News
ECOWAS Defence Chiefs’ Mission To Deploy Troops To Niger Republic Reflects
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
In a significant development, the Defence chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened in Ghana on Thursday, collectively committing to the deployment of troops to Niger Republic.
This mission aims to reinstate democratic governance should all peaceful attempts to remove the junta from power prove unsuccessful.
The removal of President Mohamed Bazoum from office on July 26 by senior military leaders has mirrored the trajectories witnessed in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
These instances of political upheaval have triggered ECOWAS’s swift response.
Underlining their unwavering commitment, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, conveyed a resolute message to the assembled defence chiefs.
Musah’s assertion that the valiant West African forces are prepared to fulfill their duty resonated through his words, signaling the organization’s intent to uphold constitutional order.
Drawing parallels with past successful deployments in Gambia, Liberia, and other regions, Musah showcased ECOWAS’s readiness to act effectively when democracy is under threat.
Rejecting any notion of manipulation by external forces, Musah underscored ECOWAS’s adherence to its established protocols and norms.
“It is vital to recognize that ECOWAS operates as a rules-based entity,” Musah stated emphatically.
He reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to safeguarding its principles, driving home the point that ECOWAS is steadfastly prepared to defend its foundation.
Furthermore, Musah extended an invitation for like-minded democracy-supporting partners to join forces with ECOWAS in its mission.
While reaffirming ECOWAS’s self-reliance in contingents, equipment, and resources, Musah’s words echoed a call for unity in the face of political turbulence.
Musah didn’t mince words when addressing the Niger coup leaders’ conduct.
He labeled their actions as a “cat-and-mouse” game, pointing out their reluctance to engage with ECOWAS envoys and their attempts to justify their takeover.
This evasion raises serious concerns about their commitment to democracy and regional stability.
As ECOWAS maintains its unwavering stance on upholding constitutional order, the international community watches with interest.
The organization’s dedication to fostering democracy, its resilience against manipulation, and its resolute military capability underscore its central role in ensuring stability in the West African region.
The ECOWAS Defence chiefs’ unanimous decision to deploy troops to Niger Republic reflects the organization’s commitment to democratic values and regional stability.
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)