The Member-Elect, Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency, Daniel Amos has tasked the Muslim Ummah to use the lessons learnt during the Holy Month of Ramadan in praying for the unity of the country.

In a Sallah Goodwill message he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Kafanchan, Dan Amos congratulated the entire muslim community for witnessing this year’s celebration.

He called on them to use the celebrations to pray for the current and incoming leaders in the country, so that they will be fair and equitable in the discharge of their duties.

The member-elect also urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for those facing turmoil and calamity the world over and to ensure they reach out to those in need.

END

*Says evidence at PDP’s disposal will nail APC

Following the controversies that met the declaration on winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential election, the SA Youth to the Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas has told Nigerians to be hopeful as the party and candidate have all it takes to reclaim their mandate in court.

Ambassador Abbas expressed this in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Thursday April 20, to felicitate Muslim faithful on the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

“We are all aware of all the intrigues that came with this year’s general election. The double standards displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the declaration of a winner under controversial circumstances.

“The declaration unlike in the past, saw no celebration on the streets, Nigerians were surprised and shocked to their marrows, bringing about deep reflection on the issue.

“My message to all Nigerians this Sallah is that hope is not lost. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON will reclaim the mandate freely given to him by Nigerians if all ethnicity and religions. The courts will not be blind to all the facts that the PDP will be arguing with,” he said.

He congratulated Muslims for completing the mandatory Ramadan Fast, while praying that their prayers in the holy month will be speedily answered by Almighty Allah.

Rilwanu Adamu

A rather taciturn and seemingly laid back figure, Lt Col Agbu Kefas (rtd) is now the ultimate leader of Taraba state politics. You doubt this at your perils. Don’t be fooled by that serene appearance. He holds all the aces and it is doubtful if any one can upturn that dominance in its form and essence. Among the many things Kefas can do now is also determine who eventually takes over from him after his two tenures for two tenures he shall surely do. It is the most important power of a Chief Executive of a state: the ability to manage the transition and become a godfather. Many believe Kefas has what he takes to pull that off. The election that produced him gave him an edge in the political history of the state. It was a poll that tested the strength and weaknesses of the state’s fault lines. At the end, it was very clear that the ruling PDP would remain the party that can constantly produce a Governor for the state.

Beyond this is what has clearly emerged as the peculiar appeal of the Kefas brand: fresh and very promising. He’s young and enchanting and has carried the youth force of the state behind him at the campaigns. He’s clearly their product and would remain so for long.

Moreover, with his party controlling the legislative arm, it is doubtful if any other party would outgrow the PDP. This on its own is a testimony to the capacity of the ruling party in the firm vice like hold of Kefas.

Consequently, with the current governor out of the equation having failed to make it to the Senate, Kefas becomes the direct inheritor of what remains of the Darius political structure. It is a structure Kefas will fuse into his own and make it more formidable.

Meanwhile, it would be difficult for any party to reach a place where it can favorably compete with the PDP. The main APC is greatly punctured. The NNPP may fizzle out at the end. Erstwhile political gladiators would be easily wooed by the very appealing Kefas who has a knack for making opponents relaxed around him.

On a personal level, the former military intelligence boss, is regarded as a super sleuth whose uncanny ability to read situation is second to none. How he negotiated his way to the top almost noiseless has become a major factor in the power profiles of the state.

Kefas comes to office with a wealth of connections from within and outside the country. Calm and collected, he’s not your regular politician. Watchers believe that with sterling performance, he will continue to enjoy his rather rock star appeal into the coming years. Taraba finally found the Ultimate “babban Taraba”

Adamu is a political commentator based in Gassol

Are Renewed Killings in Benue, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Buhari’s Parting Gift, Northern Christian Elders Lament

Worried by the recent spate of killings in Benue, Taraba and Southern Kaduna, the Northern Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the various security agencies to take decisive action against perpetrators.

NOSCEF expressed this in a statement on Monday April 17, signed by its Chairman, Engineer Oyinehi Ejoga Inalegwu, made available to newsmen in Kaduna, in which the group wondered if the renewed onslaught by terrorists is Buhari:’s parting gift to the affected areas.

“NOSCEF is worried that the recent increasing wave of unchecked and persistent killings in Benue, Taraba and Southern Kaduna by bandits/ herdsmen is seeming to look like the parting gift, of the Buhari administration, to our people as it rounds up its 8-year rule,” they said.

The group expressed shock that, “with the security architecture in place, such wanton killings, in such magnitude, can be perpetuated without any counter from the security forces”.

They therefore, called on the security forces to checkmate the ugly trend and go after those terrorizing, killing, maiming people and destroying properties of citizens.

“We also appeal to all Nigerians to pray for God’s intervention in bringing to an end the new wave of killings” across the states, the statement said.

The Special Assistant on Public Communication to Waziri Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, has alleged that the electoral misconduct perpetrated by the Adamawa Resident Electoral Commission, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, is nothing different from what the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, did during the Presidential polls.

Yunusa-Ari had on Sunday, announced Senator Aishatu Ahmed Binani, the APC governorship candidate in Adamawa, as the winner of the election even while the results were still being collated.

The Adamawa REC has since been suspended by the headquarters of the commission while the announcement of the results has been postponed indefinitely.

Responding in a statement, however, Shaibu said the national leadership of INEC could not pretend to be unaware of the many allegations hanging on the neck of the Adamawa REC.

Shaibu added that the suspension of the Adamawa REC without his arrest and prosecution was merely a slap in the wrist.

“It is crystal clear even to the blind that the Adamawa REC learnt well from the INEC Chairman. INEC as an organization, from the top to the bottom is akin to Ali Baba and the 40 thieves. As a matter of fact, the baby goat learns to eat grass by diligently watching the mama devour the lush grass around them”.

He said, “Over a month ago, Sahara Reporters published an audio clip where the Adamawa REC was heard directing an election official, Hammajam Mohammed, to rig the governorship election in favour of Binani.

“In the leaked audio, Yunusa told Mohammed to do everything humanly possible to make Binani win. He told the electoral official that he was instructed by a higher authority to make Binani win. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri complained severally about the compromised REC but INEC did nothing about it.

“Despite having over one month to prepare for this supplementary poll, INEC retained this compromised REC who went ahead to undermine the election once more. From all that has happened, it is obvious that Yunusa-Ari was acting on orders from above and that is why Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s warnings were ignored.

“This carefully orchestrated action is a reflection of the electoral heist of February 25, 2023 when the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, decided to announce Bola Tinubu of the APC as winner despite the many irregularities and complaints from several opposition parties. Indeed, Yunusa-Ari acted like his father and boss, Mahmood Yakubu.”

Atiku’s aide said the Adamawa fiasco came as no surprise since INEC had always been in bed with Binani and had even admitted in a statement that it awarded a contract to one of her companies.

He added, “INEC had in a statement by National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, admitted to awarding a sensitive contract to the Binani Printing Press Limited, a firm owned by the APC governorship candidate.

“In the statement, Okoye had claimed that the company was awarded the contract as a way of stimulating the economy and encouraging Nigerian enterprise. It is obvious that Binani and INEC are in bed together.”

Shaibu said Yakubu’s name had become a by-word for scorn after conducting the most flawed election in the history of Nigeria.

Atiku’s aide wondered why INEC under the leadership of Yakubu had failed to deliver a credible poll despite receiving the largest budget ever.

He added, “How will Mahmood Yakubu be remembered? Well, Nigerian singers like Falz and Vector have already composed a song titled Yakubu so that generations unborn will remember the sort of character he is. The video alone has garnered over one million views on Youtube and has become a social media sensation.

“This is a man who promised over and over again to upload the results of elections in real-time unto the INEC’s portal and failed to do so yet he lacks the decency to apologise to over 200 million people. Nearly two months after that shambolic election, all the results have yet to be uploaded.

“Results from Rivers State even show that Tinubu did not even win in that state. Rather than suspend the announcement of results, Mr Yakubu decided to announce Tinubu as the winner. One wonders how such a man sleeps at night.”

…Says Declaration by REC amounts to Civilian Coup

Former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for taking the bold step to suspend the collation of the Adamawa State supplementary governorship poll.

According to the Former lawmaker, a situation, where the Resident Electoral Commission declared the APC governorship candidate the winner of the election as against the Returning Officer while the election process is still on “is equivalent to a civilian coup.”

Sen. Shehu Sani who disclosed this in a swift reaction to the what he termed ‘Ilegal declaration” by Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner in a statement personally signed and made available to journalists in Kaduna today commended Professor Mahmud Yakubu and the INEC for prompt intervention.

He further stated ,”It was obvious that the REC was out to truncate democracy in the state and by extension Nigeria if his action was allowed unchecked .

He expressed joy that the statement signed by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education, Barrister Festus Okoye ,where the electoral umpire slammed the action of the Adamawa REC, saying it usurps the power of the Returning Officer is highly appreciated.

Noting that the good step about the statement is that it declared the announcement ,”… null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended.”

Senator Shehu Sani’s Statement further reads: ” The declaration by Adamawa REC is an equivalent of a civilian coup.

“The action of the Rec stands condemnable. Our democracy can’t survive if we condone such brazen act of criminality and brigandage.

He however, said it not enough to summon the REC and other perpetrators but also advised that ,”The REC and the security men, who perpetrated the acts must be prosecuted.

While stressing that “Our political culture and attitude to election needs chemotherapy,he noted , “The Dangerous trend in our electoral system has gone beyond the culture of Violence,Vote buying and falsification of results to the most obnoxiously and brazenly crude phase of taking over the collation center,seizing the Mic and illegally declaring the results of an election.”

As the race for who becomes of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly gets tough, the Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State in north central geopolitical zone of Nigeria have emerged as the top contender for the post abd he is highly rated for it as well .

Last week, a Non Government Organisation called Alliance for True Democracy met in the Federal Capital Territory and endorsed Gagdi for the office of the No 4 man in the country .

The group cited Gagdi’s pedigree which include : being the Deputy Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Legislative Aide to the Deputy Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly and the Chairman Special Committee on Peace, Security and Reconciliation Plateau State 2018 and as well as Financial Secretary of PDP Plateau State 2012 – 2014.

The group further added that apart from holding these posts,the law maker was also a member of Plateau State Library Board 2012- 2014 and Chairman of Federal Board, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority (LBRBDA Makurdi 2012 – 2014; Chairman of Special Committee on peace, security and reconciliation Plateau State 2015; Chairman Special Committee on Peace, Security and Reconciliation Plateau State 2018 and as well as Financial Secretary of PDP Plateau State 2012 – 2014.

It therefore based it’s argutments with wealth of experience at both State and Federal Legislate Houses, Mr Gagdi should be given the top post of the Speaker of the House of Representatives .

Another group routing for Hon.Gagdi to become the Speaker is the popular Middle Belt Forum
According to Okpani Mike Akatu Odeh,

“Hon.Yusuf Gagdi is one of the youngest law maker at the both the 9th and 10 Assembly respectively, as such he would bring about the much needed vibrancy in to the lower legislative House ..
Secondly, Hon Gagdi would be the link between millions of Nigeria’s youth and the legislators which would ensure that the wishes and needs of our teeming young men and women would be respected .

There is also the need to to do a balancing act in the National Assembly . Since the President is the South West, his Vice is from North East and with the President likely going to the South East or South South, the Middle Belt advocacy posited that it would be in the interest of national unity and cohesion to have the experienced Law Maker as the Speaker .

Okpani explains:
“If we are to have every geopolitical zone represented at the 10th Assembly, then we should do a balancing at. If the President is from the South West, the Vice President is from the North West the Senate President is from South, is only proper to have the Speaker from one of the Middle Belt State and it is in this regard we are calling on members of the HoR to please consider justice, equity and fairness by electing Hon. Gagdi as its Speaker.

Apart from the game of endorsements by prominent groups across the country that the astute legislator heads the Lower House, political pundits and legislative analysts have tipped Gagdi as the most suited for top job .

Dr Baba Adams of Institute of Leadership and Development, Nigeria added his voice to the debate .

Adams stressed that given the Law Maker’s long years of service at the National Assembly, coupled with the fact that most of the law makers in the 10th Assembly are first timers, there is the leader to have a leader who would guide them through the difficult processes of legislative workings .

A veteran journalist who had covered the National Assembly for years, Bashar Bello is of the opinion the legislator emergence as Speaker of the House would restore hope and unity in Nigeria as Christians who have been alienated as result of the Muslim Muslim ticket would be reassured that they are not marginalised .

Born on November 5, 1980, the 42 year lawmaker had served in various other capacities before his present position which included Legislative Aide to Deputy Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly between 2003 and 2006; member of Plateau State Library Board 2012- 2014 and Chairman of Federal Board, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority (LBRBDA Makurdi 2012 – 2014; Chairman of Special Committee on peace, security and reconciliation Plateau State 2015; Chairman Special Committee on Peace, Security and Reconciliation Plateau State 2018 and as well as Financial Secretary of PDP Plateau State 2012 – 2014.

He was a deputy speaker of the State House of Assembly before getting elected into the House in 2019.

By PHRANK SHAIBU

The people of Kogi State were shocked to the marrow when they woke up to news of Governor Yahaya Bello’s decision to anoint the Kogi State Auditor-General, Ahmed Ododo, as his preferred successor ahead of the primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

After the sudden demise of Kogi APC governorship candidate, Abubukar Audu, during the poll, Yahaya Bello was pushed forward as the party’s candidate and he inherited 90% of former Governor Audu’s votes ahead of the rerun in which Audu already had an unassailable lead.

Without winning the APC primary, spending campaign funds or even needing to lobby anyone, Yahaya Bello, an ethnic minority, became governor of the confluence state. This could only have been possible by divine providence, reaping where he had not sown.

But many in the Igala nation were satisfied with the outcome since no one from the Ebira ethnic stock had ever been governor before. Despite becoming governor without the mandate of the people, Yahaya Bello’s tenure was far from impressive.

While seeking re-election in 2019, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, rolled up his babariga and went on his knees to beg the Kogi electorate to forgive the governor for his many failures including his inability to pay salaries.

Despite being the beneficiary of one of the most violent elections any state had ever witnessed which even culminated in the murder of PDP woman leader, Salome Obuh, who was burnt alive, the Igala nation stood with Yahaya Bello against their own son, Musa Wada, with the hopes that he would at least return power to the Igala people in 2023 but he has done the exact opposite.

For someone who rose to prominence by divine providence, one would have thought that Governor Bello would at least allow a fair and transparent process just as President Muhammadu Buhari did not stop him from contesting the Presidential primary of the APC last June.

The irony here, however, is that Governor Bello is now playing God, anointing his preferred successor while those who dare to defy his orders are intimidated. This has been Governor Bello’s modus operandi since assuming office. He decides who gets every political position in the state.
Governor Bello’s megalomaniacal attitude was even extended to the traditional ruler of Ebiraland, Okene, HRM Ohinoyi Dr. Ado Ibrahim, who was queried publicly and threatened with punishment for shunning a state event. This is most unbecoming for a man who rose to power by sheer providence.

Nigerians will not forget too quickly how Governor Bello vandalised tarred roads leading to the stronghold of PDP Kogi-East Senatorial candidate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in order to undermine her chances of victory.

With such a questionable legacy as governor including a running battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which has led to the forfeiture of at least 14 of his properties as well as a so-called visa ban by the United States for alleged electoral violence, the least Governor Bello could have done was to provide a level playing field for all interested aspirants to contest just as he was given a level playing field by the APC leadership in Abuja to contest the Presidency but he has failed to do so.

With Governor Bello shooting himself in the foot, this is the best time for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to get its act right. This is the time for the PDP to unite, look inward and pick a credible and popular candidate that can defeat the APC and Governor Bello.

Kogi State is in dire straits and is in need of investors which have since fled due to Governor Bello’s lack of foresight. Only recently, BUA Group, one of the wealthiest companies in Nigeria, said it would no longer be investing in Kogi State because there had been no visible effort by the state and successive governments to address the issues of access to the land that would enable BUA to utilise the land for its intended purpose.

Governor Bello’s overzealous and misinformed closure of Dangote Cement also scared off other intending investors. The PDP will thus need a business friendly, popular and accomplished candidate that can defeat Governor Bello and his lackey at the polls. This is not the time for the opposition to hand over its ticket to jokers, dancers and those with no meaningful track record that cannot even win an ordinary senatorial election.

For the sake of clarity, the Igala people remain the majority in Kogi State and no one who desires to step into Lugard House can do so without getting the votes of the Igala people. And so if Governor Bello has decided to play tribal politics by endorsing his kinsman as governor, his experiment will backfire if the Igala nation decides to go tribal as well. For taking the people of Kogi for granted, Governor Bello will bellow in agony once the last ballot is counted.

Phrank Shaibu, an indigene of Kogi State, writes from Abuja

The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has described the governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu as the best among his predecessors.

In a statement signed by the group’s Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro on Thursday said “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has embarked on assessment tours in the Southeast to ascertain the level of development and distribution of public amenities in various LGAs in the Southeast”.

“We had convened a high level of disciplined Igbo Team of Ingerity, made of erudite scholars, Igbo patriots, and impartial Court Judges(retired), with strict rules of engagement and terms of reference to evaluate the level of progress put together and challenges confronted in the 95 LGAs of Southeast towards the end of the tenures of the outgoing State Governors, and in alphabetical order, the Igbo Team of Integrity commenced the Assessment Tour from Abia State and their findings were remarkable and outstanding”.

“Igbo verdict on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is akin to the position of Former President Goodluck Jonathan found himself towards his exit from Power in 2015 after some years out of power Nigerians began to see the contrasts then started to celebrate him.

“We caught sight of Abia as of May 29th, 2015, which was deeply messed up and was grounded by activities of men of the underworld, the level of insecurity challenges then was at its crescendo

“Abia was the den of Kidnappers, the commercial city of Aba was the dirtiest metropolis in West Africa, the external debts of the State was the highest in Nigeria.

“Armed Robberies and other vices were the order of the day and the institutionalized godfatherism were about to kick off and modernized in 2015, and workers and pensioners welfare packages were at Zero level, amongst this myriad of challenges, Okezie Ikpeazu is leaving Abia State in 2023 in a better way than he met it at the resumption of office as Governor in 2015”.

“The records available to the Igbo Team of Integrity led by US-based scholar, Professor Obioma Nwadiuko, revealed that there was a steady State of revamping of dead institutions through PPP, there were records of reconstruction of over 700 roads, and the majority of the roads are in Umuahia and Aba and its environs, resuscitation of public confidence through improved security and wealth creation was superb, and the Promotion of SME businesses and Made in Aba Products we’re second to none”.

“Irrespective of minimum tackles in the areas of clearing of backlogs of workers’ welfare packages and low tackles of godfatherism, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu based on the indexes on the ground is as of today seen as the best Governor, Abians has caught a glimpse of in the last 24 years of Democracy in Abia State”.

“Ndigbo urges the President-Elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to employ the security template of Abia State from 2015-2023 to deal with the undefeated insecurity challenges facing the country.

“It is only a magician like Okezie Ikpeazu can capsize the headquarters of kidnappers and bandits in Nigeria into the best-secured State with Zero violence, in the face of the heavily compromised security situation in the Southeast, the President-Elect needs Abia Security blueprints to save Nigeria from total collapse”.