Nigerian Newspapers
How to resolve Rivers crisis, by Yoruba elders
Crisis in any part of the country is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good. Yoruba political leaders are in a vantage position to clearly appreciate this. Major crises, which erupted in the geo-political zone in the First and Second Republics, led to the derailment of democracy. The long interregnum between 1966 and 1979 and 1983 and 1999 attested to the suffering of the people under the military rule.
Former Military Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), who has reflected on the fate of democracy, which is being threatened by the protracted crisis in the Rivers State, urged the various parties to the dispute to reach a truce. He warned that popular rule is in danger, if the key actors refuse to learn from the lessons of history.
Second Republic House of Representatives member Prince Tajudeen Olusi observed that the retired General’s advice was timely. “I want to direct the attention of our leaders to the warning being given by the former military rulers that democracy is being threatened and that we should learn lessons from the events in Egypt. It is still topical”, he said.
Olusi, a former commissioner in Lagos State, chided the President for allowing the crisis to escalate. “The crisis is a manifestation of the incompetence of our President to handle important national issues and to address the turbulent issue at its infancy before it escalates”, he fumed. Decrying the role of the police, he lamented that the Rivers State Commissioner of Police has consistently detested the office of the governor, which he said was established by the constitution.
“The tradition and the law is that the civil service and police must give loyalty to the constituted authority. It is a danger to democracy and an assault on democracy. Therefore, the answer, the solution lies squarely with the President of our country. He should call the police to order to ensure that the police performs its roles according to the constitution. The President and the PDP should stop misusing the police”, he added.
Senator James Kolawole from Ekiti State shared the same opinion. He pointed out that, though the beginning of any crisis can be known, the end cannot be predicted. “If we are not careful, it will derail democracy. Both sides should be careful. If it is not properly managed, it can lead to unpalatable incident we do not bargain for”, he warned.
The onus, said Kolawole, is on President Goodluck Jonathan to act as a statesman. Noting that the Rivers crisis is unfortunate, he warned that its elongation may produce negative implications for democracy. “If a solution is not found to the crisis, the consequence may be far-reaching for everybody”, he stressed.
To Afenifere chieftain Chief Rueben Fasoranti, the President is facing a novel test of leadership. If he fails in this turbulent period, the nation may suffer due to any wrong step taken by him. The elder statesman urged dialogue, saying that delay could be dangerous. “The President should call a round table conference. The governor should also make peace now. The crisis must end. Both the President and governor are from the same area. Nigeria is bigger than the two of them. They must make peace quickly”, he advised.
Second Republic Senator Ayo Fasanmi warned that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders were busy laying a foundation for anarchy, adding that the prospects of stable democracy is narrow. He warned against localising the Rivers crisis, pointing out that it has implications for the country. Describing the behaviour of the five legislators who attempted to impeach the Speaker as a tragedy, he chided the Presidency for taking sides.
Fasanmi, who is the Deputy Leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, observed that, though there are new dimensions to the crises, the genesis should not be forgotten. He pointed out that the governor has been exposed to ridicule by the police and other federal officials, who may have been acting the scripts of the President. He also blamed Dr. Jonathan for taking sides in a divisive issue, saying that it is wrong.
“The crisis is a national tragedy. It is a mockery of the democratic principle. Somebody won an NGF election with a margin of three; you say no. If 36 governors cannot conduct a free and fair election among themselves, how can the PDP conduct a peaceful election in 2013? They are laying the foundation for anarchy. That is why I always appeal to the progressives not to sleep”, he said.
Urging the President to rise to the occasion, Fasanmi said that he should not support a faction, to the detriment of the other faction. “This crisis is a sign of what to expect in 2014 and 2015. Progressives should be prepared for a rescue mission. The crisis and tragedy in Rivers should not be localised. It is a national crisis. Amaechi needs moral and political support, This is a bad omen for the nation”, he added.
Another Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, hinged the crisis on the neglect of the constitution, rule of law, equity and fair play. He said that, if there is justice, there will be peace in Rivers State. “There will always be problem, if the constitution is not followed”, he remarked. But Adebanjo also warned about the consequence of direct interference of the federal government in the state affairs. He said that this is inconsistent with the principle of federalism.
The Yoruba elder also pointed out that the politicians in Rivers State were swimming in moral crisis. “How can five legislators remove the Speaker? That was what Obasanjo was doing in Bayelsa, Oyo and Ekiti where the governors were removed. The problem in Rivers arose because powerful people were behind them. Amaechi has the majority on his side. You cannot remove him unconstitutionally”, he said.
Former military governor of the defunct Western State, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) said the crisis is worrisome. But he declined to comment further, merely saying: “It is politics. I am not a politician. If they come to me, I will advise them on what to do. I won’t speak to them on the pages of newspapers”.
PDP chieftain and former Lagos State Deputy Governor Rafiu Jafojo submitted that the crisis has manifested the rot in the party. “There is no discipline in the PDP”, he said, advising the leaders to put their house in order. “They should instill discipline in the party. The Rivers problem can be resolved. You cannot solve it by removing the governor or fighting in the House of Assembly. It is undemocratic. This did not happen in our time”, he added.
Jafojo urged the two divides in Rivers State to thread the path of law. Noting that the crisis is mainly between the President and the governor, he appealed to them to embrace truce in the interest of democracy.
For Senator Olabiyi Durojaye, it is lamentable to those who fought for democracy that those who sat on the sidelines were now trying to truncate it. “The tail is waxing at the dog. There is no parliamentary precedent for the minority to impeach the Speaker. They should not kill democracy. We don’t want democracy to fall in Nigeria”, he said.
Durojaye called for restraint and decorum on the part of the leaders to save Nigeria’s image. He recalled the United States President, Barack Obama, recently snubbed Nigeria during his visit to Africa because democracy was on the slide. “Obama excluded Nigeria from his visit because of the way we handle democracy in Nigeris. Everything we do is reported in other countries. I appeal for restraint by both leaders. The constitution makes provisions for impeachment, It can only be done by two-third majority”, he said.
Oke-Ogun, Oyo State leader Chief Michael Koleoso described the persistent crisis as a malady, warning that both the President and governor were playing with fire. “The earlier they resolve it, the better. It is very painful. The President should use his position to douse the tension. The way things are going now, we are nit safe in this country”, he stressed.
However, a Second Republic federal legislator, Hon. George Sadiku, said that the current development has confirmed the logic of politics and politicking. “What is happening now is one of the requirements of democracy. Conflicts and counter-conflicts will lead to the stability of democracy”, he pointed out. But he warned against allowing the crisis to impact negatively on the people’s welfare. “Crisis should lead to growth. That is the logic of politics”, he maintained.
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Posted in Nigerian Newspapers. A DisNaija.Com network.
Source: The Nation Newspaper
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•Deploy more personnel as army chief vows to wipe out terror group
•Security beefed up at N’Assembly
Deji Elumoye and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power, is under a massive security cordon following threats of attacks by insurgents and the increasing wave of banditry in the contiguous states of Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.
There has been a wave of kidnappings in the outskirts of the federal capital, notably Pegi, Tuganmaje and Kuje among others, which the police have battled in recent times.
The security situation in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was heightened by the pronouncement of the Niger State Governor, Mr. Sani Bello, that Boko Haram fighters who he said sacked 50 villages in the state and hoisted the terror group’s flag, were about two hours drive away from the FCT.
Security has also been beefed up at the National Assembly as operatives, yesterday, thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The deteriorating security situation nationwide prompted the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, to warn that the 2023 general election may not hold, demanding the declaration of a state of emergency as well as the convocation of a national conference.
However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday restated the Nigerian Army’s determination to annihilate Boko Haram.
But the Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Bello Masari, cautioned against declaring a state of emergency, saying doing so isn’t the solution to combat the security challenges facing the country.
The security of the nation’s airports was also in focus yesterday as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) said there was no threat to them.
THISDAY’s investigations showed increased presence of troops, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and intelligence operatives at the three strategic entrances to the city notably, Keffi, Zuba and Gwagwalada.
More checkpoints were also mounted around Gwagwalada and Keffi.
THISDAY also observed increased intelligence deployment at the entrance and the borders of FCT with contiguous states.
Beyond the borders, there were more deployments and police patrols inside the city and increased intelligence deployments as well.
Security sources told THISDAY: “There are deployments here and there but they are routine. Alertness is key to a secure environment.”
It was also learnt that security agencies were involved in frenzied meetings throughout yesterday.
The meetings, coordinated by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff under the new joint operational strategy of the armed forces, were aimed at coordinating a joint response to possible threats of attack to the FCT.
“I understand the security teams have been meeting for some days now and if you look around you, you will notice that there are increasing patrols and numbers of security personnel. The threats are not been taken lightly,” a source said.
National Assembly workers, lawmakers and visitors also had a harrowing experience accessing the legislative complex due to heightened security in the area.
Security operatives thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja, impeding both human and vehicular traffic.
The Sergeant-at-arm of the National Assembly and other security agencies supervised the operations, leading to huge traffic build-up inside the complex.
Legislative staff, visitors and lawmakers were seen patiently waiting for their cars to be searched so that they could go ahead with the business of the day.
Some staff and visitors at some point got tired of waiting and were seen alighting from their cars to trek from the gate to the complex.
Meanwhile, the ONSA has said there is no threat to the nation’s airports.
A statement by the Head of Strategic Communication, Mr. Zachari Usman, said the reports of threats to the airports were an internal correspondence of security threat assessment misconstrued as security threat to the airports.
PDP Demands State of Emergency
In a related development, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday demanded the declaration of a state of emergency, warning that the 2023 general election might not hold if the federal government failed to tackle insecurity.
He called on the federal government to summon a national conference to address the spike in insecurity.
Secondus added that the national caucus of the party will meet today to discuss the state of the nation.
Addressing members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja, Secondus said: “We are worried Abuja is not even safe. It is no longer politics. We got alert of plots to bomb and burn down our airports.
“We urge the federal government to declare a national state of emergency in security. There is the need to call a national conference to discuss the insecurity in the country.
“There may not be any election in 2023 in Nigeria due to insecurity. This government must listen to the people. The Buhari government should call a national confab to discuss security and state of the nation. It is no longer politics. This time we are not playing politics. Let’s keep politics aside and move the nation forward.”
He said the country had been grounded, regretting that there had been no matching response from the federal government.
Secondus said in the past, terrorism in the North was confined to the North-east, but with the report of Boko Haram occupying villages in Niger State, terrorism had spread to the North-central
“Herdsmen are also menacing in the West; gunmen causing havoc in the East; and the militants in the South; all killing, looting, raping, maiming and burning down homes. The situation is bad; Nigerians all over are living in fear,” he said.
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the problem of Nigeria was outside of the PDP headquarters, while pledging the support of the Senate to the declaration of state of emergency in security.
Abaribe said he deliberately decided not to speak on the floor of the Senate but to allow the APC senators to speak so as to avoid being accused of giving a partisan colouration to the issue of insecurity.
He stated that only electoral reforms would give victory to the opposition party in the 2023 general election and ensure a democratic defeat of the APC-led federal government.
Also, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, commended the NEC and the PDP leadership for their collective efforts at resolving the House leadership crisis.
The NEC meeting adopted the position of Secondus, calling on the federal government to convoke a national conference to discuss the state of insecurity in the country, according to a communiqué read by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.
Army Chief Vows to Wipe Out Boko Haram
The army yesterday reiterated its commitment to wipe out Boko Haram.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, told reporters in Maiduguri, Borno State that Boko Haram had been defeated in many encounters and would continue to be defeated until it’s annihilated from Nigeria.
“We will take on Boko Haram decisively, and we are committed to the focus of the operations, which is the total annihilation of Boko Haram from Nigeria,” he said.
The COAS, who was visiting the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri for the fifth time since his appointment four months ago, said the visit was to boost the morale of the troops, reassure them and listen to any issues affecting them.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Farouq Yahaya, lauded the visit, which he said had continued to boost the morale of the troops.
“We are honoured, we are grateful, we are encouraged by those visits. You provided us guidance, logistics and other things we required. We are most grateful for those visits,” Yahaya said.
State of Emergency Won’t Solve Security Challenges, Says Masari
Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari, has, however, said declaration of a state of emergency won’t solve the security challenges facing the nation.
Masari, who spoke yesterday with journalists after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the State House, Abuja stated that he was against the recent call by the House of Representatives for the declaration of a state of emergency in the security sector as it would not solve the problem.
According to him, declaring a state of emergency will not achieve the desired effect as the security structure and personnel to be used to execute the emergency are already overstretched in a bid to safeguard lives and property.
Sourced From: THISDAYLIVE
Tribune Online
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 62 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 165,110. The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Friday. “55 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-21, Yobe-19, Ogun-6, Akwa Ibom-3, Kaduna-2, Plateau-2, FCT-1, Rivers-1.” YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE COVID-19: Nigeria Recorded […]
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Tribune Online
Sourced From: Tribune Online
Kamaru Usman has raked in a mammoth £1.1million, about N584.2 million after his impressive knockout victory over Jorge Masvidal on Saturday night, Sportivation.com.ng reports.
The Nigerian Nightmare has been handsomely rewarded for his stunning performance and he was the best-paid fighter on the card which was witnessed by 15, 000 fans in Florida.
According to Daily Mail, Usman earned £538,000 to show up, £459,000 pay-per-view bonus, a £43,000 sponsorship bonus and a well deserved £35,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Jorge Masvidal also earned £358,000 to show, £186,000 in pay-per-view money and a £28,000 sponsorship bonus.
This is the biggest payday of Usman’s career so far and the Welterweight champion also benefited from the fact that Masvidal is also a top draw for the fans.
Kamaru Usman is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler.
Sourced From: Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics
The government said that no worker should stay back beyond 6:00 p.m. within premises of buildings undergoing construction.
The post Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
Sourced From: Premium Times Nigeria
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Military, Police Ring Abuja to Forestall Boko Haram Attack
UFC: Usman gets N584m after beating Masvidal
Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings
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