Connect with us

News

Attacks against Akpabio over Ningi’s suspension affront on Tininu’s govt- CSOs

Published

on

A coalition of civil society organisations have described the criticism of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio as an affront on the administration on the credibility rating of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu saying the decision to suspend Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi was in good faith to restore public order and discipline in the Senate.

Rising-Up for a United Nigeria (RUN), Guardians of Democracy and Development (GODD) and Partners for a Legislative Agenda for Nigeria (PLAN) a coalition of Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) with interest in monitoring political developments and policies across the country have called on Senators to eschew divisive tendencies and support the Senate President in the discharge of his duties for the overall development of the nation rather than the tilting towards regional segmentation of the Senate.

This is coming after media reports indicated that some interest groups in the north have begun a clandestine move to agitate and protest the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi, Senator Representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District over the unfounded claims he made in his Senate budget padding allegation.

Addressing the Media via a press statement signed by the trio of Amb. Solomon Adodo, Mallam Suleiman Musa, and G. C. Oluoha Esq., Conveners of RUN, GODD and PLAN respectively, the group cautioned against the existence of splinter groups and blocks in the Senate which are to say the least detrimental to unity in the Red Chambers and Nigeria at large, with a call for their immediate disbandment.

According to the statement, “the Senate is the highest legislative body in Nigeria. The presence of blocks such as the Northern Nigeria Senators’ Forum which Ningi chaired before his uncharitable outing is nothing but a divisive body that should be scrapped. The Senate should not be about North and South. It cannot afford to allow factions and parochial interest groups to dominate its ranks especially now that the country needs unity to survive more than anything else.

“The agitations from interests groups with their varied threats and hate against the no-nonsense personality of the Senate President makes bare, the insidious motives of these blocks. The fact that Senator Ningi spoke on behalf of the Northern Senators’ forum, alleging a plot against the North speaks for itself. What Senator Ningi did actually went beyond the bounds of his legislative office and duties. He deserves the suspension and no group should try to intimidate the Senate and indeed Nigerians”.

On the issue of budget padding which was unanimously and roundly debunked for lack of facts to back up Senator Ningi’s claims, the Coalition observed that, as a Senator, Ningi had no moral justification to attack a budget he actively participated in its passage.

“The 2024 budget was passed on the floor of the Senate, in the presence of all Senators and the Media. There was nothing like budget padding. The fact that Ningi who is now playing the ostrich was actually present when the budget was passed has come to expose the barefaced lie of a possible padding. Why didn’t Ningi raise objections on the floor of the Senate as to his suspicions whilst the budget was being deliberated upon? Why did he not approach the Senate Committee on Appropriation to table his complaint rather than going to the press to make his bogus accusations which he has now denounced?”, the statement queried.

The Coalition also outrightly accused Senator Ningi’s outburst as “a deliberate attempt by him and his cohorts to embarrass the Senate President, distinguished Senators and the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a desperate attempt to diminish the credibility rating of the current administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the government”.

It further called on Nigerians to disregard those bent on destabilising the current administration urging all patriotic citizens to rather support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Senate on this year’s epic budget “as they work harmoniously in restoring Nigeria’s lost glory and charting a course towards economic recovery and prosperity”.

News

PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

Published

on

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.

PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.

Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.

In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.

Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”

His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.

“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.

“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.

“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.

“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.

On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.

Continue Reading

News

IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court

Published

on

The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.

“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.

He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.

Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.

“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.

While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.

He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.

Continue Reading

News

Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism

Published

on

The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.

Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.

However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.

“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.

He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.

Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2017 Zox News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress.