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Democracy Day: Celebration low-key in Sokoto

Celebration of this year’ s Democracy Day in Sokoto is without the usual fanfare as residents went about their normal activities, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
NAN Correspondent monitoring activities in the state, also reports that no activities were organised by the authorities to mark the day as had been the case in the past.
However, residents interviewed in connection with the occasion called for commitment of government in providing dividends of democracy instead of giving priority to ceremonies while marking the day.
One of such residents, Malam Abunakar Mailato, said uplifting the living condition of people required planning ahead and absolute determination to attain set goals.
“There is the need for those at the helm of affairs to be pro-active and determined to attain set goals, just as they struggle to surmount challenges that will come their ways,” he said.
Mailato, who is a youth leader,said although progress had been made in the struggle to ensure a sustained democracy in the country, there was still room for improvement.
Another resident, Sidi Muhammad, emphasised the need to strengthen the justice system to ensure respect for rule of law that would guarantee equity and peace.
Muhammad urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of constructive criticisms in their efforts at correcting the lapses of leaders, rather than deliberately ‘hunting for faults to win political goals.’
On her part, Mrs A’ishatu Musa called for consideration for women in the allocation of responsibilities to enable them contribute their quota to the development of the country.
She also stressed the need for socio- economic empowerment of women, as well as the speedy domestication and implementation of the Child Rights Act in some states.
Other residents who spoke to NAN also called for concerted efforts to sustain the unity of the country, especially considering the urgent challenges bedeviling the nation . (NAN)
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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

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.
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