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Military airstrike: Shettima condoles with Sokoto over deaths of civilians
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has expressed heartfelt condolences and an apology to Sokoto State’s government and people following the tragic loss of lives during a joint military operation against the Lakurawa terrorist group.
The operation targeted terrorist hideouts in the Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesperson, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima expressed deep sympathy to the families of those mistakenly affected by the military onslaught on the terrorist group.
He noted that it was one of those rare, sorrowful moments when innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire during the ongoing efforts to rid the country of all forms of terror
“I would like to extend my deep sympathies and condolences to the government and people of Sokoto State, particularly to the families of those who lost their lives in this joint operation.
“The operation, conducted by both the air and land components of Operation Fansan Yamma, was aimed at neutralising the Lakurawa terrorist group at their hideouts in the Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities,” Shettima said.
Shettima expressed regret for the civilian casualties incurred and the pain felt by the affected families.
“I must say that we are sorry and dismayed by the civilian losses and the immense suffering that follows in such difficult times,” he added.
The Vice-President called for understanding, highlighting the sacrifices made by the military in their efforts to protect civilians.
“Our gallant men and women of the Armed Forces are paying the ultimate price to protect the lives of those caught in the crossfire.
“My thoughts and prayers go out particularly to the relatives of those who perished in this tragic event.
“May the Almighty God ease your pain and grant you the courage and patience to bear the loss.”
Shettima, on behalf of the military, expressed regret over the incident and called for continued support for the troops.
He emphasised that with valuable information from the local population, the military would be able to carry out operations with greater precision, targeting terrorists while minimising harm to innocent civilians.
“President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating terror groups and other criminal elements from the country.
“We will not rest until these threats are completely eliminated.
“On behalf of our brave officers, I apologise for this tragic loss. I urge you to continue supporting our troops as they work to ensure a safer nation for us all,” Shettima assured.
The Vice-President stressed that security was a collective responsibility, calling on all Nigerians to unite in the fight against terrorism.
“Together, we will make a difference. The courage and dedication of our troops, along with the resilience of the Nigerian people, will prevail against such monstrous evil.”
Shettima also reassured the public that President Tinubu was fully committed to ensuring a peaceful Nigeria, where citizens could go about their daily lives without fear of attacks from terrorists and other criminal elements.
He further emphasised that the government would continue its efforts to eliminate the remaining pockets of terror across the country.
In related news, the Defence Headquarters clarified that the death of 10 civilians in Gidan Bisa and Gidan Ruutuwa in Sokoto State was due to secondary explosions, not direct military airstrikes.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, explained that the joint operation by the Air and Land components of Operation Fassan Yamma on December 25 was a response to confirmed terrorist activity in the region.
Buba, who made the clarification while briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja, explained that although the airstrikes targeted terrorist hideouts, the secondary explosions caused civilian casualties in the surrounding villages.
“The operation successfully neutralised the Lakurawa terrorist group’s hideouts.”(NAN)
Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT), has kicked against the national assembly’s use of voice vote in approving the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state.
On Thursday, the upper and lower legislative chambers approved Tinubu’s request for emergency rule in Rivers, using a voice vote.
The approval follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers and the suspension of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the state assembly, over a protracted political crisis.
In a statement issued on Friday, Kingibe said the required two-thirds majority consensus “cannot be accurately determined by a mere voice vote”.
“As the senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT) elected on the platform of Labour Party, I, Ireti Kingibe, maintain a clear, firm and unequivocal stance on the recent declaration of emergency rule and the associated voting procedures conducted in the National Assembly,” the statement reads.
“I strongly oppose the use of voice voting for such critical, vital and constitutional issues. The Nigerian Constitution explicitly mandates that a state of emergency proclaimed by the President must be ratified by a two-thirds majority of all the members of each house of the national assembly.”
Kingibe said the senate standing order and house rules “mandate a roll call or electronic voting system to accurately determine numerical compliance for decisions of this magnitude”.
She added that the national assembly, as custodians of the Nigerian constitution, must uphold its duty of guiding the President’s decisions and ensuring that the rule of law prevails.
The senator also urge Nigerians to ensure they hold their representatives accountable for the decision on Rivers state.
“A two-thirds (2/3) majority is required for significant decisions like approving an emergency proclamation in the national assembly, and this level of consensus cannot be accurately determined by a voice vote,” she added.
“When a supermajority like two-thirds is needed, a recorded vote — whether through division voting, roll call, or electronic voting is necessary to ensure compliance with constitutional requirements.
“A voice vote is insufficient for determining a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly for an emergency proclamation. A formal recorded vote is crucial to confirm the exact number of lawmakers in support.
“National Assembly members are the direct representatives of the people, the voice of the people. Without a roll call or electronic voting, the people haven’t spoken and therefore cannot, should not and will not take responsibility for the President’s decision, as constitutionally required in matters of this magnitude.”
The federal high court in Lokoja has granted an interim injunction preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or acting on petitions to recall Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Kogi central senator.
The court granted the order on Thursday following an ex-parte application for an interim injunction, supported by an “affidavit of extreme urgency”.
On Wednesday, videos circulating on social media appeared to show constituents signing documents as part of the recall process. A source in Kogi had confirmed that efforts to recall the senator were underway.
Court documents seen by TheCable showed that the application was filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from Kogi central. They were represented by Smart Nwachimere of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co.
The court order prohibits INEC and its representatives from accepting or acting on petitions linked to the recall, which the applicants claim contain fictitious signatures.
The order also bars the electoral commission from conducting a referendum on the matter until the substantive case is resolved.
“That an interim injunction is granted restraining the defendant, staff, agents, privies or assigns from receiving, accepting or acting in any way whatsoever on any purported petitions submitted to the defendant by any person or persons whatsoever, containing fictitious signatures and names of purported members of the said district and conducting any referendum to initiate a recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as senator pending the determination of the motion,” the order reads.
The order of the court and the motion on notice are to be served on the defendant (INEC).
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct” following a seating arrangement dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She had earlier accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the Supreme Court by its judgment in the disputed national secretary position has affirmed former National Youth Leader, Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the authentic scribe of the party.
In a statement on Friday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said that the apex court’s ruling reinforces the principle that leadership decisions within political parties are internal matters beyond judicial interference.
He said Okoye’s emergence as National Secretary was in line with party regulations.
Ologunagba stated that following the nomination of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the PDP’s governorship candidate for the November 2023 election in Imo State, the NWC, at its 576th meeting on October 11, 2023, directed the South East Zonal Executive Committee to nominate a replacement.
“Today’s judgment of the Supreme Court reaffirms the standing position of the Party and emphatically settles the emergence of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye as the substantiative National Secretary of the PDP having been duly nominated, endorsed and ratified through the internal mechanism of the PDP statutory Organs and bodies in line with provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017),” the party said.
“For clarity, the NWC at its 576th meeting held on the 11th of October, 2023, directed the South East Zonal Executive Committee to nominate a replacement for Senator Samuel Anyanwu upon Senator Anyanwu’s nomination as the governorship candidate of the PDP to contest the November 2023 Governorship election in Imo State.
“Consequent upon the directive of the NWC, the South East Zonal Executive Committee at its meeting held on the 20th of October 2023 passed a resolution approving the emergence and forwarding of the name of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye to the NWC as the National Secretary of the Party.
“Accordingly, the NWC at its 577th meeting held on 7th of November 2023 pursuant to its powers under the PDP Constitution, duly received, deliberated upon, accepted and approved the emergence of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye as the National Secretary of the Party, which appointment has also since been endorsed by relevant Organs and bodies of the PDP including the Board of Trustees (BoT), South East Zonal Caucus, the PDP Governors’ Forum and officially communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the general public.”