Politics
Senate Postpones Meeting With Security Chiefs, Declares Abuja Under Threat
The Senate, on Wednesday, expressed worry over the security situation in the country, declaring that is under threat.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had been infiltrated, buttressing his point with references to attacks in places like Kubwa, Bwari, among others.
Akpabio spoke before the Senate adjourned its briefing with heads of security agencies to next week over the absence of National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa.
The Red Chamber had last week summoned the security chiefs to brief it on the spate of insecurity in Nigeria and effort to address the menace.
The invitation came as there was a spike in killings and kidnappings in many parts of the country, including the FCT.
However, the security meeting earlier scheduled to hold Wednesday was postponed to February 13 after the Senate had admitted those present into the chamber.
Those in attendance were Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff; and Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and Yusuf Bichi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Senator Akpabio said the interactive session with heads of security agencies was shifted because some of those invited did not show up.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff, Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai, and Defence and Police Affairs Ministers needed to be present to have a holistic review of the situation.
Speaking before adjourning the security briefing, the Senate President said “The situation is worrisome in Agatu, in Taraba, Oyo, Plateau, Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi. We also heard about the infiltration (of bandits) into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in places like Kubwa and Bwari.
“We have heard reports that they have cells where they are congregating. We’ve also heard the efforts of the security chiefs and the security agencies but reports are becoming worrisome and we decided to invite you to brief us on the efforts to tackle this menace.
“While we welcome you, we are not passing the buck, we are not blaming you. But you are not complete.
“We want you to know that we represent the Nigerian people and we will only do their will. The Senate is of the view that the FCT is under threat.
“We received apologies from NSA that he is in a bilateral meeting with security chiefs from the UK. We believe that the team is still not complete.
“But my opinion is that we would like to have with you, the Chief of Defence Staff, NSA, Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Defence. We will also want the Minister of Police Affairs, and the Minister of State for Police Affairs in addition.
“We strongly believe that the Director General of NIA should be in attendance, and the Minister of Finance should also be in attendance,” Akpabio said.
Politics
Why I Won’t Help Tinubu’s Govt Overcome Economic Challenges – Sanusi
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, says he would not help President Bola Tinubu’s administration to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.
Emir Sanusi spoke on Wednesday in Lagos as the chairman of the 21st Anniversary of Fawehinmiism (Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture 2025).
The emir stated that while there were “a few points” he could offer to explain the trajectory the administration had taken and how such decisions were predictable, he chose not to do so because “they don’t behave like friends.”
He said explaining the government’s policies would help the government, but he did not intend to assist them due to the way they had treated him.
“I can give a few points that are contrary, that explain perhaps what we’re going through and how it was totally predictable, most of it, and maybe avoidable. But I am not going to do that.
“I have chosen not to speak about the economy or the reforms or to even explain anything because if I explain, it would help this government, but I don’t want to help this government,” the emir said while addressing some of the points made by speakers about the economy.
He added: “You know they’re my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend. So I watch them being stooges. And they don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started out helping, but I am not going to help. I am not going to discuss it. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why the policies that are being pursued are being pursued.
“Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were told decades ago that if you continue along this path, this is where you’re going to end up, and they refused to open their eyes. Now, is everything being done today correct? No.”
Emir Sanusi, who was deposed as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020 by then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the current national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was reinstated as the 16th Emir of Kano in 2024 by the New Nigeria People’s Party-led Kano State Government.
His emirship has faced ongoing challenges from forces believed to be backed by the federal government, including federal officials’ continued recognition of his predecessor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
Last month, the police barricaded his palace, with the state government accusing the federal government of orchestrating the action to stir unrest in the peaceful state.
Politics
Reps Loses Deputy Chief Whip
The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, is dead.
Also known as Ijaya, Rt Hon. Onanuga, who was the member representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, is said to have died following a brief illness.
This was confirmed in a tweet on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday night.
Rt Hon Onanuga, who was born in Hammersmith, London, to Nigerian parents on December 2, 1965, was a politician and entrepreneur. She held the position of Deputy Chief Whip in the Nigerian House of Representatives since 2023.
She contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. She also served as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Politics
Aiyedatiwa Dissolves Cabinet, Retains Finance Commissioner, Attorney-General
Gov. Aiyedatiwa, however, exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution due to the critical nature of their duties.
The two commissioners exempted include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Mr Adeniyan said in the statement that “All the affected cabinet members are to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa thanked the executive council members “for their service and contributions to the development of Ondo State under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours”.
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