Avoid Hate, Bitterness, Embrace National Unity, NIFROP Urges Religious Leaders

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace, NIFROP has called on religious leaders leaders in the country to ignore the politics of hate and bitterness and embrace peace and unity of the country.

The interfaith group led by religious leaders from the Muslim and Christian communities in the country, at the grand finale of of a 21-day fasting and prayer session over the weekend assured that insurgency will not lead Nigeria into war.

Bishop Sunday Garuba, National Coordinator of the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace, in his address said the coming on board of President Muhammadu Buhari was indeed an act of God because Nigeria was indeed on the brink of imminent collapse with the activities of those that have ganged up against the destinies of over 180 million Nigerians. 

According to him, Nigeria was bleeding at the time, so much that there was an urgent need for a heavenly intervention by the most high God. 

He said the group prayed and fasted for God’s intervention and he indeed intervened by giving the country a trustworthy and reliable leader like President Muhammadu Buhari. 

He said, ”It did not end there. There were indeed revelations that the forces of darkness would rise against him in his quest to make Nigeria better and true to the revelations they indeed rose against him. And since then, we have been praying and fasting on his behalf for God to continue to protect him and give him the wisdom to lead with the fear of God and the interest of the people at heart”. 

He also warned that the attempt by political agents of darkness to bring back another round of killings in the North East, especially Borno State, necessitated the need for us to come together as brethren to pray and call on God. 

”The killing of the CAN President of Michika and other brethren, students and innocent souls that were instigated by some criminal elements have prompted us not to only pray in the spirit but to rise with our loud voices to heaven and call on God to rise for the sake of President Buhari to put these agents of darkness to shame. 

”Brethren, on this grand finale, we can say that God is indeed on the throne with the avalanche of revelations that have reached us. We are glad we undertook this task on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria at large. The composition of this gathering alone is an indication that God loves Nigeria and that indeed Christians and Muslims can come together under one roof for the common good of Nigeria. 

”For over 20 days, we have been praying and fasting. This period has seen countless revelations from God. By the authority of God that I represent, I announce that God is indeed rebuilding Nigeria. 

”God is about descending heavily on those that have conspired in times past against Nigeria, and those plotting against President Muhammadu Buhari. God has sent destruction to their households. He has promised to bring shame to every one of them in the business of the soliciting for the destruction of Nigeria. God has promised to go after them one after the other wherever they are on this planet for the earth is the lord and its fullness thereof. 

”I make bold to make the pronouncement that should those that have gathered against our President and country not repent from their sins, there is no way they would escape the wrath of God for God is with President Muhammadu Buhari, and He is going to defeat all the enemies of Nigeria before the end of the year. 

”I also wish to use this medium to call on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and other religious organizations to ignore the politics of hate and bitterness and embrace the unity of Nigeria so that God will help us to defeat the evil ones”, Garuba said. 

Also at the event, a Muslim cleric, Sheik Abubakar Sadiq, who led other clerics called on Nigerians to 

embrace one another and live in peace if we are desirous of experiencing peace and unity in Nigeria, adding that no human society can thrive in the absence of peace and tranquility. 

He said the prayers and fasting programme came at the time when Nigeria has witnessed unprecedented politically sponsored violence across the country. 

”Some religious organizations have also taken advantage of the situation to pitch Muslims and Christians against themselves. 

”We are glad that this programme has indeed revealed that Christian and Muslims are the same, and this much has been exhibited throughout the duration of this programme. 

”I am also using this medium to apologize to President Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of the good people of Borno State for the show of shame that was politically motivated by those whose hands have been soiled with the blood of innocent people that have lost their lives in the Boko Haram/ISWAP conflict in North-East Nigeria.

”I am standing in front of all of you here to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to forgive those that booed him as well as those that mobilized those that booed him because Allah is all merciful and he is quick to forgive”, he said.

Boko Haram: Group accuses Fortune, AI of sponsored blackmail against Nigerian military

The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria (CHRMGN) has fingered British journalist, Conor Fortune and Amnesty International to be behind “a new sponsored plot to blackmail the Nigerian military in the war against terrorism.”

According to the group, Fortune, a human rights and conflict resolution writer who is also AI’s Deputy Director of Communications, External Affairs and Crisis Response, has in recent times propagated falsehood against the Nigerian troops.

At a press conference on Friday in Abuja, the human rights group raised an alarm to the global community about what it described as the latest gimmick deployed by Amnesty International.

According to the convener Gabriel Agibi, Fortune is the new tool deployed to promote fallacy with his misleading report which appears to act as a bait for luring marks for recruitment of terrorists.

Like time past, the group revealed that Amnesty International only indicts the hardworking military on non-existent allegations while staying mute on the atrocities committed by the terrorists.

With reference to the fictitious report, the Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria, therefore, condemned in its entirety as irresponsible advocacy that places the interest of terrorists above the safety of law-abiding citizens and defenceless civilians who are being protected by a patriotic military in Nigeria.

It further urged the international community to step in and order a stop to this harassment of the Nigerian state and its institutions.

Read full statement below:

Gentlemen of the press, many of you must have reported on the recent frantic efforts by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) to regain relevance through sickening attacks that shock even the most depraved of sociopaths. The Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria had wondered what could be responsible for the seeming boldness that the terrorists appeared to have acquired.

Things have however come to light at it is now glaring that the terrorists went on their human life wasting spree as part of an elaborate script that is targeted realizing the singular agenda of the enemies of Nigeria. At the core of this horror show is Amnesty International, backed up by a section of the international media circuit and so called social-media influencers with a disgruntled opposition political parties thrown into the mix.

Following its well-known modus operandi, Amnesty International has again concocted fiction that it has packaged as a report about incidents of human rights abuses committed by the Nigerian military. Recall that the blockade of arms sales to Nigeria under the Obama regime in the United States was based on the series of the moonlight tales told by Amnesty International that then turned around to use a compilation of its lies as a basis for demonizing Nigeria and preventing the military from getting much needed equipment that would have made the eradication of Boko Haram faster.

The record is there for all to see that by blocking arms sales to Nigeria, Amnesty International effectively put entire communities in harm’s way by giving terrorists the upper hand. It is not possible for this so called international human right NGO to feign ignorance about the negative impact of its activities. Enlightened Nigerians that are familiar with its activities were provoked enough that they occupied its premises to demand that it shuts down its deep state operation in the country.

But history is again repeating itself. Amnesty International is back from the drawing board with more deadly consequences. The terrorists are maiming and killing people on a scale that could only have been ordered by Amnesty International. Also, consistent with what has been observed in the past, the sudden re-mobilization of the terrorists followed a pattern that those keenly monitoring the situation have become all too familiar with: the military severely degrades terrorists, the remnants of the terrorists flee into neighboring countries, the terrorists get international support in hiding, they regroup and resume attacks in Nigeria and Amnesty International attempts to frustrate the military from tackling the resurgence by alleging phantom right abuses and the terrorists use the lull to carry out attacks.

Conor Fortune, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director of Communications, External Affairs and Crisis Response, has been marketing and promoting the latest work of fiction from the NGO and has been presenting this a Holy Grail when in reality nothing has changed in the capacity of the NGO to provoke human suffering. Please, note that Conor Fortune is a friend of Hamad Salkida, disgraced journalist turned Boko Haram/ISWAP mouthpiece. The only thing can unite these two-nasty pieces of work is the irrational desire to have Nigeria destroyed.

We find it worrisome that Amnesty International has ramped up its strategy as it is using its latest report as a tool for terrorist recruitment. We observe that Conor Fortune is using the impending report as a bait for luring marks for recruitment. He is using his Twitter handle, @WritesRights, to request people to inbox him for the report. We understand that those that inbox Conor are being propositioned and groomed as potential sympathizers for Boko Haram and Amnesty International’s causes. This shows that Amnesty International is in desperate need of new propaganda footmen and is trying to get exceptional mileage out of its latest pack of lies.

We are aware that in a bid to deflect attention and circumvent previous observations that Amnesty International only indicts a hard working military while staying mute on the atrocities committed by the terrorists, the NGO will this time around offer a mild reprimand of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists while still continuing the tradition of maligning the military to cause reputational damage that will block the prospect of international support to end the terrorists’ bloodbath in the northeast of Nigeria. The report, not minding its inaccuracies and glaring failings, will again join the long list of other works of fiction already in the archives.

Amnesty International has equally opened another front against the military with its interference in the peacekeeping efforts in Afara-Ukwu, Abia state where they are cautioning the Army against doing its work of managing the terrorist activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This is not minding that the terrorist members of IPOB are back to making the entire area unsafe for citizens of Nigeria.

This constant attempt to demonize the military in order to favour terrorists is one that the world must prevail upon Amnesty International to stop. It is immoral to promote terrorists against the interest of a sovereign nation. We have seen this strategy repeated too many times by Amnesty international with damaging outcomes hence our decision to raise the alarm and alert the world to this criminality that is being made to appear like advocacy.

Therefore, without prejudice to the explanations contained in the full version of the fictitious report to be published by Amnesty International, the Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria condemns it in its entirety as irresponsible advocacy that places the interest of terrorists above the safety of law-abiding citizens.

We urge the international community to step in and order a stop to this harassment of Nigeria and its institutions. It is a culture of impunity that should not be allowed to continue because it exposes other nations to being treated the same way.

Our charge to Nigerians is not allow this slight and threat to the stability of Nigeria to go unchallenged. Nigerians must rise up and disown Amnesty International and all it stands for. They must take their future into their hands and send this demonic NGO out of their country in order to have peace.

There have been previous efforts at making Amnesty International realize the errors of its ways, but which were discontinued after interventions from well-meaning respectable persons. This time, the action we propose against the NGO is final and must not be discontinued until it is verified that it has ceased operations in Nigeria. We therefore urge all groups that have been picketing or demonstrating at Amnesty International office in Abuja or any other part of Nigeria to coalesce into one persistent mass of protesters so that the displeasure being registered about the criminal enterprise will be more effective.

We call on Nigerians on Twitter to report the handle, @WritesRights, for glorifying violence and inciting hatred against an entire country. Nigerians should also take the patriotic step of identifying all social media accounts associated to Amnesty International and their staffers and report such accounts for violation of acceptable standards.

We strongly advise Amnesty International and its staffers in Nigeria to treat this as a timely and friendly warning. The organization and those who implement its evil plans in Nigeria will now be treated in the same measure they have treated our dear country. They cannot expect to enjoy peace and tranquility where they have sponsored terrorists to flood parts of the country with human blood.

Gabriel Agibi
Convener

Group thanks President Buhari over visit to Maiduguri

…. expresses confidence in military’s commitment to peace in Borno state

The North-East Network for Peace has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his prompt and compassionate visit to Maiduguri, Borno State on Tuesday.

According to the group, it is a testament of the president’s focus and unwavering commitment towards restoring lasting peace to the state and the entire region.

Speaking on behalf of the peace network at a press conference on Friday, President, Rev. Josiah Bitrus said they are impressed with the efforts so far in dislodging the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists from the various hideouts in North-East.

Although the group believes resurgence of attacks in Borno has coloration of insider influence, it expressed optimism that the military will eventually come out tops.

In the meantime, however, the North-East Network, called on President Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Borno State.

Read full address below:

We welcome you all to the press conference put together by the North East Network for Peace, a non-governmental organization dedicated to the return of lasting peace in the North East region of Nigeria.

The importance of this press conference cannot be overemphasized given the efforts of the Nigerian Military in the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria who have exhibited an unimaginable level of commitment to ending the Boko Haram menace.

The North East Network for Peace as worthy partners in the war against terrorism in North-East Nigeria is indeed impressed with the efforts so far in dislodging the Boko Haram insurgents from the various hideouts in North-East Nigeria.

This is cognizant of the commitment of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that has indeed displayed an infectious commitment towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria.

His recent visit to Maiduguri has shown once again that Mr. President has not reneged on his promise to free the entire country of terrorism but will continue to show the people of Borno State and the rest of the country the love and affection to pull through these difficult and challenging moments in the annals of the country.

The North East Network for Peace also wishes to applaud President Muhammadu Buhari for his courageous and fearless posture in speaking the truth no matter the situation. His commitment is unwavering and an indication that, in a matter of time, the menace of Boko Haram would come to an end.

The North East Network for Peace wishes to state that Boko Haram is still operating in Borno state is as a result of the connivance of the local authorities that are benefiting from the crisis. So, therefore, they must do everything to ensure that the activities of Boko Haram activities fester.

These groups of individuals are the very ones under whose care the commonwealth of the people have been vested upon, and they have abused it with careless abandon. They would continue to do everything possible to ensure that the war against terrorism continues so that they can continue to cover their tracks and perpetuate more evil.

The North East Network for Peace consequently wishes to state that the government must take drastic measures in Borno State if it’s desirous of entrenching peace and tranquility as the strategic importance of Borno state in the fight against Boko Haram terrorism cannot be overemphasized.

The North East Network for Peace also states that the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in Borno State has every coloration of insider influence, just like the recent attack in Auno where scores of vehicles were burnt and scores of individuals killed by thugs suspected to be sponsored in an attempt to discredit the efforts of the Nigerian Military.

It is thus our considered opinion that the imposition of a State of Emergency in Borno State would indeed provide the needed tonic for the enforcement of peace and tranquility. It must be noted that the declaration of a State of Emergency in Borno State would put an end to the political support the Boko Haram enjoys at the moment. It would also give room for full Presidential directives and action to sweep the entire north-east of the Boko Haram elements.

The North East Network for Peace is using this medium to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to once again exercise his unflinching love for the people of North East by declaring a State of Emergency in Borno State. This action would go a long way in restoring the peace and tranquility that has evaded Borno State, once regarded as the Home of Peace.

The North East Network for Peace pledges its support to the activities of the Nigerian Military and also appreciates the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We thank you all for attending this press conference, and we desire that very soon we shall come together again to celebrate the final decimation of the Boko Haram Terrorist group.

Buhari supporters accuse Zulum, Shettima over Borno insecurity

The Network of Buhari Supporters Worldwide (NBSW) has called on security agents to probe Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State and his predecessor Kassim Shettima over violence in the state.

The group made this known at a press conference on Thursday in Lagos following President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Maiduguri.

In a statement signed by National Coordinator Achimugu Atawodi Agada, the Buhari supporters expressed disgust at the manner the president was greeted, fingering Zulum and his godfathers to be behind the show of shame.

It alleged that Zulum’s action may not be disconnected from the fact that President Buhari is aware of his treacherous promotion of conditions that encourages terrorist activities in his state.

According to the group, those involved “clearly lacked the capacity to discern right from wrong and were out up to it by those with interests”.

The NBSW, therefore, urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to investigate the role by its members who booed Mr. President during his visit to Maiduguri.

While urging for a thorough investigation into the incident, the pro-Buhari group urged the president not to be deterred.

Read full statement below:

The Network of Buhari Supporters Worldwide (BSNW) is disappointed that some Nigerians allowed themselves to be used in a failed attempt to embarrass President Muhammadu Buhari during his visit to Borno state.

The undignified act of booing the office and institution of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly showed that those who took part in the show of shame clearly lacked the capacity to discern right from wrong and were out up to it by those with interests to protect.

It has now been verified that the booing of Mr President was ordered from high up by no less a person than the Borno state’s Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, who knew beforehand that President Buhari was aware of his treacherous promotion of conditions that encouraged terrorist activities in his state. It is most unfortunate that Governor Zulum conveniently hid the nature of his dark activities behind series of populist actions to endear him to the very people whose murder he was facilitating.

We therefore call on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to investigate the role by its members who booed Mr. President during his visit to Maiduguri irrespective of how highly placed they are in the national hierarchy.

We are demanding for such investigation because information at our disposal suggests that some persons who were not comfortable with the indictment of the state government and local leaders for the festering of terrorism had to put out the embarrassing show.

We urge Mr. President not to be deterred by the antics of such party men and women, who will for their own selfish motive go as far as trying to humiliate Mr. President who thought it wise to come in and pay a state condolence to the people.

In view of the recalcitrance on the part of these highly placed members of the state executive council, we hereby insist that nothing but the imposition of a state of emergency on Borno state will restore security to not just the state but the entire north east region. We demand full Presidential orders that will help address the insurgency in the state.

To the extent that the political leadership of Borno State has failed, there is only one more solution which is to remove terrorist supporting officials from office until such a time teventually returns to Borno State.

Boko Haram: Group asks Buhari to declare state of emergency in Borno

The National Democratic Front, NDF, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Borno State, following the renewed spate of insecurity in the State.

The group also asked the President to stop the local government allocations to the State alleging that those profiting from it have refused to let peace reign in Borno State.

This was disclosed in a speech by the Secretary General of the National Democratic Front, NDF, Dr. Abdulkadir Bolaji , on the security situation in Nigeria at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja.

NDF was reacting to the killing of about 30 persons in Auno area of the state by the dreaded Boko Haram elements.

Bolaji said the current governor of the state, Prof Babagana Zulum and his predecessor, Kashim Shetima must be investigated over the nagging security situation in the state.

Full text of his speech below.

Early this week, the nation woke up to the news of another round of violence, mayhem, arson and bloodletting by the terrorist group, Boko Haram.”

In that particular incident, which happened at Auno, a little town few kilometers to the Borno State capital, Maiduguri and where a gate had been constructed to prevent sudden attacks by insurgents through the major road leading to the state capital, more than 30 persons were said to have been killed while many other were wounded and left for dead and property worth millions of naira burnt to ashes.

With gory tales of humans burnt alive, it was a tragedy of enormous proportion that could only have been done by the worst dregs of humans.
Borno State which has suffered much pains and sorrow due to the activities of these terrorists over the years and certainly does not deserve another round of such heinous crime and wanton bloodletting.

We sympathize with the people of the state over this tragedy and pray for fortitude for the families of those who have lost loved ones to bear the losses.

While we join the rest of the world to mourn this tragedy, we must not lose sight of the fact that the sudden resurgence of violence and the boldness exhibited by the terrorist groups operating in the fringes of the Northeast of Nigeria are not beyond human conspiracies.
We note particularly that it was few days after the governor of Borno state, Prof. Babagana Zulum made the infamous statement that security agents who have sacrificed their lives to ensure the safety of other citizens are extorting money from motorists and other travelers that the violence on the road escalated.

“This is not without reason.
“In conflict of such proportions, apart from the weaponry used, one of the effective ways of either dampening or boosting the morale of the warring sides is the use of information.
Information serves as signals to troops and other armed groups in conflict as it exposes the readiness or otherwise of the warring sides.

What the Zulum statement, as harmless as it looked did at this instance, was to write off the efforts of the military in the fight against insurgency and to lay on them a moral burden that will dampen their spirit for days.

As this was going on, the terrorists who also have military experts among them carefully processed the comments by the governor and weighed its effect and set out to work at the time because they knew the governor by his remarks had done incalculable damage to the moral of the soldiers on the battle field and immediately came out of their sleeper cells and launched attacks on major towns especially on the Damaturu- Maidudguri axis.
Those who ply the Damaturu- Maiduguri road would agree that this is not the first time the gate at Auno would be closed to travelers a given time and that those who arrive after the closing time had to sleep there till the next day.

The essence of closing the road as stated earlier, was to prevent a situation where the insurgents would launch a surprise attack on Maiduguri as they had threatened to do several times through that route and the strategy had worked for years as it had kept the blood thirsty group at bay for several years.

Unfortunately when Zulum made the comment, they took advantage of the effect that was bound to set in to try to establish their presence as usual, killing people.
What people should ask is whether the Zulum statement is a one off thing done ignorantly or one that was deliberately to cause confusion in the camp of the military.

You will recall that the governor had made similar provocative statements afterward reprimanding senior military officers in the presence of their juniors.

It is a well known fact that the military thrives on order, discipline and hierarchy, it is usually counterintuitive for senior officers to be exposed to ridicule in the presence of their juniors.
As much as possible, the military tradition favours preserving the dignity of senior officers who would be giving orders to their juniors.

Much as Zulum was praised in some quarters for speaking out against what was clearly his perception, the fact remains that the same Zulum will not tolerate a situation for instance where the President would scold him in the presence of his commissioners or local government chairmen.

Many did not fail to notice that while a few were praising Zuklum for the comment, those who travel on the Damaturu- Madiduguri road regularly were apprehensive saying the statement is capable uf worsening the security situation in the state.
They said they were even prepared to pay even thrice what the Governor claimed the security agents were extorting from travelers than be left to die in the hands of the murderous Boko Haram.

Their worst fear however came to pass when the insurgents re-launched attacks on the road leading to the Auno tragedy.

Much as it looks like a one off thing, we cannot fail to draw a parallel between what the governor said, what happened in Auno and what happened during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
We have observed that it is whenever peace and security is attained in Borno and the Federal authorities or any other body starts talking about conducting local government elections in the state, that is when there would be a relapse to violence and the flood gate would be opened to the terrorists to operate.

We recall that the abduction of the Chibok girls happened when there was relative calm in Borno state and the opposition parties then started demanding for local government elections to be conducted in the state.

It is an open secret that state governors use the allocations of their local governments in their states as their personal resources.

The case of Borno state is even worse as the state has not witnessed local government elections since the upscale of insurgency.

What this means is that the governor reserves the right under a caretaker on interim arrangement to appoint his cronies to man the affairs of the local councils.
With 23 local governments, what accrues to Borno as local government funds are quite huge and since there are no elected structures at the third tier level, it is at the discretion of the governor and his appointees to dispense the funds.

You will recall that at a time, 14 local governments in the state were under the control of the Boko Haram yet they continued to receive their allocations from the center.

There is no doubt that since President Muhammadu Buahri came on board as President in 2015, much has been achieved in the area of security with many of the local government under captivity of the Boko Haram freed and many Internally Displaced persons, IDps, returning to their communities.
This laudable feat it would appear is not acceptable to some as it would deprive them of the opportunities of bilking the third tier arm of government.

Was it a coincidence that it was immediately after the Federal government started talking about ensuring democratic structures are put in place at the local government levels in all the states of the federation and the possibility of conducting elections at that level that the Borno State governor made his infamous statement leading to the demoralization of troops and the emboldening of the terrorists?

People might say that the Borno State Governor is naïve politically given that he had just assumed office, but people should not forget that he owes his ascendancy to certain forces who would want their interests protected.

You will also notice that recently whenever there is an attack in any part of Borno State, the governor would be first to arrive and will continue with his invectives on the military top brass and the following day, the call for the change of service chiefs would top national discourse.
In view of the above, we hold that the politicians in Borno State have failed us and the government needs to do something urgently.

Solutions:
We call on the Federal Government to in view if the security implication of major politicians in Borno State discontinue releasing allocations to the local governments in the state until elections are conducted at the local government level.

We also call on the Federal government to declare a state of emergency in Borno State to forestall further attacks due to carelessness on the part of the political leadership in the state.

Lagos Airport: Sirika expresses concern over flight diversions, cancelations

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has noted, with great concern, the experiences of air travellers to and from the Murtala Muhammed International airport Lagos regarding flight diversions and, in many cases, outright cancellations, which have been occasioned by highly inclement weather conditions.

In a statement Thursday by Director signed by the Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu the Minister said while these developments are greatly regretted, “we wish to let the public know that the authorities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos were in the process of replacing the old Category 2 Instrument Landing Systems with the newly procured Category 3 system that allows for the lowest visibility landing. Unfortunately, there was a malfunctioning of certain components, which, coupled with the unforeseen weather conditions, made landing at the airport difficult.”

According to the statement the procurement of the Category 3 Instrument landing System is in pursuance of the desire of the Federal Government to ensure the safety of air passengers by ensuring that airplanes can land with almost zero visibility.
“We wish to assure the public and the airlines, that efforts are on to return the system to full working condition and that normalcy of operations will be re-established in due course.

“On the diversion of incoming international flights to neighbouring countries, we wish to reiterate that the decisions are purely those of the airlines which we have no control over.

“However, it should be noted that those flights could, and should have been rerouted to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja which is shorter or equidistant from Lagos to the foreign airports to which some of the flights have been diverted.

“In recognition of Abuja as an alternate airport, Qatar airlines has applied to divert its flights to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, to which the Minister granted immediate approval. It is left to be seen why some others decided to divert to another country.

“We wish to use this medium to assure the general public that the comfort, safety and security of the flying populace remains the central focus of this administration and that no effort would be spared in ensuring this,” the statement added.

BREAKING: Supreme Court nullifies Bayelsa governor-elect’s election, declares PDP winner

The Supreme Court on Thursday nullified the election of Bayelsa State governor-elect, David Lyon and his running mate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, who were already preparing to be inaugurated into office.

A five-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Peter-Odili ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to the All Progressives Congress’ candidates as the winners of the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.

The apex court ordered INEC to issue fresh certificates to the candidates of the party with the next highest votes and with the required constitutional spread of votes in the results of the election, which are the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidates.

Justice Ejembi Ekwo, who read the lead judgment of the apex, made the orders after disqualifying the APC’s deputy governorship candidate, Degi-Eremienyo, as a candidate in the election.

The court upheld the November 12, 2019 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which had disqualified Degi-Eremienyo in the election for submitting forged certificates to INEC.

The court ruled Degi-Eremienyo’s disqualification had infected the joint ticket with which he and the governorship candidate, Lyon, ran for and won the November 16, 2019 election. – PUNCH NEWSPAPERS

Group accuses Gov Zulum, aides of plotting Buhari’s embarrassment

The Borno Coalition for Justice (BCJ) has fingered Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State and his aides in an attempt to embarrass President Muhammadu Buhari during his visit to Maiduguri on Wednesday.

The coalition made the allegation on Thursday at a press conference to address the “despicable plot at embarrassing President Buhari by aides of Borno Governor”.

Speaking on behalf of the Borno coalition, convener Mohammed Ali described the gesture as “cowardly and insensitive”, an evidence of Zulum’s hatred towards the president.

As indigenes of Borno, the group recounts that President Buhari enjoys demigod status in the state owing to his giant strides which dates back to his military days and it is impossible for the same people to turn their backs on him.

The coalition said the handwriting of the governor, his predecessor and godfathers was all over the show of shame.

The Borno Coalition for Justice, therefore, advised Zulum to call his political aides to order and go a step further by tendering an unreserved apology to Mr President.

The group, however, pleased with President Buhari not to be perturbed and continue his drastic approach to insecurity by declaring a state of emergency on the state.

Read full statement below:

The attention of Borno Coalition for Justice has been drawn to the despicable attempt at embarrassing President Muhammdu Buhari, who visited Borno State for a condolence visit in the aftermath of the Boko Haram attack in Auno recently.

The Borno Coalition for Justice is indeed appalled by the display of hypocrisy by the government of Borno state for allowing street urchins under the sponsorship of aides and advisers of the Governor throw tantrums at the convoy of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This is indeed unsolicited and an indication that the government of Borno State is not appreciative of the numerous sacrifices President Muhammadu Buhari has made for the people of Borno State in ensuring that the Boko Haram insurgency comes to an end.

We wish to state that this display is cowardly and insensitive. It is indeed a continuation of the contempt which the Governor of Borno state and his immediate predecessor have for President Muhammadu Buhari.

This is also on the heels of the fact that it is no longer a hidden secret that the political godfather of the Governor of Borno State has been interested in one of the highest offices in the country and he has indeed set out machinery towards actualizing this in ways too numerous to mention, but including undermining the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in the fight against Boko Haram terrorist in North-East Nigeria.

We wish to state in unequivocal terms that this is indeed a part of the larger script that is aimed at promoting the interest of those nursing vice-presidential ambition at all cost and not minding whose ox is gored.

The Borno Coalition for Justice wishes to state that as in previous times, the Governor of Borno State must elect to be on the good side of history because no discerning mind in Borno State would attempt to boo President Muhammadu Buhari under whatever guise.

It must be stated that Borno State is one of the states that President Muhammadu Buhari has tremendous following since he was Governor of the state from July 1975 to March 1976. He has been at home with the people, and the people of Borno State adore him for his invaluable contributions to the development of the state.

The Borno Coalition for Justice condemns this puerile attempt and wishes to advise Governor Babagana Zulum to call his political aides to order as the people of Borno State would not condone any further attempt at embarrassing President Muhammadu Buhari under any guise.

We also wish to state that the hatred towards President Muhammadu Buhari must stop henceforth as it would serve no purpose in the long run because the people of Borno State sees in President Muhammadu Buhari a revered idol.

The Governor of Borno state must realize that the street urchins that they paid to cause an embarrassment to President Muhammadu Buhari would one day constitute themselves into a nuisance in the state.

We consequently demand that the Government of Borno State must tender an unreserved apology to President Muhammadu Buhari. The elders of Borno State must also lead a delegation from the state to apologize to President Muhammadu Buhari for this act of ingratitude and, indeed, a show of shame.

Bayelsa: Frank charges Lyon on women, youths, against sycophants

Ahead of David Lyon’s inauguration as the new governor of Bayelsa state, a political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has called on the incoming Bayelsa state governor to beware of sycophants and corrupt politicians capable of tarnishing the image of the new administration.

Frank also said the incoming governor should consider more competent women and youths in his government and not necessarily appoint people based on friendship or political affiliation.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, the Bayelsa born political activist reminded David Lyon that his victory at the last Bayelsa state governorship election goes beyond the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a party, hence the need for him to run an all inclusive government.

Timi Frank, who expressed confidence that David Lyon will deliver on his campaign promises, said Bayelsa state is still backward in terms of development because the state has not been lucky of a committed governor.

“I will like to congratulate Chief David Lyon as he takes over the mantle of leadership of my state on Friday, 14th Feburary 2020. I expect the new governor to dedicate this laudable success to God and the people of Bayelsa because the last governorship election which produced him goes beyond APC as a political party, it was a vote of no confidence in the outgoing governor and a vote of confidence in the incoming governor.

“Bayelsans voted irrespective of party affiliation for justice, development and a new order in the state. It is my believe that the incoming governor will learn from the outgoing governor, especially how his praise singers turned to boo him at the end of his government.

“It is my believe that the incoming governor will be a governor for all irrespective of tribe, political party, religion or any other sentiments.

“I call on Chief David Lyon to be wary of sycophants and corrupt politicans with bad records with various anti-corruption agencies in the country. This is important because Bayelsans actually voted for David Lyon and it is David Lyon they will hold accountable when the time arises.

“Political jobbers should not have upper hands over technocrats and professionals. Political appointments should not be lopsided. Fairness and justice should however be your watch words.”

While praying to God for wisdom, knowledge and understanding for the incoming Bayelsa governor, Frank urged David Lyon to be firm in taking decisions but always pay attention to the feelings, outcry and demands of Bayelsans.

“I wish the incoming governor will hit the ground running. I wish David Lyon will not abandon projects started by his successors, especially those ones with direct bearing on the lives of Bayelsans.

“David Lyon should not dwell in blame game. Transparency should be given utmost priority. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state and Governor Zulum in Borno state are examples of dedication and focus in government today. I hope our amiable Lyon will in no time join the forum of performing governors and the confidence reposed in him by our people will not be in vain,” Timi Frank stated.

The former APC spokesman, however, called on Bayelsans at home and abroad to join hands with the incoming governor to succeed, adding that doing so will be a great interest of the state.

Frank also called on all the aggrieved politicians and leaders at all levels in the state to forget about their personal interests, political affiliations and ethnic sentiments for now but give peace a chance for the new governor to prove himself.

Sign:
Comrade Timi Frank
Political activist
Abuja.

Another group backs anti-AI protests, insists ‘human rights’ body has betrayed Nigeria

Sequel to the protest on Tuesday, the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) has thrown its weight behind the call for the expulsion of Amnesty International from the country.

According to the group, it salutes “the brave Nigerians who stood up in their numbers to draw the attention of the world to AI’s nefarious and destabilization activities.”

Speaking on behalf of the group at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, Secretary-General, Dr. Maxwell Obioma said Nigerians are resolute in the task of protecting Nigeria from the clutches of Amnesty International.

He revealed that Nigerians are now aware of AI’s plot in conjunction with some foreign interest such as the Iranian government to truncate the nation’s democracy.

The despicable part of AI’s plot, according to the coalition is that it has bought some Nigerian non-government organizations and legal practitioners to its fold with astronomical sums.

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement believes AI has betrayed Nigeria by entering into a pact with Iran to promote and protect the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).

While hailing the Nigerians for standing for their sovereignty, the group advised Amnesty International to have a rethink and retrace its steps.

Read full address below

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press
Members of the Distinguished Diplomatic Community
Representatives of Civil Society Organizations
Other critical stakeholders

“Nigerians are resolute in the task of protecting Nigeria from the clutches of Amnesty International.”

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement, a civil society organization at the vanguard of ensuring the sustenance of good governance and democracy in Nigeria, wishes to applaud the hundreds of thousands of Nigerians that showed solidarity in the quest for the protection of our nascent democracy.

We were overwhelmed by the large turnout of people who came out in their numbers under one accord, which was aimed at highlighting the atrocities of Amnesty International in their ignoble quest to see to the disintegration of Nigeria.

As a people, we are aware of the plot by Amnesty International in conjunction with some foreign interest that has been plotting for the disintegration of Nigeria manifest in their disjointed and often fabricated reports about Nigeria.

This much they have carried on unabated and most recently the unholy alliance they entered with the Iranian Government to cause havoc and crisis of unimaginable proportion in Nigeria through the sponsorship of militant groups under various nomenclatures.

The activities of Amnesty International has been despicable and an affront to the territorial integrity of Nigeria. This act is indeed condemnable and an indication that indeed the bulk of the spate of insecurity in Nigeria is as a result of the evil machinations of foreign interest that are not happy with the gains made by in Nigeria since the advent of the present administration.

The despicable part of the plot is that due to the quantum of money made available by Iran, some Nigerian lawyers and Non-Governmental Organizations have decided to sell their conscience in return for a plate of porridge by attempting to defend and support the activities of Amnesty International in Nigeria. This is indeed an indication that Amnesty International and its Iranian sponsors have indeed infiltrated the polity with blood-stained monies that are proceeds of terrorism.

These lawyers and NGOs have decided to feign ignorance of the numerous ways Amnesty International has attempted to compromise the territorial integrity of Nigeria since they started defending the actions of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).

That the activities of the IMN have indeed brought sorrow and tears on the faces of innocent Nigerians is an understatement. And to imagine that some that call themselves Nigerians and recite the National Anthem and National pledge is indeed a shame.

Our very foundation has been threatened by the violent and terrorist activities of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. They have maimed and killed innocent Nigerians for no justifiable reason. They have attempted to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff, they have killed a senior police officer, and they have killed and abducted innocent women and children in furtherance of their plan to establish Iranian backed caliphates in Nigeria.

The Coalition for Nigerian Movement wishes to advise those Nigerians that have decided to stand the truth on its head and think they cannot survive without Amnesty International should have a rethink and retrace their steps because Arise Oh Compatriots, Nigeria call Obey.

They must indeed obey the call for a greater and prosperous Nigeria that has refused to be susceptible to the whims and caprices of some vested interest that are hell-bent on the disintegration of the country.

The constant attack by Amnesty International on the Nigerian state is indeed part of the grand plot it has entered with the Iranian Government that involved the payment of millions of dollars in return for spreading falsehood against Nigeria before the international community.

We consequently wish to state that Iran or the IMN should not add to our troubles, and they must respect the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a reason why all well-meaning Nigerians must join in the call for the expulsion of Amnesty International from Nigeria.

We thank the hundreds of thousands of Nigeria that came out in their numbers to draw the attention of the world to the various activities of Amnesty International to destabilize Nigeria.

Thank you all, and God bless Nigeria.