Category: News

In a devastating incident during a Maulud celebration in Tudun Biri, located in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, numerous villagers are feared dead following a reported bomb drop by a military jet.

The tragic event unfolded on Sunday around 9 pm, with reports indicating that approximately 30 individuals lost their lives during the incident. The bomb exploded amid a gathering organized to commemorate Maulud in the village.

Samuel Aruwan, the Overseeing Commissioner of the State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, refrained from disclosing specific casualty numbers when approached for comment. However, he stated that the government plans to provide detailed information during a scheduled press conference at the Government House.

“We will address the press at Government House on the situation because there would be a security meeting later. So, let’s meet by 10 am,” Aruwan informed Daily Trust.

By Dogo Nanzing

That the judgments of the different Elections Petition Tribunals, across the country have shocked Nigerians is an understatement. And to reason that the Appellate courts that should look into these weird judgments, with a view to redressing some of the anomalies, as well as restore hope in the judiciary, appears not to have carried out it responsibility up to the expectations of Nigerians. That the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties have been a targeted victim in this travesty of justice and, for whatever reasons, remains not just a fact, but serious cause for concern.

Plateau State chapter of the PDP, from all indications, has been set aside by some powerful forces from within and without, as the object of the on-going display of jungle justice. In 2019 the party had Senator J. T. Useni, as its gubernatorial candidate. The party did all it could but some how lost the election which raised issues in the party.

The tenure of the state party EXCO expired in 2020. A caretaker Committee was put in place, vide a letter from the national headquarters of the party, signed by Col (rtd) Austin Akobundu, the National Organising Secretary of the party. This gave birth to the Hon Gwott Chocho-led Caretaker Committee, whose tenure ended on May 10, 2020.

To address the situation and restore sanity, the National headquarters of the party, set up a Committee headed by Senator Suleiman Adokwe, with three members each, from the two factions. The Adokwe-led Committee conducted a Congress on August 29, 2020 during the COVID-19 and Hon Chris Hassan emerged Chairman, defeating Hon Bitrus Kaze. Hon Kaze decided to approach a Jos High Court, to challenge the election of Chris Hassan.

On November 26, 2020, Justice S P Gang of the Jos High Court, ordered the PDP to dissolve the Chris Hassan – led EXCO and conduct a repeat Congress.
On June 10, 2021, the National Working Committee of the PDP decided to set up a Special Committee to look into the matter, headed by Senator Tunde Ogbeha. It was given 90 days within which to sort out all the issues and conduct a fresh congress. After working tirelessly, the Ogbeha Committee organized a repeat Congress on September 25, 2021. Hon Chris Hassan defeated Hon Bitrus Kaze to emerge as the state Chairman of the party.

With this development, the crisis in the party was deemed to have been put to rest. This is because to date, no member of the PDP approached any court to complain about the conduct of the second congress. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, the APC picked on the conduct of the congress as its reason to call on the Tribunals and court of appeal, for the nullification of the election of all candidates elected on the platform of the PDP. Today all candidates of the PDP who won their elections, in the general elections, have been sent packing, by the tribunal/ appellate court.

It is therefore very important that some of the issues bandied at the tribunal and Court of Appeal that were used to nullify the election of PDP contestants from the state are reviewed, with an intent to put the records straight. The legal team of the APC has harped extensively, on the disobedience to court orders, by the PDP, as reasons for the nullification of the victories of its candidates.

From the brief summary above, is the PDP guilty of disobedience to any court order(s)? To answer this question it is necessary to take another look at the summary above. The only court order the PDP was issued with was that of Justice S P Gang, in 2020, to conduct a repeat congress. This was substantially complied with in 2021, during the September 25, 2021, Congress.

After this congress, there was no complaint before any court in any part of the country from a member of the party in Plateau state, with regard to the congress. To therefore nullify elections that were duly conducted in line with the laid down guidelines, under the excuse of disobedience to court orders is, to say the very least, most disconcerting. Even where there was an established case of disobedience to court orders, it does not amount to a condition for the nullification of an election by an election tribunal or its appeal court. Precedence to this effect exist.

Per adventure there was disobedience to court orders, was this a pre or post – election matter? Given the precedence already established by other courts of corresponding jurisdiction and the Supreme Court, where such matters were struck off, on the ground that they are either outside the jurisdiction of the courts, or that they were pre-election matters, was the case of Plateau fairly and equitably handled, in line with the law? Certainly Not.

It is also necessary to state here, that contrary to the wrong impression being created around, that the PDP in Plateau was in the habit of repeatedly disobeying court orders, it is worth noting that there was only one court order to the party. The judgment of Justice S P Gang of 2020 was the only court order, which was amply and substantially obeyed.

Another deliberate misinformation making the rounds is that the judgment of S P Gang was for congress to elect officers for the party, from the ward to the state levels. This is completely false and malicious. All other structures of the party were perfectly in place and, besides, Hon Kaze went to the court over the state EXCO election which he contested and not for any other election.

The second congress held, according to the laid down guidelines for conducting such functions. It had delegates from the 17 Local Government Council branches of the party. The five EXCO members from the 12 LGAs were not involved in the elections, for reasons known to them, but were replaced by special delegates from their Council areas.

The congress arrangement targeted 2600 delegates from the 17 LGCs. 2005 delegates however voted at the congress. Certainly the participatory percentage form a quorum for a valid congress.

In conclusion, it should be noted and accepted as right, that in the eye of the law, no matter how bad the second congress was conducted, it is only the members of the party who participated in it that can validate or raise issues about it. No delegate or contestant in that congress approached any court to challenge the conduct of the congress, as at the time of the 2023 elections.

No court therefore, has the power to, in any way ,to unilaterally give validity or otherwise to it. The APC cannot in anyway, raise issues concerning the conduct of congresses of other parties.
Another area in which the public has been deliberately misinformed is on the subject of a structure, incidentally arising from the question of the congress.

Having successfully conducted a repeat congress, in line with the order of Justice S P Gang, the PDP had its structure in place. It is rather intriguing that the APC legal team used that false premise to mislead the courts to the extent that the PDP had no structure. A good example here, among many others, is the Anambra state PDP which, prior to the 2021 elections had unresolved issues.

The state leadership collapsed completely, to the extent that the national Secretariat of the party had to directly get involved in the conduct of the gubernatorial primaries. The tussles between factions of the party, like the Plateau case, were exploited by one of the political parties in the state, to complain of a lack of structure by the party.

The Supreme Court, in its ruling on the matter, upheld the intervention of the national headquarters of the PDP, as valid and, that no persons from other parties had the right to raise questions thereto. The apex court equally held that the structure of a political party at the state, or lack of it for that matter, was completely immaterial, to it presenting candidates for elections.

This is what ought to have been the scenario with Plateau PDP at the tribunals and appellate court. This is because it is the position of the law.

Dogo Nanzing writes from Jos

The Save Nigeria Movement (SNM), a formidable and frontline Civil Society Organisation (CSO) has urged Nigerians to disregard the unfounded and hilarious falsehood being peddled by one fugitive by name of Jackson Ude, a well known merchant of misinformation and fake news alleging among other spurious claims that the Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria’s number one spy agency and the custodian of nations intelligence is embroiled in corruption.

The group in a press release widely distributed to journalists in Abuja by the Convener, Rev Solomon Semaka, registered their displeasure with the continued, unprovoked and unjustifiable attacks of a fugitive journalist on the integrity of the DSS which has been in the forefront of the war against corruption and threats against national security.

According to the statement, “it hurts to be continuously inundated with deliberate false narratives about an institution that has over the years distinguished itself and rendered the most professional loyal and dedicated service to the fatherland. The likes of Jackson Ude are indeed blinded by chasing empty media clout and their desperation has turned them into liars in their attempts to get comments and likes on their social media handles. But Jackson Ude as usual is only chasing clout and exchanging ignorance with his ilk. The DSS under Mr Bichi is more focused as ever for the records.

“There is no iota of truth in whatever the disgruntled sadist has said about the DSS and the distinguished Director General (DG) of DSS, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, OFR, who has been honest, accountable, meticulous and transparent all through his career, first as a personel and now the DG of DSS. To weave fictitious stories of increased ‘goodbye allowances’ whatever that means, which does not even exist and accuse him of diverting subsidy removal palliatives that has not been disbursed by the federal government is to say the least callous”.

The CSO is equally irked by other petty and absurd accusations brought against DSS by the attention seeking Jackson Ude whose entire career is characterized by mudslinging, ineptitude and mischief.

“The ignominious ignorance expressed by Jackson Ude in alleging that the DG of DSS is involved in illegalities and fraudulent activities only shows his lack of understanding of how international spy agencies like the DSS are run. For a man who was recalled from glorious retirement in 2018 and given the exalted office of DG of DSS because of his stainless track record, it is laughable to conjure lies that he’ll require the intervention of anyone to lobby for another term. It is even more laughable to drop names of his wife and the president daughter. Between the wife and the man who is DGSS, who can lobby?

President Tinubu already knows what do and he’ll reward hardwork accordingly Rev Solomon Semaka assured Nigerians. We know the risk Alh Yusuf Magaji Bichi took to ensure that democracy was not botched pre and post 2023 general elections. That the man is focused on the task and has refused to fail is provocative enough for all enemies of the country. But this is their headache. The service under Alh Yusuf Magaji is undaunted and Nigerians are watching the back of the service as expected.

“Vainly trying to stain the tenacious Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the President, Mr. Adegboyega Fasisi in this web of empty conspiracy theories is a joke taken too far. Alhaji Yusuf Magaji needs nobody to lobby for him and for the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Fasasi, is not running the DSS as claimed by clout chasers. The DSS has a primary duty to protect the President and a synergy between the DSS and the CSO should not be misconstrued as lobbying but strategic alliance in the interest of national security”.
 
The release also bemoaned the weak an unsubstantiated claims that Alhaji Yusuf Bichi has refused to implement the 40 percent increment approved for members of the intelligence community and has unilaterally stopped the payment of study leave allowance to personnel some of whom are overseas as well as the appointing Junior officers as Deputy Directors, describing it as crass ignorance about how security agencies and promotions in the federal civil service is done. But we don’t blame a fugitive who is in hiding. Soon he will beg for another “out of court settlement” as he has always done when called upon by the US courts and law enforcement. He knows what I am talking about. Can he tell us the outcome of similar defamation cases he has lost without any shred of evidence when challenged? Is that who Nigerians will take serious? For example, Jackson Ude lied against Engr Simbi Wabote and was sued for defamation in the US courts. He has since been begging for settlement instead of proving his allegations. The DSS under Alh Yusuf Magaji Bichi will not chase shadows.

“First of all, it is not possible for the DG of DSS to stop the federal ministry of finance from implementing the said 40%.There’s no justification whatsoever. The Service cannot stop the study leave allowances of personnel bearing in mind the premium placed on knowledge acquisition by the Service. It is better to ask questions rather than running to the media to spew gibberish. As for the promotion of officers, federal character and seniority are pivotal in a highly professional agency like the DSS and cannot be jettisoned by the Service,” the statement noted.

The CSO earnestly appealed to all well-meaning Nigerians and personnel of DSS to disregard what it described as “dissenting voices whose only motive is to sow seeds of discord and division with the sole intent of dampening the morale of
the Service over mundane issues like the DG’s personal gifts, which are purely discretional and the payment of wardrobe and packing allowances which are adminstrative issues”.

The group finally sent a stern warning to personnel and other interlopers who have found a new job of feeding misinformation to attack dogs to “desist or be prepared to face the full wrath of law as the current management of DSS has been very professional and has always prioritised staff welfare and comfort in the discharge of its mandate of securing the Presidency and maintaining national security”.

Ten directors of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who have completed their mandatory service or reached the age of 60 bid farewell at a ceremony in Abuja on Sunday. INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Mohammed Adams, congratulated the retirees and encouraged them to view retirement as the beginning of another journey. He advised them to engage in meaningful activities for personal and financial fulfillment.

INEC Secretary, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony, praised the retired directors for their dedication and hard work during their service. She extended well wishes for their future endeavors, emphasizing the importance of their contributions to the commission.

Dr Binta Kasim, INEC Director of Training, encouraged the retirees to explore activities they find pleasurable during retirement. She cited examples of individuals who achieved success and financial gains post-retirement, highlighting the opportunities that lie ahead.

Representing the retirees, Mrs Blessing Obidiegwu expressed gratitude for the chance to serve as part of the last batch of INEC pioneer staff. She acknowledged the commission’s commitment to gender diversity and urged the continued implementation of gender policies.

Mr Chima Duruaku commended INEC for recognizing their modest contributions to its development and the electoral process. He emphasized the importance of preserving institutional memories and structures to build upon past achievements in election administration.

The retirees and their respective departments include Blessing Obidiegwu (Gender and Inclusivity), Anthony Abarowei (Finance and Accounts), Micah Lakumna (Administration), Alhaji Idris Aminu (Election and Party Monitoring), Olayiwola Oyeniyi (Finance and Accounts), Chima Duruaku (Planning and Monitoring), Leonard Lortsor (Estate, Works, and Transport), Ayodele Aluko (Voter Education and Publicity), Samson Lebari (Security), and Oluwatoyin Babalola (Legal Services and Drafting).

A tragic auto crash on Saturday along the Calabar-Itu highway in Cross River State has resulted in the loss of five lives and left 11 individuals injured. The accident involved a Nissan Caravan with registration number GWB532XY and a Mark Truck without a registration number.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Akwa Ibom Command, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday. The statement, signed by the Public Enlightenment Officer of the command, Mr Paul James, attributed the cause of the accident to speeding, emphasizing that adherence to safety regulations could have prevented the tragic outcome.

The crash occurred around 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023, along the Itu-Calabar Road by Ayadehe. Out of the 16 occupants involved (11 males and five females), three females and two males were confirmed dead, while the remaining 11 individuals sustained various degrees of injuries.

Upon receiving the report, FRSC operatives swiftly responded, attending to the injured and transporting them to nearby hospitals for immediate medical attention. The deceased victims were also moved to the morgue.

The sector commander cautioned road users, especially motorists, against speeding, wrong-way driving, and indiscriminate parking. He emphasized the importance of safety consciousness among drivers and advised passengers to report any observed deviance from road safety guidelines.

The sector commander extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured individuals a speedy recovery.

“Calls for reforms

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Transparency International (TI) in Nigeria together with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has said that Nigeria’s electoral integrity has continued to be compromised and destroyed by judgments being delivered on electoral litigations by Nigerian courts and tribunal which are short of professionalism.

The civic organisations said this as part of their observations made during a “National Seminar on Targeted Electoral Reforms and Enhanced Judicial Integrity in Post-election Litigation” held at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos State on Thursday.

The TI and CISLAC in a communique issued at the end of the meeting said it was sad that Nigerian law courts “have become the graveyards of electoral mandates with judges not only descending to being common purchasable judicial rogues, but also as juridical coup plotters.”

They stated that after brainstorming exhaustively on various thematic sessions, it was observed that “In recent times, Nigeria’s electoral integrity has been compromised, considering the fast-eroding independence and professional ethics by judicial institutions through Tribunal judgments.

“The Law Court has continued to play a critical role in the determination of political leadership through post-election litigations, hence the need to refocus attention on the role of judiciary in electoral tribunal judgment.

“Despite various legal reforms preceding the 2023 general and off-cycle elections, the conduct and outcomes of the elections have questioned the direction of Nigeria’s democracy.

“The growing military coup and political instability across West Africa are not unconnected to the effect of electoral fraud, vote rigging, vote-trading as well as judicial distrust.

“The emerging judiciary attempts to truncate the victory of Nigerian voters constitutes a serious threat to democratic order, electoral governance and public trust.

“Relentless effort and determination by unpatriotic political groups to sabotage electoral integrity has left devastating effects on citizens’ trust in the Electoral Body and the judiciary.

“Electoral reform remains critical to uphold and consolidate democracy and deepen citizens’ participation in Nigeria.”

They further observed that “While Nigeria has made significant improvement in the electoral legal reform, further reform effort must be directed towards institutional, process and procedure strengthening as well as the illicit activities of electoral practitioners that backpedal reform effort.

“Money politics coupled with unattended party nomination fees and over-commercialisation of electoral process has deprived many decent Nigerians the opportunity to compete favourably in primary elections across political parties, threatening credibility in the electoral process.

“Unethical party practices, party politics and poor implementation of party constitution is a major threat efficient operationalization of legal and institution.

“The needless national spread of political parties has necessitated the growing money bag, while discouraging inclusive participation and equal playing field.

“In the context of electoral operations, Residential Electoral Commissioners are bedeviled by centralization of power and decision making (that impacts negatively on procurement process of electoral materials, logistics arrangement); slow recruitment of adhoc staff; delayed response to demands; and rising political pressure.

“Inadequate use of technology backed by lack of supporting legal provisions in the electoral process has provided a basis for the growing post-election litigations and judicial truncation of electoral outcomes.

“Lack of legal provision in the Electoral Act to support whistle-blower and public interest litigations before, during and after the elections.

“Electoral misconducts are enabled by partisanship supported by the over-centralised appointment of INEC Chairman and RECs; non-transparent nomination process; lack of political will to implement relevant reforms’ recommendations.

“Electoral violence in forms of persecution and intimidation, constitutes a stumbling block to free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.

“The emerging judicial corruption through the post-election litigations like the ongoing tribunal activities on kano governorship with scandalous and contradictory double standard court papers has called for adequate reform in Nigeria’s judicial system to make it more transparent, independent and efficient in the delivery of impartial justice through which the citizens’ choices prevail.

“The Law Courts have become the graveyards of electoral mandates with judges not only descending to being common purchasable judicial rogues, but also as juridical coup plotters.

“In recent times, the major preoccupation of pro-democracy activists is no longer how to keep the military from politics and governance but how to save democracy from the judiciary.

“Micro-managing the Law Courts by manipulating the rulings or interpretations of the law that drastically alter the balance of power, primarily to achieve political ends that would not be possible through standard electoral processes has become a serious concern.”

Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, commends President Bola Tinubu for approving a 50% reduction in agricultural inputs’ cost ahead of the dry season farming, emphasizing the positive impact on food production and affordability.

Oyintiloye, speaking in Osogbo, highlighted the importance of the subsidy, particularly in aiding farmers to enhance production, ultimately contributing to increased food availability at reasonable prices for the populace.

Recalling Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari’s announcement on November 25, Oyintiloye shared that the federal government plans to support 250,000 wheat farmers with a 50% input subsidy for cultivation during the dry season.

As part of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, Oyintiloye acknowledged the current food inflation rate of 31.5%, underscoring the significance of President Tinubu’s subsidy in addressing this challenge.

He stated, “We need to commend President Tinubu for this 50% subsidy on farm inputs. This will go a long way to boost food security, attract private sector investment, reduce post-harvest losses, as well as add value to local agricultural produce in the country.”

Oyintiloye expressed optimism about positive changes in food prices and surpluses due to the president’s various agricultural interventions, including fertilizers, improved seeds, agricultural mechanization, and grants.

While praising the government’s commitment to food security, he urged direct communication with farmers through their associations, facilitating unhindered access to intervention programs. This approach, he believes, will contribute to making Nigeria self-sufficient in terms of agricultural produce.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) leadership has stated that it has no knowledge of President Bola Tinubu’s directive to pay its members four out of eight months of withheld salary arrears. The National Vice President of ASUU, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, made this statement during an interview at an event in Bauchi Zone. Despite reports on October 20, 2023, regarding Tinubu’s approval of a partial waiver for ASUU members, Piwuna emphasized that the union is not informed about the alleged release of funds. Tinubu’s directive included conditions to secure a Document of Understanding, making this waiver the final one for ASUU and other education sector unions.

*As Eye Opener Foundation’s Initiative Marks Global Disability Day

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

In a bid to address the alarming trend of tobacco smoking and substance misuse among individuals with physical challenged, the Eye Opener Youth and Women Foundation’s Tobacco Abstinence Club has organized a one-day entrepreneurship workshop.

The main aim of the entrepreneurship program, amongst other things, to empower the physically challenged through “Train The Trainer”.

The event which held on 1st December, 2023, with over 25 participants, also aimed to mark the Global Disability Day and promote mental well-being among the physically challenged population in Kaduna state.

In an overview, the event was led by Mrs. Gormwa Gotus, a key figure in mental well-being, in education against tobacco smoking, as the workshop focused on providing participants with valuable insights into the benefits of hibiscus juice and the potentials for entrepreneurship.

This initiative comes as an extension of the foundation’s commitment to preventing tobacco and drug abuse and empowering marginalized communities.

Empowering through Education, speaking during the workshop, Mrs. Gotus overscore the significance of nutrition for individuals with physical challenges, emphasizing the need for good food over tobacco.

Aligning with the Tobacco 2023 theme, the event aimed to break the cycle of idleness that often leads to harmful habits.

Mrs. Gotus highlighted entrepreneurship as a viable alternative, and encouraged participants to consider it as a pathway to self-sufficiency.

Positive Participation: The workshop witnessed active participation from 23 student members of the Tobacco Abstinence Club, alongside one staff member who is also a polio survivor.

The positive impact extended beyond the immediate beneficiaries, with several eye witnesses acknowledging the importance of such initiatives in empowering the physically challenged.

In her commendations and recognition, Mrs. Esther Yohana, the Rehabilitation Center Manager, praised the efforts of Mrs. Gotus and the Tobacco Abstinence Club, stating that the workshop added significant value to the services offered by the center, appealing for more.

Mr. Dauda Shamaki, a polio survivor and staff member at the Kaduna State Rehabilitation Centre, expressed gratitude for the ongoing training initiatives initiated by the Eye Opener Foundation.

Mrs. Margaret K Julius, the CEO of the Tobacco Abstinence Club (WHO World No Tobacco 2022 Award Winner), personally attended the workshop and encouraged all club members to undergo the “Train the Trainer” program.

“This initiative equips them to serve as educators in their local government areas, spreading awareness on mental well-being and substance abuse prevention.

In conclusion, the one-day workshop successfully combined education on mental well-being, entrepreneurship, and practical skill development in hibiscus juice preparation.

Participants expressed satisfaction, while Mrs. Gotus provided ingredients for continued practice.

The event stands as a testament to the Eye Opener Foundation’s dedication to empowering individuals with physical challenges, marking a positive step toward a healthier and more sustainable future for this often-overlooked demographically.

Eye Opener Foundation Leaders and beneficiaries of entrepreneurship training at rehabilitation centre Kaduna weekend.