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CSO Hails DSS, Others for Averting Disruption of PEPT Judgement

A rights group, Rising Up for a United Nigeria (RUN) has commended the Department of State Security for its professionalism especially in the areas of intelligence gathering and coordination with sister security agencies which averted plots by some misguided Nigerians intent on disrupting the PEPT judgment.
Recall that RUN had previously raised an alarm, alerting security agencies of plots by the organised labour and other sinister groups to disrupt the proceedings of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and bully the judges into siding with their candidates against the dictates of the law.
RUN in a statement signed by its Convener, Amb. Solomon Adodo and widely to journalists at a Press Conference in Abuja, expressed satisfaction with the level of intelligence the DSS was able to gather and the efficient coordination with other security agencies which guaranteed peace during and even after the PEPT pronounced their judgment.
The statement read in part, “the DSS has shown how professional they are in the discharge of their duties. Their ability to heed to early warnings and respond appropriately is the apogee of professionalism. We are grateful that the DSS were scrupulous in gathering intelligence while also heeding our warning and swung into action, frustrating the plans of the enemies and ensuring smooth proceedings that affirmed the mandate Nigerians freely gave President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group also commended the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for showing up at the PEPT venue, “to send a clear message to mischief makers that there is zero tolerance for lawlessness and miscreants hiding under civil protests to unleash mayhem on the country for their selfish gains”.
RUN equally lauded Nigeria’s Service Chiefs for their efforts in maintaining the territorial integrity of Nigeria despite the multidimensional challenges that have plagued the country, describing it as patriotic.
According to the statement, “the current Service Chiefs have demonstrated uncommon loyalty and professionalism in the conduct of their duties. The speed with which they have neutralised threats to Nigeria’s territorial integrity deserves a standing ovation. This has sent a clear warning to those hiding under the infamous Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to incite violence that Nigeria is no longer a theatre of violence and destruction. We urge them to sustain the tempo and deal a decisive blow on any and all insurrections within the country in line with the standing orders given them by Mr. President”.
Following the momentous participation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the just concluded G 20 Summit in India, RUN and Nigeria youths at large are confident that the gains recorded during the all important global event will accelerate Nigeria’s development as the country strives to make lasting impressions on the global arena under the indefatigable leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“From what we are seeing, this is a new vista for the Nigerian youths. President Tinubu has always been pro-youth and with the gains recorded in the just concluded Summit of global leaders of repute where ideas and opportunities were discussed, we are certain increased investments that will directly impact the youths and the country at large”. “In the United Arab Emirates, Mr. President also made significant gains for the country by ensuring that the travel ban on Nigerians was lifted and resumption of flights to Nigeria by Etihad and Emirates. These are major successes that show the President is determined to put the country on the path of accelerated growth and as such he should be given all the support particularly from the youth.” the statement added.
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SERAP sues Akpabio over ‘failure to reverse unlawful suspension of Natasha Akpoti’

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The group argues that the suspension is unlawful and violates her fundamental right to freedom of expression.
SERAP is seeking a court order compelling Akpabio to reverse the six-month suspension, reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, and restore all her legislative privileges. The organization also wants an injunction preventing the Senate from imposing further disciplinary actions against her for expressing her views.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended after she reportedly spoke without permission and rejected a new seat assignment in the Senate chamber. As part of her suspension, her salary and allowances have been withheld, and she has been barred from identifying as a senator.
In its suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP contends that the suspension deprives Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents of political representation. The organization also argues that penalizing a senator for exercising free speech creates a chilling effect on other lawmakers.
“No one should ever be punished for speaking without permission,” SERAP stated. “The Senate should uphold the rule of law and protect human rights, not suppress them.”
The group cites constitutional provisions and international human rights treaties, including Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
SERAP maintains that the Senate Standing Orders cannot override constitutional guarantees of free speech. The lawsuit emphasizes that restricting a senator’s expression undermines democracy and violates Nigerians’ right to receive information and participate politically.
No date has been set for the hearing of the case.
News
Market associations, women groups knock el-Rufai, rally support for Tinubu, Gov Sani

Ahead of the 2027 elections, hundreds of members of market associations and numerous women groups in Kaduna state at the weekend, occupied Kaduna metropolis in a peaceful demonstration where they reiterated their loyalty and support to the administration of
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The protesters who alleged that they had bitter experiences during the El-Rufa’i administration, said they would remain where Governor Uba Sani stood and advised the citizens of Kaduna not to be deceived by doing the contrary.
They recounted their ordeals during the 8 years of the previous administration, alleging that hundreds of market shops belonging to individuals were either seized, demolished or confiscated, a situation that triggered ill health in many traders and business owners leading to paralysis and multiple deaths of their colleagues.
“We’ve been in the market for over 40 years and have never experienced the kind of set backs we suffered under the previous Governor.”
“A lot of lives were lost,a lot of finances were ruined by reason of his kind of policies. We are here to speak with one voice and say that anything that would kind of revive such kind of philosophy in Kaduna market, we don’t want it,” Daniel Audu Maigari, a stakeholder of the Kaduna Market associations, has said.
He explained that “this incumbent Governor began by healing the wounds, the wounds that were really severed by the former Governor. Governor Uba Sani has been doing so,so very well and that’s why we’ve been with our leader, Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, who like Governor Sani,has been charting the right course, ensuring programmes and plans that will heal these wounds .”
He said there was never been a time they are having the impact of leadership in Kaduna market, like they are having now.
” Now we’ve lots of incentives, lots of policies that are driving us to progress .We are now standing with one voice to denounce anything that would reverse this,” he said.
Alhaji Daiyabu Ismail Mai Gwanjo, Chairman Stakeholders of the Kaduna State Market Traders associations, said on behalf of their leader,Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, his EXCO and all trader leaders in the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, they have gathered to unilaterally declare an unalloyed support to Governor Uba Sani who had taken care of them and protected their interests.
According to him,” we have to say so,haven had the harrowing experience in the hands of the past administration. The scar still remains and many are yet to recover.”
“But when Almighty Allah sent Governor Uba Sani to us,he declared he would not do anything bad to traders because the world thrives on businesses.All the most cherished countries like China, Canada, UAE, India,are very proud of and supportive to their traders and other business persons.”
“Unfortunately, we found ourselves during the previous administration that neither showed empathy nor sympathy to traders. An approximate number of 36 markets were demolished at that time.None of these markets was completely rebuild ,till date,and we are suspicious of the collaboration between the previous administration and the market developers.”
“We are therefore calling on Governor Uba Sani, our Governor of sympathy and understanding, to look at this issue with a view to resolving it.We are with Uba Sani a hundred percent, ” he added.
Hajiya Hadiza Abdulaziz,a woman leader of the market association,said they have gathered in multitudes to reiterate their support to the APC and Governor Uba Sani who has tremendously supported the market men and women in Kaduna State.
” Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.
She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.
“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.
The protesters later took to the streets ,displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
” Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.
She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.
“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.
The protesters later took to the streets ,displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
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