Journalism is no crime, TheNigerianNews asks FCT Minister, Police to release staff

Five staff of TheNigerian News Group working in one of the platforms, Television Nigerian, Pricilla Ajeshola, Jacob Orji, Abayomi Adedoyin, Peggy Shande and David Gold Enemingin were on Friday arrested, detained and paraded by the FCT Police Command on Saturday on the instruction of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory as persons attempting to cause panic in the nation’s capital.

These innocent citizens were illegally arrested around the Wuse District Hospital, where they were gathering materials for a special report on Lassa fever and Coronavirus.

We made every attempt to persuade the police who saw reasons for amicable resolution of this with the affected authorities.

Unfortunately, the Honourable Minister refused to yield to every plea as his staff insisted on parading these patriotic citizens like common criminals.

This repressive attack on the media was ostensibly an attempt to suppress facts as to the FCT administration’s handling of the outbreak of Lassa fever and Coronavirus that have put the world and citizens all over the country on alert.

The decision of those behind this humiliating episode to go this route of repression and maligning of the journalists is most unfortunate since TheNigerian News is not in the practice of undermining the country, our strict consideration of national interest is a cardinal principle for our organisation and staff all over the world. A visit to our websites and social media handle will all present this fact if these overzealous agents ever cared to check the facts before embarking on this shameless acts against our staff.

If the authorities had issues with the mode the journalists went about gathering materials for their report, the logical thing to do was to correct them as opposed to taking the repressive measures that now strongly suggest that residents of Abuja are being lied to in the territory’s status in relation to the Lassa fever outbreak or the even the deadly CoronaVirus.

Contrary to what the Police or any other person wants to say, TheNigerian News in its three years of existence has only promoted the image and reputation of our country and never involved itself in spreading falsehood.
We demand that the police immediately retract its stand on our arrested staff because they are journalists who were going about their duty to sensitize the general public about the Lassa fever epidemic across the country.

As a law abiding organization populated by responsible citizens, we will consult widely and take all necessary actions in line with our company policy and vision statement. We urge our readers and viewers to remain calm and not be dissuaded by this unwarranted provocation aimed at making us drop our pro-Nigeria stance.

The launch of our radio as earlier announced will still take place on the set date.

Call for sack of service chiefs handiwork of north-east politicians against Buhari – Group

The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria has described the call for the sack of the nation’s Security Chiefs as the handiwork of some selfish north-east politicians to discredit the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

The group was reacting to the recent call by some members of the National Assembly on President Buhari to sack the Service Chiefs over the state of security in the nation.

Addressing newsmen at a press conference on Friday, the group said some North East politicians are not only sponsoring the call for the sack of Service Chiefs; they also have set up a mechanism that would jeopardize the efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.
Mr. Gabriel Agibi, who spoke on behalf of the group, said Nigerians must realize that the call for the sack of Service Chiefs was not the main issue, but that of a grand plot to see that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is labeled as incompetent and lacking in the capacity to address the spate of insecurity in the country.

Full text of his speech below.
The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria is aware of a grand plot by some unscrupulous elements within the political ranks in Nigeria to cause disaffection in the polity by orchestrating for the sack of Service Chiefs in the country.

This is indeed a part of an unpatriotic attempt at puncturing the fragile peace experienced in Nigeria and truncating our nascent democratic experiment by those who have fallen out of political relevance that was occasioned by the outcome of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria been a critical stakeholder in the war against terrorism in Nigeria sees this attempt as a assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians, especially the people of North-East Nigeria that have had to endure years of hardship since the Boko Haram terrorist group began its violent campaign against the Nigerian state in 2009.

It is instructive to state that the recent upsurge in the call for the sacking of Service Chiefs (Army, Navy and Air force) is indeed the handiwork of some North East politicians that have vowed to discredit the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for putting the interest of the people at heart and his commitment to the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

These North East politicians that have been the ultimate beneficiaries of the crisis in the region are angered with the progress made in so far in the war against terrorism because their illicit sources of livelihood have been halted by the counter-insurgency operations of the Nigerian Military.

We have it on competent authority that some North East politicians are not only sponsoring the call for the sack of Service Chiefs; they also have set up a mechanism that would jeopardize the efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.
The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria, as a stakeholder in the war against terrorism in Nigeria, is aware of some of the despicable actions of these politicians that have emboldened the Boko Haram/ISWAP group to continue to traumatize the people of North-East Nigeria. At the same time, they smile to the bank for whatever it is worth.

Worthy of mention is the case of a high ranking politician of North East extraction that was rejected at the polls as well as his appeal thrown out by the courts, has been distributing monies to members of the National Assembly to cause a distraction by initiating moves to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria is aware of the fact that over two billion naira has been so far distributed to members of the National Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari.

This is indeed not coming as a surprise to the Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria because, in the course of our assessment of the situation in North-East Nigeria over the years, we have been inundated with multiple evidence on the activities of selfish politicians that are acting as fronts for the highly placed politician that has vowed to make the country ungovernable.

This much we have stated in our numerous assessment reports to the relevant authorities as well as members of the general public on the need for steps to be taken to avert a gradual disintegration of the country by the actions of these despicable and wicked politicians that have placed their interest above national interest.

The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria wishes to state that this is indeed a sad tale and an indication that after all the support the Boko Haram terrorist group have been receiving is from these politicians that have turned the crisis in the region into their business venture that yields dividends when innocent women and children are killed and families displaced.

Nigerians must realize that the call for the sack of Service Chiefs is not the main issue, but that of a grand plot to see that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is labeled as incompetent and lacking in the capacity to address the spate of insecurity in the country.

Nigerians must as a matter of urgency wake up to this harsh reality imposed on us by these group of people that have refused to give peace a chance because of their blind ambition to take over the affairs of the country at all cost so they can resume their despicable act of impoverishing the people which has been their stock in trade before the advent of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria, as a result of this, wishes to call on the Department of State Security as a matter of urgent national concern to commence a full-scale investigation into this nefarious plot targeted at destabilizing the nation.

This is especially expedient because the crisis in North-East Nigeria is not a failure of governance but a deliberate plot by some politicians that are angry and bitter with the people for rejecting them at the polls.

The urgency of now requires that stringent measures are taken by those concerned if we are indeed interested in the continued existence of the country called Nigeria. The danger of not acting now might give rise to the full implementation of their destabilization agenda.

Military has been exceptional under Buhari, group tells legislators

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has responded to the House of Representatives, describing the Nigerian military under President Muhammadu Buhari as “exceptional”, displaying unalloyed commitment and can’t be compromised for selfish politicians.

CALSER made this known at a press conference on Friday in Abuja to address the avalanche of calls for the sack of Service Chiefs.

In a press statement signed by President, Princess Ajibola, CALSER expressed utter disgust at the desperation of some self-serving politicians who have carried on with the campaign of calumny against the Service Chiefs in the country.

The Centre said it is shocked that the once hallowed National Assembly have been compromised to lead this despicable campaign.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights, however, stated that the military under President Buhari’s administration has shown an extreme level of commitment to preserving the territorial integrity of the country to the applaud of discerning Nigerians.

CALSER revealed that the call for the sack of Service Chiefs is part of the game plan by some politicians to hijack and politicize the military to their advantage, a norm in previous governments.

The Centre, therefore, expressed support for the Service Chiefs whose “capacity and competence is unwavering”, adding that recent upsurge in violence across the country is a coy by desperate politicians to rubbish their efforts.

Read full press statement below:

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights warmly welcomes you all to this press conference put together to address some of the issues that have been canvassed in the public space with regards to the calls for the sacking of Service Chiefs in the country.

The leadership of the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights is alarmed at the desperation with which some self-serving politicians have carried on with the campaign of calumny against the Service Chiefs in the country, whose efforts in the fights against terrorism has been outstanding.

To think that the honorable members of the National Assembly have been so compromised to lead this despicable campaign leaves more to be imagined. The venom they spit indicates an unenviable attitude towards the socio-economic advancement of Nigeria because their actions and inactions are self-serving and not in the overall interest of the country.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to state that the Nigerian Military under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed displayed an unalloyed commitment to preserving the territorial integrity of Nigeria to the applaud of discerning Nigerians.

They have kept vigil while we all slept. They have combed bushes and difficult to reach terrains in service to fatherland, and this is manifest in the numerous gains that have been recorded in the fight against terrorism and other militant groups in Nigeria.

This fact is not one that self-serving politicians would want to reckon with because it is against their overarching interest. As such, they must do all within their powers to cause a political crisis so their whims and caprices can be carried out without hindrance.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights also sees the call for the sack of Service Chiefs, as one that is part of the game plan by some politicians to hijack and politicize the Nigerian Military to their advantage, which was the norm before the advent of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in 2015.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to state that the Service Chiefs in the country have indeed proved their mettle and commitment to the Nigerian cause and as such any attempt by the relevant authorities to bow to the pressure been mounted through covert means for the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to effect a change in the leadership of the Nigerian Military, would indeed be a big blow for lovers of democracy in Nigeria.

This is on the heels that if such happens, Nigeria might return to the brinks where our Military would be subjected to the whims and caprices of politicians and might be our undoing and the consequences would live with us for years to come.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to state that the security apparatus of the country is the exclusive preserve of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As such, allowing politicians whose paymasters are still aggrieved with the outcome of the 2019 general elections to effect a change in the leadership of the Armed Forces would spell doom for the successes that have been recorded by the current administration.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights is aware that the Military was just recently re-organized by President Muhammadu Buhari, who brought about discipline and professionalism back to the Military that translated to an efficient and professional fight force in the country.

This process is still ongoing, and any attempt to allow politicians to find their way back into the Military will be disastrous for our country, especially at a time that separatists are hanging around the corner to destabilize the nation.

We also wish to state that the resurgence of pockets of criminal activities across the country is the handiwork of self-serving politicians that are not happy with the gains made so far in the fight against terrorism and other militant groups in the country.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to inform members of the general public that as concerned stakeholders in the Nigerian cause and one conversant with the operations of the Nigerian Military, we state emphatically that the current Service Chiefs have given their total commitment towards addressing the insurgencies across the country.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to advise members of the National Assembly who have elected to allow themselves to be compromised by self-serving politicians in the destabilization plot against Nigeria to retrace their steps and come to the realization that the Nigerian cause is one that requires acts of patriotism.

The unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct, and this they must realize because this generation and indeed, the unborn generation of Nigerians have nowhere else to call home. As such, we must remain and salvage it together.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights passes a vote of confidence on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his unalloyed commitment towards putting Nigeria in proper stead for socio-economic development.

Our belief in the capacity and competence of the Service Chiefs is unwavering, and The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Right herby solicits the support of all Nigerians to join hands in defeating every form of insecurity in the land.

Nigeria shall indeed be great.
Thank you all for your time, and God Bless Nigeria.

Zamfara governor, Matawalle wins TheNigerian Security Icon Award

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State is set to receive the award of “Security Icon of the Year” for 2019 by TheNigerian News Group.

Since taking over the helm of affairs from Abdul’aziz Yari on May 29, Mr Matawalle earned wave review for his unorthodox, progressive and charismatic leadership style, especially in the area of security.

Having inherited a state riddled with banditry, kidnap and other social vices, the onus was on it to erase these ills and restore peace.

With improved collaboration with the military and other security agencies, banditry has been brought to a barest minimum in Zamfara, which prompted TheNigerian to honour the governor.

In a statement on Friday by Group Managing Director, David Onmeje, TheNigerian News Group, owners of TheNigerian News, TheNigerian Tabloid, Television Nigerian and soon-to-be-launched radio, said Mr Matawalle was singled out for altering the status quo in governance.

Whilst other governors play politics with the lives of the citizenry, Mr Onmeje noted that Matawalle has taken upon himself to rally round major stakeholders including the youths, security agencies, political leaders and other key institutions to restore peace to Zamfara State.

The GMD further revealed that Mr Matawalle has already created a path for other governors to follow in helping to quench the fire of insecurity in their domains.

“His Excellency, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State inherited a state crippled and strangulated by awful insecurity fuelled by the satanic activities of armed bandits and cattle rustlers,” the statement reads.

“However, within an unbelievably short time, the Governor was able to demobilize and suppress the forces of evil against the state. He fearlessly and boldly confronted the veiled, but dreaded forces promoting insecurity in Zamfara state.

“Mr Matawalle is recognised for his genuineness of purpose and dexterity in the discharge of his duties, remarkable synergy with the military and other security agencies to protect vulnerable children and women from terror sects and then rewarding youth rehabilitation and empowerment initiatives.”

Adamawa governor, Fintiri lauds military’s counter insurgency fight

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa state has lauded the military in tackling the activities of insurgents headlong for peace and tranquility in the Northeast.

Fintiri during his visit to 144 Battalion of the Nigeria Army base, Madagali said the military has rekindled consistent hopes of the people of the area.

He assured that government would remained supportive to the security agencies in the state for liberating the state from insurgents.

Lt. Col. Suleiman Abdussalam, the Commanding Officer of the battalion assured that the military would continue to discharge their duties in line with the mandate given to them.

Trump’s Spiritual Adviser, Paula White, adopts MFM prayers

Pastor Paula White, spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump of United States, is causing some stir within the United States public sphere with her new firebrand prayers.
The source of the prayers, according to the Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com), was linked to the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) church as revealed by a professor of theological studies at Concordia University, André Gagné.
White now freely dishes out her new firebrand prayers as campaigns for the country’s presidential election billed for this year revs up.
In a video of the Jan. 5 sermon, posted by the liberal advocacy group Right Wing Watch, televangelist pastor Paula White breathlessly calls on Jesus Christ to “command all satanic pregnancies to miscarry right now.”
She continues: “We declare that anything that’s been conceived in satanic wombs, that it will miscarry, it will not be able to carry forth any plan of destruction, any plan of harm,” White said before an auditorium of congregants.
“We come against the marine kingdom, we come against the animal kingdom.
“We declare that any strange winds — any strange winds that have been sent to hurt the church, sent against this nation, sent against our president, sent against myself, sent against others — we break it by the superior blood of Jesus right now.”
As of Sunday morning, the clip, which was just under two minutes long, had been viewed more than 2.5 million times.
White’s words are largely beinginterpreted literally — that she wishes for evil women to have miscarriages — but she shared a rare response to the criticism in which she explained that she was speaking in metaphor, praying for evil plans to be foiled in her congregants’ lives.
Following the controversy that greeted White’s prayer, professor André Gagné, rose in her defence, disclosing the origin of the prayers.
Gagné, in revealing the origin of the prayers, pointed to a book by Nigerian evangelist D.K. Olukoya that describes “satanic pregnancies” as “the plans that Satan has against a person’s life.”
Olukoya is general overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (worldwide).

ASJA, others commend MTI boss, Fakuade over achievements

The Advocates for Social Justice for All (ASJA) and Concerned Civil Society Organizations for Transformation (CCSOT) has passed a vote of confidence on Chief Executive Officer, Metallurgical Training Institute, Mr. Olabode Fakuade. According to both civil society organisations, the CEO has recorded tremendous strides since his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Established in 1981, MTI is a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, mandated to train Nigerians in the area of maintenance engineering with the aim of fast-tracking technological development.

After over three decades of neglect and mismanagement of funds, MTI has witnessed a reawakening in terms of infrastructural development and purposeful leadership, thanks to Mr Fakuade.

At a press conference on Thursday and statement co-signed by Joseph Gamji Guona and Boluwaji Bewaji ASJA’s Executive Director and CCSOT’s Secretary-General respectively, both groups expressed utter shock at recent calumny campaign against the CEO.

The CSOs said this plot is “nothing but the handiwork of distractors who are not happy with the multiple gains that are being recorded in the Institute and the fact that he is not an indigene of the locality”.

Under Mr Fakuade’s tutelage, the group revealed that MTI achieved unprecedented level of growth, “evident in the fact that the MTI avails various calibers of Nigerians the opportunity to acquire technical education that provides for necessary skills for gainful employment, self-employment, and job creation.”

The Advocates for Social Justice for All and the Concerned Civil Society Organizations for Transformation is conversant, therefore, warned distractors to desist from such acts so the Chief Executive Officer can effectively carry out the mandate given by Mr. President.

They further asked that Mr Fakuade be allowed to function effectively in line with President Buhari’s principle of merit and hard work over mediocrity and ethnic bigotry.

Read full statement below:

On behalf of the leadership of the Advocates for Social Justice for All and Concerned Civil Society Organizations for Transformation, we warmly welcome you all to this press conference organized in the light of the tremendous achievements recorded in the administration of the Metallurgical Training Institute.

This press conference is indeed intended to put issues in proper perspective and to advise some paid distractors that have been commissioned to smear the character of the Chief Executive Officer of the Metallurgical Training Institute.

The Advocates for Social Justice for All and the Concerned Civil Society Organizations for Transformation wishes to state that the recently launched campaign of calumny against the Chief Executive Officer of the MTI is nothing but the handiwork of distractors who are not happy with the multiple gains that are being recorded in the Institute and the fact that he is not an indigene of the locality.

We wish to state that since the assumption of office of Mr. Olabode Fakuade as the director and Chief Executive Officer of the MTI, the Institute has indeed reclaimed its spot as one of Nigeria’s foremost training institute. This much is evident in the numerous achievements that have been recorded in the annals of the Institute in recent times.

The MTI under the leadership of Mr. Olabode Fakuade has witnessed an unprecedented level of growth that is evident in the fact that the MTI avails various calibers of Nigerians the opportunity to acquire technical education that provides for necessary skills for gainful employment, self-employment, and job creation.

Under the leadership of Mr. Olabode Fakuade, the Institute has witnessed unprecedented infrastructural development as about 600 meters of deep concrete drains have been constructed to link the tunnel adjoining Onitsha-Owerri Expressway to channel erosion water, training equipment/ facilities upgraded and students hostels are witnessing total rehabilitation.

The Institute is taking advantage of the solar power system as an alternative source of energy supply both to our workshops to boost training activities as well as the offices for efficient service delivery. The Institute has also witnessed the constant training and retraining by undertaking capacity building programmes to improve their efficiency at work.

The Advocates for Social Justice All and the Concerned Civil Society Organizations for Transformation consequently wishes to state that those faceless groups that have been paid to make unfounded allegations against the Chief Executive Officer of the MTI had better desist from such nefarious acts in the interest of the continued growth and development of the MTI.

The attacks on the person of the Chief Executive Officer of the MTI is unwarranted and unnecessary given the fact that the allegations are not only baseless, but of poor taste, and can be best described as a distractive exercise aimed at making the Chief Executive Officer of the MTI lose focus from the task at hand.

The hogwash been peddled that Mr. Olabode Fakuade is not qualified to lead the MTI is a figment of the imagination of those that are not happy with the giant strides been recorded in the MTI in recent times.

This much is evident in the accolades have continued to pour in from various quarters, including students of the Institute that indeed described the leadership of the Institute led by Mr. Olabode Fakuade as innovative and transformative.

The Advocates for Social Justice for All and the Concerned Civil Society Organizations for Transformation is conversant with the ongoing innovations at the Institute and consequently wishes to sound a note of warning to the distractors to desist from such acts so the Chief Executive Officer can effectively carry out the mandate given to it by Mr. President.

The Advocates for Social Justice for All and the Concerned Civil Society Organization for Transformation, therefore, demand that in line with Mr. President’s principle of merit and hard work above mediocrity and ethnic bigotry, Mr. Olabode Fakuade should be allowed as a Nigerian to function effectively and not be derailed.

It must be noted that success does not recognize ethnicity or religion and the fact that Mr. Olabode Fakuade is delivering on the mandate given to him by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, nothing else should matter.

This much the distractors of Mr. Olabode Fakuade should know and hence the need for them to give him a chance to succeed.

Insecurity: APC accuses PDP, NASS of planning to overthrow Buhari

The All Progressives Congress Local Government Chairmen (APC-LGC) has has alleged that there is a plot by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari with the aid of the National Assembly.

The grassroots APC chairmen made this accusation at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, where it strongly accused the PDP of manipulating the NASS to remove the current administration from office.

Speaking on behalf of the group, National Coordinator, Adadu Alegwu revealed that the opposition has resorted to the legislative arm having failed to legitimately oust President Buhari in the Judiciary.

The recent upsurge in criminal activities across the country; from Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks to banditry and kidnappings, the group alleged, are the handiwork of the PDP, whose desperation for power isn’t strange.

However, its new-found alliance with the National Assembly, according to the APC leaders, is a cause for worry, especially after some of its disloyal members reportedly received humongous sum to betray the party.

This script, the group further revealed, is orchestrated by a top-ranking member of the PDP in the National Assembly, backed by a former president, a governor of one of the South-South state and a perpetual presidential candidate.

According to the group, having already penetrated the NASS, the PDP sought to win over the Service Chiefs to its fold.

However, their unwillingness to compromise triggered the opposition to unleash mayhem in the country.

The Forum of APC LGA Chairmen, therefore, says it considers the grand plot as a coup against democracy, and as such discerning members of the general public are placed on notice of the manifestation of the destabilization plot by the PDP.

The group further enjoined Nigerians to be steadfast and resolute in their belief in the sustenance of democracy.

Read full statement below:

The National Forum of APC Local Government Chairmen the umbrella forum of all APC local government chairmen in Nigeria is holding the press conference as a matter of national interest to intimate members of the general public of the clandestine plot by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remove President Muhammadu Buhari from office through the National Assembly.

According to credible information reaching the National Forum of APC Local Government Chairmen has indeed revealed that the opposition PDP is the brain behind the recent upsurge of criminal activities across the country manifest in Boko Haram/ISWAP, banditry and kidnappings.

This they, the PDP, have elected to do in an attempt to pitch the people against the democratically elected government of President Muhammadu Buhari all in a bid to take the mandate freely given by the people through the backdoor and destabilize the country.

The PDP has enlisted the members of the National Assembly to carry out this nefarious act, and they have also gone a step further by soliciting the buy-in of some disloyal APC members in the National Assembly by compromising them with huge monetary inducement.

We wish to state that the plot in the National Assembly was orchestrated by a top-ranking member of the PDP in the National Assembly who have been mandated by the leadership of the PDP to see to the realization of this grand plot against democracy in Nigeria.

The general public should be informed that the PDP has mobilized humongous amount of monies for this despicable act that has seen monies exchanging hands for the actualization of their evil agenda against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The National Forum of APC Local Government Chairmen wishes to inform the general public that credible information at our disposal indicates that a former president, a governor of one of the South-South states, a perpetual presidential candidate, who still has his gaze at the 2023 presidential elections, and a governor from one of the states in northwest Nigeria, are all behind this despicable plot.

This grand plot against democracy in Nigeria has as a component a puerile campaign against the Service Chiefs because of their loyalty to the country and the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and also their refusal to surrender the country to them during the 2019 general elections.

We also have it on competent authority that the character and efforts of the Service Chiefs would be subjected to an inglorious slander campaign to compromise their loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Forum of APC Local Government Chairmen have also gathered from credible sources that should the Service Chiefs refuse to buckle to their evil plots; there would be a covert sponsorship of criminal activities across the country in a bid to undermine their efforts in the fight against terrorism and other political militant groups.

Also, as part of the grand plot, the PDP has enlisted the support of a major religious group to use their platform to issue statements and carry out actions that would discredit the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and by extension to paint a picture of religious persecution, which would, in turn, set the country on a dangerous religious crisis.

The game plan is to ensure that the Supreme Court is also brought to disrepute since it failed to remove President Muhammadu Buhari from office. We consequently wish to state that the recent nationwide protest by the PDP over the Supreme Court judgment is a pointer to what to expect from the PDP and their hatchet men in the next few days.

The Forum of APC Local Government Chairmen considers the grand plot as a coup against democracy, and as such discerning members of the general public are placed on notice of the manifestation of the destabilization plot by the PDP that would be unleashed on the country in the days ahead.

The Forum of APC Local Government Chairmen wishes to put in on record that should Nigeria experience any form of religious and political upheaval in the days ahead; the PDP should be blamed squarely.

We also wish to state that Nigeria is a democratic country that is governed by laws, and any attempt by unscrupulous political elements that have refused to respect the wishes of the people would be resisted through the instrument of the law.

The Forum of APC Local Government Chairmen consequently enjoins members of the general public to be steadfast and resolute in their belief in the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. It is our firm belief that this nefarious plot by the PDP would fail woefully because Nigerians are wiser and can see the handwriting written on the wall.

For them, it is either their way for no way. But for the generality of Nigerians, it is indeed our way because the destinies of over 180 million Nigerians cannot be truncated because of the blind and selfish ambition of a few.

We wish to state that Nigerians are indeed watching as events unfold. And it is our firm belief that their nefarious plot would fail woefully.

Thank you all for taking out time from your busy schedules to attend this press conference, and together we shall make Nigeria a viable and robust country where our hopes and aspirations would be translated to tangible realities.

May God bless Nigeria and bless us all.

Insurgency: Former Senate President writes Lawan, urges complementary strategy to military solutions

Elder statesman and former President of the Senate, Senator Ameh Ebute, has called on Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, to engage other politicians, technocrats as well as businessmen from the northeast to join hands to help in complementing roles that will solve the lingering security crises in the region.

Ebute wants the Senate President as the most senior political appointee from the north east zone to convoke and lead the Northeast reconciliation and peace to end Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism bedeviling the area.

The ex-legislator decried a situation where everyone including some politicians who are responsible for the crisis blame President Buhari or the patriotic Service Chiefs for the problem instead of playing their roles with a view to ending it.

He was reacting to the recent call by the national assembly on president Buhari to sack his Service Chiefs over the security situation in the country.

Ebute, a former lawmaker from Benue South, in the letter addressed to Senator Lawan on Wednesday, said all hands must be on deck as the fight against insurgency should not be left alone for the Service Chiefs of Mr. President.

The letter reads below.

Your Excellency, Sir,

“It is time for you to convoke and lead the Northeast reconciliation and peace to end Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism: Open letter.

May I specially extend compliments of the season to you and members of the Ninth National Assembly. I commend your leadership of the national parliament which is functioning on a seamless template with the executive arm of government for the development and prosperity of the country.

I need no introduction either to you or Nigerians, having earlier served my country in your present capacity. As an elder statesman, I intermittently comment on national affairs from the sidelines and offer advice where necessary, which I won’t hesitate to indulge now.

At the turn of Year 2020, I felt a pulsating urge to write an open epistle to you on the Boko Haram insurgency and Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) terrorism ravaging Nigeria’s Northeast particularly, a region of your ancestry. It is also home to many other prominent personalities who served or are currently holding influential positions in Nigeria.

Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in Nigeria has cloaked 10 years plus and still counting in atrocious acts. We thank God for the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as our democratic leader in 2015 and the deafening commitment of his administration, which has decimated and technically defeated terrorists in Nigeria. Under his administration, many communities and LGAs in the Northeast which were in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists have been reclaimed.

Without the hard and sustained mitigation of the Buhari Presidency, Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorism would have overwhelmed and conquered Nigeria by now. Nigerian military, especially, the Nigerian Army, led by the COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt.Gen. TY Buratai have exhibited tremendous courage and gallantry in the confrontations and repression of terrorists. They deserve our eulogies every day.

But as known to all of us, Boko Haram insurgency is yet to be blighted completely in our land. The repressed and feeble Boko Haram has been enlivened and energized by the more vicious ISWAP terrorists from Iran. It is overstretching the Nigerian military. But they have found strength because of the receptiveness of local accomplices to their evil.

It is obvious that military solutions alone, as we seem to focus now cannot quench the fire of terrorism in the Northeast. There is every need to also apply political and economic solutions to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism. It is a problem which should be tackled on all fronts simultaneously.

We cannot dodge the reality that youths in these areas have not felt the impact of government these years. It is reason for their restlessness and why they are easily lured as willing tools in the hands of the Boko Haram insurgents to engage in mischief and evil against their own country.

This is where I find you and your office as the Number three citizen of Nigeria now relevant and sensitive. You have over delayed to act by convoking a parley among all political leaders and business moguls of the Northeast to deliberate and come out with a political and economic remedies to end terrorism.

Sir, you are the most senior political leader from the entire Northeast and there is every need for you act or demonstrate concern and real leadership of your people. You should be worried and sleepless over the ruination and devastation of your land of birth by bile and brutal campaigns of terrorists, imported into Nigeria and supported by indigenous non-state actors who are undeniably extending covert support for festering Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in Nigeria.

It is time you dust your leadership focus on legislations/approval of budgets for terrorism expenditures alone. It behooves on you to galvanize the forces in the Northeast towards finding durable political and economic solutions to terrorism in the region.

Your inability to summon a Northeast stakeholder, political appointees, business men and women and all the intellectuals parley from the region to find a lasting solution speaks more about an indifference to the plight of your people.

A roll call of personalities and political appointees currently serving the government of President Buhari from the Northeast alone is impressive. They hold high profile positions beginning with you as Senate President; Chief of Army Staff; Director General, NEMA; National Security Adviser; Director General, NOA; Group Managing Director, NNPC and Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission.

We also have the likes of Chief of Staff to the President; Chairman, Federal Character Commission; Executive Secretary, Federal Government Housing Commission; chairman Senate Committee on Army; Federal Permanent Secretaries; Director -General Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); APC National Secretary; Director -General FERMA and the Acting EFCC chairman.

Besides, we have ministers from each of these states; National Assembly members, States Assembly members, traditional and religious leaders and prominent multi-billionaires from the Northeast region. The list is by no means exhaustive. Why have you not deemed it necessary to lead a dialogue with these personalities to chat a course to make Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorism ravaging the Northeast become history?

Let us not be deceived, if these respected leaders and personalities cannot do it, no one else can do it. And leaving the entire burden in the hands of President Buhari and the Nigerian military alone is not thoughtful or wise decision and can never end terrorism.

Nigerians would like to see a new commitment from the Senate President and other leaders from the region in doing more to achieve the needed results. Fortunately, Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum has shown enough zeal in this direction and you must pair with him to find the needed solutions to end Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorism.

Peace and security, which every nation craves to enjoy is not a commodity that can be achieved in a day; just like war is not won in one day. Whilst the military can subdue and neutralize the threats posed by the insurgents, the ultimate foundation to peace lies in the hands of stakeholders from this region who are expected to navigate unconventional means to engage the youths and the people generally.

Therefore, leaving the battle to Mr. President and the military chiefs alone can only bring an end to the bombings, but not a final end to the killings which are usually perpetrated by neglected and abandoned youths who are hired by terrorist kingpins.

The Senate in particular and the national Assembly as a whole can actually do quite a lot more to support Mr. President win these anti-terrorism campaigns. You were a member of the eighth Senate which refused to grant approval for Mr. President to secure funds for arms and ammunition to fight terrorism. There is no doubt that the Senate under your leadership has been helpful to Mr. President and it is expected to do more to support him.

And as individual leaders at our personal levels, there is much we can to economically to empower unemployed youths in the region to divert their attention from evil acts of terrorists. For instance, if each member of the national assembly decides to employ 20 youths as a community development project, we would be putting a reasonable number of youths out of the reach of Boko Haram terrorists masters for engagement.

The national parliamentarians from the region could channel constituency funds to productive use to uplift the economic status of people in the region by establishing cottage industries or invest in other small-scale economic ventures.

Let me pause now. But I expect you to reflect deeply on these proposals and act accordingly to erase the tears of your people in the Northeast.

Service Chiefs: Group accuses House of Reps of working with underground forces to ruin Nigeria

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has accused the House of Representatives of working with underground forces to return Nigeria to dark and inglorious era.
NDF was reacting to a motion moved on Thursday by the Chief Whip of the House, Hon, Mohammed Tahir Mongunu and 14 others, calling on the current Service Chiefs to resign or be fired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Addressing newsmen on Thursday, in Abuja, Dr. Abdulkadir Bolaji, National Secretary of NDF said they were shocked that some reps members have “wittingly subscribed to this hogwash using a protectively deceptive official cover to push this demonic agenda.”
He said the call for the sack of Security Chiefs is amazing to say the least clear attempt to pave way for the defeated insurgents to return Nigeria to era of blood and tears.
The group also advised that the President should be prepared to slam a state of emergency on any state that falters on securing lives and property of the citizenry
Full text of his speech below.
From time to time, we are pained by the deliberate actions or multiple commissions from our national legislators, especially the House of Representatives in the 9th National Assembly (NASS). We are vexed by their continuous wobbling in the performance of their official assignments. Naturally, we can overlook their motley of scandals, but certainly not undue interference that tends to tamper with the sanctity of the security fabrics of our country.

At plenary on Wednesday January 29, 2020, the Reps members in a resolution after debating a motion sponsored by Hon. Mohammed Monguno, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the leaders of Security agencies in Nigeria, if they fail to resign voluntarily. The Reps members attempted to justify the reason for this unthinkable and impetuous decision to the renewed spate of attacks and killings in Nigeria country.

The tenor of the resolution draped with unpardonable, abominable and suspected secret alliance/connivance with the foreign evil forces against Nigeria. There are some Nigerians who have belabored themselves to discredit Nigeria’s Security leaderships presently battling terrorism, insurrections and insurgencies in the country.

Overtime, precisely in the last few months, Nigerians have heard and assessed the campaigns for the sack of Security Chiefs. And it emanates from individuals and organizations inclined to partisanship and intolerant of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

And they echo same rehearsed reasons in attempts to disparage Nigeria’s Security leaderships, by projecting biased, irrational and self-serving reasons. Therefore, one hears the same conspiratorial voices of anti- Nigeria choristers from opposition parties like the PDP or its apostates, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Senate, the House of Reps, elder statement like Gen. Ty Danjuma (rtd) or some faceless human rights organizations such as this latest one by the identity of Human Rights organization and Social Justice (HRSJ).

They are not necessarily concerned with the voice of genuine reasoning. So, the obviously contracted HRSJ, was quick to lend its support to the position of NASS which passed a vote of no-confidence on the Military, Police and other security agencies in the country and bargained for their sack too.

It is astonishing that some Rep members have wittingly subscribed to this hogwash using a protectively deceptive official cover to push this demonic agenda. The recent baseless alarm calling for the sack of Security Chiefs is amazing to say the least.

It dawned on Nigerians clearly that the House of Reps is scheming with underground forces to return back to the dark and inglorious era when external forces reportedly bribed members of NASS to arm-twist Mr. President. This was usually done through ceaseless vitriols on his appointees to compel him into making decisions incongruent with the interest of the country. These legislators have sinister motives against Nigeria.

But both Senate President, Sen. Ahmed Lawan and House of Reps Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila have diverted attention from NASS’s scandalous controversies and atrocities at the expense of their image and interest of Nigerians. The allocation of a huge separate N37 billion for mere renovation NASS complex in 2020 budget, outside the N128 billion allocated for NASS in same fiscal year.

Expending a whooping of N5.5 billion to purchase luxury cars for lawmakers in a poverty-stricken country facing hard times have not portrayed them as lawmakers concerned with national interest. Same for racketeering[TNNP1] of federal jobs at the FIRS, budget padding and recklessness amounting to over N260 billion. Ironically though, both chambers who passed the 2020 budget failed to notice that budgets estimate of some Ministries, Agencies and Departments were excluded in the budget.

The wholesome passage of the 2020 Appropriation Act without proper inquest and shutting down of media coverage for budget defence are some of their many ills and frustration of progress of Nigeria. The House of Reps at this point should concentrate on laundering its battered image, than the preoccupation with calls for sack of Security leaderships which is indubitably outside its purview of responsibilities.

While steeped in this official profligacy designed to benefit their personal pockets, House of Reps ignored pleas from the Army leadership to increase the meagre budgetary allocation to the Nigerian Army. During the Military’s defence of its 2020 budget proposal of the military before the House of Representatives Committee on Army , the Reps members were urged them to exempt the army from the existing budget ceiling or envelope allocation system.

But they ignored it despite the cogent reasons. But is the same House of Reps which never gave a thought to it has pleasured to vilify and crucify for failing insecurity in parts of the country by calling for the sack of security chief. This is warped wisdom, official deceit and self-denial.

Therefore, we state without mincing words that the Reps call for sack or resignation of Security leadership in the country is uncharitable and deliberate mischief by a bunch of failures, in the House trying to hide their real motive.

We have no reason to doubt the superlative performance of the current crop of Security leaderships in Nigeria. NDF is proud particularly, with Service Chiefs who are doing their best in the prevailing circumstances and Nigerans are impressed with their efforts so far.

Let it be known to the House of Rep members that it is unambiguous; Mr. President is on track and will tackle the emergent issues at hand soonest. The President will accomplish this feat without sacking any of the very patriots that have been so helpful and invaluable in curbing the excesses of insurgencies and insurrections as wished by these seemingly confused agents of the same evil forces orchestrating the carnages in Nigeria.

NDF finds it repulsive and unfortunate how these disgruntled political elements discuss the Service Chiefs like aliens who have no bearing in the fate of their own country.

Consequently, the ranting of members of the House of Representatives is personalized verdict or biased opinions and infinitesimal, especially on matters they have no such lawful powers to interrogate or determine like Security leaderships as they mouthed freely.

We will only call on politicians and members of parliament inclusive to stop their unholy alliance with terrorists, bandits and kidnappers to destabilize the country. It is the first step, and secondly, approve adequate budget financing for security agencies to tackle violence and killings, as against the meaningless sermons on resignation or sacking of them.

It is foolhardy to call for the resignation of the President and sacking of security chiefs, while silent on states governors, where the renewed incidents of attacks and killings occur. Some of these Governors who are the Chief Security officers of their states and collect monthly security votes, but do not devote it to solving emerging security issues. It shows the bias and malice in the parliamentarians against President Buhari.

As President Buhari is the Chief Security officer of Nigeria, the states governors are same in their domains. The House of Reps must first call for their resignation. We call on President Buhari to take a drastic action on Governors who err on security and allow insecurity situations degenerate to raise conditions conducive to criticize and blame the Presidency.

Henceforth, we advise that the President should be prepared to slam a state of emergency on any state that falters on securing lives and property of the citizenry. We hope the House of Representative would not hesitate to grant approval when the time is ripe?