POLITICS
Terrorism: APC Diaspora Urges FG to Name, Arrest Sponsors now
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Diaspora has urged the Federal Government to fast track naming and the arrest of sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.
This, it said, would hasten efforts to curb growing insecurity challenges nationwide.
The group, comprising the Diaspora chairmen in no fewer that 13 countries, made this know in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr Phillip Ideawor, and Secretary, Mr Lawal Ayoola, on Thursday.
The APC chairmen opined that making the sponsors known would drastically reduce activities of terrorists who thrived on funds provided by such individuals to operate.
“Insecurity challenge in Nigeria has become so overwhelming that only a drastic action can curb it.
“No one involved should be spared considering the many lives that have been lost including that of security operatives who are fighting to protect the citizenry.
“We believe that as soon as funding for terrorism activities is stopped, it will naturally fizzle out.
“While we commend the Federal Government and its security apparatus for the job they are doing, we also wish to state that these efforts are being undermined by those who deliberately want to subvert the system to the detriment of the people of Nigeria,” the group said.
The forum, however, said that all secession agitators and their sponsors should be picked without delay as it would send a note of warning to others.
“Some youths nationwide are brazenly taking to crimes because of wrong signals from these agitators.
“Their belief is that if nothing has happened to those men nothing can happen to them, which should not be so.
“Nigeria is not a Banana Republic and examples must be made of those whose treasonable actions have greatly affected lives and property of Nigerians.
“From politicians to the pulpit and traditional rulers and leaders, any instigating utterance by any leader should have consequences as a deterrent,” it said.
The APC chairmen, therefore urged every well meaning Nigerian to rise above religion, tribe and political sentiments to join governments in the fight against crimes, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, robbery and ritual killings among others.
The Federal Government had on May 8, announced that it had begun profiling toward prosecution of well-placed Nigerians suspected of being financiers of terrorism in the country.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami had said that the profiling followed recent convictions of some Nigerians on terrorism financing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He said that investigations conducted had established reasonable evidence of the involvement of highly placed individuals, businessmen and institutions across the country in financing the Boko Haram terrorists.
“As you will actually know, sometime back there were certain convictions of Nigerians allegedly involved in terrorism financing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“That gave rise to wider and far-reaching investigations in Nigeria and I’m happy to report that arising from the wider coverage investigation that has been conducted in Nigeria, a number of people, both institutional and otherwise, were found to be culpable,” Malami added.
The Diaspora Chairmen include: Ideawor (Forum Chairman/Chairman UK); Ayoola (Scandinavia); Mr Stephen Tella (Chairman, APC Spain); Prof. Adesegun Labinjo (Chairman, APC USA); Mr Charles Micheletti (Chairman, APC Ghana); and Mr Adefioye Hammed (Chairman, APC Ireland).
Others are Mr Olalekan Ogunwede (Chairman, APC Germany); Mr Olanrewaju Balogun (Chairman, APC France); Mr Elias Ebone (Chairman, APC Canada); Prince Chima Ibezim (Chairman, Italy); Mr Bola Babarinde (Chairman South Africa); Mr David Abraham (Chairman, South Korea); Mr Agbaakin Olatoye Rasaq (APC, Gambia); and Emiritus Chairman, Mr Tony Isama.(NAN)
By Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki
A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, on Monday nullified the Ali Odefa faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward, local government and state congresses in the state.
The faction had few weeks ago, conducted ward, local government and state congresses to elect new leaders of the party.
In a suit no.
FHC/ AI/CS/183/2024 between Nnenna Lynda Udeh 12 others, the applicant prayed the court to set aside the congresses for being unconstitutional.Delivering judgment on the suit, the presiding Judge, Justice Hilary Oshomah ruled that purported congresses were void, unconstitutional and of no effect.
The court further restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) which was the 2nd defendant in the suit from recognising any of the officers purportedly elected from the voided and nullified congresses.
When contacted for reaction, the national vice chairman of the party, Ali Odefa said he will respond to the ruling of the court at the appropriate time.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said he is determined to leave lasting legacies in infrastructure development as he considers it a rare privilege to govern the state.Senator Diri stated this on Saturday during a gala night organised by the state government in honour of members of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.
The event rounded off the three-day 20th All-Nigerian Editors Conference(ANEC) held in the state capital. Governor Diri said he treats issues of development of the state seriously as he is aware that constitutionally he is allowed only two terms in office.He assured that with his deputy, they will keep doing their best in the remaining three years for Bayelsans to feel the impact of their service to the state and to the country.He said: “For us, it is a rare privilege to serve our people. Opportunity like this does not come often. By the constitution of Nigeria, I am barred from contesting again as governor of Bayelsa State.“So, the only thing that will speak for me, my deputy and most of us in this administration, is the legacy that we leave in terms of both human and material infrastructure. “Developing the state is now in our hands and we will keep doing our best in the remaining three years so that when we leave, the state will continue to feel our impact having travelled this eight-year journey in service to people of Bayelsa State and Nigeria.”While responding to remarks of the NGE president, Governor Diri approved the request to institute an annual lecture to honour and immortalise a foremost nationalist and pioneer editor of Daily Times, late Mr. Ernest Sesei Ikoli, an indigene of Bayelsa State, beginning from 2025.He also granted an appeal by the Guild’s president for two interns at the state-owned Niger Delta Television (NDTV), who missed out when the governor directed the employment of 13 of their colleagues when he visited the station last year.In his address, the NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba, expressed gratitude to Governor Diri for being a perfect host and for recognising the essential roles editors play in shaping the society.Mr. Anaba also stated that the support of the governor during the conference was an indication of the importance he attached to a free and responsible press.While highlighting the various project sites visited, he expressed appreciation to the governor particularly for constructing an iconic media complex named after Ernest Ikoli.In a welcome remark, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiowou Koku-Obiyai, commended the Guild for promoting excellence in journalism and for successfully organising the 20th ANEC.Highpoint of the night of glitz and glamour was the presentation of an award to Governor Diri by the Guild and the induction of 12 new members.Two initiators of the ANEC, Halilu Baba Dantiye,m and Angela Agoawike were also honoured by the Guild.Present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Fred Agbedi, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Nimibofa Ayaowei, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo.Others were the publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Dr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, presidential media aide, Mr. Tunde Rahman, Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene as well as other top editors, leaders and veterans of the media industry.
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has dissolved his cabinet ahead of the Nov.12 swearing-in of Sen. Monday Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the new governor of the state.
Report says that Obaseki who came into office on November 12, 2016 is expected to end his eight years tenure on November 12, 2024.
Obaseki dissolved the cabinet shortly after a valedictory session held at the Government House on Friday in Benin.
The motion for the dissolution of the State Executive Council for 2020-2024 was moved by his deputy, Godwins Omobayo, and was seconded by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Osilama Okuofu.
At the valedictory session, the governor commended members of the council for helping him in driving the government’s vision of making Edo great again.
Obaseki also commended citizens of the state for supporting, praying and collaborating with his administration throughout his tenure.
Members of the cabinet took turns to eulogise the governor and acknowledged his many achievements in various sectors.
They also commended the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve the people of the state in their various capacities.
The outgoing commissioners and Heads of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) also took turns to present awards and gifts to honour the governor.
The valedictory session for the outgoing state executive council climaxed with a dinner in honour of the state governor. (NAN)
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