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Tag: South

  • 2023 Presidency: Northern Governors Demand Power Shift to the South

    2023 Presidency: Northern Governors Demand Power Shift to the South

    The Northern Governors Forum have called for the 2023 presidency to shift to the South.

    In a statement released on Saturday, June 4, at least 11 All Progressives Congress (APC) governors said the search for Buhari’s successor should be limited to the South.

    “APC governors and political leaders from the northern states of Nigeria today met to review the political situation and to further support our Party in providing progressive leadership amidst our national challenges. During our discussions, we welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari’s invitation to governors and other stakeholders to contribute to the emergence of a strong presidential candidate for the APC.

    After careful deliberation, we wish to state our firm conviction that after eight years in office of President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the APC for the 2023 elections should be one of our teeming members from the southern states of Nigeria. It is a question of honour for the APC, an obligation that is not in anyway affected by the decisions taken by another political party. We affirm that upholding this principle is in the interest of building a stronger, more united and more progressive country.

    We therefore wish to strongly recommend to President Muhammadu Buhari that the search for a successor as the APC’s presidential candidate be limited to our compatriots from the southern states. We appeal to all aspirants from the northern states to withdraw in the national interest and allow only the aspirants from the south to proceed to the primaries. We are delighted by the decision of our esteemed colleague, His Excellency, Governor Abubakar Badaru to contribute to this patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration.

    The APC has a duty to ensure that the 2023 elections offer a nation-building moment, reaffirming that a democratic pathway to power exists for all who value cooperation and build national platforms. This moment calls for the most sober and inclusive approach to selecting our party’s candidate, and we call on all APC leaders to fulfil their responsibility in this regard.”

    The governors who signed the statement include Bello Masari (Katsina), Sani Bello (Niger), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Muhammad Inuwa (Gombe).

    Others are Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi).

  • 2023: Power Must Shift To South —Middle Belt Forum

    2023: Power Must Shift To South —Middle Belt Forum

    THE Middle Belt Forum (MBF), on Sunday, warned those clamouring that the successor to President Muhammadu Buhari should come from the North should shelve the idea in the interest of the country. 

    The organisation said the solution to the myriad of problems confronting Nigeria especially insecurity is a power shift from the North to the South in 2023. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the national president of the forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu pointed out that some Nigerians still have the mentality of slavery and strong belief that the North must have its way irrespective of the circumstances on the ground. 

    He said that the insecurity in the North was the creation of some elite, who are out to make life unbearable for the common man in an attempt to promote their interests. 

    Pogu said: “Rational thinking persons should be tired of leadership in the North though many voices in the North have come up to say zoning or rotation is the solution to the problem on the ground in Nigeria. We are saying let the presidency go to the South and we stand by our position. 

    “The right thing to do is to say the right thing. The North has had its share and we have seen what the North has done with nearly eight years of the Buhari administration and it is nothing to write home about. The security of lives and property, as well as the welfare of the people which are the primary functions of government and none of these, has been guaranteed by northern leaders. 

    “For the North to insist to lead this country in 2023, it means the North is aware of what is happening and it wants it to continue. The voices of reason will continue to tell the north no; we cannot accept another eight years of northern rule. Those clamouring for a northerner to rule again are part of the problems. 

    “In short, it is like we don’t have a government in place because where you have a government all these atrocities will not be condoned,” he said. 

    “In 2023, Nigeria needs a leader who believes in Nigeria; a leader that is not nepotic the way we have now; a leader who will obey the rule of law and a detribalised leader that will take the whole country as his constituency.” 

    On its part, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to desist from working against rotational presidency between the North and South. Ohanaeze stated this in a statement by the Secretary General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and made available to newsmen. 

    According to Isiguzoro, continuation of the northern presidency beyond the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari will not augur well for the equity and fairness in the country. 

    The statement read: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has cautioned desperate politicians working against the gentleman pact of rotational presidency between the North and the South in 2023.

    They should be aware of the fact that changing the narratives with falsehood and fallacies temporarily for inordinate ambition will have disastrous consequences if achieved by 2023.”

  • 2023 Presidency: Gov Masari Insists On Power Shift To South

    2023 Presidency: Gov Masari Insists On Power Shift To South

    Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has reiterated his position on power shift to the southern part of the country, saying that would help consolidate the nation’s confederation system.

    Masari said this while responding to questions from journalist during a media parley held at his residence on Tuesday.

    “Let me make my position very clear. This constitution is made for us, not us made for the constitution. Yes, constitution does not say we must shift power, but if you shift have you violated any part of the constitution?”

    “I still believe that, from my personal opinion as Aminu Bello Masari, until such a time when we have stable polity, I think rotation or shifting power from time to time will help consolidate our confederation. I support that and I still maintain my stand and I have the constitutional right to make such comment,” he said.

    Masari said he was a member of the constitutional conference of 1994/95 during which Federal Character Commission was provided for, adding that he was a member of the transition committee in 1999 and their committee initially suggested that each zone should be given opportunity of five years through the instrumentality of the constitution, but the suggestion did no see the light of the day.

    He called on politicians, journalists, religious and traditional leaders to put the interest of the country above their personal interest as 2023 general elections approach.

    “We should see politics as a way and means of producing leadership under democratic dispensation. Our politics is still very young, even from independence to date, you are talking of 60 years, which is important in the life of an individual, but in the life of a nation, it should be working progress.”

    “We should measure where we were yesterday, where we are today and where we want to be tomorrow. The problem is that we are in a hurry that even before we finish crawling, we want to start running,” he said.

    He said politicians needed attitudinal change as they needed to appreciate the responsibilities and burden of leadership as well as the consequences of coming forward to contest for any elective office.

    “I believe the journalists in particular, have a very important role to play. For instance, as we approach 2023, the attention being created by the media is the fat salary and allowances of the National Assembly members, not on what the lawmakers are doing or what they supposed to do. So the media created a situation whereby everybody wants to go there because there is money.”

    “But to be fair to the media, some of us in the national assembly are also helping in creating that false impression by changing their ways of life in such a way that even their friends become envious,” Gov. Masari said.

  • Malami To Southern Govs: Grazing Ban Is Like Prohibiting Spare Parts Trade In The North

    Malami To Southern Govs: Grazing Ban Is Like Prohibiting Spare Parts Trade In The North

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has likened the ban on open-grazing by southern governors with the prohibition of spare parts in the north.

    Southerners are the ones dominating spare parts trade in the northern part of the country.

    Responding to a question when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’, Malami described the action of the southerner governors as illegal.

    Daybreak reported that at a meeting in Asaba, Delta State Capital, last week, southern governors announced a ban on open grazing in the region.

    The governors cited the rising cases of kidnapping and killings as the reason for their action.

    But Malami said no Nigerian has the right to deny his fellow citizens of their rights of freedom of movement.

    He said, “It is a very dangerous position for any governor in Nigeria to think that he can bring about any compromise on the freedom and livery of individuals to move around.

    “Within the context of the freedoms enshrined in our constitution, can you deny a right of a Nigerian? It is as good as saying may be the Northern governors coming together to say that they prohibit spare parts trading in the North. Does it hold water? Does it hold water for a Northern governor to come and state expressly that he now prohibits spare parts trading in the North?”

    “If you are talking of a constitutionally guaranteed right, the better approach to it is perhaps to go back and ensure that the constitution is amended. The freedom and liberty of movement, amongst others is established by the constitution.

    “If by an inch, you want to have any compromise, the better approach is to go back to the National Assembly for open grazing to be prohibited and see whether you can have the desired support for the constitutional amendment in that respect but it is a very dangerous position for any governor in Nigeria to think that he can bring about any compromise on the freedom and liberty of individuals to move around.”

  • IGP Moves to Re-order Security in the South -South

    IGP Moves to Re-order Security in the South -South

    *LAUNCHES
    “OPERATION RESTORE PEACE” IN PORT-HARCOURT

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has launched the new special security action plan, “OPERATION RP” in the South-South region of the country. The IGP, who flagged-off the special operation, today, 19th May, 2021 at the Sharks Football Stadium, Port-Harcourt, noted that the move is a continuation of the implementation process of the special operation in the country. He further noted that the operation in the South-South region is also targeted at stemming the tide of violent attacks and breakdown of law and order, and contain the heightened threats to lives and property occasioned by the secessionists activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and other criminal elements in the region.

    The IGP condemned the increased cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related violence, economic sabotage and other threats to public safety bedeviling the region. These crimes, the IGP observed, are in addition to series of violent attacks on security personnel and formation in the region. He however expressed utmost belief that the new special operation action plan will re-order and stabilize security in the South-South region, noting that personnel deployed for the operation have been charged to courageously and fiercely defend themselves and innocent citizens as well as critical national infrastructure against any arms-bearing criminal group or elements.

    The IGP appreciated the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Chief (Dr) Nyesom Wike, other South-South Governors, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders and other state actors in the region, for their individual and collective efforts toward supporting the Police and the law enforcement community in achieving a safe, secure and peaceful south-south region. He assured that the new special operation will provide an all-inclusive front to confront criminal elements, take the battle to their doorsteps and re-order the cherished national values of peace and unity in the region.

    The Executive Governor of Rivers State, represented by His Deputy, affirmed the zero tolerance of the State Government to crimes and criminality in Rivers State. He commended the IGP for the initiative and pledged support of the State Government to the success of “Operation Restore Peace” in the State, the South-South region and the country at large. Other dignitaries at the flag-off program include representatives of other Governors of the South-South States, Traditional Rulers, Clergymen, etc.

    The IGP enjoined citizens in the South-South region to give full support to security personnel throughout the period of the operation and beyond. He re-affirmed that the operation will be people-driven, human-right focused but ruthless on criminal elements.

    ​

  • No food for South West until Fulani are safe – Miyetti Allah

    No food for South West until Fulani are safe – Miyetti Allah

    Coordinator of the Kwara State chapter of Miyetti Allah Association of Cattle Breeders, Aliyu Mohammed, has said that the blockade of cattle and foodstuffs to the South West through Kwara State will continue until the safety of Fulani is guaranteed in the region.

    Mohammed speaking to newsmen after a crucial meeting of the association in Ilorin on Sunday, said the action is a warning shot to ensure a peaceful operation of businesses by the Fulani and to end the harassment of the tribe in the south.

    He also said not all Fulani are criminals, adding “Just as you have in any society where there are good and bad people.”

    Mohammed insisted that “It is not only Fulanis that commit crimes in the country, but it was sad that everything happening now is heaped on Fulani herdsmen.”

    The coordinator said the association was ready to fish out the bad eggs in their midst.

    According to him, “We have concluded at our meeting today that anybody who comes to Kwara State claiming to be Fulani herder under questionable circumstances, will be reported to the security agencies for necessary action.

    “Our vigilantes will monitor the bush and the forests where there are no security agencies and report suspected cattle rustlers who disguise as cattle herders to perpetrate crimes,” he added.

    Mohammed appealed to the Federal government to arrest Sunday Igboho, who evicted the Fulani from Igangan in Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State, for the alleged destruction of their properties and killing of their people.

    He, however, commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his statesmanship in accommodating and cooperating to ensure the safe landing of Fulanis in the state.

  • Transporting Cattles From North To South Should Be Stopped – Ganduje

    Transporting Cattles From North To South Should Be Stopped – Ganduje

    Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State is seeking to have a  law enacted which would place a ban on the movement of herdsmen and cattle from the north towards the southern regions of Nigeria.

    This he believes will help curb the recurring clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

    Speaking to journalists after a special lunch with President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, Governor Ganduje argued that the law will also address the issue of cattle rustling in the northern part of the country.

    “My advocacy is that we should abolish the transportation or trekking of herdsmen from the Northern part of Nigeria to the Middle Belt and to the Southern part of Nigeria.

    “There should be a law that will ban, otherwise we cannot control the conflicts between herdsmen and farmers and cannot control the cattle rustling which is affecting us greatly,” the governor said.

    On the appointment of the Service Chiefs, Governor Ganduje said he wants the military hierarchy to work with state governors to ensure safety across the country.

    He said the call became necessary because the governors know the security needs of the people and the various black spots in their states and as such, they are very valuable in the bid to secure the nation.