Service Chiefs: APC youth group condemns Senate’s call for resignation

*** describes it as ludicrous, senseless, shadow-chasing

The APC Youth Solidarity Network APC-YSF) has described as senseless and shadow-chasing the Tuesday’s call by the Senate for the resignation of the current Service Chiefs.

The youth group said the resolution made by the Senate following the motion moved by Senator Ali Ndume, is a clear indication that the lawmakers and other stakeholders in the Northeast and Northwest have declined the necessary support to the President and Service Chiefs in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP, armed banditry, kidnapping and other crimes bedeviling some parts of the country.

Addressing newsmen on Wednesday, Comrade Danesi Momoh, on behalf of the youth group advised the National Assembly to concentrate on its constitutional duties and desist from “the excitement of interfering with the lawfully defined responsibilities of the executive arm of government.”

The group, therefore, commended the Service Chiefs and Nigerian troops for the wonderful job in curtailing insecurity threats to Nigeria from armed bandits and terrorists.

Full text of his speech below.

The APC Youth Solidarity Network (APC-Youth Solidarity Network welcomes you to this urgent press conference. It is necessitated by the imperative to publicly caution the Nigerian Senate on the persistent and organized campaigns by the national parliament, against the Service Chiefs and President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, evident in the frivolous and vexatious resolutions calling for the resignation of the current Security Chiefs.

We recall that during the Senate plenary of July 21, 2020 and based on a motion raised by Sen. Ali Ndume, with additional prayers by Senator Francis Fadahunsi and contributions of other lawmakers, the Red Chamber again unconscionably passed a resolution asking the Service Chiefs to resign over alleged ambush of soldiers in Katsina and the voluntary resignation of many soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

We find the resolution of the Senate ludicrous, senseless, shadow-chasing, embarrassing and incongruent with the reality of the issue of Service Chiefs who are doing their best to curb the resurgent spate of insecurities in some parts the country. There is every reason to frown at this baseless inclination of the Senate.

If the Senate cannot eulogize the efforts and sacrifices of the Service Chiefs who are fighting acts of insurgencies and other criminals in the country, silence is more golden. But it constitutes a slap on the face to call for their resignation or sack and a glaring attempt to overheat the polity.

Asking the Service Chiefs to step-aside is the least solution to the insecurities assailing the country. Besides, it baffles and belittles the Senate, an otherwise honourable parliament to officialize rumours of alleged ambush of soldiers in Katsina state and the purported resignation of soldiers of the Nigerian Army to pass a resolution. It is tantamount to putting the cart before the horse. When has the Senate morphed into a chamber of rumour-mill?

It is increasingly worrisome that the Nigerian Senate, in alliance with some opposition elements have made the calls for the resignation of the Service Chiefs or their sack by President Buhari a hubby. This penchant is absurd and irrational, especially if interrogated from the point of truth.

It is clear the Senate and other stakeholders in the Northeast and Northwest have declined the necessary support to the President and Service Chiefs in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP, armed banditry, kidnapping and other crimes bedeviling some parts of the country. And they have ignored extending support unpretentiously.

About a fortnight ago, the Senate President, Sen. Ahmed Lawan and the House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila promised Nigerians after a close-door meeting with President Buhari of making provision for additional support to the Nigerian Military which is battling acts of insurgencies and allied crimes in the country. But thereafter, no effort has been made. Is the resolution for resignation the support the National Assembly leadership promised?

However, the outburst by the Senate is a plain admission of their knowledge of the underfunding and lack of motivation of members of the Nigerian Military to place them in a better position for combats against armed bandits and terrorists disrupting the peace and security of Nigeria.

And it is painful to realize that the same Senate which vehemently refused to respond to pleas by the leadership of the Nigerian Army for improved and adequate budgetary votes in the 2020 Appropriation Act for the Army, which is involved in multiple Internal Security (IS) operations, should delight in passing a resolution for the resignation of Service Chiefs or even contemplate to raise a voice calling for their sack. This is the irritatingly barefaced hypocrisy exhibited by some of our leaders and it is condemnable in every facet.

We wholeheartedly commend the Service Chiefs and Nigerian troops for the wonderful job in curtailing insecurity threats to Nigeria from armed bandits and terrorists. We encourage our troops never to relent hence we are confident of their capacity to crush all armed criminal gangs amassed against the people of Nigeria insofar as the nation is under the leadership of President Buhari.

Sack of Service Chiefs in the middle of war, Senate erred -CATE

…. backs Buhari on retention

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has expressed disappointment with the Senate over its call for the sack of the Service Chiefs in the middle of war. 

The centre also affirmed total support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to disregard the Senate’s drama, showing faith with the military heads. 

According to the centre, in its usual manner, the Red Chamber goofed having relied on Senator Ali Ndume who was once accused of sponsoring Boko Haram. 

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Gabriel Onoja, on Tuesday, CATE said the Senate have by this act thrown their weight behind terrorists, bandits, criminals and their sponsors, forsaking gallant troops on the frontlines. 

Instead of politicking, the centre said it expected the upper house to craft anti-terrorism legislation that has been sorely needed to defeat terrorism. 

The group, however, advised the lawmakers to resign for failing the Armed Forces and the nation through delayed budget consideration and approval. 

Read full statement below:

The Coalition Against Terrorism (CATE) is totally disappointed with the decision by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to side with terrorists and bandits with its call on the Service Chiefs of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to resign. The Senate erred in this misguided resolution just as it has been erring in the performance of its duties.

Our disappointment is not in any way mitigated by the knowledge that the lawmakers have a history of pursuing agenda that are at variance with the yearnings of the constituents and that the oversight powers bestowed on them by the Constitution has consistently been abused in pursuit of lining their individual pockets.

It nonetheless appalling that the Senate did not even avail itself the face-saving measure of shopping for a unicorn by having a credible member of the Red Chamber to move the motion on something as important but relied on Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno south and chairman of the committee on army, who has not satisfactorily proven that he is not part of Nigeria’s Boko Haram problem.

The lawmakers worsened the situation by adopting resolutions whose import they understand even less than they understood the dynamics fueling Nigeria’s security breaches and the efforts that military leaders under President Muhammadu Buhari have made to curtail them. 

They have by their cavalier attitude sent the message to terrorists, bandits and criminals that they have the support of the Senate against the gallant officers and men that have been toiling to defeat terrorism and stamp out insecurity. They have also told the enemies of Nigeria that they have the approval stamp of the National Assembly.

To have set the war on terrorism back on the scale the Senate has done unfair to all concerned. They are unfair to President Buhari. They are unfair to General Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Defence stcaff; Lt. General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff; Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff. 

The Senate has never shown a commitment to support the efforts of these military leaders and President Buhari in fighting terrorism and other crimes in the country. This latest outing by the Senate is a clear indication that whilst the President and the Service Chiefs are working day and night to address the insecurity in its multiple facets, the Senate prefers to play politics with the lives of the citizens.

The lawmakers failed woefully in crafting and amending anti-terrorism legislation that has been sorely needed to defeat terrorism, which consequently left the military to be overstretched and compelled to fight the terrorist with only strategy and military might. We are therefore wondering when the Senators will resign their positions for having failed to exert international pressure on countries that have been fueling terrorism in and around Nigeria by covertly funding and supporting Boko Haram.

We demand to know when the Senators will resign for sabotaging the anti-terrorism efforts through delayed budget consideration and approval, distracting the Armed Forces with pointless inquisitions that are in reality barefaced attempt to extort those invited to appear. They should accept responsibility for keeping the country’s teeming youth in deprivation and poverty that are the main drivers of the insecurity in the land rather than trying to offload the blame for the problems in the land on principled men that cleaning the mess created by the likes of the politicians in parliament.

CATE calls on the Service Chiefs to disregard the drama from the Senate and focus on carrying out the assignment given to them by President Buhari.

NEDC: Group clear Minister, MD of wrongdoing

The Good Governance and Transparency Coalition (GGTC) has rubbished allegations of fraud in the North East Development Commission (NEDC), absolving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq and NEDC’s Managing Director, Musa Umar Yashi of any wrongdoing. 

Speaking on behalf of the group at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, National Coordinator, 

Patriot Agibi Gabriel, instead extolled the achievements of the commission in the last one year. 

Established in 2017, NEDC is charged with the responsibility to assess, coordinate, harmonies and report on all intervention programs, and initiatives by the Federal Government or any of its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), States; and other partners and for the implementation of all programs and initiatives for the North East states. 

And after a thorough investigation and fact-finding mission in the North East, GGTC said there have indeed been entrenchment of transparency and accountability in NEDA’s operations. 

According to the group, “agents of Boko Haram are at work again in ensuring that the NEDC denies North-East Nigeria the numerous interventions necessary for normalcy to return”. 

It added that this is “another smear campaign targeted at not just the NEDC, but also the supervisory minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development whose track record speaks volume of transparency and accountability”. 

The coalition further expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between the ministry, the NEDC and the Nigerian Military in its rebuilding efforts in North-East.  

While warning these agents and their sponsors to quit their smear campaign, GGTC, however, urged Nigerians to disregard the allegations against the NEDC and its supervisory ministry.

Read full statement below:

The Good Governance and Transparency Coalition, the umbrella body for civil society organizations dedicated to the entrenchment of good governance and transparency in the conduct of government business in Nigeria, is holding this press conference to put issues in proper perspective with regards to the recent allegations of fraudulent activities in the administration of the affairs of the North East Development Commission. 

It must be stated that the Good Governance and Transparency Coalition over the years have been a strong voice in Nigeria and credited to have scrutinized continuously the activities of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) with the view to ensuring that the entrenchment of good governance, transparency and accountability is the watchword.

Consequently, the allegations of fraudulent activities levelled against the management of the North East Development Commission by a group called The Coalition of New Nigeria Transparency and Anti-Corruption (CNNTAC) mandated us to carry out a detailed investigation into the allegations to put issues in proper perspective.  

As a start, from our findings, the CNNTAC is not a member of our coalition as there is no record of such a group in our database, which in itself is an anomaly. Nonetheless, we elected to proceed with our investigations and make our findings known to the generality of the Nigerian public. 

We wish to state that the crisis in North-East Nigeria has come with its attendant loss of lives, destruction of properties and displacement of millions of people. It is also instructive to state that the Nigerian Military has continuously engaged the Boko Haram terrorist group in ways too numerous to mention.  

The level of destruction in North-East Nigeria indeed warranted the effort by the government to commence the reconstruction of North-East Nigeria through the establishment of the  North-East Development Commission (NEDC), charged with the responsibility to assess, coordinate, harmonize and report on all intervention programmes, and initiatives by the Federal Government or any of its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), States; and other Development Partners and for the implementation of all programmes and initiatives for the North East states. 

The NEDC Act further mandates the NEDC to coordinate “the resettlement, rehabilitation, integration and reconstruction of infrastructure for victims of terrorism as well as tackling the menace of poverty, illiteracy, ecological challenges in the North-Eastern states and other related matter”.

The Good Governance and Transparency Coalition as a stakeholder in this critical sector has consequently monitored the operations of the NEDC. It wishes to state that in the past one year of its operations, there has been entrenchment of transparency and accountability.

We are consequently alarmed that the CNNTAC could make such spurious allegations without recourse to the implications of their phantom actions which by all intent and purposes are of poor taste and lacking any form of credibility as there are no such infractions in the operations of the NEDC. As a matter of fact, the operational manual of the NEDC is such that is tailored to ensure accountability at all times and as such we wonder how such infractions would have been effected with the multiple layers of checks in place. 

The Good Governance and Transparency Coalition is alarmed that some shadowy group could elect to spread outright falsehood at the detriment of national interest and in fulfilment of their inordinate desire to constitute a clog in the wheels of progress in Nigeria.

We state in unequivocal terms that the allegations of contract inflations and other sundry allegations are the figment of the imaginations of the CNNTAC and their promoters as there are no such occurrences in the books of the NEDC, as well as in its operations. 

The Good Governance and Transparency Coalition has painstakingly investigated the allegations and came to the sad conclusion that indeed the agents of Boko Haram are at work again in ensuring that the NEDC denies North-East Nigeria the numerous interventions necessary for normalcy to return.  

This is another smear campaign targeted at not just the NEDC, but also the supervisory minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development whose track record speaks volume of transparency and accountability. 

It is instructive to state that our findings revealed that the Hon. Minister and the MD NEDC are providing support for the Military not just only as part of the mandate of the organization but to help the displaced population in North-East Nigeria return to their communities that have been liberated by the Nigerian Military over the years.  

It is thus our considered opinion that the enemies of Nigeria are not happy with the gains recorded by the NEDC in its efforts at rebuilding North-East Nigeria for self-evident reasons. And as such, they have launched a scathing campaign of character assassination against those that are dedicated and compassionate to the plight of the victims of the Boko Haram crisis in North-East Nigeria.  

The Good Governance and Transparency Coalition wish to use this medium to inform the members of the unsuspecting general public to disregard the spurious allegations against the NEDC and its supervisory ministry as there is no iota of truth in the allegations, but instead, an evil motive intended to cause disaffection in the polity.

We consequently wish to warn the CNNTAC and their sponsors to desist from any further attempt to blackmail these persons or the institutions that they represent in the interest of peace and respect for the agony which the sponsors of their group have already put the people of the northeast through over the years. This is on the heels that the mandate of the NEDC is unambiguous and its operations since its establishment have impacted positively on the lives of the people of North-East Nigeria. 

The Good Governance and Transparency Coalition is glad that the level of cooperation between the ministry, the NEDC and the Nigerian Military in its rebuilding efforts in North-East Nigeria is bringing the desired results.  

This is indeed not a time for distractions as Nigerians are more aware of the successes recorded in North-East Nigeria.

We thank you all for your time and attention and encourage all Nigerians to continue to lend their support to the government in its efforts at rebuilding North-East Nigeria.

Thank you all.

Boko Haram: Arewa group lauds Nigerian Army over killing of Imam, commanders

The Arewa Coalition for Truth and Justice (ACTJ) has commended the Nigerian Army over the killing of the Imam and spiritual head of Boko Haram as well as other top commanders of the radical sect.

The group described the feat as a welcome development, an indication that the Army is living up to expectations in its efforts at ridding the North East of the remnants of Boko Haram.

Addressing the media in Abuja Tuesday, ACTJ president, Dr. Abubakar Gana expressed optimism that in no distant time, insurgency will be a thing of the past.

According to the group, terrorism has lingered because the troops haven’t received the much needed support from the political leadership in North East.

The Arewa Coalition for Truth and Justice, however, called on relevant stakeholders to continue to lend their support to the troops as it continues to push for the final decimation of the remnants of the terrorist group.

It further hailed the leadership of the Nigerian Army, as well as the officers and soldiers in the theatre of operations.

Read full statement below:

The Arewa Coalition for Truth and Justice is in receipt of the exploits of the Nigerian Army in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists that led to the killing of the Imam and spiritual head of Boko Haram as well as six top commanders of the group in a recent onslaught in North-East Nigeria.

This feat is indeed a welcome development and an indication that the Nigerian Army is indeed living up to expectations in its efforts at ridding the North East of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorist in their various hideouts.

The Arewa Coalition for Truth and Justice having followed the operations of the Nigerian Army in North-East Nigeria states that this feat is an indication of what to expect in the coming months with regards to the curtailing the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram group.

There is no element of doubt whatsoever as regards the strength, capacity and professionalism of the Nigerian Army to deal decisively with the Boko Haram group as evident in the killing of the spiritual leader of the group and six top commanders of the group.

The Arewa Coalition for Truth and Justice wishes to use this medium to call on all stakeholders to continue to lend their support to the Nigerian Army as it continues to push for the final decimation of the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

We also state that no one should make any mistake anywhere that the Boko Haram terrorists can overwhelm the Nigerian Army, as this can only happen when we discourage the fighting force and their commanders. That is only when the Boko Haram terrorists would have the impetus begin to plant dangerous explosives to attack the troops.

The Arewa Coalition for Truth and Justice believes that with the right support for the Nigerian Army, tangible results would be achieved within six months in the fight against terrorism in North-East Nigeria.

It is instructive to state that the war against Boko Haram terrorism has lingered because the Nigerian Army hasn’t received the needed support by the political leadership in North East unlike the North West that the Nigerian Army has received tremendous support that has resulted in the recent successes in the war against armed banditry.

We wish to call on all critical stakeholders to extend their support to the Nigerian Army in operation in North-East Nigeria in their bid to curtail the threats posed by the Boko Haram terrorists.

This is indeed the time for all hands to be on deck in this critical point in the war against terrorism and other acts of criminalities across the country.

Nigerians must come to terms that the success of the operations of the Nigerian Army is indeed the success of the country at large. It consequently behoves on all discerning Nigerians to put our sentiments aside and be guided in our actions and inactions towards the efforts of the Nigerian Army in its various operations across the country.

The Arewa Coalition for Truth and Justice is buoyed by the recent exploits of the Nigerian Army and pledges to continually mobilize support for its operations across all divides in the country.

The imperativeness of this action cannot be lost on us if we are desirous of seeing to the end of the Boko Haram crisis in North-East Nigeria.

The Arewa Coalition for Truth and Justice commends the leadership of the Nigerian Army, as well as the officers and soldiers in the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria for their display of gallantry and dedication to the Nigerian cause.

PDP institutionalised fraud in NDDC, APC says party plotting to sabotage audit

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) statement is self-indicting and speaks of the weight of corruption’ bedevilling the operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The ruling party however said the successive PDP administrations and their cronies institutionalised a culture of contract fraud and other corrupt practices in the country.

The PDP had issued a statement on Monday over the NDDC’s probe tagging APC administration as a corrupt government.

But in a statement signed Tuesday in Abuja by the deputy national publicity secretary of APC, Yekini Nabena, said Nigerians can now understand that the PDP was not interested in the current moves by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to reposition the NDDC but the PDP dead-scared of the outcome of the 2001 to 2019 forensic audit and legislative inquests of the NDDC operations.

“The PDP is doing everything to sabotage and frustrate the audits.

“In recognition of the ongoing forensic audit and legislative inquest into the operations of the NDDC, as a party we have no intention to trade words on how successive PDP administrations and their cronies institutionalised a culture of contract fraud and other corrupt practices which has robbed the Niger Delta region of badly-needed development. We will rather monitor and await the findings of the ongoing audits.

“However, one thing is clear, no vested interest will continue to turn the NDDC into an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) while multi-faceted development eludes the Niger Delta region.

“We must support the forensic audit of the 19 years of the NDDC, which includes the first 4 years of the President Buhari administration as well as well-meaning legislative inquests for the benefit of the Niger Delta region.

“As a party, we totally align and support the resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari to audit and reposition the NDDC. As with all institutions of government, we must continue to entrench transparency and accountability.

“The commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration remains the rapid and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region. Hence, the audit must be seen as a decisive move to clear any stumbling block undermining the development of the Niger Delta region.

“Has the President Buhari administration demonstrated its zero-tolerance for corruption? An emphatic yes!”

Nabena revealed that the administration’s fight against corruption is total, unsparing and “there are no sacred cows. Public records show that officials of past administrations, members of the opposition, APC, cabinet members, appointees, private sector among others have been given ample opportunity by this administration to defend corruption allegations when they arise.

“The PDP’s tales of “unbridled treasury looting”, Ilusionary fraud and other fictitious allegations are part of their tired, baseless and tactless attempts to get public reckoning, cover past fraud and play the role of opposition which it has shockingly failed at. “

Security, Unity: Inter-Faith Clerics Commence 21-Days Prayers for PMB, Nigeria

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace (NIFROP), on Tuesday, began a 21-day intercessory prayer for Nigeria. 

At the opening ceremony held at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, the group, consisting of prominent Christian and Islamic clerics, said the spiritual exercise is to strengthen the country’s unity amidst security challenges as well as for sustained progress under President Muhammadu Buhari. 

In seperate statements issued by co-chairmen, Sheik Ahmad Ibrahim and Bishop Sunday Garuba, NIFROP acknowledged the efforts of the president to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians despite the “evil forces” against the nation. 

The clergymen also singled out the Armed Forces for praises, who they say have “sacrificed and endured long days and nights just to ensure that Nigerians are safe and free” from terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements. 

” We must acknowledge their endless sacrifices and also for their rare display of professionalism in the prosecution of the Boko Haram war as well as the activities of armed bandits and other criminal elements tormenting Nigerians in various parts of the country,”  Sheikh Ibrahim stated. 

” We must pray that God would defeat the enemies of our country and those working against the divine mandate given to President Muhammadu Buhari. Those that have chosen the path of folly shall be put to shame. Their everyday steps shall be filled with misfortune because they have ganged up against Nigeria in fulfilment of their evil desires.” 

Hence, Sheikh Ibrahim urged Nigerians to support the military, its leaders as well as President Buhari who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. 

” My brothers and sisters, we shall all be praying especially for our troops stationed in the trenches in North-East Nigeria and other parts of North-West Nigeria day and night and engaging the Boko Haram terrorist group in battle. 

” We are going to pray for God to surround them with his amour and grant them sweet victory over their adversaries. We are also going to pray for the various heads of the security agencies in the country for God to grant them wisdom and understanding to be able to provide that sound and strategic leadership direction needed to overcome the adversaries of the country.” 

On his part, Bishop Garuba advised Nigerians to pray against evil forces hovering around the president, his family and cabinet members. 

Echoing his Muslim counterpart, the Bishop added that the troops on the frontlines need all the support they can get amidst conspirations from some highly placed personalities. 

“We shall be praying for good health for President Muhammadu Buhari and Gods divine protection as he pilots the affairs of the country. We shall call on God to send his angels to take charge over everything that concerns President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said. 

” We shall also pray for unity and peace of Nigeria and for God to guard the country against all her adversaries wherever they are. We shall be calling on God to inflict his wrath on all of those that are against the unity and peace of the country.

“We shall also pray against those politicians that thrive on the blood of innocent citizens. We shall pray for God to destroy all of them in their coven and bring about a generation cause upon them and their families. We shall pray to God to send down fire to burn them till their deaths.” 

Recall that NIFROP had in May held a 30-day prayer and fasting for divine intervention on the COVID-19 pandemic and Boko Haram insurgency. 

Gaming rights: CSO, lotto operators protest, demand justice for members

A Civil Society Organisation on the platform of Conduct and Due Process Group (CDPG) in collaboration with some retail Lottery Operators have staged a protest at the premises of Federal High Court 7, in Ikoyi to demand justice for 22 lotto companies being sued by Western Lotto Nigeria Limited over their alleged infringement of proprietary gaming rights.

The protesters which on MondayJuly 20th began the protest and continued on Tuesday July 21st, over what they described as bias in the handling of a lawsuit filed by Western Lotto Limited, said they will not relent until justice is served.

Chanting solidarity songs, including “We no go gree oh, we want justice, we no go gree”, they marched around the court’s premises demanding justice on behalf of the 3rd to 25th defendants in the suit.

In the case being handled by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, Western Lotto Limited sued 23 rival lottery firms over alleged infringement on its licence on “Ghana games.”

In a Motion on Notice brought pursuant to Section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution, the 3rd defendant, Premier Lotto Ltd, is specifically seeking three reliefs, including “An order asking the court to decline jurisdiction to entertain, adopt or otherwise give effect to the Terms of Settlement executed between the Plaintiff, Western Lotto Ltd and the 1st Defendant, National Lottery Regulatory Commission.”

One of the defendants is Premier Lotto Limited, popularly known as Baba Ijebu Gaming Limited, which belongs to Chief Keshington Adebutu.

Western Lotto Limited belongs to businessman and politician, Senator Buruji Kashamu.

In Dec. 2019, Justice Aneke had granted an order authorising Western Lotto to enter into and search the offices of the defendants for evidence of the alleged infringement on its licence.

But in a statement made available to newsmen by the protesters’ spokesperson, Adeniran Raymond, said Conduct and Due Process Group in alliance with retail lotto operators will continue to occupy Federal High Court 7, Ikoyi until justice is served.

“Upon realizing that there was an impending conflict of interest which could lead to the impediment of justice we quickly wadded in and occupied the court to air our fears and demand for justice. The case was slated to be heard in court on the 20th of July, 2020 by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, however, the protest lead to the adjournment of the case until Tuesday 21st of July, 2020 at 11:30.

We are unrelenting and we have strong believe that Justice Aneke will ensure that justice is served. If allowed Western Lotto would suffocate and oppress lotto companies. This would affect even the retail lottery operator who are already struggling to survive.

“It is unfair business practice to allow a company stifle the competition until there is none. That is tantamount to anti-competitive practice and it will not be tolerated.

“For those who do not understand, what the Kashamu owned Western Lotto is trying to do is equal to blocking all mobile telephone service providers from offering 4G services to its customers.

“It is an unfair business practice for competing companies and the impact and consequences would be unprecedented. For this reason, we shall be staging a second part of our peaceful protest at the Federal High Court 7, being presided on by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke and we shall demand for justice,” Raymond stated.

Frank warns Gov Diri against bitterness, condemns rejection of Alaibe’s congratulatory message

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa state for rejecting a congratulatory message sent to him by his challenger and former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Chief Timi Alaibe, after the Supreme Court judgement.

Frank said the attitude of the governor has clearly shown that he (Diri) will govern the state with a heart full of bitterness, for the sleepless nights he had while the case against him was ongoing.

Alaibe, who contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket with the governor had challenged Diri’s candidacy to Supreme Court but lost. The former had, however, sent a congratulatory message but the later rejected the message publicly.

Responding to the development through a statement on Tuesday, Timi Frank said governor Diri has proven his inexperience as a politician “and not worthy to hold a public office.”

Frank described as a sad development for a sitting governor, who should have rather called on those who opposed him to support his administration but decided to take an unpopular decision.

The Bayelsa born political activist declared that Diri’s action will surely hunt him for the rest of his tenure.

Frank believes that it is never a crime for Alaibe to contest his right in Court, adding that if not for the same Court Diri wouldn’t have become a governor.

While commending the former NDDC boss Alaibe for his political maturity and consistency, Frank said governor Diri has portrayed himself as a non-accommodating leader.

“Jitry governor Diri became the governor through a back door. Instead of him to appreciate God’s faithfulness in his life, he has turned himself to the Biblical Bayelsa’s Nebuchadnezzar by openly rejecting a hand of fellowship extended to him by the much loved Timi Alaibe.

“Governor Diri should not forget so soon that Bayelsans did not Vote for him as governor because he was not their choice but Court and providence did.

“Diri has forgotten that four years will end before he knows it. The governor’s proud heart will soon dissapoint him. If Diri was not jitry, how come he couldn’t appoint his Commissioners months after Court declared him governor?

“By this singular act of ungratefulness, Douye Diri should prepare to give account of all his steps and policies everyday. The Bayelsans will hold him accountable for each step he takes henceforth.”

Frank, however called on Alaibe not to be detterd or pay evil for evil as a much loved politician in Bayelsa state.

Counter- terrorism: Kuanum lauds Army over neutralization of Boko Haram Imam, commanders

The Nigerian Army, NA, has received a big thumbs up from counter-terrorism expert, Mr Terrence Kuanum , over the killing of 8 top Boko Haram commanders and their spiritual consultant on Friday.

Kuanum gave the commendation while speaking with reporters in Abuja.

He said the soldiers deserve commendation because of the level of professionalism they brought to bear in carrying out the operation and due to the impact it would have on the overall effort to permanently defeat the terrorists. 

Reports have it that counter-terrorism troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on Friday, killed eight top Boko Haram commanders and their Imam, who were attempting to infiltrate an Army Super Camp in Damasak, Borno State.

Those killed include the Imam,  Mansur Abu Fatima, Tumbun Dabino – Ba Issoufo, Tumbun Bororo – Amir Batam, Tumbun Jaki – Almustapha, TumbunBagaruwa – Modou Kollo, Dogon Tchoukou – Issah, Tumbun Rakke  – Mustapha Woulama, Tumbun Dila – Boukar Kowa and Tumbun Mita – Abou Aisha.
While items recovered from the Boko Haram include three AK 47 rifles, magazine with 48 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Honda Salon car, one motorcycle, eight bicycles, three mobile phones with multiple SIM and memory cards and five copies of the Qur’an, a letter written in Hausa to the top commander, documents and other logistics.

Kuanum  said the army did well by stopping the terrorists from re-entering the Sambisa Forest as that would have given the terrorists the cover the needed to plan further attacks on communities. 

He said the planned attack on the military camp which was foiled would send signals to the terrorists that their cover has been blown and would force them to either surrender or pull out completely from the area.

The security expert said the fact that the terrorists want to return  to their former base at Sambisa confirms that the heat is on them and that they have limited options on where to operate from.

“In a war situation, a side can only return to its base by charging through and forcefully taking it, but when it begins to try to sneak into a captured territory, you know that it has lost the capacity to launch an offensive and may be seeking a location to hide and recover from defeat,” he said.

He said if the terrorists had succeeded in crossing over as they had wanted to, they would have succeeded in causing havoc which would further help their propaganda that they are having an upper hand in the war.

Kuanum said the fact that they lost eight top commanders in an operation, proves that the terrorist have been brought on their knees and dispossessed of the wherewithal to continue fighting. 

” What we are witnessing is the gradual but sure end of Boko Haram as represented by their inability to put up a fight and the loss of their strategic planners. 

The counter-terrorism expert said the kiling of the top Boko Haram commanders and their spiritualist is a major achievement  that would further degrade the terrorists groups. 

He recalled that shortly before the kiling of the eight, troops of Strong Response Area, Pulka, also killed six other terrorists attempting to cross from Cameroon border into Sambisa Forest.

He said the success of the operations must have been due to high intelligence and other information gathering mechanisms that have placed the troops ahead of the insurgents. 

He said the Nigerian troops should capitalise on these inroads and storm the other camps of the insurgents so as not to allow them regroup. 

“What they’re doing is to spread their members into small units and ordering them to attack certain points. This gives the impression that they are many and prevents a wholesale operation that will take them out at once as was done in the past,” he said.

Kuanum said the latest killing of the terrorists by Nigerian troops complements the earlier devastation of their camps in several theaters of operations.

“Nigerian troops have recorded series of successes in the last three months that cannot be ignored,” he stated. 

Our correspondent recalls that between April and June, the Nigerian military have killed over 2,000 Boko Haram terrorists and bandits across northern Nigeria. 

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai had within the period relocated to the Northeast and personally led the onslaught against the terrorists. 

He was also in the Northwest shortly after and attack on some communities in Katsina which motivated troops to overtake and capture many of the bandits.

Understanding Deji Adeyanju’s false sense of patriotism

By Ibrahim Kabir Dallah

Whether in his personal capacity as ‘Comrade’ Deji Adeyanju or as the convener of Concerned Nigeria, a platform that has concerned itself with doing things that will shame Nigeria irrespective of the angst being erroneously placed, this activist has accelerated his growth as a paid mourner, one who keens to create the impression that a deceased tyrant should be canonized as a saint. Adeyanju futilely tries to cut the image of one interested in a better Nigeria but has in reality outed himself as one whose citizenship should be withdrawn assuming we can find another country willing to accept such scum and waste of space as its citizen.

Being the ranter-in-chief of Rants Republic, Adeyanju’s latest preoccupation is to shift to higher gear in maligning President Muhammadu Buhari over the reported resignation of soldiers. There is nothing new in the unwarranted shading of Mr. President by this ready-for-hire activist, it is well known that he does not take on any cause without the budget and financing lines being first firmly established. What is left to verify is why he continues to flog an influence he does not possess on his unsuspecting clients who still cannot figure out that they are being scammed.

According to Adeyanju in a tweet earlier in the week, “Soldiers are massively resigning from the Army because they don’t believe in the leadership of the current Service Chiefs yet the C-in-C doesn’t give a damn.” This is consistent with the oversimplification of issues in a manner that is insulting to the intellect of the average Nigerian, who is insulted by the suggestion that they are that dumb to be easily incited by the antics of falsehood peddler who is not smart enough to know what he stands for.

This hack sees soldiers “massively resigning” from the army without realizing that 318 is about 0.1% of the 215,000 officers and men in that institution. True, soldiers should not be resigning at a time that their country needs them to wage a crucial war against terrorists but to cry wolf over the significance of the number or resignations is something that has crossed the threshold of irresponsibility and not borders on something else. His abuse of statistics in this regard should not be treated at the product of mischief but should rather be seen for what it is, a compelling lack of the mental capacity to make the right assessment and the absence of the intellectual wherewithal to contextualize issues.

Only such shortcomings will make him blame the service chiefs for the resignations simply because the exiting soldiers cited “loss of interest”. He concluded that they don’t believe in the leadership of the current service chiefs. It is no surprise that Adeyanju was quick to arrive at this conclusion given the previous instances that he has been accused of colluding with foreign elements and interests that are inimical to Nigeria’s long-term stability. He is therefore not willing to acknowledge that these same resigning soldiers are likely his associates on the battlefront, the ones that had been leaking operational intel to terrorists. The so-called activists should have been decent enough to admit that running out of the Army is their way of escaping the reckoning that is to come when they are found out, especially as the likelihood increases on a daily basis that series of successful onslaughts against the terrorists would soon lead to a high profile capture of terrorists commanders, who may spill the beans on the troops that have been aiding them. Adeyanju should rather worry about being found out instead of stoking hate.

Accusing the C-in-C of not giving a damn is an indication of the kind of dysfunctionality that Adeyanju wishes to see in Nigeria, a country where the leader acts on impulse and is reactionary to every clown with internet data and a social media account. That is hardly the hallmark of an ideal leader. Responsible leaders avail themselves of hard facts to make decisions. Where the military is concerned, President Buhari has availed himself of facts, updates, reports from the frontline and the benefit of his own experience as an ex-military man to make decisions. That Adeyanju, whose experience of military maneuver is limited to being in bed with jihadists and terrorists, could fault this principled stand is most unfortunate as it is indicative of how foreign agents of destabilization have planted money loving activists to further their own goals.

When next he is picking up his paycheck from his recruiters, Adeyanju should be honest enough, the kind of honesty that others already possess and he continues to demand it of them, to tell them the truth. The truth that the C-in-C does give a damn. He gives a damn to the extent that he has not allowed the rants of Adeyanju and his associates to distract the team from the prevailing duty of salvaging Nigeria from the death roll in which they were holding it by sponsoring militant and social media terrorists to carry out daily attacks.

It is Adeyanju who must now give a damn. He should awaken to the reality that he may yet have to make refunds for the huge fees he is daily unable to justify. His only achievement is peddling falsehood that has not done much to advance the interest of his clients. If anything, he has thought the public to know that there are people manipulating public perception to make Nigeria appear like a failed state.

While Adeyanju rues his dwindling fortune as fake activist, the rest of us should ponder whether the resignation of the soldiers is not the best thing to have happened to the country. These ones that have “lost interest” in being soldiers may just be the ones that have been losing the war and causing the death of their colleagues.

So, rather than fall into panic as Adeyanju intended, we should be thankful that the undesirables are leaving be Army. They are creating vacancies for patriots who are willing to fight the war against terrorists. Adeyanju does not know this so someone should help educate him.

Dallah is a civil rights activist and wrote this piece from Lafia, Nassarawa State.