News
Southern Middle Belt Leaders Warn Political Parties To Desist Zoning Presidency To The North
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has warned that any political party that does not zone its 2023 presidency to the south should not expect support from the region.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of its meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the forum, its position is based on the need to engender a fair and even sharing of power in the country.
It pointed out that the northern part of the country would have fully enjoyed the Office of the Presidency of the country for the full statutory period of 8 years by 2023, “hence, the presidency should rotate to the South.”
The communique said the forum “advises that any political party that does not zone its presidential ticket to the South should not expect support from the four regions.
Notes that the basis of any viable democracy, especially in a diverse and complex country such as Nigeria, is fair and even sharing of power.”
The warning came after an extensive discussion of various issues on the state of affairs in the country, particularly, the security situation, Restructuring, preparations for the 2023 General Elections and Zoning.
The forum noted that the extant Constitution and structure of Nigeria are grossly flawed and lopsided, and therefore, restated its demand for the fundamental restructuring of the country by enacting a new Constitution that would enthrone equity, fairness and justice, noting: “It must be One Nation, One System.”
The SMBLF also condemned “the continued senseless killings of innocent citizens across the country by terrorists and criminals, especially in the North West Zone; calls on the government and security agencies to redouble efforts to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.”
It cautioned the National Assembly to “only give consideration to Bills that would promote equity, justice, peace and national cohesion instead of issues that will exacerbate conflicts and crisis in the country.”
The forum urged state governors and members of the National Assembly of the four regions to commit themselves to the subject of Restructuring.
The forum reaffirmed commitment to the unity of Nigeria, “situated on the tenets of Equity, Fairness, Justice, and the principle of federalism.”
The communique said the meeting was held in an atmosphere of peace and unanimous commitment to the decisions.
According to the communique, in attendance at the meeting were delegations from the four regional socio-cultural organisations, that’s: Afenifere for the South West, Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the South East, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for the South-South and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) for the Middle Belt.
The delegations were led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, Professor George Obiozor, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Pogu Bitrus, President of the Middle Belt Forum and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
The meeting was also attended by former Governors, Ministers, federal and state legislators, top politicians and professionals from the Southern and Middle Belt regions, including His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Simon N. Okeke, OFR, Chief Supo Shonibare, Dr Akin Fapohunda, Amb. Okey Emuchay, MFR, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Prof. G. G. Darah, Solomon Asemota, SAN, Dr Alex Ogbonna, Mr Mac Emakpore, Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba, Mrs Nella Andem-Rabana, SAN, Prof. Mrs Chinwe Obaji, Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola (Rtd), Engr. Ben Akaakar, Dr Ebun Sonaiya, Comrade Jare Ajayi and Ken Robinson, among others.
The communique was signed by the leader of the forum, Chief Edwin Clark; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader, Afenifere; Prof. George Obiozor, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Dr Pogu Bitrus, National President, Middle Belt Forum.
It pointed out that the northern part of the country would have fully enjoyed the Office of the Presidency of the country for the full statutory period of 8 years by 2023, “hence, the presidency should rotate to the South.”
The communique said the forum “advises that any political party that does not zone its presidential ticket to the South should not expect support from the four regions.
The SMBLF also condemned “the continued senseless killings of innocent citizens across the country by terrorists and criminals, especially in the North West Zone; calls on the government and security agencies to redouble efforts to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.”
It cautioned the National Assembly to “only give consideration to Bills that would promote equity, justice, peace and national cohesion instead of issues that will exacerbate conflicts and crisis in the country.”
The forum urged state governors and members of the National Assembly of the four regions to commit themselves to the subject of Restructuring.
It reaffirmed commitment to the unity of Nigeria, “situated on the tenets of Equity, Fairness, Justice, and the principle of federalism.”
The communique said the meeting was held in an atmosphere of peace and unanimous commitment to the decisions.
According to the communique, in attendance at the meeting were delegations from the four regional socio-cultural organisations, that’s: Afenifere for the South West, Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the South East, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for the South-South and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) for the Middle Belt.
The delegations were led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, Professor George Obiozor, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Pogu Bitrus, President of the Middle Belt Forum and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
The meeting was also attended by former Governors, Ministers, federal and state legislators, top politicians and professionals from the Southern and Middle Belt regions, including His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Simon N. Okeke, OFR, Chief Supo Shonibare, Dr Akin Fapohunda, Amb. Okey Emuchay, MFR, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Prof. G. G. Darah, Solomon Asemota, SAN, Dr Alex Ogbonna, Mr Mac Emakpore, Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba, Mrs Nella Andem-Rabana, SAN, Prof. Mrs Chinwe Obaji, Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola (Rtd), Engr. Ben Akaakar, Dr Ebun Sonaiya, Comrade Jare Ajayi and Ken Robinson, among others.
The communique was signed by the leader of the forum, Chief Edwin Clark; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader, Afenifere; Prof. George Obiozor, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Dr Pogu Bitrus, National President, Middle Belt Forum.
Shonekan: Nigeria’s Leader Overthrown Without Resistance
In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state…middle belt leaders insist middle belt leaders insist
News
Kano Task Force Committee Launches Mass Operations Against Thuggery, Substance Abuse
The Kano State Joint Task Force Committee on Peace Restoration and Youth Rehabilitation under the leadership of Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, conducted mass operations in Yakasai, Kofar Mata, Zango, Zage, Zanzado, Rimi Market, Shahuchi Park, Kano Line, Sharada, Ja’en, Dan Agundi and neighboring areas.
The Committee PRO, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the Hon. Commissioner of the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, in a statement on Saturday, said between the 13th and 14th of March, 2025, intelligence-led operations which were conducted at the criminal hideout and black spots resulted in the arrest of fifty-three (53) suspected thugs, drug dealers and recovered three (3) Parcels,
Fifty (50) wraps and other large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa (Wiwi), two (2) Codeine syrup, two (2) tubes of rubber solution, one (1) gallon of suck and die, one hundred and five (105) pieces of suspected exol tablets, five (5) cutlasses, and two (2) scissors.
Others are two (2) clubs (Gora) and a bulk of suspected charms.
According to the statement, during the operations, the Task Force recovered substantial quantities of cannabis sativa at some notorious drug joint in Zanzado, where a larger quantity of the substance was found.
Additionally, a delivery vehicle and five (5) cattle suspected to belong to an infamous drug dealer, were also seized at this location.
The statement further stated that all the suspects arrested would be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.
The success recorded in the two-day operations indicates a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat thuggery and substance abuse in Kano State.
“The composition of the committee which brought together combined security agencies and Government functionaries is dedicated to sanitizing the streets of Kano and restoring peace to the communities.
“The Kano State Joint Task Force Committee remains steadfast and resolute in its mission to create a safer, drug-free and peaceful environment for the benefit of all the inhabitants in the State,” the statement added.
News
Kano Government Denounces Misrepresentation of Appeal Court Ruling on Emirship Tussle
The Kano State Government has condemned what it describes as “gross misrepresentations” surrounding the recent Court of Appeal ruling on the ongoing emirship dispute, urging the public to remain law-abiding while the case progresses to the Supreme Court.
In a joint press statement issued by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, and the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, the state government clarified that the appellate court’s ruling did not invalidate its previous decision to repeal the Kano Emirate Council Law of 2019.
“It has become necessary to once again address you and the general public to correct the speculative reports emanating from some quarters, apparently intended to create disharmony among the citizens of Kano,” the statement read.
The government recalled that on January 10, 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld the repeal of the controversial 2019 law, which led to the reversion of the emirship structure to its previous status. However, it noted that Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, who is challenging the repeal, had filed an appeal at the Supreme Court and secured a stay of execution.
“The respected panel of justices heard and granted the application for a stay pending the hearing and determination of the appeal before the Supreme Court. This is a normal and routine judicial procedure to maintain the status quo,” the statement explained.
The Kano government expressed concern over what it termed misleading headlines and reports suggesting that the Court of Appeal had overturned its own ruling.
“It is worrisome seeing various captions and headlines deliberately intended to mislead the public by misrepresenting the facts. The judiciary, as a sacred institution, must be jealously respected and guarded for the preservation of peace and order in society,” the government asserted.
The officials further clarified that the Court of Appeal had not reversed its January 10 ruling but had only granted a temporary stay of execution pending the Supreme Court’s final decision.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal that entertained the application of Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi did not set aside its own judgment delivered on January 10, 2025. That judgment remains valid and subsisting until the Supreme Court determines the appeal,” the statement emphasized.
The government urged Kano residents to disregard any provocations and continue to uphold peace, assuring them that legal experts were reviewing the court’s ruling to determine the state’s next course of action.
“We call on the general public to resist any provocation and continue to be law-abiding. The Kano State Government has already instructed its lawyers to closely study the outcome to determine the next line of action in accordance with our extant laws,” the statement concluded.
The ongoing legal battle over the emirship structure in Kano has sparked significant political and public interest, with both supporters and opponents closely watching the case as it progresses to the Supreme Court.
News
Buhari’s ex-ministers to defect to SDP
There are strong indications that some former ministers of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari will move en masse to the Social Democratic Party.
A senator in the ninth Assembly, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said at least 10 former members of the Buhari cabinet were moving to the SDP.
“What they’re waiting for is the finalisation of the party structure in their respective states,” the source said.
There are strong indications that some former ministers of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari will move en masse to the Social Democratic Party.
A senator in the ninth Assembly, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said at least 10 former members of the Buhari cabinet were moving to the SDP.
“What they’re waiting for is the finalisation of the party structure in their respective states,” the source said.
Punch
Kano Task Force Committee Launches Mass Operations Against Thuggery, Substance Abuse
Kano Government Denounces Misrepresentation of Appeal Court Ruling on Emirship Tussle
Buhari’s ex-ministers to defect to SDP
Governor Abba K. Yusuf Establishes State Private Sector Employment Policy Committee
Dep. Sen. President Received Kano SSG, Commissioner Sacked By Gov. Yusuf
Kano Task Force Committee Launches Mass Operations Against Thuggery, Substance Abuse
Kano Government Denounces Misrepresentation of Appeal Court Ruling on Emirship Tussle
Buhari’s ex-ministers to defect to SDP
Governor Abba K. Yusuf Establishes State Private Sector Employment Policy Committee
Dep. Sen. President Received Kano SSG, Commissioner Sacked By Gov. Yusuf
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