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2023 Presidential Elections: New Political Coalition Mobilises Nigerians to Defend Democracy
The Labour and Civil Society Front is committed to ensuring that the electoral process is protected and that at all times the primacy of the Peoples choice is preserved.
This was contained in a joint statement signed by SIGNED.
For Conveners,Olisa Agbakoba SAN,Comrade Shehu Sani,Amb. Nkoyo Toyo ,Prof Udenta Udenta,Salisu Mohammed ,Osagie Obayuwana
Che Olawale Okunniyi,Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr. (Media Coordinator , and shared with ELANZANEWS on Wednesday.
The statement read:”We stated in our debut outing on the 30th of April, 2023 that the Nigerian People are committed to seeing that the Judiciary rises to the urgency of now by passing judgement in the Presidential Election Petition that will truly present the Judiciary in glowing light.
“In our Solidarity outing with organized Labour on the 1st of May, 2023 we were unanimous in the call on the Parties to the Petitions before the Presidential Elections Petition Tribunal to effectively pursue their call for Justice without let or hindrance, and we believe that democracy is endangered where wrong persons hijack the mandate of the people through electoral malfeasance and larceny.
“We have in many ways supported and endorsed the protests, street marches, sit-in and sit-tights that have attended the largely flawed February 25, 2023 General Elections. We are calling on all lovers of democracy, well meaning Nigerians, supporters of the Rule of law, and believers in the noble demands of due process to join forces with us as we urge and nudge the Judiciary to do right.
“The Presidential Elections Petition Tribunal which began sitting on the 8th of May, 2023 must not see our protests as an attempt to overawe it. Indeed our protests show that we have great faith in the Judiciary and that we believe that they will do right by ensuring that the true winner of the Presidential Election and no other is sworn in on the 29th of May, 2023, this can be done by expeditiously determining the preliminary prayers of the Petitioners. We urge and nudge the Judiciary to do right.
“We, as a major Citizens’ Movement with nationwide Structures, are in alliance with the Free Nigeria Movement (that has been on the Streets for upward of 30days), the UpNorth Ambassadors, the Save Nigeria Group (that has been at the vanguard of protests around the Tribunal venue since Monday), The NCFront-3rd Force Movement of Nigeria, the Coalition of Obidient Movements Worldwide (with relentless channels of protest, calling for the validation of the Peoples Mandate), the League of Nigerian Progressives, the resurgent NADECO challenge, and several other groups committed to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
“Our unalterable and unyielding resolve is to salvage our decomposing democracy and restore the fast fading faith in the electoral process.
“Finally, we encourage Nigerians to continue, and sustain all ongoing peaceful protests and marches against the monumental electoral larceny of the 25th of February, 2023 until Justice is done. To the Esteemed Judges in whose hands our collective sanity, faith and fate as a nation lie, the minimum we crave is that you do right.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday for a high-level operational visit to Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the military’s counter-insurgency campaign in the North East.
The visit, according to a statement by Ahmad Dan Wudil, the minister’s media aide, aims to evaluate the troops’ operational readiness, boost morale among frontline personnel, and review strategies to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.
The statement underscored the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The trip comes amid growing concerns over resurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
Earlier this month, Governor Babagana Zulum warned that the security situation was deteriorating, with insurgents dislodging military formations in areas such as Wulgo, Wajiroko, and Sabon Gari.
Zulum urged the federal government and security agencies to act decisively to prevent a reversal of the gains made in the fight against insurgency.
“While we appreciate the tremendous support from the federal government and the military, the current shift in focus away from the North East risks undermining our progress,” Zulum said, highlighting the need for renewed efforts to curb the escalating violence.
The minister’s visit signals a renewed commitment to addressing the security challenges in Borno, where sporadic attacks have raised fears among residents and displaced communities.
Operation HADIN KAI remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to combat insurgency and restore stability to the troubled region.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Malaria Day 2025, the Caleb Danladi Foundation has stepped up its efforts to combat the disease, with a special focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
Aligning with this year’s theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” the Foundation facilitated the re-enrollment of hundreds of women, children, and other at-risk groups into the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme.
Founder of the Foundation, Captain Caleb Danladi, disclosed that the organisation fully funded the beneficiaries’ insurance premiums to enhance their access to malaria prevention and treatment services.
Speaking during Friday’s commemoration, Danladi lamented that malaria continues to claim countless lives, particularly in underserved communities.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” he said. “On this World Malaria Day, we reaffirm our commitment to saving lives through direct support, strong advocacy, and strategic investments in community health solutions.”
He emphasised the need for sustained investments in healthcare and a reimagined approach to delivering equitable services across communities.
Danladi also urged government agencies, healthcare workers, and development partners to strengthen collaboration efforts aimed at eradicating malaria, noting that safeguarding the health and dignity of Nigerians especially women and children is a shared responsibility.
The Director-General (D-G) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that Africa would be minimally impacted by the tariffs imposed by the President of the United States of America (USA), Donald Trump.
Okonjo-Iweala made the remark during an interview with Nigerian journalists at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank in Washington D.C. on Friday.
She explained that only 6.5 per cent of Africa’s exports go to the USA, while 4.4 per cent of its imports come from the U.S., meaning that the impact on the continent would be minimal.
“The trade of the continent is very limited with the USA. We have done the analysis, and the impact on the continent as a whole is not significant,” she said.
However, she noted that Africa’s limited trade with the USA was also not ideal, as it hindered economic growth.
The D-G emphasised that Africa needed to focus on utilising its own resources to reach its full potential, as aid was declining, and the continent required more investment.
She pointed out that Africa must strengthen internal trade, citing Lesotho as an example.
In spite of Lesotho exporting 200 million dollars’ worth of textiles to the USA, the country faced challenges due to the shrinking U.S. market.
Okonjo-Iweala noted that Africa spent 7 billion dollars annually on importing textiles, suggesting that Lesotho should instead focus on selling textiles within African markets.
She also urged the USA to consider the effects of tariffs on least-developed countries, calling for a reassessment of the reciprocal tariffs in poorer nations.
Okonjo-Iweala concluded that Africa needed more investments and should work towards boosting intra-Africa trade, which remained underdeveloped.
“We cannot trade more externally, where our trade is only 3 per cent of world trade, or internally, where intra-Africa trade is 16 to 20 per cent at most,” she said.(NAN)