Politics
Court Remands Tambuwal’s Aide For Sharing Sokoto Gov’s O’level Result …Amnesty International Kicks
An aide of former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal has been remanded in prison for sharing a media content considered offensive to the state governor, Ahmad Aliyu.
Shafiu Umar was remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly insulting the governor, his wife, and his deputy on a Facebook post.
Mr Umar allegedly shared a video of the governor struggling to construct a sentence in English and also posted Mr Aliyu’s senior secondary school leaving certificate online.
A Magistrate, Fatima Hassan, barred reporters from covering the court proceedings on Monday.
But the police’s First Information Report (FIR) obtained by reporters indicated that the government charged Mr Umar with circulating injurious falsehood and engraving matter known to be defamatory, offences, the government said contravened the Penal Code law.
According to the FIR, the accused person committed the offences sometime in July by sharing videos of the governor’s wife, Fatima Aliyu, spreading money on ground during her birthday ceremony.
Mr Umar was also allegedly accused of sharing a document that indicated that Governor Aliyu failed his Senior Secondary School Examination as he scored F9 in English and is not capable of speaking the language fluently.
His lawyer, Yusuf Abubakar, later told reporters that Mr Umar denied the charges and made an oral application for his bail.
The Chief Magistrate adjourned the ruling on bail application to September 6 and ordered his remand in the correctional facility till then.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has accused the Sokoto State Government of influencing the arrest of Mr Umar.
In a statement, the human rights group said the social media critic, who was arrested by heavily armed policemen, posted a viral video of the “lavish and extravagant birthday party of the governor’s wife.”
“Sokoto State government must immediately and unconditionally release Shafi’u Umar Tureta. This surge in human rights violations by Sokoto state government is unacceptable and must end now”, the statement read.
Instead of targeting critical voices, the group urged the government of the state to prioritize addressing poverty, out-of-school children littering the streets of Sokoto and ending rampant insecurity in the state.
On its part, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state also issued a statement demanding the immediate release of its member.
Abubakar Baba, spokesman of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, neither answered calls nor responded to a text message sent to seek reaction to the development by The Tide source.
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.