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DWI writes Tinubu, demands equal chances for all aspirants

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THE democracy Watch Initiative (DWI), on Wednesday, writer President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to allow the democratic process to prevail as the members of the 10th National Assembly elect their principal officers.

It said Tinubu should recall the incredible promises he made to the North during his electioneering at the Arewa house talk show organized by the Northern leaders and elders.

The National coordinator, DWI, Dr. Sunusi Umar, made this know in Abuja, during a press briefing. He said that no one expects the President-elect to give the North what it does not deserve.

He noted that the letter aims at to forestall the drift toward greater regional distrust in Nigeria, breach of constitutional democracy, due process of leadership succession through elections and rancour in the 10th National Assembly.

Umar said: “We are of the view therefore, that the current attempt to impose leaders on people of undoubtful maturity, and proven experience, elected to represent their various constituencies in the incoming 10th National Assembly, amounts to an encroachment on the sanctity of the legislature, subversion of popular will and a negation of the democratic principle of separation of powers between executive, the legislature and the Judiciary.

“We find it curious that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, itself a product of democratic election and which subjected its presidential ticket contest to elections, should now be the same party attempting to manipulate the system to one of selection and imposition.

“Having come this far Sir, we feel duty bound to call your attention to be vigilant as to the political opportunists that are bound to swarm around you with the intent of forming another cabal who are behind this scheme aiming to pitch you against your traditional political friends and sections of the country.

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“Everyone must be aware by now that those pursuing this undemocratic, unconstitutional and unrealistic agenda are not your friends; they are people who did not vote for you nor in anyway supported your emergence as APC candidate nor your eventual victory at the February polls.

“What they are doing about the National Assembly leadership is to test the ground for a wider political agenda that aims to diminish your personal populist tendencies and those anticipated in your government.”

He further called on President elect to reclaim the people confidence in his untainted democratic credentials and commitment to entrenching sustainable democracy.

Adding that, “We are confident that Your Excellency is endowed with ample experience and diplomatic wherewithal to cope with whatever National Assembly leadership may emerge through due democratic process.

“We repose an enduring faith in your ability and will to change the situation in the country for the better, we pray the Almighty God to increase you in wisdom to be able to accomplish your good intentions for the country.

“We believe a free election of leaders of the National Assembly by its own members would put to end the already brewing concerns of marginalization and fear of domination of other geopolitical zones in the North by others.

“We submit therefore that if North despite the immense contribution it made towards the victory of the APC at the Presidential election at the expense of fellow candidates from the region does not deserve to be rewarded with the position it rightly demands in the National Assembly, there should be no justification to deny the the right to stand election to the same post.”

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Police Successfully Rescues Two Abducted Federal University Lafia Students

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The Nasarawa State Police Command has successfully rescued two students from the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) who were kidnapped on Sunday, March 30.

In a statement released to the media on Tuesday in Lafia, Police Spokesman SP Ramhan Nansel provided details of the incident. He reported that the command received an emergency call regarding an attack on a student lodge around 9:20 PM on March 30, during which two students were taken hostage.

“At approximately 9:20 PM on March 30, we were alerted to an attack at a student lodge located behind Nasara Estate, Tudun Kauri, Lafia. During this assault, two Federal University Lafia students, Sadiq Adinoyi and Sakina Adinoyi, were abducted,” SP Nansel stated.

Following immediate instructions from Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, members of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and ‘A’ Division in Lafia were dispatched to locate the assailants.

Nansel elaborated that, based on technical intelligence, the rescue team identified the location where the victims were held— a forest area behind the 500 housing unit along Doma Road.

“The team engaged the suspects in a gunfight within the forest. The overwhelming firepower of the police forced the assailants to retreat, abandoning the victims, who were safely rescued,” the spokesperson noted.

Additionally, one suspect, identified as Ibrahim Musa from Abuni village in Awe Local Government Area, was apprehended at the scene. Nansel indicated that the suspect has provided valuable information and is aiding ongoing investigations.

On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Nansel expressed gratitude to the anti-kidnapping unit for their unwavering efforts in the rescue operation. He reaffirmed the command’s dedication to combating crime and encouraged officers to remain resolute in their mission to eliminate criminal activities in the state.

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Lawmaker urges FG to curb incessant killings in Benue

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Rep. Blessing Onuh, representing Otukpo-Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has urged the Federal Government to curb the escalating insecurity and incessant killings in Benue.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Onuh, of the All Progressives Congress, lamented the incessant attacks and killings in Otukpo in Benue, describing the situation as a “national emergency” that required immediate attention.

She appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies to intensify efforts in apprehending the perpetrators, bringing them to justice and restoring peace to the affected communities.

“The killings in my constituency have reached an outrageous level in recent weeks.

“Every day we witness the senseless murder of innocent people and tragically, it is beginning to feel as though it is normal,” Onuh said.

She claimed that people were being killed and kidnapped repeatedly, yet nothing seemed to be happening to the perpetrators.

“Families mourn their dead, return home, and brace for the next attack by suspected herdsmen,” she added.

Onuh claimed that a retired customs officer, Mr Onche Akatu was brutally murdered a day ago while two members of his family were kidnapped in Asa 2 community, Otukpo Local Government Area.

“Should the dead man now rise to pay ransom for their release? My heart bleeds,” she lamented.

Onuh also said that a nursing mother, Mrs Felicia Ochigbo, was recently slaughtered in the Old NTA Area of Asa community among several other killings in Benue communities.

“As I speak to you now, people are running away from their communities without even knowing if where they are going is even safe.

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“Are these killers above the law?

“Why is it so difficult to apprehend them and restore peace so that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed?” she queried.

The lawmaker also raised concerns that the fear of violence had forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, adding that the development was worsening food shortages in the region.

Onuh advised the youths against jungle justice or reprisal attacks, emphasising that taking the law into their own hands would only escalate the crisis.

She assured her constituents of her commitment to working closely with political leaders and security agencies to put an end to the heinous acts plaguing her constituency.

“I will engage with political stakeholders and security heads to ensure these atrocities come to an end.

“Our people deserve to live in peace,” she said. (NAN)

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DSS arrests 2 principal suspects involved in Uromi’s tragedy

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Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested two principal suspects allegedly involved in the killing of 16 travellers in Uromi, Esan North-East local government area of Edo State last week.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Friday Ituah, announced this in a statement on Tuesday.

He said the suspects were apprehended in Uromi town following credible intelligence.

According to him, operatives of various security agencies are hunting for other key suspects involved in the unfortunate incident.

Ituah stated that they have been transferred to Abuja for further interrogation and prosecution by the relevant authorities.

On Monday, the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo paid a condolence visit to Kano State. He revealed that 14 suspects had already been arrested in connection with the killing and were to be moved to Abuja for further interrogation.

Governor Okpebholo, who visited the State to condole with the government and families of the victims, had vowed that justice would be served and those involved in the killing would be brought to justice.

Governor Okpebholo had also assured the families of the victims that adequate compensations would be paid.

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