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Protest Over Osun Poll: National Security Council Discusses Saraki, Tambuwal, Others …As Buhari, Security Chiefs Meet …Says Politicians Stockpiling Arms
The National Security Council, yesterday deliberated on the protest carried out by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) October 5, 2018 led by Senate President Bukola Saraki, the National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, among others, saying that it was meant to put pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over Osun State election.
Minister of Defence, Mannir Dan-Ali, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, where he also revealed plans to deploy security agencies across the country to deal with tension arising from party primaries and ensure that the 2019 elections are conducted peacefully.
The PDP top shots had embarked on the protest over what they said was the manipulation of the recent Osun State gubernatorial election.
Other prominent participants in the protest were Governors Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state, immediate past Ekiti State Governor, and Ayo Fayose, Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State; former governors Rabiu Kwankwaso, Sule Lamido as well as Tanimu Turaki and Datti Babba-Ahmed and Senator Dino Melaye.
Their attempt to enter the police force headquarters in Abuja were rebuffed by the police who dispersed them using canisters of tear gas.
According to a statement signed by Colonel Tukur Gusau, Public Relations Officer to the Hon Minister of Defence, the council discussed the general overview of the security situation in the country as it relates to the conduct of the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
It said: “It recommended deployment of security agencies to states to enable the elections to be conducted peacefully and to further doused tension created by the outcome of the political parties’ primaries and some desperate persons to sabotage the electoral process.
“The meeting also discussed an attempt to put pressure on the electoral body by some notable personalities through demonstrations which were brought under control by combined efforts of security agencies to avoid been hijacked by hoodlums and armed bandits.
“Another area of security concern includes post-election violence, as desperate politicians may whip up ethnoreligious sentiments to create a security situation in the country. Also of concern is the proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by some disgruntled elements with a desire to take laws into their hands at the slightest opportunity.
“The council called for the concerted efforts of all security agencies to ensure that 2019 elections are hitch free and the need for continuous sensitization of the public by National Orientation Agency (NOA) and regular meetings of relevant stakeholders including INEC, international/ local observers and the media ahead of the elections.”
Also,the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday faulted the statement of the Court of Appeal on Osun Governorship Election Tribunal, describing it as “an attempt to trivialise shady interference.
This was contained in the press release signed by the chairman of the PDP in the state, Hon Soji Adagunodo, which was forwarded to the Nigerian Tribune in Osogbo.
According to the release, “we read the statement from the Court of Appeal and we affirm straight away that judges in the panel have been removed and sitting of the tribunal delayed. In effect, the panel was disbanded and a new one is yet to be out in place.
“What is the meaning of ‘Judges on the panel are been rotated?’ Are the original judges not removed? If they are removed, is the panel not automatically disbanded pending constitution of another one? And why are the judges removed a day after PDP filed her petition?
“We submit that the excuse from the Appeal court does not add up. An open plot to tamper with judicial proceeding has been initiated and we call on relevant authorities to stop this reprehensible plot for justice and fair play.
“We will not accept any attempt to deny us fair hearing either through delay tactics or influenced breaching of procedures, laws and the constitution.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday held meeting with heads of the National Security Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This is as the security Chiefs have raised concerns over proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by politicians to cause mayhem ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The meeting also discussed what it termed as attempts by “notable personalities” to manipulate and put pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through street demonstrations that could be hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants.
The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, in a statement he read after the meeting, said it was recommended that security agencies should deploy their personnel to states ahead of the polls and to douse the tension created by recent rancorous political party primaries. According to he Minister:
“The meeting started by discussing the general overview of the security situation in the country as it relates to the conduct of the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
“It recommended deployment of security agencies to the states to enable elections to be conducted peacefully and to further douse the tension created by the outcome of the political parties primaries and some desperate persons to sabotage the electoral process.
“The meeting also discussed attempt to put pressure on electoral body by some notable personalities through demonstrations which was brought under control by combined efforts of security agencies to avoid being hijacked by hoodlums and armed bandits.
“Another area of security concern includes postelection violence as desperate politicians may whip up ethno-religious sentiments to create security situation in the country.
“Also of concern is the proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by some disgruntled elements with a desire to take laws into their hands at the slightest opportunity.
“The Council called for the concerted effort of all security agencies to ensure that the 2019 elections are hitch-free and the need for continuous sensitization of the public by National Orientation Agency and regular meetings of relevant stakeholders, including INEC, international/local observers and the media ahead of the elections.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, also told State House correspondents that all security agencies would be neutral and nonpartisan in their operations as they concern the he general elections.
Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
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