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*Advice opposition Presidential candidates to support Tinubu or become unpopular

*Insist his emergence was divine

While describing the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a divine project, the Northern Youth Leader’s Forum (NYLF), an umbrella body of over 43 groups from Northern Nigeria, has dumped it’s preferred candidate at the 2023 presidential polls and is rallying support for Jagaban.

NYLF made its position known in Abeokuta, Ogun State today, at a press briefing during a visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom they are also lobbying to key into the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu project.

Reading the text of the briefing, Comrade Elliot Afiyo, National President, Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF), the umbrella organization of Northern Youth Leaders, said Nigerians should support President Tinubu whom they described as the “Moses” for Nigeria.

“We want to let Nigerians know that President Tinubu is a child of necessity and his emergence as President is a working Process of Divine Project. God allows Tinubu to be President for a purpose towards fulfilling the divine destiny of Nigeria and Nigerians.

“Tinubu may not necessary be the Joshua that will take us to the Promised Land. But definitely he is the Moses that will mentor and set the pace for the Joshua to take us to the promised land and there we shall be,” Comrade Afiyo said.

He explained that it’s a privilege once again to address the press on their decision to contact all their Patrons and Elders especially former Presidents, Heads of State, Military Chiefs, Traditional and Religious Leaders to appeal for support and encouragement for President Tinubu’s administration.

“We have keenly and neoterically observed and experienced the emergence of President Tinubu as a divine intervention by God to free and empower His children and also lay a true foundation based on patriotism for the overall development of Nigeria.

“From the emergence of Asiwaju Tinubu during the primaries of the All Progressive Congress (APC), to campaigns and subsequent presidential election and to his pronouncements as the President elect and consequently sworn-in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you will agree with us that, it was the finger of God in action.

“This is a man that was opposed by the Presidency, Cabal, CBN, EFCC, NNPCL, Nigeria’s Godfathers, His party (APC), Christians, Muslims, leaders of his kinsmen and the International Community. Even INEC worked against him.
His opponents used his age, educational, financial and family backgrounds, his age and his health against him. He lost his state and the entire South east, South-south, north-west, north-east and north-central, but won the election and subsequently sworn in as President. This can only be the finger of God,” NYLF said.

According to the text of the briefing titled, “IT’S TIME TO SUPPORT THE DIVINE PROJECT” NYLF said that they observed with great joy, the President’s actions and inactions both covertly and overtly within the first one month of his administration and genuinely concluded that the ways of the Lord are indeed supreme and unpredictable and He can use anyone or anything to achieve his will and purpose

“Judging from his inaugural speech, appointment of Service Chiefs and other paramilitary heads and the unification of the exchange rate of the foreign currencies against the Naira, coupled with his pronouncements and body language, every reasonable citizen of This Country knows that at last, we shall laugh again.

“This is the reason why I am here to meet and to deliberate with the foremost Father and respected Leader, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) to appeal to him to support President Bola Tinubu at least to liberate us from the grip of the senseless and wicked politicians, civil servants, Traditional and Religious Rulers parading themselves as our leaders.

“We consider and truly too, President Bola Tinubu as the King of Assyria that was sent by God to deliver His children from the Babylonian slavery. Consequently, we sincerely and honestly call upon our elders, especially our Patrons to sheath their swords and support President Tinubu’s government to succeed.

“To this end, we will like to state unequivocally that the entire Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has unanimously decided to support this administration totally against our earlier standpoint and wait for the perfect will of God to be fulfilled,” they declared.

NYLF therefore, appreciated and thanked President Tinubu for his appointments especially those of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defense Staff, Inspector-General of Police and Comptroller-General of Customs.

They appealed to the President to consider it as a matter of urgency and emergency, to initiate the process of their confirmation to substantive positions.

In view of their conviction, they adviced the opposition parties and their presidential candidates to continue and pursue their cases at the Tribunal with utmost decency but join hands with the Tinubu’s administration if they want to be popular or succeed in their future political endeavours because whether President Tinubu met all the requirements to be President or not, or he was illegally declared the winner and subsequently sworn-in illegitimately or not, God has spoken.

“When the supernatural declares it, all natural protocols, requirements and qualifications become irrelevant and illegal, because they must have been suspended by the supernatural declaration and they can only be restored by the supernatural authority,” they advised.

Group hails Mele Kyari over NNPC reforms

A group under the aegis of Oil Industry Transparency Solidarity League ( OLTRASOL) has expressed satisfaction with ongoing reforms by the NNPC management led by Malam Mele Kyari.

Chairman of the group Ibrahim Garba Gombe who made this known in a media statement at the weekend said only politicians with hidden agenda would fail to see the good in the ongoing reforms of the oil giant.

The group said the anti-NNPC and Kyari campaigners were unsettled by “the massive interventions of the Company in the educational, health sectors and the funding of infrastructural development projects”.

The statement explained that the current media campaign against the NNPC and Kyari were therefore designed by “persons scheming for Kyari’s seat as the GCEO of the NNPC, ignorant of the fact that it is a tenured appointment”.

The group said the ongoing reforms at the NNPC has led to exposing illegal refineries in strategic locations of the South-South.

The statement said ” the massive policing of oil pipelines in the Niger-Delta, with the cooperation of security agents has helped greatly in security the national assets of the oil giant.

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has raised the alarm on the need to invite both the Managing Director of Access Bank and his counterpart at the Guaranteed Trust Bank (GTB) following the arrest and the ongoing probe of the erstwhile Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele.

Frank said the probe of the two bank leaders was necessary based on allegations that the duo were allegedly main accomplices in aiding the atrocious acts of subversion and misappropriation of public funds meant for the welfare of the Nigerian people.

In a statement signed and released Friday in Abuja, Timi Frank also appealed to the government of United Kingdom (UK) to cooperate with Nigeria security agencies to immediately invite the duo for questioning.

Frank claimed that invitation for probe had been sent to the two managing directors.

According to him, this key information also discloses that even when invitation from the Department of State Service has been extended to these individuals to report and answer to allegations bordering on their involvement with the erstwhile Governor of the CBN, active plans are underway to undermine the invitation extended to them whilst resorting to taking refuge in the UK specifically.

“It is important to note that even when invitations have been extended to these individuals to report on Monday the 3rd of July for questioning, the MD Gtbank who was sighted today chilling in the streets of the UK had repeatedly reaffirmed his unwillingness to return to the country for any such cross examination by the DSS.

“We are also aware that four other Managing Directors of tier one banks in the country have been fingered as direct accomplices and conduit for Mr. Emefiele with the Access and Gtbank MD’s playing the greater roles in aiding to defraud and fleece the nation fraudulently.

“Therefore, I’d like to call on the UK government to kindly assist the Nigerian government by disallowing any form of extended stay for these individuals who are currently in the UK for personal purposes.

“The UK government must be seen in aiding the Nigerian government by disallowing any corrupt individual, whether Private or Public servants by making the UK a haven for corrupt officials.

“As stakeholders in fighting for a corrupt free nation, we’re determined to do all we can in assisting the FG eradicate all forms of corruption in the Nigerian society.

“We must also note the acquisition of two private jets by the Gtbank Managing Director with a value of over $80million which is not officially captured anywhere in their books. This fraudulent acquisition must also be properly ascertained to determine the genuineness of such largesse.

Frank also called on the State Security Service (DSS) “to do all within its powers in fishing out and bringing the enemies of Nigeria to book. We have had enough of individuals taking the country for a ride and benefitting solely for personal agrradisement.

“I am convinced that the Department of State Service will take this information seriously and act accordingly in compelling these individuals to answer to their fraudulent roles in line with the provisions of the law.

“We have other key information at our disposal should the DSS oblige.”

By: Musa Zakar

As Nigerian Muslims joined  Muslim faithfuls all over the world to mark the  festival of Eid El Kabir, the National President of Rescue Movement For New  Nigeria ( RMNN) and a former presidential candidate under the platform of Labour Party, Hon.Joseph Faduri has sent congratulatory message to Nigerian Muslims.

In a open letter signed by him, Faduri urged Muslims to do their best to be their brother’s keeper the face of numerous challenges bedeviling the country 

“As citizens of the great nation called Nigeria, we must do our best to be our brothers  helpers in the face of these hostilities, inflation, high cost of living, poverty in the land, hardship, joblessness. Cashlessness and hunger; like Nigerians have never seen before.

“Our country is a nation where we have everything but we lack everything, a nation of oil but has the highest price of gas in her country, a nation of so much human resources but the people struggle in the midst of it all. A nation of love, but hatred overtakes the land,  a nation of giants, but giants struggle like weakling, a people that work like lions but eat like ants.

Faduri further charged President Bola Ahmad Tinubu and elected political office holders to to do more to elevate the hardship Nigerians are going through due years of corruption, mismanagement of the country’s resources by past administrations 

The former Presidential aspirant urged the political class especially the President to create more jobs and fight corruption.

” I want to use this festive period to appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Nigerians are going through a lot, the president must do his best to come to the rescue of Nigerians, he must do all it takes to bring hope back to Nigerians again

“We must start rebuilding our dilapidated nation, bad roads, insecurity, kidnapping; as a result of hunger must be tackled not with guns but with jobs, and enabling environment to survive, that will turn the players away from those evil acts, a hungry man will steal, a hungry man will kill, will do anything to survive. It’s the survival instincts that makes many commit havoc in our nation.

” And if government can create jobs and better life for Nigerians; all these anomalies are definitely going to drop to bearest  minimum.

On the vexatious issue of corruption, Faduri had this to say,

“Pesident Tinubu must not allow corruption to continue in public office. A nation that must succeed must fight corruption and bring it to the lowest minimum. 

“A nation that wants to fight corruption must punish offenders and not reward them with medical treatments abroad. Until people start paying for corruption and we start  punishing offenders, our dear nation won’t move forward and people won’t have faith in the government

The Full Text of Hon Faduri’s Sallah Message 

Open Message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians: Eid-el-Kabir: Time for Hope.

Happy Eid el Kabir  to all Muslim faithful in Nigeria and all around the World. This is a time to remind ourselves of the need for love for one another and the need to seek peace with all men and, most importantly, to look after one another. Especially in our nation that so many citizens have been going through a lot lately. From poor new Naira notes rolled out, to poor subsidy removal, from hikes in standard of living, and of course a high expense of daily  survival.

As citizens of the great nation called Nigeria, we must do our best to be our brothers  helpers in the face of these hostilities, inflation, high cost of living, poverty in the land, hardship, joblessness. Cashlessness and hunger; like Nigerians have never seen before.

Our country is a nation where we have everything but we lack everything, a nation of oil but has the highest price of gas in her country, a nation of so much human resources but the people struggle in the midst of it all. A nation of love, but hatred overtakes the land,  a nation of giants, but giants struggle like weakling, a people that work like lions but eat like ants.

Those in our government, especially our newly elected leaders starting from the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu down to the Senators, Honourables in House of Representatives and State House of Assemblies, State Governors, Local Government Chairmen and every elected officials; must do so much to change the narrative of African giants that is crawling to eat, struggling to feed, a hungry nation. Nigeria today is one of the poorest nations on earth. A  nation that was once feeding neighbouring countries and beyond. A nation the world once used to come to, but now turned to a nation its citizens are daily looking for a way to escape.

This Eid-el-Kabir celebration must remind us of the basis for religion, to bring hope to the hopeless and life to the  lifeless, to bring help to the needy and peace to to the troubled citizens.

Those in government in the past have so much mismanaged the resources of the nation, and it is time to turn the table and change the narrative.

It is time for Nigerians to for once to say, “yes we have a government”, this administration is still new and there is not much yet to say about it.

But I want to use this festive period to appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Nigerians are going through a lot, the president must do his best to come to the rescue of Nigerians, he must do all it takes to bring hope back to Nigerians again. We must start rebuilding our dilapidated nation, bad roads, insecurity, kidnapping; as a result of hunger must be tackled not with guns but with jobs, and enabling environment to survive, that will turn the players away from those evil acts, a hungry man will steal, a hungry man will kill, will do anything to survive. It’s the survival instincts that makes many commit havoc in our nation. And if government can create jobs and better life for Nigerians; all these anomalies are definitely going to drop to bearest  minimum.

President Tinubu must not allow corruption to continue in public office. A nation that must succeed must fight corruption and bring it to the lowest minimum. A nation that wants to fight corruption must punish offenders and not reward them with medical treatments abroad. Until people start paying for corruption and we start  punishing offenders, our dear nation won’t move forward and people won’t have faith in the government

. 

Every elected officials must take governance seriously and not just seen as a place to enrich themselves, but call to service. 

Our nation has been destroyed by corruption. Those we trusted with our treasury have looted it all, those we trusted with power have overpowered us and it is time for this next generation of leaders to start rising up to rebuild our nation. We must be sincere to fight poverty and bring better life to Nigerians once again. We must create suitable environment for business to strive.

Youths must be made a priority with the government creating jobs that reduced unemployment and getting our able youths back to the workforce. Our working force is daily migrating away in millions. 

Every policy of this government must be geared towards alleviating poverty for Nigerian people, reducing and totally eradicating hunger in the land. 

Yes, we can 

Yes, it is possible .Yes, we can achieve this if we put our might at it.

We Must look for the good of our nation. We must all as citizens too, play our part as all of us have a role to play if this Nation must succeed. every where we find ourselves we must do things with the consciousness of God who sees us even when no one sees us. We must love our country and think of what we can do for it to succeed, not just what only our country can do for us: every Nigerian, both home and in diaspora, must seek the success of our nation, and we must all contribute to its survival. I believe that someday Nigeria will still be great again. 

Happy Eid-el-Kabir to all Muslim faithful in Nigeria and all around the World.

And May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed the

 Joseph Faduri 

Former Presidential Aspirant Labor Party Leader

Rescue Movement for New Nigeria (RMNN)

An Islamic group called the Imams For Peace and Unity has expressed confidence and admiration for the leadership style of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima .

In a press release on Tuesday, May 20 2023, the Leader of the group, Sheik Abubakar Musa Muhammad, it was satisfied with the proactive steps taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu  led government to reposition the  dwindling  economy and the country at large.

The group  added it  watched  with keen interest  the body language of the Mr.President  discovered  his  passion and commitment to work as well as  deliver dividends of democracy to the common man in the streets subsequently it is  convinced that  the President as very good plans for progress and development of the country .

The Islamic group said that it noticed  that all action taken by the President, so far, from the removal of petroleum subsidy;  to signing of significant Bills that touch on lives of the ordinary citizenry into law to opening of the borders and balanced appointments , Tinubu is fully prepared for the highly coveted number seat .

The statement by the leader of the group added that 

” It  is against this background that as religious leaders under the umbrella of  Imams  for Peace and Unity,  held a meeting and resolved to commend the President for identifying  the problems  and fighting the battle of restoration from those agents of destruction that looted the nation common wealth.

“We want to categorically state here that that sacking of all the Service Chiefs is long overdue .It regrettable that despite the huge amount of money pumped into fighting banditry and Boko Haram , Nigerians are still leaving in fears of the unknown.

Similarly, the Islamic body also defended the actions and utterances of Vice President Shettima during the campaign for be comes the Senate President .

According to Sheik Muhammed, Shettima was right to have supported a Christian Southerner for the post of number man adding that the Vice President was also misquoted when he was alleged to said that  “under the current dispensation, the worst incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

“it is apparently clear that he was  misquoted out of context ,hence our resolve as a Northern based Islamic group to  defend Vice President, Kashim Shettima,a good Muslim  and commend his efforts to ensure that a  Christian Senate President emerged in the interest  of justice and fairness in line with tenets of Islam.

It further noted that the Vice President had done much for Islam than many politicians,

“From information gathered , Senator

 Shettima has contributed to Islam more than any other Governor in Nigeria since 1999 in terms of the kind of situation he found himself during the heat of Boko Haram war. The criticisms against are  baseless .

The bitter Truth is that most of  those criticizing him today , couldn’t even stay in Borno during the  battle with Boko Haram insurgents, when he was a constant target of terrorists . 

… Insists VP was quoted out of Context

As tension is stirred up over the choice of the President of 10th Senate, Senator Shehu Sani has backed Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima on the appeal for the senators to elect a Christian to occupy the highly coveted seat against the position of Northern Elders Forum that either Islam or Christianity, should not be a deciding factor in who leads the Senate.

The northern elders had knocked Vice President Kashim Shettima for saying, “under the current dispensation, the worst incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

But in a reaction on the matter, Senator Shehu Sani via his Twitter handle explained :I watched the video clip, where the VP Shetima spoke about the comparative suitability and competence of a Northern Muslim and Southern Christian.

“My understanding is that he spoke within the context of their effort to balance the religious scale with regards to who becomes the Senate President. He is evidently making a case for a Christian Senate President in view of the lopsided religious configuration.

“With a Muslim President and VP and a Muslim Speaker and CJN,the ruling party’s only opportunity to score a balance is the Senate Presidency.If they lost this,definitely the accusation against them will be a proven case.

According to the Human Rights Activist, It was very clear that Shettima made a statement of appeal. Adding, “I viewed him as making a case for Akpabio as the only possible option left for APC to clear the air over the issue of alleged Islamization Agenda.”

He said a situation where, “The President is a Muslim;the Vice President is a Muslim , the Speaker is a Muslim, the Chief Justice of Nigeria is a Muslim is capable of creating more disharmony and certainly the reason Shettima said, the worst Southern Christian is better that a Northern Muslim as far position of Senate is concerned.”

He however said the Northern Elders must have quoted Vice President Shettima out of context. Noting ,” I didn’t see where Shettima said a Christian Senate President is better than any Northern Muslim candidate in the race.”

Shehu Sani, who said ,”Professor Ango Abdullahi as the leader the Northern Elders Forum(NEF) and Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed are respected elder statesmen, whose contributions remained invaluable on issues of National discourse and development, noted , “But on matter of the election of President of the 10th Senate ,I want our elders to see reasons for fairness, equity and justice.

” If a Christian is denied the seat of Senate President, it will only corroborate the claims of alleged Islamization Agenda.”

He therefore, urged the the 109 senators to consider a Christian to emerge as the President of the 10th Senate to avoid undue political friction and tension.

By Musa Musawa

…..

The convener of the Progressive Youths lobby committee for Betara, arising from an emergency meeting has declared its full support behind the speakership aspiration of Rt. Hon Tajuddeen Abbas, the position was made known to members of the press by its convener Mallam Salahuddeen Shuaib Planner in a statement issued in Abuja.

Hon. Salahudeen while explaining the rationale behind the decision noted that as Democrats and true party men, they are aligning with the National leader of the party and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who they say is a man of vision and foresight who has seen the potentials of Abbas before endorsing him for the position.

The group further said having looked at the prevailing political situation in the country and the need for cohesion and political inclusion in the polity Abbas who hails from the northwest zone and his running mate Hon Benjamin Kalu are excellent choices that will go a long way in assuaging the feelings of Nigerians who feel cheated by the current status quo.

Hon Salahudeen also called on Hon Abbas to be magnanimous in victory should he emerge as speaker and reward adequately individuals who sacrificed their political aspirations and investments to pave the way for his emergence saying that is the only way that he can gain confidence and total loyalty of the house.

The group further reiterated its loyalty to its Principal, Hon Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, who they say ran a good cause during the entire period of the race hailing him for Crisscrossing the Length and breadth of the country seeking support and further concluding that he ran an inspiring campaign that was second to none among all contenders.

They called on him to hold his head and shoulders high for the industry and ingenuity displayed during the entire process expressing optimism that there are better days ahead, the statement said.

By: Aladi Odeh

El Rufai ‘s Video:Chairman of Kaduna Peace Commission Resigns

Following the viral video of former governor Kaduna State, Nasir El Rufai in which he was seen justifying the Muslim Muslim Ticket and vowing that it would continue for the next twenty years, reactions from the Christian community in the state are beginning to come in droves .

In reaction to the viral video, Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, a prominent Christian cleric and the co-chairman of Kaduna Peace Commission has tendered his resignation as the co-chair of Kaduna Peace Commission as well as resigning as a member of the commision .

In a letter to the Commission and personally sent to Oweleke TV Correspondent, the Senior cleric stated

“It is clear that we were set-up to serve a diversionary interest and that we were not meant to succeed.

“I cannot in good conscience serve in a committee that will promote the disharmony, and the further disintegration of our great nation.

” More so, it is clear that this explains why he arbitrarily proscribed the Atyap Development Association to send warning to the other associations in Southern Kaduna that the same fate awaits them if they try to bring the plight of Southern Kaduna people to the rest of the world.

The Kaduna Peace Commission was set up to promote ethnic, religion and cultural unity in a badly polarised state and so far, it has done a perfect job helping to unite the fractured state .

The resignation of Kure at this particular time would only help to enhance the climate of religious and tribal distrust occasioned El Rufai’s viral vidoe.

Nuhu Kure’s Letter of Resignation

8 June, 2023

The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO
Kaduna State Peace Commission

No. 43 Tafawa Balewa Way Ungwar Rimi, Kaduna.

Dear Sir,

LETTER OF RESIGNATION AS CO-CHAIR & MEMBER HOUSE
OF KADUNA FAMILY – KADUNA STATE PEACE COMMISSION

In the backdrop of the viral video statement credited to His Excellency, the now defunct Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (which he is yet to openly deny) in which he openly thanked one religion over the other and explained why his government discriminated against one side and his wish that the Muslim-Muslim ticket and religion be entrenched as the sole ruler over Nigeria, which is contrary to my belief and the fairness that my faith teaches me and that, I think, the Peace Commission stands for.

I hereby tender my resignation as both Co-Chair and Member of this laudable Committee because it is clear that we were set-up to serve a diversionary interest and that we were not meant to succeed.

This may explain why the governor never executed any of our suggestions from our several parleys with him.

I cannot in good conscience serve in a committee that will promote the disharmony, and the further disintegration of our great nation. More so, it is clear that this explains why he arbitrarily proscribed the Atyap Development Association to send warning to the other associations in Southern Kaduna that the same fate awaits them if they try to bring the plight of Southern Kaduna people to the rest of the world.

My prayer is that the current government will do things to heal the wounds that this grave statement has brought to Southern Kaduna people and its inappropriate message to all Christians in Nigeria.

I also pray that the Federal Gdvernment will find a way of discountenancing his views in other to maintain peace and mutual trust between the religions in the country.
I thank the Peace Commission for the opportunity to serve and to get to know closely the wonderful Muslim leaders with whom I served in this great committee.

I will always have respect for them and the wonderful job we set out to do, and the sacrifice we all made to try to bring peace, and assure the people of the integrity of government to which I regret today to announce following the speech of His Excellency, that we have been taken fora ride.

l am available to serve in any capacity that will promote sincere peace in any future proper platform with sincere intentions.

I commend the maturity and hard work of the leadership of the Peace Commission from the Chairman, to the Vice Chairman and all the Secretariat staff in their sincere work for peace.

I will continue to be the bridge of peace between Muslims and Christians in Southern Kaduna and the whole nation and be available to serve in any capacity that will forge the unity of Nigeria. May God raise for us leaders who will truly help us find true peace.

God bless you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Yours Sincerely,
Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Nuhu Kure

CC: The Chairman, Kaduna State Peace Commission

By: Bwala Bulama

Prominent figure in Zamfara State Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau Ph.d Fnse, Fcns has condemned alleged persecution of former Governor Bello Matawalle by the present current administration in the State.

Engr. Gusau in a press release over the weekend described the alleged persecution of Matawalle as unwarranted, unchivalrous and unbecoming in a democratic atmosphere, adding that the ugly development would set a bad precedence in Zamfara State and the nation at large.

Gusau who was the first runner-up in PDP Zamfara 2023 governorship primary election decried the disgraceful manner the former number one citizen in the state and members of his family were treated to an extent of stripping them of their personal effects and belongings just because they no longer called the shot in Government House.

Gusau, Former President of Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) noted with dismay the gradual creeping of politics of hatred and vendetta into the nation’s political terrain, with Zamfara under Governor Dauda Lawal Dare as a classical example.

He counselled Governor Dare to use the right channel provided in the constitution if at all he had anything criminal against his predecessor in office, saying display of an open acrimony and revenge through proxies would not augur well for people of the state whom he noted had already been tormented enough by bandits and other criminals.

“The least Zamfara people are expecting from Governor Dare is to hit the ground running by fulfilling his campaign promises to the electorate if indeed he had their interest at heart.

“Four years are like the blinking of an eye and another cycle of an election period will be here again when score sheets of stewardship will be assessed based on performance in education, security, health, infrastructure, poverty alleviation and other indices of governance.

“Going after former Governor Bello Matawalle will not count as an achievement for Dare, it will rather be a minus to his administration for making the life of his predecessor and his family uncomfortable as soon as he got into office.

“I want to remind Governor Dare about the transient nature of power and the illusive allure it comes with which is nothing but mirage that disappears like a smouldering dew with the rising sun.

“Matawalle may have his shortcomings as a human being and as a governor, I believe he had stepped on toes of so called big men of the state, hence their gang up against him through a proxy in the Government House.

“I see no justifiable reason for his persecution and humiliation to an extent of looting property of his household just to spite his person.

“The invasion of his houses in Gusau and Maradun, respectively by Police men from who we all know where apparently acting on the instructions of Dauda Lawal, was an illegal action that can throw the state into serious crisis.

“These kind of ugly situation has never happened in the history of our beloved state and as a Son of soil I will not remain mute over such an unwarranted treatment melted on another Son of the soil.

“I have received several calls from friends and my supporters in the state on what actions to be taken to put a hold on the persecution of the immediate past governor from the present governor of the state. I just have to calm them down not take the law into their hands as we will follow the right channel to address the persecution melted on the former governor.

“I and other prominent indigenes of this dear state are condemning in strongest term this shameful and unstatesmanlike action of these people against a man who has earned their angst because he set out to expose the culprits behind continuous insecurity in the state, “he alleged.

…Says we only recognize Hon.Abubakar as our IMC Nat’l Chair

…Says Ategbero

The Interim Management Committee (IMC) National Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Hon. Abubakar U. Abdullahi has reacted to the newspaper in publication over claims what he termed erroneous claim that the Interim Management Committee is unknown.

According to Hon. Abubakar, the Interim Management Committee exist and has continued to oversee the affairs of the association pending the election of substantive officers.

In a letter written to Daily Trust Editor to clear the air over the erroneous publication, ALGON body said ,…” our current National Chairman of the IMC, is Hon. Abdullahi U. Abubakar, chairman representing Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory took over from Hon. Abdullahi S. Maje, a former chairman of Suleja local government area in Niger State.

“Let me reiterate that the Interim Management Committee was set up by the General Assembly in 2019 in furtherance to conducting elections of substantive leadership into the association, this feat which Alabi and Ategbero led BOT has continued to challenge in the judiciary space. Please note that the matter between the IMC and Alabi led faction is before a court of competent jurisdiction, brings me to wonder the claim made in the publication by Ategbero refuting any knowledge of the IMC.”

…Read full text of Letter:

The Editor News
Daily Trust Newspapers

THE IMC EXISTS, ALABI FALSELY PARADING AS ALGON PRESIDENT; ATEGBERO LED BOT SELECTIVELY BLIND

I write on behalf of the Interim Management Committee of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON to react to a recent newspaper publication signed by the Hon. Ategbero led Board of Trustees on behalf of the Hon. Kolade Alabi led faction of the association.

It is well within the news and the full glare of the public, the constant crisis besieging the association as a result of battle for supremacy for the past few years, this rejoinder is the IMC’s mode of clarification on the allegation made by the BOT, stating that the Interim Management Committee is unknown.

First let me reiterate that the Interim Management Committee exist and has continued to oversee the affairs of the association pending the election of substantive officers, our current National Chairman of the IMC, is Hon. Abdullahi U. Abubakar, chairman representing Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory took over from Hon. Abdullahi S. Maje, a former chairman of Suleja local government area in Niger State.

It is imperative to note that our activities overtime, has been clear for all to see especially as it bothers on eradicating the usurpers, lawbreakers who hijacked the leadership of our association and held it hostage for over 5 years.

Alabi has continued in flagrant violation of subsisting court order restraining him and his cronies from parading as leadership of ALGON, carryout activities in that same vein through the backing of Hon. Odunayo Ategbero led BOT. the former is not a member of any of the 774 constitutionally recognized local government areas, and according to the constitution, a person who is just a local council development area chairman, cannot be president of the association.

Infact these persons, deceitfully gained the position they currently occupy.
We have overtime, casted a vote of no confidence on the Hon. Ategbero led board of trustees, we are not surprised that they have allowed themselves to be puppet in the hands of Alabi and co.

Ategbero led BOT, has continued to thread the path of sabotaging the IMC simply for their selfish interest of enriching the pockets. Their actions show total disregard for the constitutions that binds the association, their nonchalance in creating a solution that would end the crisis, has shown that they are core beneficiaries of it. They have proven to being BOT of propaganda, biasness and greed against the IMC.

The Interim Management Committee is saddled with the sole responsibility of savaging and restoring the association to its glory, we do not want to be seen bantering words in the media spaces, with humans who do not have anything to loose.

Let me reiterate that the Interim Management Committee was set up by the General Assembly in 2019 in furtherance to conducting elections of substantive leadership into the association, this feat which Alabi and Ategbero led BOT has continued to challenge in the judiciary space. Please note that the matter between the IMC and Alabi led faction is before a court of competent jurisdiction, brings me to wonder the claim made in the publication by Ategbero refuting any knowledge of the IMC.

It is also in the news, anti-graft agencies of the criminal offences carried out by Hon. Kolade Alabi, one is the 5.2 billion naira funds belonging to the 774 LGAs purportedly diverted by the former, Mrs Binta and perhaps the Ategbero led BOT who by their actions, have shown that they may be aware of the process. As a committee, we have ensured that the public are aware of the issues surrounding the association, the trustees of any association, holds the authority and responsibility to ensure the fulfilment of an association’s mandate, rather than that, the BOT has drifted and sabotage the associations from carrying out and achieving the mandate.

Finally, let me reiterate that against unsubstantial letter written and signed by the Ategbero led faction, the Interim Management Committee exists and was never ever nullified or dissolved, we shall in due time inaugurate an electoral committee to conduct elections for credible leadership for the association as instructed by the General Assembly (Please note that we shall be transparent and all activities will be captured by the media), Alabi led faction and the BOT is bent on misrepresenting court judgement to massage their ego and divert public attention from their criminal activities in the association and lastly, the IMC, is very open to the media for further questioning or inquiry.

Thank You.
Signed: Hon. Mohammed I. Abubakar

The Secretary General, IMC