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Boosting Political Participation: Bishop Kukah Centre’s Review Of Political Patties
By Abubakar Yusuf
In an effort to foster stronger political engagement, the Bishop Mathew Kukah of Sokoto Diocese Centre, the driving force behind Component III of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) initiative, is orchestrating a crucial Validation session for political parties.
This session aims to thoroughly examine the initial draft report resulting from the recent Needs Assessment conducted over the past several months.
On the 8th of September 2023, the Rock View Hotel Royale in Abuja will play host to a pivotal event – the Validation Session organized by the Bishop Mathew Kukah of Sokoto Diocese Centre.
This session brings together representatives from diverse political parties who have meticulously reviewed the preliminary draft report and are prepared to offer their valuable insights.
The EU-SDGN initiative, particularly Component III, has a clear-cut mission. It strives to bolster pluralism, fortify internal democracy, and promote equity within Nigeria’s intricate political party ecosystem.
This project stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of various partner organizations, including NDI, IRI, and fellow EU-SDGN affiliates.
As we approach September 8, 2023, anticipation builds for the Validation Session at Rock View Hotel Royale, Abuja.
This event represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s political landscape, with political parties coming together to shape the future of democracy, inclusivity, and equity.
The European Union Support to Political Parties (Component III) takes centre stage as a driving force behind this transformative initiative. With a focus on nurturing pluralism,
strengthening internal democratic processes, and ensuring equity within political parties, it charts a path towards a more vibrant and inclusive political arena.
This initiative stands as a testament to the power of collaboration.
Partner organizations like NDI, IRI, and fellow EU-SDGN allies join hands to steer Nigeria’s political landscape towards a brighter and more democratic future.
The Validation Session on September 8, 2023, promises to be a turning point in Nigeria’s political narrative.
By actively participating in this event, political parties demonstrate their commitment to a more inclusive, equitable, and democratic political system.
The EU-SDGN’s Component III, with its emphasis on pluralism and internal democracy, serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards a brighter future for Nigerian politics.
Together with dedicated partner organizations, this collaborative effort will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the nation’s political landscape.
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)