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Northern Group Condemns Peter Obi For Discrediting Nigeria’s Democracy

The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has described as absurd and comical the recent comparison made by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 elections, between the electoral processes of Nigeria and South Africa.
The NAN chairman, Salihu Suleiman, emphasised in the statement that the two nations have vastly different political histories and contexts, making any such comparisons by Peter Obi unreasonable and misleading.
“South Africa has a long history of democracy, having gone through significant political reform and transformation over several decades of practice. On the other hand, Nigeria only transitioned to democracy in 1999 after years of military rule,” explained Suleiman.
He argued that Peter Obi’s attempt to juxtapose the electoral experiences of these two countries demonstrates a lack of understanding of their respective political landscapes.
“It is clear that Peter Obi’s attempt to compare the electoral processes of South Africa and Nigeria is quite ridiculous,” he said. “The two countries are at different stages of democratic development, and it would be more prudent to focus on addressing the specific challenges facing the Nigerian electoral system rather than drawing unwarranted comparisons.”
NAN pointed out that the Nigerian electoral system is still in its infancy and that comparing it to South Africa’s more mature democracy is not only inaccurate but also unfair to the people of Nigeria, who have been working diligently to build a functioning democracy.
Despite the challenges confronted by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), NAN commended the commission for its commendable strides in ensuring the conduct of credible, free, and fair elections. Over the past 27 years, Nigeria has enjoyed uninterrupted democracy and peaceful transitions, a testament to INEC’s commitment to upholding democratic principles.
“INEC has taken proactive measures to address these challenges by implementing various reforms and adopting new technologies to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process,” Suleiman noted.
He highlighted Nigeria’s vast geographical expanse and extensive population as significant challenges to conducting elections smoothly, yet acknowledged INEC’s innovations in logistical planning and collaborations with relevant stakeholders to meet these challenges effectively.
Further illustrating INEC’s progress, NAN pointed to the enhancement of voter education and public awareness campaigns, which have increased civic participation and informed voters about their rights and responsibilities. Using social media, radio, and television, INEC has managed to reach millions of Nigerians, providing comprehensive electoral education.
NEWS
Senate Gives NNPCL Three Weeks to Answer Queries Over Missing N210 trillion

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Senate through its Committee on Public Accounts, yesterday gave the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) three weeks to respond to queries raised against it in the Audit Reports of 2017 to 2023, alleging unaccountability of N210trillion.
This is as the Committee chaired by Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu (SDP, Nasarawa West) insisted that the amount in question was neither stolen or missing, but yet to be accounted for.
However, the three weeks window for explanations was given to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engineer Bayo Ojulari after he finally honoured the senate invitation after four previous failures, with an unreserved apology which the senate accepted.
Ojulari had after his apology to the Committee, explained to its members that for satisfactory response from him on the 19 queries raised, he needed more time to dig into the technicalities and perspectives of the issues raised.
” I’m just over 100 days in office as the GCEO of NNPCL. Please I will need time to do further digging, given the perspectives I have heard now into the issues. This is coming in the midst of a huge national assignment. Your explanation has now changed my perspective about the subject matter.
” I need to understand the issues myself so I can respond appropriately. I will get a team to help me get the details properly reconciled, so we can work to provide answers to the queries.
” In doing this, I will surely engage the external auditors and other relevant groups “, he said.
Though he requested for four weeks, the Committee granted him three weeks which according to him is enough for the response expected from NNPCL.
Explaining the nitty gritty of the queries to the NNPCL GCEO, Senator Wadada said the N210trillion unaccounted for were in two components of N103trillion liabilities and N107trillion assets which according to him must be accounted for.
“There are none out of the 18 or 19 questions we have on NNPCL from us as a Committee, neither did it come from the Executive or Judiciary. They are questions extracted from the audited financial statement of the NNPCL by the Auditor General for the period spanning 2017 to 2023.
” Also this Committee had not at any time said the N210trillion in question as far as the queries are concerned was stolen or missing. What the Committee is doing is investigation on queries raised in the report, in line with its constitutional mandate.
” Therefore , the Committee is giving NNPCL three weeks to forward written responses to it on all the 19 queries after which the GCEO will be invited along with other management staff for physical appearance and defence”, he said.
Earlier before the ruling of the Chairman, virtually all members of the Committee spoke on the seriousness of the issues at stake but expressed optimism that the GCEO will clear the air on them.
Specifically, Senator Victor Umeh ( LP, Anambra Central) said : ” We are happy to have you because we have been waiting for you. One thing that must be stated clearly is that we need transparency, and NNPCL is in possession of Nigeria’s economic prosperity”.
Senator Babangida Hussaini ( APC, Jigawa North West ) in his comments said there was need for NNPCL management team to look into the issues raised since governance is a continuum, stressing that the issues were germane and critical.
But another member of the Committee, Senator Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra North)said ” It is very important and germane to give them ( NNPCL) fair hearing. Maybe the audited report is not correct”.
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NEWS
Tor Tiv Lauds Tinubu’s Wife’s Condolence Visit to Benue

…..says our killers are in Nasarwa State
From Attah Ede Makurdi
The Paramount Ruler of the Tor Tiv nation Orcivirigh Prof James Ayatse, has emphatically postulated that the terrorists attacking Benue innocent citizens come from Nasarwa State and after massively killing the people withdraw back to Nasarawa State
The Begha u Tiv who disclosed this to the Nigerian First Lady at Government House Makurdi today during the condolence visit to the state described the condolence visit of the Nigerian First Lady and wife of the President Mrs Oluremi Tinubu as distinct.
He said that the first lady coming to the state after the visit of her husband following the aftermath of gruesome murder of over two hundred people at Yelewata is a demonstration of a great caring mother of the nation and a pillar of support to the President and all Nigerians.
The Tor Tiv maintained that her visit at the material time has provided additional comfort in consoling the bereaved people of Benue State stressing that the two visits by President Tinubu and his wife was a deep demonstration of their commitment towards the protection of lives and property of Nigerian citizens.
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Police Reunite 35 Rescued Kidnapped Victims with Families

The Police Command in Niger, says it has reunited 35 rescued kidnapped victims and survivors with their families in Niger.
This is contained in a statement by its Public Relations officer, Wasiu Abiodun, on Tuesday in Minna.
According to the statement the rescued victims consist of 16 women and 19 children.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Niger, Adamu Elleman, represented by the DCP investigation, Ibrahim Adamu, said the victims were from Kagara, Tegina and Agwara.
According to the CP, the victims had been in custody for some period for counselling and deradicalisation processes before handed over to their Council Chairman of Rafi LGA and relatives.
He appealed to members of the public to continue to cooperate with the police by providing actionable information on criminal activities.