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Ensuring Peaceful Coexistence: Governor Fubara Urges Muslim Clerics To Preach To Herdsmen
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State calls on Muslim clerics to play a vital role in preventing herdsmen from harassing communities, harming farmers, and destroying crops.
Fumara made the statement while disclosing the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property, and the consequences for those who engage in such acts.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and security in the state during a visit by Muslim clerics from the Muslim Community.
Governor Fubara urged the clerics to take proactive measures in preventing herdsmen from harassing residents, attacking farmers, and causing damage to agricultural produce.
Commitment To Protecting Lives And Property
The primary objective of Governor Fubara’s administration is to safeguard the lives and property of all individuals within the state. This commitment has created an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, enabling the residents to celebrate various occasions without fear. However, the governor cautioned that any actions undermining the goal of creating a better Rivers State would be met with the full force of the law.
Putting An End To Destructive Activities
Governor Fubara expressed concern about the destructive activities carried out by some members of the Muslim community. While the government remains dedicated to protecting businesses, it cannot tolerate the actions of a few individuals who damage the livelihoods of others. The governor stressed the need to address this issue promptly and warned that failure to do so would result in legal consequences.
Swift Action Required
To address the rising concerns in various local government areas, Governor Fubara urged immediate action in curbing open grazing and violence in communities such as Ikwerre, Etche, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, and parts of Emohua. He urged the Muslim clerics to convey the message to those involved, emphasizing the importance of stopping harassment and violence against residents and farmers.
Ensuring Open Communication
Governor Fubara acknowledged the critical role of the Muslim community as stakeholders in governance. He assured them that his administration would maintain open communication channels to ensure their concerns and interests are addressed. The governor highlighted the significance of preserving the prevailing peaceful environment, enabling the community to engage in their businesses and worship without any form of disturbance.
A Pledge For Stability
The leader of the visiting delegation, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, Vice President General of the Rivers State Council of Islamic Affairs, pledged the Muslim community’s support for the policies and programs of Governor Fubara’s administration. He reassured the governor that the Muslim community would not engage in activities that use religion as a means of destabilizing the state.
By adhering to Governor Fubara’s call for vigilance and cooperation, the Muslim clerics can contribute significantly to maintaining peace, harmony, and sustainable development in Rivers State.
Aides, Allies Disown Him, Say You’re a Traitor, We’re not Leaving PDP
Barely two weeks after his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), crisis has enveloped the political camp of a member of the House of Representatives for Obokun/Oriade federal constituency in Osun State, Oluwole Oke.
Indeed, these are not the best of times for him as his defection to the APC is eliciting rejection from his close circles and constituency.
His key allies who he groomed into politics and government positions have rejected his calls on them to join him to defect to the APC.
A source said that in the last few days, key aides and allies of the lawmaker have rejected his movement to the APC, describing it as a political tragedy.
“With the way he betrayed PDP, Oluwole Oke is like the proverbial Leopard that can never change the spots on its body. He will also betray the APC. We are staying back in PDP while severing political links with him”, one of his allies, Bamidele Johnson said.
Some of his allies were said to have openly declared that the defection marks a political waterloo for the 6th term legislator.
For instance, some of Oke’s allies in his Local Government scorned his move as “a decision borne out of greed and selfishness.”
One of them described him as “an ingrate who betrayed a party on whose platform he got married in life as a lawmaker and on whose platform he gained all his material riches.”
The Northern Youths Consultative Forum for Justice (NYCJ) has urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State, citing a complete breakdown of governance, law, and order.
In a statement issued on Monday in Kano, NYCJ President Dr Sanusi Rano described the situation in Zamfara as “organised abandonment of duty” by elected officials.
“What we are witnessing in Zamfara is not governance. It is betrayal of the people,” Rano said, pointing to the absence of a functional state House of Assembly and allegations linking officials to criminal activities.
The group highlighted the suspension of 10 lawmakers who spoke out against the deteriorating security situation, arguing that their removal has left Zamfara without a legally recognised legislative body.
“This is a dictatorship of silence,” said Rano, adding that the lack of checks and balances has deepened the state’s crisis.
“The same hands that should protect Zamfara are profiting from its destruction,” Rano stated.
Calling for decisive action, the group demanded the appointment of a non-partisan administrator to rebuild the state’s institutions.
“If this is not done now, Zamfara risks becoming a permanent state of anarchy, which threatens our democracy,” Rano warned.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday, sentenced the husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Nwachukwu was found guilty of culpable homicide resulting in the death of the deceased ( his wife) on April 8, 2022.
The judge held that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022 by the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), on behalf of the Federal Government, on a 23-count charge .
The charge was on culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, among others.
In the course of trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two children of the late Osinachi, who testified as fourth prosecution and fifth prosecution witnesses, PW4 and PW5 respectively.
The prosecution also tendered 25 documents as exhibits before the court.
The defendant testified for the defence and further called four other witnesses and tendered four exhibits in his defence.
Shortly before sentencing, the defendant, counsel , Reginald Nwali, in his allocutus pleaded with the court to be lenient in its judgment.
Similarly, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to give force to the law as stipulated.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, while he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13, and 18.
The court sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment on Count 10, three years imprisonment in Count 11, while he was fined the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7 respectively. (NAN)