The Nation Newspaper

Tag: warn

  • Niger APC senatorial candidates warn against substitution of names

    The three senatorial candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State have sent a letter to the National Working Committee of the party informing them of the danger of substituting their names with those who did not win the primaries.

    The candidates threatened to give their votes to other political parties should their names be substituted.

    A statement in Minna, the state capital by Alhaji Muhammad Bima, who won the Niger South senatorial primary substituting their names would make APC lose the election.

    He threatened that if they are substituted, they would give their sympathy vote to other political parties to ensure that the imposed candidates do not win the 2019 elections.

    Bima said: “We’ve heard of the plans by the officials in Abuja to replace our names with those of the incumbent senators. We want to tell the party that doing so will elicit three things. One, it would destroy APC in Niger State. Two, it would tantamount to stealing the people’s mandate. And finally, APC would lose elections in the state because the people whose mandates were stolen would vote against the imposed candidates by giving sympathy votes to other parties.”

    Bima said the candidates understand the national headquarters’ desire to get the numbers to impeach the Senate President but that should not be done at the risk of losing the parties.

    He added: “Interestingly, those that the party is trying to give automatic tickets by supplanting us are friends of the Senate President. Therefore, it is improbable that they would turn around and fight him even after being given the tickets.”

    But by then it would have been too late because the party would not have been able to change their names.”

  • Police warn IPOB against sit-at-home order

    The Anambra State Police Command has warned the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to desist from threatening people or face its wrath.

    The command asked the residents to go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation over the purported planned sit-at-home by the “faceless” group.

    IPOB, last week, declared September 14 as sit-at-home day throughout the country for Igbo.

    A statement by its media and publicity secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, said it would order people to stay away from work and businesses on September 14 to register its anger about those allegedly killed at Afaraukwu, Umuahia, during Operation Python Dance II on September 14, 2017, as well as those killed in Aba and Port Harcourt.

    But Commissioner of Police Garba Umar, who addressed reporters after a meeting of security operatives yesterday, described IPOB as an illegal body which had no right to issue such order or threat.

    Present at the meeting were the Army, Police, Civil Defence, Immigration, Department of State Services (DSS), among others.

    Umar said: “IPOB is an illegal organisation. We are therefore appealing to the public that on no account should they be intimidated or harassed into succumbing to IPOB’s threat.

    “They plan to embark on a sit-at-home on September 14, but security agencies are ready for any eventuality. We urge the public to go about their lawful businesses as they will be adequately protected.

    “Calling for a referendum on September 8 or thereabout, and the September 14 sit-at-home order will not be tolerated. We are ready and we have all it takes to keep the peace in this state.

    “We are in touch with all security agencies, including the military, and we will not allow anybody to truncate the democracy we are enjoying, and on no account should we allow anybody to foul this peaceful atmosphere.”

  • Insecurity may threaten 2019 polls, security chiefs warn

    Insecurity may threaten 2019 polls, security chiefs warn

    Top security chiefs have warned that insecurity around the country should be brought down because it is capable of threatening the 2019 general elections, it was learnt yesterday.

    The security chiefs according to sources, told participants at the just-concluded national security summit organised by the Senate in Abuja.

    They were said to have cautioned that stringent and decisive measures should be taken to address the situation in the interest of the country.

    The security chiefs briefed senators and other stakeholders behind closed doors at the Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre venue of the Summit.

    Insiders at the secretive briefing said that the security chiefs painted a bad picture of the evolving scenario and warned of dire consequences if nothing was done urgently to arrest the situation.

    One of the sources noted that the point was made clear that unless decisive action was taken to arrest the worrisome clashes between “farmers and herdsmen, kidnappings, terrorism and other social vices, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) might be hindered in its plan for the elections.

    He said that the security chiefs made it clear that the support of stakeholders in the country was required to salvage the situation.

    “It was a frank talk. Heads of all the security agencies briefed us. You know it was a closed-session and many things were said which I cannot relay to you. We were scared about some of the things we heard. They were indeed scary and must be taken seriously.”

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who inaugurated the summit last Thursday highlighted measures government is taking to restore peace and order in the country.

    Osinbajo specifically decaled it was no longer realistic to police a country as huge as Nigerian from the capital city of Abuja.

    Senate ad-hoc committee led by the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, is expected to submit resolutions of the summit to the Senate in plenary. Discussion on the way forward is likely to be held in camera.

  • Police warn vehicle owners

    Police warn vehicle owners

    The Lagos State Police Command has warned  owners of abandoned vehicles parked at Ketu and Elemoro Police Divisional Headquarters to come with proof  to claim them or forfeit them through public auction after 14 days.

    They are Vanagon bus marked EKY358XH, Mazda bus – WWD457XA, Nissan saloon  – KSF58CV, Gulf saloon  – LSD303CA, Vanagon bus – NO390XA, Mercedes Benz unregistered, Toyota marked FKJ991DQ, Toyota, EC169SMK, Hyundai – BE917EPE, Toyota Sienna – APP717DE, Lexus – KRD826CJ, Mazda – KRD396AG, Toyota Jeep – BDG642CH, Mercedes Benz unregistered, Golf Volkswagen – CN57ENU, Pick Up van unregistered, Volkswagen bus unregistered, Coaster bus – BH274EPE, Truck unregistered, Truck – AAA717XD and Golf car – KTU49AQ.

  • Police warn drivers, passengers not to collect edibles

    The police in Enugu State have warned drivers and passengers against collecting edibles from strangers, who drug people and dispossess them of their belongings.

    Ebere Amaraizu, police spokesman, gave the warning in a statement in Enugu.

    He said: “The command reminds the public, particularly passengers and drivers of taxi and tricycles, on the need to be security-conscious by being wary of the antics of mischief-makers, who hide under the guise of passengers to wreak havoc on cab and tricycle operators.

    “These mischief-makers drug fruit juice, sachet water, soft drinks and suya (roasted meat), which they give to driver or co-passengers, to express ‘kindness’, with a view to making the driver and co-passengers weak and unconscious, thereby running away with the taxi, or Keke Napep, or belongings of a co-passenger.’’

    Amaraizu said the mischief-makers also acted as chartered passenger(s) to tricycles’ and cabs’ operators, tricking them to either a hotel, supermarket or bar as if they are meeting someone for an appointment.

    “They will order for drinks or suya (roasted meat), including water for the operator to enable him (mischief-maker) finish discussions with whoever he has come to see.

    “The unsuspecting victim most times relaxes and consumes the items and after a while becomes unconscious.

    “The mischief-maker then runs away with the car or tricycle,’’ he said.

    He said the command advised the public to be vigilant not to fall victims.

    “The command, working  with other security agencies and stakeholders, has put measures in place to fish culprits and punish them,’’ he said.

  • Don’t play politics with bailout, PDP govs warn CBN

    Don’t play politics with bailout, PDP govs warn CBN

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have warned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) against partisanship in the disbursement of bailout funds to beneficiary states.

    The warning is coming on the heels of allegations by the opposition party that the CBN has become a tool in the hands of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

    A statement on Friday by the coordinator of the PDP Governors Forum, Mr. Osaro Onaiwu, cited the refusal of the apex bank to release the bailout fund allotted to Kogi State.

    The statement said while the CBN did not delay in the disbursement of the funds to beneficiary states under the control of the APC, it has refused to disburse same to Kogi State which is under the control of the PDP.

    The governors lamented that the CBN has allowed itself to be dictated to by the ruling APC, saying that Kogi State had fulfilled all the requirements spelt out by the CBN for the release of the fund.

    “We urge the CBN to insulate itself from politics and the control of the ruling party if it does not want to create political and financial crises in the country.

    “How come almost all APC states that applied for bailout have gotten theirs but states like Kogi that has fulfilled all the requirements has been denied its share with no explanation from the CBN.

    “The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has to insulate the apex bank from the shenanigans of politicians to avoid serious political and economic dislocation in the country.

    “It is important and urgent that the CBN releases the N50 billion bailout due Kogi state to ease the suffering of the common people in the state”, the statement added.

  • Police warn abandoned vehicle owners

    The Lagos State Police Command and its Ogun State counterpart have warned owners of recovered or abandoned vehicles parked at the following divisions to claim them within two weeks or forfeit them.

    ISHERI DIVISION(Lagos)

    Saab Scarina(registration number DW 301 LSR)

    Town car Lincon(FN 501 KJA)

    Nissan Micra saloon car(AM 21 TTD)

    Mazda car( EE 199 LSD)

    OBALENDE DIVISION (Ijebu Ode)

    Orvan Bus(XS 56 JJ)

    Hnda Accord(U 787 KJA)

    MOTORCYCLES

    JINCHENG(QV 83 BDG)

    JINCHENG(2201)

    JINCHENG(QC 335 DGB)

    JINCHENG(QZ 925 FKJ)

    JINCHENG(QL 639 APP)

    JINCHENG(OG 4113 S)

    BAJAJ(QP  742 MUS)

    BAJAJ(LAGOS)

    Six unregistered JINCHENG; one unregistered BAJAJ; Scrab GSK-R Power and TVS APAK Powerbike.

  • Police warn against anti-Amaechi protests in Rivers

    Police warn against anti-Amaechi protests in Rivers

    •Group hails Amaechi’s ministerial nomination

    The planned protest by supporters of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike against the ministerial nomination of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi has been shifted from Abuja to Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    The leadership of Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday kicked against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members’ planned “show of shame” while Police Commissioner Musa Kimo warned both parties.

    The protest by Wike’s supporters was initially billed for Abuja on Monday, ahead of yesterday’s reading of list of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 21 ministerial nominees, but was shelved, when The Nation leaked the information on Sunday, following an exclusive security report.

    The Rivers State PDP had allegedly concluded plans to protest Amaechi’s nomination and clearance.

    APC leaders and members from the 23 local government areas were holding an emergency meeting last night at the party’s headquarters on Forces Avenue, old Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, on how to support Amaechi’s nomination and clearance.

    The party’s Publicity Secretary Chris Finebone could not be reached for comments last night.

    A chieftain of the party, who attended the strategic meeting but spoke in confidence, said APC’s supporters wanted to prove to Wike and the PDP that they did not have the monopoly of protest.

    He said APC wanted to show its solidarity with Amaechi, who he described as “the General of Commonsense Revolution and the Lion of Niger Delta”.

    But in a statement by police spokesman, Mohammad Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Police Commissioner Musa Kimo confirmed the allegation and APC members’ alleged plan to tackle PDP’s protest.

    The statement added: “Accordingly, the police commissioner hereby warns these groups to jettison the plan to stage the protests to avoid truncating the existing peaceful co-existence in the state. While the command respects the individuals’ rights to peaceful assembly, it will not tolerate a situation where such protests lead to breach of public peace and breakdown of law and order…”

    Also, the Rivers Progressives Front, a body of senior politicians and professionals in Rivers State, has hailed President Buhari for nominating former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a minister.

    In a statement by its Administrator, Sotonye Ijuye Dagogo, the group said: “The nomination of former Governor Amaechi among other tested progressive leaders is an eloquent statement by Mr. President that the change that Nigerians voted for has come to stay. It is a bold and unmistakable statement that Mr. President is very clear about his mission to reposition our great country, Nigeria. It is a statement that puts to shame professional blackmailers and smear campaigners.”

     

     

  • Police warn troublemakers

    The police has warned troublemakers of the dire consequences of their action during the forthcoming election.

    At the signing of a peace accord by parties and their candidates in Agege and Ifako Ijaiye local councils in Lagos State, the police urged the parties to advise their supporters to shun unlawful acts.

    Commander, Area ‘G’ in Ogba, Lagos, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Edward Egbuka said the Force Headquarters has empowered policemen to effectively discharge their duties during the elections.

    He appealed to candidates to warn their supporters against pasting their posters on those of others, noting that the command would not tolerate the use of armed thugs for campaigns.

    He said: “This election is about the future of Nigeria and we are very prepared for it. We won’t allow miscreants and thugs to undermine the process. We have enough manpower and resources deployed by the headquarters to ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible.

    “We will not allow any one or group to subvert the wishes of the masses. While we are stakeholders, the candidates themselves are major players and that is why we held this peace accord so that they can pass the message to their supporters.

    “Nigeria is bigger than any political party, politician or group. No individual’s ambition is greater than the unity and peace of this country.

    “Election should not be seen as do-or-die affair, not winning election is not the end of the world. All politicians must call their supporters to order. Signing of this peace accord might be simple but its effect if any political party or politician is caught promoting violence goes beyond what one can imagine.”

  • Publish our names now or…, Anambra PDP candidates warn INEC

    All the three Senatorial, 11 House of Represenatives and 33 State House of Assembly candidates on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of giving undue advantage to opposition parties in Anambra State by its refusal to publish their names.

    According to the aggrieved PDP candidates, continued refusal of the electoral umpire to publish their names against court pronouncements was total disregard for court orders.

    In a statement signed by Chief Tony Offiah, Hon Julius Oforma and Princess Ifeyinwa Anazonwa yesterday in Abuja, they said INEC’s action was an invitaion to anarchy in the state.

    According to them, refusal to publish their names is capable of inciting their supporters against INEC which they may not be able to control.

    The aggrieved candidates said their protest against INEC was dictated by the pronouncement of S E Chukwu in his judgement in suit No. FHC/874/2014 that ordered the state’s executive committee, led by Ejike Oguebego, to conduct the party’s primary election.

    Besides, the candidates pointed out that INEC also declared it will participate, monitor and recognise only the congresses conducted by the Ejike Oguebego-led committee.

    The statement reads in part: “INEC had in a memo to the PDP national leadership, stated that it will only monitor the congresses of Ejike Oguebego-led Executive and that it will be guided by court order.

    “We wish to state that we were guided by the two factors before we took steps that informed our involvement and participation in the primary elections.”

    The aggrieved candidates pointed out that their participation and eventual victory in the primary election was based on the belief that INEC was set to follow due process and the rule of law.

    However, it was shocking that the electoral body’s position was affected by certain events, they said.

    They therefore urged the electoral body “to be law abiding and publish our names forthwith.”