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Category: Politics

  • Popular Nigerian Preacher Leads Protest Against Hardship 

    Popular Nigerian Preacher Leads Protest Against Hardship 

    Hunger protest in Jos, plateau state takes a spiritual dimension as popular pastor, El Buba leads protest

     

    General Overseer and President El-buba Outreach Ministries International (EBOMI), Dr Isa El-buba, personally led the August 1st hunger protest in Jos, Plateau state capital, on Thursday.
    El-buba, who is the national coordinator of Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), said the protest led by him would be peaceful all through.
    The protesters converged on the Plateau Secretariat overhead bridge as early as 6am from where they headed towards old airport roundabout Jos.
    While addressing the protesters, he highlighted the suffering of Nigerians and asked President Bola Tinubu to reverse “anti-people policies”.
    Buba specifically mentioned the removal of fuel subsidy, high electricity tariff, and high cost of living as some of the worries of the protesters.
    Security operatives were present to guide the protesters and ensure that the protest remained peaceful, Daily Trust reports.
    The Plateau State government had earlier rejected the protest, citing security concerns, but the protesters were undeterred.
    Other protesters also assembled at the British American roundabout in Jos, where most shops were closed in solidarity with the protest.
    The peaceful nature of the protest was a relief to many who had feared violence.
    As of 11am when this report was filed, there was no single incident of violence recorded.

  • Police Fire Tear Gas At Protesters In Bauchi

    The #endbadgovernance protest in Bauchi State has been disrupted as police fired tear gas at protesters.
    The protesters, who had assembled in front of the Emir of Bauchi’s palace, demanded a meeting with the Emir but were stopped by a police barricade
    As the protesters insisted on meeting with the Emir, the police deployed tear gas to disperse them.
    The youths, however, insist that they be allowed to continue their protest

  • Attempted Jailbreak?: Gunshots In Imo Capital

    There was pandemonium in Owerri, the Imo State capital yesterday as sporadic shooting was heard across Owerri, the state capital.
    While some wondered if the gunshots were a result of an attempted jailbreak, a security Eons Intelligence in post shared on X attributed the shooting to unknown gunmen.
    It wrote: “At 1130 am today 31st July, 2024, Owerri Prison under attack by Unknown gunmen as prison armed Squad in gun duel.
    “Reinforcement from military and other security formation ongoing.”
    It further tweeted, “Report of sporadic shooting across Owerri Municipal by UGM. Suspected Hoodlums also attacked the UBA bank at Wetheral Road.
    “Avoid the area until normalcy is restored.”
    While some witnesses attributed the gunshots to unknown gunmen, sources from Imo State capital, who witnessed the incident told SaharaReporters that the shooting could not be from unknown gunmen.
    According to one of Sahara Reporters sources, the shooting is simultaneously going on at the Okigwe road, World Bank, Control, in front of Government House, Onitsha road, Amaku-Ohia – Akwaku road, and Aba road and Wetheral Road.
    The source said: “We believe that the Governor Hope Uzodimma and his administration were behind the shooting to scare and send fear to the people who might be planning to come out tomorrow to participate in the nationwide ‘Day of Rage’ protests against hunger and misgovernance in Nigeria, and in the state.”
    “You must have seen the video of Owerri, the State capital, it has been completely deserted. In those videos do you see security agencies moving around to contain it. That shows you that the shooting was government plan to scare would be protesters from coming tomorrow. That’s is the main agenda.
    “Police, military and other security agencies are resided in the capital, with increased checkpoints in every streets in Owerri, from where did the so called gunmen came in from.”
  • Kano announce date for LG polls 

    Kano announce date for LG polls 

    The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has scheduled November 30, 2024, for the local government elections in the state.
    The Chairman of the Commission, Sani Malumfashi, announced the date while addressing a news conference in Kano on Wednesday.
    He said the notification of the election will be issued on November 15.
    Nomination forms will be available from October 1 to October 11, with submission of the forms due by October 18, 2024.
    He noted that the screening of candidates will take place from October 18 to October 20, while the list of eligible candidates will be released on October 24. The elections will follow thereafter.
    “We plan to release the results of the winners by December 10, 2024. This announcement is made under Section 103, Subsections 3 and 1 of the Electoral Act and the powers conferred on the Commission under Paragraph 3(4) of Part II, Third Schedule, Section 3(1) of the Kano Local Government Law 2004,” Malumfashi said.
    He said that the elections are being conducted following a Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, and the conduct will be in accordance with the law.
    Malumfashi also announced that candidates are barred from placing their posters on places of worship, schools, and government buildings. Anyone violating these rules will be punished.
    He said the Commission expects all the 19 political parties to participate in the election.
    According to him, the Commission will work closely with security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.
    “Kano, with 44 local governments and over 7 million voters, presents significant security challenges, particularly in light of current economic difficulties,” he said.
    He explained that the Commission will recruit about 13,000 ad-hoc staff to man the 11,000 polling units.

  • Confusion As Wike’s Office Refuses Protest Organiser’s Letter Requesting Use Of Eagle Square

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stirred controversy by refusing to acknowledge a formal request from the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement, a key organizer of the upcoming nationwide protests.
    The Take-It-Back group had written to Wike, seeking permission to use Eagle Square in Abuja from August 1 to 10, 2024, for the demonstrations.
    The letter, signed by Damilare Adenola, the Director of Mobilization for TIB in Abuja, emphasized the necessity of having round-the-clock access to the venue during the protests.
    Despite this, Wike asserted at a town hall meeting with critical FCT stakeholders on Saturday that his office had not received any such letter.
    “No letter was sent to my office requesting to use Eagle Square for the demonstration,” Wike claimed.
    This denial has led to accusations from Adenola, who suggested that the issue could stem from either bureaucratic delays or Wike’s unwillingness to admit receipt of the letter.
    Adding to the dispute, a source disclosed to SaharaReporters on Monday that “Wike’s office refused to acknowledge TIB’s letter requesting use of Eagle Square.”
    This revelation casts doubt on the minister’s earlier statements and has intensified the debate surrounding the protests.
    In a move seen as an attempt to suppress the planned demonstrations, Wike encouraged residents to disregard the protests and instead participate in celebrations with traditional rulers receiving their certificates on August 1.
    He also dismissed the protesters as “faceless,” a characterization that has provoked a strong response from the organizers.
    Adenola, speaking in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, described Wike’s label of “faceless” as a “double insult,” highlighting that the protest leaders are “hungry Nigerians” and “unemployed Nigerians roaming the streets.”
    He stressed, “The greatest motivation of this #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest is hunger.”
    Adenola also clarified that the protest’s demands were formulated through democratic discussions among young Nigerians, reflecting their widespread frustrations.
    He emphasized that the Take It Back Movement is part of a larger coalition, not the sole organizer of the protests.
    “Take It Back is one of the organizers of this protest, but not the only organizer,” he stated, underscoring that the leadership of the protest comes from the collective will of the Nigerian people, not just a single entity.
  • Man Stripped Of Traditional Title For Supporting Nationwide Protests

    Man Stripped Of Traditional Title For Supporting Nationwide Protests

    The District Head of Bosso in Minna Emirate Council in Niger State, Alhaji Mu’azu Adamu Laka Bosso, has relieved one Abdulahi Isah, aka Biodun, of the title: Wakilin Matasan Bosso.
    According to Daily Trust, the traditional title holder was reportedly dismissed for supporting the planned nationwide protests.
    In a letter titled: “Letter of dismissal”, Mu’azu, who did not give the reason for the sack, said: “I hereby write to inform you that you have been dismissed from your title as Youth Leader of Bosso (Wakilin Matasan Bosso) with immediate effect from 28/07/2024. You should no longer call yourself as Youth Leader of Bosso.”
    However, speaking in an interview Tsalle Daya, a Hausa programme on Prestige, the district head said that Biodun was stripped of his title for declaring support for the forthcoming nationwide protest over hardship.
    The district head was cited as saying his domain would not condone any act that would lead to breakdown of law and order.
  • Bomb explosion rocks Yobe market

    Bomb explosion rocks Yobe market

    An explosion, suspected to be caused by a planted Improvised Explosive Device, has occurred at the popular Buni Yadi market in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

    Channels Television reported that a resident of Buni, Ali Hassan said that the incident happened at around 12.30pm on Friday, injuring a girl.

    The name of the girl and her current state of health has yet to be known

    The spokesman of the Sector 2 Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammad Shehu also confirmed the incident, saying another IED planted in the market was discovered and successfully defused by the Army.

    He further explained the only victim of the explosion, is currently receiving treatment at one of the health facilities in Buni Yadi.

    He stressed the incident was a planted IED and not a suicide bombing incident.

    Buni Yadi, located 54 kilometres from Damaturu, the state capital, was the most severely affected local government area in Yobe State during the two years it was under Boko Haram insurgent control.

  • Reps flays FCT ‘park and pay’ policy

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    The House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has criticized the “park and pay” system implemented by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

    During an interactive session with Chinedum Elechi, the mandate secretary for the transportation secretariat, in Abuja on Wednesday, Mukthar Betara, chairman of the committee, expressed concerns about the policy, highlighting reports of harassment faced by residents and motorists from those enforcing it.

    The FCTA reintroduced the “park and pay” policy in August 2023 following agreements with two concessionaires, aiming to alleviate city congestion and enhance driving conditions. This policy had previously been suspended in April 2014 by a high court ruling that found it unlawful due to lack of legal backing.

    Betara sought details on the reintroduction process, the policy’s authorization, and how fees are remitted to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). In response, Elechi confirmed that the policy is supported by a legal framework and that parking is confined to designated areas.

    “The park and pay are by regulation. We have legal framework. It is part of the way of controlling traffic.

    ” So, under the part and pay, designated areas are meant to be parks. So, it is legal. It is revenue paid through concessionaires.

    According to him, there is usually a ration between the concessionaires and the FCT. So, for areas where we have concessionaires, there is a percentage that goes to the concessionaires.

    ” It is 60 per cent, and 40 per cent goes to FCT. The infrastructure for the work is usually provided by the concessionaire. The revenue goes straight to the revenue account of the FCT, not transportation.”

    The committee chairman queried the mandate secretary about the contract process, asking how the contract was established.

    ” In appointing your concessionaires, what procedure did you follow? How much has been remitted to the FCDA from January to date? Who gave you the approval?” Betara asked.

    Hussaina Olayemi, the director of legal services, transport, explained that the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Abuja Investment Company, the FCT organisation responsible for public-private partnerships, were involved.

    “After their involvement, the concession was submitted to the federal executive council, for approval. So, we have the FEC approval,” Olayemi stated.

    The committee criticised the allocation of 60 per cent of revenue to concessionaires while the government receives only 40 per cent.

    Betara demanded clarification on what infrastructure the concessionaires are providing.

    Replying, Elechi stated that the concessionaire is responsible for marking roads.

    However, Mr Betara countered, asserting that no roads in Abuja have been marked by the concessionaire.

    “The way the concessionaires operate in Abuja, they harass people on the streets. I would have advised you people to have given the VIO this concessionaire.

    ”Let them take this up so that the whole revenue will go to FCT. Why are you personalising this for an individual?” Betara said.

  • JUST IN: Three dead as another building collapses in Lagos

    JUST IN: Three dead as another building collapses in Lagos

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    At least three site workers have been reported dead following the collapse of a building at Arowojobe Estate in Maryland, Lagos State, early Thursday morning.

    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident through Permanent Secretary Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu in a statement to NAN. 

    The building collapse occurred at No. 13 Wilson Mba Street, Arowojobe Estate, Maryland. Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu stated that the deceased were male site workers who were recovered from the scene.

    “The agency received a distress call regarding a collapsed building at the above address at about 3.49 a.m.

    “This prompted the immediate activation of the agency’s response team to the scene of the incident at 3.58 a.m.

    “It was discovered that a set of three terraces under construction had collapsed

    Search and rescue operations began immediately and three adult males were recovered dead, two male adults were rescued alive and one adult male trapped under the rubble was rescued,” he said.

    He added that the rescued ones were carried out through the efforts of LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire Service.

    “All the six men were site workers.

    “They are receiving pre hospital care on location while the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit has been contacted for the remains of the three fatalities.

    “A combined team of agency personnel, fire service and Nigeria Police are working at the scene.

    “LASEMA’s excavator has been deployed to accelerate the search and rescue operations,” he said.

  • Accept Hardship as a Trial from God – APC Governor Tells Nigerians Amidst Planned Nationwide Protest

    Accept Hardship as a Trial from God – APC Governor Tells Nigerians Amidst Planned Nationwide Protest

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has advised Nigerians to consider the current economic hardship as a test from God, rather than resorting to protests.

    The governor, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made this statement on Monday during a town hall meeting with 27 groups in Dutse.

    The meeting, which included representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), saw the groups disassociate themselves from the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.

    Governor Namadi who acknowledged the economic challenges facing the country, said that protest is not the solution. He encouraged citizens to express their grievances through alternative means, such as prayer and seeking divine intervention.

    He said, “There are many ways people could express their grievances; people are at liberty to display their grievances through protest under democratic dispensation, but that isn’t the most effective way to address the problems.

    “The protest alone will not provide the solutions; people should turn to God, repent, seek for forgiveness and divine intervention on the challenges.”

    The governor highlighted the efforts of the government in providing relief measures, including food items, materials, and cash distribution, to cushion the effects of the hardship. He also reminded the people that the federal government had approved the importation of food items without import duty for five months.

    Namadi urged Nigerians to accept the hardships as a trial from God, citing the Islamic belief in destiny.

    Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner in Jigawa, Tijjani Abdullahi, warned those planning to participate in the protest to reconsider.

    “The security agencies in the state are combat-ready to deal with anyone who wants to breach public peace and order,” he said.