fbpx
Connect with us

News

Kwankwaso Attack And The Precariousness Of Political Parochialism

Published

on

 

By Bala Ibrahim.

The reports making the rounds, that hoodlums had pelted the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, with sachets of water while on a visit to Kogi State yesterday, Wednesday, are as chilling as they are horribly frightening. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was in Lokoja, the state capital of Kogi state, to inaugurate the party’s secretariat and his campaign offices, when the ugly incident happened, and feelers from everywhere are sending sinister signals.

According to reports, no sooner than Kwankwaso had arrived at the hotel where he was billed to address his supporters, than suspected hoodlums invaded the venue and started insulting and throwing sachets of water at him. A similar situation is said to have happened earlier at Ogbonicha, the country home of late Abubakar Audu.

The accusation is that, he is trying to take advantage of the political vacuum in the structure of the late ex-governor of the state, Abubakar Audu, to woo supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to his side. But what’s wrong with that?

Re: Cruelty to Students, Poor Info Management and Partisanship Hunting ASUU

It may be recalled that last week, the Secretariat of the same NNPP was sealed off in Maiduguri, over the allegation of planned violation of development plans in the metropolis. It took the quick intervention of the governor of Borno state, professor Babagana Zulum to reopen the secretariat. On hearing the news, the governor quickly ordered the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Committee, BUPDC, to re-open the sealed secretariat, saying the action was wrongly timed, as campaigns for the 2023 general elections are about to commence. “No matter the justification of closing the party office, the timing is wrong,”-Prof. Zulum.

Breaking : Nigerian Army dismisses 2 soldiers over Killing of Islamic Scholar

Yes, the Urban Development committee may have grounds to accuse the NNPP of wrongful conversion of residential area for office purpose, but as the governor rightly observed, the timing for the execution of the order against the offense is wrong. Surely the committee’s decision might be given a political interpretation, particularly because of the increased incursion of the new party into new territories.

By the same token, the attack on Kwankwaso in Kogi could come with ill-omened interpretations. Why should he be the target of hoodlums, when other people with similar political ambitions are visiting and campaigning freely in the state without incidents?

Politics is a game that should not be played by the rules of a war. Hounding perceived enemies and political opponents will only work against the spirit and objectives of peaceful coexistence. It would rather scuttle our hard-earned democracy, and inadvertently do nobody any good.

Indeed Nigeria is our beloved country, and the only country we have. If we don’t join hands to make it better for us all, no one would come from the outside to do it for us. It is a pity that, unlike what happens in other parts of the world, Nigeria’s peculiar kind of democracy is always suspicious of the opposition. The win at all costs syndrome has turned us into killers and destroyers, making every visitor into our political terrain an enemy. Why?

Hostilities and political intolerance seem to be on the increase now in Nigeria, such that in almost all the states of the federation, opposition parties are raising the alarm about unfair treatment and threats to their existence. This is wrong.

Politics should be played without bitterness, and opposition should be seen as a mechanism for checkmating the excesses or dominance of the party in power. That is one sure way of making the electorates enjoy the proper dividends of democracy.

It is gratifying that the governor of Borno atate, Professor Babagana Zulum had acted swiftly to avert wrong interpretations. It now behoves on the governor of Kogi state, H.E.Yahaya Bello, who has presented himself as a nationalist, and even made an unsuccessful attempt to become the President of the country, to come clean on this quickly.

The governor should act like his colleague in Borno, by launching an investigation, to fish out those behind the attack. And if found, they must be punished in a way that would convince the public and the polity, by that indeed they have been punished.

Politics should not be played with parochialism or narrow-mindedness, because doing so can be precarious.

News

Defence Headquarters Declares 8 Wanted Over Killing Of Soldiers

Published

on

 

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has issued a declaration naming 8 individuals wanted in connection with the heinous killing of Late Lt. Col. AH Ali and 16 other troops in Okuama, Delta State, on March 14, 2024.

The announcement was made via the verified Defence Headquarters’ X handle on Thursday.

The wanted persons are identified as:

1. Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono (Amagbem)

2. Prof. Ekpokpo Arthur

3. Andaowei Denis Bakriri

4. Igoli Ebi

5. Akata Malawa David Sinclair Okili

6. Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe

7. Reuben Baru

It could be recalls  that the 17 fallen heroes were laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu honoring their memory.

 

Continue Reading

News

President Tinubu Attends Burial of Slain Soldiers, Offers Scholarships to Families

Published

on

President Bola Ahmad Tinubu paying his respect to Slain Soldiers

 

President Bola Tinubu says the federal government will provide scholarships up to the university level for all the children, including the unborn, of the Nigerian Army personnel killed in action at Okuama community in Delta State.

The President, who announced this at the funeral of the personnel at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, on Wednesday, directed the military authorities to ensure that the benefits of the departed are paid to their families within 90 days.

The President also declared that the federal government would provide a house in any part of the nation to each of the families of the four officers and thirteen soldiers.

At the solemn event attended by some state governors, the military hierarchy, and families of the deceased, the President bestowed posthumous National Honours on the 17 fallen heroes.

Lt Col Ali, Major D.E Obi, Major S.D. Ashafa, and Captain U. Zakari were given the honour of Member of the Order of Niger (MON).

Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporals Abdullahi Ibrahim, Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Private Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Adamu Ibrahim, Hamman Peter, and Ibrahim Adamu were awarded Federal Republic Medals.

“On the 14th day of March, Lt. Colonel A. H. Ali, the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, led three other officers and 13 soldiers to the Okuama Community to mediate in the lingering dispute with Okoloba Community.

“They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.

“They did not go with tanks, machine guns, and other weapons. They were on a mission of peace.

“Before the dastardly attack, Lt. Colonel Ali, as the Chief of Army Staff narrated to me, achieved great operational exploits; fighting terrorists and insurgents in the North East and North West before his deployment to the Niger Delta.

“Ali kept faith with his military calling until the end.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, we honour the sacrifice of Ali and the other gallant patriots who died that day. They will forever be remembered as heroes who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price,” the President said.

Reaffirming government’s commitment to justice, President Tinubu vowed to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to account.

While commending the military for not embarking on a reprisal attack on the community, the President declared: “I want to make it clear, once more, that those who committed this heinous crime will not go unpunished. We will find them, and our departed heroes will get justice.

“The elders and chiefs of Okuama also must help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.

“I wish to commend our Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks on Okuama or its neighbouring communities. We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuama are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them,” the President stated.

President Tinubu, while commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes and the entire Armed Forces, prayed God Almighty to comfort the bereaved.

“It is worth restating the debt of gratitude we owe these valiant soldiers and their families.

“As Commander-In-Chief, I do not take the contributions of members of our Armed Forces for granted. I recognize your valour and bravery. I honour your unflinching commitment to making our country safe from criminals, bandits, kidnappers, and insurrectionists.

“While we continue to grieve for the courageous men we lost that day, let us also, on this solemn occasion, be reminded of the unfinished business of working for peace and harmony in our communities. We must begin to rebuild our communities and make them into places where love, tolerance, and harmony will reign.

‘‘Leaders at all levels, especially community leaders and traditional rulers, must work to strengthen the bonds that unite us. We must end the cycle of violence and bloodletting,” the President said.

President Tinubu urged the Armed Forces not to be discouraged by the death of their fellow compatriots but to honour their memory by rededicating themselves to the service and defence of the nation.

“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have a message for you: Do not let the death of your compatriots discourage you.

‘‘There is no higher honour than the vocation you have chosen to pursue. We cherish you. We cherish your labour of love. We salute your daily sacrifice in protecting your fellow citizens from danger. We acknowledge your sacrifices to defend our nation,” the Commander-in-Chief affirmed.

 

Continue Reading

News

Breaking:President Tinubu Constitutes Presidential Economic Coordination Council

Published

on

 

In a strategic move to bolster the nation’s economic governance frameworks and ensure robust and coordinated economic planning and implementation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC) and the creation of the Economic Management Team Emergency Taskforce (EET).

The Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC) comprises distinguished leaders and key government officials, including:

(1) President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – Chairman of the PECC

(2) Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – Vice-Chairman of the PECC / NEC Chairman

(3) President of the Nigerian Senate

(4) Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum

(5) Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance

(6) Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria

(7) Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

(8) Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development

(9) Minister of Budget and Economic Planning

(10) Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy

(11) Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment

(12) Minister of Labour and Employment

(13) Minister of Marine and Blue Economy

(14) Minister of Power

(15) Minister of State, Petroleum Resources

(16) Minister of State, Gas

(17) Minister of Transportation

(18) Minister of Works

The PECC will also comprise key members of the organized private sector, with the following members joining for a period not exceeding one (1) year, subject to the President’s directive:

(1) Alhaji Aliko Dangote

(2) Mr. Tony Elumelu

(3) Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu

(4) Ms. Amina Maina

(5) Mr. Begun Ajayi-Kadir

(6) Mrs. Funke Okpeke

(7) Dr. Doyin Salami

(8) Mr. Patrick Okigbo

(9) Mr. Kola Adesina

(10) Mr. Segun Agbaje

(11) Mr. Chidi Ajaere

(12) Mr. Abdulkadir Aliu

(13) Mr. Rasheed Sarumi

Furthermore, in his determination to address immediate economic challenges and ensure the streamlined execution of economic strategies, President Bola Tinubu has established the Economic Management Team Emergency Taskforce (EET) with a mandate to formulate and implement a consolidated emergency economic plan. The taskforce comprises key government officials and industry leaders in furtherance of the President’s collaborative approach toward achieving economic resilience and growth. The EET is now mandated to submit a comprehensive plan of economic interventions for 2024 to the PECC, covering the next six (6) months, for immediate implementation within two weeks of its inauguration. The EET will meet twice weekly and is composed of the following members:

(1) Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance (Chairman of the EET)

(2) Minister of Budget and Economic Planning

(3) Minister of Power

(4) Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

(5) Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare

(6) Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment

(7) Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria

(8) National Security Adviser

(9) Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum

(10) Governor of Anambra State

(11) Governor of Ogun State

(12) Governor of Niger State

(13) Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service

(14) Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation

(15) GCEO, NNPC Limited

(16) Director-General, Nigeria Economic Summit Group

(17) Special Adviser to the President on Energy

(18) Dr. Bismarck Rewane, Economist

(19) Dr. Suleyman Ndanusa, Economist

The Economic Management Team, established in October 2023, and chaired by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, serves as the working group under the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC), playing a crucial role in the economic governance structure established by the President. The EMT traditionally meets monthly or as required, but will now suspend its meetings for the duration of the EET’s mandate (six months). The EMT is composed of the following officials:

(1) Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance (EMT Chairman)

(2) Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria

(3) Minister of Budget and Economic Planning

(4) Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment

(5) Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy

(6) Minister of Works

(7) Minister of Labour and Employment

(8) Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

(9) Minister of State, Petroleum Resources

(10) Minister of State, Gas

(11) Minister of Power

(12) Minister of Transportation

(13) Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development

(14) Minister of Marine and Blue Economy

The Chairman of the EMT may, as needed, call on any Federal Minister or Head of Agency to brief the EMT on key programmes and developments affecting the economy.

The President’s formation of the PECC, under his Chairmanship, alongside the creation of the EET, led by the Chairman of the EMT, and the EMT itself, is the manifestation of a unified strategy aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s economic management architecture for verifiably improved performance. The formation of these teams will complement existing economic governance structures, including the National Economic Council (NEC), which is chaired by the Vice-President.

Over the next six months, the EET will focus on the rapid implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of critical initiatives, strengthening the Tinubu-led administration’s collective approach to advancing Nigeria’s economic objectives.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

March 27, 2024

Continue Reading

Trending