News
Confusion As Assembly Leadership Crisis Deepens In Nasarawa
The lingering speakership crisis in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly yesterday degenerated further as pro-Daneil Ogazi factional youths blocked the ever-busy Lafia-Makurdi highway in protest against what they described as Governor Abdullahi Sule illegality in the assembly.
The protesters stormed one of the popular Abuja-Lafia highway in Shabu near Lafia, the state capital at about 12:45 pm, causing heavy gridlock in the process.
The protesters were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Gov Sule should allow democracy to prevail”, “Stop interfering in legislators’ business, Gov Sule”; “Hon Ogazi is our choice”, and “Nasarawa is not a banana republic, Gov Sule” among others.
The leader of the protesters, Malam Shuaib Bala Usman, said that they decided to block the highway to register their displeasure over the utterances and actions of Governor Sule, which they described as “unbecoming” of a “chief executive of the state who is supposed to be a father to all.”
He said: “In a democracy, the majority carry the vote and there is separation of power.
“The governor belongs to the Executive arm of government and he doesn’t have any right to interfere in the affairs of the legislative arm. By coming out on a national television to back what’s obviously an illegality, he is putting the State to ridicule and his much-vaunted integrity to question.
“We are calling on him to rescind his decision and position in the interest of peace and unity of the state.
“We have 24 lawmakers in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly out of which 13 lawmakers voted in favour of Daniel Ogah Ogazi, member representing Kokona East, and 10 lawmakers voted for immediate past Speaker, Hon. Ibrahim Balarebe Abdullahi. Unfortunately, the governor of the State displayed undemocratic attitude by recognizing 10 members out of the 13 lawmakers.
“According to law, any election conducted outside the Assembly complex is null and void. The former speaker recognized by the governor was a two-time speaker of 5th and 6th assembly; was the election that brought him to power conduct outside the assembly complex? Let the rule of law and our constitution be respected.”
Elders and leaders of the community were seen persuading the youths to discontinue their action and seek for alternative way of resolving the anomaly.
In a similar situation, some aggrieved women and youths, yesterday barricade the entrance into the State assembly complex over Governor Sule’s interference on who becomes the new speaker of the 7th assembly
The protesters who defiled heavy presence of the policemen at the entrance of the assembly complex, proceeded with chanting of songs and prayers, asking God to intervene on the injustice being allegedly perpetrated in the state.
The spokesperson of the group Mr. James Alu, who is also the leader of the Coalition for Justice comprising over 20 group made up of people from various tribes in the state, said the group is an advocate of justice, peace and fairness for anybody irrespective of tribe religion or association.
Alu said the group was in state to ensure justice takes its right place for peace to reign.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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