POLITICS
MURIC wants return of Abuja-Kaduna Train Service
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to families of victims of train attack on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line to allow the train service to resume.
Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC Director, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
“Bandits attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, killing eight, injuring 26 and kidnapping about 300 passengers. The bandits have since been releasing their victims in batches and only 23 remain in captivity.
“Attempts by the Nigerian Railway Corporation to resume operation on the Abuja-Kaduna route was met with stiff resistance as families of abducted victims vowed to disrupt such resumption unless the victims were released.
“MURIC sympathises with families of the victims. We feel their pain. It has been traumatizing for every patriotic Nigerian and they have been praying for the victims. The kidnapped victims are in our thoughts every day.
“But no one should politicise the sad development. It is time to move on. While the Federal Government must continue to work towards the release of the 23 remaining victims, we must allow the railway authorities to resume work because thousands of Nigerians who need the services are being deprived this dividend of democracy on a daily basis. Resumption of work is therefore in the best interest of a greater majority of Nigerians,” Akintola said.
“We must base our actions on the enlightened thought of Jeremy Bentham (1907) who argued that the moral quality of an action must be judged by its consequences on human happiness. He therefore concluded that mankind must aim at the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
“We believe that it is time to apply this principle of governance and morality to the Abuja-Kaduna train attack imbroglio. It has been a very sad and unfortunate incident and we solidarise with the victims and their families. But life must continue particularly in view of the large number of citizens who are suffering the consequences.
“This is where the families of the victims need to do a rethink and allow the resumption of the train services. One major reason for this is that the disruption only serves the interest of the bandits and that of enemies of Nigeria. The decision to disrupt services was made in May 2022. Four months have passed since then and the trains have remained grounded.
“That is an integral part of Nigeria’s infrastructure. If anyone thinks he is depriving President Muhammadu Buhari of the joy of achievement in the area of railway transportation by disrupting train services, such a person is making a big mistake. It was Barrack Obama who said, ‘Hoping your president fails is the same as hoping your country fails, and it is not patriotism. Patriotism is supporting your Commander-in-Chief even if you don’t agree with him on everything.”
“Unfortunately it is another vital part of the anatomy of the North that is bleeding. Transportation facilitates ease of business and Northern economy loses crucial doses every single day that the train disruption continues. The families of the train victims should realise that only a section of the country is suffering as a result of their protestation. Train services continue to run on the Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri routes.
“That is selective justice. But how much of this hurts FG? We must put on correct thinking caps and only rational, creative and progressive caps can make any meaning. We need caps that can enable us to think like true and patriotic Nigerians.
“People lose their dear ones every day. Kidnappers strike everywhere on a daily basis. The families of the victims of kidnapping and other attacks have never attempted to stop innocent Nigerians from enjoying the services of either a local or state government on account of such attacks. It is only in the case of this Abuja-Kaduna train attack that we find families of the victims turning on the government for a pound of flesh. We are therefore compelled to think there may be more to the train attack than meets the eyes.
“Unfortunately it is other innocent Nigerians who are feeling the impact of their demand. This is why we call on those threatening to disrupt the Abuja-Kaduna train services unless the victims of the attack are released to drop the demand.”
“It is no longer tenable. The threat has lasted too long without achieving the required result. Schools are still open and functioning in Chibok and in Borno in general despite the fact that majority of the Chibok girls are yet to be released.
“Another bitter truth is that those who refuse to allow Abuja-Kaduna trains to resume work are not punishing FG. They are punishing innocent Nigerians. Buhari does not ride this train. Neither does Amaechi. We need to be reasonable sometimes.
“We appeal to well-meaning Nigerians, groups and institutions to speak up on this issue. We must speak the truth to the families or whoever is behind the threat. The Arabs say ‘Silence on abomination is abomination (As-sukuutu ‘ala al-munkar munkar)’. Malcolm X was thinking along this line when he said, ‘I am for truth, no matter who says it. I am for justice, no matter who it is for or against’.
“Late Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto once said, ‘The greatest weapon is truth’. Isn’t it high time we use that weapon to find solution to the train impasse? Why are we not hearing any appeal targeted at the families of the train attack victims? Must thousands of innocent Nigerians continue to suffer like this.”
“The continued silence of stakeholders is not the best. It is true that we can speak truth to power. But it is not to power alone. We must be ready to speak truth to the other party too. That is why Samuel Butler (1835 – 1902) said, ‘Silence is not always tact, and it is tact that is golden, not silence.
“Permit us to reiterate that our appeal to families of the victims to allow train services to resume on the Abuja-Kaduna route should not be misinterpreted as asking us to forget the victims. FG must continue to seek ways of securing their release while Nigerians should continue praying for the safety of the remaining 23 victims.” (NAN)
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said Nigeria’s voter register has risen to more than 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while speaking at a strategic workshop for media executives.
The workshop, themed “Strengthening Democracy Through Partnership Among Editors, Civil Society and Electoral Institutions,” was organised by INEC in collaboration with Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
Amupitan said more than 10.6 million Nigerians took part in the commission’s three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
He said INEC had completed the public display of the preliminary register, giving citizens an opportunity to raise claims and objections.
The commission, he added, had also concluded the final cleanup of the voter register using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
Amupitan announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would begin on October 9.
He urged Nigerians who registered during the exercise to collect their PVCs and prepare to participate in the 2027 elections.
The INEC chairman also said the commission would continue to improve the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to strengthen the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
“The ultimate arbiter of electoral integrity is public trust,” Amupitan said.
He called for stronger cooperation among INEC, media organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders ahead of the elections.
According to him, INEC is prepared to listen to concerns raised by editors, address operational challenges and provide timely information to prevent misinformation from filling communication gaps.
Amupitan said the commission would also give editors direct access to verify field incidents, logistical developments and security reports in real time.
He proposed a sustained editorial feedback mechanism between INEC and the NGE to review the commission’s operational progress and address emerging challenges throughout the 2027 election cycle.
The chairman said closer engagement with the media was important to ensuring that voters receive accurate information, especially during periods of heightened public interest in electoral activities.
Also, DAI Team Leader, Rudolf Elbling, said credible elections depended not only on effective electoral administration but also on professional, ethical and fact-based journalism.
Elbling identified electoral integrity, election technology, the safety of journalists and voters, and information disorder as some of the key challenges facing the media ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said journalists had a critical role in providing voters with accurate information while holding electoral institutions and other stakeholders accountable.
The workshop brought together electoral officials, editors, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and improve public communication ahead of the 2027 general elections.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has commended the quality, experience and capacity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates contesting the 2027 elections in the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
Jonathan made the remarks at his residence in Yenagoa when he received a high-powered delegation led by the former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd.
), the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku and the Bayelsa State APC Chairman, Rt. Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba, PhD.The delegation visited the former President to formally present the APC candidates to him as a mark of respect and honour, particularly as a former President of Nigeria and a prominent leader from the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
Presenting the candidates, Rear Admiral Jonah appealed to Jonathan to extend his goodwill and support to them, describing the candidates as individuals with the requisite capacity, experience and character to provide effective representation if elected.
He expressed confidence that they would serve the interests of their constituents and contribute meaningfully to the development of the district and the state.
The candidates presented included HRH. Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli for the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Hon. Jonathan Robinson Obuebite, PhD, for the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency and Barr. Jude Amidator Rex-Ogbuku for the Ogbia Federal Constituency.
Also presented were the APC candidates for the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including Hon. Oteigbanyo George Braah for Nembe Constituency 1, Hon. Edward Brigidi Irigha for Nembe Constituency 2, Hon. Alalibo West for Nembe Constituency 3, Hon. Daniel Charles for Brass Constituency 1, Hon. Timi Agala for Brass Constituency 2 and Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere for Brass Constituency 3.
Others were Hon. High Chief Ebiango Okoba Egain for Ogbia Constituency 1, Hon. Godknows Obein for Ogbia Constituency 2 and Hon. Chief Gabriel Michael Ogbara for Ogbia Constituency 3.
Responding to the presentation, Jonathan expressed his appreciation for the quality of the candidates, noting that virtually all of them were people who, in his assessment, could be trusted in terms of capacity, performance and experience.
He gave the candidates his blessings and encouraged them to remain committed to serving their people if elected to office.
The former President urged the candidates to see politics as a means of improving society and attracting positive development to their respective constituencies.
He also admonished them and other stakeholders to sustain peace, unity and oneness in Bayelsa State, which he said remained important to the state’s continued development.
The visit brought together APC leaders, candidates, traditional leaders, youth representatives, and other stakeholders from across the Brass, Nembe, and Ogbia Local Government Areas as part of ongoing consultations and engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated two political support groups in Okpe Local Government Area to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The groups, Concern Otirhue Movement for Sheriff and Tinubu, and Otirhue Progressive Movement for Sheriff and Tinubu, were inaugurated at a ceremony held in Mereje, Okpe LGA.
The groups were founded by the Chairman of the Delta State Local Government Service Commission, Hon.
Joseph Otirhue.Speaking at the event, Otirhue said the initiative was aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots structures and mobilising support for Tinubu, Oborevwori and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
He said the groups would mobilise voters for APC candidates contesting seats in the State and National Assemblies, with the ultimate objective of securing victory for the party at all levels.
Otirhue urged members to remain loyal and committed to the APC, while intensifying their engagement with residents and communities across Okpe.
Inaugurating the groups, the Delta APC Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, charged members to work diligently for the success of the party.
Arenyeka urged them to pursue the APC’s “five-over-five” objective by mobilising support for all the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.
He also tasked the groups with taking the party’s message to the grassroots and maintaining active structures across the various communities in the local government area.
Other party leaders at the event called for unity and sustained grassroots mobilisation, stressing that continuous engagement with voters would be crucial to the APC’s performance in the 2027 elections.
The event also featured the empowerment of more than 250 beneficiaries by Otirhue, which he described as the fifth phase of his empowerment programme.
According to him, the programme was designed to provide support to party members and other beneficiaries, adding that those who were not included in the latest phase would be considered in subsequent editions.
Among dignitaries at the ceremony were former Minister of Culture and Information, Okakuro Prof. Sam Oyovbaire; Chief Robert Onome; member representing Okpe State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Okakuro James Augoye; and Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Okakuro Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa.
Others included former Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha; Austin Ayemidejor; APC State Secretary, Okakuro Efe Uko; Chairman of the Delta State Civil Service Commission, Chief Rose Amioku; APC State Organising Secretary, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor; as well as other party leaders and stakeholders.
The inauguration marked another step in the APC’s grassroots mobilisation efforts in Okpe, with members of the two groups pledging to strengthen their structures and mobilise support for Tinubu, Oborevwori and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
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