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Category: Politics

  • Nasarawa LG’s Election: Ban On Campaign is still on NASIEC chairman.

    Nasarawa LG’s Election: Ban On Campaign is still on NASIEC chairman.

    Abel Leonard/ Lafia

    The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission( NASIEC) says the commission has not lifted ban on campaign ahead of the February 2021 local government election in the state.


    Barr. Ayuba Usman Wandai, the Chairman of the Commission stated this when the State House of Assembly Committee on NASIEC and Multilateral Cooperation paid an oversight visit to the commission to assess its 2020 budget performance.


    Usman Wandai said that the commission is on course towards the conduct of the local government election in the state.
    ” We are determined to conduct the local government election in the state according to the law.
    ” We are working on the February 2021 date as earlier announced by the commission except if there is any challenge.
    ” We have being seeing posters of aspirants for LG election but we have not lifted ban on campaigns yet,” he said.


    Usman Wandai commended the committee for supporting the activities of the commission and called for its sustenance.
    He assured of free, fair and credible Local government election in the state.


    Earlier, Hon Mohammed Okpoku, the Chairman of the Committee said that they were in the Commission to assess the 2020 budget performance of the commission.


    Okpoku ( APC- Udege/ Loko) assured of the committee’s readiness to partner with the commission in order to have transparent and peaceful local government election in the state.


    ” We are ready to partner with you to ensure violence free Local government election in the state, ” he said.
    Hon Danladi Jatau ( PDP-Kokona West), the Minority Leader of the House urged the commission to conduct transparent, free and fair Local government election in the state in the interest of peace and sustainable democracy at the grassroots.


    The committee also paid an oversight visit to Nasarawa State Community and Social Development Agency where the committee expressed happiness with the activities of the Agency under the headship of its General Manager, Ahmed Saidu.


    Similarly,the committee also paid an oversight visit to the Nasarawa State Bilingual Education Project where the Project Manager, Hajiya Zainab Magaji appreciated the committee for supporting the activities of the project

  • Reps Minority Condemns Killing of Protesters

    Reps Minority Condemns Killing of Protesters

    The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives strongly condemns the Tuesday killing of peaceful and unarmed protesters by suspected security operatives at Lekki Toll Gate and other parts of the country.

    The lawmakers, in a statement signed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, on Wednesday, said that “such wicked act of extra-judicial killing of defenseless citizens, by suspected agents of the state, cannot be justified or condoned under any rule or guise whatsoever”.

    “As lawmakers and representatives of the people, we cannot accept this gruesome execution of our young ones in their own country by security operatives. Life is sacred and no one has the right to terminate the life of another just because he has the apparatus of state power.

    “Such brazen brutally and defilement of right to life, which is at the center of the on-going protests across the nation, underscores the demand for an immediate and total overhaul of our nation’s security architecture.

    “We therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately order the arrest and prosecution of officers involved in the Lekki killing as well as the withdrawal of soldiers from engaging protesters”, the lawmakers stated.

    The caucus also restated its call on President Buhari to urgently rejig the nation’s security architecture through extensive reforms and urgent replacing of the service chiefs with more competent and professional hands to assist in effectively handling of the security challenges confronting the nation.

    The caucus commiserates with the families of the victims of this heinous act and assured of immediate legislative actions that will ensure that justice is served.

  • 2023 Presidency: South-East seeks North Central’s support

    2023 Presidency: South-East seeks North Central’s support

    As agitation for the 2023 presidential election heats up, the people of the southeast zone of the country have sought synergy with their brothers in states of the North Central to realize  its ambition to produce the next president of Nigeria.
    The South Easterners who converged on Makurdi, the Benue State capital in their numbers yesterday under the auspices of  South-East and North-Central Forum, stressed the need for strong synergy with their neighboring  brothers in the North Central to Win the presidency come 2023 election. 
    Commenting on the team of the press conference: ‘Strengthening regional relationship between South East and North Central Nigeria’, Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Afam Ezenwafor who doubles as chairman, Conference of South East APC House of Assembly said, it became necessary for them to come and extend their hand of fellowship to the people of the North Central to enable them successfully prosecute the 2023 project.
    “We cannot do without the middle and the northcentral is in the middle. What is holding Nigeria together is the middlebelt. Our synergy with the north central will form a formidable force to win the race in 2023. The Northcentral is the fulcrum of this country.”

    He maintained that his people,  the Igbo  see Nigeria as their business, and pledged that the southeast will not bring a bad product to sell to  the people in 2023 but will put forward its best and sellable hands.
     “Igbo people see Nigeria as their business and since they don’t ever want their business to crash, Nigeria will not crash in the hand of the Igbo. We are also aware that there’s need for us to bring a sound candidate and that we can assure you we will do because the destiny of this country lies in our hands. 
    While decrying the incessant herdsmen attacks on farmers of the northcentral zone of the country, Ezenwafor insisted that what the northcentral needs mostly now is security assuring that a southeastern president will provide that security. 

    “We need strong alliance from the northcentral with other regions to help the southeast actualize this dream. This alliance will also address the issue of insecurity occasioned by the farmer herdsmen conflict. The new relationship is for unity, he stated.

    On his part, the convener of the Forum, George Ugwuja explained that the forum was put together by the conference of 2019 South East APC House of Assembly Candidates made up of all the candidates that ran for 2019 state assembly elections across all the south eastern states. 

    Ugwuja siad, part of the Forum’s  major agenda in recent times is to demand for a Nigerian president of south eastern extraction, even as he added that they are  counting on the support of the northcentral to produce a president that would improve on  the economic and political spheres of the regions. 
     “That north central Nigeria will support south east Nigeria to achieve their quest for 2023 presidency, and “that the north central and south east are collaborating in a new political formation to confront all perceived political marginalization across the two zones,” among others, he stated. 

    The  forum,  commended  President Muhammadu Buhari for implementing some projects in the south east and north central including the second Niger bridge and Eweto bridges,  further pledged to continue to mount pressure on the government to maintain all federal roads connecting south east to north central including the otukpa to Obollo Afor road to improve economic activities most especially transportation of farm produce to larger markets.

    In a key paper at the event,  the host, Engr. Benjamin Iordye averred that ethnic minorities must be given a shot at the presidency through constituent and balanced rotation of power in the spirit of Fair Play, Justice, equity and equality.

  • #EndSARS: Angry youths beat up Rep member over non-performance, failed Promises

    #EndSARS: Angry youths beat up Rep member over non-performance, failed Promises

    The incident happened on Sunday when Jobe went to inagurate a project at Gulu, a village under Rimin Gado Local Government Area.

    A member of the All Progressives Congress representing Dawakin Tofa/Tofa and Rimin Gado Federal Constituency in Kano State, Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe, has been attacked by angry youth in his constituency, who alleged that he did not deliver the dividends of democracy to them.

    SaharaReporters gathered that the incident happened on Sunday when Jobe went to inagurate a project at Gulu, a village under Rimin Gado Local Government Area.

    A source said the lawmaker was beaten to a pulp by the youth, who accused him of making false promises for many years.

    “He was given severe beating by the angry youth on Sunday.

    “They said they attacked him because of his fake promises for many years,” the source said.

  • DHQ to arrest thugs disrupting #EndSARS protests

    DHQ to arrest thugs disrupting #EndSARS protests

    The military authorities have threatened to deal with thugs and miscreants disrupting the ongoing peaceful protests by #EndSARS campaigners demanding police reforms in the country.

    The Defence Headquarters frowned on the violent attacks on the activists and warned the perpetrators to desist or face sanctions.

    The PUNCH reports that some of the protesters were attacked and injured by thugs in Abuja and Lagos on Wednesday. About seven vehicles were also vandalised at the Berger roundabout, Wuse, Abuja.

    But the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, in a statement on Thursday, stated that the military would not condone further attacks on the peaceful protesters.

    The statement was titled, ‘Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies assured Nigerians of their safety and stability of the nation, warn against violent protests in the country.’

    It stated, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have observed with dismay some violence-related protests across the country, particularly the increasing number of attacks on peaceful protesters by thugs and miscreants.

    “This unfolding event against peace-loving Nigerians will not be condoned. Hence, thugs and miscreants are hereby warned to desist from engaging in violent activities against peaceful Nigerians henceforth, or face appropriate measures.”

    The Military High Command encouraged citizens to go about their normal activities without fear of intimidation or harassment “as the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies are on ground for their safety.”

    “In clear terms, any attempt to undermine the democracy of our beloved nation under any cover will not be allowed,” the DHQ warned.

  • Senate Confirms Appointment Of Twelve NPC Nominees

    Senate Confirms Appointment Of Twelve NPC Nominees

    The Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of of twelve nominees as chairmen and commissioners of National Population Commission.

    This followed the consideration of the report of Senate Committee on National Identity and National Population chaired by Senator Alkali Said Ahmed (Gombe North) on the confirmation of the nominees.

    Daybreak reports that President Buhari had through a letter dated 14th September, 2020 transmitted to the Senate, requested the confirmation of appointment of a Chairman of the Commission and eleven others.

    The letter reads: “In accordance with the provision of Section 154 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I write to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the underlisted names of twelve (12) nominees as Chairman and Commissioners of the National Population Commission.

    The appointees are: Nasir Isa Kwarra (Nasarawa), Chairman; Ali Silas Agara (Nasarawa); Mohammed Chiso A. Dottoji (Sokoto); Gidado Razak Folorunso (Kwara); Ibrahim Mohammed (Bauchi); Hon. Joseph Kwali Shazin (FCT); Ajayi Ayodeji Sunday (Ekiti); Garba A. G. Zakar (Jigawa); Mai Aliyu Muhammad (Yobe); Muhammad Muttaka Rini (Zamfara); Hon. Engr. Bala Almu Banya (Katsina); and Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin (Lagos)

  • #EndSARS: Northern leaders agitate for 36 states to be reduced to 12-state structure

    #EndSARS: Northern leaders agitate for 36 states to be reduced to 12-state structure

    Northern leaders have called for the restructuring of the Nigeria to 12 state-structure, devolution of powers and 100 per cent resource with suspicion and cautious optimism.

    The Northern leaders made this call during a courtesy visit to PAN-Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF), umbrella group of monarchs, leaders and stakeholders of the coastal states of Niger-Delta,

    The Northern leaders, who identified themselves as Friends of Democracy, advocated a return to the 12-state federal structure of 1967 and 100 per cent resource control was thought-provoking, but calls for restraint and further cross-questioning.

    Elder statesman, Alhaji Othman Tofa, Alhaji Sule Hamma, Dr Abubakar Mohammed,  Ambassador Fatimah Balla; Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah; Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim; Mai Bilya Bala; Mr. Hubert Shaiyen; Dr Kabir Az-Zubair, Professor Jibrin Ibrahim and Dr Usman Bugaje, had in a memorandum to the National Assembly Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution had, among other recommendations, said: “The 12 states shall be designated as regions and shall have control of their resources, while paying appropriate taxes to the Federal Government.”

    They also canvassed that “mining should be reassigned to the concurrent list with on-land mining under the federating units and off-land mining under the control of the government of the federation.’’

    According to the Vanguard, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, also agreed with most of the views of the northern leaders and hoped to inter-face with them later. National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said: ‘’We agree with most of their submissions, which show there may be yet another opportunity to save this country from total collapse. We shall be interfacing at some point.’’

    But Ohanaeze Ndigbo, rejected the Northern leaders’ proposal on control of natural resources, saying it is still skewed in favour of the north. Noting that it was good that some people in the north have realised the need to restructure the country.

     President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, who spoke through his Adviser on Media and Publicity, Emeka Attamah, said their proposal on onshore/offshore resources mining was unacceptable to Ndigbo.

  • Nasarawa state electoral body promises free fair election

    Nasarawa state electoral body promises free fair election

    Abel leonard/ lafia

    Ahead of the forthcoming local government election in Nasarawa State, the state’s independent electoral umpire, NASIEC, has promised to conduct credible, transparent elections that would set the pace for other states to adopt.


    Chairman of the Commission, Ayuba Wandai Usman boasted Tuesday while briefing journalists that other states of the federation would henceforth adopt the commission’s capacity to conduct a transparent, credible and dependable election for the councils.


    According to Wanmai, “the State Independent Electoral Commission is set to use the forthcoming bye-election in Gangaren Tudu electoral ward in Keffi local government area of the state as a taste case in readiness for the forthcoming local government election in the state”.


    The Commission Chairman who told Journalists that the conduct of the bye-election became necessary following the demise of a councillor representing the ward, late Adamu Saleh, disclosed that Saturday, November 14, 2020, has been fixed for the conduct of the bye-election in the ward.


    “The commission has, by the powers conferred on it fixed Saturday 14 November 2020 for the councillorship bye-election in the ward.

  • Akeredolu, Deputy get Certificate of Return

    Akeredolu, Deputy get Certificate of Return

    The Independent National Electoral Commission has presented certificate of return to Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the Deputy Governor-elect, Lucky Ayedatiwa.

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

    Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, who presented the certificate of return to Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa, urged the Governor to continue to provide basic services, basic amenities and infrastructure for the masses.

    Read Also: Akeredolu’s victory well-deserved, says Tinubu
    Akeredolu hailed the electoral body for conducting free and fair elections.

    Akeredolu pledged to provide more infrastructural development across the state.

    Details shortly…

  • El-Rufai, dragged to court over appointment of new emir

    El-Rufai, dragged to court over appointment of new emir

    One of the contestants for the Zazzau Emirate stool, Bashir Aminu, also known as the Iyan Zazzau, on Monday, dragged the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and nine others before a Kaduna State High Court over the appointment of a new Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamali.

    The governor had appointed Bamali following the death of the 18th emir, Alhaji Shehu Idris, last month after a 45-year reign.

    Ever since the appointment of the new monarch, uneasy calm reigned over the emirate.

    The Iyan Zazzau, who was among those earlier selected by the Zazzau kingmakers, having scored the highest marks to succeed the late Idris, on Monday, instituted a suit to challenge the process that led to the emergence of the new emir.

    Others shortlisted by the kingmakers for recommendations to the governor were the Yariman Zazzau, Munir Jafaru; and the Turakin Karaman Zazzau, Aminu Idris.

    Among the criteria considered by the kingmakers were that the new emir must be learned both in western and Islamic education.

    But the governor allegedly set aside the recommendations of the kingmakers and appointed Bamali as the new emir.

    According to the suit, the Iyan Zazzau sought the court to declare him the emir having scored the highest votes cast by the kingmakers.

    The court process was filed by Yunus Usman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

    Apart from El-Rufai, others joined in the suit were the Attorney-General of Kaduna State; Kaduna State Council of Chiefs; Zazzau Emirate Council; Wazirin Zazzau, Ibrahim Aminu; Fagachin Zazzau, Umaru Muhammad; Mohammad Abbas, Makama Karamin Zazzau; Dalhatu Kasimu Imam, Limamin Juma’an Zazzau; Mohammad Sani Aliyu, Limamin Konan Zazzau; Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamali as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th,9th, and 10th defendants respectively in the suit.