EndSARS / News / politics

There are errors in leaked Lagos #EndSARS report — Panel member

There are errors in the leaked report of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into police brutality.

This was stated by the youth representative on the panel, Temitope Majekodunmi, in a statement he issued on Thursday.

Majekodunmi said: “A leaked report of the Panel has been in circulation since yesterday, and I got numerous calls and messages from various persons asking me to confirm if the report was authentic.

“While others were particular about the error of name duplications, it is imperative to note that the leaked report in circulation is not far from the original, but I can confirm that the original is without all the identified errors. “Furthermore, we did approve the report for print after several reviews of a typographical error, omission of some documents but duplicated as final edit; final, final edits and final of the finals of edit.

“Regardless of errors identified, it is important that we stick to the facts of the findings and its recommendations contained therein and also interpret appropriately.

“This report is all-encompassing for the reasoning of peace and justice. I am sure every one of you must have gone through the details.

“To provide a summary, you can find an executive summary of the report on pages 11-15, background on page 16, general proceedings on pages 17-280, panel findings on pages 281-304, a compendium of recommendations on pages 305-300 and the conclusion to page 305.

“The report of the panel further validates our position that peaceful protesters were injured and/or killed by security operatives who were meant to protect us. The findings of the panel, and most importantly, the recommendations are now in the public domain.

“In conclusion, it is not the time to rest or sleep; it is the time to peacefully demand accountability and ensure that the recommendations of the panel are implemented.

“It is the time to ensure that our fallen heroes do not die in vain and that citizens of Nigeria are never afraid to peacefully protest in their native country.”…

Military / politics

DJ Switch reacts to Lagos panel report indicting the Nigerian Army

Nigerian disc jockey, DJ Switch has reacted to the report presented by the Lagos judicial panel of inquiry into the Lekki tollgate shooting of October 20, 2020.

DJ Switch claimed that at least 15 persons died in the Lekki Tollgate gun attack on peaceful protesters on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

In a tweet shared via her Twitter page on Monday, November 15, the activist slammed the government after it was indicted. “Shattered so many lives, tried to destroy mine. Only for what you desperately tried to hide to be made public… by you! The truth needs no defense! #EndSARS,” she tweeted.

DJ Switch was among the 100s of protesters that were shot at by security forces at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos.

It would be recalled that the celebrity disc jockey stream lived the shooting of innocent Nigerians by security operatives. During her interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson, she revealed how the government has openly bullied and attacked some of the protesters since the protest by seizing their international passports or illegally detaining them.

…
News / politics

National Assembly to APC, Presidency, Governors: No going back on Direct Primaries

An extended tripartite committee of the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday met to discuss and resolve topical issues, particularly party primaries.

The meeting, held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, was chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

President Muhammadu Buhari had in August 2020 established a Tripartite Consultative Committee of the Executive, Legislature and Leadership of the APC with a view to fostering cordial and beneficial relationship among all.

The National Assembly, on Tuesday, passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021. Tuesday’s meeting had in addition to members of the tripartite committee representatives of APC governors and members of the National Assembly.

Governor Yayaha Bello Kogi State, who spoke with State House correspondents after the meeting, said the critical issues were resolved.

Bello said: “The takeaway is that the topical issues have been resolved.

“The legislature, the executive and our party.

“So it is a good resolution.

“I don’t think any legislator or anybody whatsoever as far as APC is concerned is afraid or has any reservation about any mode of primaries.

“The only concern is the implication of having only one option.

“In case an option fails, what happens?

“If for instance INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) sets a date for an election and say it is sacrosanct.

“For instance, today is September 9.

“If INEC is suppose to conduct election today and it says that day is sacrosanct, under no circumstance should it be shifted and a circumstance beyond your control arises, what do you do?

“It means there will be no election.

“Then, you are calling for anarchy.

“That is just the only concern of our people.

“And I think we are taking that head on and I think we are going to be good for whatever decision that will be taken at the end of the day.”

The governor said he belonged to the executive arm of the government and would not subscribe to meddling with the affairs of the legislature.

Bello said whatever decision the legislature had taken might have been …

Business / News / politics

Nigeria owes China $3b, says World Bank

The total amount of money owed to the Chinese government by the Federal Government as at March last year rose to $3.121 billion (N1,126.68 trillion at USD/N361).

The amount represents only 3.94 per cent of Nigeria’s total public debt of $79.21 billion as at September 2021.

Similarly, in terms of external sources of funds, loans from China accounted for 11.28 per cent  of the External Debt Stock of USD27.67 billion as at the same date.

According to document from World Bank, the  total borrowing from China of USD3.121 billion as at March 31, 2020, are concessional loans with interest rates of 2.50 per cent per annum with a  tenor of 20 years and grace period (moratorium) of seven years.

“These terms are compliant with the provisions of Section 41 (1a) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007. In addition, the low interest rate reduces the interest cost to government while the long tenor enables the repayment of the principal sum of the loans over many years. These two benefits, make the provisions for debt service in the annual budget lower than they would otherwise have been if the loans were on commercial terms,” the document said.

The $3.121 billion loans, the document explained, are project-tied loans.

The projects, (11 in number as at March 31, 2020), include: Nigerian Railway Modernisation Project (Idu-Kaduna section), Abuja Light Rail Project, Nigerian Four Airport Terminals Expansion Project (Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt), Nigerian Railway Modernisation Project (Lagos-Ibadan section) and Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Abuja-Keffi-Makurdi Road Project.

The document added: “The impact of these loans is not only evident but visible. For instance, the Idu-Kaduna Rail Line has become a major source of transportation between Abuja and Kaduna. Also, the new International Airport in Abuja, has improved air transportation for the populace, while the Lagos-Ibadan Rail line when completed, will ease traffic on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“The projects also have the added benefits of job creation, not only by themselves but through direct and indirect service providers, a number of which are Small and …

Law / News / politics

NBA ‘cowardly voiceless’ to Nigeria’s challenges — Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has accused the Nigeria Bar Association of being “comfortably indifferent and cowardly voiceless” to issues and challenges affecting good governance, democracy, legal system and the rule of law.

Wike stated this on Monday in Port Harcourt at the NBA 2021 Annual Conference, with the theme: “Taking The Lead.”

He stated confronting the government may be tough and often misinterpreted politically, but there should be no room for reticence, retreat or surrender.

He said: “We must aspire to have excellence in our judicial system and prevent innocent persons from suffering adversity because of the failures of our legal system.

“We must speak about judges’ lack of courage to enforce our laws with equal measure, or worse still, because they have sold out to some form of political intimidation or pressure.”

According to Wike, taking the Llad, therefore, is to transform and reform the NBA to an activist association willing and ready to use the law to advance the values and aspirations of the law profession, and for the progress of society as a positive social force for change with courage and determination.

He said: “Taking the Lead is to reclaim and uphold the values of the profession we once held; to have the courage to challenge what is wrong and unjust; to break free from tired traditions and status quo of the system.

“To question the motives of unfair and inequitable governmental actions and decisions; as well as to take appropriate and bold steps to eliminate the increasing costs, delays and drudgery of our criminal justice system.

“Taking the lead is to embrace the truth and having no patience for injustice; no tolerance for bad governance.”

The Rivers State Governor said for the NBA to take the lead, it must have no sympathy for political leaders who fail their citizens.

He said there should be no sympathy for timid and incompetent judicial officers who betray their judicial oath with wrong and conscienceless judgements.

He added: “I do hope and pray that from this conference the …

News / politics

Buhari leaves Nigeria for S/Arabia on Monday to participate in investment summit

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday depart for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to participate in the investment conference organised by the Future Investment Initiative Institute.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, confirmed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

According to the presidential aide, the President will be joined at the 5th edition of the flagship investment event by business executives from Nigeria, bankers, captains of industry and energy experts to discuss issues on the future of investments across the globe.

”The three-day event, with the theme: INVESTMENT IN HUMANITY, which will host global executives and asset managers, will deliberate on progress and prosperity with energy; true final frontiers in investments; science in action; and impact of climate change on communities among others,” he said.

He also announced that the president would perform the lesser Hajj in Madina & Makka before returning to the country on Friday.

He said the president would be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.

Others to be on the trip are: National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen Babagana Monguno, Director-General of National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, Managing Director of Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, Uche Orji and Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Participants from the private sector will include: Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Tope Shonubi , Wale Tinubu, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Hassan Usman, Omoboyode Olusanya, Abubakar Suleiman, Herbert Wigwe and Leo Stan Ekeh.

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News / politics

Ohanaeze reacts to IPOB’s threat to declare one week sit-at-home

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has reacted to the decision of the Indigenous People of Biafra to declared a one-week sit-at-home in the South East from November 5, 2021.

The group gave stated its position in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro.

In the statement on Sunday, Isiguzoro said the order will cause the group to lose Igbo’s support and also give the All Progressives Congress the upper hand in the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 6.

It said the decision will, ultimately, hurt the Igbos most. The statement said: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has deciphered that any declaration that unleashes untold hardship, the collapse of commercial and industrial activities, a boycott of Anambra elections, and interrupts the academic calendar in South-Eastern states is viewed as nonsensical, absurd, and anti-Igbo agenda for the enemies’ amusement.

“You can’t enslave Ndigbo for one week without backlash from them, it’s time for Igbo to rise to the occasion and end being trampled with orders from overseas by those without any investments in the South-East.

“IPOB should discern that there have been self-determination struggles in Africa, before now, Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in jail, never in the annals of the history of the movement against Apartheid, was starvation, anguish, and catastrophe unleashed on Black South Africans by ANC, it’s an impulsive and reckless imperilment against Igbo to order them to observe one-week sit-at-home when it’s obvious that Nnamdi Kanu will not be released without the approval of courts.

“Secondly had IPOB declined to learn from the blunders and mistakes of former MASSOB leader Ralph Uwazurike on the boycott of population census of 2001 which made Igbo the majority-minority in Nigeria, attempts to boycott Anambra elections evidently will favor APC to win Anambra elections. IPOB should revisit and nullify the one-week sit-at-home or they will likely lose the support of Igbo henceforth, Ndigbo must participate in Anambra and nothing should stop it.

“Ndigbo should ask anyone enforcing the one-week sit-at-home, if they know the plight of common people who are street …

Law / News / politics

Trial of Nnamdi Kanu will lead to end of IPOB – Presidency

The Presidency has expressed confidence that the conclusion of the ongoing trial of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, will lead to the end of the group.

The Presidency spoke in reaction to an Editorial by The Economist, a London, United Kingdom-based magazine.

The magazine had faulted the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on several fronts, including the war against banditry and insurgency, the economy and handling of the IPOB issue.

Reacting through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the Presidency said: “In the South-East, IPOB – which the Economist rightly describes as “delusional” – the arrest and present trial of the terrorist leader of the group is the beginning of its demise. “The President’s administration is redoubling efforts to have IPOB rightfully designated as a terrorist group by our allies outside of Nigeria – an act which will collapse their ability to transact gains from crime and extortion in foreign currencies.

“It is important to remind the Economist and the global media that this group’s aggression and widespread presence on social media does not reflect their public support, for which they have none: all elected governors, all elected politicians and all elected state assemblies in the South-East – which IPOB claim to be part of their fantasy kingdom – reject them completely.”…

Foreign / News / politics

MURIC to President Erdogan: Stop persecuting opposition

The Muslim Rights Concern has told the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to stop the persecution of opposition in his country.

MURIC said this in a statement on Monday ahead of the State Visit of the Turkish president to Nigeria.

The State Visit will take place on Monday (today).

MURIC berated the Turkish leader for persecuting the opposition back home in Turkey. MURIC accused Erdogan of arbitrary arrest, torture, political killings, long imprisonment of opposition figures and critics, particularly members of the Hizmet Movement.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan will arrive in Nigeria today, Monday, 18th October, 2021 on a state visit. He is expected to sign some business deals with his Nigerian counterpart, President Muhammadu Buhari. However, Erdogan’s visit leaves a sour taste in the mouth because of his undemocratic and tyrannical practices back home in Turkey.

“Born on 26th February, 1954 at Rize, Turkey and presently leading the Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkinma Partisi), Erdogan who became prime minister of Turkey in 2003 clinged to power for eleven years before metamorphosing into a president on August 28, 2014. He cooked up a phantom coup on 15th July, 2016 to justify sweeping changes to the constitution and he arrogated extensive powers to himself as president one year later.

“What followed was arbitrary arrest, torture, political killings, long imprisonment of opposition figures and critics, particularly members of the Hizmet Movement. Travelling documents of key members of Hizmet were seized, and their properties were confiscated. They were thrown in jail in their thousands without fair trial. Members of the group who were outside Turkey were disallowed from returning.

“Though Hizmet is not a political movement that could threaten his position, yet like all dictators and tyrants, Erdogan was envious of the group because the latter had become extremely popular.

“Erdogan uses its diplomats in Nigeria to haunt Turkish citizens and members of the Hizmet Movement who are rendering humanitarian services in the country. They were declared persona non grata in Turkey and disallowed to enter their country of origin. Their …

News / politics

Congresses not conducted by accredited officials null and void — APC

The All Progressives Congress has said that State Congresses not conducted by officials sent by the National Headquarters of the party and witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission are null and void.

Many states witnessed parallel congresses and violence as the party on Saturday had its State Congress nationwide.

The Secretary of the party’s Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, made the party’s stand known in a statement on Sunday.

Akpanudoedehe said: “Anything (congress) outside the guideline is an exercise in futility. “Anything that we (Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) did not authorize is not permissible.

“The purported ‘parallel’ congresses are futile activities and very strange to the party, our Constitution, and the guidelines for the conduct of the state and other congresses.

“Only exercises conducted by duly inaugurated State Congress Committees are recognized by the party.

“The APC leadership will not hesitate to take adequate and lawful measures against any person or interest sabotaging the collective party’s interest and efforts to achieve peace and unity in our great party.

“We are a structured and a well-organized party.

“We gave notice to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“We submitted the guideline and the list of committee members to conduct the congresses to INEC.

“If you go outside that arrangement, it is an exercise in futility.

“Where contestations exist, adequate conflict resolution measures have been put in place to address them. The party has appeal committees for every congress.”…

Agriculture / News / politics

Open Grazing: Obaseki storms Abuja, meets Buhari

The governor made the call when he addressed State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Obaseki said that the people of Edo had resolved that ranching was a private business and should be treated as such.

He said: “Our people say that as far as they are concerned, ranching is a private business just like every other agricultural venture, therefore, those involved should provide the land. “As you already know, it is expensive to run and manage ranches.

“So I came to discuss with the President that since the people of Edo would rather invest privately.

“Then, the National Livestock Transformation Programme, which is now being implemented by the Federal Government, should acknowledge our model.

“It should also be able to help Edo people benefit from the funding that is now being made available for people who want to go into the livestock business and have made investments in ranches and other similar livestock programmes,”.

According to Obaseki, the state government is yet to promulgate a law banning open grazing because it sees the venture as private business.

“As you know, most Southern States have passed laws relating to open grazing but Edo State has not. Because we want to ensure that whatever laws we pass are laws that we can enforce.

“We have had extensive consultations with our people to deal with the issue that yes, we do not want open grazing because it is out modelled and out dated; however, what are the options?

“If we are asking that we should now have ranches and these cows should be constrained to specific areas such as ranches, then who provides the land?,” he queried.

On politics, Obaseki commended the Senate for joining their House of Representatives counterparts in approving the transmission of election results electronically.

He said: “Definitely if not for God and the technology utilized by INEC, I may not be governor today.

“So, I am one of those people who believe that we should not …

News / politics

Ohanaeze lambasts Dokpesi over 2023 presidency

Apex Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has berated the Chairman of Daar Communications Limited, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, for saying the South East cannot win the 2023 presidential election for the Peoples Democratic Party.

The position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was contained in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogbonnia.

It said it was disheartening that Dokpesi, one of the leaders of the South South Peoples Assembly, would profile the entire South as electoral liability to the PDP and back the North for the presidency.

It said: “One can easily understand the psychological ambivalence in the Dokpesi persona. On the other hand, there is no reason for the condescension and disdain he handed over to the entire south. According to him, ‘even I dare say there is no candidate from the south that you put in the north today that will be able to win.’ In another development,  Dokpesi recalls his friendship with Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his support for Tinubu’s presidential ambition. For the avoidance of doubt, several educated refined patriotic northerners are allergic to the supremacist born to rule entrepreneurs which has created the current Nigerian dilemma. “All the 17 southern governors in their meetings have resolved on the need for a power shift to the south. The Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi committee on zoning has declared that the national chairmanship of the  PDP should go to the north, while the Presidency should go to the south.

“It is therefore curious, the kind of appraisal parameters or kind of epitaph that the business mogul, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, wishes to be remembered. In one sentence, Dokpesi proclaimed that “If we are the Nigerians, I want us to be, if we believe in the unity of Nigeria and we also believe in equity, justice, and fairness, there is no reason we should not give it to the South East if the slot is given to the south. In another breath, Dokpesi averred that ‘whoever emerges as the president of Nigeria would have to compensate the people of the South East …

News / politics

Photo as Fayose visits Tinubu, responds to critics

A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has paid a visit to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Fayose, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, visited the APC chieftain in his Ikoyi, Lagos State home.

Fayose said his visit was primarily to wish Tinubu, who had a surgery on his leg, a quick recovery.

He lambasted those reading meanings into his visit. He wrote on social media: “Today, I was at Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos  to wish Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu a quick recovery.

“Health issues know no political party and in this part of the world, we seldom celebrate people when they are alive.

“Rather, we like to sign condolence registers. To me, that is not the best way to live.

“Most importantly, politics should be about love for each other.

“Therefore, like other leaders in Nigeria, I wish Asiwaju sound and robust health.

“And to those negative political analysts, this visit notwithstanding, I remain an unrepentant PDP leader and key stakeholder.”…

News / politics

Electoral Act: Saraki begs National Assembly on Direct Primaries

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has sent a passionate appeal to members of the National Assembly who are in the process of reconciling the different versions of the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill passed by both chambers to save the country the crisis and trouble that will result from the proposal to make direct primaries compulsory for parties in sourcing candidates for elections.

Saraki spoke in a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Head of his Media Office, and made available on Sunday.

He noted that the decision to include a provision in the proposed Electoral Act, which makes it compulsory for parties to adopt direct primaries, will only create a fresh problem while trying to solve another.

He added that many of the political parties lack the necessary infrastructure to successfully conduct direct primaries at all levels, while the attempt will lead to hundreds of litigations that may jeopardize the general election. He said: “I feel compelled to once again appeal to Distinguished Senators and Honorable Members of the House of Representatives on the proposed Electoral Act because I realize that while the focus of the general public has been on how to get the electronic transmission of results into the proposed law, another potential problem that may clog our electoral process is included in the Electoral Act is this provision on direct primaries.

“The two options on the table are to make direct primaries compulsory for all the parties or to leave it open for parties to decide. We should take the latter option. Let us leave each party to decide how it wants to source its candidates. The experience we have in the past shows that direct primary will lead to a crisis if forced on the parties. We saw how people sent from the national headquarters to conduct primary elections stayed in hotel rooms and conjured up figures which were announced as the result of direct primary elections.

“Even if the big parties have the funds and facilities to organize direct primaries nationwide, how about the …

News / politics / Security

Ribadu speaks on report he blamed government officials for banditry

Nuhu Ribadu, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has blamed most of the country’s challenges on fake news peddled by the social media.

Ribadu spoke on the development in the nation’s capital, Abuja, on Sunday at a news conference he addressed.

He was reacting to reports in the social media that he accused some top government functionaries of sponsoring banditry in the country.

The former EFCC boss said it was time for him to clear the air on the issue, which he said had been on for some time. He said: “July 2019 was the first time I came out to know about it, and I came out with a very strong denial, saying that it was a fabrication and had no basis.

“It was a piece of rubbish with very bad grammar and factual destruction, but indeed very damaging.

“I reacted very strongly after that, it didn’t stop and I was forced again to issue a statement denying it.

“I thought that would have been the end of it, but not long afterwards, it started coming back again and I am worried and concerned.”

Ribadu said globally, people who were worried and concerned and wanted to fact-check had been getting in touch with him, adding that he had continued to respond to the issue every single day.

He said: “I want to again deny in the strongest term and send a message to everybody to disregard the statements, it is not fair, it is not just.

“It is very sinful for you to create something from no where and attribute it to an innocent person who doesn’t know anything about it, I have nothing to do with that message.

“This is my strongest denial, everybody should please disregard the statement: it is not from me, it is not true.”

Ribadu said he had been inundated by messages from friends and associates who wanted to find out if the tweets on the issue were actually from him.

He, however, said he had made a formal complaint …

News / politics

Kogi alleges smear campaign against governor

Kogi State Government has raised the alarm over the alleged smear campaign against Governor Yahaya Bello ahead of the 2023 general elections.

There have been speculations that Governor Bello is interested in the Presidency, a move that has unsettled some major political actors.

Addressing journalists during its quarterly press briefing, yesterday, the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, who highlighted some of the achievements of the governor, said the state government was aware of plans to paint the governor in bad light ahead of the 2023 general election.

According to him, plots by certain persons to impute embezzlement of the state’s funds on the governor have been unraveled.

His words: “With all of these achievements, it is unfortunate that some disgruntled political liabilities are still bent on launching a smear campaign on the person of Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the Government of Kogi.”

He revealed that several bloggers and media-guns-for-hire had been contracted on retainer to regularly sully the public space with claims of embezzlement by the governor and his administration.

Fanwo added that some of the figures planned to be thrown around in the days, weeks and months to come represented more money than the administration had even seen together at one time.

“We hope that the press will be vigilant and activate their investigative offices before running with such fabricated and unfounded allegations. Despite intense pressure and lobbying from across the country and even Nigerians in the Diaspora, Bello has not told anyone that he is running for President in 2023.

“His Excellency’s position is that he will give an appropriate answer to his supporters at the appropriate time. But Intelligence reports at our disposal show that a certain person is at the center of this conspiracy. We will respond to him with the applicable legal force. Our gentleness must not be mistaken for cowardice,” he warned.…

News / politics

Buhari arrives Ethiopia, driven to dinner by Prime Minister

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, on Sunday for the inauguration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for another five-year term in office.

The News Agency of Nigeria monitoring the President’s visit reports that the presidential aircraft carrying Buhari and some members of his entourage landed at the newly built VIP Terminal of Bole International Airport at 5:06pm (Nigerian time).

The Nigerian leader, who was accorded a full guard of honor by the Ethiopian National Defense Force on his arrival, was received by Prime Minister Ahmed.

NAN reports that after the inspection of the guard of honor, the Prime Minister gestured the President into a waiting SUV, took control of the wheels, chauffeuring him straight to the newly built expansive friendship park for a private dinner. The dinner was attended by the President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, and the President of Senegal, Macky Sall.

While in Addis Ababa, the Nigerian leader is expected to deliver a goodwill message at the inauguration event scheduled to hold at the historic Meskel Square.

President Buhari will join other African leaders, who will be attending the event in person, including the Presidents of Djibouti, Kenya, South Sudan, Senegal, Somalia, Uganda and the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A statement by Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman, on Saturday said Buhari would also attend a State Dinner at the National Defense Headquarters, Addis Ababa.

On the significance of President Buhari’s visit to the country, the Ambassador of Nigeria to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Victor Adeleke, told reporters: “Nigeria and Ethiopia enjoy warm cordial relations, they are equally the two largest democracies in Africa, in this wise, the attendance of President Buhari at the inauguration ceremony of Prime Minister Ahmed is an indication of the President’s commitment to strengthening democracy in Africa.”

The Ambassador, who holds concurrent accreditation to Djibouti and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, explained that the visit would also afford President Buhari the opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia.…

News / politics

We have enough laws backing electronic transmission of results — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has disclosed that there are enough laws that capacitated the electoral umpire to transmit election results electronically.
It therefore said it will not go back on the electronic transmission of results from polling units in future elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ogun State, Olusegun Agbaje, stated this during a news conference at the state INEC headquarters in Abeokuta on Thursday.
According to Agbaje, who just resumed in the state as the REC, the INEC already had enough laws that capacitated it to transmit election results electronically.
Agbaje said: “We have enough laws that capacitated us to go ahead, but if the National Assembly says we cannot do it with the new committee that had been set up, we will stop and that will be a new law.
“If they are going to make a new law that will incapacitate us that will be too bad.
“With the shout of Nigerians, non-governmental bodies, the media and many other stakeholders, I believe the National Assembly will do the right thing so that INEC can go ahead.
“If the National Assembly sees that there is any way that NCC (Nigeria Communications Commission) can help, they should tell the NCC.
“They have enough time to do that.
“They have more than one and a half years to do necessary things before the general election.
“We have an understanding that if results cannot be transmitted at a particular polling unit or location, due to network problems, they can move from the unit level to ward level where there is network and do it.
“Even before the transmission, all the party agents would have the manual copies of the results.
“To the INEC, we are very much ready and we have the capacity to do it to the admiration of all Nigerians.
“Where we have governorship election this year, in Ekiti and Osun States next year, we are going to do that if the National Assembly does not stop us.
“It is not only in the southern part of the
…
Agriculture / News / politics

El-Rufai to Southern Governors: You can’t implement anti-open grazing law

The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasil el-Rufai, has told his counterparts in the South that the anti-open grazing law that their House of Assembly are passing and which they are signing into law are not implementable.

El-Rufai said this on Tuesday during his visit to the headquarters of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja.

The Governor, who spoke with newsmen, said since there are over 14 grazing reserves in Kaduna State he would want to convert into ranching, he would be glad if the Federal Government can support his state with N140 billion.

He said: “The Northern Governors Forum has already taken a position that open grazing is not a sustainable way of livestock production. “And we must move towards ranching.

“But moving towards ranching cannot be done overnight.

“We have to have a plan, we have to have resources and we have to implement it sensibly.

“It is not a matter of populist legislation or saying tomorrow this or that.

“It is not a solution.

“We have taken a position as northern state governors and we are implementing that.

“And in my state, for instance, we are developing a huge ranch to centralize the herders.

“And that is the solution, a long time.

“But can it be done overnight?

“No.

“This project we are doing will cost us about N10 billion.

“The CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) is supporting us with about N7.5 billion.

“And it will take about two years to do.

“We will be settling about 1,500 Fulani herders family.

“And I hope that they will see that there are alternative ways of producing livestock instead of running up and down with cattle going to people’s farms to cause all kinds of problems. We want to solve the problem.”…

News / politics / Security

Umahi raises alarm as FG declares South East ‘red zone’

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has expressed the fear that the declaration of the South East as a red zone due to the spate of insecurity will deprive the area of federal projects.

Umahi made the remark on Tuesday in Abakaliki while inaugurating the new leadership of the South East Traditional Rulers Council, headed by Eze Charles Mkpuma, the Chairman of the council in Ebonyi State.

He said that Federal Government’s Ministries recently declared the South East as a red zone because of the high wave of insecurity in the area.

According to him, the insecurity in the zone, occasioned by agitations for self-determination, amounts to “self-inflicted injury” by the people. He said: “The declaration of the South East as a red zone by these Ministries means that what is due to us would be difficult to come.

“It is time for the zone’s leaders and people to collectively say no to the killings in the zone because we no longer see the real agenda of the agitations.

“The people should support governors from the zone and other leaders to permanently stop this bloodshed because we know the parents and communities of the perpetrators of the heinous acts.”

Umahi further said the agitation for secession had been hijacked by cultists, kidnappers and other criminal elements, hence the need for the acclaimed freedom fighters to critically review the situation.

He said: “It is presently difficult for trucks with goods from other parts of the country to come to the zone as we did not harmonise adequately to determine areas of comparative advantage.”

Umahi reiterated his stance that the Federal Government should continue to collect and distribute proceeds from the Value Added Tax.

He commended the immediate-past Chairman of the zonal council, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, for his quality leadership and urged his successor to build on his legacies.

In a speech, Achebe thanked the southeast traditional rulers for their support during his tenure and urged them to extend similar gesture to his successor.

“I am delighted over …