COVER
Guber Polls: el- Rufai Intimidates Monarchs, Civil Servants for Support, PDP Alleges.
From Nicholas Dekera (Kaduna) & Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, Chief Hassan Hyet has alleged that the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, the Guber candidate of the All Progressives Party(APC), Senator Uba Sani are currently harrasing Traditional Rulers and Civil servants to deliver their Polling Units to APC or face dismissal.
Addressing Press men on Thursday night in Kaduna, Hyet said: “the desperation of the serving APC Governor and its Gubernatorial Candidate is such that they are moving
from one Local Government to another, threatening the remaining Traditional/Ward Heads and civil servants with dismissal should they fail to deliver their Polling Units to APC.
”The PDP Chairman lamented that “we have it on good authority that directive has been given by Governor Nasir el-rufai to security agencies in Kaduna state to arrest members of the PDP campaign management team. Already trumped up cases have been prepared for each of the members.
“These are several acts of calculated harassment that the APC government has initiated against our members. We recall that on 30/01/2023, we had cause to write a petition to the Commissioner of Police when 14 of our members were randomly arrested in Kudan Local government. We wrote
another petition on 01/03/2023 asking the Police to be mindful of plans by the APC to incite the public through the use of some Islamic clerics.
“We, the PDP, strongly condemn and reject this blatant abuse of power by the APC-led government. Though we agree that this harassment is because the APC in Kaduna is staring defeat in the coming elections, we want them to know that they would be held responsible if anything happens to our members currently in detention.
“We draw the attention of Nigerians and the international community to these undemocratic acts of harassment against PDP members in Kaduna state.
“We ask for either the immediate release of those arrested, or charged to a competent court so that the needed legal process can start.
“We also request that the security agencies in Kaduna State stay neutral in all the electoral pro cesses in the state. This would help the state to stay peaceful before and after the March 18th Gubernatorial and state Assembly Elections.
“Information reaching us is that the APC Government in Kaduna State has drawn up lists of people to be picked in various Local Government Areas in order to cripple the PDP. This is very unbecoming of an elected Governor who is on Oath to be fair to all.
“We call on EFCC and other anti-corruption Agencies, security agencies alike to take necessary action by arresting trailer loads of rice, indomie, maggi, etc being sent to various Local Government Areas in the State to influence the poor voters. This is pure vote buying which is against the law. APC Government in
“el-Rufai has never donated items either during Sallah, Ramadan fasting, Christmas or Easter to the masses of Kaduna State – why now?”
… Blames APC for Lagos Auto Parts Market Fire
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned in strong terms the burning of Akere Motor Parts and Allied Dealers Market at Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos State yesterday by suspected hoodlums alleged to be agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP also mourn the heartless killing of 65 years old Baba Hakeem, the security guard at the market, who was reportedly shot dead by the arsonists before touching the market to destroy goods worth hundreds of millions of Naira, thereby devastating the lives and means of livelihood of innocent, hard-working Nigerians.
The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, called on the security agencies to ensure the arrest of the arsonists, their backers and make them face the full wrath of the law.
It said the attack further exposed the APC as a party of ”vicious, hateful and vindictive power mongers, who derive pleasure in inflicting pain and anguish on other citizens”.
Ologunagba said the PDP was shocked by reports in the media that after the announcement of the loss of the APC in the Presidential election in Lagos State the arsonists last Thursday made attempt to set the market on fire but were resisted by security guards in the area who were shot in the leg by the assailants.
He said that APC agents were resorting to violence with the intension to foist a siege mentality on the polity, frighten and discourage citizens from exercising their civic responsibility in a democracy.
“This is a clear danger to the sustenance of democracy and corporate existence of our nation.
“Moreover, this attack on Nigerians by suspected APC agents confirms fears in the public domain that the APC intends to perpetuate a hate-inclined, repressive, vindictive and abusive administration in total disregard to rights of citizens, Constitutional Order and the Rule of Law,” Ologunagba said.
He commiserated with the family of Baba Hakeem as well as all the victims of the Akere Motor Parts and Allied Dealers Market “over this cruel action by suspected APC agents”.
The PDP scribe called on the citizens to remain at alert, united and not allow the APC break the bond of unity that exists among Nigerians.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja Federal Government says it will consider using private sector funds through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a funding option for certain key projects in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.This was disclosed when the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji.
The meeting which was at the instance of the ICRC DG, sought partnership between the two government bodies to harness PPPs to advance critical projects that can boost the economic and technological growth of the nation. Speaking during the meeting, Dr Ewalefoh said that science and technology, if properly deployed, can serve as a key driver of the economic growth and progress of Nigeria.“Many countries around the world have used Science and Technology to drive the economic growth and prosperity of their country and people.“We are here to brainstorm with you and find ways by which we can deepen the usage of science and technology for the advancement of our country.“Over the last two decades, countries and businesses have harnessed technology and innovation for upscaling their economy and improve the efficiency in their service delivery.“That is where we want our country to go, and we believe that is the vision you are championing under the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.“It is, therefore, my aspiration that your ministry will partner with the ICRC to see areas where we can champion private sector funding through Public Private Partnership to develop some of the projects specific to the ministry,” he said.The DG informed the Minister that there was already a collaboration with an agency under its purview but stressed that there were other key areas where PPP could be harnessed to deliver laudable projects in the Ministry.He added that the commission has streamlined its processes to accelerate PPP project delivery and deliver important services to the Nigerian people, pointing out that some key private sector operators have already verbalised their desire to work with the Ministry in a PPP arrangement.In his remarks, the Minister expressed his excitement at the appointment of Dr Ewalefoh as the DG of ICRC, saying that the DG’s wealth of experience will revolutionise the PPP sphere in Nigeria, adding that, indeed, a square peg has been placed in a square hole.The Minister emphasised that the Ministry served as a key enabler of economic growth and has had the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrated through major approvals granted the Ministry.He said that the President had given approval for methanol production, saying that although the implementation process were still being finalised, foreign direct investments for the project has reached over $1.5 billion.“We want to go into beneficiation of raw materials and we have the presidential executive order number 5 to back it, such that we don’t have to export our raw materials, but process it to a level before exporting. We are looking at doing green hydrogen, too,” he said.He stressed that Nigeria could make a lot more from cassava export than it was currently making if the raw cassava was processed before export.“We believe that with ICRC, we will partner in doing things right and enabling us to forge a better outlook for most of these projects.“In methanol, we are going to involve ICRC more closely to see the way forward and how it can benefit the country better.“I am happy that you are here; coming here shows that you know what you are doing. You are taking services to those that need it,” he said.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani armed militia, on Wednesday night, reportedly invaded Anyiin town in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Multiple reports indicated that no fewer than 15 persons were killed in the attack, leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries while yet to be ascertained number were missing.
The attack, which was said to have been launched at about 6:30pm by the well-armed Fulani herders, caught the community unawares as the invaders reportedly emerged from different locations shooting at everyone in sight.
The attackers, who were said to be numbering about 200, were reported to be wielding AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons, operated for about three hours.
An eyewitness and community leader in Anyiin town, Chief Joseph Anawah, said the armed herders overwhelmed security operatives stationed in the town because of their large numbers.
He said it was a coordinated operation, stating that the alleged Fulani terrorists took residents of the town unawares, surrounded the town and shot sporadically.
Anawah said some of the villagers who ran for their dear lives were caught in an ambush laid by the invaders.
He listed some of the victims to include: Mr Orihundu Ati, a retired primary school supervisor and the son of a kindred head.
Also killed was a son to a Chief of Staff to a former Logo council chairman, Tordoo Suswam and a relation of a late District head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.
Anawah listed Ukemberagya, Tswarev, Mbawar, Gov, Mbainange, and Tombo among neighbouring communities earlier displaced by the invaders and whose residents were taking refuge in Anyiin before the latest attack.
The community leaders appealed to the federal government and the Benue state government to revive an abandoned Mobile Police barracks project along Akwana-Anyiin-Wukari road to secure the lives and property in the communities.
They lamented that farmers in the affected communities could not harvest their crops because they were being killed and abducted on their farms by the armed invaders.
According to them, communities along the Benue-Taraba border are the worst hit by the marauders’ incessant attacks.”This is the second attack in one month by the Fulani terrorists. On Oct. 9, they attacked Ayilamo town, the headquarters of Tombo Council Ward and killed scores of people. As I speak, people are deserting Anyiin town for fear of the unknown”, Chief Anawah said.
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas yesterday described growing malnutrition and food insecurity as great threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and public health.
Inaugurating the Local Organizing Committee for the National Assembly summit on nutrition and food security in Abuja, the Speaker reiterated the urgent need for legislative action to restore the country’s productivity and public health.
Abbas who was represented by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu noted that Nigeria’s rate of malnutrition is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
He noted that malnutrition, especially among children, stunts physical and cognitive development, impacting long-term educational and economic potential and contributing to broader societal challenges.
The Speaker assured the lawmakers’ full support for the committee’s initiatives, urging collaboration with State Houses of Assembly to create a unified approach to combating food insecurity.
He said, “The need for this National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security has never been more urgent.
“This organizing committee’s mission is to foster collaboration across ministries, engage both public and private sectors, and create a platform for lawmakers, experts, and community leaders to address the root causes of food security challenges.”
The chairman of the committee, Chike Okafor said there is malnutrition across Nigeria, particularly in the north spiking by 51 percent among children.
He described the situation as a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by recent floods in Adamawa, Maiduguri, and Jigawa, which have disrupted food supplies nationwide.
According to him, the summit will help to in the formulation of policies to tackle food insecurity.
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