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Category: Politics

  • Group calls for proactive measures to tackle terrorism in W/Africa

    Terrorism

    By Emmanuel Oloniruha

    Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) A Non-Governmental Organisation, The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought (TASSPT), has called for proactive measures to tackle terrorism in the West African sub-region.

    Its Director, Dr Sam Amadi, made the call during a policy dialogue organised by the school in Abuja on Thursday.

    The theme of the dialogue was, “Appraising the success of counter-terrorism measures in the defence of democracy in West Africa”.

    Amadi noted that although several counter-terrorism efforts were in place at different levels, terrorism activities seem to be spreading across the sub-region.

    He stressed the need to pay more attention to insecurity due to its impact on livelihood and democracy.

    “There are a lot of counter-terrorism measures at the level of states, national, regional and continental levels. The Africa Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) are equally involved, yet they have not been very effective,’’ he said.

    According to him, there is the need for the government to be proactive, engage stakeholders and develop capacity for persuasion and augmentation.

    This, he said, would help rebuild the confidence of citizens in the state project.

    “Government needs to develop a working state that has the capacity to aggregate ideas and commit citizens to a pursuit of the public good,’’ he said.

    Amadi also emphasised the need for the Nigerian government to pay attention to aggrieved groups within the country so that they would not be recruited by terrorists within the region.

    He called on the government to look beyond the use of force and apply the use of non- kinetic measures to tackle the menace of insecurity, terrorism and other agitations.

    “If we can develop more capability to reinforce kinetic force with the capacity of the state to be more persuasive and efficient, terrorism and insecurity crisis in Africa will reduce

    “Government needs to do more, not just to police, but to be analytic and get the experts to sit together from time to time to examine, review, develop and deploy more effective strategies to address the problem of insecurity,” he said.

    During the discussions, the convener, Geo-politics Series, Mr Senator Iroegbu, advised the authorities within West Africa to look beyond deployment of military to tackle insecurity.

    Iroegbu also advised governments at all levels to prioritise good governance, credible electoral process, inclusivity and ease of doing business in addressing insecurity.

    This, according to him, is due to the strong link among security, democracy and development.

    “When there is high crime in any society and people are available to be recruited by criminal elements, by terrorist organisations, then it becomes more difficult for states to deal with such problems.

    “This is what is happening in the Sahel region, which now has turned into the headquarters of terrorism,’’ he said.

    On his part, Mr Ayolande Fagbemi, former Director, Centre for Peace Building and Socio-Economic Resources Development (CePSER), said that the sustenance of democracy in West Africa was being increasingly threatened due to rising insecurity.

    Fagbemi explained that democracy was threatened with intra-class contestation for state capture assuming burning dimensions and abusive use of primordial considerations.

    He called for the strengthening of protective law enforcement, security arrangements, and criminal justice systems that did not favour criminals and perpetrators of criminal acts. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OBE/FEO/FDY

    ============

    Edited by Francis Onyeukwu and Philip Yatai

  • Human right groups urge police neutrality in Rivers LGA crisis 

    Human right groups urge police neutrality  in Rivers LGA crisis
    Police
    By Femi Ogunshola
    Abuja, June 20, 2024(NAN) A coalition of human rights groups and the Human Rights Advocacy Crusaders (HRAC), have urged the Police and other security agents in Rivers State to maintain neutrality and impartiality in the ongoing local government crisis.
    Pastor Jerry Nicholas, the group spokesperson in a statement on Thursday in Abuja said that taking sides could escalate the crisis.
    He added that it could lead to further violence and clashes between supporters of different parties, resulting in deaths and destruction of property.
    According to Nicholas, the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen and other officials is a constitutional matter, hence security agents should help to maintain the peace in the state.
    “The law is clear: the 1999 Constitution and Section 9(1) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No 5 of 2018 provide for a 3-year tenure for local government chairmen, with a possibility of a second term,” he said.
    He urged the security agents to prevent violence and maintain peace while allowing the democratic process to unfold, and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld.
    Nicholas urged the former chairmen and others who are still eligible to seek re-election into the councils whenever elections are scheduled by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
    He reiterated that security agents must remained neutral and not take sides with any party.
    It would be recalled that after the expiration of the tenure of LG chairmen, vice and councillors, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara ordered heads of administration in the 23 local government areas to take over the administration of the LGA’s.
    He subsequently swore in caretaker chairpersons in accordance with the law.
    However, some LG chairmen have insisted on holding on to their offices.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
    ODF/EAL
    ====
    Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

  • Stakeholders seek amendment of PIA

    Stakeholders seek  amendment of PIA

    Act
    By EricJames Ochigbo

    Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Some stakeholders have called for  amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), to abolish section 257 which criminalised an entire community, should oil facility be tampered with by any hoodlum within the area.

    The stakeholders which include leaders of host communities, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) legal and environmental activists made the call at the third edition of the Niger Delta Socio-Ecological Alternatives Convergence (NDAC) in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The conference which was organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) also demanded justice for people of the region for the many years of environmental degradation by oil companies.

    They also called for the restoration of the Niger Delta environment before the global transition to clean energy is concluded.

    In his remarks, Prof. Lucky Worika, the Director, Center for Advanced Law Research, River State University, said that section 257 should be deleted.

    He decried the clause,  saying the PIA which took 20 years before it was passed into law should not have had such a clause in the first place.

    “Section 257 that deals with the fact that if there is sabotage or alleged sabotage in communities, that they cannot benefit from the Host Community Trust Fund.

    “That is basically criminalising an entire community for the offense of one or a few; it is not done anywhere.

    “The is the most anachronistic section in that legislation that I think needs to be deleted immediately because the communities are not happy.

    “They have suffered enough then if some miscreants in the communities now go and tamper with installations you now hold the entire community, who does that?,” he said.

    Worika said there had  been almost 70 years of oil and gas exploration and development in the Niger Delta, resulting in ecological, environmental damages including destitution for the people.

    He said there were many government interventions to salvage the situation but all failed as a result of  political interference.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, described PIA as “anti people Act.”

    According to him, the section of the Act serves the purposes of the oil companies as against that of the host communities.

    He said since 1998 to date, the Federal Government had deployed excerpts and security agencies to address sabotage in the area but had not succeeded.

    “So 25 years of Joint Task Force (JTF) did not bring about any oil thief being incarcerated anywhere.

    “You are a journalist so go to Kuje prison, go to Kogi presently,  go to Kiri Kiri prison and check the roll call from 1998.

    “But today in my kingdom, if there is oil pipeline vandalism in my kingdom, I and my people, my subjects will be held responsible.

    “You are passed a job to the traditional ruler that professionals military professionals could not do, security professionals, Department of State Securty (DSS) professionals and other professionals in this country put together could not do. 

    “You put it on a youth that has not gone to school to do, you put it on a pregnant woman to do and that if they fail to do it, they will be no benefit from that three  per cent that comes from the trust fund, they won’t get it,” he said.

    The Director of HOMEF, Mr Nnimmo Bassey, said the degraded situation of the Niger Delta region must be realigned for the wellbeing of the people and the environment.

    He said  the region had been placed on a bloody slab and visited with unrelenting abuse by the forces of extractivism, internal colonialism and dispossession. 

    “It has been recklessly exploited right from the time of slavery to the time of colonial monopolies and current realities where it is raped for the sake of keeping a waning petroleum civilisation on life support.

    “The convergence continues to demand urgent responses to climate change impacts,  including setting up mechanisms for emergency response to floods, shoreline protection, restoration of mangrove forests and halting of deforestation.

    “We demand for proper urban and rural planning and rejection of false solutions such as geoengineering,  Blue Carbon and other carbon upsetting offsets which are tools for carbon slavery and colonialism. 

    “The convergence is about people and planet, with the world shifting away from dirty energy, it is of utmost urgency that the Niger Delta region is rid of the scars of that regime and the destitution it has forced on the people.

    “It is time to demand a demilitarised region with offshore oil platforms converted to wind farms for renewable energy,” he said. (NAN)

    EOO/CHOM/SH

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Sadiya Hamza

     

     

  • NILDS D-G commiserates with Saraki over mother’s demise

    Condolence

    By EricJames Ochigbo

    Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has commiserated with the former Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki over the death of his mother, Mrs Morenike Saraki.

     

    In a statement on Wednesday, Sulaiman expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Saraki family while acknowledging the significant contributions the late Mama Saraki made to nation building.

     

    “She was a pillar of strength, a compassionate matriarch, and a guiding light whose legacy of selfless service and dedication to family values will continue to inspire many.

     

    “Mama Florence Saraki was more than a mother to one of Nigeria’s eminent political leaders; she was a beacon of hope and a source of support.

     

    “Her life was a testament to the virtues of love, resilience, and faith; she played an instrumental role in shaping the lives of her children, who have gone on to serve Nigeria with distinction,” he said.

     

    Suleiman prayed for the Saraki family as they navigate through this difficult period while praying God to grant the departed eternal rest.

     

    Mama Saraki, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    EOO/BEKl/BRM

    ====================

    Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Bashir Rabe Mani

  • RSIEC meets stakeholders ahead of LG election 

    RSIEC meets stakeholders ahead of LG election
    Election
    By Precious Akutamadu
    Port Harcourt, June 19, 2024(NAN) Justice Adolphus Enebeli, Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission(RSIEC), has invited stakeholders for a meeting as the body prepares for election into Local Government Councils(LGCs).
    Enebeli, in a statement on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, listed the stakeholders to include leaders of parties leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies, religious groups and the media.
    Others are professional organisations, civil society groups, Non-Governmental Organisations, community-based groups and the electorate.
    “The meeting will hold on Monday, July 1 at the RSIEC headquarters,” Enebeli said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that Gov. Siminalayi Fubara had earlier assured the people of Rivers that the processes to conduct elections into the LGCs had commenced.
    He also promised that the tenure of the Caretaker Committee Chairmen of the 23 LGCs would not be long.
    NAN reports that the commencement of the election processes is expected to douse tension generated by the expiration of the tenures of the former local government leaders.
    They had vowed to remain in office until their successors were elected while the state government insisted they must give way after their tenures ended on June 17. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    PA/ETS
    ======

  • Why I’m Supporting Gov. Alia – Gemade

    Support
    By Emmanuel Antswen
    Katsina-Ala (Benue), June 19, 2024 (NAN) Ex- National Chairman of the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Barnabas Gemade, said he has several reasons to support Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue to succeed.
    Gemade disclosed this on Wednesday in Katsina-Ala while addressing the  All Progressives  Congress (APC) supporters during Alia’s thank you tour accross the state.
    NAN recalled that Gemade, who joined the APC in 2014, contested the 2023 governorship ticket alongside the governor and many others.
    NAN further recalled that after the primaries, he contested the outcome of the exercise up to the Supreme Court, calling for the cancellation of the exercise over alleged non compliance with electoral guidelines.
    The former senator however, resolved his differences with the governor much later and has since thrown his weight behind him.
    Speaking in Katsina-Ala, Gemade said the coming of Gov. Alia was truly a divine intervention.
    “The priest is a representative of God on earth, for that reason, if a priest has been assigned a responsibility he does not need a godfather. A priest that represents God here on earth has no business with another human being calling himself a godfather.
    “Father Alia can only have a father not a godfather, and I will be very happy as a bonafide son of the state and an experienced man at politics with all that it takes to be a father to anybody, I am very proud to be the father of Rev. Fr.  Alia and that is all he needs,” he said.
    He also described Alia as a humble and God-fearing priest  who is working hard to turn around the fortune of the state.
     “I used to know how people call me “Nomiyange” (a shining sun), that was when I shine, but truly, Rev. Fr. Alia came out with his sun which shines more and stronger than mine.
    “So I decided to retreat to make sure I  support him to do things that God Almighty has asked him to do, that will bring development to Benue and he is already doing those things.
    “I have only one thing to tell you the people of Sankera. There is nothing more than unity, it is one of the greatest things you must do in this state. Each time I have an opportunity to talk, I say this and  you must embrace unity and support the Alia’s administration to succeed,” Gemade said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
    AEB/OIF/YGA
    ============
    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Gabriel Yough

  • Edo PDP expels Shaibu, Orbih, cites anti-party activities

    Edo PDP expels Shaibu, Orbih, cite anti-party activities

    Expulsion

    By Nefishetu Yakubu

    Benin, June 19,2024(NAN) The leadership of  Edo chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday announced the expulsion of former deputy governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, from the party.

    Also expelled was the National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the party, Chief Dan Orbih. Shaibu and Orbih were expelled for anti-party activities, according to PDP.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Benin by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Mr Ogie Vasco.

    Vasco said also expelled for the same reason was Mr Omorgie  Ihama, a former House of Representatives member, who represented Oredo Federal Constituency.

    Vasco said the decision was taken on Wednesday at a meeting attended by nine members of the State Working committee at the party secretariat.

    “The SWC has extensively deliberated on the issue and resolved to expel, with immediate effect, Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman South South.

    “It also decided to expel Phillip Shaibu and upheld the expulsion of Ogbeide-Ihama from Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area “, he said.

    Reacting, Orbih told newsmen said the body had no powers to suspend a member of the National Working Committee or expel anybody without following the provision of the party’s constitution.

    “When a group of persons sits down to make pronouncement that are unconstitutional it only showed that they are ignorant of the constitution of the party.

    “That is all I have to say about that and nothing more,” Orbih told newsmen. (NAN)
    (www.nannews.ng)

    NY/KUA

    =======

    Edited by Uche Anunne

  • Edo Assembly passes 16 bills, 44 resolutions in 12 months-Speaker

    Edo Assembly passes 16 bills, 44 resolutions in 12 months-Speaker

     

    Bills
    By Nefishetu Yakubu
    Benin, June 19, 2024(NAN) The Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, says the assembly passed 16 bills and over 44 resolutions in the last one year.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 8th Assembly came into existence on June 16, 2023 with 24 lawmakers.

    Agbebaku, while briefing newsmen on their activities in the last one year on Wednesday in Benin , said that he hoped the bills had impacted on the lives of the people.

    He listed the bills to include, a bill to establish Edo State Corps Governance Law 2024, bill to declare Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo as the official Edo Anthem and a bill to establish the Edo State Oil Palm programme, among others.

    The Speaker also said that a total of 44 resolutions were passed during the period under review, adding that several petitions were pending at different committee levels.

    “In the year under review, the 8th Assembly has had a few challenges but with the bond of friendship, comradeship, understanding and unity the House stands tall.

    “I would like to thank my fellow gallant, erudite, intelligent, dynamic, result oriented and friendly legislators of the 8th assembly for their support, understanding and cooperation in the last 12 months.

    “To Governor Godwin Obaseki, our gratitude is immense for the overwhelming support to this assembly.

    “His goodwill and defence for democracy in the state is reserved for eternal adoration,” Agbebaku said.

    Speaking on the fate of the three lawmakers suspended on May 6 over an alleged impeachment plot, the Speaker said a committee had been set up to look into their suspension.

    He said that from the committee’s report, the House would decide the next line of action.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    NY/CEO/JI

    Edited by Chidi Opara/Joe Idika

    08035625662

  • Edo 2024: Labour Party’s mission is to rescue Edo-Kadiri

    Edo 2024: Labour Party’s mission is to rescue Edo-Kadiri

    Mission

    By George Edomwonyi

    Auchi (Edo), June. 19, 2024 (NAN) The Deputy Governorship Candidate of Labour Party (LP), Yusuf Kadiri, SAN, has called on the electorate to vote for the party come September 21.

    Kadiri said, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Auchi, Edo, on Wednesday that their votes count because the party’s mission was to bring governance closer to the people.

    We are on a mission to rescue Edo State and to restore hope to our people.

    “I urge Edo people to vote the Labour Party into office to uplift the qualities of lives of the people.

    “We have good intention for the people of Edo.

    ” We have seen the pain, the anguish, the frustration that our people are going through.

    “Too much of poverty in the land, too much of deception from those who are piloting the affairs of the state and we have told ourselves enough is enough.

    “We will fix our educational sector, children have no business sitting on the floor when they are in school,” he alleged. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    GE/JI

    Edited by Joe Idika
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  • PDP felicitates Gov. Oborevwori on birthday

    PDP felicitates Gov. Oborevwori on birthday

    Birthday

    By Emmanuel Oloniruha

    Abuja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated  Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta  on his birth anniversary.

    This is contained in  a statement issued by   its National Publicity Secretary , Mr Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Wednesday.

     

    The party described Oborevwori as a  focused ,humble and visionary leader.

     

    The main opposition party also said Oborevwori was as a man of integrity and  a seasoned administrator.

    According to PDP, the Delta governor has  continued to demonstrate an incomparable commitment in ensuring the progress, well-being and development of Delta, the party and the nation.

    The party added that  when he was  Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly and now democratically elected governor, Oborevwori was  unwavering in his abiding love and selfless service to the people.

    “This is evident in Oborevwori’s life-enhancing legislation and governance policies in Delta”,the party said.

    The PDP said it was  proud of Oborevwori’s  agenda of meaningful development, opportunity for all, realistic reforms and enhanced peace and security.

    It said with the agenda ,Oborevwori was delivering impactful citizens empowerments , infrastructural development projects in all sectors ,in line with the manifesto and policy thrust of PDP.

    The party congratulated Oborevwori and prayed  God to grant him many more years of sound health and vigour in the service of Delta, the nation and humanity.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    OBE/BHB
    ===

    Edited by Buhari Bolaji