Politics
Ruga Settlement, A Deception To Islamize Nigeria’ -Ex-Wike’s Aide
A public commentator and former aide to Rivers State Governor, Opunabo Inko-Tariah has said that the botched Ruga cow settlement programme by the Federal Government across Nigeria was a deception to Islamize the country.
This is coming barely 72 hours after the Rivers State Government rejected the Ruga Cow Settlement, where it was said that twelve states had signed into the programme.
Inko-Tariah said that it is unfortunate that the country was still being run like a domestic order where the President dishes orders like in the military.
He said, “It is a subterfuge. That is what it is. It is so sad that we are still seen as domestic colonies in the Federal Government, with the President at the top and dishing out orders as if we are still in the military.
“That is what is going on. He has never hidden his soft spots for the Fulani herdsmen. And he knows too well that he definitely going to address the conscience of Nigerians should he go ahead to say that he is doing this for the Fulani herdsmen.
“How many of us are involved in cattle grazing from the South? And if that is the case, you allow the states to dictate. They should know how to go about resolving this issue. They should come out with the panacea.
“It is not you the Federal Government to impose it on them. We are definitely going to resist it. Any state that has indicated interest has done so willingly. Well, that is the state.”
He said that Nigeria was not practicing federalism, saying the Ruga programme will only be effective to states that signed into it, especially those in the North.
“We ought to be practicing federalism, though we are not. If a state is comfortable with it and can afford it, no problem especially the states in the North.
“I believe they will be happy with this very idea. But for those of us in the South, and those of us in the East we are definitely going to be averse to it.
“Because what we rejected yesterday trying to Islamize Nigeria is what this man (the President) is trying to do through the back door. And we are definitely not going to accept it.
“Why so much emphasis on the cattle settlement? We have heard our own issues. We have heard oil exploration and exploitation, what has the federal government done?
“In the states where you have clashes, the state governors have the reservation to take any step they want to take. But in states where even if we have the clashes and the people are not comfortable with such a settlement you cannot impose it on them.
“For those states that have willingly accepted, we don’t have a problem with that. But for those states that are saying no, we don’t need herdsmen here. We have issues. Every state has its own priority.
“We will not stop the grazing, but if it becomes violent and a threat to Rivers people we will stop it by whatever means,” Inko-Tariah stated.
Dennis Naku
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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