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Tag: David Umaru

  • I remain APC flag bearer in Niger east, says Senator-elect

    The Senator-elect for Niger East, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Musa has described news making round that the All Progressives Congress (APC) might have made a U-turn on his candidature as false.

    He said reports that the party has endorsed Senator David Umaru as the party’s flag bearer for the zone as false and an act of crass desperation.

    The report, he said, was a deliberate attempt to ignite crisis and set the state, especially Niger East senatorial district, on an avoidable and unnecessary political turmoil.

    The Senator-elect in a statement by a member of the Advisory Committee of Mohammed Sani Musa Campaign Council, Honorable Nma Kolo, said the publication titled: “Niger East: APC Makes U-turn, Backs David Umaru” was an impunity to upturn the collective will of the peace loving people of Niger East Senatorial district.

    “There is no iota of truth in the publication. It is another ploy to upturn the will of the people which was earlier declared at the party’s primary where the Senator-elect has emerged as the APC candidate and his overwhelming endorsement at the February 23 National Assembly election was a testament of the love his people have for him.

    “It will be foolhardy for Senator David Umaru to get what he lost at the party’s primary through the pages of newspapers.

    “Aside from the emergence of the Senator-elect as the flag bearer at the party through primary, the Federal High Court judgement also affirmed him as the bonafide APC candidate, a position that was further endorsed at a general election”.

    The statement further noted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already recognised Mohammed Sani Musa as the Senatorial candidate before the elections.

    He added that the electoral body had in a letter dated 15th February, 2019 signed by Mrs. Rose Oriaram-Anthony, the Secretary of the Commission, directed the Niger state Resident Electoral Commissioner to remove Senator David Umaru as the Senatorial candidate of APC for Niger East Senatorial District.

    The letter, he added, instructed Umaru should be replaced with Musa in pursuant to a court order.

    Musa said: “Titled, “Forwarding of Commission’s Decision Pursuant to Order of Court in suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/140/2018 – Mohmmed Sani Musa V. APC& 2 Others”, the letter directed the REC to update the record and reflect it on the final list.

    “The truth of the matter is that Alhaji Mohammed Sani Musa, remain not only the APC candidate, he is also the Senator-elect for Niger East Senatorial District.”

    The Senator-elect called on his supporters to disregard any information contrary to the facts that have been on ground while urging perpetrators of such news to avoid means of igniting crisis in the state.

  • Armed bandits kidnap 15, kill nine in Niger

    Armed bandits have killed nine people and kidnapped 15 others in a recent attack in Banda, Malfa and Tunga villages in Kurebe and kwaki wards of Shiroro local government area of Niger state.

    It was learnt that 11 women and girls were raped and injured and are currently hospitalized in critical condition after the attack which occurred over the weekend.

    In a press statement by the Senator representing North East Senatorial District, Senator David Umaru, he revealed that last week, several attacks were carried out in some villages across the district.

    According to him, a woman, her daughter and a Royal Prince were abducted at Kwararamai, three persons were killed whilst three others were abducted in Malfa adding that villages like Kwararamai, Jankuta and Marraraban Bataro were also attacked as 17 persons were abducted in one night.

    “It is with a heavy heart and a very sad mood that I issue this statement today on a most callous and brutal armed attack on my good people of Badna, Malfa, Tunga villages and surrounding communities in Kurebe and Kwaki wards of shiroro area within Niger East Senatorial District.

    “I am particularly saddened and shocked at the cruel massacre of nine people of my constituents, the kidnap of 15 innocent people mostly women and girls in an attack in which several others were raped, injured and hospitalized with 11 in critical condition.

    “It is painful to note that this incident which occurred not more than 36 hours ago is just one amongst several other brazen attacks that have been carried out in the area in recent times.”

    The Senator who called for urgent security intervention and sufficient security personnel to be drafted to these villages stated that the areas are no longer safe for the people to live in.

    “These incidents which are still very fresh our memories are quick reminders of the present reality in this area that lives and properties of the inhabitants of these communities are no longer safe. There is, therefore, the need for urgent intervention by security agencies.

    Read Also: NAF kills scores of bandits in Zamfara

    He called on security agencies to give priority again to securing lives and properties of the villagers in order to build on the peace that have prevailed in the area before the gangsters resurfaced recently, “All the Security and relevant Government agencies should focus attention on the worst affected areas in Shiroro, Munya and Rafi Local Government areas.

    “I therefore humbly call on the Niger state Commissioner of Police and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1st Div. Kaduna to deploy sufficient personnel to the hot spots particularly in surrounding villages in kurebe/Kushaka, and kwaki/chukuba, wards of shiroro local government area of Niger state. Attention should, nonetheless, also be given to areas under serious threats in Munya and Rafi LGAs.”

  • Senate wants FG to immortalise Kutigi

    The Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to immortalise late former Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN), Justice Idris Kutigi, by naming a national monument after him.

    Kutigi died on Saturday in a London hospital at the age of 78 years.

    The senate’s resolution to honour the deceased former CJN emanated from a motion sponsored by Sen. David Umaru, representing Niger-East Senatorial District, the deceased’s constituency.

    Umaru described the former CJN as a gentleman, who occupied the Bench with “unquestionable integrity, character, industry and dignity” during his lifetime.

    He added that Kutigi left behind indelible footprints and enduring legacies in the Nigerian judiciary.

    The senator recalled that Kutuigi had a distinguished career in the legal profession at the state and federal levels that spanned 40 years.

    The deceased, according to him, was the first Niger indigene to be appointed to the Supreme Court, and so far, the only CJN in Nigeria’s history to swear in his successor.

    “During his tenure as CJN, he initiated reforms that began the process of repositioning the Nigerian judiciary into a strong, independent and impartial judiciary.

    “Kutigi was a patriot and nationalist whose devotion to the development of Nigeria spurred him to continue to serve the nation even after his retirement.

    “This was exemplified by his acceptance to serve as the Chairman of the National Conference convened by the then President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014,” Umaru said.

    He commiserated with the Nigerian judiciary, the government and people of Niger over the passing of the erudite jurist.

    Contributing to the motion, Sen. Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), described Kutigi as a no-nonsense individual, and one of the few incorruptible judges in the country.

    Read Also: Buhari okays burial of former CJN at National cemetery

    Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi (Niger North) said the death of the former CJN was a national loss due to his immense contributions to the development of the country.

    On his part, Sen. Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) said Kutigi demonstrated “extraordinary integrity, calmness and disposition towards efficient dispensation of justice while on the Bench of the Supreme Court as CJN’’.

    Umeh, who was a delegate to the 2014 National Conference, recalled how the deceased was able to successfully steer the forum, characterised by “so many contentious issues and frayed nerves”.

    “It is to his credit that in spite of the turbulent conference we had in 2014, we were able to reach 600 important resolutions on very important national issues by consensus; we never voted on any item.

    “As much as people felt very strongly on certain matters, Kutigi was able to navigate the conference both inside and outside plenary to reach middle grounds on many issues canvassed,” he said.

    The senators consequently resolved to send a high-powered delegation to commiserate with Kutigi’s family, the government and people of Niger.

  • Two serving senators lose primaries in Niger

    …..David Umaru Cries Foul

     

    Two of the serving Senators of the All Progressives Congress, APC Niger state, Barrister David Umaru and Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi have lost in the senatorial primaries held across the state on Tuesday.

    Two time serving Senator David Umaru who is the Chairman, Senate committee on Judiciary and Human Rights lost the Niger East senatorial district to new entrant, Alhaji Sani Musa.

    While in Niger north senatorial district, the Senate Spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi lost to the state serving Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affair, Alhaji Zakari Jikantoro.

    However, Senator David Umaru who assessed newsmen on Wednesday claimed that the APC Senatorial Primaries was a sham as it was bedeviled with intimidation from thugs and votes buying.

    He accused the State Working Committee of the party of skewing the election and rigging it in favour of a particular candidate expressing concern over the electoral fraud committed in the state.

    “Thugs were used to beat up and chased away my supporters and disrupted voting. In many cases elections were not done but results were manufactured and announced. This is shame to APC and I condemned it in total”.

    He called on the national chairman of the party to quickly intervene before strangers destroy the party which was formed on the principle of justice and fairness.

    “I called on the National Chairman and those who mean well for the party to intervene and cancel the results of senatorial primaries in the state in order to save the party in the state”.

    Read Also: Cross River: SDP affirms Ekpo as gubernatorial candidate

    Also, in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial Primaries, former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Gimba and former PDP Chairman in the state, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Enagi lost the primaries in their respective senatorial districts.

    In Niger east senatorial district, legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ibrahim Isyaku emerged the party’s candidate after defeating three other candidates, in Niger south, former House of Representatives member, Alhaji Baba Shehu Agaie emerged the party’s flag bearer after defeating former Minister of Youth and Sport Development, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Gimba and former PDP Chairman in the state, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Enagi, while in Niger North senatorial district, Mohammadu Sani Duba emerged the party candidate unopposed.

  • Senate to debate FG’s ‘constitutional breaches’

    The Senate on Tuesday resolved to debate allegations of constitutional and human rights violations by the Federal Government

    The debate should have been conducted on the day but for unavoidable absence of the lead promoter of the matter, Senator David Umaru.

    Umaru is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

    The enactment of the controversial “Executive Order No. 006 as an Executive legislation which allows security agents to freeze suspicious assets without recourse to court and the continuous detention of a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), in total disregard of court orders, were listed for debate by the senators.

    The issues were listed in a motion titled: “Alarming rise in cases of alleged human rights violations and consistent assault on the provisions of the 1999 Constitution by the Executive.”

    The controversial Executive Order was listed as the Senate’s first Order of the Day and Umaru was to lead the debate before it was suspended.

    Although the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’ Allah, read the Order to signal commencement of the debate, the absence of the motion’s sponsor forced the Senate to suspend the debate till another legislative day.

    The motion read: “Recalls with nostalgia, Nigeria’s tortuous journey to constitutional democracy which reached its climax with the promulgation of the 1999 Constitution and its adoption as the ground norm. The reins of power were subsequently handed over by the military junta to democratically elected leaders on May 29, 1999;

    “Further recalls the immense sacrifices made by Nigerians of diverse backgrounds in our quest for democracy with some of the heroes and heroines of the struggle paying the ultimate price in exchange for the democracy we all enjoy today;

    “Concerned that in the last few years, Nigeria’s democratic credentials have become questionable as a result of the alarming cases of alleged state-inspired human rights violations and consistent constitutional infractions perpetrated by agencies of government;

    “Alarmed that in the recent past, allegations abound that the executive has not only consistently violated the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens particularly the rights to dignity of human person and right to personal liberty as guaranteed respectively under section 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended but also infringed on the constitution in several ways. Notable instances of such human rights violations are well documented by the Human Rights Watch and other reputable human rights organizations and they include the following:

    • Continuous detention of a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), for over two years in total disregard of over four court orders including that of the ECOWAS Court which granted him bail pending his trial over money laundering charges.
    • Continuous incarceration of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria also known as Shiite, Sheik lbrahim El-Zakzaki, for over two years contrary to an order of the Federal High Court which ordered his release in 2016.
    • Lack of accountability for human rights violations by security agencies and other militant elements including armed herdsmen, heavy-handed violent responses to peaceful protests as exemplified by previous crackdown on agitators for the Independent State of Biafra ( IP0B) and the recent violent clashes between the police and suspected members of the MN who were protesting the release of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaki, in Abuja and Kaduna respectively.

     

  • Suleja Flood: Senate urges FG to release funds for construction of drainage systems

    Suleja Flood: Senate urges FG to release funds for construction of drainage systems

    The Senate has urged the Federal Government to release funds to Niger Government for immediate construction of drainage systems in Suleja, Tafa and other flood-prone areas of the state.

    It said that it was an emergency intervention measure on the flood which devastated the areas and claimed some lives and property on Saturday.

    The upper chamber also called on the government to send relief materials to the affected areas and states and support them in other ways for immediate repair of damaged infrastructure that could withstand future rainfall.

    It equally urged the government to intensify its weather forecasts in languages widely spoken in areas that were likely to experience flood, thunderstorms and other extreme weather conditions.

    These followed a motion by Sen. David Umaru (APC-Niger) on “The Flood Disaster that Affected Suleja and Tafa Local Government Areas of Niger and other parts of the country“ during plenary on Tuesday.

    He said that the Senate was concerned that the scale of devastation was beyond the capacity of the two areas and indeed, Niger government to handle except with intervention from relevant agencies of government.

    Umaru said recent flood disasters in the country appeared to have caught victims off guard in spite of early forecasts, including prediction of flood and other extreme weather conditions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

    According to him, the victims of these incidents are presently at the risk of contracting water-borne diseases such as cholera as a result of the devastation caused by the flood to their sanitation and immediate surroundings.

    Supporting the motion, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi (APC-Niger) described the incident as unfortunate.

    “What has happened in Suleja is a clear confirmation of the fact that this is something that requires a much more robust action from government so that we can prevent the unfortunate loss of lives and livelihoods of our citizens.

    “Even though the recommendations are straight forward, we need to look at these issues from the actions we have put in place from the legislative perspective.

    “This is so, so that year-in year-out, these problems as we face them, we will have a robust mechanism for attending to the problems as they come so that we are not having an ad hoc arrangement to attend to these issues,” Abdullahi said.

    After the motion and contributions, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, put the resolutions to vote and they were unanimously adopted.

  • Niger East By-election: Court upholds Umaru’s victory

    Niger East By-election: Court upholds Umaru’s victory

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja this morning reaffirmed Barrister David Umaru of All Progressives Congress (APC) as the lawful winner and Senator-elect for Niger East Senatorial district by-election conducted in August last year.

    The court dismissed the appeal by Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who challenged the quashing of his victory by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in January.

    The Court had earlier dismissed the appeal filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and PDP in the same case for failing to transmit the records of proceedings of the lower court that ruled on the matter.

    Nuhu had on September 7, 2014 been declared winner of the Niger East Senatorial by-election by INEC, a development was contested at the election tribunal by Umaru and judgement given in favour of the APC candidate.

    Meanwhile Umaru will be flying the APC flag at Niger East Senatorial election against the state governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of PDP.