Category: Politics

By  Milcah  Tanimu

Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, has raised allegations against the Federal Government, claiming they are attempting to stifle the media ahead of what he calls the “release of President Bola Tinubu’s records by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

In a statement released on Sunday, Shaibu asserted that Tinubu’s administration had grown frustrated with Chicago State University. He also suggested that the recent threat by the National Broadcasting Commission to sanction Arise Television News was just the beginning of a larger agenda.

Shaibu stated, “The NBC has now been co-opted into a grand plot to gag the media over Tinubu’s certificate scandal. Having lost the battle in the court of public opinion, they are now trying to use the powers of the state to browbeat the media into silence. This is indeed shameful for a man who claimed to be a hero of the June 12 struggle.”

He further added, “But this is not the time for the Nigerian media to show any weakness. The trove of documents that the FBI is set to release this month will expose details of the investigation that tied Bola Tinubu to heroin trafficking. The dissemination of this information must not be left to social media alone. The media must rise to its role as the watchdog of society as enshrined in section 22 of the 1999 constitution.”

In response to these allegations, the Director of Publicity for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bala Ibrahim, criticized Atiku for not upholding the image of a statesman.

Ibrahim stated, “He (Atiku) has lost at the polls, in the court, abroad and is on the verge of losing to the media. Therefore, he is always in this blame game because he has lost everything, including his integrity. What we are saying is that this is a man who has risen to the position of second in command in the country. This is a man who should behave as a statesman and lay the foundation so that he bequeaths to others what can be said to be fair and reasonable. It is not for him to be beating about the bush every time there is an issue and be looking at it from a perspective that is unethical.”

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has attributed his recent victory in the tribunal to the grace of God and the support of the people of Abia. He dedicated the triumph to both God and the residents of Abia State and called on his opponents to put aside their differences and work together for the development of the state.

Addressing the victory from his Nvosi Country home in Isiala Ngwa South LGA on Saturday, Governor Otti expressed his gratitude to the people of Abia for their overwhelming support during and after the election. He extended a hand of friendship to his political opponents and urged them to join forces with him to advance the progress of Abia.

Governor Otti stated, “My advice to my opponents is that this is an opportune moment to set aside their differences and collaborate with me to develop our beloved state, Abia. Litigation is an expensive endeavor, and while I won’t ask them to redirect their resources to me, I suggest that each of them has communities that are in dire need, lacking roads and basic amenities. I believe their communities would greatly appreciate it if they redirected those resources towards building infrastructure and ensuring access to clean water.”

He emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Abia for the benefit of its residents, highlighting that his victory should not have been contested in the first place. Governor Otti expressed his joy that the will of the people had been upheld.

Reflecting on the election and its aftermath, Governor Otti remarked, “If you closely follow the election and everything that transpired afterward, you would realize that, honestly, this victory should not have been challenged initially. However, I also acknowledge my opponents’ right to seek redress in court.” He thanked the judges and all those who played a role in ensuring justice prevailed.

The governor acknowledged that his victory was a testament to the sacrifices made by the people of Abia during the 2023 gubernatorial election. He expressed his gratitude to God for the outcome and pledged his continued dedication to serving the people of Abia diligently.

The ongoing certificate controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu and the 2023 presidential elections has taken a new turn as Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, submits fresh evidence to the Supreme Court. Atiku alleges that President Tinubu committed forgery and perjury by submitting a fraudulent academic certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to qualify for the election.

The evidence submitted by Atiku includes academic records obtained from Chicago State University (CSU) in the United States, following a court order from Illinois. Atiku had sought these documents to support his claim that President Tinubu forged a certificate he purportedly received from CSU in 1979.

Chris Uche, Atiku’s lead counsel, confirmed that the new evidence had been filed with the Supreme Court. This evidence supplements the 35 grounds initially filed by Atiku’s legal team. The allegations primarily revolve around claims of forgery and perjury concerning President Tinubu’s academic records and the certificate he submitted to INEC.

In response to these allegations, an aide to President Tinubu, Tunde Rahman, characterized Atiku’s actions as a desperate attempt to discredit the President, driven by his overwhelming ambition to attain the highest office in the country. Rahman disputed the allegations and emphasized President Tinubu’s academic achievements at CSU.

Yekini Nabena, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), mocked Atiku, urging him to focus on preparing for the 2027 presidential election rather than prolonging the controversy over President Tinubu’s certificate.

Meanwhile, the United Action Front of Civil Society demanded an apology from President Tinubu and called for his resignation in light of the alleged forgery and perjury. They argued that such actions undermined Nigeria’s integrity and called on the National Assembly to initiate an impeachment process if President Tinubu failed to apologize and resign.

On the other hand, the National Coalition for Democracy Renewal Group criticized the call for President Tinubu’s resignation, describing it as unpatriotic and driven by the bitterness of electoral defeat.

The certificate saga continues to dominate headlines, with both sides presenting their arguments and evidence as the legal battle unfolds.

Abuja – The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has declared a prohibition on the use of laterite as a foundational material in road construction. He directed that contractors must now employ lumps, sharp sand, and stone base as the foundation before laying concrete or asphalt pavement.

This announcement came during the inauguration of a supervisory committee responsible for overseeing the reconstruction of the Benin–Warri dual carriageway and the dualization of the East–West Road, including the Port Harcourt–Onne Port junction road in River State.

In a statement released by the Ministry’s Director (Information), Press, and Public Relations, Lere-Adams Blessing, the Minister explained that laterite possesses limited load-bearing capacity and is vulnerable to erosion and weathering, particularly in regions with heavy rainfall. These factors can lead to road surface deterioration over time, increased maintenance costs, and reduced road longevity.

Umahi emphasized the importance of addressing the roads between Benin and Warri, as well as the Eleme and Onne Port route, considering local site conditions and water-related challenges.

He stated, “No more laterite; contractors are now to use lumps, sharp sand, and stone base in place of laterite.”

The Minister also instructed the newly formed Road Taskforce Team to ensure ongoing maintenance of all construction sites until project completion. He urged them to keep contractors informed and emphasized that the Ministry’s primary goal is to fulfill the President’s directive to enhance Nigerian road infrastructure for smoother citizen mobility.

Umahi underscored the significance of maintaining high-quality standards in road construction, urging contractors to uphold sustainability and integrity in their work. He emphasized that these changes were made to meet society’s demand for better road quality.

Umahi emphasized that road infrastructure plays a pivotal role in transforming commerce, education, security, and power in the country. He highlighted the government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure and its dedication to the nation’s development.

Additionally, the Minister mandated the committee to maintain daily supervision and documentation of contractors’ activities. They must ensure adherence to new construction methods and prioritize maintenance as a fundamental project element.

Contracts will not undergo variations (VOP), and contractors using asphalt pavement should ensure stability and sustainability without requesting additional funds due to fluctuations in bitumen prices. The Ministry intends to remain within the allocated budget for ongoing projects.

Furthermore, Umahi specified that contractors must mobilize 50% of their equipment and personnel to the construction site before receiving mobilization funds. He emphasized the importance of respecting the rights of both contractors and citizens.

The committees formed to oversee various projects include representatives from different departments and organizations, ensuring comprehensive supervision and adherence to the Minister’s directives.

From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

All the 21 Local Government Chairmen of the Labour Party (LP) ain Kogi State have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

They chairmen said they collapsed their structure in order to support the APC governorship candidate, Usman Ododo, in the November 11, 2023 election.

At the official decamping ceremony on Thursday in Lokoja, the defectors said LP was no longer viable in the state.

They further anchored their reason for abandoning their party for APC on the conviction that the APC candidate, Usman Ododo, had shown that “he is a unifier whose nationalist qualities are needed to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello.”

Leading the chairmen, scores of their supporters and other members of Labour Party in the state to APC at the defection ceremony, Kogi Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Awe Kayode, said the Labour Party structure in the state was a formidable one that delivered massive votes to the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi without inducement or support.

He stresses that their decision to collapse the LP structure into the APC was to join forces with the Progressives to actualise the ‘Kogi Agenda’ which seeks to further unite the people and ensure even development across board.

Kayode said, “I was in APC before I left to join the Labour Party. I am back today with more people and we are ready to add value. LP got over 76,000 votes in the last presidential election, we still have the same people that worked to achieve that feat.

“Kogi State belongs to all of us and we have decided to jettison ethnic or religious agenda to support the candidate of APC who promotes the Kogi Agenda.”

In his submission, the LP Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, who doubles as Chairman of LP Chairmen Forum, Jimba Emmanuel, noted that political party was just a platform to power and that good governance was not about the party “but individuals who are passionate about development and attracting dividends of democracy to the people.”

He maintained that the governorship candidate of the Labour Party lacked the required quality, hence their decision to abandon what he described as a “sinking ship”.

The Forum chairman promised that his colleagues had agreed to mobilise all their structures across the 21 local government areas to deliver massive votes for the APC candidate.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wemi Jones, commended the leader of the Obidient Movement in Kogi State, Awe Kayode, for his doggedness and mobilization ability.

He said the crowd seen at the decamping event was a testimony of the genuineness of their decision to join the Progressives.

Jones urged the defectors to join forces in canvassing and mobilizing for the victory of the APC governorship candidate to ensure sustainability and consolidation of the gains made by the Yahaya Bello administration.

Receiving the new members, the Kogi State APC Chairman, Abdullahi Bello, said “APC is a party that believes in development, equality and has a good reward system”, adding that the new members would enjoy all the privileges as other members of the party.

He said members of the Obedient family were passionate and reasonable as they could distinguish between right and wrong, adding that their decision to join the APC showes that they appreciated the developmental efforts of Governor Yahaya Bello and his unwavering commitment to the unity, security and wellbeing of the people of Kogi State.

According to him, aside from the character and leadership qualities of Usman Ododo, being a critical member of the New Direction Administration had further equipped him with the needed knowledge and experience to lead the state and consolidate on the achievements of Governor Bello.

Bello urged members of the APC to disregard noise makers in opposition parties and go all out to ensure massive victory for the APC candidate, adding that as far as the November election was concerned, the APC has no rival.

*warns VP Kashim Shettima to steer clear of Religious politics:

In a dramatic turn of events following the recent Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s verdict, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly criticized attempts to infuse religious dimensions into the outcome.

HURIWA, in a statement on Friday, recalled that the tribunal had nullified the election of incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared David Ombugadu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the March 18, 2023, governorship election in the state.

“Delivering the judgment virtually, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, declared Ombugadu as the lawfully elected governor of Nasarawa State. The twist in this political saga seems to arise from the fact that Ombugadu is the sole Christian among the candidates who vied for the position, while the others are Muslims.

The statement signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, however, emphasized that the election result was a reflection of the collective will of Nasarawa State’s diverse population, which includes traditionalists, Christians, and Muslims, who exercised their democratic right to vote without regard to religious affiliations.

While expressing deep concern over allegations that Governor Abdullahi Sule’s camp is promoting a false narrative that portrays the tribunal’s verdict as an attempt by Christians to take control of the governorship seat, which has been held by Muslims for the past 21 years in Nasarawa State, HURIWA strongly refuted this depiction, labeling it inaccurate and a dangerous attempt to sow religious discord where none exists.

Furthermore, HURIWA frowned at disturbing reports suggesting efforts by Abdullahi Sule’s camp to influence the Appeal Court and subsequently the Supreme Court in the event the case progresses to that level. Also, HURIWA has it from sources that the Country’s Vice President Kashim Shettima is allegedly involved in the attempt to weave Islamic sentiments into the Nasarawa State governorship litigation by allegedly attempting to mobilise Islamic leaders and top judicial officers in Abuja to scuttle the judgment of the Nasarawa governorship election petition tribunal which returned the verdict that indeed the PDP won just as the Rights group wondered why the VP who is from Borno state is allegedly being linked to such a sinister plot to divide the good people of Nasarawa State which happens to be one of the most religiously diverse subnational entity with Muslims, Christians, traditional African Religion cohabiting as one and the same families. We urge the VP, the governor, the Emir of Lafia and His Excellency the Sultan of Sokoto who is well regarded for his objectivity, not to dabble into partisan politics or drag their high offices into religious and political bigotry.

“These purported attempts involve reaching out to influential religious figures, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and leveraging the influence of the Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage, a former Supreme Court judge.

“Nasarawa State, known for its religious diversity, has a history of tolerance and unity among its people, regardless of religious backgrounds. The introduction of religious dimensions into a political matter in such a harmonious society is deeply troubling and could have severe repercussions”.

Therefore, HURIWA warned all stakeholders, including religious leaders and traditional rulers, to refrain from interfering in the judicial process. The association urged them to uphold the rule of law and permit the courts to make determinations based on the evidence presented before them: “In a democratic society, the law should always take precedence over sentiments and religious biases.

“The importance of Nasarawa State receiving a transparent, equitable, and unbiased resolution to this election dispute, devoid of divisive elements, cannot be overemphasized. HURIWA stands unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding the rights of all Nigerians and ensuring that justice prevails without bias”.

Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA).

By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

The Executive Chairman of Bichi Local Government Council, Kano State, Dr Yusuf Mohammed Sabo has sympathized with Vice Chancellor , Federal University Dutsenma ( FUDMA), Professor Armayau Hamisu Bichi over abduction of 5 students of the institution.

In a letter he personally signed and delivered to the VC, Dr. Sabo described the situation as sympathetic, unfortunate, and a setback to education, where he assured the Vice Chancellor ” that the prayers of the good people of Bichi Local Government are with you and the parents of the affected students at thus trying moments’.

He also prayed that Allah the almighty to bring back the abducted students safely, Hale and healthy to their respective family.