Category: Lead

Suspected herdsmen have killed 36 Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in Guma Local Government area of Benue State .

Governor Samuel Ortom hails from Nzorov, Guma Local Government area .

Chairman of the council, Dr Mike Uba, confirmed the incident to The Nation..

Uba, who is the state chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) said the incident occurred at LGEA Primary School Mgban, Nyiev.

He said those killed are Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) using the school building as a camp .

He said the herdsmen stormed the primary school around 10pm on Friday.

” Since it was an IDPs camp, they shot both men , women and children at close range who died at the spot”

Read Also: Benue gov-elect condemns killing of 46 people in Umogidi

” They also hacked others to dead and macheted pregnant women and children.

“As at yesterday, we recoverd about 36 bodies took about six victims to the hospital but just got informing that three more have died.”

The attackers also razed houses and destroyed yams.

Guma Local Government Area shares boundary with Nasarawa sytate .

The Nation reports 80 percent of residents of Guma Local Government area are displaced and living in IDPs camps.

As of press time, Benue Police Command is yet to confirm the incident.

• North-Central, Northwest, Northeast, Southeast make case for position
• Gbajabiamila meets with nine aspirants for seat
• Ortom bemoans loss of senatorial ticket

 By Tony Akowe, Abuja/AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna/Sanni Onogu

House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has met with nine members of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly who are aspiring to succeed him in June.

All nine are from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and The Nation gathered yesterday that the meeting was part of the strategy to ensure that the ruling party does not go into the contest for the speakership a divided house.

At the Thursday meeting were Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase; Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Aliyu Mukthar Betara; Chairman, Committee on Navy, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi; Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Benjamin Kalu; and Chairman, Committee on Land Transport, Tajudeen Abbas.

The rest were Chairman, Committee on Disaster Preparedness, Abdulraheem Olawuyi; Chairman, Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli Jibia; Abubakar Makki Yalleman and Sani Jaji.

They were joined at the meeting by Deputy House Leader, Peter Akpatason.

Gbajabiamila personally confirmed the meeting on his Twitter handle @femigbaja yesterday.

The nine aspirants, he said, have what it takes to lead the House.

His words: “Yesterday (Thursday), I met with aspirants for the office of the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives in the coming 10th Assembly.

“All nine aspirants I have known and worked with for many years and I have no doubt will do well in continuing and building on the legacy of the 9th Assembly.”

However, The Nation gathered that the APC and Gbajabiamila did not what to leave anything to chance in the contest for the Speakership.

“The meeting was to forge the way forward and find a way of ensuring a rancor-free campaign,” a source said.

“You are aware that the party has to speak out first on the zoning arrangement for the position. On the other hand, the Speaker cannot impose any of the aspirants on the others. So, the meeting was to find a way of ensuring that they work together in the interest of all.

“It was also to ensure that the aspirants do not make any commend or statement that is negative about each other as they go about their campaign. 

“He (Gbajabiamila) believes in the capacity of these men, having worked with them for a while now. But the party must speak out first before anyone can begin to take a position.”

North Central, South East intensify lobby

The aspirants and their supporters are already intensifying their campaign, consulting with politicians with clout, traditional rulers and groups that may help them in realising their ambition.

The North Central and South East geo-political zones in particular are lobbing the leadership of the APC to zone the position to them.

Each of the two zones claims it is its turn to lead the House.

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and Labour Party (LP) are strategising  on their own, hoping that the APC will blow its chance.

The opposition parties are said to be considering pulling their strength together to present one of them for the position of Speaker especially if they have more members than the APC after the conduct of the April 15 supplementary elections.

The North West has occupied the position of Speaker four times since the return to democracy in 1999; the South West thrice and the North East once.

The North Central and South East have not occupied the position.

Those who have occupied the position of Speaker from the North West are Salisu Buhari, Ghali Umar Na’abba, Aminu Bello Masari and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. From the South West are Mrs.Patricia Etteh, Dimeji Bankole and Gbajabiamila, while from the North East is Yakubu Dogara. 

The current aspirants from the North Central are Wase, Gagdi and Olawuyi. From the South East is Kalu. Betara comes from the North East while Abbas and Soli are from the North West.

There are speculations current House Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa is also interested in the position, but his election is yet to be concluded as a supplementary poll has been ordered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in his constituency.

Doguwa was initially declared winner of the Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency before the commission withdrew the announcement, saying it was done under duress.

While party leaders in the North Central are emphasising the need for equity and justice in the zoning of the position, it was gathered that some of the aspirants outside the zone have vowed to fight for the position even if it is not zoned to them.

Some of the aspirants in the race have also continued to justify why the position of Speaker should be zoned to their part of the country.

Gagdi, for example claims it will amount to injustice should the APC  zone the position of Speaker to any part of the North other than the North Central.

While responding to a question on whether the position should be thrown open as being canvassed by some party members, he said: “People may say that because they have the right to do that. But it has always been zoned. Why do they want to throw it open this time around?

“Why was the presidency zoned? And the speakership is not supposed to be zoned? I think people have a right to say what they want to say, but the ideal thing is for us to do zoning.

“I am a party man. Wherever the party zones it, I will respect the position of the party. But I expect the party to put superior justice to bear.”

On whether he will agree to step down from the race, he said: “I have said that clearly, but it doesn’t close my mouth from telling the party that it is not fair if they don’t zone it to North-Central. I expect the party to zone it to North-Central.

“There was a time the party chairman announced a candidate for presidential election, but in the spirit of justice, party members, including the governors resisted it. They said no, the president should not come from the North again, it should move to the South. 

“So, if that happened, I doubt if the party will swallow its words by standing on the principle of justice on the issue of presidency and now come and zone the position of Speaker to a zone that has produced the Speaker four times or to a zone that has produced it twice.”

Another candidate for the position from the North Central, Abdulraheem Olawuyi, said even though zoning was not part of the nation’s constitution, parties adopt it as a way of balancing power, and was however quick to add that Nigerians must grow beyond the politics of religion and ethnicity.

He said: “If the party decides that the position of Speaker is going to the North Central, I will be the first to support it. Outside zoning that might shut me out. If I make it to the floor, I will be the next Speaker.”

Another candidate and spokesman of the House, Benjamin Kalu, believes the South East deserves to produce the next Speaker, having occupied the position last about 40 years ago.

“Why the zone I come from is interested in the Speakership of the House is that for 40 years, the South Eastern region has not occupied that position. 

“The last time that position was occupied by somebody from that region was during the reign of Ume Ezeoke between1979 to 1983. We are talking of 40 years of my people not seating on that seat. 

“The question is: why? Does it mean that my people are not competent or that there is no capacity from there?

Reminded that Agunwa Anaekwe also served as Speaker in the aborted Third Republic, he said the tenure of Anaekwe was short-lived because he was in office for only one year.

Kalu also has asked the APC to consider rewarding loyalty and commitment to the party in deciding the next Speaker.

Kalu said rewarding loyalty to the party would always stimulate more loyalty, saying the APC should be able to convince the people that he did not make any mistake standing by it against all odds during the last election 

He said: “Beyond region, what I believe Nigerians are looking for is that speaker that will come on board and sustain Speaker’s impartiality that we have enjoyed in the 9th Assembly. 

“They are looking for a legislature that will be led by a Speaker that will understand that though we are diverse, the diversity is not an impediment, but a beautiful coloration to our nation. 

“We need a sensitive person to our diversity, a Speaker that will increase parliamentary sovereignty where the independence of the parliament will be showcased better than the 9th Assembly has struggled. 

“We need a Speaker that will increase institutional trust, increase the credibility and knowledge base legislative interventions that will gladden the heart of Nigerians to understand that this is the fulcrum of democracy. 

“Nigerians are also looking for a Speaker that will balance the various inequalities, especially during plenary. A voice of a constituency heard during plenary is a problem solved for that constituency.”

Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai is said to be intensifying his lobbying to make Abbas Speaker.

He recently publicly declared that his wish for the Iyan Zazzau to succeed Gbajabiamila.

He said “the most important thing”  he would request from President-elect Bola Tinubu  ”if at all I contributed to his success in the election, the only pay back is for the Iyan Zazzau to become Speaker .”

Wase visits Ooni, seeks royal blessing

Wase confirmed on his Twitter handle @HonAhmedWase yesterday that he received royal blessing from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, during a visit to the traditional ruler’s Abuja lodge to “consult him on his speakership ambition and seek his wise counsel and royal blessings.”

He quoted the Ooni as saying:”You know one thing I love about you is your humility.

“In 2019 when we spoke to you to step down for our son, Femi Gbajabiamila, you obeyed us due to your respect and loyalty for order and leadership. It is time for you to be rewarded for your humility and loyalty.”

 El-Rufai’s aide, Arewa group demand Speaker for N/West

 Arewa Youths Integrity Forum and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Political Matters, Alhaji Sani Idris, want the APC to zone the speaker of the 10th National Assembly to the North West while the  Arewa Young Professionals in Politics (AYPP), says the South-East should produce the next Senate President in the interest of national unity, stability and cohesion.

Addressing reporters in Kaduna yesterday, the Arewa Youths Integrity Forum and Governor El-Rufai’s political aide argued that since the South-West and North-East have produced the President and Vice President-elect respectively and the North-West for obvious reasons cannot have the Senate President’s seat, the region as the highest contributor to the APC’s victory, should have the House of Representatives speakership position.

They argued that the position should be reserved for the most senior ranking member from the North-West, in the person of Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, a fourth termer representing Zaria Federal Constituency.

They described Tajudeen as an illustrious son of the Northwest from the Mallawa ruling dynasty of Zazzau emirate.

“It is on record that the Northwest region has the highest registered voters and gave the APC the highest votes in the Presidential Elections. The North West region has the most sophisticated and well enlightened voters who should not be taken for granted for future political collaborations. 

“Since the region is not producing the President and Vice President or the Senate President, it is only rewarding to allot the slot of the Speaker to Abbas Tajudeen who is the only senior ranking member from the region.”

Shehu Sani backs Orji Kalu for Senate President

Former Senator who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, yesterday advocated the zoning of the 10th Senate President to the South East.

He equally threw his weight behind the aspiration of the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, for the position.

Other Senators-elect believed to be interested in the position and those who have openly indicated intention to contest for the position include Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Senators Barau Jibrin, Sani Musa, Mohammed Ali Ndume, Osita Izunaso, Godswill Akpabio and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi.

Sani said equity and justice are harbingers of unity in any country and asked the APC to consider them above any primordial sentiment in the interest of the nation.

Responding to a question about several senators-elect who have indicated interest for the Office of the 10th Senate President, the Civil Rights activist said the APC should zone the position to South East to achieve power balance in its hierarchy.

According to him, the South East has enough competent Senators-elect to pilot the Senate, if the rules of the red chambers were to be considered, particularly ‘ranking’ as has been the norm lately.

He said even though he is no longer a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, “but at the level of governance, every citizen is a stakeholder to doing normal things for the nation to move forward.”

He added that the present structure of the APC has naturally positioned the South East to produce the 10th Senate President.

Ortom bemoans loss of senatorial ticket

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday bemoaned his defeat in the February 25 Senatorial election.

He was defeated by his former aide Titus Zam of the APC in the race for the Benue North-West seat.

“The market for me is not good. This time around, the market is not good but I will be here (as Benue governor) till May 29 when I will hand over by the grace of God,” Ortom said while fielding questions yesterday from Arise Television.

But he seemed consoled by the fact the presidency is returning to the South as canvassed by the PDP G-5 governors.

His words: “I and others (G5 governors) were able to achieve the desire of our members, the Integrity Group, because the G5 came out as a result of the fallout of the PDP primary election and party convention in 2022.

“Some of us believe that there should be a power shift. Nigeria is a country of over 250 ethnic groups and in the past, we have been known to rotate the presidency from North to South.

“We felt that it was wrong for the PDP to have given the presidency to the north when the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is from the North and the same region still producing his successor and we maintained that that was not good for the unity of the country.

“Some of us were concerned about how we can make things work for Nigeria because we don’t have any other country to go to. I don’t have any investment in any other place other than Nigeria.

“So, we were concerned that let this country be together and it is in our unwritten agreement that when the presidency is in the North for eight years, it should go to the South for the next eight years. So, this is what we stood for.

“Truly, I wanted my friend Governor Nyesom Wike to win and I supported him during the primaries but he didn’t make it. But we supported others who demanded that the presidency should go to the South.

“And you will recall that when the Southern governors met in Asaba and said the presidency should go to the South irrespective of wherever it will come out from, once it is from the South, it is okay. I was the first governor in the North that came out the following day and said truly, what the Southern governors have said was right.

“Thank God for the APC governors who came in their numbers from the North after that and said they wanted equity, fairness, and justice and let the presidency, after Buhari’s tenure of eight years, go to the South.

“I commend them and I appreciate them but I was the first person who came out immediately after this request was made by the Southern governors.

“So, for me, on the question of whether I have lost my senatorial bid based on that, of course even before the election, I did say that it does not matter whether I lose my senatorial bid but let the real thing be done. The Bible says that ‘You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free’.

“There are issues that have to be resolved which are anchored on the rule of law and ensuring equity, fairness, and justice in every aspect of our lives in Nigeria. This is what is lacking and we cannot just be on the fence.

“Me losing my senatorial election does not really matter to me. And that was why it is part of glaring evidence that if I go to court, I may win or may lose but I decided to stay back and withdrew the case because initially, I filed a suit but I had to withdraw it and say that look, let there be peace.

“I decided to withdraw the case irrespective of the evidence that I have on whether rigging took place or whether the federal might or security were used, and the non-transmission of results electronically as was promised by INEC because you cannot shift the goal post in the middle of the game.

“But all these put together, I say look, let me have my peace, after all, the Benue people have been good to me and I have served them at almost every level, and for that, I am grateful to God.”

• Says refusal to accept criticism their badge of honour

NOBEL Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka yesterday took a swipe at the aggressive disposition of the supporters of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the just concluded presidential election, describing it as the advent of fascism in the nation’s political arena.

Fascism is a mass political movement that emphasises extreme nationalism, militarism and the supremacy of both the nation and the single, powerful leader over the individual citizen.

In a statement titled ‘Fascism on Course’, Soyinka said “the seeds of incipient fascism in the political arena have evidently matured”.

The Nobel Laureate noted that a climate of fear was being generated by Obi’s supporters’ refusal to entertain corrective criticism.

He condemned attempts by the group to undermine the structure of justice by deploying the weapons of ridicule and intimidation as was exemplified by such antics as portraying the Chief Justice of Nigeria as disguising on a wheelchair to a secret meeting with one of the major actors in the just concluded elections.

He described the move as scary.

Citing afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, his family and their iconic music Shrine as some of the victims of the bullying tendencies of the ‘Obidient’ movement, he noted that attacks and threats were carried out against them because Seun declared the name ‘Obidient’ derogatory to his sense of civic dignity and activist history.

He expressed agreement with Seun Kuti’s description of ‘Obidients’ as “one of the most repulsive, off-putting concoctions” he has ever encountered in any political arena.

Soyinka took exception to the N5 million fine recently imposed on Channels Television for the reckless outburst of Datti Baba Ahmed, the running mate of Obi in the presidential election, saying that the TV station could not be faulted for the incident.

The full text of Soyinka’s statement is as follows:

It would appear that a record discharge of toxic sludge from our notorious smut factory is currently clogging the streets and sewers of the Republic of Liars. It goes to prove the point that provoked the avalanche EXACTLY! The seeds of incipient fascism in the political arena have evidently matured.

A climate of fear is being generated. The refusal to entertain corrective criticism, even differing perspectives of the same position has become a badge of honour and certificate of commitment. What is at stake, ultimately is – Truth, and at a most elementary level of social regulation: when you are party to a conflict, you do not attempt to intimidate the arbiter, attempt to dictate the outcome, or impugn, without credible cause, his or her neutrality even before hearing has commenced. That is a ground rule of just proceeding. Short of this, Truth remains permanently elusive.

The ensuing cacophony has been truly bewildering. It strikes me as a possible ploy to smother recent provocations by other, far more trenchant issues, such as revelations of declarations of a religious war. If so, let it be known that I have long declared war against religious fundamentalism, the nature of which justifies the butchery, kidnapping and enslavement of students in the name of religion.

That aspirant’s alleged gaffe cuts no ice with me. Far more alarming was the grotesque fantasy of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court disguised as a wheelchair, zooming off in space to a secret meeting with other parties of the conflict. On its own, that is sufficiently scary. Swiftly followed thereafter by a television tirade of intimidation, it strikes one as more than the mere antics by the mentally deranged. The tactics are familiar: ridicule, incriminate, then intimidate. Objective: undermine the structure of justice .Just as a reminder: this writer was not being rhetorical when he declared, on exiting prison detention: Justice is the first condition of humanity.

The instigating contest – Nigerian Democracy 2023 – has witnessed much that is innovative – largely in the retrogressive vein. Violence and ethnic profiling. “Spiritual” warfare in the shape of sacrificial rams to keep “disloyal” communities under restraint – in short, intimidation yet again! Easily overlooked however are those missives of violence directed against dissenting voices, real or suspect. Such, for instance, were the virulent attacks and threats to the musician Seun Kuti, his family and iconic music Shrine. His crime consisted of nothing more than declaring the name “Obidient” derogatory to his sense of civic dignity and activist history. Such beginnings – and instances are numerous – have culminated in the open intimidation of the Court of Last Resort, even before proceedings have begun. By the way, I do agree with Seun Kuti; ‘Obidients’ is one of the most repulsive, off-putting concoctions I ever encountered in any political arena. Some love it however, and this is what freedom is about. Choice. Taste. Free emotions. By contrast, I have no quarrel with “Yes Daddy”. Roman Catholics are used to saying “Yes, Father”. Secularists say “Enh, Baba”.

The context and content are what matters, and lies – where established – raise bothersome issues such as Integrity Deficiency.

Let us remind ourselves of the following: in any adjudication, society finds it unacceptable that a party to the dispute resort to influencing tactics by extra-judicial means – such as bribery. Intimidation and threats are merely the obverse complements of material inducement. Those who fail to appreciate this are entirely free to their existence in an illusory world.

We shall add the following pointer for this particular electoral tussle – the news may be unpleasant, but here it comes. Quite a few pundits have set out in some impressive – not necessarily persuasive – detail the- possibility that the complainants in this presidential election are not as strongly planted on the victory podium as they presume – see, for instance – Ambassador Haastrup’s fascinating analysis in Newspeak etc. April 6. Right or wrong? That is not the issue.

What the nations needs to know right now is if you are planning to send assassins after such negative analysts.! Coming to terms with an unpalatable projected eventuality – sorry – possible eventuality, counsels deep reflection, not demonization of the bearer of sour news. For the seriously committed, it requires pulling back the horns a little in order to regroup, rethink and resurge. Democracy is sometimes a long haul. Some of us have been at it for quite a while.

I am well aware that the foregoing is further invitation for more nauseous bilge from the besotted. Please, be my guest.

It is, after all, one of those special seasons of convergence of two seasons of self-flagellation. Fasting makes bearers of constricted minds even more light-headed. Delusions fill the vacuum.

Oh yes, could these rabid parochial minds of easy excitation also kindly stop flattering themselves that one’s energies are consecrated solely to the nation space known as `Nigeria? The whines of “silence” are relative to the reading scope and world knowledge of idle complainants as well as their grasp of the chain of continuity. I choose my methods of intervention without the permission of social media border patrols, so where you find a gap, just pick up the baton where last deposited and stop whining and belly-aching – “he stopped talking all this while, why now?” etc etc ad nauseum . Flat, easy disposable lies that gain traction by repetition. However, even more importantly, they remain irrelevant to the rights and wrongs of ongoing material issue. Sadly, these virtue vigilantes succeed with the ignorant and susceptible – especially among the younger, confused generation. The consequence is that the nation is plagued by fake CVs compiled by all kinds of amateur commentators, still wet behind the ears, who have too few truths to build on before they are corralled into positions of No-Retreat. Nowhere has this been more evident than in the effrontery of attempts to place the present contention on the same podium as the twenty-year old anti-Abacha struggle! This gross abuse of historic licence actually provides smug satisfaction for rookie activists. I advise them to seek out the school of survivors where pertinent lessons still exist for those with sufficient humility to LEARN before MOUTHING! Otherwise their world of false mythologies will collapse under their feet, and leave them dangling in the void.

May I cease this opportunity, by the way, to condemn the sanctions imposed on CHANNELS Television which anchored the performance of the LP candidate. As stated, I watched the programme keenly – saw the valiant efforts of the interviewer to ensure fair hearing. I fail to understand just where the station could be faulted, except from a disposition for injustice. To sustain that penalty is to give joy to others who turn Internet into a soakaway for their rancid emissions, yet feel that others should be silenced. If CHANNELS feels up to it, I offer myself willing to engage Mr. Datti – or any nominee of his – on its platform on this very bone of contention – one-on-one – without the malodorous intervention of media trolls, and with the same interviewer as mediator. That should be taken as a serious offer.

Project NIGERIA, I must confess, has become near terminally soul-searing. Do I still believe in it? I am no longer certain but – first, we must rid ourselves of the tyranny of the ignorant and the opportunism of time-servers. In any case, there is not much else to engage one on a foundation of ownership stakes. There is of course, always the possibility of a Revolution, with a clarity of purpose and acceptance of all attendant risks, including costly errors. Revolutions are not however based on the impetus of speculative power entitlement. No matter, until that moment, the structures that ensure just and equitable cohabitation must be protected from partisan appropriation – be it from material inducement, fake news, or verbal terrorism – the last being the contribution of one who is positioned to assume co-leadership of the nation, no less. Revolution is not about lining up behind the nearest available symbol. When a symbol does emerge however, we are still obliged to examine every aspect of what is fortuitously on offer, and continue to guard our freedoms every inch of the way.

Before I take myself off for – well, next port of call – the final word goes to a favourite maverick, propagated even as he matched his words by action. I suspect that in this instance we find ourselves on opposite sides of the strategic fence – that is democracy. This now coopted watchword of his formulation remains apt, applicable to all who strive for authentic social transformation: Your mumu don do!

Ramadan Kareem. Happy Easter!

Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja/ Sola Shittu,Gombe/ Yinka Adeniran,Ibadan/ Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is urging patience by losers in the just concluded elections in the country as they seek redress in the courts.

Buhari, in his Easter message to the nation, said litigants should patiently wait and allow the legal system run its course.

Easter messages also came from Senate President Ahmad Lawan, state governors and other political actors.

Buhari charged Nigerians to, in the spirit of the renewed hope the season represents, continue to be confident of the country, believing in the promise of better seasons ahead.

Describing  the Easter season as one that gives the human race the assurance that God is able to turn unpleasant situations round for good, he said: “I join Christians in Nigeria and around the world to celebrate Easter, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, signposting his victory over death.

“At the heart of Easter, is the triumph of light over darkness.

 “It is a season that reminds us that the Almighty can turn an unpleasant situation round for good.

“Recognising that Easter is about renewed hope and a glorious future, I urge all Nigerians to continue to be confident and believe strongly in our country for better seasons ahead.

“As a nation, we have gone through an election that has produced the next set of leaders at the federal and state levels.

 “I commend Nigerians for believing in the process. While I congratulate those that have been elected, I acknowledge that it is the right of those who feel dissatisfied with the outcome to seek redress. I expect them to wait patiently and allow our legal system run its course.”

Buhari, who acknowledged the support so far given him in the last almost eight years by Nigerians, described the opportunity to have served the country as President for two terms, a rare privilege.

According to him, successes recorded in various sectors of Nigeria’s nationhood had been as a result of the support Nigerians had given him.

 “It has been a rare privilege for me to serve as your President since you gave me the first mandate in 2015 and renewed it in 2019.

“Day after day, I have been guided by the vows I took to keep Nigeria united, prosperous and secure.

“Our successes on security, economy, infrastructure, new oil frontier basins, landmark legal reforms as well as food sufficiency, among others, were possible because of the support of Nigerians.

“As we celebrate this season with our families, neighbours and communities, let us do so in love, compassion, kindness, resilience and forgiveness.” 

Christians should imbibe spirit of love, humility, says FEC

 The Federal Executive Council (FEC) urged Christians to use the period of Easter to imitate Jesus Christ.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr. Boss Mustapha, who conveyed the message on behalf of FEC in a statement yesterday  in Abuja  said Jesus submitted to the will of God by willingly offering himself as a sacrifice to redeem mankind to God.

The SGF noted that the two great events in the Christian calendar, Good Friday and Easter, symbolised the triumph of good over evil, and prayed that the season awakened in Christians, the spirit of dedication to public good and selfless service to the nation.

Mustapha further urged Christians to use the opportunity offered by the events to reconcile with God by imbibing the spirit of love, self-sacrifice, forgiveness, humility, as well as the love for the country.

He prayed that the supreme sacrifice instil in Christians the commitment to nation-building, while the resurrection of Christ on Easter, a rejuvenation of faith and triumph over challenges in nation-building, peaceful co-existence and a successful transition programme.

“The period should herald a rebirth and healing of the country, emphasising the need to use the period to pray for the success of the incoming administration.”

Lawan: Easter should bolster our hope in Nigeria’s triumph

Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the occasion should bolster Nigerians’ hope of their nation’s triumph over the  current challenges of nation building and the imminence of better days.

He also urged all Nigerians, and particularly religious leaders and clerics, to pray for a peaceful political transition in Nigeria.

Lawan asked  for prayers for God’s blessings and guidance for the incoming governments at the national and state levels, including for the soon to be inaugurated 10th National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.

Sanwo-Olu preaches unity, peace love

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu enjoined  Nigerians, particularly Christians, to emulate Jesus Christ’s virtues of humility, perseverance and compassion, which made Him die on the cross for the atonement of our sins and reconciling us with God.

Christians, he said, should  continue to live in peace, love and harmony with believers in other faiths, noting that good neighbourliness, selflessness, patience, and love were among the several lessons taught and exemplified by our Lord Jesus Christ.

The governor also implored Nigerians, particularly, Christians to use the occasion to seek the face of God for continuous peace in Lagos State and Nigeria, especially as the country begins the transition from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 He said: “I wish all Lagosians and Christians across the country and other parts of the world, a Happy Easter as we remember the sacrifice and love of Jesus towards mankind. The message of Easter is that of sacrifice, tolerance, harmony, perseverance, and undying love. 

“As we commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I want Lagosians and Nigerians in general to make togetherness and unity of the country the central goal of our nationalities.

“Let us remember to be Christ-like in our love for fellow citizens and our country. As Christians, this period offers us an opportunity to rethink our relationships as individuals, as communities, and as a nation.” 

Adeleke felicitates Christians

 Osun State governor,  Ademola   Adeleke, urged Christian faithful to let the valuable lessons of Jesus’ sacrifice reflect on them all the time.

Adeleke also charged them to hold to the message of love and compassion, which are the basis of the Easter celebration.

He said that with love, “we will not only enjoy a peaceful society, but also make the right progress.

“Easter is a classic example of the power of love.

“Jesus Christ, as we are made to know, gave up Himself to save mankind from the consequences of their transgressions.

“Beyond the celebration that comes with the moment, it is also a reminder of how love can save, and why we must imbibe the culture of selfless service to humanity as exemplified by Jesus Christ.

“Let’s be concerned about the good of each other and show tolerance irrespective of our differences.”

Let’s continue to live in harmony  — Bala Mohammed

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State called for continued peace and harmony in the state regardless  of religious, political and ethnic differences.

The governor enjoined Christian communities in the state to imbibe the virtues of Jesus Christ and put them into practice.

He admonished everyone in the state not to allow themselves to be divided along religious or ethnic segregations.

“We must allow peace to reign in order to make progress,” he said.

“I appeal to you all to imbibe the spirit of love for one another, forgiveness and mutual respect.

“We must regard ourselves as one and the same people irrespective of our ethnic and religious differences.

“There is also the need for continued prayers to God for the current relative peace in the state to be sustained.”

Governor Inuwa urges prayers for leaders, nation

Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, asked   Christians in the state to use the Easter to pray for the newly elected leaders from the just concluded general elections, and for the peace, progress and healing of the nation.

Easter, according to him, provides an opportunity for strengthening of unity of purpose, reinforcement of bond of brotherhood and dedication in service to God and humanity as exemplified by Jesus Christ. 

“Easter symbolises love, sacrifice, service to God and country as well as triumph of good over evil. We should always reflect on the lessons and significance of the season and demonstrate the same in our lives,” he said.

 He asked Christians in the state and the world over to continue to demonstrate love, promote peace and show good neighbourliness and to pray for the newly elected leaders at all levels for God to bless them with wisdom, understanding, discernment, and knowledge as they prepare to take the mantle of leadership next month.  

“We are indeed in need of prayers as leaders and as a country, especially at this crucial moment. I am optimistic that with collective commitment, sacrifice and by turning to God through prayers we shall overcome all our challenges and emerge stronger,” the governor said.  

Do not divide Nigerians along ethnic, religious lines, Obaseki admonishes politicians

Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, admonished politicians across the country to work fervently to unite Nigeria and not make utterances or take actions that are capable of dividing the country along ethnic and religious lines.

The governor spoke  when he broke the Ramadan fast with the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh Ikelebe III, in his palace in Auchi, Etsako West Local Governments Area of the  State.

Obaseki was accompanied on the visit by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha; Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Afishetu Braimoh and the People Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Youths Leader, Timothy Osadolor, among others.

The governor maintained that the role of leaders is to overcome challenges and give hope to the people.

He said: “our   presence here tonight shows that we do not see any religious divide. We are Christians and are here to fellowship with Muslim leaders. Religion can’t and should not be a basis to divide us as a people. We should understand that those playing the religious card are doing so for very selfish reasons.

“People of different faiths live in this country as one and interact as one. We do our businesses together as we don’t ask for religion or ethnicity when we do our businesses in the market places but rather trade and transact to get a fair deal out of that.”

He queried, “Why is it that when it comes to politics, we want to begin to emphasise our differences and divisions which are unreal?”

Omo-Agege to Deltans: Be hopeful

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Delta governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) urged Deltans to celebrate the festival  in an atmosphere of calm and positive expectations.

He said: “As Christendom celebrates the most important event in the salvation of mankind – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – we are reminded of the route taken to secure our salvation.

“When our Saviour was on His earthly assignment, Christ’s traducers sought to scuttle His mission not knowing that by their actions, they had become part of the divine road map. At the end of it all, the best efforts of the Redeemer’s traducers fitted into the divine plan to make the salvation of the world not only accomplished but also wholesome.

“There are a lot of lessons to be drawn from this given the disappointment that followed the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial election in Delta State. As you celebrate  Easter, I urge everyone to remain calm and positive. Your well-being and the future of your children that you invested by voting for me will surely be realised.

“As the Resurrection completed the divine work of salvation, my prayer is that the Almighty who has unquestionable control over our lives will continue to guide, protect and uphold you in all your endeavours.”

Olubadan preaches love at Easter, greets Christians

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, described Easter as celebration of the exemplary life of love lived by Jesus Christ, stressing that it is only when the followers of Jesus Christ take after Him in their love for their fellow beings that the essence of the celebration could be meaningful.

His words: “This is a sacred moment in the life of Christians, a period of remembrance of uncommon love displayed by their leader/master- Jesus Christ who laid down His life for the remission of their sins. Before His crucifixion on the cross, the totality of all His earthly activities were centered on love for God and fellow beings.

“It is this love for all that I now beseech all to show to one another. As a country, we need it to engender growth and development. Let our leaders show love to the citizens by ensuring that whatever policy they make is well thought out to be harmless or not injurious to the well-being of the people. The citizens on the other hand owe it a duty to obey the leaders, show understanding and pray for them to do well in office.

“At our individual level, let’s relate with one another without any form of discrimination just like Jesus Christ was doing during His earthly ministry up to the point of His death on the Cross when He still prayed for His adversaries. If we love one another genuinely without any form of barrier or sentiment, there would be less tension in our environment. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ is expecting from true believers.”

• It’s reflection of pathetic colonial mentality, says Keyamo

NIGERIAN writer, Chimamanda Adichie, yesterday drew flak from the Director of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo for seeking to discredit the February 25 presidential election in the country.

Director Media and Publicity Tinubu/Shettima Campaign, Bayo Onanuga and an APC chieftain, Dr. Josef Onoh, also berated her for her action.

Adichie had, in an open letter to US President Joe Biden on Thursday, asked him    not to accept the result of the election, citing alleged discrepancies and irregularities during the polls.

But Keyamo, writing on Twitter yesterday, called Adichie’s letter a reflection of pathetic colonial mentality.

The Minister of State for Labour said Adichie’s “long epistles written in flowery or purple prose” were of no consequence in a world where “Presidents of countries make decisions and take actions about other countries’ affairs (albeit within the limits of sovereignty of States in International Law) based on reports from official and diplomatic sources likely to have been conveyed through well-established channels of communications.”

“Long epistles written in flowery or purple prose by bitter supporters of sore losers, posing as ‘concerned citizens’ (but in reality actuated by ethnic politics) do not fall within these official or diplomatic sources,” he said  in the tweet entitled: “NIGERIA’S BURGEONING (NOT HOLLOW) DEMOCRACY” .

He added: “It is befuddling that someone often celebrated for using a God-given talent to promote our African values, will so tragically degrade that same ethos by penning a letter that is so petty, so groveling in its tone in urging a single foreign power to withhold a mere congratulatory message to our President-elect as if that is what actually validates our own democratic identity. It reflects a pathetic colonial mentality.

“It is even more ironic to realise that the same foreign power to which the obsequious appeal is directed is still grappling with the credibility of its own internal democratic process that produced its present leadership.

“More tragic is that some rabid supporters here are falling over themselves in deluded ecstasy for such a worthless letter that may not even be considered worthy enough, in a diplomatic sense, for the attention of even a stenographer to an Under Secretary in the US. Such only paints the picture of a band of drowning supporters clutching at any straw to stay afloat.

“As for the empirical fallacies contained in the letter, I will not bother myself here with a lengthy response as enough have been said in the last few weeks in respect of those specific issues and all the issues are before our Justices awaiting adjudication. But I have bad news for them: the stenographer will probably toss the letter into a trash bin with the conclusion that it is no more than the tantrums of a Trump reincarnate in Nigeria – those who refuse to accept obvious defeat! Yes, the US has the likes of that writer in their midst, too!”

Trash the letter; it’s Fiction, Onanuga tells Biden

In his own tweet, Onanuga asked President Biden to thrash the letter as soon as its reaches his desk for it is all fiction.

“Dear President Joe Biden, please just trash the open letter by Chimamanda on Nigeria’s election once it gets to your desk. She wrote fiction, inspired by the monumental loss of her tribesman Peter Obi,” he said

Tinubu will be sworn-in, Onoh counters Chimamanda Adichie

Also faulting Adichie, an APC chieftain Dr. Josef Onoh said the letter was in bad faith because of the colossal failure of Peter Obi, her preferred presidential candidate, in the election.

Adichie’s dilemma, Onoh said, stemmed from her ignorance of the rules of international diplomacy, self-serving interest while attempting to use any medium, no matter how irrelevant to promote her brand.

He said he did not expect Adichie in her international clout-chasing acceptance ego trip to have taken time to understand the complexity surrounding international diplomacy.

“It’s a fact that the US Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability outlines a ten-year, whole-of-government effort to foster peace and long-term stability through integrated diplomacy, development, and security-sector engagement.

“The Strategy builds upon and strengthens the work done to implement the U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security, which has given migrants like Chimamanda Adichie the platform to excel and today demonstrate the liberty to write the US President over the loss of her preferred Presidential candidate in the just concluded 2023 Nigeria elections, while attempting to hide under the guise of an activist fighting for a self-perceived collective right rather than accept the reality before her that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the president -elect and incoming president of Nigeria.

Former Nasarawa Deputy Governor Prof Onje Gyewado has been kidnapped in his village in Wamba local government area of the state.

Gyewado was Deputy between 1999-2003 under former Governor Abdullahi Adamu.

The commissioner of police, Nasarawa State Police command, CP Maiyaki Baba said the command is intensifying search to rescue the former Deputy Governor.

A statement by the command PPRO, DSP Rahman Nansel said::”the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, CP Maiyaki Baba has reassured the general public, especially the family of Prof Onje Gye-wado that effort is ongoing to rescue the victim who was abducted by yet to be Identified hoodlums in the early hours of Friday,  as Police tactical operatives have intensified search and rescue operation”

Read Also: Deaf, dumb 15-year-old girl gang-raped in Nasarawa narrates ordeal

“Information received by the command indicated that on 7/4/2023 at about 12:30am, unknown gunmen invaded Gwagi village in Wamba LGA, broke into the residence of one Prof. Onje Gye-wado and abducted him to an unknown destination”

“Upon receipt of the information, Police operatives attached to Wamba Division swiftly moved to the scene, but the hoodlums had fled with the victim before their arrival”

“The Commissioner of Police further mobilised and deployed reinforcement comprising Police tactical teams, military, vigilante, and local hunters to complement the ongoing search to rescue the hostage hale and hearty and arrest the perpetrators of the act”

“The Commissioner of Police therefore call on anyone with useful information that will enable the Police to succeed in the rescue operation to call the following telephone numbers: 09115629178, 09067877096, 08112692680 and 08104441179.”