Politics
Governorship Aspirant Calls For Unity To Protect Lands
An aspirant to the Plateau State governorship seat, Mr Samuel Jatau has urged residents of the North-Central State to unite and fight invaders seeking to seize their ancestral lands.
“`There have been too many killings on the Plateau; clearly, the invaders want to uproot the communities and take over their ancestral lands. We must unite and resist them,” Jatau said yesterday in Jos.
The aspirant, in a speech at the inauguration of his campaign coordinators for the 17 local governments, particularly warned Plateau residents against viewing the attacks as targeted at a particular group.
He said that the invaders were interested in grabbing Plateau’s fertile lands, and urged the people to see the persistent attacks on rural communities as targeted at the entire state.
Quoting figures from the state government, Jatau regretted that many had been killed, while more than 20,000 people were currently in 15 IDPs camps in Riyom, Bassa, Mangu, Barkin-Ladi and Jos South Local Governments.
The aspirant, who unveiled a three-point agenda comprising security, stability and rapid economic growth, advised Plateau residents to be blind to tribal, religious and political differences and live as one indivisible front.
He urged the people to accept and treat each on merit, and avoid hate speech or other attitudes that could breed mutual distrust, suspicion and loss of confidence.
Jatau promised to build a Plateau that would be safe for all, adding that he would initiate measures that would enhance economic growth and boost the people’s living standards.
The aspirant alleged that Plateau had remained stagnant since the All Progressives Congress (APC) took over governance in 2015, and blamed that on lingering internal wrangling in the ruling party.
“Many states have gone far, but Plateau has been stagnant largely because of the fierce rivalry among factions of the APC.
“The factions are locked in a fight which has distracted the governor and made it difficult for him to concentrate and function. We cannot continue like this,” he said.
Jatau said that Plateau residents were hit by hunger, poverty and unemployment, and urged them to reject the APC and vote for a government that would address their concerns.
While promising to run a listening government, the aspirant said that he would hit the ground running by appointing people into offices in his first week in office.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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