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Senate Fails to Comment on Court Invasion by DSS

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By Jude Opara, Abuja

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday failed to align with the people after the avoided making any comment on the invasion of the Federal High Court by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) who had stormed the court to re-arrest the convener of the RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, by the operatives of the State Security Service (SSS).


It was a deafening silence on the issue all through Tuesday’s plenary as never made any mention or condemn the act.

But it was a different development at the lower chambers where the House of Representatives, mandated its relevant committees to investigate the actions of the DSS.
The House Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, raised the matter, describing the incident as an abuse on the sanctity of the court.

According to him, last Friday’s court invasion could be seen as nothing but an arm of government attempting to overpower another arm.
Sowore who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters was arrested alongside another activist, Olawale Bakare, on August 3 for planning a protest to call for good governance.
They were charged with treasonable felony, fraud and insulting President Muhammadu Buhari. The court granted the duo bail twice but the DSS refused to release them until Thursday night.
However, less than 24 hours after, the DSS rearrested them within the federal high court in Abuja, a development that attracted wide range of condemnations both from within and outside the country.
But in trying to justify the action of the DSS, the presidency through its spokesman, Garba Shehu claimed that Sowore was aiming to overthrow the democratically elected government of Nigeria by calling for a Revolution.
Many analysts have taken a swipe at the DSS for the court invasion which they relate to the infamous siege by the agency of the National Assembly last year, a development that led to sack of the immediate past DG of the services, Lawal Daura.

Corruption triggers agitations for revolution — Soyinka

Nigeria’s foremost writer and Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has blamed corrupt practices of political leaders in Nigeria for the call for revolution in the country.
Soyinka spoke at the 2019 International Anti-Corruption Day organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in collaboration with Nigeria Shippers’ Council, held in Abuja on Monday.
He linked the existence of corruption in Nigeria to societal degradation, adding that the menace would continue to downplay democratic growth if unchecked.
“Corruption triggers off numerous collateral activities in institutional conduct and governmental interface with the citizenry, confrontation with its effects is thus plainly transformational.
“This means that, for any corruption degraded society, it should be nothing less than revolutionary in approach — call it by that or any other word, it is still a revolutionary undertaking. Revolution Now? Or Soon? Later or Whenever?
“An anti-corruption focus is surely integral to any revolutionary agenda, often it constitutes its very trigger — check any society you wish — from Cuba through China to Egypt or Myanmar. Corruption is hardly ever omitted in the list of indictments that justify that very undertaking called a revolution. Thus, anti-corruption activism is a conscious, revolutionary offensive that aims at transformation of the totality of the social phenomena,” he stated.
The erudite scholar also urged the Nigerian government and its agencies to learn how to live with agitation for revolution which he insisted will continue as long as there is corruption in the system..
“Those agencies, or governments that permit themselves to be terrified by the word, had better learn to live with it.
“Now we turn our spotlight more specifically on that agency that appears to consider the word treasonable.
“In short, let us embrace the liberating, transformative spirit of — if not exactly Revolution Now — then at least, maybe — Liberation Now?” he said.
Soyinka spoke in relation to the continuous detention of the  convener of #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, who was brazenly rearrested by the DSS less than 24 hours after he was released on bail.

POLITICS

No Amount of Political Gang-up can Stop Tinubu’s Re-election – APC Chieftain

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Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, has said that no amount of political gang-up can stop President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, stated this in a chat with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo.

The APC chieftain said that the recent defection of some APC members to other political parties was not in any way a threat to the political stability of the President and the ruling party.

Oyintiloye, while noting that defection was a normal phenomenon in politics, said it would be “a grave mistake” for anyone to think that the defection of the “so called APC members” would affect the President in 2027.

He said that those who thought the President would fail to win the 2027 election should bury such thought, adding that Tinubu has “a winning strategy in his blood.”

Oyintiloye also said that the long history of good relationships that the President had established across all the geopolitical zones would continue to work in his favour.

He said that the efforts of the President to retool and advance the course of Nigeria to achieve greatness would continue beyond 2027.

“Take it or leave it, no amount of political gang-up can stop the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027.

“Those who are gathering against him ahead of 2027 should try and study the kind of person the President is.

“He has the winning strategy, and he is raising men and women of goodwill across Nigeria.

“His achievements, political sagacity and love for the country will speak for him now and in the future,” he said.

Oyintiloye, also noted that the President was doing everything humanly possible to put the country on the path of greatness, adding that Tinubu’s efforts have started yielding positive results.

“The President will succeed, and his political enemies will realise the mistakes they are making by not supporting him.

“Those who are whipping up sentiments against the President should check his track records, achievements and popularity across Nigeria.

“Tinubu’s political strength, strong connection, influence and resilience which made him triumph over all obstacles to win in 2023, will see him through in 2027,” he stated.

Oyintiloye, however, advised the President to strengthen public engagement and sensitisation on the achievements of his administration in the last few months

He said that this would enable Nigerians to understand, and properly evaluate programmes and policies of the present administration.

According to him, this will enable people in making the right decision which will devoid of sentiment by looking at the positive impacts of the administration’s initiatives on the society at large.

Oyintiloye said “since Tinubu is a man of faith who believes in God, his victory is certain.” (NAN)

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Rivers Assembly passes 3 Bills, Adjourns Plenary Indefinitely

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The Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday passed three bills into law before immediately proceeding on an indefinite recess.

The bills include the Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Bill, and the Rivers State Local Government Bill, 2025.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, announced the passage of the bills during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The Powers and Privileges Bills seeks to grant the state lawmakers the authority, privilege and immunity necessary to carry out their legislative duties.

The RSIEC Bill aims to repeal the RSIEC Bill Law No.

2 of 2018, thereby redefining the establishment, composition, and functions of the commission.

The Rivers State Local Government Bill 2025 seeks to repeal the existing Local Government Laws of 2018, 2023, and 2024.

The Deputy Leader of House, Mrs Lynda Somiari-Stewart, concluded the debate on the three committee reports before their final passage, having scaled the third reading.

Following the passage of the bills, Amaewhule adjourned plenary indefinitely, effectively preventing Fubara from presenting the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

The governor had earlier written to the House on Thursday, requesting to present the state budget on March 19, following two previous failed attempts to meet with the lawmakers.

It remains uncertain whether the indefinite plenary adjournment is a deliberate attempt to further delay the budget presentation, despite the directive by the Supreme Court. (NAN)

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Group Urges Senate to Reverse Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension

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A group, FixPolitics Africa says it is standing in solidarity with Sen.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended by the Nigerian Senate for allegedly violating  rules.

The Executive Director of FixPolitics, Dr Anthony Ubani, in a statement ,on Thursday, faulted the senator’s suspension, calling  for her immediate reinstatement by the Senate.

Daily Asset recalls that Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is serving a six-month suspension, had accused the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of power.

Ubani said: “We stand in solidarity with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and commend her courage in speaking out on this matter.

“The Senate’s response sets a troubling precedent that may discourage other victims from speaking out for fear of retaliation or dismissal.

“The FixPolitics unequivocally condemns the Senate’s actions and demands the immediate reinstatement of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“We call on the Senate to uphold justice, transparency, and accountability by ensuring that allegations of this nature are investigated thoroughly and impartially – free from internal biases and procedural technicalities.”

He urged the civil society organisations, human rights advocates, and the Nigerian public to join the group in demanding a legislative environment where all members could perform their duties without fear of harassment or unjust reprisal.

He added, “The integrity of our democracy depends on institutions that serve all Nigerians without bias or discrimination.”

According to him, the FixPolitics is a research-driven, citizen-led initiative committed to addressing the deep-rooted challenges of poor governance by recognising the central role of politics in building effective states and shaping Africa’s development, beginning with Nigeria.

He said that the group remained steadfast in its commitment to advocating an inclusive, transparent, and accountable political system.

“We will continue to monitor this situation closely and support all efforts that promote justice, equity, and the protection of democratic values in Nigeria,” he added.

Ubani described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as a threat to democracy, gender inclusion, and the rule of law.

According to him, by imposing the suspension, the Senate has not only silenced Akpoti-Uduaghan but also disenfranchised the people of Kogi Central senatorial zone, depriving them of their constitutional right to representation.

“Beyond undermining democratic principles, this punitive measure also calls into question the institution’s willingness to address misconduct within its ranks.

“Female representation in the Senate has plummeted by nearly 50 per cent – from seven women in the 9th Assembly to just four in the 10th Assembly.

“This decision sets a dangerous precedent that could further discourage women from political participation and silence victims of harassment.
“The unconstitutional suspension of a duly elected legislator denied constituents their fundamental right to representation in the National Assembly.

“In this case, an entire senatorial district in Kogi State is being disenfranchised – an outcome that contradicts both the spirit and letter of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). (NAN)

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