi, who is gunning for the Ondo South senatorial seat; Chairman of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), Mr. Olumbe Akinkugbe, who has indicated an interest in the Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency and Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora, Victor Ategbole, who is seeking to run for the Akoko Southwest/Akoko Southeast Federal Constituency.

Government sources also said some special assistants and aides to elected council chairmen might also resign.

 

SGF unreachable

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha could not be reached yesterday for clarification on when federal appointees eyeing elective political offices would be asked to quit.

Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, who declared an interest at the weekend to succeed Presidential Muhammadu Buhari, began a nationwide consultation on Monday.

Other Federal Executive Council (FEC) members eyeing elective offices include Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami and Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige.

Malami is linked to interest in the governorship seat of Kebbi State.

Dr. Ngige is believed to be interested in taking a shot at the presidency.

 

Kwara State

The Secretary to the Kwara State Government (SSG), Prof Mamman Jibril, has also told appointees nursing a political ambition to resign.

In a memo, the SSG directed all those concerned to submit their resignation letters not later than Friday.

 

Directive expected in Osun State

it was learnt that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola may ask his aspiring political appointees to resign during the weekly State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting today.

A source said yesterday: “Governor Oyetola will be holding the weekly executive meeting with his exco member and he will give a directive in respect of 2023 general election.”

But Oyetola’s Commissioner for Intergovernmental Relation and Political Affairs Taiwo Akeju said: “The governor has not issued any directive to political appointees to resign.”

In Akwa Ibom, Governor Udom Emmanuel has directed aspiring appointees in his government to resign. A source in the Government House, Uyo, confirmed yesterday.

The Commissioner for information and Strategy, Iniobong Ememobong, however, said he was not aware of such a directive.

“I am not aware the governor issued the directive for his exco members with political aspirations to resign their appointments,” he told our reporter.

However, the source, who pleaded not to be named, said the governor during one of the weekly EXCO meetings in February, asked cabinet members with aspirations to resign.

So far, five commissioners have tendered their letters of resignation through the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem.

They are Pastor Umo Eno (Lands and Water Resources), Dr. Glory Edet (Agriculture); Mr. Akan Okon (Economic Development and Ibom Deep seaport); Mr. Okpulum Etteh (Special Duties and Prince Ukpong Akpabio (Trade and Investment).

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has also directed all political appointees interested in contesting to resign their appointments.

The directive was contained in a statement yesterday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem.

The statement reads: “Pursuant to section 84(12) of the amended Electoral Act 2022.”

Also in Rivers, Governor Nyesom Wike directed those nursing political ambitions to resign.

It was gathered that the governor gave the directive during an EXCO meeting that was held at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

A source who was at the meeting, but spoke in confidence, said: “Wike was categorical when he gave the directive. The governor said it was in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.”

Already, SSG, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, has joined the governorship race. He has obtained the expression of intent and nomination forms for the forthcoming governorship primaries of the PDP.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde was yet to give a directive to appointees serving in his administration.

A government source confirmed that some appointees have indicated interest to seek elective political offices.

In Borno and Yobe states, few appointees have announced their resignations.

The Nation learnt that a commissioner and about four special advisers have tendered their resignation letters in Borno State.

In Yobe State, a source at the SSG office told our reporter that some special assistants have handed in their resignation notices.

“I can’t count the number of the special assistants and senior special assistants that have resigned. Almost all of them are contesting for the House of Assembly,” the source informed.

 

Lalong asks appointees to quit

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has directed appointees with the ambition to contest any public office to resign.

He said the decision was aimed at reducing to the barest, political distractions in governance and enabling such concerned public officers to focus on their aspirations as political activities to take centre stage in the state and the country.

His directive was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of Plateau State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu and made available to reporters in Jos.

The letter, entitled: “Resignation of all political office holders wishing to contest the forthcoming political election”, reads in part: “As the countdown to the 2023 general elections draws nearer and in the face of the heightened political activities, it has become necessary for the government to provide a level playing ground for all political actors, especially those in the government to exercise their fundamental human rights.

“Consequently, I am to bring to the notice of all public officers occupying public offices under this administration that those interested and nursing political ambition to contest in the forthcoming 2023 general elections to resign their appointments on or before February 28, 2022.”

Lalong further explained that “the essence is to reduce to the barest, political distractions in governance and enable such concerned public officers to focus on their aspirations.”

In Delta State, no fewer than nine commissioners resigned last week.

Information Commissioner Charles Aniagwu, who spoke to reporters recently in Asaba, confirmed the development.

He added that their resignations were in compliance with Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022, stressing that the state was determined to abide by the tenets of Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2022.

Aniagwu said: “The electioneering process has begun with the release of the timetable by INEC and with the operationalisation of the Electoral Act, 2022 and this calls for a whole lot of engagements.

“For us as a state, we are very much determined to observe and indeed work according to the tenets of the Electoral Act.

“More specifically, we are very much determined to give effect to Section 84(12) which provides that those who are appointees of government who intend to take part in the electioneering process starting from the party primaries will have to give way by resigning their appointments.

“On account of that, a number of members of the State Executive Council who want to pursue their political careers through some elective positions have also put in their resignations.

“I can confirm to you that no fewer than nine of the Commissioners would be taking part in the 2023 general elections and that means that nine of them will no longer be part of our meetings as members of the state executive council.

“Three other persons, who have put in their resignations because they are statutory delegates and that is to tell you the extent to which we are giving effect to the provision of that law.”

In Ebonyi, Governor David Umahi gave his appointees and all political office holders the nod to start consultations and to declare their interest in various positions.

The Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Ugbala has declared interest in the Ebonyi Central Senatorial ticket.

The Commissioner for Capital City Territory, Onyekachi Nwebonyi has declared for Ebonyi North Senatorial zone.

In Imo, Governor Hope Uzodimma said his government would abide by the provision of the Electoral Act on the political appointees seeking an elective position in 2023.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, the governor said that “Imo State is a law-abiding state and the political appointees are also law-abiding and would abide with the provision of law on the Electoral Act.

“The state, people both in and out including appointees are law-abiding. We will abide by the position of law and that’s our position. So whatever the law demands we will abide because we are a law-abiding state.”

In Bayelsa, Governor Douye Diri had in January directed his appointees seeking political offices to resign.

Diri explained that such ambition was legitimate but it should not be at the expense of effective service delivery of his administration.

It was learnt that a number of appointees, including the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Benson Agadaga, have resigned their appointments in compliance with the Governor’s directive.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Collins Cocodia, was quoted as saying that many appointees had resigned.

He was quoted by a source as saying that he would liaise with the Office of the SSG before making public the names of the appointees who have resigned to pursue their ambitions.

In Ogun State, two commissioners Taiwo Oludotun (Community Development and Cooperatives) Modele Sarafa Yusuf (Senior Special Adviser on Information and Strategy), were said to have resigned their appointments.

Information and Strategy Commissioner Waheed Odusile, who could not confirm those who have resigned, promised to give details on EXCO members who have turned in their resignations.

Adamawa Gov hasn’t issued quit notice to appointees

In Kaduna, the Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, resigned after declaring interest to succeed Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai.

On March 16, the governor directed political appointees and public servants aspiring for political offices in 2023 to resign on or before March 31.

Dattijo had been replaced with Umma Aboki as the acting Commissioner for the Planning and Budget Commission

 

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has deplored what he described as the heinous killings in Plateau State.

There has been continuous bloodletting in the state in the last week, leading to the death of scores.

Many are injured and a lot of others have been displaced. Many properties were been burnt, rendering thousands homeless.

In Benue State, 10 people were killed in an attack yesterday, making Governor Samuel Ortom reiterate his call on people to defend themselves.

North’s elders condemned the worsening violence across the region in a statement by the Northern Elder Forum (NEF).

Yesterday’s Benue violence occurred in Tyiortyu, Mbakor Tarka Local Government.

Sunday’s killing of over 80 persons was in Kanam and Wase villages in Plateau State by terrorists, who also reportedly kidnapped over 70 others and destroyed about 100 houses.

The busy federal highway from Makurdi, the state capital to Gboko, in Benue was blocked yesterday by restive youths who caused an over 10-hour gridlock while protesting the killings.

Tyortyu is a satellite town along the Makurdi-Gboko highway.

A member of the community who escaped the attack, Tersoo Utume, told The Nation that the gunmen stormed the sleepy community at about 2 am and went door to door, shooting and killing residents.

The youths dumped their bodies on the highway.

Nine farmers were also killed at Tse-Sumaka village in Guma Local Government Area on Monday by suspected herdsmen.

 

Buhari, Ortom deplore killings

President Buhari described
the Plateau killings as hei
nous, urging citizens to expose those behind it and their sponsors.

A statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, says: “As full details emerge on the scale of the brutal terrorist attacks in Kanam and Wase communities in Plateau State, President Buhari has described the killings as heinous, saying that the perpetrators should not be allowed to escape justice. They should not be spared or forgiven.”

The President condoled with the victims, adding: “I urge all our citizens, the people of Plateau State, in particular, to expose the perpetrators of such incidents, their sponsors and those who encourage such criminals who carry out these dastardly acts of murder, so that the law will take its course.”

Governor Ortom deplored the killings, urging the people to defend themselves.

He said: “It is becoming increasingly glaring every day that my people are now an endangered specie.

“My people will have to rise to the occasion to defend themselves and their heritage against the army of occupation.

“We have been accommodating of other people in our land but our hospitality is misconstrued as weakness.

“We are not a conquered people. We will never be. We are free-born citizens of Nigeria.”

He urged security operatives to do more to prevent crime and secure lives.

 

Northern Elders ask Buhari to resign

The Northern Elders Fo
rum (NEF) asked Presi
dent Buhari to resign for failing to provide security.

Its Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, in a statement, said Nigerians have shed enough tears over killings that have become a daily feature.

The statement reads in part: “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari does not appear to have answers to the challenges of security to which we are exposed.

“We cannot continue to live and die under the dictates of killers, kidnappers, rapists and sundry criminal groups that have deprived us of our rights to live in peace and security.

Also yesterday, the House of Representatives asked the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, to organise a joint military operation to flush out bandits operating in Plateau and Taraba states.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance by Abdulrahaman Gambo Mubarak on the killings in Taraba communities and part of Plateau states.

 

Hoodlums kill lecturer, tailor in Plateau

A lecturer in the Depart
ment of Psychology,
Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, Sani Muhammad Mazadu and a tailor, Safiyanu Sa’id, were killed during a clash by rival groups in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

A relative of the lecturer, Jamilu Abdullahi Mazadu, confirmed the incident.

He said: “The deceased was about to complete his PhD before the sad incident occurred. He and the other victim have been buried this morning. We pray Allah to forgive them.”

The Federal Government has declared Friday and Monday as holidays in commemoration of Easter celebrations.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, announced the holiday on behalf of the Federal Government on Tuesday.

In a statement, Dr Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, explained Aregbesola urged Christians to emulate the attributes of sacrifice, togetherness, forgiveness, kindness, love, peace and patience, which were the attributes and practices of Jesus Christ, as exemplified by his ministry on earth.

Read Also: NSCDC deploys 1,977 personnel in Anambra for Easter

Aregbesola also called on Christians and all Nigerians alike to use the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration to pray for an end to all security challenges bedevilling every part of the country.

The Minister assured that the Federal Government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the recent attacks by undesirable elements on the highways, airport and the railway are timely brought to an end.

“Security is everybody’s business. I therefore urge Nigerians and foreigners resident in our country to display a high sense of citizenship and public spiritedness at this critical time in the history of our country, by supporting the efforts of all security agencies in bringing peace and security of lives and property of the citizenry,” Belgore said.