The CEO manna group, Mr Chima Nnaedozie has congratulated the Muslim ummah the world over for the successful completion of the month of Ramadan with the celebration of the Eid- El- Fitr 2023.

In a special sallah message on Friday, he urged Nigerians to use the celebration to pray for the peace, progress and unity of the country

” I congratulate Muslims the world over for a successful Ramadan and wish them all wonderful Eid- El-Fitr celebration

” May we use the lessons and blessings of Ramadan and pray for peace, process and unity of our country and the world at large” he added

• don’t Compromise merit, NCYP task President Elect

As Nigerian Muslims join the rest of the Muslim Faithfuls in marking Eid El Fitri celebration, President – Elect, Bola Ahmad Tinubu have reminded that Nigerians voted for him based on his track record during his tenure as the Governor of Lagos State, therefore, he should not compromise his sterling leadership quality .

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) in a goodwill message to the President- Elect which was signed by its national leader, Isaac Abrak and made available to media house,used the occasion to extend its heartfelt greetings and felicitations to President Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The statement furthers states

“As we celebrate with Tinubu, we remind him that he was elected by Nigerians because of his legacy as Lagos state governor, where he provided good governance to all the people of Lagos. Tinubu transformed Lagos into one of the biggest economies in Africa because he assembled a team of people who understood his God-given call for service to humanity. This cabinet was made up of Nigerians drawn from all ethnic and religious backgrounds based on merit.

“We strongly remind the President Elect not to compromise on this standard as he chooses his kitchen cabinet, advisers, and other government principals. This standard is what Nigerians voted for in him, and they do not expect anything less but even better.

The group also task the incoming President to be mindful of the security and economic hardships that have bedeviled Nigerians while urging him to hit the ground running with policies aimed at ameliorating these hardships with the help of carefully assembled team members

“The NCYP recognizes that Tinubu’s presidency is coming at a time when the Nigerian people have been stretched by economic and security hardships to the highest limit. As such, the country cannot afford to be stretched beyond its elastic limit.

“Thus, only a team with the character of selfless service and spirit of patriotism like that of Tinubu’s days in the Lagos government can hit the ground running, improving the living conditions of all Nigerians, uniting the country, and setting it on the path of transforming into the great nation envisioned by our founding fathers.

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.