TINUBU WORSE THAN ABACHA, TARGETED MINORS TO PREVENT FUTURE PROTESTS – ADEYANJU
TINUBU WORSE THAN ABACHA, TARGETED MINORS TO PREVENT FUTURE PROTESTS – ADEYANJU Activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu was behind the arraignment of minors arrested during the EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. Adeyanju said the minors were arraigned by Tinubu’s administration to serve as a deterrent to prevent further protests in Nigeria. The Nigerian government had arraigned 72 protesters for engaging in the nationwide EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest. Out of the 72 protesters, 32 were minors and were initially arraigned in an Abuja Federal High Court on charges of treason. However, the Nigerian government withdrew the charges against the minors following an outcry from Nigerians. Speaking with DAILY POST, Adeyanju said Tinubu was worse than former Military Head of State, Sani Abacha. He said: “The aim was not to prosecute the kids; the aim was to deter people from protesting. They want to send a clear message that if you try it, we will detain you for 93 days. If we can detain children, who are you that we will not detain? We will detain you, we will dehumanize you, and we will starve you. “They denied us access to seeing the children. They denied us legal representation in contravention of the constitution, and denied their families and parents from seeing them repeatedly. “What else can be more than that when it comes to the issue of torture? That’s torture. Denied them food, that’s torture, simpliciter. The government is just a huge joke, the government is not different from a military regime. There’s no difference. “Tell me, Abacha did not arrest or arraign children in an open court. This president fled the country when Abacha was looking for him; he didn’t want to be arrested when Abacha was looking for him. “Today, he is the one arresting children and putting them on trial for treasonable felony while bandits roam about the whole country free. Bandits operate for 7, 8 hours unchallenged in most parts of the country.”
Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- November 10, 2024
- 166 views
ISRAEL ACCUSES IRAN OF PLOTTING TO DESTABILIZE NIGERIA
ISRAEL ACCUSES IRAN OF PLOTTING TO DESTABILIZE NIGERIA The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, said on Tuesday that Iran’s “nefarious activities” have spread from the Middle East to Africa and particularly, Nigeria. He added that the Iranian forces were “working to destabilise” Nigeria. The Israeli envoy made the statement in Abuja on Tuesday at the screening of the documentary titled ‘We Will Dance Again: Surviving October 7th’ by Yariv Mozer organised to commemorate first anniversary since Hamas invaded Israel and abducted its citizens. The militant group abducted 396 partygoers in Israel and released some of them following the intervention of the U.S. and UN. But 101 people are still being held hostage and used to negotiate with Israel. Mr Freeman described Iranians as “tyrants” whose proxies from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon wreaked devastation on different countries and threw millions into misery, noting that Nigeria was among the nation’s victims. “The tyrants in Tehran are responsible for the destabilisation of countries and the misery of millions,” the Israeli envoy claimed on Wednesday. “Yet, Iran’s nefarious activities are not limited to the Middle East. Let me be clear, Iran’s leaders are also working to destabilise Western Africa, including here in Nigeria,” he alleged. Israel had extended the war on Gaza to Lebanon —one of Hamas’s strongest allies—launching missiles that have killed hundreds and destroyed critical infrastructure. Mr Freeman stated that Israel would halt its incursion on Lebanon on one condition, —”the full implementation of UN resolution 1701” stipulating demilitarisation and disarmament of Hezbollah forces. “The war in Lebanon will only end with the full implementation of UN resolution 1701 – with Hezbollah unable to rearm, and pushed back beyond the Litani River and the Lebanese army in control of the South of Lebanon,” Mr Freeman insisted. The envoy thanked the Nigerian government and the U.S. for standing by Israel during its war against multiple nations. “Over the past year, the support shown by President Biden, as well as by Republicans and Democrats alike has been overwhelming and I am confident that whoever wins today’s (Tuesday) presidential election, will continue that steadfast support. But it hasn’t just been the U.S., and I want to thank all of those countries that have stood by us, publicly and behind the scenes,” said Mr Freeman “I also want to thank all of our friends in Nigeria who have stood with us.” The Iranian authorities did not immediately return comments to claims of plotting to destabilise Nigeria. Mr Freeman stated, “This is not a war we wanted. This is not a war we started. Hamas and Hezbollah attacked Israel. And today we face a war on seven fronts – all of it sponsored by Iran.
THE RETURN OF KWASHIORKOR
THE RETURN OF KWASHIORKOR kwashiorkor is back in town.The revelation emanated from Dr Foluso Balogun, a paediatrician at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan that “for the first time in many years, children with kwashiorkor are seen in this part of the country.”According to the report, “Kwashiorkor is a severe form of protein malnutrition. Children who eat diets low in caloric and protein are most likely to suffer from kwashiorkor. Infants and children are typically affected, usually from the time of weaning until age five. The illness is prevalent in areas of the world that are impoverished and have extremely high rates of starvation.”Just as I was wailing about the return of kwashiorkor, the news broke of the arraignment in open court of dozens of malnourished children detained for three months for protesting against the hunger regime of the government.Four of the kid detainees fainted in court to the astonishment of the whole wide world.Members of the Hallelujah Chorus of the incumbent government croaked that the fainting kids were only play-acting!Nigeria’s image was damaged all over the world for detaining and charging hungry children with treason. The internet and social media went into overdrive to put Nigeria to global shame and odium.President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could not but order the immediate release of the detained minors and the stoppage of their trial.But the harm had been done, and the Nigerian regime must perforce suffer the adverse consequences therefrom.There is a connection between children suffering from kwashiorkor and detained malnourished minors being charged with treason.It all boils down to man’s inhumanity in the dispensation of totalitarian power in the name of democracy.All the concern of the powers-that-be is devoted to keeping power instead of fighting issues like hunger and starvation.The starving ones are left with the only option of protests to gain any attention from the uncaring government.Given that the unpopular regime is on edge all the time, any form of protest is deemed as high treason.It is ever so benumbing seeing agents of the government making believe that all is well with a country that is in disarray and completely broken.Families are so broke and can no longer feed, yet the politicians are talking of winning elections and re-elections.The politicians have hopelessly divided Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines such that they can get away with murder.And the return of kwashiorkor spells murder, an apt metaphor for the Nigeria of the here and now.The disease knows no ethnic group as it malevolently launches its ferocious attack across all the geo-political zones.Just as the parochial politicians are claiming “it is my turn”, kwashiorkor is countering with its own charge of “it’s my turn”.The poor folks suffering from malnutrition and kwashiorkor are doomed to die sad, painful deaths before the uncaring eyes of gluttonous politicians.A short history of the coming of kwashiorkor can be traced back to when the then opposition politicians marched on the streets against then President Goodluck Jonathan for removing petrol subsidy.The opposition gained power through General Muhammadu Buhari thereafter, and literally everything went downhill for the country.Even the sidekick opposition star Bola Ahmed Tinubu who took over power from Buhari made bold to stress that he inherited a bankrupt country from the Katsina man from Daura.The first statement out of the mouth of Tinubu as president was: “Petrol subsidy is gone.”It’s cool by me to recall that Tinubu had protested when then President Jonathan put the price of petrol at N140, but now under his watch petrol is a princely N1400!Even so, the Bulaba Hallelujah Chorus cannot stop praising their president for being strong in taking a bold step!It’s just like the title character Rip Van Winkle in the short story by Washington Irving who woke up after 20 years of…
NSA, RIBADU ORGANIZING NATIONAL PRAYER WHILE TERRORISTS KILL CITIZENS – AISHA YESUFU
NSA, RIBADU, ORGANIZING NATIONAL PRAYER WHILE TERRORISTS KILL CITIZENS – AISHA YESUFU Aisha Yesufu, a social critic, has criticized Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, over the insecurity in the country. Aisha said Ribadu is organizing national prayer while terrorists are killing citizens. The statement followed the mass burial of the fifteen victims of a tragic attack in Kebbi State. At least 15 persons were killed by a new Jihadist group, “Lakurawa” in the State. “The so-called National Security Adviser @NuhuRibadu is organizing national prayer while terrorists are killing citizens. The terrorists know that instead of Commander-in-Chief Nigeria has Certificate Forger-In-Chief,” Aisha posted on X. Nigerian military had on Friday said it has identified a new terror group, Lakurawa operating in Kebbi and Sokoto States. The terror group is reportedly affiliated with jihadi factions in Mali and Niger, raising security concerns in the northwestern part of the country. The so called National Security Adviser @NuhuRibadu is organizing national prayer while terrorists are killing citizens. The terrorists know that instead of Commander – in- Chief Nigeria has Certificate Forger -In- Chief
OBASEKI DISSOLVES CABINET AHEAD OF TUESDAY HANDOVER
OBASEKI DISSOLVES CABINET AHEAD OF TUESDAY HANDOVER Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state on Friday dissolved the state executive council ahead of Monday Okpebholo’s inauguration as the new governor of the state. Obaseki, who was sworn in on November 12, 2016, is due to hand over to Okpebholo on Tuesday, 12 November. Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the September 21, 2024, governorship election. Obaseki dissolved the cabinet shortly after a valedictory at the Government House in Benin, the Edo State capital. Speaking, the governor commended members of the council for helping him in driving the government’s vision of making Edo great again. He also commended the people of the state for “supporting, praying, and collaborating” with his administration throughout his tenure The outgoing commissioners and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) took turns to present awards and gifts to the outgoing governor.
- Foreign Affairs
- November 9, 2024
- 70 views
I WON’T STEP DOWN FOR DONALD TRUMP – POWELL, CHAIR, FEDERAL RESERVE
I WON’T STEP DOWN FOR TRUMP – POWELL, CHAIR FEDERAL RESERVE Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell had a clear, direct response when asked during a press conference Thursday if he would step down if asked to do so by President-elect Trump. “No,” said Powell, whose term as chair ends in 2026 When asked to elaborate and if he would be legally required to leave, he again said, “No.” Powell later said it is “not permitted under the law” for the president to fire or demote him or any of the other Fed governors with leadership positions. Trump appointed Powell during his first term in 2017 but repeatedly and publicly criticized the Fed and its chair for not cutting rates fast enough throughout his tenure. Powell also said in 2019 that he would not resign if asked by Trump. President Biden reappointed Powell in 2021 despite objections from progressives who have criticized the chair saying he has burdened the average American by keeping rates too high for too long. Trump suggested earlier this year that Powell, a lifelong Republican, was “political” and would cut rates ahead of the 2024 election to help Democrats. While the Fed did cut rates in September by a whopping 50 basis points, Trump handily defeated Vice President Harris this week. The Fed is a politically independent agency and closely guards its reputation. But in August, Trump suggested he should “have at least a say” in monetary policy, including interest rates, because he has “made a lot of money.” Trump later walked back his comments during an interview with Bloomberg. “I think it’s fine for a president to talk,” he said. “It doesn’t mean that they have to listen.” “A president certainly can be talking about interest rates, because I think I have very good instincts,” he said. “That doesn’t mean I’m calling the shot, but it does mean that I should have a right to be able to talk about it like anybody else.” Trump also said over the summer that he would let Powell serve out his term, “especially if I thought he was doing the right thing,” but that he would not reappoint him for another term.
STOP WIKE’S WICKED POLICIES – FCT RESIDENTS PROTEST
STOP WIKE’S WICKED POLICIES – FCT RESIDENT PROTEST Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday took to the streets, protesting against the actions of Minister Nyesom Wike. The residents are decrying the alleged land-grabbing policies of the minister, which are said to be targeting poor communities. Human rights activists joined the demonstration, condemning the FCT administration’s actions under Wike’s leadership. Protesters urge President Bola Tinubu to step in to stop Wike’s “wicked policies”, which have allegedly displaced hundreds from their homes. They demand the removal of the former Rivers State governor as minister. Lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, who joined in the protest, said, “They are dismayed and they are worried that efforts to grab this land are more pressing and it is more unrelenting. Just like we have said earlier, we are appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevail on the FCT minister to release poor people’s lands to them. Poor people’s lands belong to the poor people. “If they are badly in need of land to grab, they should go to Asokoro, Maitama Extension, and Guzape. There are many places to grab land. Why will you come to the poor to grab land so that you can give it to the rich? It will increase insecurity in the country.” Social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse (VeryDarkMan) also showed concerns. He said, “In this bad economy, with the price of dollars, with the price of foodstuffs, and you did not create a place for them to stay. This is craziness, wickedness and it is not fair. This act will cause a very great insecurity.”
I’M BEING PUSHED TO BETRAY KWANKWASO – GOV YUSUF
I’M BEING PUSHED TO BETRAY KWANKWASO – GOV YUSUF Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has publicly refuted claims of a rift with his political mentor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. In an interaction with journalists in Kano, late on Wednesday, Yusuf addressed speculations and rumours of discord, insisting that his relationship with Kwankwaso remains strong and respectful, as it has been for the past 40 years. Rumours within the Kwankwasiyya movement and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) alleged that Kwankwaso exerts excessive influence over Yusuf’s administration, with some claiming he dictates policy decisions, effectively running a “third term by proxy.” Aliyu Sani Madakin-Gini, the House of Representatives member representing Dala Federal Constituency, who recently broke ranks with Kwankwaso, had alleged that Governor Yusuf’s tiff with Kwankwaso stems from controversies over a drugs contract and a state-funded scholarship scheme. Yusuf, however, dismissed the allegations, emphasising his autonomy while underscoring his gratitude and loyalty to Kwankwaso. “There is no truth in the rumours of a misunderstanding between us,” Yusuf said. “In my 40 years of knowing him, tell me, who among politicians has stayed with someone this long and still maintained harmony? When he was governor, I served as his personal assistant, always by his side. In all these years, we have never had a rift. To now suggest that I am somehow chained by Kwankwaso is simply unfair. “Even just two days ago, I visited him and told him about these rumours. I said, ‘I am surprised. Do people expect me to insult the man who stood by me?’ This is someone who has been there for me, and now some want me to go against him. It is simply not in my nature,” Yusuf asserted, adding that his governorship is not due to any person’s influence but the will of God. In recent weeks, a faction within the NNPP known as “Abba Tsaya da Kafarka” (meaning “Abba, stand on your own”) has gained attention. This group calls on Yusuf to distance himself from his political mentor, encouraging him to make decisions independently of Kwankwaso’s input. The movement’s momentum has increased, with members from both the party and other political circles pushing for Yusuf’s perceived autonomy. Yusuf addressed this group directly, calling their message an “insult” to his loyalty. “This ‘stand on your own’ slogan is the greatest insult I have faced as governor. It implies that I should repay good with bad. What has Kwankwaso done to me to deserve this? All the good we are doing for the people is overlooked, and instead, they promote this divisive rhetoric,” Yusuf remarked, adding, “It’s as if people do not know what we are doing for them.” The NNPP’s state leadership recently suspended the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, and Commissioner of Transportation, Muhammad Diggol, citing disloyalty and suspected involvement in the “Abba Tsaya da Kafarka” campaign, allegations they have denied. The two officials are currently under investigation for allegedly fuelling this faction’s efforts. Furthermore, two House of Representatives members, Aliyu Sani Madakin Gini (Dala) and Alhassan Rurum (Kibiya, Rano, and Bunkure), have publicly exited the Kwankwasiyya movement, also urging Yusuf to assert his independence. In response to these defections, Yusuf highlighted the long-standing support Kwankwaso has provided him and denounced those challenging this relationship. “It’s as if people do not understand the role Kwankwaso has played. Where were these critics when he was laying the foundation for what we are doing now?” Yusuf said. He further addressed the media, expressing frustration at how the allegations have been covered. “They said Kwankwaso called me more than 30 times, and I refused to answer. Where did they get this from? And within how many months? Did…
I HEAR EFCC WILL ARREST ME NEXT WEEK, BUT I’M NOT AFRAID, OR WORRIED – OBASEKI
I HEAR EFCC WILL ARREST ME NEXT WEEK, BUT I’M NOT AFRAID OR WORRIED – OBASEKI Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, says the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) plans to arrest and detain him after his tenure ends over alleged fraud. Obaseki’s tenure as governor ends on November 14, 2024. According to him, he is aware of multiple petitions filed against him but remains unfazed, willing to turn himself in if summoned, as he has nothing to hide. Obaseki boldly declared that he’s unfazed by potential arrest or investigation into his administration, attributing the petitions against him to vendetta-driven individuals. Speaking at the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session in Abuja, Obaseki expressed confidence in his integrity, stating he’d utilize any time spent in EFCC custody to conduct research, as he has nothing to hide. Obaseki said his opponents are motivated by envy, seeking to tarnish his remarkable eight-year legacy in the South-South state. According to him, his achievements will endure, despite attempts to discredit him. The governor said he intends to “serve as a resource person after office and I’m going to give the cheapest services so far from lessons garnered in my eight years’ experience as governor”. “I hear that the EFCC will pick me next week after my tenure. Wherever they keep me, I’ll spend time doing research,” he said. “There are many things we have done that can be described as legacy projects. I believe in Edo State; one of the things that will last for a very long time to come is the fact that we were able to focus on Edo people and the things that matter to them, reform and implement those things. “Why should I have fears? I just focused on what I believe in and today, you can see what has been achieved. “What happens after that is not up to me. They can continue with their political witch-hunt and do all they can to hurt me, that’s their problem. “I’m not afraid, I’m not worried. They have written all sorts of silly petitions against me and that’s part of the challenge.” “In fact, I can even hand myself over, and if they call me, I don’t have anything to hide,” he added. Senator Monday Okpebholo, Edo State Governor-elect, had accused Governor Obaseki’s administration of taking unscrupulous loans from banks and other financial institutions. Okpebholo, who alleged the looting of government funds by officials of the outgoing administration, also accused government officials of looting public properties including vehicles, furniture and rice. Okpebholo in October called on relevant authorities including the EFCC, police and Department of State Services to investigate the allegations.