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Tag: INSECURITY

  • Insecurity: FG delegation meets leaders of Miyatti Allah in Kebbi

    A Federal Government delegation met yesterday with the national leaders of Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as part of efforts to curtail security challenges in the country.

    Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, who led the government delegation said the meeting was part of regional action plan on security challenges.

    “It is part of steps we have taken to curtail the issue of insecurity and clashes between herdsmen and farmers,” he said.

    “You should not forget the fact that we have extended the meeting as a regional one when the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) hosted a conference on this.

    “This kind of issues were discussed, and part of it was to provide national action plan on security challenges and solutions by all the members of the ECOWAS Commission and to present them for consideration.

    “That is the main reason we have come to Kebbi State to dialogue with leaders of herdsmen as part of the process.”

    Dambazau added that another aspect of the meeting was to ensure the provision of food security in the country.

    Also speaking, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu, said that the issue of insecurity in the country was beyond herdsmen and farmers’ crisis.

    “The criminals have infiltrated into the crisis, and we should cooperate and deal decisively with the culprits, hence we called for this interaction.

    “Those criminals that are beyond redemption, will be dealt with and brought to book,” Adamu said.

    In his remark, Gov. Atiku Bagudu, commended the Federal Government for selecting the state as the host on the interaction with stakeholders on national security and food sufficiency in the country.

    “This shows the seriousness of President Muhammadu Buhari administration in tackling the security challenges in the country,” said Bagudu.

    The President of MACBAN, Alhaji Muhammad Kiruwa, commended the Federal Government for sending the security delegation to interact with leaders of the association.

    “This is the first of its kind in the history of this country for a president of the country to direct his security aids to interact with an aggrieved party to air their views.

    “This meeting will serve as a foundation for peace between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers, and amongst the Fulanis themselves,” Kiruwa said.

    He assured the Federal Government of their support and cooperation in finding a lasting solution to lingering security challenges in the country.

    Other members of the government delegation were the Director -General, Department of the State Security Services (DSS), Alhaji Yusuf Bichi; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Alhaji Ahmed Rufai, among others.

  • Again, Reps invite Buhari over insecurity

    THe House of Representatives has invited  President Muhammadu Bihari for the second time in a month to address it and the nation on the insecurity challenge across the country and the measures he has in place to address it. The lawmakers, on April 11, gave the President 48 hours to appear before them to address the same issue.

    The President did not turn up and no time was attached to the latest invitation.

    But following the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance by Ahmed Safana (Kaduna) on the need for Federal Government’s intervention on the current killing of innocent persons, destruction of property, armed robbery and kidnappings by armed bandits in Katsina State, the House also urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Katsina State as an immediate step to contain armed banditry.

    The House also advised the Federal Government to deploy the military to areas under attack to assist the police and other security agencies in flushing out criminals operating in Safana/Batsari/Dansamu Federal Constituency of Katsina State.

    Safana argued that the current attacks on various communities within Safana/Batsari/Dansamu Federal Constituency by heavily armed bandits were worsening insecurity in those areas.

    He said: “The recent spate of the attacks on members of my constituency has reached an alarming stage. The perpetrators of this dastardly act continuously kill innocent persons in my constituency and set their homes ablaze while defenceless men and women are abducted to unknown destination.

    “Up to four villages within my constituency are currently under attack in the last 48 hours. They are: Massa Village in Batasari Local Government Area, where five persons have been killed; Alhazawa Village in Safana Local Government Area has been totally displaced. Guzurawa village in Safana Local Government Area also had several persons murdered in cold blood. Just yesterday (Wednesday), Gobirawa village came under attack with 12 dead bodies littering in the bush, while many are still missing.

    “These killings have continued unabated and these bandits seem to be unstoppable with a specific instance at Gobirawa Village in Safana Local Government Area where the bereaved villagers were forced to abandon the bodies during the burial and scamper for safety when they sighted the bandits coming back to launch another offensive.

    “These bandits, who operate at night and in broad daylight on motorbikes, parade sophisticated weapons, including AK47 assault rifles and other weapons against my constituents.

    “Despite persistent cries from the affected communities, security operatives appear not being proactive, especially on security tip-off. Most times, they fail to respond promptly.

    “It should be noted that the fundamental duty of any government is the protection and preservation of lives and property by being responsive in the face of this type of cruelty and atrocity committed against its citizen.

    “It is also the constitutional duty and responsibility of this hallowed chamber to take action whenever these levels of inhuman and brutal attacks are inflicted on any community or group of people.”

    Edward Pwajok (PDP, Plateau) noted that Nigeria appeared to be like a failed state with the levity with which it handles insecurity.

    Muhammad Monguno (APC, Borno) regretted that Nigeria had always been treating the symptoms rather than the cause of the insecurity challenge.

    He suggested that teeming unemployed youths of the country should be empowered through agriculture to create means of livelihood for them to prevent them from being used for vices.

    The lawmaker also tasked the National Assembly to double the national budget for agriculture.

    Bashir Babale (APC, Kano) urged President Buhari to reappraise the performance of his heads of security agencies from the North, saying they ought to be very concerned about the level of insecurity in the land.

    The House advised the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently provide materials to victims of attacks.

    The motion was unanimously adopted after a voice vote.

  • PDP chair Secondus attacks Buhari on insecurity

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has bemoaning the spate of killings and kidnappings across country, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari’s “incompetence” in the handling of governance was taking a huge toll on the nation.

    Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Secondus observed that the frightening security situation has continued to raise concerns among prominent Nigerians, including clerics and monarchs.

    He said the situation has got to a point where the citizenry are raising questions as to whether the country still has a Commander-In-Chief.

    Urging the President to seek quality advice on the security challenges, Secondus said: “While the Presidency continues to argue that there exists government in our country today, what obtains in reality is different.

    “The level of bloodletting occasioned by the barrage of criminalities across the country can only be happening in a country without government.

    “Things got even worse as the remaining goodwill of the people on this government vanished after it arm-twisted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into tampering with the will of the people in the February 23 presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Read also: 9th Senate: PDP plots Goje-Ekweremadu ticket

    “There is no evidence of the presence of government in this country as crimes of all kinds are being committed all over the country and Nigerians have never lived in such great fear and trembling for their lives.

    “From Kaduna to Zamfara, Benue to Taraba, Plateau, Lagos to Enugu etc., bloodletting is continuing unabated.

    “Even the President’s home state of Katsina has lost about eight local government areas to bandits, not to talk of the North East.

    “Everyone holding public office must know that one day, they will be held accountable for their actions.”

    Secondus deplored the incessant killings in Kaduna State, where a British humanitarian aide worker, Faye Mooney and others were shot dead by gunmen last week.

    He blamed the heightened insecurity in Kaduna State on what he described as “provocative leadership” existing in the state, which he said is being indirectly encouraged by the Federal Government.

    “The situation has deteriorated to the extent that this country can no longer protect the lives of international aid workers who are here to help us clear our mess.

    “The senseless, continuous bloodletting in Kaduna State should be blamed on the type of provocative leadership existing in that state and indirectly encouraged by the federal government.

    “The ‘body bag’ governor in the state does not seem to know how to engender peace among the people. His actions and utterances facilitate instead of ameliorating the ill feelings among the people.”

  • Govts, Army, Senate tackle insecurity

    The Federal Government yesterday revealed how illegal mining activities aggravated insecurity in Zamfara before its April 7 prohibition order and launch of special operations to stop bandits in the state.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who featured at a Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Programme, “Good Morning Nigeria”, said banditry, kidnapping, killing and cattle rustling were largely sponsored by the illegal miners in the state.

    Speaking on the Programme monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the minister said the miners were fueling instability in the state to pave the way for their illegal activities.

    “People begin to ask what is the nexus between instability in Zamfara, kidnapping and banditry and illegal mining.

    “There is a lot. For instance, if you are doing illegal mining, abinitio, it is illegal. The more unsettled the area is the better for you.

    “We find out that a lot of ammunition and money were being turned out to the bandits so as to make the area ungovernable. The higher the rate of the crisis the better for the illegal miners,” he said.

    The minister said that the commencement of “Operation PUFF- ADDER”, a full-scale security offensive against the bandits, had yielded results in the past weeks.

    “We have a harvest of criminals many of them arrested, their actions neutralised and cache of ammunition recovered.

    “On the April 14, they neutralized 11 kidnappers, recovered six AK47, 1200 rounds of ammunition.

    “Shortly after that, they were able to arrest those who kidnapped the Channels Television correspondent,” he said.

    Mohammed urged Nigerians to give deserving credit to the police and the military who, though overstretched, are doing their best to keep the country safe.

    The Federal Government had banned mining activities in Zamfara, ordering foreigners within mining sites to vacate the area within 48 hours.

    The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who disclosed this after a security meeting at the presidential villa on April 7, said the licences of individuals and companies that disobey the directive to stop the activities would be revoked.

    He had assured sustained efforts to flush out, and permanently put an end to banditry and criminality in the state.

    Read also: How to end insurgency, by Buratai

    Buratai harps on cross-border cooperation

     

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai yesterday said the military is deepening regional and inter-state cooperation in some of its operations in Northwest and Northeast, in a bid to tackling security challenges.

    Gen. Buratai spoke after paying a courtesy call on Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai at the Government House in Kaduna.

    He explained that the approach was to expand military cooperation, where criminals crossing into neighbouring countries were pursued and apprehended.

    ”As long as we are the one pursuing them, we have the right to enter into the territory of a neighbouring country to deal with them and the country has also been granted permission to pursue criminals into our own territory,” he said.

    Gen. Buratai also stressed that similar approach is also applicable locally, as the military operations cut across all states of the federation, adding that criminals spilling over to another state or command would be pursued and apprehended.

    “We used to have this problem before — criminals crossing over to other state and commanders saying, ‘no it is not my area of operation’. This would no longer be tenable, as the commanders have been directed appropriately,” he said.

    He also assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to work assiduously with other sister services, including the Police and other security agencies, to restore security to the region.

    He explained that the operational bases in Birnin Gwari and Kafanchan will soon be transformed into a full battalion.

    Buratai thanked the state government for its support and encouragement for the military formations and personnel deployed within the state.

    According to him, the state government has contributed in so many ways to the operations of the Army, including procuring new vehicles, provision of accommodation and engaging in public sensitisation on security matters.

    El-Rufai thanked the Army for its security support, especially for the establishment of the military base in Kafanchan, in the southern part of the state.

    He said the military base in Kafanchan has brought about relative peace in the area and environs.

    The governor, who was represented by Deputy Governor Bala Bantex, lauded the adoption of regional cooperation in handling the security situation.

     

    Nigeria seeks Russia’s help

     

    The Federal Government has solicited the cooperation of Russia to eliminate the Boko Haram insurgents from Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin countries.

    Minister of Defence Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali made the appeal on Wednesday at the 8th Moscow “Conference on International Security.’’

    Gen. Dan-Ali also sought Russia’s cooperation in securing the maritime domain of the Gulf of Guinea.

    Gen. Dan-Ali said Russia’s experience in counter-terrorism operations is required to bring the scourge of terrorism (Boko Haram) to an end.

    “Military and technical assistance in this respect will be highly appreciated,’’ he said, adding that its cooperation in critical infrastructural development, especially the modernisation of Nigeria’s military arsenal is needed.

    “It is the intention of Nigeria to leverage on Russia’s support to attain technological emancipation of our Military Industrial Complex and training of Nigerians especially in medicine, science and technology.’’

    Gen. Dan-Ali expressed concern over the rise in terrorism and insurgency in the continent with specific reference to Boko Haram in Lake Chad Basin countries, Al-Shabaab in Somalia/Kenya, and Islamic State in Mali.

    He said those “non-state actors tend to undermine the monopoly of the state over the use of coercive instruments of power as a result of widespread proliferation of small arms and light weapons.’’

    “Since 2009, my country Nigeria has been combating terrorism engendered by an Islamic Sect called Boko Haram.

    “Members of the Boko Haram sect have carried out series of bombings of public places and killed many innocent citizens.

    “The group has over the years been receiving inspiration, training as well as mutual support from other transnational terror groups within and outside Africa.

    “Nonetheless, owing to the sustained counterinsurgency operations by Nigeria and other countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission which include Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, the Boko Haram terrorist network has been overwhelmed and the leadership structure is presently decimated,’’ he said.

    The minister expressed gratitude to the Russian government for its numerous training and scholarship which have been of immense benefit to Nigerians over the years, as well as recent military hardware procurement initiative.

    On the Gulf of Guinea, the minister said Russia’s assistance is needed to curb the incidences of sea robbery, piracy on the seas, hijacking of ships and other ocean-going vessels.

    He said adequate policing of the waterways of the gulf would combat large scale pollution, impair incidence of illegal dumping of toxic or radioactive wastes.

    Gen. Dan-Ali said the pervasive security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea include piracy and armed robbery against ships in the region.

    “The region remains increasingly dangerous for seafarers. From the International Maritime Bureau Report of 2019, the Gulf of Guinea accounts for all six hijackings worldwide, 13 of the 18 ships fired upon, 130 of the 141 hostages taken globally and 78 of the 83 seafarers kidnapped for ransom in 2018.

    “These figures depict the inherent danger to commercial shipping activities in the region,’’ he said.

    He promised that Nigeria would create the legal and environmental conditions to accelerate Russian investment in the country, expand trade and achieve a better balance in the trade relationship.

    According to him, at the moment both countries’ trade ties are lopsided in favour of Russia.

    “Russia is the biggest market in Europe, while Nigeria is the biggest market in Africa. The trade relations have been below expectation leaving a gap for many unexploited potentials.

    “Nigeria will also be interested in Russia helping to build nuclear power plants, petroleum pipelines, railways and other infrastructural development investments in oil and gas sector,’’ he said.

    Continue in page 2

  • Insecurity: When will our prophets speak out?

    SIR: In Nigeria, it has become a norm to visit seers or fortune tellers or prophets or some sorts of spiritualists to foreknow distant events and happenings. This foreknowledge is either for the seeker’s good or perhaps his community or even the nation.

    It is a usual practice to hear prophecies (and predictions) by spiritualists on who becomes either the president or governor or senator as the case may be. After every four years, diverse contradictory predictions and declarations are made. In fact, some of them go as far as declaring the party to be on the watch out for and also, anointing aspirants vying for political positions and foretelling political events with their timings.

    Those whose prophecies or predictions come to pass were seen as ‘gods’ and are often revered and held in high esteem. Some are even worshipped and rewarded with huge sums or favors.

    From 2009 when the Boko Haram (BH) terrorist group came to limelight, nobody imagined they would sooner constitute a major threat to Nigeria and the neighboring countries up north. With the accolades, recognition and good recommendations given to Nigeria military especially by the international community, no one ever thought that BH would last this long. It was believed that the military would flush them out within days or at most months.

    Eventually, thousands of lives have been, and are still being lost to BH terrorists, without any hope of their defeat at sight. Also, the Kaduna-Zamfara-Katsina-Sokoto axis has become another hotspot for the congregation of bandits and kidnappers who operate at will. They kill, maim, kidnap, harass, rape, steal and commit all manner of atrocities with little or no confrontation by the security forces.

    It is common knowledge that communities and highways are no longer safe in Nigeria’s northwest, especially Abuja-Kaduna highway. These bandits have also captured several rural communities and had long set up rulers who receive tax from the poor peasants while the government looks the other way.

    Also, herdsmen terrorize, attack, kill, kidnap and even destroy farmlands in north-central states and some parts of the northeast, southeast, south-south and even the far southwest. The continuous and unabated high-level attacks launched by these herdsmen in several communities in southern Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Taraba and Adamawa states have long been classified as genocidal.

    Every day in Nigeria, hundreds of lives are wasted. Nigeria is gradually becoming a killing field. All these deaths are avoidable, but the governments at different levels are doing very little or nothing about them. Some governors and leaders have openly declared their helplessness to this carnage and evil without resigning their positions.

    Where are the prophets, seers and spiritualists? As long as we keep hearing of revelations and prophecies and predictions on who becomes what on the political space, our ears now long to hear prophecies and predictions on when the killings in Nigeria will stop.

    Dear Nigerian prophets, seers, and spiritualists, our security space are also very important. In fact, more important than our politics.  As you may know, our security forces and military are overstretched and tired already.

    With the 2019 elections over, let the attention of the spiritualists be poised on the killings. The same energy, vigor, and enthusiasm they had in making known their predictions during the electioneering, I humbly request that they put same in letting us know when these killings will stop.

    The lives lost daily are worth far more than mere political aspirations of few individuals. As you always prophesied and predicted to our politicians after every four years, please, prophets, seers, and spiritualists prophesy NOW.

    • Reuben Rine, kalomovaah@yahoo.com

  • Insecurity: SERAP seeks disclosure of spending on ‘security votes’

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the 36 state governors to provide information on specific details of spending of the funds appropriated as security votes between 2011 till date.

    The request, dated April 12, was made under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

    In the separate requests to Buhari and the governors, SERAP said: “Given the current security realities in the country, we need the information to determine if public funds meant to provide security and ensure respect and protection of the rights to life, physical integrity, and liberty of Nigerians have been spent for this purpose.”

    It stated that its request is limited to details of visible, specific security measures and projects executed and does not include spending on intelligence operations.

    SERAP urged President Buhari and the governors to: “disclose, including by publishing on a dedicated website, details of spending of public funds appropriated as security votes between 2011 to date, and specific security measures and projects on which such funds have been spent; put in place concrete measures to end the patently unconstitutional, illegal and widespread appropriation of public funds as security votes.”

    It also asked them to establish Joint Security Trust Funds with strong legal framework, oversight and auditing mechanisms, as a permanent replacement for the illegal and unconstitutional appropriation of public funds as security votes.

    The group contended that “Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government emphasizing that it is the security of the citizens that is intended and not the security of select individuals in public office.

    It said: “We are concerned that rather than serving the citizens, the appropriation of public funds as security votes over the years would seem to serve high-ranking government officials at all levels.

    “We are also concerned that the practice of security votes entrusts discretionary powers to spend huge public funds on certain elected public officials who may not have any idea of operational issues on security matters.

    “SERAP urges you to open-up on the matter and provide information and documents as requested. This will be one step in the right direction. Unless the information is urgently provided, Nigerians would continue to see the appropriation of public funds as security votes and the institutionalisation of this cash in ‘Ghana Must Go bags’ practice as a tool for self-enrichment.

    “We would be grateful if the requested information is provided to us within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, the Registered Trustees of SERAP shall take all appropriate legal action under the Freedom of Information Act to compel you to comply with our request.

    “The most general purpose of state power is to provide security for citizens and other residents and to enable them lead a life that is meaningful to them. However, the growing level of insecurity, violence, kidnappings and killings in Zamfara State and other parts of Nigeria suggest that successive governments have been unwilling or unable to satisfactorily implement this fundamental constitutional commitment.

    “SERAP believes that there is a strong link between corruption and insecurity, violence, kidnappings and killings in several parts of the country. Available evidence would seem to suggest that many of the tiers of government in Nigeria have used security votes as a conduit for grand corruption rather than spending the funds to improve and enhance national security and ensure full protection of Nigerians’ rights to life, physical integrity, and liberty.”

  • Why insecurity persists in Edo, by PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has said insecurity persists in the state because Governor Godwin Obaseki was not using the N500 million collected monthly as security vote for security purposes.

    It said there would be less insecurity if Obaseki was adequately spending the N500 million to boost security.

    Spokesman of the PDP Chris Nehikhare, who was reacting to the ongoing cult war in the state, said the people were yet to see Obaseki’s security outfit in action.

    According to him, the PDP was worried about the death of the young ones, especially as the elections draw near.

    But Governor Obaseki, who spoke through his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, said personnel of ‘Operation Wabaizighan,’ a security outfit set up to fight violent crimes, have been deployed and are in pursuit of the criminals fomenting trouble.

    Obaseki condemned the recent cult-related killings, and urged the people to remain calm as relevant security agencies work hard to fish out the culprits.

    He said: “The revamped security architecture is working to ensure that those responsible for the killings are prosecuted. We are constantly engaging with the top brass of security agencies, and they have promised their commitment to fish out the culprits.

    “We are a state that upholds law and order. I dare reiterate that no one is above the law, and this is why the police have gone after the hoodlums and will ensure that they are brought to book.”

    The governor also urged the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosun, and other relevant security agencies, to leave no stone unturned in fishing out those responsible for the clashes and resultant deaths

     

  • Lagos ANDP candidate decries rate of poverty, insecurity

    THE governorship candidate of the Advanced National Democratic Party (ANDP) in Lagos State, Dr. Olusegun Musa, has decried the high rate of poverty, unemployment and insecurity in the country.

    Speaking with reporters in Lagos, Musa who is a maritime and logistics expert wondered why citizens should be suffering and groaning in abject poverty in the midst of plenty.

    The governorship candidate lamented that both the federal and the Lagos State government have failed in their responsibilities to protect the lives and properties of the citizenry. He added that the rate of crime in the state has increased due to lack of jobs and high rate of poverty inflicted on the masses by the government.

    Musa advised the Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to focus on combating crime, unemployment and poverty in the state, instead of its current effort to beautify the environment, by constructing bus-stops and motor parks across the state.

    The ANDP candidate berated the Ambode-led APC government for failing to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people, after almost four years in power. He stressed that a government that cannot deliver in its electoral promises has failed the electorates and should be voted out of office.

    The governorship candidate contended that if elected into office he will carry out three major cardinal programmes of sports development, tourism and entertainment, to create jobs, revenue generation and to increase internally generated revenue.

    He stated that he was contesting for the governorship seat because the incumbent government has failed to address the excruciating poverty and deprivation, stressing that if elected he would make Ejigbo the Nollywood headquarters, to boost tourism and youths empowerment.

    The candidate averred that, if elected, he would provide modern general hospitals across the 57 local governments across the state and that civil servants will be given cars and houses on long term loans agreement. He also promised to provide water transportation and decongest the Apapa Port, as part of his programme to eradicate traffic gridlock in the Lagos metropolis.

    He attributed votes-buying and inducement of voters by politicians with money to the excruciating poverty in the land and the inordinate ambition by politicians to win elections at all cost. But he advised the electorates to collect the money and vote according to their conscience.

    Musa also took a swipe on the two major political parties, the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for using public funds to organise campaign rallies. He said his campaign is not being funded by anybody. He warned the opposition to stop destroying his posters across the state.

    While promising to integrate the youths and market women into his government, the ANDP chieftain contended that if elected he would retire 70 per cent of the permanent secretaries and make them commissioners. This, he said, would enhance good governance and the use of experienced technocrats to deliver his electoral promises.

    On how he would defeat the major contender in the race, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC, the ANDP candidate said Lagosians were tired of propaganda and lies and they are eagerly yearning for change. He added that the APC government in Lagos State has failed the people.

    He promised to run an e-government in the 57 local governments, in order to ensure effective service delivery and all-inclusive government devoid of partisanship and corrosive corruption.

     

     

  • Lagos ANDP candidate decries rate of poverty, insecurity

    THE governorship candidate of the Advanced National Democratic Party (ANDP) in Lagos State, Dr. Olusegun Musa, has decried the high rate of poverty, unemployment and insecurity in the country.

    Speaking with reporters in Lagos, Musa who is a maritime and logistics expert wondered why citizens should be suffering and groaning in abject poverty in the midst of plenty.

    The governorship candidate lamented that both the federal and the Lagos State government have failed in their responsibilities to protect the lives and properties of the citizenry. He added that the rate of crime in the state has increased due to lack of jobs and high rate of poverty inflicted on the masses by the government.

    Musa advised the Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to focus on combating crime, unemployment and poverty in the state, instead of its current effort to beautify the environment, by constructing bus-stops and motor parks across the state.

    The ANDP candidate berated the Ambode-led APC government for failing to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people, after almost four years in power. He stressed that a government that cannot deliver in its electoral promises has failed the electorates and should be voted out of office.

    The governorship candidate contended that if elected into office he will carry out three major cardinal programmes of sports development, tourism and entertainment, to create jobs, revenue generation and to increase internally generated revenue.

    He stated that he was contesting for the governorship seat because the incumbent government has failed to address the excruciating poverty and deprivation, stressing that if elected he would make Ejigbo the Nollywood headquarters, to boost tourism and youths empowerment.

    The candidate averred that, if elected, he would provide modern general hospitals across the 57 local governments across the state and that civil servants will be given cars and houses on long term loans agreement. He also promised to provide water transportation and decongest the Apapa Port, as part of his programme to eradicate traffic gridlock in the Lagos metropolis.

    He attributed votes-buying and inducement of voters by politicians with money to the excruciating poverty in the land and the inordinate ambition by politicians to win elections at all cost. But he advised the electorates to collect the money and vote according to their conscience.

    Musa also took a swipe on the two major political parties, the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for using public funds to organise campaign rallies. He said his campaign is not being funded by anybody. He warned the opposition to stop destroying his posters across the state.

    While promising to integrate the youths and market women into his government, the ANDP chieftain contended that if elected he would retire 70 per cent of the permanent secretaries and make them commissioners. This, he said, would enhance good governance and the use of experienced technocrats to deliver his electoral promises.

    On how he would defeat the major contender in the race, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC, the ANDP candidate said Lagosians were tired of propaganda and lies and they are eagerly yearning for change. He added that the APC government in Lagos State has failed the people.

    He promised to run an e-government in the 57 local governments, in order to ensure effective service delivery and all-inclusive government devoid of partisanship and corrosive corruption.

  • NGOs petition Buhari over insecurity, violence in Ogun

    A coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations has petitioned President Buhari over “growing intolerance and insecurity in Ogun State.”

    In a letter dated January 7, 2019, addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari and copied to the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of SSS, and signed by National Coordinator of Concerned Human Rights, Mr. Declan Ihekaire, National Coordinator of Legal Minds Forum,  Olayinka. Ola-Daniels, and National Coordinator of Committee for the Protection of People’s Mandate (COPM), Mr. Nelson Ekunjumi, the bodies said that “the Governor of Ogun State who swore to protect lives and property in Ogun State, should not be seen to directly and indirectly be in the forefront of heating up the polity of his state for any reason whatsoever.”

    The letter read further: “As concerned members of the Civil Society, we the underlisted organisations deem it as our civic duty to call Your Excellency’s attention to the growing intolerance and insecurity in Ogun State.

    The Governor of Ogun State who swore to protect lives and property in Ogun State, should not be seen to directly and indirectly be in the forefront of heating up the polity of his state for any reason whatsoever.  Unfortunately, Ogun State has become very tensed since the outcome of the party primaries of the All Progressive Congress (APC), won by Prince Dapo Abiodun on October 3, 2018.”

    “Various protests have been staged by elected councillors, commercial motorcycle riders, members of road transport unions, and many more, all at the suspected behest and sponsorship of those aggrieved by the outcome of the APC primaries which, though,  is an exercise of their democratic rights, but has further heated up the polity.

    However, we are very worried and disturbed that Governor Ibikunle Amosun, by his utterances, has become a threat to the peace and tranquillity of Ogun State, because he has been quoted copiously in the media as boasting that all hell will be let loose in Ogun State, except his anointed candidate for the governorship of Ogun State, by fire and force,  becomes the person he will handover power to in 2019.”

    “From our observations, many citizens of Nigeria notably politicians, surprisingly, of the same APC with Governor Amosun are now living in absolute fear and apprehension, while many others have left Ogun State for fear of their lives. The former Local Government Chairman in Ijebu- East, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, was to first raise alarm of threat to his life on September 8, 2018.”

    The bodies chronologically catalogued recent violent incidents in Ogun State and attacks on members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).  However, the groups complained that “Your Excellency Sir, all petitions on these violent incidences reported to the Ogun Police Commissioner are yet to yield response, rather, suspects allegedly arrested in connection with the incidents, have been set free by the police in Ogun State for unexplained reasons. Even when the matter was transferred to Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, the arrested suspects have also been let loose’’.