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International Amnesty Watch Frowns At ‘Despicable’ Congress Siege, Calls For Retrospection Of U.S’ Democracy

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International Amnesty Watch Frowns At ‘Despicable’ Congress Siege, Calls For Retrospection Of U.S’ Democracy

The Global Amnesty Watch (GAW) has condemned Wednesday’s siege on the U.S. Congress, describing it as “despicable” and an “assault on democracy”.

In a statement signed by its Director, John Tom Lever, on Thursday, the group said President Donald Trump showed lack of respect for democratic ideals by instigating and urging his supporters to assault the Capitol.

According to Lever, the incident at the Congress affirms the retrogression of democracy in the U.S under Trump’s watch.

Read also: Trump guarantees ‘orderly transition’ however vows to battle on

The GAW, therefore, noted that it is time for retrospection by the incoming administration led by President-elect, Joe Biden.

He said the new government must improve the country’s internal mechanism to guard against a repeat of the assault in its democracy as carried out by Trump and his supporters.

The Global Amnesty Watch, however, advised the incumbent to seek forgiveness from the American people for bringing democracy in the nation to disrepute.

It added that the actions of Trump remain despicable and must be condemned by all lovers of democracy all over the world.

Read the full statement below: 

The Global Amnesty Watch views the events in the United States of America that culminated in the attack on the United States Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump as a most despicable desecration of democracy in the United States of America.

By all indication, President Donald Trump has proved a lack of respect for democratic ideals by instigating and urging his supporters to assault democracy in the United States of America in its over 200 year’s existence.

Read also: End of the road for Trump as US Congress certifies Biden’s victory

The Global Amnesty Watch is of the considered opinion that the attempt to subvert the will of the American people by President Donald Trump must be condemned in its entirety.

The Global Amnesty Watch, having followed the events in the United States of America wishes to state that the various actions of President Donald Trump do not reflect the attributes of a leader of the United States of America, which by all intent and purposes ought to serve as a role model in the preservation and entrenchment of democracy all over the world.

Thus, it is our considered opinion that under President Donald Trump, the United States of America has degenerated and therefore cannot continue to posture as an example of democracy in the world.

The unfortunate happenings since the conclusion of the presidential elections in the United States of America have brought out the defects in the model of democracy practised in the United States of America.

This indeed calls to question some of the United States of America’s stance in the preservation and entrenchment of democracy around the world and especially in the African continent.

This much the Global Amnesty Watch has highlighted in some of its reports on the interpretation of the ideals of democracy across the world by some advanced democracies such as the United States of America.

The Global Amnesty Watch uses this medium to reiterate that democracy around the world remains an experiment. Those at the forefront should do well to exhibit sincerity in the criticism of emerging democracies.

The attack on the United States Capitol is indeed blighting on democracy in the United States of America. The incoming administration of President-Elect Joe Biden must begin the process of ensuring that the ideals of democracy are reenacted, and charity must begin at home. Not until this is done, the United States of America should desist from setting standards for interpreting and practice of democracy in the world.

Read also: Exclusive: How Amnesty, Transparency paid over 2billion to CSOs to blackmail Nigeria Armed forces

The Global Amnesty Watch further reiterates that democracy has been assaulted in the United States of America. Therefore there must be circumspection and retrospection in this regards by the institutions in the United States of America.

The authorities in the United States of America must improve its internal mechanism to guard against a repeat of the assault in its democracy as carried by President Donald Trump and his supporters.

The Global Amnesty Watch has indeed been vindicated by President Donald Trump’s actions, which has been a constant feature in our numerous reports indicating a retrogression of democracy in the United States of America under the watch of President Donald Trump.

It is hoped that lessons have been learnt with the events that culminated in the attack on the Capitol in the United States of America.

The Global Amnesty Watch states that President Donald Trump must seek forgiveness from the American people for bringing democracy in the United States of America to disrepute.

The actions of President Donald Trump remain despicable and must be condemned by all lovers of democracy all over the world.

Read also: #EndSARS: Don’t Subvert Truth Before Lagos Panel, Group Warns Lagos Govt, Amnesty International

Nigerian military makes huge gains in the New Year with intensified operations

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Nigerian military makes huge gains in the New Year with intensified operations

…Scores of criminals killed, 16 criminals arrested, 12 kidnapped victims rescued in a week

The Armed Forces of Nigeria says it has in collaboration with other security agencies neutralised scores of terrorists and rescued over 12 kidnapped victims while 16 criminal and collaborators have been arrested since the beginning of the new year.

Coordinator Defence Media Operations Major General John Enenche disclosed this on Thursday, at the Defence Headquarters while briefing newsmen on the operational activities of the military in the various theatres operations in the six geo-political zones targeted at ending insurgency in the last one week.

General Eneche who spoke on the successes recorded by the troops within December 31, 2020, to January 6, this year disclosed that the gallant troops also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from the criminal elements and well destroyed some illegal refineries in the South-South part of the country and recovered over 600,000 of stolen crude from criminals operating in the zone.

The DMO Coordinator further explained that the gallant troops within the period under review, have intensified operations on aggressive clearance patrols, rescue operations ambushes and aerial patrols that led to the rescue of abducted persons, killing of bandits and other criminals group and the recovery of arms and ammunition.

The full text of the briefing reads below:

GENERAL UPDATE ON ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA OPERATIONS FROM 31 DECEMBER 2020 TO 6 JANUARY 2021

The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have continued their major operations across the country with renewed vigor. I will be updating you on the operations in line with our weekly schedule. This briefing covers from 31 December 2020 to 6 January 2021.

NORTH-WEST ZONE

Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI and other subsidiary operations have sustained their operations in the North-West Zone of the country progressively. The gallant troops within the period carried out several operations including rescue operations as well as clearance, ambushes and aerial patrols. These operations led to the rescue of abducted persons, neutralization of criminal elements and recovery of arms and ammunition. Within the period in focus, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI while on routine patrol around Gidan Dan Nunu and Dutsi villages of Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State made contact with bandits. In the course of the encounter, the gallant troops rescued 7 kidnapped victims. Relatedly, on 31 December 2020, troops acting on credible intelligence rescued 2 women and a child kidnapped at Kimbisawa village of Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State. Rescued victims were immediately reunited with their families.

In a related development, troops of Operation ACCORD rescued 3 kidnapped victims on New Year day following credible intelligence that armed bandits stormed Tungar Ruwa village in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Rescued victims have been reunited with their families. Equally, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY arrested two suspected armed bandits on New Year day following a tip off at Maraban Maigora in Faskari Local Government Area. Preliminary investigation revealed that suspects had connection with a notorious armed bandit leader in Madachi village of Sabuwa Local Government Area.

In the same vein, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY on 2 January 2021, based on credible intelligence neutralized five armed bandits at Garin Garus. Items recovered include, 2 AK 47 rifles, 2 magazines and 18 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition. Troops have continued to dominate the North West theatre of operation with aggressive fighting and aerial patrols to deny the criminal elements freedom of action.

NORTH-EAST ZONE

Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have not relented in their efforts to decimate the BHT/ISWAP elements operating in the North East Zone of the Country. Between 31 December 2020 and 6 January 2021, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE sustained their ground and air operations by adopting continuous vigilance and offensive postures.

Within the period in focus, the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE neutralized several ISWAP terrorist elements and destroyed their structures alongside some logistics items in air strikes conducted at Tumbun Gini general area of Borno State. This was achieved after series of aerial surveillance missions indicated that the structures and logistics items, camouflaged under dense vegetation was used as staging area for the criminals and their leaders to meet, from where they plan and launch attacks on troops and civilians. Similarly, on 1 January 2021, the Air Task Force destroyed new BHT’s settlement and neutralized some of their fighters at Mana Waji in Borno State. In another development on 2 January 2021, the Air Task Force took out some BHT criminal elements’ hideouts and eliminated some of their fighters during air strikes at Kote Kura and Bulama Isamari within the Timbuktu Triangle in Borno State. The air strikes were executed based on credible intelligence report indicating that the terrorists had established camps at the 2 settlements, where they stored their logistics items as well as plan and launch attacks on civilians and troops. Subsequently, series of air patrols and Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions as well air cover for surface troops have been continuously conducted across the Zone.

NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE 

In the North Central zone, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have continued to intensify ongoing kinetic operations to decisively stamp out armed banditry and other criminalities. Notably, on 31 December 2020, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, in collaboration with personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), arrested 3 suspected gun runners Yahaya Aliyu, Maiwada Idris and Ishaq Mohammed at Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The suspects were handed over to the DSS for further investigation.

Similarly, on 2 January 2021, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, in collaboration with the DSS, arrested a suspected member of a notorious kidnap gang, one Suleiman Tanko. The suspect was picked up at a clinic at Ungwan Carpenter village in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State where he was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds sustained during a recent kidnap operation foiled by troops. Tanko’s arrest was followed by the arrest of another wanted kidnap kingpin, one Mallam Abdulmuminu Nuhu at Fobur village in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State on 3 January 2021.

Same day, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN apprehended 3 suspects, Messrs David Kure, Peter Adamu, and Bulus Duniya, in connection with the alleged murder of a Fulani herder at Matyeu village of Zonzon district in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Two other suspects, messrs Mathew Peter (the prime suspect) and Dakachi Yohanna Chawei, were arrested in connection with the murder, on 4 January 2021. All suspects are presently undergoing preliminary investigation.

SOUTH-SOUTH ZONE

Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have continued with the aggressive fight against economic sabotage in the zone progressively. Within the period under review, acting on credible intelligence, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA Patrol team located a wooden boat laden with about 200,000 litres of product suspected to be crude oil. Accordingly, the boats along with the product were handled appropriately.

Equally, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA patrol team discovered and immobilized an illegal refining site with 9 storage tanks and 4 ovens containing crude oil estimated to be about 150,000 litres at Olaipase Creek in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. The patrol team proceeded further within the same community and located another illegal refinery site with 15 storage tanks and 8 ovens laden with substance suspected to be illegally refined AGO estimated to be about 250,000 litres.

The Military High Command encourages the troops and personnel of other security agencies to remain resolute and to sustain the tempo in all the Joint Operations Areas. The High Command also reassures the general public of its untiring dedication towards securing the country. Members of the general public are enjoined to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the military and other security agencies for prompt and effective action. Thank you.

 

How ex-Chief of Air Staff, Nsikak Edouk died

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How ex-Chief of Air Staff, Nsikak Edouk died

Death has occurred of the former chief of air staff, Air Marshall Nsikak Eduok.

Eduok died Wednesday night at age 73.

A family source disclosed that the retired Air Force boss from Akwa Ibom State did not die from COVID-19 as widely speculated in the social media.

According to the source, Eduok died from kidney related illness which had kept him on the hospital bed for many months before he finally breathed his last Wednesday night (yesterday).

“I can tell you categorically that his death has nothing to do with Coronavirus. The man has been on the hospital bed for some time now. He was suffering from kidney related illness,” disclosed the source.

Our source further hinted that the death of the former Air Force chief was yet to be made known to the public.

“We (family) are waiting for the state government to officially inform the Nigerian Air Force first, it is after that his death will be officially announced by the state government,” said the source.

Recall that Eduok’s death comes on the heels of that of Wing Commander Idongesit Nkanga, another retired Air Force officer and former Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom State who reportedly died from COVID-19 related ailments.

Born on July 11, 1947, Nsikak-Abasi Essien Eduok was born at Ibesikpo Asutan local government in Akwa Ibom State.

After his education, he began working for VON for a short while as a studio manager. In 1968 Nsikak enrolled in the NAF as a probable pilot.

Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok obtained his first military exercise from the Nigerian Defence Academy before going for his principal flying training in 1970. In 1971 after completing his principal training he went through the Basic Flying training course and emerged the best overall student.

In that same year he was assigned Second Lieutenant. Between 1971 and 1986 he attended several flying courses which included Advanced and Tactical Flying training course, Aircraft Accident Investigation course, MiG-21 Conversion Course in the Soviet Union, Advanced Staff Course in United Kingdom.

In 1991, he attended USAF Air War College in Alabama where he graduated in 1992. Between 1975 and 1976, Nsikak Eduok was the first Operations Officer of the Makurdi Strike Group. He was Commanding Officer of NAF Station, Enugu and the first Commander of the 75th Fighter Squadron.

Nsikak Eduok also has a street “Nsikak Eduok Avenue” in Akwa Ibom named after him.

JUST IN: COVID-19 Worsens As More Lagos Patients Are In Need Of Oxygen

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JUST IN: COVID-19 Worsens As More Lagos Patients Are In Need Of Oxygen

At the end of the meeting, the governor told State House correspondents how his government is managing the second wave of COVID-19 in the state and how it is trying to rebuild the infrastructure destroyed during the #EndSARS protests.

On COVID-19, the governor regretted that the state remains the epicentre of the virus while noting that the second wave appears more infectious than the first.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that more patients in the state are in need of oxygen, hence the decision of his government to build 10 oxygen tents.

The governor said, “On COVID-19, it is actually a very serious case. We have all said it, we are in the second wave and incidentally, the second wave seems to be a bit more infectious than the first one, I mean the rate of infection and the number of people that we have seen. We still remain the epicentre, so what we have done is, we never stopped building capacity.

“One of the things that we are doing now is communication and we are taking it to the grassroots to let people know that they need to take full responsibility and know that even for their loved ones, they need to be real with themselves and know that COVID-19 is real, it is with us and it is not just something playing in their heads.

“We have seen, unfortunately, the fatality rate around the country, even in Lagos. One of the things we have realised is that a lot more people require oxygen attention, they need additional breathing aid, so we have started building what we call oxygen tents.

“We are building about 10 of such facilities, we have commissioned about four or five of them and we are also building proper oxygen plants, additional to oxygen plants in the state so that we can meet the respiratory requirements.”

Sanwo-Olu said the rebuilding of some property destroyed last year had started.

He added that affected small businesses are also being assisted to get back on track through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.

He, however, said the process would take a while because it is easier to destroy than to rebuild.

He said, “It is work in progress. To take something down takes one day, to rebuild it take 10 years. It is a journey, not a destination. And so, it is going to take a while. We are carefully taking a proper study to know what we need to do, taking our time to get it right but we have started something.

“Some businesses that were affected, people who had their shops looted or burnt or something; wr have been able to directly begin to support such businesses, especially on a micro, small level using the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.

“They have started intervening and supporting some of these small businesses, giving them grants, giving them soft loans and making sure that they can come back together very quickly.

“The bigger items around infrastructure, around transportation, they will take a fairly longer time. We are talking about a period that is still under three months. So, it is still a working document that we are doing right now and we also have to be very creative in how we raise the finance. We didn’t have money anywhere; you know it was towards the end of a financial year and we’re just starting another year.”

Sanwo-Olu added that to be able to complete the rebuilding process, the state government would need more support from both the public and private sectors.

Rivers APC disaster: No one has monopoly of violence, Abe’s faction warns

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Rivers APC disaster: No one has monopoly of violence, Abe’s faction warns

Factional All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, loyal to Senator Magnus Abe, has warned that no one or group has a monopoly of violence.

Performing chairman of the faction, Golden Ben-Chioma, gave the warning when he addressed journalists in Port Harcourt, on the latest assault of their supporters by armed males in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

Read also: Wike, other PDP governors will join APC – Yahaya Bello

Ben-Chioma mentioned the assault on their supporters confirmed that somebody was afraid of the existence of their (Abe’s) camp.

He expressed: “As a celebration, we’ve frowned at it. We have now made a grievance on the vital safety tables. As I converse with you, investigation is ongoing.

“However, it solely reveals you one factor. We’re the sufferer of such factor. You ask your self, who’s perpetrating hurt to us? Are we a menace to anyone? The reply is “sure”. It,

Read also: Rivers APC faults market demolition

The chairman warned: “However, we’re regulation-abiding. And no person has a monopoly of violence. All people on this earth will cross away. Solely God and the earth would stay. So, let no man declare to be robust”.

Ben-Chioma added that the celebration believes in all-inclusive management and against autocracy.

He said: “We’re beginning afresh and we need to be sure that our occasion remains to be in existence within the state.

Read also: Pro-Democracy group accuses APC of desperate rigging plans in Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom.

“Get together politics is jaw-jaw not conflict-conflict. Should you really feel offended with our actions and inactions, come over, we inform you the explanations. When you persuade us, we agree with you. It’s a celebration not a private subject.

“So, what we’re saying right here is our celebration by no means wished autocracy to be the order of the day. That was why the structure was crafted in such a method to not be within the place of anyone. All people that has the chance to be a frontrunner, ought to be a frontrunner for the generality of all within the state”.

Read also: Resisted Pressure to Leave PDP for APC, says Wike

NASS REPUBLIC: As Reps undergo executive bullying. Two different tales, and a quote to recollect

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NASS REPUBLIC: As Reps undergo executive bullying. Two different tales, and a quote to recollect

Following heightened insecurity in the country, the members of the House of Representatives did what many ardent political watchers did not envisage.

They invited President Muhammadu Buhari to appear before them and provide details of what he was doing in the face of the rising destruction of lives and property, predominantly in northern Nigeria.

Read also: Group fingers NASS members, PDP behind fresh plots to undermine Nigeria’s democracy

Though the President declined the invitation without any official explanation, the ripples generated from the bold initiative of the National Assembly (NASS) members appear not to have settled.

As has been customary, NASS was a theatre of other intriguing stories in the past week.

_____________________________________________________________________

Executive bullying

On December 28, 2020, the House of Representatives distanced itself from reports that it apologised to President Buhari for inviting him to brief it on the worsening security situation in the country.

“The President or the presidency as the case may be, never sought for an apology from the House of Representatives for carrying out her constitutional responsibility to the Nigerian electorate,” the spokesman of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, said in a statement.

He added, “For the avoidance of doubt, the House never apologised to anyone for exercising her constitutional mandate and the 9th Assembly of the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila will not do anything to desecrate or destroy the critical institution of democracy – the legislature.”

Read also: Zabarmari Killings: Senate, Reps urged to face realities in insurgency war

Though reports of the apologies had been purely speculative, the quick denials by the Gbajabiamila-led House to Buhari’s indiscretion is symptomatic of a classic cover up.

It bears common sense that, given the long suspected umbilical relationship between the executive and legislature, the latter would paper over the issue and sweep it under the carpet.

From the ongoing conspiracy of silence, it should be clear to all and sundry that the House, as usual, has been bullied into submission, and the matter between them and Buhari now dead and buried.

The development, naturally, deepens the generally held view that the House and the larger NASS are not far from being a rubber stamp institution.

Perhaps, no other conduct illustrates this better than the reaction of Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, to the entire saga when he distanced himself and other Senators from actions of the lower house.

Read also: PMB: UK based Nigerian think tank expresses hope, lauds efforts towards national peace, stability

It is probably too late to expect members of NASS to not just bark but also bite.

NASS MEMORY LANE

Who said;

“I am happy that I went to prison. I went to prison and I am out. I am happy because going to prison has made me a refined, better and more forward looking man. I went to prison and discovered many secrets that I never believed that could happen?”

Answer: See end of post

Two other stories

Intensifying oversight functions

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives, in its New Year message, January 1, assured Nigerians of its resolve to intensify efforts on oversight functions of various development projects in 2021 fiscal year.

“As the representatives of the people, our Caucus has resolved to intensify our oversight activities and monitoring of 2021 budget performance to ensure that all projects and programmes that have direct bearing on the welfare of the people, particularly our youths and the economically vulnerable are promptly executed,” the Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, assured in a statement.

This is unarguably a step in the right direction. In 2020, reports of how abandoned projects littered different parts of the country made the rounds in the media.

Read also: Group fingers NASS members, PDP behind fresh plots to undermine Nigeria’s democracy

On December 5, 2020, for instance, the Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, during a visit to three abandoned power projects, awarded since 2001, in Abia State, said that the Federal Government will review and re-award the projects.

This is only one example in the sea of abandoned projects nationwide. It is to be imagined the impact of the non-execution of these projects on the well-being of Nigerians and the economy.

It is hoped that the Elumelu-led caucus would match words with action, and regularly demand accountability and transparency from government functionaries.

____________________________________________________________________

Lawan’s persuasions

Lawan

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his New Year message released to journalists on December 31, in Abuja urged Nigerians to have faith in the fiscal policies and legislation being jointly put in place by the executive and the legislative arms of government, arguing that it would make the economic recession a thing of the past.

“We believe that allowing the implementation of this outstanding capital component of the 2020 budget to run concurrently with the 2021 budget will inject more funds to the economy,” he had said.

Lawan’s assurances may sound persuasive but it is doubtful how soon the promised reliefs would come given the several disconnects in the economy that require sustained policy initiatives and execution.

With Nigeria’s economy at the mercy of volatility in the global oil market, and severe disruptions in the supply chain arena, Nigerians can only keep hope alive, even as State governments begin to default in payments of the national minimum wage.

Answer: Senator Orji Uzor Kalu

Kalu made the statement, on December 13, 2020, during a Thanksgiving session at the Love World Incorporated, otherwise known as Christ Embassy. He is the Chief Whip in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly.

 

The ‘American Coup’ and Nigeria’s #EndSARS protest: Two Ugly Twins

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The ‘American Coup’ and Nigeria’s #EndSARS protest: Two Ugly Twins

By Yakubu Shendam

Oh how the mighty have fallen, is a phrase used to describe the failure or decline in status of a person, group, society who used to be very successful, powerful, important and relevant. This phrase aptly captures the situation that happened in America starting with the November 20 Presidential election and the riots that sparked up on January 6th which has been termed a coup by media houses and political commentators worldwide.

The details and morality of what happened on the 6th of January is not important to this discourse. That America which had once elected herself the moral judge of the world and played it well albeit excesses has fallen beyond the standard it has set for the world does not still concern this narrative. Whether African leaders will sanction senior American citizens or freeze their businesses in Africa and elsewhere is still irrelevant here. What interest this discourse are the similarities between these two events and possible lessons to be learnt from them especially on how a national army salvaged the situation here in Nigeria.

The ‘attempted coup’ in the US on the 6th of January, 2021 smacks of a similar situation in Nigeria in the wake of the purported #Endsars protest in Nigeria towards the end of 2020. These two events have one or two things in common even though it took some people especially Nigerians who are not conversant with the game of power play a long time to understand what transpired.

First of all, these two events are all sponsored. While it will be of no use talking about the sponsors of the US post election riots, the siege on the capitol building and the desecration of the US constitution, it is important to say the Nigerian #Endsars protest was sponsored by opposition politicians, business men, military men and criminal elements within and outside the country who either had an eye for political office, appointments or whose criminal activities were thwarted by the stringent laws and policies of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.Those behind the dastardly act are being fished out and will certainly face the wrath of the law.

Secondly, these two ugly events are nothing but a coup on democracy and the rule of law. While the Nigerian government and her security agencies particularly the Army under the leadership of TY Buratai professionally brought the situation under control and ensured the protection of lives and property, it is yet to be known how the American ‘coup’ will play out.

One thing is however certain, there is a thing or two the American government has to learn from the proactive and people oriented administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the professionalism of the security agents especially the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Army.

It is now clear based on the evidence presented by the army before the Lagos state independent judicial panel of inquiry that the Nigerian Army has exercised high level of self restraint, Professionalism and respect for the rule of law and has not fired a live bullet nor killed anybody. As the world focuses on America and the events unfolding therein, it is the hope of every global citizen that lives of Americans will be placed above selfish and personal interest while maintaining the territorial integrity of America as was exemplified recently in Nigeria.

It is also pertinent to point out that nowhere has falsehood triumphed over truth. The series of staged ‘coup plots’ in Nigeria aimed at undermining the presidency such as the Kankara boys saga and similar events must be seen by Nigerians for what they are. The killing of farmers in Maiduguri is also one of the events serially arranged by the sponsors some of which are engineered by foreign organisations masquerading as NGOs to paint the Buhari administration in bad light so as to discredit the administration or at worst instigate a regime change. Merely listening to some of their collaborators during that period one could realise they were all calling for President Buhari to resign. The insiders in the National Assembly have already invited President Muhammadu Buhari to appear before the House of Representatives as a follow up of the #Endsars saga but these failed as our security agencies particularly the Nigerian Army were monitoring the plot by these cabal.

As the days go by, it has become clear to all that many of the challenges faced by the country are deliberately orchestrated and sponsored meant to discredit the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and create an impression among Nigerians and the international community that there is terrible insecurity in Nigeria which is not true in the real sense of the situation on the ground.

Since 2015, Nigeria has prevailed over her enemies through the instrumentality of her security forces. America will prevail too and all sponsors of protests and riots in Nigeria and elsewhere will be disgraced. It won’t be out of place if America turns to the Nigeria Army for help in this trying moment. Because here in Nigeria we have seen how a single organisation has protected our democracy and effectively checkmated selfish politicians, their collaborators and other crooks in bastardising the achievements of the administration of president Muhammadu Buhari and where possible humiliating him out of office.

Dr. Yakubu Shendam, a National Youth president writes from Abuja.

Ghanaian military steps in to quell parliamentary fight ahead of swearing-in

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Ghanaian military steps in to quell parliamentary fight ahead of swearing-in

Ghanaian soldiers intervened overnight to quell a clash between opposing parties in parliament ahead of the body’s swearing-in set for Thursday.

Chaotic scenes erupted after a ruling party deputy tried to seize the ballot box during the vote for parliament speaker. The ensuing clash lasted several hours until the army stepped in, with national television broadcasting the drama live.

“There was total breakdown of law and order,” said MP-elect Kwame Twumasi Ampofo of the opposition National Democratic Congress. “Looking at a member of parliament and a minister of state snatching ballot papers… was so shameful.”

The new parliament will be virtually split down the middle between the two main parties, posing the risk of gridlock with key issues on the agenda including how to turn around an economy hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, who narrowly won re-election in the December 7 vote, will also be sworn in on Thursday.

His New Patriotic Party lost 32 seats in the 275-member parliament.

Nigerian politicians loot treasury, search repentance in Saudi Arabia, Jerusalem – Kukah

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Nigerian politicians loot treasury, search repentance in Saudi Arabia, Jerusalem – Kukah

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto says Nigerian leaders hide behind religion to steal national resources.

Kukah made this known in a scathing sermon on Tuesday at the funeral mass for Archbishop Peter Jatau, the pioneer indigenous archbishop of Kaduna Catholic Diocese at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Kaduna.

He said: “Nigerians complain that the country is full of churches and mosques and they cannot find the values of these religions in everyday life. We sin at home by stealing the nation’s resources but we seek repentance and forgiveness in Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem in the guise of lesser or higher pilgrimages.

Read also: MURIC under fire over call for Kukah’s resignation

“Our duty is to reject the notion of corrupt governments that somehow, the Lord has not provided for every society. When they call for us to tighten our belts because there is recession, that oil prices have fallen, that there are problems with balance of payments and so on.

“The priest at the duty post must say what he can see, namely, that when those who preside over the affairs issue a bad check, it must be resisted, that when they pretend that the society faces bankruptcy, or that there are insufficient funds, we must reject these and insist on the equitable use of the resources for the common good of all.

“We make money from abandoning projects duly paid for by governments which have adopted contractocracy as a governance mechanism. We are allowing others to use our money to develop their own infrastructure. Our elites all assembled in Dubai for Christmas and also to welcome the new year.

Read also: PMB and Burden Of Healing Broken Bones

“As virtue recedes into the sunset in our country, there is an urgent need for us to pause and take stock of what is required to save our country.”

Kukah also extolled the virtues of the late archbishop. He said the late clergyman took over the mantle of leadership, raised the bar and by sheer diplomatic efficiency strengthened the relationship between the church and state.

Read also: Raymond Dokpesi recovers from COVID-19 14 days after

Trump guarantees ‘orderly transition’ however vows to battle on

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Trump guarantees ‘orderly transition’ however vows to battle on

US President Donald Trump has guaranteed that there will be an orderly transition on January 20, 2021 but also vowed to battle on.

He said this hours after a joint session of the US Congress affirmed the electoral win by President-elect Joe Biden of the Democratic Party.

“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th,” Trump said in a statement.

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“I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again.”

The session which confirmed Biden’s win had earlier been disrupted by some Trump supporters who stormed the US Capitol.

They were egged on by Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud in the election of November 3, 2020.

The invasion was condemned by Vice President Mike Pence shortly after tranquility was restored to allow the session to proceed.

“We condemn the violence that took place here in the strongest possible terms. We grieve the loss of life in these hallowed halls, as well as the injuries suffered by those who defended our Capitol today,” Pence said on Twitter.

“And we will always be grateful for the men and women who stayed at their post to defend this historic place. To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins. And this is still the People’s House.”

Read also: End of the road for Trump as US Congress certifies Biden’s victory

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