News
Northern Coalition Hails Tinubu, Shettima On Election Victory
… urges him to carry everybody along irrespective of their differences
From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA
The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, on Thursday extended its congratulatory message to the All Progressives Congress President elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President elect, Kashim Shettima.
The group also described a letter written by a former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as ‘satanic.’
Reading an already prepared speech on behalf of the CNG, in Abuja, spokesperson of the group, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, urged Tinubu to keep to his promises and address the security and economic challenges bedeviling the country.
He said, “Specifically, we congratulate the newly elected President and to remind him that Nigerian voters trusted him to lead them in the hope for a leadership that will make them more secure and provide their children with a productive future.
“We therefore urge him to be magnanimous in victory by carrying everybody along irrespective of tribe, religion, region or political affiliation and to operate an open all inclusive government.
We appreciate the incoming President’s humility, and maturity displayed in his acceptance speech.
“We urge him to keep to his promise of being just to all sections of the country in terms of spread of federal projects and to be prudent in assembling the team that will assist him in the task of seeing Nigeria through and out of its current limitations around security and the economy; and of leading our nation into a future in which we will live secure lives and pursue livelihoods in a united, strong, prosperous Nigeria whose resources will be protected by leaders.”
Reacting to Obasanjo’s letter, CNG said, “We also appreciate the manner Nigerians resisted the temptation in the satanic letter of Obasanjo intended to incite them to violence and anarchy and instead chose to offer a verdict for peace and harmony.
“To condemn with all our might the undue invention of Obasanjo that potentially incites public disorder and aim to set the country up in flames for the sake of his personal political interest in one candidate.
“Obasanjo should note that he has long stripped himself of any claim to statesmanship and patriotism having turned into a potent agent of destabilization.
“We hold that with this latest action, Obasanjo has finally bared himself of any remaining streak of integrity and the authorities should take steps to strip him of all national honours including the GCON.”
The group further called on the judiciary to be fair in dealing with electoral disputes that would come before them for adjudication.
CNG added that it observed some manipulation of votes in the Southeast, saying that they would react appropriately in subsequent elections.
The group said, “One of the lessons is that while the North, in its usual accommodating spirit and democratic tolerance was able to play decent politics that allowed all candidates of the four major parties secure substantial and in some cases majority votes across northern Nigerian states, the situation was drastically different in particularly the South-east where votes were manipulated and confined solely for their son.
“In this regard, and for the avoidance of doubt, the North has heard the message loud and clear and shall pay coin for coin in any elections that may come up now or in the future.
“Finally, the CNG recommits to its principles of never to lower the bar where the interests of the North, the unity and security of Nigeria, or the welfare of all citizens are involved.”
By Amina Samuel, Kaduna
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has pledge support for the immediate provision of water in the 23 local, promise to fulfill his campaign promises, his preoccupation is to serve the people of Kaduna State who elected him to office
He said in the last 22 months,his administration has intervened in the agricultural sector, enhanced education and brought security in areas that were most affected by insecurity in the past.
Governor Uba Sani who spoke after the Iftar dinner with Kaduna Social Media Influencers at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Saturday, said that he is focused on governance and will not be distracted by quarrelling with anyone.
He disclosed that the scarcity of pipe borne water supply which has been plaguing Kaduna State in the past, will be soon be addressed, promising that water will be available in all the 23 local governments by the end of the year.
The Governor recalled he declared a state of emergency in the water sector when he assumed office because the capacity utilisation of the water supply scheme was less than 5%.
Governor Uba Sani disclosed the capacity has now risen to 30% and by the end of the year, it will reach 100%.
He said that his administration has cleared the salary backlog of Kaduna State Water Corporation staff amounting to N800 million, adding that ‘’we have settled electricity debts worth N1.3 billion. We are also retrofitting all small water supply schemes in all the 23 local governments.’’
The Governor also reiterated that peace has returned to Birnin Gwari and Giwa local governments, which were threatened by insecurity during the last administration.
According to him, the Birnin Gwari cattle market which had been closed for over 10 years due to security challenges, was opened last November and business is now booming, adding that on a daily basis, over 30 trailers load cattle to the southern part of the country.
Governor Uba Sani commended the social media influencers for highlighting the activities of Kaduna State Government, promising to support them in their efforts to promote the administration.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Kaduna Social Media Influencers, Malam Adam Garba, thanked the Governor for hosting them for Iftar, adding that this was the first time that any Governor has done so.
The Chairman equally commended Governor Uba Sani for the support that he has been giving to them, pointing out that Government had earlier given them Ramadan palliatives.
Malam Adam however pleaded with the Governor to provided employment to some of their members who have requisite qualifications, when job opportunities are available.
The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has alleged that Nigerian security officials are planning to arrest her upon her return to Nigeria.
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who’s still in the US, claimed the move is linked to her participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York on 11 March, where she raised concerns about her suspension from the Senate and sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
She disclosed this to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview on Sunday.
She said, “I’m aware there are plans underway to have me arrested as soon as I arrive Abuja.”
IPOB Lawyer Demands Probe By Security Operatives
Onitsha-based trader had been hospitalised following the
reported looting of her medicine store by officials of the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The looting as contained in a viral footage, has attracted wild condemnation.
Consequently, a lawyer and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has demanded an investigation by security into the act perpetrated by NAFDAC officials.
As at the time of this report, NAFDAC is said to be preparing its response to the allegation.
While describing the heart-wrenching testimony of the devastated trader as both troubling and unacceptable, he said the woman is currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital after suffering severe shock from the traumatic incident.
Ejiofor, also a lawyer to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in a statement said it is not just an economic assault but a direct attack on her dignity and well-being.
He said, “I am deeply saddened by the viral video showing a female trader alleging that her shop was looted by officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). This alarming footage exposes a grave injustice that demands urgent action.
“Recently, I strongly condemned the indiscriminate closure of shops under the guise of combating counterfeit drugs. While the fight against fake pharmaceuticals is crucial, it must be carried out through lawful and ethical means that do not jeopardize the livelihoods of innocent traders. Unfortunately, our worst fears have now materialized.
“In my previous public statement, I urged security agencies and NAFDAC to investigate their personnel implicated in these allegations. However, despite the gravity of the situation, no action has been taken.
“This latest evidence – captured on video – clearly exposes officials entrusted with regulatory enforcement, allegedly engaging in outright looting, betraying public trust.
“The heart-wrenching testimony of this devastated trader is both troubling and unacceptable. Disturbingly, information available to us confirms that this innocent woman is currently receiving medical care at an undisclosed hospital after suffering severe shock from this traumatic incident. This is not just an economic assault but a direct attack on her dignity and well-being.
‘I, therefore, call upon the relevant security agencies to conduct a swift, transparent, and comprehensive investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for this reprehensible act.
“NAFDAC must urgently assess and provide commensurate reparations for this devastating loss, ensuring that justice is not only served but also felt by the victims. Justice delayed is justice denied. Immediate disciplinary and legal measures must be enforced to restore public confidence in our institutions.
“Such misconduct has no place in a society striving for justice, peace, and economic stability. The livelihoods of hardworking citizens must be protected, and those who abuse their positions of trust must face the full weight of the law. If we fail to act decisively, we risk enabling a culture of impunity that will only deepen public distrust in our institutions.”