The Ogun State House of Assembly has urged Nigerian youths to engage the government in constructive conversation rather than protest, saying the challenges affecting the country also affect other countries.
The Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, gave the admonition on Tuesday while speaking on a motion on the planned protest, raised by the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye, who spoke under “matters of urgent public importance” during plenary on Tuesday.
Elemide appealed to the youth to avoid any act inimical to the peace and tranquillity being enjoyed in the state and the nation.
He asserted that although it was the right of the youth to conduct peaceful protest, such should not affect the rights of others, pointing out that every Nigerian was aware of the various challenges confronting the nation ranging from inflation to hunger.
Describing the high inflation rate as a global issue, the Speaker said that the nation’s peculiarities are being addressed by government at all levels.
Other lawmakers who spoke on the proposed protest including the Minority Leader Adeleye, and Damilare Bello, warned that anyone embarking on any reasonable protest must do so within the ambit of the law, which should be devoid of any form of violence.
They explained that just as the youths have the right to lawful protest, other citizens equally have the right to peaceful movement which should not be hindered by the protest, and advised that the various political leaders should work together with security agencies and the various youth groups to promote peace and tranquillity.
Planned Protest: Inflation is global, not in Nigeria alone – Ogun Assembly tells youths
Planned Protest: Inflation is global, not in Nigeria alone – Ogun Assembly tells youths
Identify yourselves, Kogi CP tells protest organisers
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, has asked the organisers of the nationwide protest scheduled for August 1 to 10 to identify themselves so they can be invited to brainstorm.
He also urged them to provide the details of the routes they want to follow to give police room for proper monitoring.
A statement issued shortly after a meeting with all security agencies on Tuesday at the command headquarters in Lokoja by the public relations officer, SP William Aya, stated that the CP acknowledged that citizens have the right to protest, but they must do so within the confines of the law and maintain law and order.
The statement reads in part, “The CP while accepting the fact that citizens have the right to peaceful Assembly and protest, stressed the importance of maintaining law and order.
“He urged the organizers to identify themselves to enable the police to provide security for a peaceful protest in the state if it must hold.
“In their responses, the stakeholders rejected any purported planned protest, noting that they cannot be part of any protest without having knowledge of the organisers or the mission of the protest.
“They stated that the motive may be to cause destruction and looting of properties of innocent citizens by disgruntled elements.
“The police, therefore, urged the organisers of the protest to provide the Command with the details on the proposed routes and assembly points, duration of the protest, and assurances of non-violence protest.
“These will enable the Command to implement measures to provide security during and after the protest and design methods to deter would-be troublemakers who may want to hijack the process and destroy lives and property in the state.
“The Command warns any group planning to disrupt the existing peace the state is enjoying to desist from such plans, as the police will not tolerate any attempt to cause destruction and looting of public or private facilities and businesses in the state.
“To this end, the organisers of purported/planned protest are, therefore, advised to cooperate with the Police and other Security Agencies and adhere strictly to international standard best procedures and practices for a peaceful Assembly.”
Organisers of #EndBadGovernance protests defy IGP, to proceed with street rallies
Organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests have rejected the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s proposal of confined rallies.
The IGP had during a meeting with promoters of the nationwide protests over hunger and other socio-economic challenges slated to begin on August 1 urged them to limit their rallies to confined areas.
However, a lawyer to Take It Back Movement, one of the groups behind the protests, Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN), in a chat with journalists on Tuesday said they would go ahead with street rallies and show their anger against some of the policies of the government that had caused hardship in the country.
The Federal Government and other concerned Nigerians have continued to appeal to organisers of the protest to drop the idea to avoid a repeat of the unfortunate experience of the October 2020 #ENDSARS protests in the country.
The National Assembly will hold an emergency plenary on Wednesday as part of ongoing efforts to stave off the protests.
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Three PDP State Assembly members defect to APC in Kebbi
Three of the four opposition members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Kebbi House of Assembly have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that defectors are: Umar Na’amore, Argungu Constituency; Hashimu Usman, Yauri Constituency and Yusuf Abubakar-Tilli, Bunza Constituency.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Alhaji Muhammad Usman-Zuru, read out three different letters on the floor of the house written to the Assembly by the defectors in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
In the correspondence, the former PDP members formally informed the house and the people of their constituencies about the reason for leaving the PDP to join the ruling party based on the crisis in their areas.
”There has been a crisis due to the mismanagement of PDP by the leaders in our respective constituencies that led to its factionalisation and division.
”In such circumstances, the constitutional provisions allow us to join another party and retain our seats if there is crisis,” the letters explained.
The speaker also read a different communication signed by Gov. Nasir Idris to the house, seeking the confirmation of Muhammad Ashiru-Garba as the new Chairman, Kebbi Local Government Service Commission, following the demise of the former Chairman, Mansur Shehu.
Members of the assembly resolved to invite the new appointee to appear before the house on Wednesday for ratification.
In an interview with newsmen, Usman-Zuru debunked insinuations that the house was ‘a rubber stamp assembly’ due to its good rapport with the executive arm.
He said: “We are partners in progress with Gov. Idris because his agenda of development is the same as our own vision and mission.
”Idris is a very good and benevolent personality, he does not want money, he does not want a house, he does not want a vehicle, what he desires is the growth of Kebbi and economic prosperity of the people.
”The governor is doing what is best for the people of Kebbi. This is also our target objective, we are partners in service, not rubber stamps. We will draw his attention whenever we observe any digress.”
NAN.
Don’t be agents of destruction, Ododo tells Kogi youths
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, has asked youths in the state not to allow themselves to be used as agents of destruction any longer.
Ododo made this known while speaking on Tuesday in Lokoja, the state capital, at the World Bank-assisted empowerment of 500 youths and women beneficiaries of the Live Stock Productivity and Resilient Project.
The governor said that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tunubu has been putting many initiatives in place to support the masses, including youths and women.
He called on those bent on protesting to have a rethink and allow reason to prevail so as not to reverse the gains of the last 13 months.
He said, “To those Nigerians who are bent on violent protests, let reasoning prevail. We are making progress. We are moving forward. Our hopes are back. We are climbing back to reckoning. Any violent protest at a time like this will no doubt reverse our gain in the past 13 months.
“The intent of the promoters of protest in Nigeria is concealed in political desperation. I call on all the youth of our dear nation to rally behind Mr President in his determination to get the nation back on track.
“The Livestock Productivity and Resilient Support Project is a giant stride in Nigeria’s drive towards food security and economic prosperity.”
He said that it aligns seamlessly with his administration’s short-, medium-, and long-term plan to make the state the epic centre of livestock production in Nigeria.
“We are determined to achieve the project development objective here in Kogi State. Let me seize this moment to congratulate the 500 women and youth poultry farmers and entrepreneurs selected as beneficiaries of this lovely project following the rigorous selection process by World Bank standards,” he added.
The governor assured the World Bank that the state government would provide the necessary support and political will needed to make the project a huge success.
“I want to assure the World Bank that we shall continue to inject our projects with great political will and zeal to the benefit of our great people,” he added.
He announced N100,000 for all beneficiaries as logistic support for their various businesses.
INEC awaits data from 78 observer groups
The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Tuesday, disclosed that about 1,766 election observers from 78 different observer groups might not be able to monitor the September 21 off-cycle governorship elections in Edo state.
The commission announced that it will soon release the final list of voters and the total number of registered voters for the Edo election.
INEC national chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this during a regular quarterly meeting with civil society organisations in preparation for the Edo and Ondo elections.
He said, that as of July 29, 2024, only 56 organisations had uploaded the list of 894 observers to the INEC portal.
INEC national chairman reminded them that the portal for observer accreditation will automatically close at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, July 31.
The commission had previously announced that 134 organisations, consisting of 124 local and 10 international observer groups, applied to monitor the elections in both Edo and Ondo states.
Yakubu said, “It is now 52 days to the Edo State Governorship election coming up on Saturday 21st September 2024. Our preparations are going on in earnest. I am glad to report that we have recovered from the torrential rainfall that resulted in the severe flooding of our State Headquarters in Benin City two months ago.
“The damage to the physical infrastructure as well as movable and immovable facilities are being fixed or replaced. We have delivered additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines to Edo State for the training of election duty personnel as well as contingency for Election Day support.
“We have once again published the final list of candidates in compliance with the recent Court Order mandating the Commission to replace the running mate to the candidate of the Labour Party. The amended list is already published on our website.
“Following the conclusion of the Continuous Voter Registration, the display of the register for claims and objections by citizens, and further data clean-up using the Automated Biometric Identification System, the final register for the forthcoming Governorship elections is being finalised.”
He added, “Before the end of this week, the commission will publish the final figures of new voters in the two states as well as their distribution by gender, age, occupation, and disability. Thereafter, the timetable for the collection of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards from previous registration, and new registrants from the latest CVR, will be published. Based on the information provided by the Commission, we look forward to your partnership in encouraging citizens to collect their PVCs.
“As the Edo State Governorship approaches, I wish to remind CSOs to submit the list of your observers by uploading the required information, including photographs, to the dedicated portal.
“As of yesterday, Monday 29th July 2024, 56 organisations have uploaded the details of 894 observers for the Edo State Governorship election representing 33.6% of the expected 2,660 observers. The deadline is Wednesday 31st July 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down at 6 pm. I urge you to ensure that you meet the deadline so that the Commission can produce the accreditation tags and deliver them to you for distribution to your observers in good time.
“At the same time, the Commission is aware that some organisations have not only responded in good time but have also requested additional slots for observers to deploy across the two States. The Commission will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis depending on the organisation’s previous experience, size, capacity, and record of compliance with the guidelines and code of conduct for election observation.”
Diri’s claim that I’m supporting anti-Tinubu protest shocking, insensitive – Sylva
A former Petroleum Minister (State), Chief Timipre Sylva, has described the claims by the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, that he is supporting the hardship protest as shocking, insensitive and divisive.
Recall that TVN reported that Diri alleged that some desperate politicians that lost the last governorship election in the state were plotting to use the protest to cause mayhem in Bayelsa.
The governor, who spoke during a security meeting in Yenagoa on Monday, also cautioned youths of the state to be wary of failed politicians who plan to use the proposed protest to disturb the peace of the state.
Reacting, Sylva said Diri’s allegations, coming a day after he had issued a statement urging youths in Bayelsa, Niger Delta and other parts of the country to shelve the planned protest, only portrayed the governor as a man desperately politicising a serious issue.
Sylva, in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday, titled, ‘Our Governor Has Gone Mad Again’, said he shuddered in disbelief that Diri instead of joining hands with him to prevent the protest, decided to seek political capital out of it by accusing him falsely.
He said “I once read a play by Prof. Ola Rotimi of blessed memory titled: Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again. In the prevailing circumstances in Bayelsa State, I thought that play should have been about a governor who goes mad from time to time.
“Seeing statements credited to Gov. Douye Diri at his ‘security Council’ meeting, I shudder in disbelief. How could a Governor, instead of joining hands with me in my efforts to prevent the protest, be accusing me falsely?
“And let’s say the truth, if anyone were to protest against bad governance in Bayelsa state, it would not be against President Tinubu but against Governor Diri. In spite of that, I believe that protests are mostly counter productive. And I will never encourage them.
“Just a day before his statement, I had asked our youths to shelve the protest and give more time to President Tinubu. Prior to that, I had spoken to youth leaders in and around Bayelsa State, on phone and in person, on the need to give the president more time as he is working tirelessly to better our lot.
“My statement was extensively published and well received and I strongly believe it got to the hearts of millions of our youths nationwide. Waking up to Gov. Diri’s wild and vile accusations that I am in fact supporting #EndBadGovernance and hunger protest is nothing but a political culture-shock of sorts to me.
“Hardly can I fathom the fact that Gov Diri would politicize such a serious matter and openly harass me, and churn out such irresponsible, insensitive and divisive rhetorics.”
Sylva wondered why the Bayelsa government would link him to one Ebidek Atuwo, someone he said his investigations revealed came from Ekeremor, the same LGA as Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
He said: “The state government feels there is great wisdom in linking me with a certain Ebideke Atuwo, a chap I do not know. On investigation, the chap is from Ekeremor. Same place as Senator Lokpobiri.
“If the link with me is because he is a ‘member’ of the APC, then I dare remind Gov Diri that the Hon. Minister of State (Oil) is also a ‘member’ of APC too.
“Instead of trading accusations and rocking the boat, at this critical time, let us join hands together as leaders of our people to give them hope. This is yet another opportunity to tell our youths to shelve the protest.
“We cannot get the succor we need if our economy is grounded and our streets occupied. While dissent is natural and sometimes inevitable, only sincere dialogue guarantees peace and progress.”
Diri’s claim that I’m supporting anti-Tinubu protest shocking, insensitive – Sylva
Fresh protests loom in Venezuela over disputed election
Venezuela braced for new demonstrations Tuesday, after four people died and dozens were injured when the authorities broke up protests against President Nicolas Maduro’s claim of victory in the country’s hotly disputed weekend election.
Security forces had fired tear gas and rubber bullets Monday at angry protesters who claimed the election was stolen and flooded the streets chanting “Freedom, freedom!” and “This government is going to fall!”
Some ripped down and burned Maduro campaign posters while at least two statues of Hugo Chavez — the late authoritarian socialist who led Venezuela for more than a decade and handpicked Maduro as his successor — were knocked down by protesters.
Attorney General Tarek William Saab said Tuesday 749 “criminals” had been arrested during the protests and faced charges of resisting authority or, “in the most serious cases, terrorism.”
The opposition fiercely contests the outcome of Sunday’s election which authorities say was won by Maduro with 51.2 percent of votes cast compared to 44.2 percent for Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who was replaced by Urrutia on the ballot after she was barred from running by Maduro-aligned courts, said voting records showed Urrutia had a “mathematically irreversible” lead.
The opposition count gives Gonzalez Urrutia 6.27 million votes to Maduro’s 2.75 million.
The Organization of American States, a regional body, charged Tuesday there was “exceptional manipulation” of the election results that handed Maduro the win.
The protests that erupted on Monday left 44 injured, most of them with bullet wounds, according to the National Hospital Survey, a network that monitors crises in the country’s hospitals.
Two of the dead were in the state of Aragua and one in Caracas, the network said. The NGO Foro Penal meanwhile reported one more dead in the northwestern state of Yaracuy.
“Unfortunately, in the last few hours we have reports of people killed, dozens injured and detained,” Gonzalez Urrutia wrote on X.
He urged security forces to “stop the repression of peaceful demonstrations.”
• ’Absolute loyalty’ –
The Defense Ministry for its part reported 23 wounded military personnel.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino assured that Maduro had the “absolute loyalty and unconditional support” of the armed forces.
Machado called for families to turn out Tuesday for “popular assemblies” nationwide to show support for a peaceful transition of power.
Maduro’s campaign manager Jorge Rodriguez, also called on X for “large marches starting this Tuesday to celebrate the victory.”
Amid growing fears of violence, a leading figure in the opposition coalition, Freddy Superlano, was “kidnapped” by black-clad officials, his Voluntad Popular said on X.
Venezuela’s elections were held amid widespread fears of fraud by the government and a campaign tainted by accusations of political intimidation.
The United Nations, United States, European Union and several Latin American countries called for a “transparent” process after the vote, while allies including China, Russia and Cuba congratulated Maduro.
Nine Latin American countries called in a joint statement for a “complete review of the results with the presence of independent electoral observers.” Chile’s president said the outcome was “hard to believe.”
Amid the tensions, Peru recalled its ambassador and Panama said it was suspending relations with Venezuela. Caracas meanwhile said it was withdrawing diplomatic staff from Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay.
• ’Bloodbath’ warning –
Independent polls had predicted Maduro would lose Sunday’s vote.
He has been at the helm of the once-wealthy oil-rich country since 2013. Amid US sanctions and economic mismanagement, the past decade has seen GDP drop by 80 percent, pushing more than seven million of Venezuela’s 30 million citizens to emigrate.
Maduro is accused of locking up critics and harassing the opposition in a climate of rising authoritarianism.
In the run-up to the election, he warned of a “bloodbath” if he lost.
Sunday’s election was the product of a deal reached last year between the government and opposition.
That agreement led the United States to temporarily ease sanctions imposed after Maduro’s 2018 reelection, rejected as a sham by dozens of Latin American and other countries.
Sanctions were snapped back after Maduro reneged on agreed conditions.
Venezuela boasts the world’s largest oil reserves but production capacity has been severely diminished in recent years.
AFP
Hardship: Remi Tinubu donates bags of 25kg rice to 2,400 Bauchi households
Wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu, has donated 25kg bags of rice to 2,400 households in Bauchi State.
This was made known in a video shared by AIT on its X handle on Tuesday.
The wife of Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State, Aisha Bala, confirmed the First Lady’s gesture, adding that her office also gave each of those households N10,000.
“Today, we are also witnessing another milestone of food distribution to 2,400 people by the Renewed Hope Initiative. The foundation of the First Lady of Nigeria, where each of the beneficiary will receive a bag of 25kg rice and the sum of N10,000 from my office.
We say thank you to the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and also the Executive Governor of the State, Senator Bala Muhammed,” Aisha Bala said.
Hardship: Remi Tinubu donates bags of 25kg rice to 2,400 Bauchi households
EFCC grills Hajj commission chair over N90bn subsidy
Our correspondent gathered that Arabi arrived at the EFCC’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja at about 10 am and was grilled for hours.
A source familiar with the matter informed our correspondent that his questioning was prompted by petitions filed against him.
The source said, “He was invited to the commission’s office to explain how his commission spent the N90 billion subsidy provided for the 2024 hajj exercise.
“His invitation was a result of the petitions against the chairman and his management team to our office over the alleged mismanagement of funds in the commission, and the 2024 hajj exercise among others.
“The allegations he was asked to explain dates back to 2021 and not just the issue of the just concluded exercise. “
The source added that three directors from the commission had been invited.
“Three directors from the commission have been invited to explain what they know about the issue, they include the director of procurement, director of finance, and director of the programme,” the source added.
When asked if he would be detained or allowed to go, the source said the chairman might not likely be detained.
“He may not be detained but will be asked to come back if needed at the end of the day, but presently he is still being interrogated.
“The CEO has been invited, he has honoured the invitation, and he will go back, there is no reason to keep him in custody when he is already complying.
“The new EFCC is operating by international best practice, you can see that most of the people invited are always allowed to go if they comply.”
When contacted, the spokesman of EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said he would get back to our correspondent over the invitation and other details and revert.
He was yet to do so at the time of filing this report.
Arabi had on Monday said the N90 billion approved by President Bola Tinubu was used to subsidise the fare of pilgrims.
He was quoted as saying, “Each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90bn except for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme who enjoyed more.
Hence, all registered intending pilgrims, except those on HSS, were required to pay a balance of N1,918,094.87 since the N90bn was not sufficient to make up for the balance.”