Agbese, Public affairs commentator set to launch book on President Buhari

Chief Executive Officer of TheNigerian-a news portal that focuses on developmental issues within Nigeria with grip on trending global issues- Mr. Philip Agbese, is set to launch a book on President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Book, Integrity Vs Power Play: Understanding the Buhari Phenomenon is a literary document that introduces fresh perspectives into the gamut of issues surrounding the Buhari persona and goes beneath the veneer of public discourse to connect major and minor events in the life of the Nigerian President with how Nigeria is being transformed for the better since the advent of the current administration.

Written in lurid prose, the author makes no pretense about his adroitness with the subject matter as he walked through the maze of several issues right from the early days of the Nigerian President to now and explains with ease what had stood as labyrinthine contours and conjectures with lucidity and clarity.
The currency of the book against the background of its historical depth stands as one of its major selling point as it marries the past and the present in a manner that no work on the president has done that both researchers and those content with trendy news would find a common ground.
The inspiration for the book as explained by the author on its blurb,  “is the resounding victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general elections”  and the “hope that the reader would understand why President Buhari has remained an exceptional leader in the military and political firmament of Nigeria.”
The book is edited by Professor Bitrus Gwamna, a professor of political science based in the US while the forward is written by George Kieh , a political researcher and one time  presidential candidate in Liberia.
It will be unveiled at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on the 30th  December, 2019.
Agbese has been actively involved in helping to shape global narratives about the image and perception of Nigeria through his medium, TheNigerian and through media interventions as a public affairs commentator. Agbese attended Univeristy of Ilorin and Middlesex University London where he bagged a first degree in laws and recent concluded his masters in human rights laws.
His latest effort is bound to mark him as a major force in the circle of writers who desire positive changes for their countries.

Hon Okpokwu Ogenyi
Media Coordinator for the book launch  
 

Group tackles HURIWA over statement on Buhari’s commitment to peace

The National Democratic Force (NDF) has lashed out at Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) over what it called derogatory statement on President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to the nation’s peace and tranquility.

The National Security Adviser had proposed a convocation of a dialogue session amongst ethnic nationalities in order to promote national harmony and tackle the nation’s security challenges.

The group accused HURIWA of attempting to mislead Nigerians on this Federal Government’s security blueprint as published by the office of the NSA and also calling on President Buhari to deproscribe the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) despite obvious atrocities committed.

In reaction, however, the National Democratic Force described HURIWA as “cobbled assemblage of comical characters” who jumped to discredit an initiative they have no clue about.

The NDF made this known in a press conference on Thursday in Abuja.

In a statement signed by Secretary General, Dr Abdulkadir Bolajai, the group reasoned that HURIWA should be ashamed that President Buhari, whom they have labelled as a dictator, has brought a democratic solution to the problems created by their paymasters.

According to the group, HURIWA’s stance isn’t surprising as they’ve always attempted to pitch Christians against Muslims through the claim that the FG’s appointments were lopsided in favour of the latter.

While applauding President Buhari and the NSA for coming up with such initiative, the NDF dismissed HURIWA’s claim as falsehood of industrial proportion.

It added that “HURIWA and its paymasters are the agents of destabilization and the promoters of disunity, rancor and hate amongst the citizenry through their financially induced activism”.

Read full text below:

Gentlemen of the press, we thank you for honouring our invitation to this press briefing, which we must state from the onset is informed by the criminal attempt by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) to mislead Nigerians on the Federal Government security blueprint as published by the office of the National Security Adviser. This blueprint aims to add the element of dialogue and consultation to other existing measures that have been deployed to address insecurity and crises in the country. Through the proposed intervention, the government will engage sectional and factional groups in an exercise that will deliver confidence building among the ethnic and religious divide in the country, which is expected to go a long way in addressing some of the nation’s security challenges.

But HURIWA, as we know it to be a cobbled assemblage of comical characters, who hardly ever know whether they are coming or going, have jumped on this initiative with the intention to discredit it without having first studied the merits of the plan. Rather, HURIWA contrived series of negative connotations and tenuously attempted to latch them onto a plan that right thinking citizens of the country are describing as long overdue. The proposal was for them a primer that reawakened the irrational hatred of President Muhammadu Buhari, which seems to be the only cause left for HURIWA to fight.

This perhaps explains why HURIWA express anger that a President Buhari, whom they have labelled a dictator is the one man that has come up with a democratic solution to the problems created by their paymasters. They were now compelled to create lies about how appointments were lopsided and how a particular section of the country is favoured. Interestingly, this is a tired and worn out propaganda since there have been enough statistical data crunching to dispel this lie.

It is most unfortunate that an organization that markets itself with the moniker of “Human Rights” can be callous enough to stereotype an ethnic nationality, the Fulani, even when there have been several instances of persons of other ethnic extractions being caught committing the crimes for which one ethnic group is demonized. The conclusion can only be that HURIWA is desirous of provoking a pogrom against the Fulani, which is definitely not in keeping with what an organization that tout the human rights credentials HURIWA is throwing around.

The perverted pattern favoured by HURIWA manifested even in its partisanship as it was practically blaming President Buhari for the election loss suffered by its sponsor, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi state and in just about any other place the party had a bad showing on account of voters associating it with its corrupt past. That HURIWA could descent so low to attempt passing off transactional activism as the interest of the people is sickening and must be condemned. Nigerians must not be deceived to think they are hearing from a human rights group when in reality they are being lied to by the NGO arm of political party that also moonlights for terrorists as we shall see later.

The danger posed to Nigeria by HURIWA was glaring in the manner in which it attempted to pitch Christians against Moslems through the claim that federal government appointments were lopsided in favour of the latter. It amazing that an organization that dabbles in the acclaimed field has never thought it wise to advance the rights of the animists, atheists, agnostics and other creeds that do not fall under its two preferred faiths. To its own discredit it continues to attempt deepening the Judeo-Islamic schism that has done much to destabilize Nigeria and impoverish the population. Such groups should in reality be added to the list of those to be invited to take part in the proposed dialogue session in the hope that those running it will leave the sessions enlightened.

The pettiness of HURIWA was amplified for the world to see when it claimed that it was wrong to site projects in underserved areas by inferring that it amounted to the president pushing projects to Daura. Nigerians can now see for themselves that this is an organization that does not want the rural-urban migration challenge to be addressed.

What perhaps capped HURIWA’s irresponsibility is its ethicizing the entire issue by claiming Igbo marginalization. This has been something that several groups had taken umbrage against HURIWA in the past as it is highly dangerous. Rather than promoting the “Igbo Marginalization” war chant, it should have run a campaign for the affected ethnic group to learn the art of horse trading, compromise, collaboration as opposed to the belligerence on the part of a few people from that region. But this will hardly happen since the persona behind HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko is too far consumed by ethnic extremism to be able to reach such logical conclusion.

The biggest fraud in the position taken by HURIWA is the way it sought to manipulate constitutional provisions to mislead the populace. What it did with the sections of the constitution that it cited was to cherry-pick and convolute matters such that logic is stood on its head. There is no point going into the list of lies and misrepresentation here because it would be a waste of our time here.

The worst of all is HURIWA’s persistence on supporting terrorism. It could not resist the temptation to use its tirade as a terrorist manifesto through its expression of support proscribed terrorist groups, namely: the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). We hope the irony is not lost on Nigerians that the same HURIWA that was demonstrating an extreme version of Islamophobia is willing to be in bed with a terrorist IMN just as it was citing the constitution while supporting an IPOB that is working for the disintegration of the country. That HURIWA can speak against the law taking its course against those bent on destabilizing Nigeria speaks volume to its true intention for maligning the federal government, President Buhari and any entity that stands for the good of Nigeria.

We therefore dismiss HURIWA’s claim as falsehood of industrial proportion. HURIWA and its paymasters are the agents of destabilization and the promoters of disunity, rancor and hate amongst the citizenry through their financially induced activism. We invite all well-meaning Nigerians to condemn this fraudulent war mongering NGO for what it is. Brazen criminality.

France: Africa’s real enemy and its mission

By Alex Uloko

Interesting times are indeed here with the way, and manner events are unfolding in Nigeria with regards to the fight against terrorism. Some conspiracy theorists have argued that there is more than meets the eyes in the battle against the Boko Haram terrorist group in North-East Nigeria.

Some have alleged that some foreign interest has been covertly fuelling the crisis by providing logistics support to the Boko Haram terrorist group; some have also claimed that a particular European country has been selling arms and ammunition to the group. While all of these postulations are true, the main culprit in the whole debacle is indeed France.

I recall that in times past, a credible newspaper in Nigeria released an investigative report exposing how France has been fuelling the Boko Haram war in Nigeria in an attempt to cause a gradual disintegration of the country. In the said report, it was stated that “Intelligence sources stated that the possession of sophisticated weapons for insurgents, logistics and medical supplies by the Boko Haram terror group showed signs of funding by foreign interests.”

The investigative report further added that “we have seen these types of automatic weapons when they are dislodged or killed. These are not ordinary weapons; they are sophisticated machine guns and rifles, and sometimes they have tanks that are not our tanks. We have seen weapons with numbers that show that they were not just sourced through the black market but directly supplied by known arms manufacturers from France.”

If this is the case, then there is every reason to believe that, indeed, some countries are bent on seeing to the disintegration of Nigeria. Like I stated earlier, it is no other country, but France and I say this for two reasons. One is the fact that Nigeria is surrounded by the Francophone countries, whose borders these arms, ammunition, and military tanks are brought into the country. The second fact is the presence of a 4,500-strong French force, which is permanently headquartered in N’Djamena; the capital of Chad code-named Operation Barkhane, a supposed anti-insurgent operation in Africa’s Sahel region.

The question thus is, if there is the presence of a French troop in Chad, then how could one explain how and why the Boko Haram fighters were able to regroup on the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region and launching attacks in Nigeria? How could one also explain how caches of arms and ammunitions would pass through the Chad-Nigerian border into Nigeria, and there is a French troop supposedly meant to fight terrorism.

Let us learn to call a spade a spade and understand that the French troops stationed in Chad are there to provide that logistics support to the Boko Haram group because there is no way there would be a French troop stationed in a country and a terrorist group would use the same country as their training camp and avenue for bringing in arms and ammunitions. It is also no longer news that Boko Haram’s presence in Chad has been most strongly felt around Lake Chad, which lies primarily within Chadian territory. What does this tell us?

I stand to be corrected in this regard because there have been instances where concerned stakeholders in the fight against terrorism have raised an eyebrow as regards the commitment of the French authorities. This much has led to demonstrations in Nigeria against the activities of French NGOs in operation in Nigeria. Without mincing words, it is most despicable how France has brazenly supported evil against a sovereign country.

The danger of this is that should the relevant authorities refuse to interrogate and ask critical questions; I am afraid France might succeed in its desire to recolonize Africa through the back door. The international bodies such as the United Nations must also rise to this challenge and ensure that the nefarious activities of France in Africa are curtailed in the interest of peace and tranquility.

To think that a country like France would harbor the idea of making the African continent unstable so it could achieve its desire to dominate its affairs is most unthinkable. To make matters worse, the avenue with which it intends to accomplish this is demeaning and should not be tolerated by discerning minds.

I am also appalled that the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, would harbor such disdain for the African continent by promoting terrorist activities. I recall at a press conference at the G20 summit in Hamburg, he was asked about a “Marshall Plan for Africa.” The president gave a disquisition on Africa’s “real” problems – among them, in his view, demographics and lack of “civilization,”

If the above statement does not give us a hint on how the mind of Emmanuel Macron works, then nothing else would. It is a clear case of the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob because, in public, he appears to be advocating for a better Africa continent, but in truth, his disdain for the African continent is legendary.

I think with the avalanche of revelations as to the involvement of France in spreading terrorism in Nigeria and the African continent; it’s time for African patriots to stand in one voice to condemn France under Emmanuel Macron because this is the height of deceit and it must be resisted.

At this point, I must state clearly that Africa’s real enemy in the fight against terrorism is France. This much we now know, and this much we shall resist — enough of the deceit. And for Emmanuel Macron, it is indeed a great shame to think France can recolonize Africa by causing conflict and promoting terrorism.

Uloko is a researcher based in Lagos.

Boko Haram: Stop sponsoring terrorism in Africa, protesters tell Macron

The Movement Against Slavery and Terrorism (MAST) has alleged that France President, Emmanuel Macron is sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria and other African nations. The group asked him to stop.

The Pan-African group made their voices heard on Wednesday at the end of a one-day walk to the French embassy in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital city.

The protesters in their hundreds demanded that the French authorities must end ties with Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists which it has routinely armed.

Addressing the media in front of the French consulate, convener, Princess Ajibola said the mission was to get Macron’s attention that Nigeria is a sovereign nation and any attempt to compromise its territorial integrity would be resisted.

According to madam Ajibola, the group has overwhelming evidence to back its claim that the European nation is indeed behind the recent upsurge in terrorism in the country.

The group reckoned the French action is born out of greed – hinged on economic benefits owing to the avalanche of economic resources in the North-East, particularly the Lake Chad Basin region.

The Movement Against Slavery and Terrorism, therefore, warned the French authorities to desist from further mischief which has undermined the remarkable gains of the Nigerian Army.

The group also called the attention of the United Nations to the crime against humanity being perpetrated by Macron.

Read full address below:

Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is a protest for the rescue of the soul of our dear country Nigeria from the forces of evil that have attempted to cause disharmony and disintegration by covertly sponsoring the activities of terrorists in Nigeria.

We embarked on this protest march to send a powerful message to the French authorities that Nigerians are indeed aware of its nefarious activities with regards to the ongoing war against terrorism in North-East Nigeria.

The Movement Against Slavery and Terrorism as a civil society organization decided to take our protest to the French Embassy in Abuja, so the message could be relayed to the French Authorities wherever they are that Nigeria is indeed a sovereign country and as such any form or attempt to compromise our territorial integrity would be resisted wholeheartedly.

Since 2015 when the present administration assumed leadership of this country, there has been tremendous progress recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group. So much so that Nigerian troops captured their operational headquarters (Camp Zero) in Sambisa forest to the glory of God.

It didn’t stop there; the Nigerian troops also recaptured the over 16 local government areas in North-East Nigeria that were once under the control of Boko Haram terrorists. By and large, the Boko Haram group was decimated and fled in their droves to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region, from where they launch an attack on soft target communities within that vicinity.

We are aware that some vested interest was not happy with the gains made by Nigeria in the fight against terrorism. As such, they began providing logistic support under humanitarian cover to the Boko Haram fighters.

They also assumed the role of the mouthpiece of the Boko Haram terrorist group. They used their state medium to promote their nefarious activities and to give them the needed psychological boost.

The Movement Against Slavery and Terrorism wishes to state in unequivocal terms that France is indeed responsible for the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria in recent times because there is overwhelming evidence that it has been selling arms and ammunitions to the Boko Haram terrorist group. These arms come into the country through the francophone countries.

We also wish to send this message to the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, that what France is doing under his watch is indeed a crime against humanity. As such, it must, as a matter of urgency, desist from spreading terrorism in Nigeria and the African countries.

The Movement Against Slavery and Terrorism sees the actions of France as an assault on our sovereignty as a country. This is indeed despicable and must be condemned by all and sundry.

We are also aware that the actions of France are hinged on economic benefits given the avalanche of economic resources in North-East Nigeria, particularly the Lake Chad Basin region.

This is indeed an attempt at recolonization, which by all standards is puerile and won’t stand the test of time because Nigerians would resist every move with passion.

The Movement Against Slavery and Terrorism is by this protest asking the French authorities to desist from their evil ways or face the full wrath of Nigerians who are ever ready to protect the sovereignty of the country.

The Movement Against Slavery and Terrorism is also by this protest informing the relevant authorities in Nigeria to act in the best interest of Nigeria as it would indeed be a slap on our faces should we allow France to carry on with its destabilization plot on Nigeria.

The Movement Against Slavery and Terrorism is also calling on the United Nations to investigate the role of France in the spread of terrorism in Nigeria and Africa.

France must also stop the sale of Arms and Ammunition to the Boko Haram terrorist group in the interest of peace and tranquility. This is on the heels that the bulk of the French NGOs operating in North-East Nigeria are carrying out espionage activities and passing the same to the leadership of the Boko Haram terrorist group on the instruction of French authorities.

The Movement Against Slavery and Terrorism is indeed saying enough is enough, and France must stop the distasteful support it has been extending to the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria, which is aimed at making Nigeria erupt in flames.

The Movement Against Slavery and Terrorism wishes to inform the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, that the world is indeed watching closely and should the French authorities not halt the spread of terrorism in Nigeria, the day of reckoning is indeed near.

Group protests, alleges Macron sponsoring terrorism in Africa

Pan-African group, Liberation Vanguard (ALV) has condemned France President, Emmanuel Macron, over alleged ties with Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

ALV, on Monday, stormed the French embassy in Lagos to express their displeasure towards Mr Macron who has been fingered to be sponsoring the propagation of terrorism on the continent.

The group’s claim isn’t entirely strange, especially after Turkish foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, recently accused the French leader of being a “sponsor of terrorism”.

In a letter jointly signed by Chairman, Pa David Samuel and Publicity Secretary, Compatriot Ayodeji Ologun, the ALV vent their pleasure towards the European nation, calling on it to “stop funding the nefarious activities of Boko Haram”.

The visibly angry Africans, who hailed the doggedness of the Nigerian Army despite this obvious plot to jeopardize their gains, called on France to quit funding the terrorist group at the detriment of human lives.

According to ALV, this may not be unconnected from France’s desperation to continue exploiting Nigeria’s economic resources in the Lake Chad Basin region.

The Africa Liberation Vanguard cited the recent attack in Cameroon, where Boko Haram abducted 18 people, as how the European nation is expanding the frontiers of terrorism in Africa.

As matter of urgency, though, the group warned France to discontinue this inglorious spread of terrorism on the African continent.

The African Liberation Movement, thus, gave the French Authorities a 21 Day ultimatum to stop funding the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Read full letter below:

Dear President Emmanuel Macron,

We are a group of war veterans of Nigerian origin but with a membership that cuts across all the 52 strong African countries. As a background, our association is devoted to promoting the interest of Africans against the vicissitudes and interest of some western powers in our affairs as a continent.

The Majority of our members have, in times past, fought to defend Africa against colonization, and it suffices to state that we were very successful in our endeavor.

We are gathered here at the French Embassy in Lagos to send a very important message to you as regards some areas of concern we have in the ongoing war against Boko Haram Terrorism in Nigeria and other African countries.

Dear President Macron, this is not a violent protest, and it is not in any way intended to cause bodily harm to anyone of French origin at the Embassy or in Nigeria. But this is a protest that is both psychological and emotional for us given our age and the realization the French support for the Boko Haram terrorist group is overwhelming and not in the best interest of Nigeria and Africa.

We wish to use this medium to intimate you that Nigerians and the rest of Africa are indeed aware of the covert support France is extending to the Boko Haram terrorist group operating in North-East Nigeria and other African countries.

The support of France, which you are aware of, has seen to the bolstering of the armory of the Boko Haram terrorist group and also given them the impetus to continue with their nefarious activities.

The African Liberation Vanguard is hugely at a loss and disappointed as to why France under your watch would be funding the activities of a terrorist group at the detriment of human lives, especially women and children that have been at the receiving end of the Boko Haram terrorist activities.

Dear President Macron, it must be stated that as the President of France, you cannot say that you are not in the know of what is happening in your country as regards the supply of military logistics to the Boko Haram fighters. We know that the buck stops at your table and wonders why such illegality and crime against humanity are attractive to France.

The hatred of France towards Nigeria is indeed legendary, and this explains why it has been doing everything untoward towards compromising our territorial integrity. We also know that France is doing this to ensure that there is no peace in Nigeria so that it can continue to exploit our economic resources in the Lake Chad Basin region.

We are consequently by this protest, warning France to desist from its nefarious activities of selling guns and military hardware to the Boko Haram terrorist group so they can continue to confront the Nigerian troops in battle.

We wish to state that this is an affront to our sensibilities as a people and another attempt at colonization of Nigeria by France. This is not only appalling; it’s also of poor taste that would be resisted by every stretch of the imagination.

This is the time for France and its allies to stop fooling the world as regards its commitment to the fight against terrorism because it lacks every moral right to do so when it is busy selling arms and ammunition to terrorist groups around the world.

The French authorities must stop this deceit because they are the principal sponsors of terrorism in Africa to reduce Africa to French dependency for economic exploitation purposes.

The recent example of Cameroon, where Boko Haram abducted 18 people, is another example of how France is expanding the frontiers of terrorism in Africa. Boko Haram have caused havoc in Nigeria with the help of France, and now they are expanding their frontiers to other African countries.

The African Liberation Vanguard would indeed tell the world that France is not in any way committed to the fight against terrorism in Africa. Instead, it is the brain behind the spread of terrorism in Africa.

This much we have seen in the violence been perpetrated by Boko Haram in Niger and Chad that has resulted in the deaths of unarmed civilians, and thanks to almighty France for supplying them with arms and ammunitions.

The African Liberation Vanguard is by this protest saying enough is enough to France in this dubious business. France must, as a matter of urgency, discontinue the inglorious spread of terrorism on the African continent.

The African Liberation Movement is giving the French Authorities a 21 Day ultimatum to stop funding the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group. And with immediate effect.

It must be stated that should France continue on this dishonorable path, Africa would indeed prove that it cannot be colonized for the second time without resistance.

The African Liberation Movement wishes to let the world know that France has carried on with the campaign to spread terrorism in Africa in continuation of its disdain for our people, history, and culture.

Dear President Macron, it is our considered opinion that the early France discontinues this despicable business, the better for everybody. A word is enough for the wise.

Sowore: Nigerian Group cautions US Senators against interference

A civil society group, Friends of Democracy and Freedom (FDF) has cautioned some Senators from the United States of America to quit interfering in Nigeria’s internal democracy.

FDF’s warning treads on the heels of remarks attributed to Senator Bob Menendez from New Jersey in a world press conference on Friday, condemning the rearrest of the Sahara Reporters publisher.

In the video, the lawmaker appeared to have threatened the Federal Government, alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari is “woefully out of touch with what the agencies of his government are doing”.

But in a press conference on Saturday in Abuja, the Friends of Democracy and Freedom condemned Mr Menendez and other foreign vested interest concerned in Sowore’s ongoing trial while ignoring his inglorious call for a revolution in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its President, Ambassador Joshua Adegbenro, the group believes Sowore’s revolution could be a creation by some foreign entities to cause the country’s disintegration.

According to FDF, Mr Menendez and his likes must provide answers whether or not Sowore committed any crime in the first instance as well as establish if he attempted to overthrow a democratically elected government.

The group reckoned, it is only when this is done, Nigerians can begin to take them seriously.

FDF’s reminded these foreign interests that any form of revolution is a threat to peace and tranquility, and all peace-loving people must condemn it.

As a sovereign nation, however, the group echoed that rules and regulations govern Nigeria, hence Mr Menendez and others should allow the country’s law take its full course.

Read full statement below:

I welcome you all to this Press Conference organized by the Friends of Democracy and Freedom (FDF), a civil society organization devoted to promoting the ideals of democracy and freedom in developing countries.

It is indeed a sad commentary in Nigeria with the way and manner germane issues have been replaced with trivialities. This is concerning the ongoing trial of Omoyele Sowore, who, by all intent and purposes, attempted to carry out a violent change of government in Nigeria by calling for a violent revolution.

The Friends of Democracy and Freedom views with suspicion the way and manner some foreign interests have indicated interest in the trial of Omoyele Sowore and in some instances attempting to influence public opinion by crying wolf where none exists.

This is unacceptable and an indication that there is more than meets the eyes in the attempt by Omoyele Sowore to instigate the people against the government to effect a violent change of government.

The Friends of Democracy and Freedom believes that the same foreign bodies that have shown tremendous interest in the ongoing trial of Omoyele Sowore should have as well demonstrated the same energy in condemning his attempt to burn down Nigeria and effect a violent change of government.

It is therefore incomprehensible on how the call for the release of Omoyele Sowore has reached such a crescendo and the crime he committed against the Nigerian state and people have been relegated to the background.

The Friends of Democracy and Freedom is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Omoyele Sowore is a creation by some foreign entities to cause the disintegration of Nigeria, else, how could one phantom how and why a Nigerian that is supposedly educated and enlightened would attempt to effect a violent change of government in a democratic setting.

The recent outing by Senator Bob Menendez with Opeyemi Sowore, the wife of Omoyele Sowore, calling for his release is, at best, an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians because the focus has been deliberately shifted to freedom for Omoyele Sowore and not the crime he committed against the state.

The Friends of Democracy and Freedom wishes to ask the following questions: Did Omoyele Sowore commit a crime? Did he attempt to cause a change of a democratically elected government in Nigeria? Is the action of Omoyele Sowore and his co-travelers a threat to the territorial integrity of Nigeria? Would there have been bloodshed if the Revolution had succeeded?

If the answers to the above questions is yes, then there is every justification for the law to take its course in this case and the call by those who have blindly refused to come to terms with reality and understand that a crime was committed in the first instance should have a rethink and stop meddling in the affairs of Nigeria.

The Friends of Democracy and Freedom wishes to state that things that are intolerable in western climes are also unacceptable in Nigeria. A call for a revolution is a threat to peace and tranquility, and all peace-loving people must condemn it.

The Friends of Democracy and Freedom is indeed concerned that with the way and manner some foreign interest have been advocating for the release of Omoyele Sowore while ignoring the bigger picture either by omission or commission is an indication that the ultimate plan was to cause Nigeria to go up in flames to suit their evil agenda.

The Friends of Democracy and Freedom is indeed concerned and wishes to states in unequivocal terms that rules and regulations govern Nigeria. There are certain expectations of all citizens. If a citizen of Nigeria avails himself a willing tool for the destruction of Nigeria, such an individual must face the full wrath of the law.

The case of Omoyele Sowore is one such example, and the law must take its course. It should also be noted that no amount of propaganda or blackmail would alter the cause of justice. Nigeria is indeed bigger than any individual.

Thank you, and long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Sowore: Invasion of Court by DSS #NextLevel of dictatorship, impunity- Frank

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, Sunday, described the invasion of the Federal High Court Abuja, by agents of the Department of State Services (DSS) to re-arrest the #RevolutionNow Convener, Omoyele Sowore, as the implementation of General Muhammadu Buhari’s #NextLevel of dictatorship and impunity.

Frank who strongly condemned the gestapo attack and flagrant desecration of the nation’s Temple of Justice, urged Nigerians to be alarmed over the total disregard for the rule of law and fundamental human rights of Nigerians by the present administration.

He said what happened in court on Friday is a consummation of the complete annexation of both the legislature and the judiciary by Buhari-led executive.

Frank said: “We have seen the DSS invade the home of Justices at midnight. We have seen the invasion of the National Assembly by the DSS. We have seen the sack of a Chief Justice of Nigeria by this administration.

“We have seen the hand picking of Presiding Officers for the ninth National Assembly. What further evidence do we need to conclude that this is total dictatorship and reign of impunity rather than democracy and rule of law?”

He said that Sowore’s ordeal represents the greater ordeal Nigerians have been facing since 2015 and will continue to face in the hands of Buhari.

He warned that the current push to pass the Social Media and Hate Speech Bills is a direct conspiracy between the executive and legislature to criminalize rightful dissent in the face of unlawful government practices.

“Why has the National Assembly not introduced a Bill to hang looters? They cannot do this because they know some of their members and those in the executive will be the first victims of such a law.

“They are after the common man on the street who may be dissatisfied with their dictatorial style and kleptomaniac tendencies,” Frank declared.

He wondered why the Presidency was quick to condemn the attack on the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi in Spain but failed to condemn the renewed assault against the nation’s judiciary by the DSS.

He further wondered why the CJN and the AGF have failed to censure the unholy and brazen attack on a court of law.

“The invasion of Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu’s court and attempts to surreptitiously deal with the learned Justice for granting Sowore bail must be condemned by all,” he said

He accused Buhari of desperation to hang on to power at all cost even if it means the declaration of martial law and the total subjugation of the people.

“After the total pacification of Nigerians through the gagging of the media with the Hate Speech and Social Media laws, Nigeria will become a police state where inalienable freedoms will be completely suspended.

“The people are being bludgeoned into silence by security forces. Very soon it would be a silence of the grave, if care is not taken,” he warned.

He urged Nigerians to speak up or risk a worsened situation as the plot to grant Buhari a third term in office takes root.

“While US Senators have joined in helping to preserve democracy in Nigeria by their strong condemnation of the court invasion and re-arrest of Sowore by the DSS, our own ‘rubber stamp’ legislature has not deemed it fit to stand up for democracy in the country,” he lamented.

He also called on the United States and the European Union to prevail on China and other international financial institutions to stop granting loans to Nigeria which are being amassed by the present administration to finance an illegal third term bid.

“Lovers of democracy across the world must not keep silent and watch democracy in Nigeria go down the drain of dictatorship once again,” he said.

Missing Persons: Group accuses Red Cross of promoting terrorists’ propaganda

The International Centre for Disaster Management (ICDM) has lashed out at the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) for attempting to pursue terrorists’ agenda with its “fabricated” report on missing persons in the North-East.

ICDM, a renowned stakeholder in humanitarian crisis management, believes this is a deliberate move to destabilize the remarkable momentum garnered by the Nigerian military in recent times, thereby giving unfair advantage to the insurgents.

Addressing the media at a press conference on Thursday in Lagos, ICDM’s Country Rep, Rowland Onyeke was critical of the once-highly respected humanitarian group which has now been reduced to Boko Haram/ISWAP puppets.

Mr Onyeke reckoned that this may be born out of desperation on the part of Red Cross to cover its tracks following recent high-profile scandals that have rocked its operation in the country.

Having lost relevance and credibility, the Centre revealed that the ICRC has resorted to propaganda and blackmail, covertly promoting the interest of those foreign bodies, benefiting from the crisis in the region.

The International Centre for Disaster Management, therefore, labelled ICRC’s action as an attempt to cover-up and cause a distraction from its activities that have been suspect in recent times and subjected to scrutiny the military authorities.

The Centre, however, urged Nigerians to ignore such mischievous reports.

Read full statement below:

We welcome you all to this all-important press conference which is put together at the instance of the various allegations levelled against the Nigerian Military in operation in North-East Nigeria, by the International Committee for Red Cross in Nigeria. (ICRC)

The International Centre for Disaster Management is a stakeholder in managing the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria and has been actively involved in efforts towards mitigating the effects of the humanitarian crisis that has come about as a result of the war against terrorism in North East Nigeria.

As an organization, we have transverse the length and breadth of North-East Nigeria since 2009, when the Boko Haram terrorist group began a violent campaign against Nigeria. As such, we are conversant with the operations of the Nigerian Military in the region and can as well speak authoritatively on matters that revolve around military operations in North-East Nigeria, as well as the activities of NGOs in operation in the area.

The International Centre for Disaster Management is therefore alarmed by the narrative pushed forward by the ICRC against the Nigerian Military. As a critical stakeholder, we are duty-bound to put the issues in proper perspective and disabuse the minds of the unsuspecting members of the general public.

As a first, there is no iota of truth in the narrative by the ICRC against the Nigerian Military because, in all of the years, the ICDM has been actively involved in operations in North-East Nigeria; the Nigerian Military has exhibited a high level of professionalism. It has equally extended courtesy where the need arises to NGOs operating in the region.

This is also of the heels that the activities of some NGOs have been suspect, given their penchant for wanting to have the Military divulge sensitive operational, strategic documents to them; the Nigerian Military had remained courteous.

The International Centre for Disaster Management consequently sees the allegations by the ICRC as not only baseless but also a figment of their imagination that is geared towards causing an unnecessary distraction to the troops in operations in North-East Nigeria.

The International Centre for Disaster Management wishes to state that with this posture of the ICRC engaging in propaganda, there is a tendency that it has joined the league of international NGOs that are covertly fuelling the war in North East Nigeria by giving the Boko Haram terrorist the needed psychological boost, as well as humanitarian supplies.

The International Centre for Disaster Management wishes to state that this is nothing but an attempt by the ICRC to hide the various acts of corruption been perpetuated by its personnel, as well as that of other international NGOs operating in North-East Nigeria.

The ICRC ought to do good by looking into its operations in North-East Nigeria to put its house in order as it is evident that it has, for inexplicable reasons, abandoned its noble objective in return for a plate of porridge.

The International Centre for Disaster Management challenges the ICRC to prove that it is not aware that its personnel in North-East Nigeria have not been highly compromised and are working hands in hands with some other NGOs that have been mobilized to provide support to the Boko Haram terrorists through subtle ways to evade the prying eyes of the military authorities.

The International Centre for Disaster Management wishes to state that the actions of the ICRC are a smokescreen to shift attention from the nefarious activities of its personnel in North-East Nigeria.

It also suffices to state that the ICRC has lost credibility. In an attempt to gain relevance, they have resorted to propaganda and blackmail, while covertly promoting the interest of those foreign bodies that do not want the war against terrorism to come to an end.

The International Centre for Disaster Management does not see the ICRC as a worthy partner in progress, but one that has hidden under the nomenclature to perpetrate crimes against humanity.

The International Centre for Disaster Management sees this recent action of the ICRC as an attempt to cover-up and cause a distraction from its activities that have been suspect in recent times and subjected to scrutiny the military authorities.

The International Centre for Disaster Management wishes to use this medium to inform the members of the general public that the ICRC has lost focus in delivering its core mandate. As such, the public should always view whatever comes from its stable with a pinch of salt.

We once again reiterate that the allegations against the Nigerian Military are baseless and of poor taste intended to mislead unsuspecting members of the general public.

Group decries growing spate of criminal acts by IPOB, IMN

Following the gruesome murder of two police officers by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday in Oraifite, Anambra State, a human rights group have called for drastic measures to avert future occurrence.

The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria (CHRMGN) condemned the growing spate of ‘war’ crimes perpetrated by proscribed sects – IPOB and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).

The coalition of human rights groups made this known at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday as a fallout from the killing of two police officers by IPOB members loyal to the Lawyer representing their leader Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement by convener, Gabriel Agibi, the groups revealed these radical sects are sponsored by enemies of Nigeria, with the ultimate aim of causing unrest in the country.

The recent killing of security agents, the coalition reckoned, follows IMN’s trend – as both have unapologetically committed crimes against humanity.

As a matter of national interest, the coalition urged Nigerians to disassociate themselves from IPOB and Shiites members owing to their violent and terrorist tendencies.

CHRMGN, therefore, called on relevant authorities in the country to bring the leadership of both radical groups to justice, else be faced with an upsurge of militant groups carrying out actions that would undermine national security.

The coalition further urged relevant authorities at the International Criminal Court to act to serve as a deterrent to others in the future.

Read full press statement below:

The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria converged this press conference in the light of the upsurge of the nefarious activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra that resulted in the death of police officers in recent times by its members loyal to the lawyer of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. This is highly condemnable and an indication that the Indigenous People of Biafra and other militant groups might have perfected plans to cause mayhem in the country.

The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria sees this act as an affront to the collective sensibilities of Nigerians. It wishes to condemn it in its entirety as an act of terrorism that must not be tolerated by the relevant authorities in Nigeria.

This act has further reinforced the belief in some quarters that the activities of IPOB and its sister organization, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), are being sponsored by enemies of the Nigerian state, with the ultimate aim of causing unrest in the country.

The Indigenous People of Biafra and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria are indeed beds of the same feather but with different nomenclatures, and with the same modus operandi of attacking and killing law enforcement officers carrying out their lawful duties.

The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria wishes to, through this medium, call on members of the general public to as a matter of national interest disassociates themselves from members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria due to their violent and terrorist tendencies.

These groups have constituted themselves into a clog in the wheel of progress in Nigeria, as evident in their conduct in times past that has resulted in the death of innocent Nigerians going about their normal businesses.

The IPOB and the IMN are organizations that have resorted to carrying out their nefarious activities with the use of dangerous weapons, which has resulted in the loss of lives of innocent and unarmed civilians, including women and children.

This recent attack follows that trend in the wickedly orchestrated plans by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and their counterparts in IPOB to freely kill law enforcement agencies who carry out their legitimate duties.

The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria has, in times past, documented the several ways the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have committed crimes against humanity and had indeed called on the international community to act by bringing the leadership of both groups to justice.

The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Groups wishes to use this medium to reinforce that call for the International Criminal Court to rise to the occasion by bringing to book the promoters as well as the sponsors of the nefarious activities of IPOB and the IMN in the overall interest of justice.

The importance of the International Criminal Court acting to bring the IMN and IPOB to justice cannot be overemphasized given the fact that if their activities are left to fester, more innocent Nigerians will fall victim to their violent tendencies, as well as law enforcement officers.

The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria wishes to recall that instance where the IMN attempted to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, when his convoy was ambushed in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The recent events had indeed proven that the IMN would have taken the life of the Chief of Army Staff when they attacked him, but for the superior firepower of officers and soldiers that promptly acted to rescue the Chief of Army Staff from danger.

The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria wishes to state in unequivocal terms that their actions violate global practices as the IPOB and IMN have shown in recent times that both are out to dismember the Nigerian State.

The relevant authorities in Nigeria must act in the interest of the over 200 million Nigerians by bringing the leadership of the IPOB and the IMN to justice, else we might be confronted with a more significant challenge in the future where there would be an upsurge of militant groups carrying out actions that would undermine national security and put innocent citizens in harm’s way.

The relevant authorities at the International Criminal Court must also act to serve as a deterrent to others in the future.

The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria wishes to states that Nigerians are indeed watching how the events would unfold.

Group counters allegations against military on recruitment of ex-Boko Haram members

…. lauds Army’s professionalism

The Advocates of Social Justice for All (ASJA) has rubbished reports claiming that the Nigerian Army recruited repentant Boko Haram members into the military.

The group made this known in an international press conference on Wednesday in Abuja to clear the air in what it described as “outright falsehood and highly misleading information pushed by enemies of the Nigerian state”.

In a statement signed by convener, Comrade Samuel Adadu, the group revealed that such speculation is a “ distraction to the on-going efforts of the Nigerian Army in the fight against terrorism and other militant activities in the country”.

Mr Adadu added that war merchants are angry that the military is making considerable gains in the fight against terrorism in the North-East.

According to the group, the recruitments into the Army is so rigorous that insurgents cannot in any way fit into its operational structure.

The Advocates of Social Justice for All, however, advised those bent on distracting the Nigerian troops in the Theatre of Operations to desist from such enterprise and instead channel their resources and energy towards other productive ventures.

Read full statement below:

This Press Conference is at the instance of the rumour that the Nigerian Army has recruited repentant Boko Haram fighters into the Nigerian Army.

The Advocates of Social Justice for All in fulfilment of one its mandate of ensuring social justice for all regardless of ethnic, religious, or political views sees the need to lend its voice to this debate to put issues in proper perspective for the benefit of the generality of Nigerians.

The rumour making the rounds that repentant Boko Haram members have been recruited into the Nigerian Army is an outright falsehood and highly misleading information been pushed by enemies of the Nigerian state.

To say there is no iota of truth in the rumour is an understatement. Instead, it is a part of a bigger plot to cause a distraction to the on-going efforts of the Nigerian Army in the fight against terrorism and other militant activities in the country.

The Advocates for Social Justice for All, as an organization conversant with the operations of the Nigerian Army in its quest to bring to an end terrorist activities in the country, views such rumours as the handiwork of distractors and agents of some international terrorist network.

The takeaway from the rumour is that war merchants are angry that the Nigerian Military is making considerable gains in the fight against terrorism in North-East Nigeria. As such, they must do everything possible to cause a distraction to suit their nefarious interests.

The Advocates for Social Justice for All indeed see the rumour of the recruitment of repentant Boko Haram fighters as indeed laughable and not in tune with reality given the fact that it has at various times monitored the rigorous recruitment process in the three arms of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, notably the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt Gen TY Buratai.

The quality of recruitments into the Nigerian Army is not a subject of debate because of the rigorous processes involved since Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai assumed leadership of the Nigerian Army.

It is indeed a statement of the fact that the repentant Boko Haram members cannot in any way fit into the operational structure of the Nigerian Army. As such, the rumour should be disregarded by all and sundry for lacking in merit and reason.

The Advocates for Social Justice for All, as well as other civil society organizations involved in the counter-insurgency operations of the Nigeria Army, is aware of the fact that recruitment of repentant Boko Haram fighters into the Nigerian Army is a figment of the imagination of sponsors of such malaise.

The Advocates for Social Justice for All states in unequivocal terms that the Nigerian Army has witnessed transparency and probity in its recruitment where not just federal character is being adhered to, and character and behavioral excellence have been deeply entrenched.

The Advocates for Social Justice for All wishes to advise those bent in distracting the troops engaged in clearance operations of Boko Haram remnants in North-East Nigeria to desist from further misleading the members of the unsuspecting general public in their ill-fated flight of fancy.

These rumour merchants should think of creative ways to push their half-truths because Nigerians are aware of their gimmick, which by all standard won’t stand the test of time.

The Advocates of Social Justice for All as an organization recognizes the sound leadership qualities of the Nigerian Army and states that it is only a matter of time for the remnants of Boko Haram would be flushed out from the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region where they have taken refuge.

The Advocates of Social Justice for All wishes to encourage the leadership of the Nigerian Army to continue to churn out innovations that are geared towards preserving the territorial integrity of Nigeria at all times.

The Advocates of Social Justice for All also advises those bent on distracting the Nigerian troops in the Theatre of Operations to desist from such enterprise and instead channel their resources and energy towards other productive ventures.