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Key bandits’ leaders, killed in strikes at Doumbourou forest in Zamfara State

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Key bandits’ leaders, killed in strikes at Doumbourou forest in Zamfara State

Scores of key armed bandits’ leaders and fighters have been killed in air strikes by the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI under the subsidiary Operation WUTAN DAJI in Zamfara state.

In a statement, the Coordinator Defence Media Operations Maj. Gen John Enenche said the air interdiction missions have continued to yield more positive results with the destruction of 2 camps and a cave hideout of members of the armed bandits’ gang led by Hassan Tagwaye in Doumborou Forest, Zamfara State.

“The air strikes, which also resulted in the neutralization of some key armed bandits’ leaders as well as several of their fighters, were executed on 23 June 2020, after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions led to the identification of the camps and a cave where the bandits store their weapons as well as hide to evade attacks.

“Consequently, the Air Component dispatched an enhanced force package of fighter jets and helicopter gunships to attack the location. At the first camp, some bandits, who had assembled for a meeting near one of the huts, were neutralized by the attack aircraft.

“At the second camp, a suspected high-value bandits’ leader along with some weapon-bearing fighters were seen in the vicinity of some huts. The attack aircraft engaged the target structures, scoring accurate hits and taking out the huts along with their occupants.

“The NAF jets also later recorded direct hits on the suspected bunker, from where some of the bandits were seen emerging, completely destroying it. Human Intelligence reports later confirmed that Hassan Tagwaye and his twin brother Hussain along with several other bandits were neutralized in the air strikes, while a few escaped with injuries.

“As a matter of security concern, people in the general area are advised to report those with sudden and suspicious injuries to the security forces. This is to ensure that the escapees are mopped up.” – he said.

While commending the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI for their professionalism, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has urged them to remain resolute in the conduct of air strikes whilst continuing to provide close air support for ongoing ground operations in order to eradicate all armed bandits; thus accomplishing the directives of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to restore normalcy in the North West and North Central Zones of the Country.

Sadiya Farouq : Where Buhari Got It Right

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Sadiya Farouq : Where Buhari Got It Right

By David Onmeje

“She’s a strong cup of black coffee in a world that is drunk on the cheap wine of shallow love.” – J.M Storm

Much regrettably, Nigeria has become a perpetual host to disasters and emergencies, which induce humanitarian interventions very constantly. From floods, insurgencies, epidemics, fire outbreaks, communal skirmishes to oil/gas pipeline explosions, Nigeria is always faced with emergencies and humanitarian situations to manage.

Therefore, the need to have a ministry to centrally co-ordinate government relief efforts, packages and assistance to distressed Nigerians in an orderly and accountable manner became imperative.

So, through an executive pronouncement, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR created the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (MHADM & SD) on August 21, 2019 mainly to oversee the exercise of basic human benevolence for Nigerians thrown into trauma and distress by these sudden artificial or natural disasters.

But what loudly elicited generous excitement among Nigerians was the appointment of a woman of virtue, core humanist and epitome of compassion, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq as MHADM & SD’s pioneer Minister. She is not a newcomer to the peculiar humanitarian issues of Nigerians and what it takes to make government benevolence, social welfare and poverty alleviation packages reach the doorstep of the poorest Nigerians.

Her previous experience as federal commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons ((NCFRMI)) as well as her stint as staff of the National Assembly Service Commission (NAC) adequately equipped her for the elevation and new assignment.

Author Jane Austen said in “Sense and Sensibility” that “It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do,” the Minister has demonstrated in less than one year on the saddle her competence and thorough grasp of the briefs of her office. She has unwittingly marketed herself as a caring, loving and compassionate mother, sister and Aunt to children, the aged, the poor and indeed all Nigerians in times of need.

The latest intervention of the MHADM & SD on a national emergency is the unexpected Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and its concomitant lockdown to curb the spread of the deadly disease. Hunger came knocking in all corners and the burning desire for survival of the poor or less privileged Nigerian was not only the concern of President Buhari; but a responsibility and assignment Minister Sadiya is discharging excellently.

Novelist Isadora Duncan cautioned in this wit that “Work hard at being the best version of yourself.” The Hon. Minister is constantly reminded of this wisdom and has handled this very difficult national assignment with calm, diligence and admiration, ensuring the targets and priorities she set for the ministry were achieved.

Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s pronouncement on March 29, 2020, wherein he ordered a total lockdown of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Lagos and Ogun state to curtail the spread of coronavirus, the Minister was also tasked to undertake the continuation of School Feeding Programme.

The President’s words; “Furthermore, although schools are closed, I have instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to work with State Governments in developing a strategy on how to sustain the school feeding programme during this period without compromising our social distancing policies.”

Initial skepticism greeted the decision as most Nigerians questioned the workability of a palliative on School Feeding Programme based on the prevailing circumstances. The cynics put the ingenuity of the Hon. Minister to doubts. But as she mapped out her strategies and commenced work in response to the Presidential directive, it vacated all the misgivings.

Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, Minister did not only modify the scheme, but also stoutly defended the government’s action as doable at the official launch of the modified scheme in Abuja.

She trusted in her capacity and competence to conveniently and neatly execute the President’s vision, with a strong conviction that “Hunger is a serious by-product of this pandemic, which is why from the onset the ministry has been evolving strategies to facilitate humanitarian intervention. This is a globally accepted means of supporting children to continue to have access to nutrient-rich foods despite disruptions to the traditional channels of school feeding.”

And she proved her worth when the Ministry flagged off the programme on May 14, 2020 at Kuje Primary School in Abuja. She involved a wide net of actors and stakeholders in the implementation of the modified School Feeding programme, which she kick-started its pilot phase in schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the states of Lagos and Ogun where the impact of Covid-19 was tremendous before it would be expanded to other states of the country.

She adopted the model obtainable in the United States of America and the United Kingdom and tapped richly from the alliance with the World Food Programme (WFP). The Ministry also got State Governors of the respective states, PTAs, CSOs, EFCC, ICPC, Police and community leaders, including clerics and the teachers of the pupils involved in the implementation and extra-layer monitoring of the scheme.

She led the supervision to ensure the targeted 3.1 million households nationwide actually benefit from the scheme. She explained that “The Ministry in consultation and collaboration with state governments identified the distribution of Take-Home Rations (THR) to the households of the children on the programme as a feasible method of achieving this directive after exploring several options.

And Minister Sadiya simplified the complex process by issuing vouchers to the parents of participating children from households already registered in the National Social Register under the Ministry.

“The parent takes the voucher for verification by NYSC members at the school where the pupil is fed. After confirmation of all the relevant facts, the parent is issued the packaged food ration for their child or children. The parents go home with the raw foodstuff to cook for the child, which should last for four weeks.”

Philosopher R. H. Sin once stated that “Give a woman pain and she’ll turn it into power. Give that woman chaos and she’ll create peace.” Therefore, The Hon. Minister seized the opportunity of the modified School Feeding Programme to draw other benefits.

She revealed, “The ministry is using the opportunity of this modified program to collate and verify data with the support of CSOs and NGOs such as ActionAid, BudgIT, Tracka, and CMDA”.

The effective implementation of the programme excited the national body of Parents-Teacher Association (PTA) which publicly indicated their support of it. Minister Sadiya accomplished her targets; in the same manner and ease she conducted the payment of two months conditional cash transfers to the beneficiaries and deployment or relief materials to residents of satellite and commuter towns/communities around Lagos and Abuja in the period of Covid-19 lockdown in these areas.

In other spheres of the Ministry, the Minister has not failed either and as a foresighted leader thinks ahead of time. When the world celebrated the last International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq inaugurated the Nigeria People’s Disability Parliament.

The theme; “Promoting the Participation of Persons with Disabilities and their Leadership: Taking Action on the 2030 Development Agenda,” was captivating and it pulsated the initiative of the parliament in her order to “…enhance their visibility in the scheme of affairs in the country and a voice to air their thoughts.”

Feminist poet, Audrey Hepburn envisaged Minister Sadiya in mind in the poem, “The beauty of a woman.” Some verses in it says; “The beauty of a woman/isn’t in the clothes she wears/The figure that she carries,/or the way she combs her hair./ But true beauty in a woman,/ is reflected by her soul./ It’s the caring that she cares to give,/the passion that she shows;/And the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows.”

Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq is an embodiment of the true beauty of a woman in actions and care for the needy, the poor, the vulnerable and the passion burns eternally in her. President Buhari has again proven through her appointment that another patriotic Nigerian whose obsession with selfless public service is infectious. She is a square peg in a square hole.

Critics can vent their spleen, but the Minister is neither deterred nor distracted. And like world famous author and Afro-American poet, dancer, singer, activist, and scholar, Maya Angelou echoed in the poem “Still I Rise,” “You may write me down in history/With your bitter, twisted lies,/You may trod me in the very dirt/
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.” Nothing can deviate Minister Sadiya’s attention from excellently performing her duties. She is indisputably a “strong cup of black coffee in a world that is drunk on the cheap wine of shallow love.”

Onmeje is a public affairs analyst and contributed this piece from the United Kingdom.

Insecurity: Understanding the Coalition of Northern Group as a Virus

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Insecurity: Understanding the Coalition of Northern Group as a Virus

By Adio Waziri

The biggest joke of the century is the so-called Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) which issued an ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari to stem the tide of insecurity in the northern part of Nigeria or face mass protest. Ironically, the group is one of the reasons insecurity persists in northern Nigeria.

A bunch of gerontocrats, who in their old age are claiming to belong to an age they have long crossed and are usurping the chances of the real youths in the society, have done more harm to the north than even some of the violent groups that have taken up arms against the Nigerian state. These mercenaries who hide under the guise of ‘youths’ to offer their services to political recidivists have again offered their discredited platform to the highest bidder to discredit the current administration. Their aim is to make the President Buhari-led administration look bad so they latched on to the recent security breaches witnessed in some northern parts of the country to make their kill. Unfortunately for them, however, this is one area people know they lack moral ground to issue any warning on as the leaders of this so-called Coalition have been the major cause of insecurity.

Apart from encouraging laziness through thuggery, they have by their over-reliance on renegade and self-serving politicians built an army of followers from among an otherwise innocent, hardworking and unsuspecting lot and have come to make them believe the only way they can make ends meet is through violence and sabotage.

This group has done the worst service to northern interests by taking away the minds of the youths from usefully engaging in productive activities like farming and another semi-skilled labour and putting them on the streets in the name of hired protesters and some times nudging them into acts of violence. They are like Boko Haram that made young and promising northern youths to abandon school and tear their certificates with a promise of an Eldorado in brigandage and opportunism.

The CNG cannot be absolved from the corollary effect of the drug abuse that is killing northern youths as they have made these young and hapless recruits believe that the only way they can do the bidding of these misguided elements is to take mind-bending substances.

The height of the chicanery of this group, however, was the ultimatum they gave citizens of Nigeria some time back to vacate the North not minding the social, economic and security implication of that statement. To them, satisfying their paymasters to have more zeros added to their cheques was more important to them than the peace and unity of this country knowing fully well that their statement would have led to a major crisis of great proportions if not for divine intervention.

It is this same set of people who want people to take them serious about the security situation in the north when it is clear to everyone that they are the problem. They cause a problem to happen and then hide behind one finger to pretend that they are doing something about it.

If that had been the only damage it would have been tolerable, but everybody knows that in this particular outing as in others, it is the voice of Jacob but the hands of Esau playing out and there’s no denying the fact that they are being sponsored by the failed presidential candidate of an opposition party, who is doing his best to discredit the current administration.

But that is not even the height of inanities. The stupidity of their position is exposed in the fact that they are issuing a threat to an administration that has done more than any other to secure Nigeria and every of its citizen wherever they find themselves.

The CNG does not know and will not appreciate the much the government has committed to ensuring peace and security in Nigeria because they have been busy going around collecting money from political opponents and making all manners of careless statements to check.

Neither would the group appreciate the much the government has done in terms of security when its leaders are busy misleading youths to abandon their lawful jobs to line up as thugs for politicians in the bid to line their pockets with filthy lucre.

However, CNG, even with its nonsensical posture and infantile pretence cannot say it did not know the efforts the current administration has put in place to ensure peace the last time it was asking certain citizens to vacate northern Nigeria.

If only they know the shuttles top government officials had to engage in to suppress the angst of people and the number of efforts by security agencies to proactively nip the threats in the bud, they would not have been opening their mouths to comment on anything concerning security in the next five decades!

To be sure, the current administration does not need any reminder, least of all from an irresponsible bunch of useless adult delinquents to show commitment to security in Nigeria. President Buhari made it clear even in his inaugural speech that security, alongside the economy and fight against corruption would form the focus of his administration. He has not disappointed.

The current administration has taken steps that dealt heavy blows on insurgency, banditry and related crimes. Troops recaptured all the local governments under the control of Boko Haram and checkmated the activities of criminal all over the country.

CNG cannot pretend not to recognize the efforts of the Inspector General of Police Special Team led by ACP Abba Kyari which busted several hideouts of criminals including that of the most notorious kidnapper in the country, Evans, and arrested him or Nigerian troops sacked the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists from Sambisa forest and established a base at camp Zairo and rescued school girls that were captured in Dapchi, Yobe State.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai to show the seriousness of the government towards curbing insecurity, relocated to the Northeast and has been fighting the insurgents with great success. Last week, when there was a security breach in Katsina, all the Service Chiefs went to reinforce their commitment which led to counter operations that destroyed the base of the criminals and many of them were captured.

The government did all these without waiting for any hired group to remind it of its responsibilities to its citizens. The Federal Government is alive to its responsibilities towards citizens and does not need a bunch of lazy adults who prefer to see themselves as ‘youths’ to remind it, hence they can keep their advice to themselves.

At the juncture, however, it is right to advice these elders who want to see themselves as youths that the best way they can help in addressing the problem of insecurity is to stop running to politicians for sponsorship on mischief and begin to seek gainful employment. They can lead the youths by example through farming and agriculture or by engaging in other skilled or semi-skilled labour.

Waziri is a development expert based in Kaduna.

US, UK and EU to blame for entrenchment of Boko Haram in Nigeria – Centre

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US, UK and EU to blame for entrenchment of Boko Haram in Nigeria – Centre

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies (CISS) has blamed the United States of America, United Kingdom and the European Union for the entrenchment of the nefarious activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria.

CISS said the failure of the western powers to come to the aid of the country in arresting sponsors and promoters of the group is responsible for the elongation of the crisis in the northeast.

In a statement signed by Secretary, Dr Ifure Ataifure, on Thursday, the centre said that the radical Islamist sect have continued to receive external support from foreign countries at the detriment of Nigeria.

According to CISS, instead of joining forces with Nigeria, the US, UK and EU have failed to embargo the sale of arms to the terrorists

The Centre added that these powerhouses’ decision to turn a blind eye on the sensitive area is a deliberate plot to begin the process of recolonizing Africa.

CISS further revealed that French authorities are the most culpable in this regards through the flagrant violations of all known international protocols.

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies, however, warned countries covertly fueling Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Nigeria and other African countries to desist.

It added that the war against terrorism should be a collective one and foreign nations must block the sale of arms to the terrorists.

Read full statement below:

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies wishes to state that the entrenchment of the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria is as a result of the lackadaisical attitude of some of the western powers in coming to the aid of Nigeria.

The United States of America, the United Kingdom and the European Union have all failed to come to the aid of Nigeria despite repeated overtures from the Nigerian government and other critical stakeholders.

We wish to state that this attitude is responsible for the prolongation of the Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria because the terrorist group has been receiving external support from some European countries that are hell-bent on the disintegration of Nigeria.

These countries have been nothing but uncooperative with the Nigerian authorities by its refusal to sell arms to Nigeria for the prosecution of the Boko Haram war. The United States of America for inexplicable reasons have also refused to activate the necessary machinery for the sale of arms and ammunition to Nigeria in the prosecution of the Boko Haram war.

The United States of America, the United Kingdom and the European Union for inexplicable reasons have also refused to block the sale of arms to terrorist organizations in Nigeria and the African continent. This fact has indeed bolstered the activities of terrorism in Nigeria and other African countries.

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies views this action as against the provisions of the global war on terror, which had as its goal to prevent another 9/11 terrorist attack by increasing international security worldwide.

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies wishes to state that global commitment has not been extended to Nigeria since the Boko Haram group began its violent campaign in Nigeria in 2009.

The activities of the Boko Haram group has continued with tactic support from some EU countries that have been engaged in unwholesome trade in arms and ammunition with the Boko Haram/ISWAP group and other terrorist groups operating in the African continent.

We are tempted to state that this stance of turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed by terrorist organizations in the African continent might be a deliberate plot by these western countries to begin the process of recolonizing Africa so that it can have unhindered access to its natural and economic resources.

The French authorities are the most culpable in this regards through the flagrant violations of all known international protocols by paying ransoms in huge amounts to terrorist organizations in Africa, which subsequently helps these organizations to sustain their terror activities.

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies is alarmed to state that despite the efforts of the Nigerian Military, the Boko Haram group continues to have an unhindered supply of arms and ammunitions whose origin has been traced to some European countries.

The Centre for International and Strategy Studies wishes to use this medium to warn those countries that have been covertly fueling the activities of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group in Nigeria and other African countries to desist from their nefarious acts in the interest of peace and tranquillity.

This is the time for the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the European Union to come to the rescue of Nigeria by blocking the sale of illegal weapons to the Boko Haram terrorist group.

They must see the war against terrorism in Nigeria as a collective one due to the strategic importance of Nigeria in the African continent. The time to act is now to bring to an end the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group and other terrorist groups in Africa.

APC Schedules National Convention to Replace Oshiomhole, Others by December

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APC Schedules National Convention to Replace Oshiomhole, Others by December

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has resolved to hold a national convention in December to elect new national officials for the ruling party.

The resolution was reached at the NEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House on Thursday.

The APC NEC, on the recommendation of President Buhari, had dissolved the National Working Committee of the party during the meeting.

The party subsequently appointed Yobe State Governor, Mala Buni, as the chairman of its new caretaker committee and extraordinary national convention.

At the scheduled extraordinary national convention, the APC is expected to vote to replace Adams Oshiomhole as its National Chairman.

 

Why our party must not disintegrate, Buhari admonishes APC members

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Why our party must not disintegrate, Buhari admonishes APC members

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja advised members of the governing party, All Progressives Congress (APC), to withdraw all pending litigations against one another, and settle for internal conciliation, warning that the mutating disagreements could lead to self-destruction, with dire consequences.

President Buhari, in his remarks at the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the APC held on a virtual platform, said the gains of the party could be reversed as conflicts overshadow the primary objective of service to the people, urging members to refocus on the larger picture and place more emphasis on uniting the party.

“Fellow party members, this is a very crucial moment in the life of our party and it is with a deep sense of concern that I stand before you today to speak as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has been elected on the platform of our great party – the All Progressives Congress.

“The issues currently confronting our party at this time are such that should worry every party member. At the moment, our great party is faced with internal wrangling; there are on-going litigations amongst some party members and we cannot clearly ascertain the status of certain National Working Committee (NWC) members.’’

The President expressed worry over the shifting loyalty within the party and inconsistency in leadership, which had opened the governing party to mockery.

“There are also other associated disputes as to the legitimacy or otherwise of holders of certain National Offices of the Party. The Party is also contending with Judicial claims and counter-claims, Orders and Counter-Orders and indeed Judgments and Counter-Judgments that are predominantly at cross-purposes.

“Confronted with these issues, it is obvious that the fortunes of the party are currently in jeopardy, administration of our party is becoming impossible and there is consequently an urgent need for intervention to immediately arrest further drifts and internal wrangling which may lead to total disintegration.

“What we see clearly emerging, is that we are beginning to self-destruct. This, my dear party members, is not just regrettable but utterly gut wrenching.’’

President Buhari proposed that:
“The meeting may adopt the developed resolution as contained in the agenda and pass resolutions including: approving the immediate discontinuation of all pending litigations involving the party and its members; ratifying the primary election conducted in Edo State; dissolving the current National Working Committee, and appointing caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning committee for the party.’’

The President also reiterated the need to discontinue all litigations involving members of the party, which were connected to issues of the party, adding: “The directive had been issued before, unfortunately some members failed to heed the directive. Thus, at this time, it must be made a Resolution of the Party which must be effectively enforced with dire consequences for members who choose to ignore the directive.’’

The President said in order to return to the “winning ways’’, the APC must maintain cohesion by closing its ranks.

“We must be alive to the time and the task that is before us. As we all know, we are immediately confronted with the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo States. Therefore, this is the time to get our acts together.’’

The emergency NEC meeting adopted all the recommendations by President Buhari, and appointed the Governor of Yobe State, Mallam Mai Buni, as Caretaker National Chairman, while Senator John Akpanudoede was designated Caretaker National Secretary.

Breaking: Obaseki clinches PDP ticket for Edo guber polls

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Breaking: Obaseki clinches PDP ticket for Edo guber polls

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has emerged the standard bearer of the People’s Democratic Party PDP for the forthcoming gubernatorial race.

Details shortly…

BREAKING: The National Working Committee (NWC) of APC, dissolved

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BREAKING: The National Working Committee (NWC) of APC, dissolved

Upon recommendation of President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been dissolved.

This was made known through the personal assistant to the President on New Media, at the ongoing Party’s NEC Meeting.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling party, is currently convened at the State House, Abuja with President Buhari, VP Osinbajo, Governors, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and other members of the NEC in attendance.

Details shortly…

Buhari attends APC NEC meeting today

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Buhari attends APC NEC meeting today

President Muhammadu Buhari will atend the virtual National Executive Council(NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress(APC) on Thursday.

His Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday.

The NEC meeting is scheduled to hold in the State House on Thursday.

The statement said the position of President Buhari was informed by the fact that the law is on the side of Giadom as Acting National Chairman.

“The President has received very convincing advice on the position of the law as far as the situation in the party is concerned and has determined that the law is on the side of Victor Giadom as Acting National Chairman.

“Because will always act in accordance with the law, the President will be attending the virtual meeting Giadom called for tomorrow afternoon.

“We urge the media to stop promoting manufactured controversies and to not give any further room for mischievous interpretations of the law on this matter.

“In addition to the President, the Giadom meeting will, hopefully, be attended by our Governors and the leaders of the National Assembly,” the statement said.

APC NWC vows to shun Gaidom’s led NEC meeting

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APC NWC vows to shun Gaidom’s led NEC meeting

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress has turned down the invitation to the illegal and unconstitutional National Executive Committee convened by Victor Giadom

In a four- paragraph statement jointly signed by Acting National Chairman, Ntufam Hillard Etagbo Eta and Acting National Secretary Arc. Waziri Bulama, after an emergency NWC meeting that lasted for about four hours, they said attending such a meeting will amount to embracing illegalities and turning a blind eye to the infractions on the Constitution of the party.

The NWC further said that it believed that the President was ill advised.

The statement reads: “We wish to unequivocally state that members of the National Working Committee (NWC) believe that the President was offered wrong advice or blackmailed into lending his weighty office to the illegality of the National Executive Committee meeting purportedly convened by one Victor Giadom on 25th June, 2020.

“We hereby respectfully implore Mr. President to kindly avail himself with facts of the matter regarding the impasse presently experienced by the party so as to guide him in his assessment of the matter because we are sure that the President, if properly advised, would come to the conclusion that the meeting convened by Chief Victor Giadom bothers on illegality and criminality.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) regrets to turn down the invitation to the illegal and unconstitutional National Executive Committee (NEC) convened by Chief Victor Giadom.

“We believe that attending such a meeting will amount to embracing illegalities and turning a blind eye to the infractions on the Constitution of our great Party.”

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