Finally, President Muhammad Buhari and his northern Nigerian cohorts have unveiled their clan's clandestine agenda for complete nothernization and Islamization of Nigeria through the recent unveiling of a Muslim-Muslim Presidential/Vice Presidential ticket by their party, the APC. Many politicians and political pundits have spoken for and against the development; providing reasons that in some respects appear logical and plausible, absurd in a few others but out rightly condescending in most that were on offer. For example, most members of the APC would want us to believe that the choice of a
Muslim-Muslim Presidential/Vice-Presidential ticket is in the best interest of Nigeria. According to them, what matters at this point of Nigeria's challenged evolutionary trajectory is 'competence' and not religion or tribe. Are they kidding me? Or do some of these political jobbers masquerading as party men all over the country think that all Nigerians are buffoons? Now tell me, In terms of the much vaunted competence that they are singing about, what manner and quantity of it do both the APC's Presidential candidate and his anointed Vice possess? Can the socio-economic re-colonization of South West geo-political zone with particular reference to Lagos by an individual or a family under the watchful eyes of a pliable and indulgent crowd of supporters pass for competence? May be we need to remind ourselves here of a few facts. The transformation of Lagos State after many years of neglect by successive military governments began under the watch of the erstwhile Military Administrator of the State, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (RTD). When the current APC Presidential candidate assumed duty as the civilian governor of Lagos State, he used his entire tenure to pour toxic invectives and 'holy' vituperations on the military at every turn. Furthermore, his ethno-centric style of governance was in part responsible for the clashes between the Odua People's Congress (OPC) and Arewa Peoples' Congress (APC) that almost rendered Lagos State ungovernable before intervention of the same military that he vilified relentlessly. The barrage of insults that he rained down on the military and the person of former President Olusegun Obasanjo directly as he assumed power in 1999 made the Federal Government to initially ignore the governor's request for military intervention in Lagos State to stop the carnage and wanton destruction of lives and properties by OPC and APC belligerents. It was reported that former President Obasanjo advised the former Governor of Lagos State to employ 'thugs' as is his practice, if he liked to solve the security problem of his State since both him (Obasanjo) and the Nigerian military were villains in the eyes of the new Lagos Emperor. It took the intervention of prominent Yoruba personalities; including other well-meaning  Nigerians before the former President finally authorized deployment of troops to the streets of Lagos to assist the Police to restore law and order. I doubt if the former civilian governor and APC's current Presidential candidate could point to any major achievement throughout his tenure thereafter other than the institutionalization of his colonization agenda. If most Lagosians cannot remember the man's poor record of governance at the time anymore, at least they should not hurriedly forget  the putrid stench that wafted relentlessly across Lagos landscape from mountains of garbage that were left forlornly on streets as well as many nooks and crannies of Lagos. I therefore wonder what competence can be ascribed to a former Lagos State Governor and now APC's Presidential candidate that could not manage a simple task as waste disposal. If I must remind us, it took the youthful effort and energies of the current Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola that succeeded Tinubu as Governor for Lagos State to regain traction of its urban renewal Programme dating back from from Brig-Gen Buba's days. Equally, former Governor of Lagos State Akinwumi Ambode that succeeded Fashola had begun building on the latter's efforts before his political adventure was rudely truncated for marching out of steps with their political godfather and the Emperor of Lagos State. This cleared the way for ascension of a 'yes' man that kotows willy-nilly to the wishes and caprices of the Emperor as being witnessed currently. Go to Lagos and behold the mess that it has relapsed into currently and you will understand my drift. To the best of my knowledge, former Governor Bola Tinubu was clueless as Governor of Lagos State and therefore cannot lay any claim to competence in governance as far as Nigeria is concerned. I won't dispute if he is imputed with being an expert in crafting political intrigues, bendalism and advancement of parochial issues in pursuit of selfish and personal political interests. Matter closed or 'Cike nan' as his northern political transducers would say. 

As for his controversial Vice designate, the issue of competence does not arise at all as available facts show that Borno State did not fare any better than Lagos under his watch as Governor. If anything, his alleged 'bromance' with Boko Haram insurgents and terrorists made insurgency and terrorism to gain ascendancy to its current murderous form under his watch . Also and like his current Principal, he was clueless about ways of securing the State against rising waves of insecurity that was fuelled by Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism. Similarly like his Principal, the Federal Government of Nigeria under former President Goodluck Jonathan was at the butt of his vitriolic and relentless criticism over rising insecurity in Borno State. He is a master of 'scapegoatism' and no doubt a grand-master of double-speak; credentials that ostensibly have recommended him easily for his current job. If the  leaked tape of one of his purported conversations with one of his former colleagues from South West geo-political zone is anything to go by, then it aptly revealed a highly divisive character of dubious personage in the VP designate. His words in that audio tape that went viral should have appealed to some saner members of APC that their party's chosen Vice Presidential
candidate is both an ethnic chauvinist and a pretentious extremists. Given the latent agenda of northern elements of the APC however, one does not need to look far to discern the reasons behind APC's Presidential cum Vice Presidential candidate choices. I took time to remind us of these few instances in order to debunk the 'competency' deceit in a sinister and grand agenda to plunge Nigeria into political and ethno-religious crisis by the thoughtless choices of certain APC stalwarts.
Another response that merits our attention on APC's choice of a Muslim-Muslim Presidential/VP ticket is that offered by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. The cleric had enjoined Nigerians not to lose sleep over APC's decision to offer the country a Muslim-Muslim Presidential/VP ticket because according to him, it is left for Nigerians to either accept or reject the combination through democratic processes. I know that Bishop Kukah does not voice an opinion on any matter without  careful analysis or scrutiny. Therefore, I am tempted to believe that his opinion on the Muslim-Muslim ticket this time around does not detract from his accustomed ways of expressing an opinion on a burning national discuss. However, I prefer to differ a bit on the opinion that he expressed on this particular matter by saying that Nigerians should lose a lot of sleep over APC's current choices. I base my difference with the cleric principally on two main premises. First, President Muhammad Buhari's APC government from all indications does not intend to allow his successor possibly with the Vice to emerge through a transparent, free, fair and credible democratic process despite the hype about efficacy of the  country's new electoral laws. Rather, the APC party has a grand agenda to win the 2023 genera elections by all means but through transparent and credible democratic process as revealed by the party's leaked confidential plan for 2023 elections. Nigerians should lose sleep over this sad and unfortunate revelation because it portends a present and grave danger for Nigeria's shallow democracy that requires a great deal of nurturing to maturity. Secondly and more importantly, I hail from Kogi State where I witnessed the complicity of the Nigerian State (both Kogi State and the Federal Governments) in the massively rigged 2019 gubernatorial election in Kogi State that illegally returned Alhaji Yahaya Bello to Luggard House. In that election, both the Kogi State and Federal Governments' assets and platforms were employed openly and massively intimidation of voters, murder, arson, snatching of ballot boxes and falsification of election results. The whole world watched in amazement as the political charade unfolded shamefully in Kogi State while the beneficiary of that criminal process still occupies Kogi State Government House till date. To show the funny political circus that Nigeria has degenerated into, Yahaya Bello and many of his ilks unsuccessfully contested for APC's Presidential ticket recently in attempt to become the President of Nigeria. Therefore, a Federal Government that could condescend to availing its might, assets and platforms to rig a gubernatorial election in Kogi State will stop at nothing to trample on the diverse and oft conflicting interests of Nigerians to achieve its grand politico-religious agenda come 2023. And whether it succeeds or not, this too holds potentials for widening existing ethno-religious fault lines in a manner that may not augur well for our dear country. This also offers enough reason to keep us awake until this evil plan is thwarted and prevented. 
Let me add clearly here that the plot by the Hausa/Fulani northern hegemony to islamize Nigeria has been in the works since independence. It began with incipient evasion of institutions of governance in as many States of the Federation as possibly and the center. As of today, the hegemony has succeeded largely in ensconcing Christians mainly and people of other faiths outside theirs from occupying prominent positions in key public institutions of governance in Nigeria. If any one reading this article thinks that this assertion is false or is an exaggeration, I challenge such to take a cursory look at the ethno-religious profile of the Nigerians that are currently occupying key positions in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government like the Federal Ministries of Finance, Works & Housing, Power, Transport, Defence, Petroleum Reaources, Humanitarian Affairs (that has transmuted to a conduit for funneling public resources into funding APC's political activities)etc. Let him or her also peep at the top echelons of the Nigerian Ports Authorities (NPA), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the re-organized Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR-under whatever new nomenclature it is currently known), the NNPC,PENCOM etc and see for yourself what I meant. Even the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Police and Para-military agencies that ought to be neutral and apolitical institutions have been deeply sucked into the grand scheme of northernization and Islamization of public institutions in Nigeria. For example, key appointments in Command positions as well as administration and finance appointments are reserved mostly for northern Muslim officers and their drooling acolytes. Officers of more proven competencies, qualifications and experience that are either non-Muslims or not from core northern Nigeria are mostly by-passed during promotions and sidelined subsequently to atrophy into resentful retirements. Meanwhile, mediocre and inexperienced officers whose only qualifications are 'rightful' ethnicity and creed are perpetuated in key positions and offices at the pleasure of Service Chiefs and their political masters. Little wonder corruption  is rife in Nigeria's military and other security agencies currently such that only those that can and are willing to do dirty jobs for the 'Ogas' are considered fit for certain appointments. How can any discerning mind beholding all the injustices being perpetrated currently under President Muhammad Buhari and his APC government or the unfolding of a hitherto sinister plan by Hausa/Fulani to hijack Nigeria go to sleep with his or her eyes closed? Let me remind us that the Tinubu/Shettima Muslim-Muslim ticket is not the first under current political dispensation as Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State had against all advices and decorum picked a Muslim woman from Kaduna's Southern zone as his running mate since 2015. As if to add insult to injury, he has recommended the same woman to his hand-picked successor to continue as Deputy Governor possibly for another 8 years. How else does one define political arrogance, impudence and insensitivity? As it were this type of insensitive action is fast becoming a character of APC governments and the icing of a grand scheme to exclude Nigerian Christians from governance in Nigeria. I can't blame them for this because for far too long, Nigerian Christians and people of other faiths outside Islam have remained docile and silent in the face of an emergent scheme that some of them have knowingly approved and supported in return for a plate of porridge. Currently, the scheme has gained both form and ascendancy under President Muhammad Buhari who barring any last minute change of heart will  go down as the most divisive President in the annals of Nigeria. Let Nigerians take the assertion by his aides that he did not interfere in the choice of Presidential and VP candidates for APC with a pinch of salt. When some sane and aggrieved members of his party approached President Buhari to draw his attention to potential damages that a Muslim-Muslim ticket could inflict on their party, rather than intervene by persuading the APC Presidential candidate to reconsider his choice in the interest of the nation and their party, he simply endorsed the choice. APC's concerned stalwarts have no choice but queue behind their party's candidates while they keep other plans in their chest. The choice no doubt aligns with our taciturn President's hidden Hausa/Fulani agenda. However, as seen thus far through the lens of the APC, the petulant and selfish political agitation cum agenda of one man provided the opportunity for certain ethno-religious chauvinists in the party to go for the kill by ensuring that one of them emerged as APC's Vice Presidential candidate. The pity in the whole saga is that the egoistic and self-centered protagonist at the center of it all is a mere political pawn in the hands of his northern cheerleaders. They cunningly threw the noise to him to hang himself politically by allowing him a somewhat goaded choice of a VP. The die is cast and as far as certain northern politicians are concerned, there is no going back neither are they bothered by how others outside their fold feel nor by what they will say. But because Nigeria belongs to all of us and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees fundamental human rights of all citizens equally, Nigerians must collectively resist and prevent any evil plot from any quarters that is capable of throwing the nation into chaos and ultimate ruin. This we must do by insisting that the 2023 elections should be conducted peacefully, fairly and credibly without intrigues or interference by the government or any of its institutions or agencies. Let Nigerians and indeed the world focus their attention on activities of INEC and Nigeria's security agencies which as we have witnessed repeatedly, have become willing tools in the hands of the government for frustrating democratic wishes of the Nigerian electorate. Let's tell mischief makers and 'troublers of Nigeria' that 'enough is enough' and enjoin them to allow Nigerians live peacefully and progressively together as free people destined to achieve greatness irrespective of differences in tribes and creeds. I for one, I promise to abide by the outcomes of 2023 elections provided those that will emerge as winners eventually win through a free, fair and credible election process; including a Muslim President and a Muslim Vice President or a Christian President and a Christian Vice President as the case may be. Let the current APC led government be advised that anything short of this will be unacceptable to majority of Nigerians please.
Ogacheko Opaluwa is a social critic and a freelance journalist. He contributed this piece from Addis Ababa.

Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Ogacheko Opaluwa Disable advertisements : 

Armed robbers have reportedly attacked a branch of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) at Bank Road, Umuahia in Abia State.
The gunmen on Thursday were also said to have shot one person dead.

It was not clear whether the victim was a customer or staff of the bank as details of the attack were still sketchy at the time of filing this report.
Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that the victim was a fruits seller.

The victim was said to have been immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

It was not clear if there were other casualties as at the time of filling this report.

The attack has forced many shops around the area to close abruptly, according to a resident of the area who identified himself as Kingsley Oka.

Oka told SaharaReporters that the entire neighbourhood had been flooded with security agents.
When contacted on the telephone, the Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the attack but said it was not a case of bank robbery.
Ogbonna said, "It wasn't a case of bank robbery attack. What happened was that these were some of the robbers who trailed people coming from the bank (people who go to banks to make withdrawals, the robbers will trail them). They will trail their target to where it will be conducive for them to strike and they will strike.
"So that was what happened today. Our people who were on patrol in that area were able to intercept the gang and on sighting the police they engaged them on a shootout and they were able to escape abandoning their operational vehicle. The police recovered one AK-47 rifle from them as well as a vehicle and one machete."
He also confirmed that one person was shot but said the identity of the victim wasn't yet known.
"A stray bullet hit at somebody who sells something nearby and even one of our colleagues had a slight touch of the bullet,” he added.

Insecurity News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

I love David Hundeyin. I think he’s one of the bravest journalists and writers around today. I love people who have real, uplifting convictions and stand by them, come rain, come shine.
 
I read his report on Bola Tinubu and his drug-trafficking links. There really is nothing new in the story, except that it has a little more detail than we had in SaharaReporters and the Daily Beast, both of which had reported on this in the past. I think everything he wrote about Bola Tinubu is professionally proper.
 
Where I disagree with Hundeyin is in him bringing MKO Abiola’s name into it. MKO Abiola has been dead for 24 years. He cannot come out to defend himself. We all know Abiola’s history and we know he was never publicly linked to drugs by all his powerful enemies, home and abroad, who fought him till his death. Now, the only thing Hundeyin has on this is a supposed report by the Daily Beast published on April 27, 2015 and updated April 14, 2017. Titled “Nigerian Pres’ Svengali Tied to Heroin,” the report was by Michael Weiss, the Contributing Editor. 
 
Here is the brief portion in the piece Hundeyin relied on, second to the last paragraph of the report:
 
“Drug charges do indeed appear to be the sine qua non for Nigerian high office. The year 1993, when Tinubu’s assets were seized, was a turbulent period for Nigeria following the cancellation of a national election and the establishment of a military dictatorship. Moshood Abiola, the rightful winner of that election, was accused of narcotics trafficking according to Campbell. So too is “Prince” Buruji Kashamu from the People’s Democratic Party, who has faced extradition back to the United States since 1998. Kashamu was indicted by a federal grand jury in Chicago for being the elusive “Alaji,” a globetrotting drug kingpin who smuggled heroin into O’Hare International Airport from Europe and Asia. Piper Kerman, the memoirist who inspired the Netflix series Orange is the New Black, famously worked for Alaji. Kashamu denies the charges and insists that he was purportedly a counterterrorism informant to the U.S. government before and after 9/11, and that the real trafficker was his now-deceased brother.”
 
Sure, the report was about Tinubu and his links to drug-dealers and drug money. But, Michael Weiss took the liberty to claim that drug charges “do indeed appear to be the sine qua non for Nigerian high office” on the strength of only Tinubu and Buruji Kashamu’s charges in the US. He mentioned that “Moshood Abiola, the rightful winner of that election, was accused of narcotics trafficking according to Campbell.” But, as a serious journalist, why did Michael Weiss not tell us when John Campbell, a former American Ambassador to Nigeria, said what he claimed and who it was that accused Abiola of trafficking narcotics? At any rate, Campbell is not a fellow I would trust. As American Ambassador to Nigeria between 2004 and 2007, he was a complete disaster. Nowadays, he moonlights unashamedly as image launderer for the Aso Rock cabal. But this is not even about Campbell and his character; I’m talking simple journalistic propriety to be sure of a source of a claim or story.
 
As far as we know, nobody accused Abiola of trafficking narcotics while he was alive. He was never arrested or questioned by the United States authorities or authorities of any other country over drugs. He never faced any drug charges in Nigeria. So, where did Weiss get his info? If, as he claimed, this came from Campbell, he ought to have given the reading public more information on the source of Campbell claims because it certainly did not originate from the Department of Justice or the State Department where Campbell worked.
 
My view is that reading through the piece, there is a decidedly forced attempt to create a parallel between Abiola and Tinubu via the drug charges. But there really is no parallel. I believe that once David Hundeyin had decided to add this evidence-free information on Abiola by Weiss into his piece, he should have followed up with asking Campbell where he got the information on Abiola being accused by whoever of trafficking in narcotics. 
 
Hundeyin said he reached out to everyone he could think of with some knowledge, but that most declined to speak, “citing unspoken concerns.” This is the first red flag for me. Why would people with information on Abiola’s drug dealings not be able to talk now? Abiola has been dead for more than two decades, what are they afraid of? And, if indeed they have information or evidence, why couldn’t they speak to Hundeyin anonymously and present the evidence?
 
The second red flag was the only person Hundeyin says was willing to talk, Prof Gary K. Busch. I have encountered Busch in public space in his many unconvincing commentaries on Nigeria. What he offered Hundeyin in what Hundeyin called a “lengthy comment” is really nothing but cheap gossip and plain lies. 
 
Here is what Busch said as published by Hundeyin:
 
“The Nigerian military on the Council were adamant that the Babangida government should never allow Abiola to run for office and told President Babangida so during the aborted runoff primaries before the election. The basis for their concern about Abiola was the information and documentation being circulated in Washington, London and Lagos of Abiola's alleged ties to the drugs business.
 
“The US, in particular, had expressed its strong opposition to IBB about the candidacy of Abiola as President; not because of his politics or allegations of corruption, but rather for the evidence they felt was correct about Abiola's alleged drugs connections. This issue was raised in the Military Council on three occasions and Babangida was warned. He refused to take a decision until it was almost too late. US Ambassador Lannon Walker and the British Consul visited IBB and warned him about Abiola but Babangida dithered which made the impact worse as the polling had begun.
 
“When he finally decided to intervene and stop the election, he precipitated the crisis of June 12. His friends in the military supported him but were felt let down by IBB's lack of decisiveness. While there was consternation in Nigeria about the ouster of Abiola, the major international partners of Nigeria were not upset or concerned because they know what the reasons were for the development.”
 
 
First, we know as a fact that there were no “aborted runoff primaries” before the June 12, 1993 election that Abiola participated in. Perhaps, Busch is referring to the earlier primaries organised by the parties and cancelled by Ibrahim Babangida at the time he was banning and unbanning the so-called “old brigades.” But if those are what he is referring to, the fact is Abiola never participated in any of them and never indicated any interest in the presidency at the time. Ambassador Lannon Walker he claims warned Babangida about Abiola left his post as Ambassador of the US to Nigeria on July 10, 1992, seven months before Abiola declared to run for president. There couldn’t therefore have been any polling involving Abiola that Lannon went to ask IBB to cancel or stop.
 
So, the account of some “Nigerian military on the Council” expressing opposition to Abiola participating in the election is simply a farce. The only time the military was brought into the affair was after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election when Babangida was desperately trying to give traumatised Nigerians a reason for the annulment. He notoriously said those in the military opposed to Abiola would eliminate him and Abiola if he were to reverse the annulment and declare Abiola winner.
 
There was no known case of the US expressing any opposition to IBB about the candidacy of Abiola as President based on “information and documentation being circulated in Washington, London and Lagos of Abiola's alleged ties to the drugs business.” That never happened because if it did, the Nigerian and international press would have been agog with the news. I mean, what documentation and information were they circulating in Washington, London and Lagos that didn’t get into the national and international press? Would stopping Abiola from contesting the election not have been easier if there really was such information? What we knew and witnessed was that the United States Ambassador, Walter Carrington who took over from William Lacy Swing as US Ambassador to Nigeria in August 1993, was a solid, solid Abiola supporter who helped mobilize international support and Nigerian civil society against the annulment. He was one of the most strident voices against the annulment.

 
For some of us at the time, we had no doubt that the United States was opposed to Abiola becoming president, but not for the reason being bandied by Busch. The US was opposed to Abiola because he was not the type they could control. Abiola’s history within the American multinational, International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT), was one of defiance to foreign control of Nigerian businesses. He was the first Black man to occupy the position of Vice-President ITT and he used his wealth to advance Black causes internationally. He was a well-known supporter of the Congressional Black Caucus and a powerful force in African liberation struggles, the anti-Apartheid and reparations movement, all of which the US fiercely opposed. Abiola, even though a dyed-in-the-wool capitalist, was a fierce Pan-Africanist and men like him are not friends to US and Western authorities. In fact, some of us still strongly believe that the US is complicit in the death of Abiola in detention at a time they were part of the negotiations to release him after Sani Abacha’s death.
 
Actually, Busch’s note is an insult on our intelligence and a complete rewrite of history that some of us witnessed live. How can anyone say that the international partners of Nigeria were not upset or concerned about the annulment of June 12 because they knew that the reason for the annulment was Abiola’s involvement in drug trafficking? Did we not witness how the international community descended on the Babangida government as it ran helter-skelter dredging up silly reasons for the annulment, including claims that Abiola was working for some foreign concerns against Nigeria’s national interest? Was it not international pressure that finally led to Babangida “stepping aside”? Was it not lack of foreign support that made the Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government a sitting duck for the Abacha coup? Did the international community not declare Nigeria a pariah state under Abacha because of his refusal to recognize the winner of the June 12 election? Was it not the international community that worked to protect pro-democracy activists within Nigeria and those who found themselves in exile in the days the Abacha killing machine was prowling everywhere?
 
Honestly, we cannot take Busch seriously because everything he states is unreasonably counterintuitive and clearly a lie. When the US government and its agencies go against drug traffickers in other countries, especially in countries they have good relationships with the leaders, they do so openly. Abiola would not have contested for the presidency at all if the US thought him to be involved in drug trafficking and if they had the evidence. Babangida and his military boys would have made a song and dance about it in public space because that would have been the best get-out-of-jail card they could have produced. Abacha would have called a world press conference to “expose” Abiola. None of these happened because it is not true. 
 
But, let’s focus on what Hundeyin did in his piece. He has no evidence of Abiola’s involvement in drug trafficking from anybody or any US or foreign institution. He only repeated a claim made by Michael Weiss of the Daily Beast that John Campbell claimed Abiola was accused of drug trafficking. He did not ask John Campbell, who is still alive, to explain who accused Abiola of drug trafficking and when and whether this accusation was known to Abiola before his death. He did not seek out Lannon Walker who Busch claimed went to IBB to warn him about Abiola to confirm when he did this and what exactly he warned IBB about with regard to Abiola. 
 
Hundeyin says he questioned people he thought would know and none would speak, except Busch. He’s gone on to reproduce for us Busch’s laughable piece merely making a preposterous claim of documentation and information about Abiola’s drug dealing flying around in Washington, London and Lagos and yet no journalist, press house or any person anywhere has seen these documents or can produce these documents. This is in spite of the fact that the military leaders who fought Abiola till death made copious statements about why they annulled the election and why they were not going to reverse the annulment and in none of their statements or comments did they mention that Abiola was involved in drug trafficking. 
 
In my view, once David Hundeyin couldn’t get anything to corroborate the piece by Busch, he should not have brought Abiola into it. Anyone reading Hundeyin’s piece can see that he fully believes the account of Abiola’s involvement in drug trafficking and he has used it to indicate a parallel between 1993 and 2003 when in fact, there is absolutely no evidence that there is a parallel. For me, Hundeyin did a good job on the Tinubu angle to the story and he should have strictly stuck to that. Bringing Abiola into it unfortunately undermines the report, apart from being unfair to the memory of the great man. No, this is not me saying you can’t speak ill of the dead. I’m saying if you have a case of this nature against a man, dead or alive, make sure to have the evidence to back it up. Don’t rely on claims that this said or that said. If you are going to bring any information into public space that undermines June 12, the most important thing to happen in Nigerian history since the Nigerian Civil War, then you really have to be sure of it. People lined up to die for the cause of June 12, so that we who are alive today can enjoy democracy. To say all that was based on support for a drug trafficker is to undermine our national consciousness. Nigerians knew what they fought for. They didn’t fight and die to restore the mandate of a drug dealer.
 
Now, let me make something clear: I have not written this to criticise David Hundeyin. I have only written this to point out what I think he should have done better. What he has done with the Tinubu story at this point is brave and ground-breaking and must be commended. Every patriot must ensure that Tinubu does not become the President of Nigeria and Hundeyin is doing his bit by providing us with valuable information. Nothing he has written about Tinubu in this piece can be doubted. In fact, I have always been a fan of David Hundeyin and I consider him a great Nigerian. Yes, I disagree with the aspect of his report I have pointed out here, but it takes nothing away from his greatness. He certainly did not lie against Abiola; he only reproduced the comments of Weiss and Busch that cannot pass muster. If he did anything wrong, it is that he, like many others who read his piece, believe the things he said about Abiola when there is really no evidence to support such a belief that Abiola was a narcotics trafficker.

Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Kennedy Emetulu Disable advertisements : 

Petrol marketers in the country have ignored the federal government’s order to retain the fuel pump price at N165 per litre.
The marketers since Tuesday therefore unilaterally raised the fuel pump price from its official N165 per litre to N185.

This is coming as the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), complained that the current price was no longer feasible.
SaharaReporters’ visit to a few filling stations in Awka, the Anambra State capital showed that some of the petrol stations raised the price as high as N190 and above per litre.
Two filling stations visited at the popular Aroma Roundabout sell at N190 and N195 per litre respectively.
Similarly, Vanguard reported that NIPCO filling station in Mabushi District of Abuja sells at N175 per litre.
“My friend, is this not better? Why should we spend so much time just to buy petrol? Even though I do not support full deregulation because of its impact on the price of goods, the government should have raised the price a little to accommodate the complaints of the marketers and save people the agony of queuing every time for fuel,” a motorist at NIPCO said.
It was also reported that at Mobil filling station in Karu, Abuja, the price was N185 per litre without queues but at TotalEnergies filling station at Central Business District, the price still remains N165 per litre.
The Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, while commenting on the price hike said it was not a surprising development because marketers need to cover their cost of operation which is not feasible with the official pump price of N165.
He maintained that oil marketers have been running at a loss for the past months and as a result, most stations closed down.
Ukadike explained that “Abinitio, we have also stated that there is no way marketers will buy products from private depots who are now selling at N170 and some at N167 depending on the area the tank farm is situated. These private tank farms owners have made it clear that they cannot sell at government approved price.
“Marketers cannot buy at N167-N170 and you expect them to sell at N165. This is why marketers have looked at the high cost of logistics because diesel is at N850 per litre now and to transport product from these wet areas to dry areas cost a lot of money.
“If you look at Abuja you will see that it does not have any depot that supplies petroleum products. All petroleum products in Abuja, Kano and other northern areas of the country are being taken from wet areas like Lagos, Calabar and others which have seaports.
“The products are all imported and Nigeria is heavily dependent on imports because the refineries are not working. So the private tank farms are now used to supply petroleum products to marketers. We are now left in their hands and whatever they sell to us, we will mark up our margins and sell to customers, the end users.”
According to him, pump prices would vary from one filling station to another across the country because of where the product was sourced by the marketer.
“While those (marketers) in Calabar might buy at N170 or those in Port Harcourt at N162 or those in Lagos at N163 depending on how the tank farm owner got his product, if you include cost of logistics and the numerous taxes government have imposed on us, then the end result is what you are seeing.”

  News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements : 

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a civic group, has declared its readiness to sue the President Muhammadu Buhari government to claim damages for Nigerians over the illegal suspension on Twitter in 2021.
The group disclosed this on Thursday after the Economic Community of West African States’ Court declared “unlawful” the suspension of Twitter by the Nigerian government.

SERAP urged Nigerians who were willing to join the suit to make their interests known.
"BREAKING: Following the ECOWAS Court judgment today declaring unlawful Buhari's Twitter ban, we're preparing court papers to seek compensation for ALL victims of the ban.
"Please indicate your interest to join the suit for compensation. You can email: rights@serap-nigeria.org," the group announced.
From June 5, 2021 to January 13, 2022, the government of Nigeria officially banned Twitter, which restricted it from operating in the country.
The ban occurred after Twitter deleted tweets made by, and temporarily suspended, the Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari, warning the southeastern people of Nigeria, predominantly Igbo people, of a potential repeat of the 1967 Biafran Civil War due to the ongoing insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria.
The Nigerian government claimed that the deletion of the president's tweets factored into their decision, but it was ultimately based on "a litany of problems with the social media platform in Nigeria, where misinformation and fake news spread through it have had real world violent consequences", citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence.

News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements : 

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday voted for the sack of the chairman of the State House of Assembly Commission, LAHASCOM, Wale Mogaji.
Mogaji was sacked with a unanimous voice vote by members of the Lagos Assembly on Thursday.

This was disclosed in a statement by Eromosele Ebhomele, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
Part of the statement read, “Mogaji’s sack was approved after a voice vote by members of the House at plenary. The lawmakers appointed Mrs. Folashade Raulat Latona, as the new Secretary of the Commission. Latona replaces Mrs. Esther Lambo, who retired recently.
“The House also confirmed Barrister Olalekan Onafeko as the substantive Clerk of the House while it elevated three other senior staff to the position of Deputy Clerks.”
Those elevated Deputy Clerks include Mr. Babs Animashaun, Mr. Taiwo Otun and Mrs. Adenike Oshinowo.
“Onafeko was appointed Acting Clerk in 2020.”
The lawmakers further said there was a need for the Governor of the State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to work towards a solution to the flooding incidents that had caused loss of lives and properties in the state lately.

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements : 

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, will tomorrow (Friday) unveil his running mate.
Sources close to the Dumebi Kachikwu for President Campaign Organization, disclosed that the official unveiling is scheduled to take place in Abuja by noon barring last-minute changes. 

With the fresh information, Dr Mani Ahmad who was announced as Kachikwu's running mate in June could have been a placeholder all along. 
The National Chairman, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu at the ADC's two-day retreat in Abuja in June said the party had found a ‘critical intellectual’ as a vice president for the country.
"We’ve had a good party arrangement, Dr Mani Ahmad has been put in place, he is a great party man and one of the critical intellectuals for nation building in Nigeria," he had said. 
But efforts to get the name of the proposed Vice Presidential nominee were not successful as Kachikwu is said to be keeping the information close to his chest pending the formal unveiling.
“It is not a name I can tell you at this time. Our presidential candidate plans to disclose the name in a grand style tomorrow. So wait till you hear from the horse's mouth,” the source said. 
Another source however revealed that Kachikwu has selected a "dynamic, knowledgeable and experienced personality who shares his passion for impactful leadership and people-oriented service after his election as President". 
“All I can say is that the proposed running mate to the ADC’s presidential candidate is a well-groomed and knowledgeable Nigerian who would rightly complement Kachikwu's efforts in working to restore order, provide security, lift Nigerians out of poverty, fix the nation’s comatose infrastructure, curb corruption and painstakingly revive the economy.
“Kachikwu means business and Nigerians, especially the youth, the under-served and neglected segments of the society will begin to understand his vision for a new Nigeria where the government exists solely to work for the security and welfare of the people after the grand unveiling tomorrow,” the source added. 

Politics Breaking News News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

The Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) chaired by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the Nigerian government to put an end to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
ASUU had embarked on a four-week warning strike on February 14 to press home its demands, with the prominent ones being the renegotiation of the ASUU/FG 2009 agreement and the sustainability of the university autonomy by deploying the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) to replace the government-imposed IPPIS.

On March 14, the association extended the strike action by another two months to afford the government more time to address all of its demands.
The union in a statement by its President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke on May 9 said it would be extending the ongoing strike by another 12 weeks.
ASCAB in a statement on Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to end the industrial action by directing the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu to execute the renegotiated agreement.
The statement read, “It is public knowledge that the Federal Government inaugurated the Renegotiation Committee headed by Professor Munzali Jubrin in December 2020.
“The Committee was saddled with the sole responsibility of addressing the demand of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) pertaining to the task of revamping all federal universities in the country.
“After extensive consultations with all the relevant stakeholders the Committee completed the national submitted a comprehensive report to the Federal Government in May 2021.
“Regrettably, the Agreement was not signed by the Federal Government 9 months after the submission of the said report. Hence, ASUU embarked on the current industrial action.
“However, the industrial action has been allowed to drag on for almost five months due to the dissatisfaction of the Federal Government with certain aspects of the report of the Jibrin Renegotiate Committee. Instead of iron out the grey areas in the Agreement the Federal Government turned round to set up another Renegotiated Committee under the leadership of Professor Nimi Briggs in March 2022.
“The Committee has also submitted its report to the Federal Government. Even though the Federal government and the ASUU have reached an understanding to call off the ongoing strike based on the execution of report of the Briggs Committee the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige has announced the purported rejection of the report.
“But from the information at our disposal the Federal Government has not authorised the Minister to reject the Agreement and subject ASUU to a campaign of calumny.
“The implication of rejecting the report of the Briggs Renegotiated Committee is that the ASUU strike will continue indefinitely. But President Muhammadu Buhari has recently expressed concern over the strike and called on ASUU to call it off saying that "enough is enough". Based on our consultation with the leadership of ASUU we have confirmed that the entire members of ASUU are fully prepared to call off the strike as soon as the FG/ASUU Renegotiated Agreement is executed by the Federal Government.
“In the circumstance, we are compelled to call on President Buhari to end the industrial action by directing the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, to execute the Renegotiated Agreement.  The Agreement should be executed as soon as possible in the public interest.”

Education News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has raised an alarm alleging that there is a plot to assassinate British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, if she travels to the South-East region of Nigeria.
IPOB made the allegation in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.

However, the group did not name any particular person or group hatching the alleged evil plot.
IPOB therefore advised the British High Commissioner to be cautious of her environment and minimise her travels around the country, especially to the South-East.
IPOB stated that "In view of the recently intercepted Intel by our M-Branch the IPOB Intelligence Unit Department, there is an orchestrated conspiracy to perform a sacrifice big and powerful enough to strengthen the potency of the British hatred against the Igbos and Biafra. Such high profile plan is zeroed towards using a highly placed person capable of making headline news globally as a scapegoat.
"The leadership of IPOB does hereby advise that Ms Catriona Liang must as a matter of life and death suspend all her planned activities involving travels within Biafran territories."
According to the group, "Those that are threatened by Biafra restoration project has perfected evil plans to assassinate Ms Catriona Liang, the British Envoy on Biafra soil as a quick and cogent reason for Britain to disengage their weapons supplies to Ukraine and concentrate same towards Nigeria to be used against Biafrans. Their aim is to quash the agitation for Self Determination and to kill as many Indigenous Biafrans as possible and other residents in Biafra land."
IPOB noted that "In spite of Nigeria government's unprovoked attacks, arrest, torture, illegal detentions, rape, killings and forceful disaperance of our family members especially oue youth, IPOB has not changed our peaceful non-violent agitation into armed struggle."
It stated that the group had never attacked British persons, citizens, Institutions, investments and properties of any kind, and "We do not have such intention now or in the future notwithstanding being at the receiving end of the British unpleasant attitudes, Igbophobic, Biafraphobic and stringent policies."
It warned that "Whosoever plans to invite Catriona Liang to Biafraland must provide adequate security enough to protect her and counter that which was planned in Aso-Rock in a meeting concluded on the 11.07.2022; 21:35hrs in Abuja."

News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

Nigerians on Twitter have condemned the House of Representatives’ spokesperson, Benjamin Kalu, for allegedly bringing his mistress to the hallowed chamber to address journalists.
This is coming amid allegations by a former member of the House, Hon. Robinson Uwak, that Kalu had an illicit affair with his estranged wife, Kezia. He also said that Kalu, whom he refers to as senior, was responsible for his broken marriage.

Although Kalu described the allegations as frivolous meant to cast aspersions on his integrity, he did not however deny the allegations.
He had said his focus was on how to bring dividends of democracy to his constituents and return to the legislative chamber in 2023.
But the lawmaker set social media on fire on Thursday when the news broke that he brought his mistress to the House to address the National Assembly journalists.
Describing Kalu’s action as unconstitutional and flagrant disrespect for the House, Nigerians berated the Reps’ spokesperson and condemned his action.
A twitter user, @Haleemerh_ wrote, “The Hon Benjamin Kalu from Bende Federal Constituency is openly misusing his power. Inviting your mistress to address the press is the height of it.
“How would Hon Benjamin Kalu allow his mistress to address the National Assembly on their personal matter!
“This is not good at all, using the NASS Journalists to spin a story bordering on his personal issues, it’s so unbelievable.
“Do they even checkbalance of peer works anymore because why will Hon Benjamin Kalu from Bende Federal Constituency, invite his mistress to address the press.”
Also, @tboy_again wrote, “If you have family issues, take it to where it should be addressed and not the NASS ffs! Hon Benjamin Kalu has just abused power by allowing his mistress mount and address journalists at the National Assembly over infidelity in their marriage.”
@themeed_UIUX said, “Wetin Musa no go see for gate, especially if it is the National Assembly gate where Hon. Benjamin Kalu is abusing power with his mistress.”
Another user, @Miss__itsoxoo wrote “Wonder shall never end. Representative of Bende Federal constituency, Hon Benjamin Kalu gave his wife access to address NASS on their alleged infidelity in their marriage. If this is not abuse of power, then I don’t know what it is.
“Hon Benjamin Kalu is really making the National Assembly look like a joke, why on earth will he invite his mistress to address journalists?”
@themeed_UIUX wrote that “This is a disgrace on Hon. Benjamin Kalu for allowing his mistress address in the National Assembly.”
For @badboydems_, “This is disrespect to the National Assembly Press. Hon Benjamin Kalu can’t just invite his mistress to speak to journalists attached to the National Assembly.”
@Miss__itsoxoo said that “Many so-called "leaders" in Nigeria tend to misuse or abuse power. If not so, why will Hon Benjamin Kalu from Bende Federal Constituency, invite his mistress to address the press?”
While @funny_dagreat noted that “National Assembly Press is not Hon Benjamin Kalu father's property that he has to invite his mistress to speak to journalists attached to the National Assembly.”

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 

Some gunmen have invaded the residence of a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, killing his 25-year-old nephew.
The state police command which also confirmed the incident, has said efforts are ongoing to rescue three persons who were abducted by the gunmen during the attack.

The family of the former national chairman are currently in grief as the unknown gunmen invaded his family residence, killed one and abducted the three others.
According to Leadership, Mu’azu's nephew, Mu’azu Danladi, was killed by the gunmen in his residence in Boto hometown of Tafawa Balewa local government area of the state.
The 25-year-old was killed while the gunmen were targeting the ex-governor's children who were around for the Sallah celebrations.
Giving an account of the invasion by unknown gunmen, an eyewitness disclosed that the gunmen kidnapped a sister to the former PDP national chairman, Hajiya Asma’u Adamu, Malama Halima Abdullahi and one Nura.
A resident of Boto, Hashimu Abubakar, said that at the moment, the gunmen had not contacted the family to negotiate a ransom for the release of the abductees, adding that all the phones of the three kidnap victims were switched off.
The Bauchi State Police Command said the police were working round the clock to rescue the abductees and bring the perpetrators to book.
Mu’azu was Governor of Bauchi State for two terms between 1999 and 2007 under the umbrella of the People's Democratic Party and later became the chairman of the party.

  Insecurity News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 

A fighter aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has bombed the enclave of a notorious armed Niger Republic bandit, Maliki Shrige, at South Jaja community in the Zurmi local government area of Zamfara State.
According to PRNigeria, the military airstrikes also eliminated scores of his armed fighters while fleeing in surrounding communities.

Shrige, a wanted bandit kingpin, and his cohorts met their waterloo after actionable provided their precise locations before the precision airstrikes.
He is said to be the arrowhead of the terrorist group launching attacks on bordering communities in Zamfara and Katsina states.
A military intelligence operative disclosed that Shrige, a notorious terrorist from the Niger Republic, alongside his foot soldiers had in February this year migrated northward to South Jaja where they had established new hideouts, as well as staging areas from where they launched attacks on adjoining villages and towns.
This followed the extermination of scores of terrorists, as well as total decimation of their logistics and hideouts at Doumborou Forest in Zamfara, following airstrikes executed by NAF jets on February 17, 2022.
According to the source, reports from locals at Shimfida also revealed the miscreants had been launching several attacks and ambushes on their own troops' locations in the Zamfara community.
"Consequently, surveillance aircraft were deployed to unravel the modus operandi of the depraved terrorists around the general area. Footages revealed significant terrorists' activities were moving in and out of multiple huts with mounted solar panels.
"Furthermore, the footage showed armed terrorists moving on motorcycles along multiple tracks leading into the huts within the areas of interest.
"The footage corroborates valid Intel from locals and own deployments around the location that the huts are strategic points from where the miscreants launch most attacks on villages, communities and towns in ZAMFARA and KATSINA states.
"Accordingly, on the 13 July 2022, the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji dispatched a formation of fighter jets armed with rockets and bombs in an Air Interdiction mission at intervals to eliminate and infuse maximum casualty on the terrorists as well as destroy their enclaves.
"After confirming the target location to be active with scores of terrorists and large herds of rustled cattle within the huts, the information was relayed to the fighter jets for the extermination of the targets.
"Accordingly, the fighter jet armed with bombs was established overhead the target area and vectored to the target location. On arrival, scores of terrorists were spotted within the huts and multiple motorcycles are also seen moving into the huts. Consequently, the location was decisively engaged with bombs.
"Reports from the locals and own deployments at locations around SHIMFIDA substantiated that terrorist kingpin MALIKI SHRIGE and his cohorts suffered maximum casualties as about 45 terrorists were neutralised with their logistics demolished during the Air Interdiction," he said.
 

News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

The Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State has granted an order of substituted service of court processes on the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan over the All Progressives Congress primary election held in Yobe North Senatorial District.

 

Bashir Machina, the winner of the Yobe North senatorial district’s primary election, had in a suit filed on June 22, 2022, asked the Court to declare him as the authentic senatorial candidate of the APC for Yobe North and order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as such.

But when the case came up on Thursday, the presiding judge, Fadimatu Mohammed, granted the application after one of the lead counsels for Machina, Nureini Jimoh (SAN), moved the application that since the case was filed in the Court on June 22, 2022, the bailiffs had found it difficult to serve the writ of summons to the Senate President, who is the second defendant in the case.

 

The case was adjourned to August 15, 2022, to ensure that parties have been properly served.

 

Machina had won the ticket after polling 289 votes in the primary election which was duly observed by officials of the INEC and security agencies.

 

He has been at loggerheads with the Senate President, Lawan, following the latter’s attempt to claim the ticket after losing his bid for the party’s presidential slot.

 

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the APC had submitted Lawan’s name as the candidate for the Yobe North Senatorial District zone for 2023, prompting Machina to seek legal redress.

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has finally resigned as the country's president.
Rajapaksa took this move after landing in Singapore since he fled the island nation and his decision reportedly made people in Colombo excited.

The parliament speaker confirmed he has got the resignation letter.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Rajapaksa fled the country ahead of his expected resignation as President.
The president fled on a military jet, amid mass protests over the island's economic crisis.
The president's resignation comes on a day the protesters announced they would end their occupation of official buildings, including the presidential palace, presidential secretariat and the Prime Minister's office.
Rajapaksa, while he was president, enjoyed immunity from arrest, which he used to leave Sri Lanka. He stepped down only after he was outside the country to avoid the possibility of being detained.
Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has asked security forces to restore order and declare a state of emergency.
Rajapaksa is expected to stay in Singapore for some time, according to Sri Lankan security sources, before potentially moving to the United Arab Emirates, AFP reported.
Hundreds of thousands of people have visited Rajapaksa's compound since it was opened to the public after he fled and his security guards backed down.
By Thursday afternoon, the gates were closed with armed guards placed in and outside.
Rajapaksa is accused of mismanaging the economy to a point where the country has run out of foreign exchange to finance even the most essential imports, leading to severe hardships for its 22 million people. Sri Lanka defaulted on its $51-billion foreign debt in April and is in talks with the International Monetary Fund for a possible bailout.
The island has nearly exhausted its already scarce supplies of petrol with the government ordering the closure of non-essential offices and schools to reduce commuting and save fuel.
Diplomatic sources said Mr Rajapaksa's attempts to secure a visa to the United States had been turned down because he had renounced his US citizenship in 2019 before running for President, AFP reported.
 

International Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that hoodlums attacked its officials in the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

INEC Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who disclosed this in a statement, said the attack led to the loss of two voters registration machines and personal items of the staff involved such as mobile phones.

Okoye added that the electoral officials were involved in the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise before the gunmen stormed the Community Primary School Umuopu in Umuozzi Ward 19 in the South-Eastern state.

After the Administrative Secretary in Enugu State, Jude Okwuonu, reported the incident to INEC Headquarters, the commission said it decided to suspend the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise in the affected area.

“The gunmen fired sporadically into the air to disperse registrants and registration officials. In the ensuing stampede, one of our staff sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in a hospital,” the statement read.

“Two voters registration machines and personal items of the staff such as mobile phones were lost. Consequently, Ward level registration of voters in Igboeze North is hereby suspended.”

According to Okoye, the commission has reported the incident to police authorities in Enugu State to commence an investigation.

Attacks on INEC facilities have been frequent in the South-East as the nation prepares for the general elections in seven months’ time.

On July 3, arsonists attacked the INEC office in Igbo-eze North Local Government Area and burnt down the facility.

News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

A non-governmental organisation, Women Aid Collective (WACOL)/Tamar Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Tamar SARC), has decried the rising cases of violence against women and girls across the country.

 

The group in a report released on Thursday, obtained by SaharaReporters, said it received and handled 450 cases of (VGWG) between January and June 2022.

In a bi-annual report signed by former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus and founder of WACOL/Tamar SARC, Professor Joy Ezilo, the group called for effective implementation of existing laws, and policies that seek to prevent and mitigate VAWG but punish perpetrators.

 

According to the report, the group said the 450 cases include rape, defilement, incest, domestic violence, child custody, neglect and maintenance; denial of inheritance; harmful widowhood practices, and malicious damage to properties; forceful ejections, abandonment of spouses and early/forced marriage.

 

According to the document, cases involving adult victims accounted for 433 while, 17 victims are minors.

 

Similarly, cases reported by female clients amount to 431 (representing 96%) female, while the remaining 19 incidents (representing 4%) were reported by male clients.

 

The reports revealed that in terms of disaggregation by age; ages between 25 and 34 featured 171 cases, followed by ages 35 to 44 with 151 cases, while 45 to 49 had 54 cases.

 

Also, ages 18 to 24 had 33 instances, while those above 60 years were the lowest at 18 cases. About six (6) incidents had no specific age bracket.

 

The statement read in part, “In terms of state-by-state data representation, the highest population emanated from Enugu State, Anambra State came second, followed by Ebonyi, Imo, and Abia states respectively.

 

"We equally received reports from across the state of the federation, accordingly, most female clients suffered cases relating to domestic violence, rape, defilement, incest; physical, and emotional abuses; custody, and maintenance; denial of inheritance.

 

"Others include harmful widowhood practices; malicious damage to property; forceful ejection, and abandonment of spouse; as well as early /forced marriage."

 

It further stated, “Apart from the female, the clinic also recorded a significant number of complaints from male victims who lodged complaints of mostly emotional/physical abuse, and custody battle against their spouse in the period under review.

 

“As it is customary in WACOL, our team of legal experts and counsellors leveraged the organisation’s mechanisms of alternative dispute resolution to resolve the majority of the civil matters leading to the settlement, and reconciliation of spouses and families in dispute.

 

"However few cases which failed at the arbitration were charged to court. Importantly, all criminal matters were referred to the police for arrests and prosecution.

 

“To further facilitate the process of prosecution of the cases, WACOL had written about 181 petitions to the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant agencies requesting prompt prosecution of the reported incidents.

 

“It is gratifying to note that over 194 persons received legal aid services, 38 clients accessed psycho-social support, and three (3) persons received medical care within the period through WACOL’s interventions.

 

“The Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) is a not-for-profit civil society organisation, registered in Nigeria and operating across West Africa and globally.”

"We register an average of 20 cases daily at our legal clinic, this is evidence-based and well documented. From 1998 to date, approximately 62,000 women and girls have accessed free legal aid and assistance services. We provide free legal services for women and young people in our offices across the country.

 

“We, therefore, solicit the support of relevant stakeholders to achieve this tough but, important task through prompt/effective reporting of incidents, prosecution, and incarceration of offenders to serve as a deterrent to others," it added.

 

News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva

Increasing inflation, debts and forex crisis are pushing Nigerian and other African economies to the brink, the International Monetary Fund has warned.

 

SaharaReporters earlier reported that IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, had said the outlook for the global economy had “darkened significantly” since April.

IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva

She warned that a global recession next year could not be ruled out, given the elevated risks.

 

“It’s going to be a tough ’22, but maybe even a tougher 2023,” the IMF boss had warned.

 

However, Georgieva in a report released on Wednesday, said the ministers of finance and central bank governors on the African continent told her of the impending crisis.

She also said most countries on the continent could raise money from the global financial markets, especially those that do not have large domestic markets to turn to.

She said, “The particularly difficult condition in many African countries at this moment is important to consider. In my meeting with Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors from the continent this week, many highlighted how the effects of this, entirely exogenous, shock was pushing their economies to the brink.

 

“The effect of higher food prices is being felt acutely as food accounts for a higher share of income. Inflation, fiscal, debt and balance of payments pressures are all intensifying. Most are now completely shut out from global financial markets, and unlike other regions don’t have large domestic markets to turn to.

 

“Against this backdrop, they are calling on the international community to come up with bold measures to support their people. This is a call we need to heed.”

 

Finance News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari.

A coalition of civil society, Workers and Human Rights Defenders (COCSWAHD), has called the Nigerian Government to release all political detainees across the country, including the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The coalition demanded “the unconditional release of all political detainees including Nnamdi Kalu,” adding that the government should engage them constructively.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari.

The coalition which stated this on Thursday, during the unveiling of its South East headquarters in Enugu, urged President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to instead engage those detainees in constructive discussions instead of the use of arms.

 

Addressing journalists shortly after conducting them around the offices, the Convener of the Coalition and President, International Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights Initiative, Comrade Osmond Ugwu, lamented the impunity with which the government and security agencies abuse human rights in Nigeria, especially in the South East region.

 

Flanked by the Secretary of the Coalition, Comrade Chukwudi Aniachuna and other leaders, Ugwu said human rights violations have increased exponentially in Nigeria after the national protest against police brutality codenamed #ENDSARS rather than decreased.

 

The coalition, however, asked the Enugu State government to make public the report of the administrative panel of inquiry on #EndSARS as well as a full implementation of the recommendation of the National Economic Council as regards #EndSARS protests and mitigation of police brutality in Nigeria.

 

"We once again wish to use this opportunity to call on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and his government to revisit the document we presented to him in November 2021 on about 16 fundamental issues affecting the people, workers and retired public servants in the state.

“The issues of impunity in the system and acting on the report of the representative of Civil Society in ENDSARS related Judicial panel on police brutality and other related extra-judicial killings.

 

"He should make public report of administrative panel on EndSARS as well as full implementation of recommendation of National Economic Council as regards to EndSARS protests and mitigation of police brutality in Nigeria.

 

"We want the government to pay the seized salaries, allowances and benefits of 14 former legislators of the state House of Assembly that were unjustly seized by former governor of Enugu state, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani during his regime because of their opposition to his unjust policies during his regime.

 

"We want the governor to stop the abuse of fundamental human rights of residents of Enugu State through the unjustified hardship he imposed on the poor that do not have vehicles as a result of the ban on movement of ‘Keke’ (commercial tricyclists) and commercial vehicles from 9 pm in the state capital among others."

 

Regarding the 2023 general elections, the coalition urged Nigerians to not only obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs) but ensure they participate actively in the polls.

 

"We appreciate the interest being exhibited by the electorates this time in trying to get their PVCs and urge every person of voting age to ensure that he or she gets a PVC, ensure they vote during elections, resist monitory inducement and intimidation during elections. They should also make sure that they vote according to their conscience and stay behind to endure that their votes are counted and results announced.

 

"We also call on the Nigerians to rise up to the challenges of ending electoral manipulations and merchandising of elective offices by politicians and exclusion of credible persons from contesting elective offices through the high cost of expression of interest forms."

 

News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

A polytechnic lecturer, Yohanna Mbudai Bzegu, has been shot dead in Adamawa State, SaharaReporters has learnt.
Bzegu, a lecturer with the department of Mechanical Engineering of Adamawa State Polytechnic Yola, was shot dead in the early hours of Thursday at his Bajabure residence, behind Anglican Junior Seminary, a satellite town on the outskirts of Yola, the state capital.

The assailants reportedly broke into his house and fired multiple shots into his chest and watched him breathe his last, while his wife looked haplessly.
A source close to the family, who does not want to be mentioned, told SaharaReporters that "They came around 3:00am today. It was their fourth or fifth attempt and we don't know why they murdered him.
"They first fired shots through the window; later they broke the door and shot him several times in the chest until they confirmed he was dead", he said.
While confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the police in the state, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said, "The Commissioner of Police, Sikiru Akande, visited the crime scene earlier today and directed that immediate investigation be conducted with a view to apprehending the perpetrators of the crime.”
Gunmen’s killings are increasing in the state and causing sleepless nights to many residents.
Only last week, SaharaReporters reported that gunmen shot a pastor, gunned down his two sons and kidnapped his 13-year-old daughter in Adamawa State.

News AddThis :  Original Author :  saharareporters, new york Disable advertisements : 

Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress has postponed the official unveiling of former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, as his running mate for the 2023 election.

Shettima was meant to have been presented to party members at the APC National Secretariat on Thursday afternoon, but the Chairman of the APC Press Corps told reporters the event would no longer hold.

It was learnt that a new date would be disclosed soon.

The postponement may be connected with the controversies surrounding the choice of Shettima, a Muslim from the northern region, as Tinubu’s running mate.

Tinubu is a Muslim politician from the southern region while Shettima is from Muslim-dominated northern Nigeria.  

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Northern Christian political leaders of the ruling party rejected a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket adopted by the party ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

This was revealed in a communique of the meeting of all Christian leaders of the party across the 19 northern states of Nigeria.

They expressed their displeasure over the manner by which President Muhammadu Buhari and other APC stakeholders handled the issue of Bola Tinubu's running mate and further asserted that it would certainly result in a massive revolt against the party, among Christian faithful nationwide.

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, new York Disable advertisements :