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BUHARI at 78: If only we knew this President

By
Toby
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Ask for a President beleaguered from all sides, and I’ll show you Muhammadu Buhari, the ramrod straight man from Daura, in Katsina State, who turns 78 today.

In the build up to the 2015 presidential election, we used to say everything had been thrown at him as projectiles, except the kitchen sink. Permit me to update that expression. Today, everything possible has been thrown at President Buhari, including the kitchen sink. Anything. Everything. Fake news. Hate speech. Lies. False propaganda. Evil thoughts. Malediction. Odium. Opprobrium. Ogbunigwe. Ogulutu.Surface to air missiles. All offensive weapons. But the man trudges on. Calmly, sedately, peacefully.

If only more Nigerians knew this President. If only they knew the essential Buhari, the quintessential patriot and gentleman, they would behave differently, handle him with more care, and show him more kindness. Yes, everyone needs kindness, even Presidents.

Remember that song by Mary Mc Kee and The Genesis?
You’ve got to try a little kindness
Yes, show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people, on narrow-minded streets.

Too many people have chosen to believe the wrong things about President Buhari, and have ossified their minds against the truth. But then, those of us who have had the privilege to work with him, studied and known him at close quarters, have a duty to tell what we have seen. And what better day to do it, than on his birthday.

Oh, he eats from the President. What else would he say than to sing his praises. True? False. If need be, I will serve this President for free. I consider it a great privilege to serve a man I admire. Even gratis.

Somebody commented that a blitzkrieg has been launched against Buhari and the government he leads, from all quarters. Some elements in the media, human rights groups, so-called activists, NGOs, Boko Haram, ISWAP, all at once. But is Buhari the loser? Not at all. It’s the country that ultimately loses, just as Eric Donaldson sang in ‘Little Did You Know:’
You think that you are hurting me
But little did you know you are only hurting yourself
Little did you know you are only hurting yourself.

In about two years and five months, with God being merciful as He always is, President Buhari will land safely, and retire to Daura for a well-deserved retirement at 80. And if those engineering distraction against his government continue, it is the country that would have lost. A great deal.

What are the things some people hurl against the President, which shows that they don’t know him at all?

He’s a religious bigot. Really? I’ve not seen a scintilla of evidence in the past five years. Every Christmas and Easter holiday, he calls those of us who are Christians, working with him, and asks us to stay off work, and enjoy the season with our families. That’s not the way of bigots, who would never acknowledge any religion, except their own.

As a military commander, history has it that Buhari would always give soldiers working under him time to go for worship on Sunday mornings, just as he did to the Muslims on Fridays. Yet, bigot, bigot, some people continue to shout.

He’s a Fulani, he rears cows, and all Fulani herdsmen are criminals, that’s why he tolerates them. Really? Some people even say all Fulani are herdsmen, whether they see them with cattle or not. Truth is; every ethnic stock has its deviants, its criminal elements. You can’t just demonize all Fulani, simply because you want to excoriate the President. Did he choose to be born Fulani? Did I choose to be born Yoruba, and did the Ishan, Idoma or Ijaw man choose the ethnic stock he wanted to be born into? It’s a biological accident. You have nothing to do with it. A man then doesn’t go repudiating where he comes from, simply because some people have decided to tar his people with the brush of infamy.

He’s nepotistic. A common refrain, but non-scientific. About three years ago, we did a scientific exercise. We chronicled all the appointments made by the President since 2015, and allocated them to states and regions. The result showed that the Southwest had the largest share. Followed by Imo and Kano states. Then Edo and Katsina. And on and on. But the naysayers ignored facts and figures, and stuck to their false narratives. Nepotism.

One day, the President had given me an appointment to announce in the early days of the administration. By then, some people had started talking of northernisation agenda. So I said, “Mr President, this is the murmur we hear. Why don’t you consider giving this position to another part of the country?”

He looked at me calmly, smiled, and said: “If a search has been conducted for a position, and someone has been thrown up as the best candidate. And I then bypass him because of where he comes from, or because of his religion, haven’t I been unfair to that person?”

Food for thought, indeed.

This is Jubril from Sudan and not Muhammadu Buhari, who had died during the medical vacation in 2017, some people say. You have a clone in Aso Villa, not Buhari. Idiocy, sadly believed by even some intellectuals.

Let me tell you a story. On the day the President finally returned to the country in August 2017, after months of absence, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin, was giving out his daughter in marriage. I had attended the church service, decked unusually in complete Agbada, with cap to match. From the wedding, I went straight to the airport to join the reception party.

We formed a welcome line, as we usually do. And as the President shook each person, he had one wisecrack or the other to say. When he got to me, he took my hand and said: “Adesina, this is the best I’ve seen you dressed.” We both laughed heartily, and the television cameras captured it. I remember that many people asked me later what had tickled me and the President, that we laughed so uproariously.

Jubril from Sudan? Would he know my name as Adesina? Would he know I rarely wear Agbada? How ridiculous can some people be?

Another story. The journalist Lindsay Barret had been a long time friend of the President. One day, he sent me to give his greetings. When I did, the President said: “Lindsay Barret. I remember meeting him at the war front in 1968. He was covering the war. There was a day he was almost killed in an ambush, and he then described himself as a ‘devout coward,’ who was lucky to be alive.”

Jubril of Sudan? And he remembers Barret, whom he met at the warfront in 1968? Tell it to the marines.

Ask me for a loyal man, who never forgets a good turn, and I’ll show you Muhammadu Buhari. Among the last class of Ambassadors, he had personally picked Justice George Oguntade, who was sent to United Kingdom, and Justice Sylvester Nsofor, who he deployed to America. The latter died only last week, aged 85.

How did the two men gain the favour, loyalty and respect of the President? In his many legal battles after disputed election results in 2003, and 2007, they had given dissenting judgements at both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, nullifying the election results, saying Candidate Buhari had been cheated. The man never forgot, and sought them out in due time. The same also happened to some of us working with him today.

A kind man. I have lots of stories to tell, but let me restrict myself to a few. In December 2015, I had lost my elder sister, a Professor of Dramatic Arts, in an auto crash. While I was crying like a wailing wailer, who was on the phone, consoling and condoling with me? Muhammadu Buhari.

And before he became President, when my mother passed on in 2013, and we had a commendation service for her in Lagos, who flew in all the way from Kaduna to attend? Muhammadu Buhari. He sat through the Christian service. Yet, they say he’s a bigot. I hear. Bigot from Sudan.

And in January 2017, I was to receive the traditional title of Nwanne di Namba of Mmaku Kingdom, in Enugu State. Courtesy demanded I tell the President. This man, who prides himself as ‘very stingy’ gave me a handsome amount of money to ferry my friends and family to the ceremony. How much? I won’t tell you, lest you ask for a belated share.

And in May 2018, I was billed for China for a 12 days course for senior government officials from Africa. He said when the journey was two days away, I should come to see him. I did. You know what he said? “Adesina, I know that you don’t have money. But you are too shy to ask.” We both laughed, and he gave me an envelope which contained foreign currency. How much? You think I’ll tell you? For where?

This President is a patriot. He loves this country dearly. A man of personal discipline. Single minded about the infrastructural development of the country. And he’s succeeding at it. I have loads of stories to tell to justify each virtue. But time and space won’t permit.

However, let me tell this final one, as told to me by a retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army.

He said he was a Major at the Second Mechanized Division, Ibadan, when the then Major General was posted there in early 1983, as General Officer Commanding.

There was a cocktail reception, billed for 8 pm. Fifteen minutes to the time, the new GOC walked briskly in. Only a sprinkle of officers had arrived. He moved round the venue, surveying the place, and at the dot of 8 pm, with the hall still scanty, he went to the gate, and directed the sergeant-major on duty to lock the inner one firmly, admitting nobody.
Nobody.
Yes sir!
The GOC went back inside, held the cocktail with the few officers available. Event over, he went back to the gate, to see the battery of latecomer officers huddled there. He surveyed them, and then instructed:
All of you, see me in the office tomorrow by 8 am.
Yes sir!
The GOC walked briskly away. And you know what? As early as 6 am next day, most of the officers had reported in his office. Once bitten, twice shy.

At 78, the President still scrupulously respects time. Do they make them like this anymore? Doubtful.

Yet, many people are plotting, and engineering all sorts of artifices, to ensure Buhari does not succeed. Who loses? The country!

There is this classic Yoruba film, Saworoide, which I watched years back. Adebayo Faleti, who wrote and starred in the film, looked at the stratagems and underhand dealings of man. And he sang, rather philosophically: Koi ye won, yio ye won lola.

Translated freely, it means: They don’t understand today. They’ll understand tomorrow.

It’s better for a lot more cynical Nigerians to understand this President today, rather than tomorrow, for the good of the country. That would be the best birthday gift they can give him.

*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity

Who are the beneficiaries of Boko Haram insurgency?

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admin
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By Mohammed Jubril

What is today Boko Haram started sometime in the build-up to the 2003 general elections as an assemblage of a small clan of political thugs. Desperate Nigerian politicians and power grabbers imported the clan of banditti into Borno state from Niger Republic; armed and unleashed them on the people for partisan reasons.

The main assignment handed down to Boko Haram members by their political patrons or mentors was to violently eliminate, and assassinate tenacious political rivals. Boko Haram performed the hatched job creditably by assisting their paymasters win elections by all crooked means.

On election day, Boko Haram political thugs led the squad of ballot box snatchers and perpetrated all the electoral malfeasances’ in favour of sponsors. By 2011, Boko Haram became deeply entrenched in Borno, upgraded in status and morphed from mere armed political thugs to armed insurgents; freely expanded its antennae to other states of the Northeast on same agenda.

Some Nigerian politicians have the penchant to quickly embrace evil insofar as it brings personal benefits. So, Boko Haram gained unimaginable popularity and patronage from some political elites, especially in Borno. Those seeking political offices mooned them as worthy buddies.

Former two-tenured Governor of Borno state and now a, serving Senator, representing Borno Central Senatorial district, Alhaji Kashim Shettima plotted a major political dive for the plomb position of Borno Governor to succeed Sen. Modu Ali Sherrif in 2011. Sen. Shettima served in the state cabinet of Sen. Sherrif for years and in five different ministries.

Shettima served the administration under which Boko Haram was birthed, nourished and flowered. It is mild to say, Shettima had a good bond with the insurgents in the state. But the people of Borno, particularly, delegates in the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) which governed Borno at that time rejected the choice of Shettima to fly the party’s flag for the 2011 guber ballot.

Therefore, ANPP party delegates handed over the ticket to a popular, focused and visionary leader, Engr. Modu Fannami Gubio. It was a loud statement from the ANPP to severe ties with any politician who had links with the Sherrif’s Government which conspicuously courted and patronized Boko Haram.

Eccentrically, Shettima refused to accept his defeat silently and Gubio’s choice in good faith. He instigated crisis, created deep divisions and fractions in the party.

Gubio did not live long enough to run for the governorship polls in April 2011. He was assassinated! The unfortunate incident happened at a time Boko Haram gained notoriety as hired mercenaries to eliminate political opponents. So, the assassination of Gubio was dramatic. Gubio had left his father’s house in Maiduguri city after the Friday Jamaat prayers, but was buttonholed by excited supporters who gathered outside the gate.

Gubio started addressing them and sooner, the unexpected happened. Gunmen on two motorcycles approached the scene and instantly opened fire into the crowed at the direction where Gubio stood. He was instantly felled by the assassin’s bullets; gruesomely murdered by gunmen on motorbikes believed to be Boko Haram mercenaries.

BBC’s correspondent, Bilkisu Babangida in Maiduguri succinctly reported that “…politicians and the police believe this killing was politically motivated. Borno’s police boss at that time, Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar also endorsed this view; “Obviously it’s a political assassination.”

An Africa adage says, “if an owl howls dreadfully in the night over a roof and a child dies the next morning; need not search far for the harbinger of the bad news.” Gubio was brutally and prematurely sent to his grave by suspected political adversaries.

But who was the strongest rival stoutly against Gubio as ANPP’s guber flagbearer? It was Kashim Shettima. Who inherited the guber ticket? It was same Shettima. Is it plausibly deducible by circumstantial inferences that Shettima probably sponsored the assassination of the genuine owner of the ANPP governorship candidate in Borno State to inherit his ticket and become the Governor of Borno State?

Sen. Shettima with an overtly active backing of Boko Haram won the guber polls both in 2011 and 2015 and today he is in the Senate. That’s the new normal is Nigeria today. The worse performing State Governors retire or transit to the national parliament after the expiration of their infamous tenures.

But another African proverb says; “The axe forgets what the tree remembers.” The people of Borno have not forgotten the destructions, ruinations and retardations of the state under the leadership of Shettima.

When Sen. Shettima governed the state and under a complacent President of Nigeria, Boko Haram insurgency festered in Borno to its acme. The atrocities and horrendous crimes by Boko Haram insurgents stunned the world. Shettima did nothing or very little to take the primary responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people of Borno.

Rather, he used the Boko Haram scourge to farther his political nests at the detriment of his people. Apparently, Boko Haram brought Sen. Shettima to limelight and in consummation of political niceties. He has benefited from Boko Haram Insurgency immensely more than any other politician in Borno.

When the tempo and momentum of Boko Haram atrocities accentuated dangerously and became too loud, it diverted attention of everyone from the stewardship and accountability obligations of Shettima. All concentration of good spirited Nigerians within and outside Borno was how to extricate the people from the torments, pains, agonies and gores inflicted on them by Boko Haram terrorists.

It was much fun and excitement for Shettima as Borno Governor. Albeit, a democratic leader, Shettima governed the state on the template of a sole administrator. He administered all funds accruing to Borno from FAAC for the Local Government Councils based on his dubious discretion.

For the eight years of his leadership, Shettima never contemplated the conduct any council elections, not even in the dreamy world of fantasy. He handpicked political surrogates and cronies, appointed them overseers of the 27 councils in the state and allegedly shared council funds with the “chairmen” in Maiduguri. He was autocratic and his directives on finances of the state were held sacrosanct.

Shettima allegedly had an unbeatable appetite for diversion of public funds. Borno netted such much funds from FAAC and other statutory interventions. A financial firm, “Dataphyte” Analytics released a report in March 2019, explaining how states of the federation shared the sum of N25.03 trillion from FAAC between 2007 and 2018.

Borno ranked “…among the top 10 beneficiaries from the FAAC allocation.” It netted N601.66 billion within the period of the analysis. Shettima was Borno Governor for the greater number of years captured by the report. It means he netted funds above N300 billion for the state from 2011 to 2018.

But the same Shettima never constructed a single primary school outside Maiduguri throughout his tenure. He cleverly used the veil of Boko Haram as a cover against probity. Meanwhile, the FGN and international organizations took over almost the entire financial burden of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno; but Shettima could not deliver on capital projects from the billions earned from allocations.

Shettima knows he has disappointed himself and the people of Borno gravely in leadership. Sen. Shettima was unwittingly speaking to a troubled conscience at the public lecture organized by a Coalition of Youths Groups in Birnin Kebbi, with the innocuous confessional statement that his successor Gov. Babagana Zulum is “better than me in all ramifications.”

He is haunted by the guilt of failing to bring any seed of development to his people; but generously sowed the fruits of Boko Haram insurgency, with its multiple splinter sects now. He has no moral probity to voice out today in faults of others over resurgent Boko Haram terrorism. To the people of Borno, an African idiom again cautions; “When there is an enemy within, the enemies outside can’t hurt you.”

Jibrin PhD wrote from Federal University Kashere.

Cleric Curses Buhari’s Saboteurs

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By Lawrence Audu

Foremost Islamic cleric Sheikh Abdullahi Isah has placed curses on those conspiring to undermine the Muhammadu Buhari led government, while hinting that there is a grand campaign to undermine the Muhammadu Buhari administration by some politicians across the country.

He stated this at a media parley with select journalists in Minna, Niger state on the state of the nation and the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in addressing the myriads of challenges in the country.

“The bulk of the security challenges in the country have political undertones, and they are perpetuated by some select few that are not happy with the administrative style of President Muhammadu Buhari that has placed the interest of the ordinary Nigerians as a top priority.”

“In my opinion, this is the only sin that President Muhammadu Buhari has committed since he assumed leadership of the country in 2015. And they have consequently ganged up against him to undermine the security architecture in the country.”

The cleric further added that some politicians are not happy with the success recorded in the war against insurgency in North-East Nigeria because of what they have been benefiting over the years.

“The successes recorded in northeast Nigeria didn’t go down well with the patrons of the Boko Haram group because of what they have been befitting over the years. For them, President Muhammadu Buhari has caused their tap of honey to seize to flow, and they have consequently constituted themselves as clogs in the wheel of our progress.”

“We are all in this country, and we are witness to the fact that in less than two years all the local government areas hitherto under the control of the Boko Haram group were reclaimed by the Nigerian military, including their operational headquarters in Sambisa forest. And I am shocked that instead of these individuals to be appreciative of the efforts to keep Nigerian safe, they have been furiously promoting other acts of criminalities in the country all in the bid to discredit the president and paint a picture of incompetence.”

The cleric advised Nigerians to extend their support to the government in its efforts to keep the country safe and united.

“The task before all well-meaning Nigerians is to ensure that they support the government to defeat those that are against our peace and progress. Nigerians must see this as a collective endeavour because the country belongs to all of us and not a select few.”

“Nigerians must also resist those individuals that are promoting criminal activities in the form of bandits and kidnappers which remains the only way they can destroy the country since the incapacitation of the Boko Haram group by the Nigerian Military.”

Sheik Abdullahi also commended the Service Chiefs for their relentless efforts towards keeping Nigeria safe. “We must also appreciate the Service Chiefs in the country who have been tireless in their pursuit to keep the country safe for all despite the avalanche of conspiracies against it.”

“I pray that Allah visits all those that are against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari with severe punishment for their evil deeds before the year 2021. If they don’t change their ways, they will meet their waterloo in very disgraceful circumstances.”

It would be recalled there has been heightened acts of criminalities across the country in recent times amid calls for the resignation of the Service Chiefs in the country.

Nigeria reopens land borders after 2 years

By
Toby
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0

 

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the immediate reopening of the nation’s land borders after about two years of closure.

The Presidency made this known in a tweet on Wednesday.

The tweet reads “President Buhari has directed the immediate opening of four land borders: Seme, Illela, Maigatari, and Mfun,”

Nigeria’s land borders were completely closed in August 2019 after months of partial closure to curtail illegal importation of drugs, small arms and agricultural products into country from neighbouring West African nations.

Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed had hinted earlier that the borders will be reopened, noting that the president would determine the exact date.

The opening of the borders can also be linked with Nigeria’s confirmation of its membership of the African free-trade zone which would be launched in January next year, after initial reluctance to join the bloc for fear of exposing local industries to dumping by countries outside Africa.

Senate drops summons against service chiefs

By
Toby
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The Senate has dropped the resolution reached on Monday to summon service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security agencies

The upper legislative chamber said it took the decision to register its displeasure at the growing insecurity in the country and President Buhari’s reluctance to address it.

The red chamber also reminded the President of its powers of impeachment as contained in the nation’s constitution if the situation persists.

Taking turns to speak on the floor of the chamber, the lawmakers advocated taking serious actions, including putting on hold further actions on the 2021 budget, that could make the President to take resolutions passed by the Senate, seriously.

The lawmakers spoke during a debate on a motion moved by Senator Bello Mandiya from Katsina South Senatorial District on the abduction of about 330 students of a secondary school in the state, which Boko Haram had claimed responsibility for.

The red chamber unanimously resolved not to have anything to do with the nation’s service chiefs any longer.

It accordingly resolved to condemn in “very strong terms” the attack on Government Science School, Kankara, in Kastina State which led to the abduction and disappearance of the students.

The Senate also urged Buhari to consider and implement the recommendations of the Senate ad hoc Committee on Nigeria’s security challenges and the Senate resolutions as a holistic response to the mounting security challenges across the country.

The Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, Mathew Urhoghide, lamented that National Assembly had exhausted all avenues to make Buhari tackle insecurity.
Urhoghide said, “We stood up here to say that the service chiefs should be changed. The more you say, the more annoying it is to the President and he will never change.

“Therefore Mr President please, the President must be compelled to act on Senate resolutions, I am not saying that the President should be impeached; no, it would be premature, but let us compel him to sit up and obey our resolutions.

“The President has no respect for the National Assembly, our resolutions are not being respected.”

A former Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi, also said it was glaring that the President did not need the legislative arm of government.

He said, “I don’t believe that I am part of the problem. The presidency is not an award; it is a call to duty.

“When you call a man to duty He must be able to know when the bulk stops on his table.
“Right now the bulk stops on the President’s table as far as security in this country is concerned.

“The worst part of the situation is that he is talking to us as if we are talking rubbish.
“We have many resolutions of this Senate , none of them has been implemented, even the resolution on #EndSARS none has been taken.”

Senator Sani Musa said, “There is need to draw the attention of the President that enough is enough; the service chiefs should go.

“I wish the National Assembly will take a drastic action on this. We have the power to appropriate.

Senator James Manager said, “Let the public be aware that we have done all that is there to be done
“We have handed necessary resolutions for the executive to implement, not one item has been implemented and we are talking about and we are inviting the service chiefs; for what?”

Senator Gabriel Suswam said, “There’s nothing more important for government to do than securing the lives of citizens of this country, and at all times.”

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, urged his colleagues not to despair but continue to speak out.

He said, “As a parliament, we should never get tired of talking about issues that affect our people

“I believe that we should think outside the box. What are those new things that we need to say to bring everybody to the table for the kind of action we believe in the Senate and, indeed the National Assembly, that should be taken.

“We should continue to engage with the Executive arm of government until the appropriate actions are taken, because that is what we are expected to do as a Parliament,” the Senate President said.

In a related development, the House of Representatives called on the Federal Government on Tuesday to immediately take action towards securing the release or rescue of all pupils abducted by Boko Haram and bandits in the recent times.

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CSO writes ICC Prosecutor over misguided view on Nigerian security agencies 

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Some international civil society organisations have cautioned the International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda over misguided utterances against the Nigerian military and sister agencies .

The International Human Rights Protection Forum (IHRPF) gave this warning in a letter to the Office of the Chief Prosecutor on Tuesday.

In the letter signed by its Director of Communication, Zakari Yinusa, the IHRPF said the ICC pre-convicted the military, adding that it was faulty and not in tandem with any known criminal court.

The group also expressed frustration over reports that the ICC has been compromised by Amnesty International who it claims is “pumping millions of dollars into the Chief Prosecutor’s office to ensure that the military is demoralized to the extent of losing focus on the final defeat of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist groups”.

The CSO, though, assured that the Armed Force under the current dispensation over the years adhered strictly to the extant laws, rules of engagement and international best practices.

“As far as we are concerned, the position you have taken is a subtle way of casting aspersions on the military while at the same time strengthening the terrorists and their sympathizers to keep unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens,” the letter stated in part.

The group, however, advised the ICC Chief Prosecutor to retrace her steps and stop being used against Nigeria.

It added that “we shall prevail on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami SAN through civil actions to cease further cooperation with the International Criminal Court in terms of exchange of classified national security information or legal documents”.

Read full letter below:

As a strategic partner with the International Criminal Court (ICC), our International Human Rights Protection Forum (IHRPF) has always advocated that perpetrators of terrible crimes against the human race must be held to account. To this end, we closely monitored the recent #EndSARS Protests in Nigeria and forwarded not less than three different Criminal Complaints to your office against various individuals, groups and institutions found complicit in escalating the crises which almost ruined our dear country. We are aware that other human right organizations equally wrote and supplied avalanche of incriminating pieces of evidence against some non-state actors for fueling the ill-fated #EndSARS Protests.

Our expectation is that as the Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, you would within this period that Nigeria is struggling to recover from the severe pains inflicted on her citizens and economy, concentrate on adequately considering the multiple Criminal Complaints piling on your table with a view to bringing the identified culprits to book. Regrettably, you seem to have abandoned the noble purpose for which the ICC was established and allowed yourself to be used by Amnesty International to complicate the precarious security situation in Nigeria. We submit that by all standards, the hasty manner in which the Nigerian Security Forces were pre-convicted through your media pronouncement on Friday, 11th December, 2020 is faulty and not in tandem with any known International Criminal Law, Instrument or Protocol.

We are surprised that it took you over a decade to analyze the bunch of lies sold to ICC by Amnesty International before coming to the so called conclusion that there is reasonable basis to believe that “members of the Nigerian Security Forces (NSF) have committed acts constituting crimes against humanity and war crimes”. Experience should have taught you that Amnesty International had been working desperately with other foreign enemies to give the Nigerian Security Forces a bad name in order to hang them. A situation whereby you allow leaders of Boko Haram as well as notorious criminals like Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who continually rebel constituted authorities in Nigeria to move freely across the world but rather choose to declare cold legal war against the Nigerian Security Forces is rather unfortunate, wicked and suspicious. It goes to buttress the assertion in various quarters that Amnesty International has been pumping millions of dollars into your office to ensure that the military is demoralized to the extent of losing focus on the final defeat of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist groups.

Our investigations also reveal that Nigerian Armed Forces under the current dispensation in carrying out counter terrorism operations within the North East and other parts of the country have over the years ensured that their troops do everything possible to adhere strictly to the extant laws, rules of engagement and international best practices. On no account shall we allow the ICC to dampen the morale of military troops who have been fighting tirelessly to keep Nigeria and her people safe. As far as we are concerned, the position you have taken is a subtle way of casting aspersions on the military while at the same time strengthening the terrorists and their sympathizers to keep unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens. This we condemn in its entirety and call on other sister organizations to join in the struggle to save Nigeria from another foreign oppression.

Until you retrace your steps from being used against Nigeria, we shall prevail on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami SAN through civil actions to cease further cooperation with the International Criminal Court in terms of exchange of classified national security information or legal documents. We will equally prevail on the Federal Republic of Nigeria to opt-out of being a signatory to the Rome Statute and adopt a new policy of protecting her military personnel, officials, and nationals from your illegitimate use of the powers inherent in the ICC. After all, the core issues of when Nigeria can lawfully resort to armed force, how that force may be applied, and whether particular actions constitute serious international offences of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide are duly covered by local laws.

In particular, Section 217 (1) and (2) (a) – (d) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) no doubt clothes the Armed Forces with the authority to take charge of defending Nigeria from external aggression, maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land, sea or air. The Armed Forces are also empowered to suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. Section 3 of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 fortifies the powers of the Armed Forces when it provides that they shall be charged with the defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by land, sea and air and with such other duties as the National Assembly may from time to time prescribe or direct by an Act.

On the whole, we urge you to always maintain neutrality in handling affairs of State parties. The need for the ICC to remain accountable to the United Nations Security Council in line with Chapter 5, Article 24 (1) of the UN Charter for purposes of maintaining international peace and security cannot be overemphasized. Massive atrocities have been committed by terrorists in Nigeria under your nose yet you kept mute, only to regain your voice where the military is mentioned. It is, therefore, our prayer that you take urgent steps to correct the erroneous impression which your publication has made concerning the hitherto highly esteemed reputation of the ICC. The best thing we envisage from your office in the coming days is to prove to the world that ICC is indeed not being subjected to undue pressure from Western Nations hiding under the cover of Amnesty International to bankroll the hatchet job of throwing Nigeria into complete anarchy through the promotion of terrorist activities.

We do hope that you will be properly guided!

Trump refuses to concede election defeat to Biden, says it’s too soon

By
Toby
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0
US closes schools again

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump has refused to concede defeat his Democratic rival, Joe Biden adding that it is too soon to do so.

Trump made the comments on Twitter on Tuesday barely 24 hours after Electoral College confirmed Biden as the winner of the election.

The defiant US President shared his thoughts while reacting to top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell message that “it’s over”.

“The Electoral College has spoken. So, today I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden,” McConnell said on the Senate floor.

But Trump replied on Twitter saying; “Too soon to give up. Republican Party must finally learn to fight. People are angry!” he tweeted.

Trump has launched a slew of lawsuits in key states against the election victory of Biden, but has not provided any evidence to back his claims of fraud and thus all the lawsuits have so far been unsuccessful.

On Friday, election officials said the vote was the “most secure in American history” and there was “no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes or was in any way compromised”.

#EndSARS and Our Missing Conscience

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admin
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0

By Idoko Ainoko

Nigeria is a country where citizens delight in unrewarding drudgery. As a nation, some persons believe Nigeria has no existential codes or laws, which confers on citizens the obligation of compliance. Disorderliness has deeply entrenched its roots in the country. That’s the vignettes of the bleakness of life in Nigeria.

It depicts the nocturnal symbolism of bleakness or nothingness in the poem, “Rhapsody on a Windy Night,” published in 1917 by celebrated American master poet, T.S Eliot. The everyday struggles of committed leaders to make Nigeria a better country and a proud nation are devitalized by the subversive actions of a few.

And when one looks at the personages influencing and flaunting these aberrant actions against the state, it becomes clear as expressed by the confused speaker in T.S Eliot’s cited poem, who talks about “lunar synthesis,” a symbology of “madness” reflective in meaningless incantations and exertions on the State.

It expresses the despair and depressions caused genuine leaders by “mad” egoists and conmen flagging the portrait of patriotism. But inside their hearts are actively functional chambers of the devil’s office, pushing them to mendacities and spiteful siege on the state. A nation or state exits because there are citizens and vice versa.

Nigerians started a fresh week, on Monday December, 14th 2020, with assailing media reports credited to the disgusting civil society organization by the nomenclature, Alliance for Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond, (ASCAB). It claims the flagship of a coalition with 80 other civil rights organizations’ operating in the country. Whether Nigeria has 80 civil society organizations numerated today, appears more like fantasy. Perhaps, others in the conglomeration of 80 have their identities and offices located in the skies.

But Nigeria’s human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, who has a record of dubiously conniving with some of his clients to feign “severe ailment,” to create escape path against justice is also a leading leader of ASCAB. He has drafted a few lawyers, some of whom are also Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) like Mr. Chino Obiagwu (SAN) into the flagrant abuse of Nigeria’s extant laws and scamming of their country.

In a public statement, titled a “Call for Complaints of Human Rights Violations by Police, Military and Other Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria,” ASCAB boldly and dubiously usurped the powers of the state and law courts to institute independent probes on public matters of legal status outside their jurisdiction. What is most intriguing is not really, the foolishness of the intended actions; but the mulishness of some learned men of the silk and gown to desecrate the law in the pretext of seeking of justice.

And the pig- heads of this deliberate violation of subsisting laws of Nigeria and mindless/illegal eroding of powers of the state in commanding the instruments of law and justice for the citizenry are Falana and Obiagwu, but both of them parades the distinctive title of SANs. Indeed, ASCAB’s public statement as signed by Chino Obiagwu (SAN), assigned the bogus position of ASCAB’s “probe” panel’s chairman. So, Obiagwu serves both as Panel chairman and ASCAB Secretary or its publicist? One-man show for those who can denote the diction.

Cast any Nigerian in the most noxious lion’s den like the Holy Scriptures reveals of Daniel, he won’t recant his decision that both Falana and co-travellers in this disreputable outing are oblivious of the consciously unlawful infringement on the exclusive rights/powers of the State and the Judiciary. What does Falana and members of his odious sect want for Nigeria?

An excerpt from ASCAB public statement reads; “All interested victims regardless of whether they have approached the OFFICIAL (emphasis mine) commissions of inquiry set up by the State Governments or not can submit memos to the Citizens Tribunal.” By this implicative confession as reflected, Falana and his gang also knows, the ASCAB independent probe is a scam of Nigeria and Nigerians.

It is Falana who is a lawyer. So, he is challenged to explain to Nigerians and the world which section or clause in the Nigerian Constitution which allows civil society organizations or individuals to institute judicial probes in matters of state security; and more feloniously, simultaneously with JCIs constituted by the State?

And in open propagation of emptiness or brainlessness, ASCAB again persuades and quips; “To this end, all victims that have submitted a petition to the official commissions of inquiry should indicate if they have, and specify which of the commissions they submitted their petitions to. This will enable us follow up and track petitions at the official commissions.”

Only madmen, embark on a voyage without making the necessary arrangements to get to the destination. Its foolhardy to depend on a system which Falana’s actions have already discredited. Let ASCAB and Falana be told that they would never be allowed to strike the unholy and criminal alliance with any official and lawful JCIs.

There is no better explication of Falana’s actions other than the barefaced reality that #EndSARS protests was planned to be executed in phases. The first phase was the experience of Nigerians waking up to encounter the violent protests, bloodbath, rape of women, awful destructions to public and private properties. Nigeria initially mistook it as peaceful protests and so, it succeeded with even relics of gruesome murders of soldiers, policemen and civilians by the protesters.

Phase II of #EndSARS protests manifested in the feeble attempts by the likes of Sowore to stage another round of violent protests in Abuja, and other mega cities in Nigeria. But it did not succeed. Thanks to the eagle eyes of security agents. In all these versions of #EndSARS, Falana, the godfather and the same people regrouping now were the overt and covert forces behind it in the guise of fighting human rights.

And now, the demigod, Falana feeling frustrated enough has decided to take the bull by the horns by personally. The present chants by ASCAB to constitute independent panels of inquiry across Nigeria into allegations of police brutality and extra-judicial killings as symbolized by SARS is another doomed reincarnation of #EndSARS protests.

The intendment of Falana and coy is to undermine and discredit the lawful and official probes into SARS malfeasances as currently investigated by Judicial Commission of Inquiries (JCIs) set up throughout the 36 states of the federation, including Abuja, as directed by the Presidency. And Nigerians are expecting official reports, with recommendations when the panels conclude sittings.

Nigeria is truly a wasteland! The excitement of Falana and his gang of reneges are pursuing a mission, activated by some foreign forces, who are relentless in seeing to the destabilization of Nigeria. The US Dollars believed to have been offered them is the irresistible bait. But they should be reasonable enough to enjoy their bounty and allow other Nigerians have some peace or respite from psychological torture.

And in order not to disappoint their foreign sponsors, Mr. Obiagwu SAN, generously revealed the spread of tentacles by the ASCAB illegal probe panel to flaunt a sign of seriousness in these words; “…the panel will hold public sittings at various locations across Nigeria to hear oral testimonies of complainants and demand accountability from the concerned law enforcement agency.” What guts?

But Nigerians know what the likes of Falana and the destructive allies, plot in dark rooms against Nigeria. The financiers are no longer secret, same as what motivates the likes of Falana. The detailed programming of the execution of the third phase of #EndSARS protests as spearheaded by Falana’s ASCAB are also open secrets now.

Impeccable security sources, which have painstakingly monitored the planned phase III reinvigoration of #EndSARS protests have alleged that Falana and ASCAB have taken custody of substantial dollars pushed to the group by these foreign actors against Nigeria. The grand plot is to destabilize Nigeria and discredit the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari by all means possible, using compromised citizens like Falana.

The truth is that the Lagos judicial probe panel so far, has nothing incriminating to indict the Army over the Lekki incident of October 20, 2020 as expected by the Falanas. Angered deeply, Falana and his goons, including DJ Switch are jittery that their poorly contrived lies would eventually be exposed when the Lagos probe panel releases the official report.

These unpatriotic elements are bent on tarnishing the image of security agencies especially the Nigerian Army. It’s obvious, leading promoters and sponsors of #EndSARS like Falana are targeting the COAS, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai, whom they want to crucify at all cost. The conspiracy to persecute leaders of Nigeria’s security agencies is impenetrable.

Therefore, Falana, his acolytates and masters are less concerned about the killings of soldiers, police personnel; the destructions, the lootings, vandalizations, theft of private and public properties by #EndSARS protestors by launching an illegal and diversionary independent probe. Or else, how could anybody figure an independent body of inquiry by individuals, unlawfully competing with the JCIs set up by Government?

Security sources have also alleged that ASCAB probe would have some hired military men, with their faces covered to present damaging reports against the COAS and their foreign co-conspirator in the media, CNN is already waiting to give the panel exceptional coverage and publicity alongside pliant local media.

So, part of the Phase III of #EndSARS tacit protests is evident in the illegal ASCAB independent probe panel, hence the dollars have already landed in their kitty. Falana, what again do you want from Nigeria and who is beating the drums for you and your clique to destabilize Nigeria? Is Falana saying that the various probe panels can’t do their work again? Are they saying that they have no confidence in the eminent Nigerians that are on the panels at various levels in different states in Nigeria?

Is Falana the most credible Nigerian alive today? It can never be true because a lawyer with integrity will not connive with his client facing trial on breach of national security to assist him escape judgment. Enough of Falana’s destructive plots and noise.

Ainoko wrote this piece from Kaduna.

Troops apprehend notorious armed robber, recover automatic pistol in Jos

By
admin
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0

Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN have apprehended a notorious cultist and armed robber, Gideon Moses who has been terrorising residents in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

This according to the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations Major General John Enenche is in continuation of intensive kinetic operations against armed bandits and other criminals in the North Central zone, through sustained aggressive posture against the criminal elements.

“On 14 December 2020, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted a dawn raid at the hideout of suspected cultists at Rukuba road in Jos North LGA of Plateau state.

“The raid, which was conducted following actionable intelligence on the location of the hideout, led to the arrest of a notorious cultist and armed robber, one Mr Gideon Moses with 1 automatic pistol.

“It is worthy of mention that the suspect has been on the wanted list of security agencies for some time. The suspect is in custody undergoing further interrogation after which he will be handed over to the relevant prosecution agency for appropriate action.” General Enenche Added.

Unmasking the Evil Formation of an Individual, Independent Parallel Panel of Enquiry

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admin
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0

By Nwambu Gabriel

It is now in public domain that some individuals have orchestrated the setting up
of a private, individual, independent, and parallel Panel of Enquiry named the
Alliance for Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB). This panel has askedNigerians to submit complaints of human right violations encountered, witnessedor heard during the #ENDSARS protest. In a statement made available by ASCABtitled “Call for complaints of Human Rights Violations by Police, Military, and other Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria”, asked Nigerians to come forward to submit reports of human rights violations linked to the #ENDSARS.

There were no restrictions for victims who had already submitted to panels set up by the
government since according to ASCAB, outcomes and investigations might differ
in form and content. The panel is to receive complaints from the general public on
violations before, during and after the #ENDSARS protest across Nigeria.
However, our coalition has observed with dismay that these are the same
functions the judicial panel of enquiry set up by government is performing. The
duties as performed by the various judicial panels of enquiry are with utmost
integrity and credibility as fresh facts and evidences are emerging. If we may ask;
what is then the interest of the pioneers of this individual, independent parallel
panel of enquiry?

Intelligence report has shown that Amnesty International and Transparency
International has released the sum of $750,000 US dollars. This money is paid to a
foreign account and more would be released for this parallel panel progresses
provided that their clandestine aim is achieved.
The CNN, a news channel that has never seen anything good or reasonable in
Nigeria is waiting to give coverage to this independent individual body of enquiry.
This panel targets at bringing the entire Police, Military and Para Military
organizations in Nigeria to disrepute by presenting them to be as murderous as
ever in the world with an aim of blackmailing some targeted officers with a view
to prosecuting them at the ICC.

For the records, as civil society organizations domicile in Nigeria, it is our civic
responsibility to lay distinctions between fiction and facts, false and truth,
blackmail and reality. While we believe that we have some bad eggs within the
police, military and other law enforcement agencies, just like any other part of the
world as we have seen in the case of George Floyd in the US, an advanced
democratic nation of the world and a defender of human rights across the globe.
Nigeria we know is an evolving democratic nation. Government is also seen to be
committed to ensuring that perpetrators of heinous crimes or human rights
violators are brought to justice. The disbandment of the SARS is evident.
Again, the #ENDSARS came with varying degrees of fatalities.
Recent activities by unscrupulous elements have shown their desire to acquire
arms and ammunitions.

The Nigerian Police lost 37 officers and men who are performing their
constitutional duties. These officers and men are someone’s father, someone’s
mother, someone’s husband, someone’s wife, etc. We saw in video clips how
police stations were ransacked, weapons looted, policemen beaten to death and
their remains roasted and eaten as seen in OGIDI, Anambra state by the so-called
#ENDSARS protesters. Indeed, cannibalism was at play. Once again, this heinous
and barbaric act was under reported.

Nigerian Army lost 7 soldiers and 10 riffles of AK-47 to #ENDSARS protest. But
sadly in Nigeria, deaths recorded by the Nigerian Police, Military, etc. are analyzed
in a most lopsided manner. The deaths are perceived as normal since they are
personnel of the Armed Forces or law enforcement agencies. Wrong perception.
The #ENDSARS protesters burnt down 205 police stations. Some fire arms and
police uniforms were looted by criminals. With this, crime may likely take an
alarming dimension as an upsurge in criminal activity is expected to skyrocket.
A total of 196 policemen were injured,164 police vehicles were destroyed. The
Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Customs Service and the
Nigerian Immigration Service lost infrastructures, equipment and other valuables
to the attack of hoodlums during the crises.

The Correctional Service Medium Security custodial centres in six states (Edo,
Lagos, Abia, Delta, Ondo and Ebonyi) were attacked with 1,957 inmates set free
and 31 members of staff injured. A total of 57 civilians were also killed during the
#ENDSARS protest.
Over 248 private stores owned by private individuals were looted. These are
people who are not connected directly with government nor the #ENDSARS
agitation. These are small and medium scale businesses employing thousands of
youths. Today, these businesses are in comatose with no possible means of
revival in an economy that has moved into recession following the global
pandemic and depression. The worse in 30 years.

Also, 71 public warehouses were looted. Food and materials meant for the
palliatives and treatment of covid 19 patients were stored in these warehouses.
Sadly, we saw individuals who made away with several bags of food stuffs. These
are people agitating to right the wrongs in the society as the #ENDSARS
supposedly depicts. But in an ideal situation, we rather opine that such looters
should also show some sign of exemplary leadership by taking just one (1) bag of
rice or semovita each as the case may be while he gives way for other persons to
get one bag as well. Ironically, in the video clips, we saw survival of the fittest at
play. We saw greed. We saw hooliganism at play.

The jail brake in Benin City, Edo state was even more scaring. Hoodlums under the
#ENDSARS cover besieged the reformation Centre shooting sporadically with
several casualties. Thirteen (13) states and the FCT were worse hit by the
#ENDSARS devastation. These includes: Lagos, Edo, Delta, Oyo, Kano, Plateau,
Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Rivers, Abia, Imo, Ekiti state and the FCT.
A total of 205 critical national security assets, corporate facilities and private
property were attacked, burnt or vandalized.

Several Banks were also looted across the nation. In Enugu state, it has been
reported that 3 branches of First Bank were vandalized and some money carted
away by #ENDSARS protesters. The protesters attacked several ATM machines in
Kano state. In Broad street, Marina, Lagos state, a new generation bank was
attacked and large unspecified sums of money carted away by protesters.
Lagos was the worst hit with over 200 BRT buses and station razed down by fire.
Over one Trillion Naira is required to fix the damaged infrastructure in Lagos state
alone in a country with 98 million people living within the extreme poverty. This is
also a country with a high unemployment rate. Now the funds that would have
been used to build industries which in turn would get a whole number of youths
off the street would be used to replace these critical national infrastructures first,
without which the state cannot function.

So any person or group of persons aiding, abating, sponsoring the formation of
individual, independent panel of enquiry which is parallel to the ones already
formed by government is grossly unpatriotic and does not have the interest of
this great nation at heart. We believe that this panel is orchestrated, it has
ulterior mission and prototype of targeted organizations and individuals to tarnish
their image and witch- hunt them. The panel seems to be replicating the script
written by Amnesty International and Transparency International. Of course, most
of these people have dual citizenship. So they can afford to burn down the
country and move to some other nation to live. But for some of us, our lives begin
and ends with Nigeria. We must therefore be warrying of these merchants of
destruction. We call on Nigerians to be watchful.
As members of the fourth realm, our coalition hereby disassociate ourselves from
this dastardly act, obviously inimical to the co-existence of this at great nation.

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