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Usman Audu

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has issued a scathing response to the statement from the Coalition of North-East Elders Forum (CNEF), which appeared to reject Senator Ali Ndume’s recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement released by its President General, Yerima Shettima, AYCF accused the CNEF of attempting to suppress dissent and freedom of expression, echoing the foundational democratic values enshrined in both national and international covenants.

Senator Ali Ndume recently made pointed remarks alleging that the current administration is composed of “kakistocrats” and “kleptocrats,” suggesting that the government is being led by the least competent and most corrupt individuals primarily focused on embezzling resources.

The AYCF emphasized that while these remarks represent Ndume’s personal opinions, his right to express them is protected and should be respected.

“The attack from CNEF against Senator Ndume is vindictive, unwarranted, and an unacceptable affront to democratic principles of freedom and fair play,” stated Yerima Shettima.

“It is a brutal encroachment on his right to freedom of expression, safeguarded by various international treaties and conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.”

The AYCF also voiced concerns over growing speculations that Senator Ndume might be relieved of his position as Chief Whip of the Senate.

They warned that any further attempts to breach his fundamental right to hold differing views will be vigorously resisted and vehemently challenged.

“Any government that cannot be criticized is a liability,” stated Shettima, urging the North-East elders to desist from their indiscriminate attacks on Senator Ndume, whom they referred to as an eminent hero of the Northern youth.

While the AYCF clarified that it does not currently favor protests, it stressed that Ndume’s observations regarding the current harsh realities faced by Nigerians are apt and timely.

They urged the government to heed these observations for the benefit of all citizens and warned the North-East elders against manipulating and politicizing security issues for their own gain.

“The observations raised by Senator Ndume should be heeded by the government, as they reflect the collective concerns of many Nigerians facing hardships,” the statement concluded.

The AYCF said it remained committed to upholding democratic values and the right to freedom of expression, and call on all stakeholders to adopt a more tolerant and constructive approach to differing viewpoints.

Ado Meri

As part of the ongoing grassroots engagement to foster peaceful coexistence in the Jaba Local Government area of Kaduna State, the Chairperson in charge of the Council, Hon. Mrs. Nita Byack George, has reiterated her commitment to ensuring a harmonious relationship between farmers and herders in the area.

In 2022, Hon. Nita set up an inclusive Farmers and Herders Committee, comprising security agencies, traditional leaders, Fulani Ardos, religious leaders, and other prime movers in the local council. The committee was tasked with developing modalities to amicably resolve the persistent clashes between farmers and herders in the area.

After several engagements, the committee resolved to develop a guideline that punishes offenders and rewards victims of deliberate farm destruction and animal poisoning. Some of the key resolutions include:

• No child herding to avoid cows straying onto farms
• No grazing after 7 pm
• Farmers and herders committed to protecting each other’s interests
• Fines for offenders (N200,000 for first-time offenders, N500,000 for second-time offenders)

According to Hon. Nita, the committee’s efforts are focused on ensuring real-time peace between farmers and herders. She emphasized that peace is not negotiable in Jaba, especially now, and that the committee’s agreements have been well-received by stakeholders.

The committee’s communique will be shared with district heads and Fulani Ardos to ensure everyone is on the same page. Jaba Local Government is working hard to maintain its status as the most peaceful local government in the state.

Hon. Nita restated, “We set up the Herders/Farmers Committee of Jaba Local Government to make sure the people of the council, especially, live peaceably with one another. The committee, which is made up of security agencies, religious bodies, the Fulani Ardos, and district heads, sat and came up with certain agreements to facilitate the peaceful coexistence of herders and farmers in Jaba, being the most peaceful local government in the state. So we don’t want anything to jeopardize that status.”

She continued, “Now that farming activities are in top gear with continuous dwindling of land for grazing, these stakeholders have to rise to implement the agreement they willingly signed. We knew that peace is what our Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Uba Sani wants to enable him to govern well. So, we at the grassroots must understand his good intentions and do all we can at our level to help him realize that because it is when there is peace that we can talk about farming, herding, and development.”

Hon. Nita emphasized that the committee’s efforts are focused on ensuring real-time peace between farmers and herders, adding that peace is not negotiable in Jaba, especially now. She reiterated that the committee’s agreements have been well-received by stakeholders and that Jaba Local Government is working hard to maintain its status as the most peaceful local government in the state.

The Coalition of North-East Elders Forum (CNEF) said the Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District and the Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, Senator Ali Ndume’s twenty years in the National Assembly has neither helped Borno State nor the northern region that has been bedevilled with incessant attacks by insurgents and bandits.

The group, which took a swipe at the lawmaker, over his recent outburst about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ‘s administration, asked why a lawmaker who has not been able to use his position as ranking officer in the Senate to tackle the security challenges in his state and region have the moral right to question the leadership prowess of the President.

Senator Ndume did attack the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying it’s run by kakistocrats—those deemed the least qualified and most unscrupulous citizens—and kleptocrats, who are merely in power to steal.

But in a reaction to the outburst,the group in a Press Statement signed by the Coordinator, Alhaji Ali Ibrahim Sheriff , said it is overtly shocking that Senator Ali Ndume who has been in various committees in the Senate over the past two decades and from a State worst in terms of insecurity could be so insensitive and trivial to personalize issues of governance.

The statement further reads: “During the days of President Buhari, why did he choose to be silent in the midst of heightened problems of insecurity; pervasive hunger, looting of public funds and bad Governance?

“He must account for total sum of money recieved for Constituency projects and intervention funds allocated for members of his Constituency over the twenty years period in the National Assembly.

” If leadership is as easy as that ,we make bold to ask, all these years, how many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has he trained; educated and empowered with funds allocated to him?

“Ndume is nothing but a liability and economic burden to the good people of Borno State and entire country.”

The group which called on northerners to shun what it termed , “Ndume divisive vituperations” ,vowed to mobilise citizens of his Constituency in Borno State to stop his re-election bid in 2027.

Ada Olonta

The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has strongly condemned the baseless accusations made by the Katsina Elders Forum against Defence Ministers Badaru Abubakar and Bello Mohammed Matawalle. The Network described the accusations as morally indefensible and politically motivated, highlighting the significant progress made in the fight against insecurity under the current administration.

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Salihu Suleiman, the NAN emphasized the commendable progress made by the military forces under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with essential support from Defence Ministers Abubakar and Matawalle. The Network’s statement underscored the significant strides taken towards enhancing national security, which must not be overshadowed by politically motivated narratives.

The NAN called upon the Katsina Elders and other stakeholders to refrain from politicizing security issues and instead unite to support ongoing efforts to ensure peace and stability. The group emphasized that security is a collective responsibility that transcends political affiliations and urged all citizens to look beyond political differences and prioritize the overarching goal of a safer and more secure Nigeria.

“We call on the Katsina Elders Forum to recognize the progress made and to work collaboratively with government bodies to further these gains, rather than undermine them with unfounded accusations,” Salihu Suleiman added. The Northern Awareness Network remains steadfast in its support for the current administration’s security strategies and urges all citizens to prioritize the goal of a safer and more secure Nigeria.

The Arewa Economic Advancement Promoters has described the appointment of the new Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, as a “masterstroke from President Bola Tinubu”.

In a media statement in Kaduna at the weekend, Chairman of the group, Adamu Ahmed, said Dantsoho’s appointment was a resounding triumph of merit over mediocrity”.

Adamu commended the President for the choice of Abubakar, saying, “the NPA now has a highly qualified and experienced maritime professional, as the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)”.

The group explained that the appointment of Dr. Dantsoho, as the new helmsman of NPA, has sent a clear signal that the Tinubu administration is committed to excellence and determined to drive the nation’s maritime sector to unprecedented heights.

“With a Doctorate degree in Maritime Technology from Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, and a Master’s degree in International Transport from Cardiff University of Wales, United Kingdom, Dr. Dantsoho is a consummate professional with a wealth of experience spanning over two decades in the maritime industry”, the statement explained.

Before his appointment, Dantsoho had served in various roles in the Nigerian Ports Authority, including Assistant General Manager, Technical Assistant to the Managing Director, Port Manager, Onne Port, and Principal Manager, Tariff & Billing.

The group noted that President Tinubu’s reliance on merit in making this appointment “has also been widely commended by stakeholders in the maritime sector, who see it as a bold statement of intent to transform the sector and unlock its vast potential.”

The group then added: “With Dr. Dantsoho at the helm, the NPA is poised to enter a new era of excellence, marked by efficiency, productivity, and innovation. The appointment has inspired confidence in the sector, and expectations are high that the nation’s ports will soon become a model of efficiency and competitiveness.”

Dantsoho is expected to apply his vast experience to a string of reform policies to drive NPA to an enviable international status.

The National Forum of Ex-Councillors of Nigeria has announced plans to hold mass actions against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, regarding alleged misappropriation of funds. The forum’s National Chairman, Ambassador Awal Kasim, made this declaration at a press conference in Kaduna on July 11, 2024.

The Forum disclosed their planned actions against the former Governor through their National Chairman, Hon. Ambassador Awal Kasim, who addressed a Press Conference in Kaduna on Thursday, July 11, 2024. The mass action, according to Hon. Ambassador Awal Kasim, includes open protests at all known houses of Mallam Nasir El-rufai and his commissioners in Kaduna and Abuja, and filing judicial litigations to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to immediately investigate the alleged misappropriation.

Hon. Ambassador Awal Kasim further stated that the Forum will mobilize its members across the Nineteen Northern States to join in the mass actions against Mallam El-rufai and his cohorts, asserting that Kaduna, as the capital of Northern Nigeria, cannot be allowed to be “raped to death” by unpatriotic elements who, after allegedly mismanaging the state’s resources, shamelessly seek judicial protection.

He wondered why Mallam Nasir El-rufai has quickly forgotten how he turned the judiciary in the state into a “good for nothing” institution during his eight-year tenure as Kaduna State Governor. He also mentioned the alleged wanton hardship El-rufai unleashed on the people of the state by demolishing their houses, churches, mosques, schools, and markets.

Hon. Ambassador Awal Kasim further disclosed that the mass action in Kaduna against the former governor and his indicted cabinet members will be attended by mobilized members from nineteen northern states, while the mass action against the immediate past governor in Abuja will be attended by members drawn from the thirty-six states of the federation.

He appealed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to place the former governor, his family, and the indicted Commissioners, as well as their families, on Interpol’s watch list in Lybia, Morocco, Egypt, Sudan, and United Arab Emirates. This, he believes, will prevent them from fleeing the country to escape justice.

Concluding, Hon. Ambassador Awal Kasim called on all lovers of democratic dividends to rally round the executive governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Uba Sani, and the speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Liman, in checkmating all the antics of the former governor of Kaduna State and his indicted commissioners.

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Friday, commended President William Ruto of Kenya for sacking his entire cabinet following widespread anti-government protests by Gen-Zs.

Frank in a statement in Abuja said the action of Ruto which was in fulfillment of one of the demands of the protesters has shown him as a listening President who is ready to embrace new ideas in moving Kenya forward.

He said: “We commend President Ruto for taking this action in the interests of Kenya. We commend him for listening to the Gen-Z protesters. His decision to sack his ministers is no doubt for the greater good of Kenyans.”

He encouraged Ruto to take further urgent steps to implement other demands of the protesters “because they mean well for him and his government in particular and Kenyans in general.”

He appealed to him to release all protesters arrested during the demonstrations who are currently being detained by the police and other security forces as well as compensate families whose loved ones were shot dead by security agents and the injured.

He implored Ruto to capitalise on the opportunity now availed him by the youth upheaval and protest to rebuild and reunite Kenya.

“He must realise that listening to the protesters and implementing their demands does not mean he is a weak president,” he said.

Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua’s Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, added: “We urge him to bring on board young people that can make impact in the lives of the ordinary Kenyan in his new cabinet.

“He now has an opportunity to correct past mistakes which he is already doing and we want other leaders from the continent to emulate what Ruto has just done by always lending listening ears to the cries and demands of their people.

“We equally pray that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has seen what happened in Kenya and that they are ready to take the steps Ruto has taken by cutting down the present over bloated cost of governance and withdraw their pernicious economic policies or risk the Kenya-style uprising in the country.”

He equally urged the protesters to see the positive results of their action as a win-win for all sides and pardon Ruto for whatever missteps he must have done and work with him for a better Kenya “since the President appears to have learned his lessons and shown remorse by implementing their demands.

“The young people of Kenya have shown that power truly belongs to the people, not to anybody, or individual.

“Listening to the protesters has shown that the voice of the young people counts and that the President is a true leader who is neither weak nor blinded by the allure of power.

“That the President has harkened to the masses of Kenya who elected him into office shows that he is ready to toe the path of reason and work in the interest of the generality of Kenyans moving forward,” Frank said.

He noted that whatever the protesters had done was done in the interest and for the progress of Kenya and not to destroy or destabilise the country.

Going forward, he urged Ruto and the Kenyan Government to consult widely and consider the best interest of Kenyans before taking any decision that may negatively affect the people.

By Ibrahim H. Tinja

A bill aimed at creating additional seats for women in parliament has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Fatima Talba, seeks to amend the constitution to reserve special seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Talba, representing Nangera/Potiskum Constituency, threw her support behind the bill and canvassed understanding from her male counterparts. She appealed to them not to “kill the bill” as it is crucial for the future of women in the country. The bill, she emphasized, is not intended to take away their seats but rather to complement their efforts.

Talba noted that women constitute over 65% of the country’s population and are a significant voting bloc. She posited that one day, the male lawmakers will leave their seats for someone else, and their female children may fall victims if the bill is not passed. She appealed to the male lawmakers to allow the bill to see the light of day.

Following her appeal, the bill was put to a voice vote and passed, despite some opposition. It has been referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Mr. Kalu.

This development is a significant step forward for women’s empowerment in Nigeria. A similar bill was introduced in the last Assembly but was rejected. The rejection had sparked protests from women’s groups, who barricaded the entrance of the National Assembly. The then leadership of the House had promised to revisit the bill but failed to do so till the end of the session.

The passage of this bill is one of the items on the legislative agenda of this current Assembly. According to the document, the bill was to be introduced before the end of 2023. The lawmakers are already behind schedule. The bill proposes to amend sections 48 and 49 of the constitution to provide one special seat reserved exclusively for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state of the federation and the FCT.

Arewa Progressive Forum for Good Governance (APFGG), said the son of former Kaduna State Governor, Bashir Elrufai and his fellow co- travelers cannot Stop Northerners from re-electing Tinubu come 2027.

Bashir Elrufai via a post on his social media handle did attack President Bola Tinubu and his father’s successor, Governor Uba Sani, predicting that both will be voted out of office in 2027 for ”non-performance”.

But in a reaction to his attack on the President in a statement signed by Mal Ibrahim Musa Bichi, the Chairman , the group which described Bashir Elrufai as ‘disrespectful and mannerless’ alleged, ,”The boy is simply speaking the voice of his couchy father,who is accused of misappropriating 423 billion naira state funds”.

According to the statement, his anger no doubt stemmed from the fact that his father was denied ministerial position.

It explained, “Those who understand politics know that Tinubu has built a political structure over the years that is helping him to move Nigeria forward in the right direction.And we don’t see reasons to fight an administration that is determined to make the country a better place .

“We want the likes of Bashir Elrufai to know that the real voters within the north will support Tinubu, because they are fully aware of the President’s efforts via his Renewed Hope Agenda to tackle the challenges of insecurity and economic hardship caused previous administrations”.

While stating that Bahir and his co-travelers are children,who have history of lack of home training ,the group dared Elrufai to contest the Presidential election in 2027.

“If your father has the capacity and popularity, why hide under former Rivers State Governor ,Mr Rotimi Amaechi and not personally contest the highly coveted seat of President in 2023 .

“We are challenging he, Elrufai to pick presidential ticket and contest against Tinubu and see who the north will vote .” It declared.

By Suleiman Abbah

The unfolding political scenario in Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State, is indeed fraught with intrigue and danger. The plots against President Tinubu are thickening, as desperate elements attempt to undermine his administration and derail his chances of securing a second term in office.

The situation in Zamfara State is alarming, with a surge in violence and political unrest, fueled by attacks from armed groups resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives and the displacement of countless others. These attacks are not isolated incidents but rather a calculated effort to destabilize the region and cast a shadow of doubt on the President’s leadership.

It is clear that there are individuals or groups working tirelessly to undermine the democratic process in Nigeria. Through propaganda campaigns and deceitful tactics, they seek to create chaos and sow seeds of doubt among the populace. This level of political desperation and corruption poses a serious threat to the stability of the country and the integrity of its leadership.

Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, key allies of President Tinubu, are at the center of this battleground. Their loyalty to the President and the fear ignited by their recent reunion into a formidable force have made them targets for those seeking to destabilize the APC and cast doubt on Tinubu’s leadership.

These attacks are not random but a calculated effort to tarnish the President’s reputation, weaken his hold on power and undermine his chances of a return for a second term. At the core of these sinister plots are a bankrupt group of northern political elites determined to destabilize the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North, beginning with Zamfara, with the goal of weakening influential figures like Yari and Bello Matawalle.

Matawalle, who have played pivotal roles in building and sustaining the party in the North-West region, and fought an almost impossible battle to secure the North-West for Tinubu in the 2023 election. In the intricate world of politics, the maneuvering and scheming of power-hungry individuals can often lead to disastrous consequences.

The recent developments in Zamfara exemplify the calculated maneuvers of power-hungry individuals who often fail to foresee the disastrous consequences of their actions. The anti-Tinubu plotters have identified Kabiru Marafa and Sani Jaji as potential pawns in their failing game against Yari and Matawalle and the established leadership.

However, Marafa and Jaji lack the credibility, political clout, and strategic vision needed to mount any credible challenge to the current leadership. Their history of opportunism and lack of loyalty to any political ideology make them unreliable and ineffective leaders.

Kabiru Marafa, a political lightweight with a track record of unreliability and incompetence, is a wrong choice for the plotters to pin their hopes on. Marafa’s lack of credibility and political clout make him a weak and ineffective leader, incapable of rallying any substantial support or influence in Zamfara.

His history of jumping from one political party to another, driven by personal ambition rather than principles or ideology, further undermines his reputation and reliability as a leader. In essence, Marafa is a liability rather than an asset to any political faction seeking to challenge the status quo in Zamfara.

On the other hand, Sani Jaji, a virtually unknown entity with no discernible political base or credibility, is an even more puzzling choice for the plotters to entrust with the task of leading a supposed faction in the APC. Jaji’s lack of experience, influence, and political acumen render him an ineffective and insignificant player in the political arena.

Without a solid foundation of support or a track record of achievement, Jaji is ill-equipped to mount any credible challenge to the established leadership in Zamfara. The decision of the anti-Tinubu plotters to rely on Marafa and Jaji in this game therefore reveals a profound lack of understanding of the complex dynamics of politics and power.

Rather than identifying capable and charismatic leaders with a genuine following and a strategic vision, the plotters have settled for individuals who lack the necessary qualities to effectively challenge the incumbent leadership in Zamfara. This shortsightedness is likely to backfire, as Marafa and Jaji are unlikely to garner sufficient support or legitimacy to pose a real threat.

It is clear to any impartial observer that these individuals lack the requisite skills, experience, and popular support to mount a credible challenge to Yari and Matawalle’s influence in the APC. Their ineptitude and lack of political acumen render them incapable of effectively executing the nefarious plans of their puppeteers, who are themselves operating from a position of weakness and desperation.

The selection of Kabiru Marafa and Sani Jaji reflects a fundamental miscalculation on the part of the plotters. By entrusting the leadership of a supposed faction to individuals with