Featured
Probe DSS’ Claim On Herdsmen’s Arms …Middle Belt, Southern Leaders Tell Buhari
Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum have called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to institute a probe into the statement made by the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS). Lawal Musa Daura, that most of the sophisticated weapons being used by herdsmen were from the armouries of security agencies in the country.
The forum led by Chief Edwin K. Clark for South-South delegation, Chief Ayo Adebanjo (South-West), Chief John Nwodo (South-East) and Dr Bala Takaya (Middle Belt) made the call at a high-powered meeting it held at the weekend in Abuja, saying such occurrence if not properly investigated and addressed had serious implications for the country’s national security.
Daura had reportedly made the shocking revelation at the Senate Security meeting investigating the herdsmen/farmers clashes which had occasioned several deaths in the country, with several others injured while properties worth billions of naira were destroyed.
The leaders, who met to review the Benue crisis and other flashpoints in Nigeria, expressing disappointment that President Buhari had not lived up to the expectations of his office by keeping mute on the killings and visiting neighbouring Nasarawa and Adamawa States while ignoring Benue, equally demanded immediate rejig of the country’s security architecture to reflect the principle of Federal Character.
According to the Forum, which said it was disturbed by the allegation that soldiers drafted to Benue under “Operation Cat Dance” were circulating leaflets calling Tivs cattle rustlers which clearly suggested that the operation was ostensibly meant to turn victims into villains and decimate their capacity for self-defense, the current template where 16 out of the 17 security chiefs are from a section of the country is not healthy for a multi-ethnic state and, therefore, violates the principle of Federal Character.
The leaders, while also expressing disappointment with the poor state of affairs at the IDP Camps in Benue compared to other IDP camps around the country, urged President Buhari to immediately stop the killings going on in Benue and other parts of the country.
They said he should do this by disarming all armed herdsmen carrying illegal weapons and fish out culprits of killings in Benue and other places for prosecution.
This was just as they warned against any plot to declare a State-of-Emergency in Benue State as being canvassed by some sponsored group, recalling that such a move in the Western Region had dire consequences in the past.
On the issue of underage voters as cited in Kano during the recent Local Government polls in the state, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum said it was alarmed by what it described as the perverse culture as happened in the recent exercise in the state, describing the development as open rape on democracy.
According to the Forum, the unwholesome development is a carryover of the 2015 elections practice and a clear erosion of confidence in the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections.
The Forum, while rejecting INEC’s move to probe the incident as that would amount to cover-up, demanded that a Judicial probe of the voters registry be done by a panel to be headed by a retired Supreme Court Justice with members drawn from the Commission, registered political parties, Civil Society Groups and the National Democratic Institute for international representation.
It, however, said the enquiry should be done before further elections are held in the country with the current INEC register.
“Meeting was alarmed by the perverse culture of underage voters which was palpable in the recent Local Government elections in Kano. This open rape of democracy is a carryover of the 2015 elections practice and a clear erosion of confidence in the INEC to conduct credible elections.
“Meeting rejects INEC probe into the incidence as its earlier statement that the cards were used for local elections was an attempt to cover up forgetting we know that it has exclusive right over registration of voters which state electoral bodies only make use of.
“Before further elections are held with the current INEC register, we demand a Judicial probe of the voters registry by a panel to be headed by a retired Supreme Court Justice and members drawn from INEC, registered political parties, Civil Society Groups and the National Democratic Institute for international representation,” the Forum demanded.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
-
Education3 days agoCovenant University Retains Nigeria’s Best Varsity Ranking
-
Sports3 days agoHFN Sets Deadline For League Registration
-
News3 days agoHURIWA Tells Tinubu To Discontinue Plans On New National ID
-
Sports4 hours agoBarca Blame Referee, Panic For Loss To PSG
-
News3 hours agoTinubu Lauds Dangote’s Diesel Price Cut, Foresees Economic Relief
-
Nation3 days agoCall For PDP National Chairman’s Resignation Ill-timed, Inappropriate – Senator Abba Moro
-
Politics3 days agoRivers PDP Chieftain Hails Fubara’s Leadership Qualities
-
News3 days agoCommunities, Volunteers Ready To Face Upcoming Floods – Red Cross