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President Muhammad Buhari’s Full Address, On The  END SARS PROTESTS,

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President Muhammadu Buhari

 

 

Fellow Nigerians,

 

It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.

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  1. I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

 

  1. On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.

 

  1. The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments, but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.

 

  1. As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.

 

  1. On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.

 

  1. Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.

 

  1. The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.

 

  1. All these executed in the name of the END SARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expressions of grievance of the youth of our country.

 

  1. The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgment and disruptive behavior.

 

  1. On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

  1. Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:

 

  1. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small – and medium – enterprises,
  2. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission,
  3. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and
  4. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.

 

  1. These are in addition to many other initiatives such as;
  2. Farmermoni,
  3. Tradermoni,
  4. Marketmoni,
  5. N-Power,
  6. N-Tech and
  7. N-Agro.

 

  1. No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.

 

  1. With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.

 

  1. In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.

 

  1. Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.

 

  1. We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.

 

  1. We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.

 

  1. But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.

 

  1. To our neighbors in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.

 

  1. In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.

 

  1. For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.

 

  1. I, therefore, call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage the government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.

 

  1. And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses and enjoin security agencies to protect the lives and properties of all law-abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.

 

  1. I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.

 

  1. This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.

 

Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Doctors at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital To Join Nationwide Indefinite Strike

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1 hour ago

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January 9, 2026

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The association of Resident Doctors, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (ARD AKTH), has formally announced its decision to join the nationwide strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). According to Dr. Bello Aminu Bello, President of ARD AKTH, the strike, known as the Total and Indefinite Consolidated Strike (TICS 2.0), will commence at midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026.

Dr. Bello explained that the decision was reached after “extensive deliberations and in strict alignment with the directive of NARD.” He emphasized that the strike was not taken lightly but was necessitated by “prolonged engagement, repeated assurances, and persistent failure by relevant authorities to address critical welfare, training, and remuneration concerns affecting resident doctors and the healthcare system.”

In outlining the doctors’ demands, Dr. Bello stressed that they remain “clear, legitimate, and long overdue.” Among the key issues highlighted were the immediate reinstatement of the FTH Lokoja Five, payment of all outstanding promotion and salary arrears, and the full implementation of the approved professional allowance table with arrears captured in the 2026 Federal Budget.

The ARD AKTH president further noted that the association is calling for “official clarification by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to Chief Executives on skipping and entry-level placement issues.” He added that the re-introduction and full implementation of the Specialist Allowance is also a priority for resident doctors.

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Dr. Bello also drew attention to the plight of House Officers, stating that “the resolution of salary delays and arrears, with issuance of a clear pay advisory, is urgently needed.” He explained that the association is equally demanding the re-categorization of membership certificates and issuance of certificates post Part I examinations by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).

On working conditions, Dr. Bello revealed that ARD AKTH is insisting on “the immediate commencement of locum practice and work-hours regulation committees.” He added that the resumption and timely conclusion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process is critical to restoring confidence in the system.

Highlighting the implications of the unresolved issues, Dr. Bello warned that “the continued neglect of these matters poses serious risks to healthcare delivery, workforce morale, and patient safety.” He stressed that resident doctors cannot continue to function optimally in an environment of uncertainty and unfulfilled commitments.

Despite the strike declaration, Dr. Bello assured that ARD AKTH remains open to dialogue. “We are open to genuine, concrete, and time-bound negotiations, but until meaningful progress is achieved, we stand in full solidarity with NARD and resident doctors nationwide,” he stated.

The announcement shows a major disruption in healthcare services in Kano and across Nigeria, as resident doctors form the backbone of medical care in teaching hospitals. The government is now under mounting pressure to respond to the doctors’ demands before the strike begins.

 

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INEC Chairman Vows Free, Fair, and Tech-Driven 2027 Elections

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3 hours ago

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January 9, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has pledged that the 2027 General Elections will be free, fair, transparent, and driven by technology, warning that misconduct will not be tolerated.

Speaking on Thursday at the opening of a two-day induction and strategic retreat for top officials in Lagos, Amupitan outlined an ambitious vision to meet the evolving demands of Nigeria’s electoral landscape and restore public confidence.

“We are gathered here not just as electoral administrators, but as custodians of the will of the Nigerian people. This retreat is a bridge between our institutional experience and the innovative demands of a fast-evolving electoral landscape,” the Chairman stated.

Building on Past Performance

Amupitan commended INEC staff for their conduct during the November 2025 Anambra State governorship election, calling it a “defining moment” early in his tenure. He emphasized that upcoming polls—including the February 2026 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections and off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States—would serve as critical tests for the Commission’s preparedness.

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“They are not routine exercises, but opportunities to fine-tune our processes and ensure that every technical and logistical gear is well oiled ahead of the 2027 polls,” he said.

Five Non-Negotiable Pillars and the Youth Vote

The INEC boss identified five core principles that will guide the Commission’s work: free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive elections. He also highlighted the decisive role of first-time voters, particularly digitally-savvy youth, who he said “demand transparency in real time and have little tolerance for opacity.”

Rule of Law as Operating System

Amupitan stressed an uncompromising commitment to the legal framework governing elections. “Under my leadership, the rule of law is not a suggestion; it is our operating system,” he declared.

The retreat will focus on 17 thematic areas, including logistics, voter registration, election security, and political party management. “We must ensure that the Continuous Voter Registration and revalidation processes are beyond reproach,” he added.

A Watershed Election and Zero Tolerance for Misconduct

Setting a bold target, Amupitan stated that the 2027 election must be “a watershed in Nigeria’s electoral history,” aiming to establish INEC as “the best Election Management Body in Africa.”

He coupled this ambition with a stern warning: “I am committed to staff welfare, but any compromise of our values or processes will have consequences. There is no room for misconduct.”

Strengthening Institutional Readiness

In his opening remarks, Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner Prof. Ayobami Salami described the retreat as a milestone in INEC’s evolution, designed to strengthen leadership and operational readiness amid heightened public expectations.

“As we move towards the 2027 General Election, early planning, strategic coordination, and institutional unity are critical,” Salami said.

The retreat, which runs from January 9–10, aims to deepen institutional knowledge and foster cohesion within the Commission ahead of the major electoral cycle.

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Rivers APC Chapter Rejects Moves to Impeach Fubara

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1 day ago

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January 8, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally rejected ongoing moves to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, warning that such action would destabilise the state and damage the party’s image.

Nigerian Tracker News earlier reported that the political crisis rocking Rivers State deepened on Thursday as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh.

The move followed a plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, during which the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read a notice of allegations and claims of gross misconduct levelled against the governor.

No fewer than 26 lawmakers were said to have signed the notice, which the legislators alleged was in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

Amaewhule announced that the notice would be served on Governor Fubara within the next seven days, in accordance with legislative procedure.

Similarly, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Linda Stewart, read out a separate notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh.

In a press statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Rivers APC spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, the party said its leadership had taken note of the “unfortunate developments” emanating from the Rivers State House of Assembly.

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While acknowledging the constitutional independence of the legislature and its role in checks and balances, the APC said it could not support an impeachment process against a governor elected on its platform.

“Our position as of today on this matter is that we solemnly reject the resort to an impeachment process against our Governor and his deputy,” the statement read.

The party warned against allowing internal disputes associated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to spill into the APC, describing such a development as unacceptable.

Addressing claims that the impeachment threat is linked to budgetary issues, the APC recalled that during the period of emergency rule, a budget of ₦1.485 trillion was transmitted to the National Assembly by the President in May 2025 and subsequently approved by the Senate on June 25, 2025, and the House of Representatives on July 22, 2025.

According to the statement, the budget was designed to run for one year until August 2026, noting that the governor is not constitutionally compelled to present a supplementary budget if he is satisfied with the existing appropriation.

The party also cited constitutional provisions allowing a governor to spend for up to six months into a new fiscal year.

The APC leadership therefore urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, particularly its lawmakers, to resist what it described as “pressures from outside the Assembly chambers” aimed at destabilising the government.

“We will do everything possible to ensure that the Government of Rivers State, which is an APC government, is not destabilised through fratricidal disagreements,” the statement added.

The party called on the lawmakers to immediately discontinue the impeachment process, warning that proceeding with it could tarnish the APC’s image and undermine governance and development in the state.

“Let our state remain a democracy and not a politicocracy,” the statement noted.

The latest development comes amid the lingering political rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor and political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, which has continued to polarise the state’s political structure.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) had stated that Wike would “certainly be under” his successor, Fubara, should he decide to join the party, underscoring that leadership positions are tied to current office.

The APC Director of Information, Bala Ibrahim, made the comments during an interview on Trust TV.

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