The Nigerian Army is set to review the conduct of troops in Operation Safe Conduct during the just concluded 2023 general elections across the country.

The review is expected to take place during the forthcoming Chief of Army Staff First Quarter 2023 Conference.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.

Nwachukwu said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, would interact with the General Officers Commanding (GOC), field commanders and other senior officers.

He said that the interaction would help to provide possible guidance towards enhancing army operations and other activities.

He said the conference, which would hold from April 3 to April 6 would offer an avenue for reappraisal of the administrative affairs of the Nigerian army.

He added that it would also help in  evaluation and comprehensive review of ongoing operational engagements within the first quarter.

According to him, this will provide the army an in-depth insight to enable far reaching decisions towards achieving its set objective of addressing the multifaceted security challenges confronting the country.

Nwachukwu said that the COAS would present a new Toyota Hilux vehicles each to 14 Army Warrant Officers who had attained the peak of their soldiering career.

“Similarly, the COAS will commission the newly constructed Faruk Yahaya Historical Park located at Asokoro Abuja.

“The conference will also showcase some research and development effort of the Nigerian Army in an exhibition.

“The three days conference promises to be very eventful, as it will witness a review of the conduct of troops during the recently concluded Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2023 and other operations across the country,” he said.

Nwachukwu reaffirmed the commitment and resolve of the Nigerian army to discharging its constitutional mandate professionally.

“We will also be resolute in upholding our values of courage, selfless sacrifice, respect, discipline and unalloyed loyalty to constituted authority,” he added. (NAN)

By Jude Opara, Abuja

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and the leader of the ‘Obidient Movement’ both in Nigeria and diaspora, Mr. Peter Obi has warned that the movement has no room whatsoever for religious, ethnic, and other parochial interests.

Obi in a series of tweets on Wednesday said that there is no looking back on the Movement’s objective of taking back Nigeria from those holding it down, saying that now is the right time.

“In the life of every nation, there is a turning point. For Nigeria, that time is now; a time to save Nigeria, save our democracy, and give the Nigerian youths hope.

The former governor of Anambra state said his role in the Movement is just to provide leadership and direction, “My role in the Movement is that of a Focal Point. As I’ve always stressed, Nigeria remains a secular state. As such, the movement is not about my tribe or my religion, and it is not an Igbo agenda or in any way, to Christianize Nigeria”.

“My aspiration is for a new Nigeria, where the children of a nobody will become somebody. A nation anchored on national interests, and not sectional interests; where the entire youths from the six geopolitical zones will have a sense of belonging in the affairs of their country.

He said that his ambition is to lead a united and indivisible Nigeria and warned against ascribing ethnic or religious coloration to the OBIdient Movement.

Obi drew the attention of Nigerians to what is happening in Scotland where  “A 37-year-old, Humza Yousaf is set to become Scotland’s first minister, having won the keenly contested SNP’s leadership contest. Born to Pakistani parents, who emigrated to Scotland in the 60s, Yousaf is from the ethnic minority and a Muslim.

“I have always maintained that Nigerians must rise above ethnicity, religion, and sectarian politics in matters of governance; and that the leadership selection process must be strictly based on Character,  Competence, Capacity, and Compassion, only then, shall our democracy flourish, and our society progress. Contextually, the Scottish reality is instructive and presents us with some lessons learned and missed opportunities,” he said.

Earlier, the leadership of the Labour Party (LP) held an interactive strategy session with Senate-elect and House of Representative-elect members, a session Obi said was to discuss leadership and working modalities for the incoming legislators and which he noted was very constructive.

The LP standard bearer who also on Tuesday attended the 16th Ayiam Osigwe Lecture in Lagos chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku where the  former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, was the guest speaker, strongly maintained that democratic and economic development hinges on credible polls, education, rule of Law.

Obi finally enjoined Nigerians, to strive for a leadership imbued with character, competence, capacity, credibility, and commitment.

The Action Alliance (AA) Party will hold primaries for its governorship candidates in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states on April 17.

This is contained in a statement by Mr James Vernimbe, the party National Secretary and made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.

He stated that the party had notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about preparations for the conduct of the exercise.

According to him, the party will first conduct a delegate election in the three states on April 5 for those participating in the primaries.

“We wrote to notify the commission of the delegate elections to elect delegate that will participate in the Governorship primaries in the upcoming Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states 2023 Governorship Elections.

“The exercise is scheduled to hold simultaneously in the affected states as follows. In Bayelsa state on 5th April, 2023 at Action Alliance Ward/LGA Offices at 8am Prompt.

“In Imo state on 5th April, 2023 at Action Alliance Ward/LGA Offices at 8am Prompt. In Kogi state on 5th April, 2023 at Action Alliance Ward/LGA Offices at 8am Prompt.

“Consequently, the party has scheduled the Governorship Primaries to hold simultaneously in the affected states on 17 of April,” he said.

Vernimbe, however, said the primaries would hold in AA secretariats in Yenegoa, Owerri and Lokoja respectively.

He also stated that the mode of the governorship primaries would be indirect.(NAN)