National
Ham Elders Demand Fair Elections Ahead Of October 19th LGA Polls
The Ham community in Jaba Local Government Area, located in the Kaduna South Senatorial District of Kaduna State, has expressed discontent over the ongoing imposition of Chairpersons during the past eight years of the administration led by former Governor Nasiru el-Rufai.
In a press statement jointly signed by Martins Boris Chiroma, Mamman D. Sarki, Istifanus Zom, Iliya Bako Byeing and Peter N. Buba for the Ham elders, said they want a free and fair election.
The elders say their anticipation for the local government elections scheduled for October 19, 2024, is for it to be free and fair.
The statement references a well-known quote from former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” This assertion underscores the essential role of the populace in governance and highlights the long standing issue of imposed leadership in Jaba LG over the last eight years.
The elders emphasized that democracy thrives on the principle that elections are the legitimate pathway for the emergence of leaders. They argue that the citizens of Jaba should not only have the right to vote for their preferred candidates but that their votes must be respected and counted.
“At this critical juncture, it is imperative that we voice our concerns regarding our rights and representation,” the statement reads. “Despite our reputation as peace-loving people, the last eight years have demonstrated that being organized and engaged yields no benefits under the current system,” they said, adding that the community has long sought development, but it remains elusive when leadership is not chosen based on merit and capability.
The elders lament that under Governor Nasiru el-Rufai, Jaba LG has not had an elected Chairperson, with appointments made without regard for local sentiment or input. “We have reached a breaking point. It is time for us to exercise our constitutional rights and select our leaders.”
In their appeal to Governor Uba Sani and relevant authorities, the elders stressed the need for Jaba to have the opportunity to elect leaders of their choosing rather than accepting imposed candidates.
To promote peace and development in the local government, as outlined by the Supreme Court’s ruling on the autonomy of local government councils, the Elders of Jaba LG in Ham land presented their earnest requests:
“1. A peaceful election in all units and wards, Voters should be free to choose candidates without interference, Votes must be counted fairly and justly, Winners at all stages—Ward Council and Chairmanship—should be declared in accordance with electoral laws, Results should be counted at voting centers, with declarations made immediately by Returning Officers, and copies of results distributed to relevant officials, Any individual from Ham/Jaba involved in fraudulent result declarations will face sanctions within the community, We commend the State Government for conducting local elections in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment, These measures will foster not only development but also peace and tranquility in Jaba land,” they added.
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
National
Nigeria Advocates for Collaborative Border Control Efforts with Sahel and West African Nations
Nigeria is seeking enhanced collaboration with Sahelian and West African nations to facilitate effective information and data sharing for improved border control measures.
During a press briefing on Tuesday at the Border Security Summit in London, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emphasized the necessity for regional cooperation.
“There is a critical need for countries within the Sahel and West African subregions to collaborate more effectively for better international partnerships and information dissemination,” he stated.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo highlighted the importance of proactive strategies to not only address ongoing issues but to prevent future occurrences. “The major takeaway from this summit is the emphasis on proactivity rather than mere reaction, as nations increasingly aim to criminalize irregular migration.”
He described the summit as a significant opportunity for border control ministers to collaborate in safeguarding their nations’ borders.
The minister pointed out that organized immigration crimes are not confined to individual countries but are a collective issue requiring shared solutions. He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to combating border-related crimes through the implementation of effective strategies.
“Nigeria has developed a comprehensive border control solution, recognizing that we are not just a transit point. Our systems have been automated with numerous measures introduced to secure our borders and eradicate irregular migration,” he affirmed.
“We cannot afford to lose the battle before it begins, and we are confident that, through this summit, we can present a united front to effectively tackle this challenge,” Tunji-Ojo assured.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing its immigration policies and collaborating with global partners to combat transnational crimes, including human trafficking, smuggling, and document fraud.
According to NAN, the summit convened over 30 world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, to address significant issues related to border control and organized immigration crime (OIC). The event served as a platform for international cooperation on migration policies, security threats, and strategies to counter illegal immigration activities. (NAN)
The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year (y-o-y).
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024).
Average estimated electricity generation rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024.
Similarly, electricity consumption saw a modest increase of 2.63%, reaching 4,105.66 MW/h from 4,000.24 MW/h in the preceding quarter.
This is as the Nigerian economy witnessed widespread expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with 21 out of 22 subsectors recording positive growth.
On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, however, the subsector showed signs of recovery, as the index rose by 22.50% compared to a significant decline of 49.46% in the previous quarter.
The broad-based economic expansion in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including improved business confidence, increased consumer spending, and enhanced performance in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
The government’s fiscal and monetary policies, aimed at stabilising inflation and boosting investment, also contributed to the positive momentum.
According to the CBN, the improvement was largely attributed to enhanced gas supply to thermal power stations and the continued implementation of the Siemens Power Project, which has positively impacted power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
Notably, the oil and gas sector benefited from relatively stable crude oil prices and improved domestic production, which provided a boost to overall economic output.
The data also stated that the non-oil sector, particularly fintech and digital services, also played a significant role in driving economic activities.