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Bangladesh protests to resume after ultimatum

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Bangladesh protests to resume after ultimatum

Bangladeshi students called new street protests for Monday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government ignored an ultimatum to release their leaders and apologise for those killed in deadly unrest.

Student rallies against civil service job quotas this month sparked days of violence that killed at least 205 people including several police officers, according to an AFP count of police and hospital data.

The clashes were some of the worst of Hasina’s 15-year tenure but her government has since largely restored order by deploying troops, imposing a curfew and shutting down the internet nationwide.

At least half a dozen leaders of Students Against Discrimination, the group that organised the initial protests, are among thousands since taken into police custody.

“The government is continuing to show complete and utter insensitivity to our movement,” Abdul Kader, one of the group’s coordinators, said in a statement.

“We are calling for a protest rally across the country,” he added. “We are requesting all citizens of Bangladesh to show solidarity with our demands and join in our movement.”

Students Against Discrimination leaders had vowed to end a week-long moratorium on new demonstrations if police failed to release their leaders by Sunday evening.

The group’s demands also include a public apology from Hasina for the violence, the dismissal of several of her ministers, and the reopening of schools and universities around the country that were shuttered at the height of the unrest.

At least 9,000 people have been arrested nationwide since the unrest began, according to Prothom Alo, Bangladesh’s largest daily newspaper.

Troops are still patrolling urban areas and a nationwide curfew remains in force but it has been progressively eased since the start of last week.

Bangladesh’s mobile internet network was restored on Sunday, 11 days after a nationwide blackout imposed at the height of the unrest, in another sign of the government’s confidence that it was in control of the situation.

Protests began this month over the reintroduction of a quota scheme reserving more than half of all government jobs for certain groups.

With around 18 million young Bangladeshis out of work, according to government figures, the move deeply upset graduates facing an acute jobs crisis.

Critics say the quota is used to stack public jobs with loyalists to the ruling Awami League.

The Supreme Court cut the number of reserved jobs last week but fell short of protesters’ demands to scrap the quotas entirely.

Hasina, 76, has ruled Bangladesh since 2009 and won her fourth consecutive election in January after a vote without genuine opposition.

Her government is accused by rights groups of misusing state institutions to entrench its hold on power and stamp out dissent, including the extrajudicial killing of opposition activists.

AFP

Lagos task force arrests 124 suspects in black spot raids

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Lagos task force arrests 124 suspects in black spot raids

The Lagos State Task Force said its officials arrested 124 suspects during multiple raids of criminal hideouts across the state as part of its efforts to restore sanity across the state.

The raid, according to a statement made available to According Metro on Sunday by the Director of Press and Public Affairs of the agency, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, was carried out on Saturday midnight and was led by the agency’s chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele.

Abdulraheem noted that the raided spots which were notorious for drug peddling, hooliganism, and street trading among others included Aminkanle market and NerdC Street by African Shrine in the Agidingbi area of Ikeja, Lagos State.

He added that the arrested suspects were screened and those with genuine businesses were released while others who appeared suspicious would be made to face trial.

He stated, “In the interest of environmental serenity, safety, sanity and maintenance of Lagos State’s Mega City status, the Lagos State Task Force has raided several notorious black spots known for illegal drug peddling, hooliganism, miscreants, street trading around Aminkanle Market, and NerdC Street by African Shrine in the Agidingbi area of Ikeja which had been converted to a trading pavilion on hard drug, restaurants, beer parlour on the road thereby causing serious human and vehicular traffic obstructions and serious environmental nuisance.

“Consequently, a total of 124 suspects arrested were carefully screened and those with genuine business were allowed to go while others will be charged to court.”

According to the spokesperson, Akerele, while reacting to the exercise, noted that it would be a continuous effort to rid the state of criminal elements.

Akerele was quoted thus, “The activities of these suspected criminals at Aminkanle area of Agbado, Jobi Fele Road by African Shrine and NerdC Street, especially at night are dangerous to humanity at all levels.

“They sell drugs indiscriminately which is counter-productive to society and they also contribute immensely to traffic build-up on adjoining roads at night when workers who have spent all day at work still have to spend hours to get home. It is unfair to residents of this area and we will ensure that it is completely stamped out.”

The chairman however, urged the public to provide the agency with useful information about black spots in the state in the interest of the public.

“He urged residents who have useful tips concerning black spots, illicit trading on hard drugs, or any other useful information on environmental infractions to contact the agency through the social media handles or come forth with them to the headquarters at Bolade,” the statement concluded.

According Metro reported on July 16 that motorists in Lagos State were thrown into a panicky mood over fears of enforcement of the ban on commercial yellow vehicles popularly called Danfo and Korope after some officials of the Lagos Task Force seized some commercial vehicles in the Ikeja area of the state.

While reacting to the concern of the motorists, the agency said the exercise was a routine activity to curb the excesses of commercial drivers causing traffic on Lagos roads.

Our correspondent, who monitored activities around the Ikeja Under Bridge area, had observed that the task force officials dislodged traders who were trading close to the bus stop while vehicles alleged to be obstructing traffic were seized.

The operation however led to a scarcity of vehicles in the area, leaving commuters stranded.

 

‘You are a traitor,’ Netizens tackle Kenneth Okonkwo for dumping Obi

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‘You are a traitor,’ Netizens tackle Kenneth Okonkwo for dumping Obi

Nigerian social media users have descended heavily on former spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Kenneth Okonkwo, after he dumped the party and criticised the party’s presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, on his approach to party matters.
The popular Nollywood actor who announced his decision to leave the LP on Sunday, accused Obi of lacking the leadership capability to resolve the internal crisis rocking the party.
According to the actor-turned-politician, Obi did not do enough to build the party and resolve the party’s leadership crisis because he is weak and lacks what it takes to be a leader.
He said: “I was like, does it mean Peter Obi is not aware that without a solid party base, we are heading to nowhere politically?”
“However, I continued in his defence believing he will still privately bring the needed solution to LP problems but to no avail.
“PO also publicly demanded that the Abure-led National Working Committee must organise an all-inclusive convention that will guarantee the participation of all members of the Labour Party in the choice of their leaders.
“This didn’t happen, and surprisingly, PO refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC as their time had expired.
“Every member of the Labour Party is confused today as to the future of the Labour Party because of lack of leadership from PO over the party, and unfortunately, when they look up to me to tell them about PO’s standpoint, I sincerely have nothing to tell them because I don’t know myself.
“I cannot continue to speak on behalf of a leader that I do not know his stand on issues of great importance. I simply don’t know how to manipulate facts.
“I am shocked that PO could not openly support the noble efforts of the Labour Unions who founded the Labour Party as a base to fight for the welfare of workers to the extent that some of them are openly saying that PO is now the problem of LP.
“The Labour Unions now have the unfortunate situation where they are fighting criminals who want to hijack their party when an ordinary statement from PO would have brought the solution. I cannot continue with this ambivalence forever.”
However, Okonkwo’s decision to leave the LP has been seen by many as a betrayal of his former principal.
READ ALSO:Kenneth Okonkwo leaves Labour Party, splits with Peter Obi
While some berated him for the way and manner he left the party, others feel he could have done so without denigrating Obi and speaking ill of him.
Read some of the comments below:
“A leopard can never change its spots. Thank God!
I have been waiting for ds day. Kenneth Okonkwo was a die hard Buharist. How he suddenly became obidient, worried me. He was never genuine!
“PO knew it all along
Wish him good luck as he continues to chase clout
Finally!”

A leopard can never change its spots.
Thank God!I have been waiting for ds day.Kenneth Okonkwo was a die hard Buharist.How he suddenly became obidient, worried me – 180*. He was never genuine!PO knew it all along Wish him good luck as he continues to chase cloutFinally!
— Chuka Umenne (@chukaumenne) July 28, 2024

“Trust Kenneth Okonkwo at ur own peril. Daniel Bwala in my mind. Govt can capture anyone anytime.
“It takes a very clean hand like PO, Dele Farotimi, Rufai Oseni and some others to beat them. Being loquacious does not signify strength!”

Trust Kenneth Okonkwo at ur own peril.Daniel Bwala in my mind.Govt can capture anyone anytime.
It takes a very clean hand like PO, Dele Farotimi, Rufai Oseni and some others to beat them.
Being loquacious does not signify strength!
— Chuka Umenne (@chukaumenne) July 28, 2024

“Kenneth Okonkwo really went hard on Peter Obi, that is a big indictment, saying that Peter Obi doesn’t have the capacity to lead or defend the votes of the Labour Party votes. Anyway, I believe he will eventually go back to APC.”

Kenneth Okonkwo really went hard on Peter Obi, that is a big indictment, saying that Peter Obi doesn't have the capacity to lead or defend the votes of the Labour Party votes. Anyway, I believe he will eventually go back to APC.
— Emma ik Umeh (Tcee ) (@emmaikumeh) July 28, 2024

“People left Jesus despite evident signs and wonders on full display while he was yet on earth. Who then is @PeterObi that Kenneth Okonkwo or others cannot leave?
“Abeg, if you wan leave, leave quickly so that we can know how many of us that believe in a new Nigeria.”

People left Jesus despite evident signs and wonders on full display while he was yet on earth. Who then is @PeterObi that Kenneth Okonkwo or others cannot leave?Abeg, if you wan leave, leave quickly so that we can know how many of us that believe in a new Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/QT7t5KuY41
— Ayodele_Moses★★★ (@Ayodeleaim_CFC) July 28, 2024

“Even Peter the apostle denied Jesus 3times before the day broke. Who then is Peter Obi that Kenneth Okonkwo can not deny?”

Even Peter the apostle denied Jesus 3times before the day broke. Who then is Peter Obi that Kenneth Okonkwo can not deny
— Roland (@Rolandollars) July 28, 2024

“I’m not surprised. Even his “rightest” hand person, apostle Peter denied him three times o, not once. Yet, Jesus is still King and will be King forever. Where PO, goes, I will go, where he leads, I will follow. He’s my principal for life

I'm not surprised. Even his "rightest" hand person, apostle Peter denied him three times o, not once. Yet, Jesus is still King and will be King forever. Where PO, goes, I will go, where he leads, I will follow. He's my principal for life
— Chancellor (@triandex) July 28, 2024

“It wasn’t enough for Kenneth Okonkwo to abandon Peter Obi, he also had to try to discredit him and tarnish his image.
“I look forward to finding that strong and brave politician he wants to align with in 2027, and the values that one espouses. Gosh!”

It wasn't enough for Kenneth Okonkwo to abandon Peter Obi, he also had to try to discredit him and tarnish his image.
I look forward to finding that strong and brave politician he wants to align with in 2027, and the values that one espouses.
Gosh!
— Spotlight Abby (@Spotlight_Abby) July 28, 2024

“Discrediting PO is part of the “release clause” for all of them. Check their modus operandi even Doyin Okupe.”

Discrediting PO is part of the “release clause” for all of them. Check their modus operandi even Doyin Okupe
— (@Ollawaski2) July 28, 2024

“It is quite unfortunate that they all have to discredit Peter Obi on their way out. I think they are jealous that none of them has the integrity Mr Peter Obi has…
“Yeah. Peter Obi knew all these and allowed them to redeem themselves or tell Nigerians who they really are – Wolves… Peter Obi has really exposed a lot of corrupt people more than DSS and ICPC or even that yeye EFCC… You heard me right.

It is quite unfortunate that they all have to discredit Peter Obi on their way out. I think they are jealous that none of them has the integrity Mr Peter Obi has…
— Dede Onyenmachi (ACO) (@DedeOnyenmachi1) July 28, 2024

The post ‘You are a traitor,’ Netizens tackle Kenneth Okonkwo for dumping Obi appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Sexual violence rife in war-torn Sudan capital

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Sexual violence rife in war-torn Sudan capital

Sudan’s warring parties have committed widespread sexual violence against women and girls aged between nine and 60, and prevented survivors from accessing healthcare in the capital, Human Rights Watch said on Monday.

In a new report titled ‘Khartoum is Not Safe for Women’, the rights watchdog recorded testimonies from 42 healthcare workers and first responders on sexual violence and forced and child marriage since war erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Between April and February 2024, 18 healthcare providers alone treated a total of 262 survivors of sexual violence in greater Khartoum, which includes the city of Omdurman just across the Nile River.

But according to first responders, the number of reported cases is only a fraction of the real figure, with most survivors unable or unwilling to seek emergency care.

The RSF “have raped, gang raped, and forced into marriage countless women and girls in residential areas in Sudan’s capital,” said Laetitia Bader, HRW’s deputy Africa director.

“The armed group has terrorised women and girls and both warring parties have blocked them from getting aid and support services, compounding the harm they face and leaving them to feel that nowhere is safe.”

The 88-page report also details “conditions that could amount to sexual slavery”.

Though sexual violence has been primarily identified as a systematic weapon used by the RSF, there have also been reports of sexual violence at the hands of army soldiers.

HRW says there has been “an uptick in cases” reported since the army “took control of Omdurman in early 2024”.

– No access to care –

Across Sudan, survivors have reported debilitating physical injuries as a result of sexual assault, including by several fighters at once.

Among those treated by healthcare workers HRW spoke to, “at least four of the women died as a result” of their injuries.

Women whose assault results in pregnancy have little to no access to abortion care and are at risk of further violence and social repercussions. Some have been abandoned by their families, HRW said.

With the army imposing an effective siege on RSF-controlled areas — restricting even medical and humanitarian relief supplies for over a year — local volunteers in emergency response rooms have played “the leading role in responding to sexual violence”.

Volunteers themselves have been routinely targeted by both sides, with RSF fighters even committing “sexual violence against the service providers”, HRW reported.

The rights group said the RSF’s widespread sexual violence constitutes “war crimes and crimes against humanity”, while both sides’ attacks on healthcare are considered “war crimes”.

They called on the African Union and the United Nations to “urgently deploy a civilian protection force” in the northeast African country.

The war has killed tens of thousands of people across the country, with some estimating the toll to be as high as 150,000.

It has also caused the world’s largest displacement crisis, with over 10.7 million people displaced within Sudan — currently on the brink of famine — while over 2 million more have fled across borders.

AFP.

Maduro declared winner of Venezuela presidential election

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Maduro declared winner of Venezuela presidential election

President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela has been declared winner of the country’s presidential election.
He is thus set to return as president for the third time.
According to the electoral body of the country, Maduro won the election conducted Sunday, July 28, with 51 percent of the vote.
The result contradicted multiple exit polls which suggested an opposition win after the Maduro administration was blamed for wrongdoings that evidently turned most citizens against him.
The result of the poll indicated that opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, who was widely acclaimed to be heading for victory as the election progressed late on Sunday, actually won just 44 percent of the vote.
Maduro has responded to his controversial victory, proclaiming that his reelection is a triumph of peace and stability.
Apparently sensing public suspicion and possible mass dissent, however, he was quick to announce that he would sign a document later in the day, Monday, to hold a national dialogue.
Already, criticism is rife within the opposition that the country’s National Electoral Council acted like an arm of the government rather than an impartial independent body.
The opposition had earlier said voters had chosen a change.
Edmundo Gonzalez said in a post on X not long before the results were announced, “The results cannot be hidden. The country has peacefully chosen a change.”
Maduro declared winner of Venezuela presidential election

Hardship: Wike mobilizes youths, other stakeholders against joining protest

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Hardship: Wike mobilizes youths, other stakeholders against joining protest

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, is mobilizing Abuja youths and other stakeholders against joining the proposed August 1 to 10 nationwide protests over hunger and hardship.
Wike, who was speaking during a ministerial engagement with FCT youths from Abuja South Federal Constituency in Kwali Area Council of the FCT on Sunday, also said that youths and other stakeholders in Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils would as well be engaged on the same issue in the coming days.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, a similar interaction was held with stakeholders in Abuja Municipal Area Council, in Abuja on Saturday.
Wike pointed out that the interaction was to enlighten them on the ills of protest and why they should not be part of it.
The Minister appreciated the traditional rulers and the area council chairmen for mobilizing FCT youths for the interaction to enlighten them against joining a protest they do not have a stake in.
“There is no need for the protest. The current administration is barely one year in office and not enough to assess its performance.
“You can’t judge leadership within one year. I have not been in office for up to a year, but I have done so much that should be appreciated and convince people that FCT is working,” he said.
According to him, so much has been achieved in education, health and other sectors, particularly security.
He urged residents to commend and encourage the security agencies to do more, adding that it would be unfair not to do so.
“It is not fair to say we have not done anything on insecurity when we have improved security in FCT,” he said.
He said that in view of the current development in the FCT, what was desired was peace and not protest.
“We want peace in FCT and so, we cannot fold our hands and allow it to be destroyed in the guise of protest,” Wike said.
Hardship: Wike mobilizes youths, other stakeholders against joining protest

Hardship: Resort to prayer not protest – Nasarawa Assembly Speaker urges Nigerians

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Hardship: Resort to prayer not protest – Nasarawa Assembly Speaker urges Nigerians

Nigerians have been urged to reconsider their planned 10-day nationwide protest and allow the government more time to address the country’s numerous challenges.
He said the citizens should rather resort to prayers than take to the streets.
This appeal was made by Mr. Danladi Jatau, Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA), who advocated the need for dialogue and patience to achieve amicable resolutions and workable solutions.
Jatau, representing Kokona West Constituency, argued that the government needs more time to implement policies and programs aimed at improving Nigerians’ standard of living.
“The problems are surmountable with both short and long-term measures,” he stated, calling for patience from the public.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our own Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer A. A. Sule are actively rolling out various intervention programs to address hunger and hardship in the land,” Jatau said.
He urged citizens to support the government and resort to prayer instead of protest.
“Prayer is key and a solution to every problem, and every leader needs the prayers and support of their people to succeed,” he said.
Jatau also called for calm, particularly among the youth, urging them not to take the law into their own hands.
He appealed to security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property, maintaining peace in the country.
“I advise stakeholders—political, religious, and traditional—to join hands with the government to address the challenges facing the country,” Jatau added.
He stated the importance of shunning the planned hunger protest scheduled for August, considering its potential repercussions.
The Speaker assured the public of the Assembly’s commitment to passing laws and making resolutions that would improve the living standards of the people of Nasarawa State.
“The 7th Assembly, under my leadership, is ready to provide all necessary support to address the hardship and other challenges facing society. We will do what is humanly possible to improve the standard of living of our people,” Jatau promised.
The 10-day nationwide protest against hunger and hardship in the country, aimed at ending bad governance, had been scheduled to commence on August 1.
Protesters’ demands include reducing fuel, diesel, and gas prices, opening borders for free trade, identifying sponsors of insecurity, reducing school fees, hospital bills, and the salaries of public office holders, among others.
Hardship: Resort to prayer not protest – Nasarawa Assembly Speaker urges Nigerians

Only NNPCL can buy Dangote petrol – IPMAN

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Only NNPCL can buy Dangote petrol – IPMAN

No oil marketer is going to buy Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and sell at the prevalent pump prices at filling stations in Nigeria except the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, operators in the downstream oil sector have declared.

On July 15, 2024, The According reported that the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, announced that the $20bn refinery was set to roll out its petrol in August 2024, having resolved its crude oil supply issues through the help of NNPC and the Federal Government.

“Gasoline (petrol) production is to commence in July with sales from August. Annual revenue is projected to exceed $26bn,” Dangote had stated while delivering a presentation at the plant last month.

But oil marketers told our correspondent on Sunday that no dealer in Nigeria would be able to buy the petrol from the Dangote refinery, because the product would be priced at the international market rate, far higher than the domestic cost at the pumps.

When contacted and asked whether oil marketers had been briefed about the price of petrol from the Dangote refinery, the Deputy National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Zarma Mustapha, gave a negative reply.

He, however, stressed that PMS from the plant would be sold at the international market rate, adding that no marketer would want to pay such price currently.

“There has been no official communication from them yet on pricing for petrol. However, one thing I want you to understand is that even if the Dangote refinery starts to release products, particularly PMS, no marketer can be able to buy the product from him.

“This is because the refinery is an independent commercial entity and they must recoup their cost of refining and add some margin before they sell out the product. The current price of the product within the country is below the international price of a litre of PMS.

“So you cannot buy the product from the refinery at the international price and then sell it at the prevailing price at the retail outlets. If you do, you are going to lose a huge amount of money, which is a difference of between N400 and N500/litre,” Mustapha stated.

The IPMAN official, however, noted that for Nigeria to have Dangote petrol across its filling stations, the NNPC would have to intervene by purchasing the product and reselling it to dealers at discounted rates.

“NNPC may have to offtake the product, just like they are importing from other countries for upward supply to Nigerian marketers, I think only the national oil company can offtake PMS from them and know how best they can continue to supply it to marketers to sell at the approved current price.

“If it is not done this way, no marketer will be able to buy the product and sell it at a loss of over N400 to N500/litre. It is not possible” Mustapha stated.

On July 18, 2024, The According reported that the landing cost of petrol was N1,117/litre as of July 16, 2024, according to data released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria. MEMAN disclosed this during a webinar with journalists.

The association had also revealed that the landing cost of diesel was N1,157/litre, while that of aviation fuel was N1,127/litre, at the time.

The N1,117 landing cost of petrol is far above the pump price of the product in Nigeria. Currently, the pump price of petrol is between N660/litre and N800/litre, depending on the area of purchase.

When contacted and asked whether major marketers would be able to buy petrol from the Dangote refinery, the Executive Secretary, MEMAN, Clement Isong, said his group had earlier published the landing cost of PMS, adding that this was the realistic cost of the product.

“You have seen the price we published which is the realistic cost, and you know the cost at the pumps today, and Dangote refinery is a business entity that will not want to make losses. So that is all I will say,” he stated.

NNPC is currently the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria. Other marketers stopped importing the product due to their inability to access the United States dollar required for PMS imports. NNPC had yet to respond to enquiries on the matter when contacted, up till when this report was filed.

Politicians’ behind banditry, killings in Benue – Gov Alia alleges

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Politicians’ behind banditry, killings in Benue – Gov Alia alleges

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has accused politicians of being behind the armed banditry and killings in the state.
Alia made the allegation on Sunday after attending a thanksgiving service organised at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi, lamenting that the bandits were homegrown and had taken up arms to kill their own.
In recent times, there have been consistent attacks and killings at the Sankera axis of the state, comprising Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas.
The Governor was reacting to the recent attacks, which initially claimed six lives in Ukum LGA and triggered a violent protest and another cold-blooded murder of 18 in Katsina-Ala LGA, as well as the viral video of bandits threatening to kill more in that axis and the move by his government to end the bloodletting.
He said, “I used that in the sense that we are talking about the composition of every frame and form of insecurity that has come up on the people of Ukum LGA.
“During my campaign, I told every faceless person in the three Senatorial zones who were creating instability in the state to sheathe their swords and that the new government was coming in to liberate them, to get them out of the bushes and stop them from killing their siblings. And that is what we have been trying to do.
“Unfortunately when the political wing of it comes into the fray, it kind of complicates what had been there. For many years there had been skirmishes of instability in the Ukum area.
“And what pains me most is that the instability is never created by the invaders, it is not from the outsiders. It is the homegrown bandits who come out there to kill their fathers and mothers and their brothers and sisters, stopping them from going to the farm,” he said.
Politicians’ behind banditry, killings in Benue – Gov Alia alleges

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro wins third term

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Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro wins third term

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro won re-election with 51.2 percent of votes cast Sunday, the electoral council announced, after a campaign tainted by claims of opposition intimidation and fears of fraud.

The President of the CNE electoral body, Elvis Amoroso, in its majority loyal to the government, told reporters 44.2 percent of votes had gone to opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.

Independent polls had predicted Sunday’s vote would bring an end to 25 years of “Chavismo”, the populist movement founded by Maduro’s socialist predecessor and mentor, the late Hugo Chavez.

Maduro, 61, addressed supporters minutes after the announcement, saying: “There will be peace, stability and justice.”

As his supporters celebrated, downcast opposition voters waited to hear from Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken immediately expressed “serious concerns” that the result did not reflect the will of Venezuelan voters.

Since 2013, Maduro has been at the helm of the once-wealthy petro-state where GDP dropped by 80 percent in a decade, pushing more than seven million of its 30 million citizens to emigrate.

He is accused of locking up critics and harassing the opposition in a climate of rising authoritarianism.

Gonzalez Urrutia had replaced popular Machado on the ticket after authorities loyal to Maduro excluded her from the race.

Machado, who campaigned far and wide for her proxy, had urged voters on Sunday to keep “vigil” at their polling stations in the “decisive hours” of counting amid widespread fears of fraud.

Maduro had previously warned of a “bloodbath” if he loses.

– ‘Prepared to defend’ –

Rejecting opinion polls, the government relied on its own numbers to assert Maduro would defeat Gonzalez Urrutia, a little-known 74-year-old former diplomat.

Maduro counts on a loyal electoral apparatus, military leadership, and state institutions in a system of well-established political patronage.

On Friday, a Venezuelan NGO said Caracas was holding 305 “political prisoners” and had arrested 135 people with links to the opposition campaign since January.

Gonzalez Urrutia had said the opposition was “prepared to defend” the vote and trusted “our armed forces to respect the decision of our people.”

He added there had been a “massive” voter turnout.

Ballots were cast on machines that print out paper receipts placed into a container. The electronic votes go directly to a centralized CNE database.

The opposition had deployed about 90,000 volunteer election monitors to polling stations countrywide.

– Watching ‘very closely’ –

Sunday’s election is the product of a mediated deal reached last year between the government and the opposition.

The agreement to hold the vote led the United States to temporarily ease sanctions imposed after Maduro’s 2018 reelection, which was rejected as a sham by dozens of Western and Latin American countries.

However, the sanctions were snapped back after Maduro reneged on agreed conditions.

Washington is keen for a return to stability in Venezuela — an ally of Cuba, Russia and China that boasts the world’s largest oil reserves but severely diminished production capacity.

Economic misery in the South American nation has been a major source of migration pressure on the US southern border.

Most Venezuelans live on just a few dollars a month, with the country’s health care and education systems in disrepair and the population enduring biting shortages of electricity and fuel.

The government blames sanctions, but observers also point the finger at corruption and government inefficiency.

Machado said earlier Sunday that if Maduro “grabs power,” another “three, four, five million” Venezuelans will likely join the exodus.

“What’s at stake here goes beyond our borders, beyond Venezuela,” she said.

Concerns over the fairness of the vote were further stoked when Caracas blocked several international observers, including four Latin American ex-presidents, at the last minute.

The foreign ministers of seven Latin American nations called Sunday for the electoral process to “fully respect the popular will” of the Venezuelan people.

About 21 million Venezuelans are registered as voters, but only an estimated 17 million still in the country are eligible to cast ballots.

AFP

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