Politics
Peace, hope return to Benue APC – Chairman
Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Dr Benjamin Omale, has expressed optimism that peace is returning to the state and predicted improved performance for the party.
Speaking in Makurdi during a courtesy call by the Benue State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Makurdi, the Chairman noted that over seventy percent peace mission has been achieved in Benue APC through consultation with critical stakeholders in line with the mandate from the National Secretariat.
Omale disclosed that the seven-man caretaker committee under him has been meeting with aggrieved parties during the 2023 party primaries, adding that positive responses have been recorded.
The caretaker committee Chairman informed that Benue State was leaping from president Bola Tinubu and governor Hyacinth Alia’s peace and good governance, while warning that any member of the party found in the habit of fanning embers of discord would be made to account for his or her actions and appealed to those still in court to consider the interest of the party for amicable solution.
According to him, all stakeholders would be accommodated in the scheme of things in Benue state under the leadership of governor Hyacinth Alia, whom he said is already doing well in governance.
He appreciate the media for balance reportage of political affairs in the state and appealed that there should thorough investigations before going to the press in order not to hit the polity.
Commenting, the State Secretary of the Committee, Prof. Bem Angwe, revealed that members who contributed to the success of the party during the 2023 general election would be fully compensated.
Angwe said “APC won’t disappoint Nigerians and what is left is the required patience and support for president Bola Tinubu and governor Hyacinth Alia administrations to delivery on mandate. He stated.
The State APC Woman leader, Hon. Ngohide Agaigbe,in her comment said aggrieved members of the party are cooperating with the caretaker Committee to restore peace and unity, assuring that women in Benue remains supportive now and years to come.
The NUJ chairman, Comrade Vincent Nyinongu, who responded appreciated the committee for embarking on peace mission within its fold.
He informed that NUJ was engulfed in crisis for several years and it was governor Hyacinth Alia administration that waded into and resolved it even as he expressed the readiness of journalists in the state to practice responsibly through accurate and balanced reportage of affairs.
The Chairman called on APC leadership in the state to run an open door administration such that journalists will access the required information for publication.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to immediately remove the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, citing a breach of constitutional procedure and defiance of President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
In a statement provided to Elanza News on Thursday, Falana referenced the official Federal Government Gazette, which outlined the terms governing the Sole Administrator’s operations.
According to the document, “the Sole Administrator shall operate on the basis of such Regulations that may, from time to time, be issued by me,” President Bola Tinubu stated.
However, Falana noted that “it is common knowledge that President Bola Tinubu has not issued any Regulation for the operation of the Sole Administrator.”
Despite this, the appointed Sole Administrator has proceeded to make appointments and remove officials who were earlier appointed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Describing the development as unlawful, Falana said: “By treating the orders of President Bola Tinubu with contempt, the Sole Administrator has compounded the illegality of his appointment.
The Sole Administrator ought to be removed without any further delay.”
The legal luminary’s position comes amid a broader political crisis in Rivers State, where the legitimacy of key appointments and the balance of powers between the state and federal government continue to generate intense debate.
The Northern Nigeria Youths Union (NNYU), has promised to garner over two million votes for President Bola Tinubu during the 2027 General Elections.
The Chairman of the union, Abubakar Aliyu, discussed this on Wednesday shortly after the conclusion of a major meeting held in Jos, Plateau.
“We are speaking after the conclusion of a large gathering of young men and women who have committed themselves to contributing to the journey of Tinubu.
“This is after seeing how he is implementing a myriad of developmental projects across the country, especially in the Northern parts of Nigeria,” Aliyu said in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
The chairman, who is also the Galadiman Takai, cited Tinubu’s recent inauguration of the construction of the Abuja to Kaduna to Kano Highway.
Aliyu said, “This is a road that has three lanes on each side, which will attract more developments to the North and the entire country.”
He also referenced the phenomenal decline in the prices of food stuffs during just-concluded Ramadan’ fast, averring, “everyone glaringly witnessed this feat.
“The prices of various goods had also nosedived and even the price of fuel had reduced significantly.
“We in our organisation, the Northern Nigeria Youth Union, assure the president that when the election comes, we will give him more than two million votes.”
Aliyu stated that the union had registered members, Muslims and Christians, all volunteers in each of the 19 Northern states.
He added, “It is is not that we were given money from somewhere, we are just volunteers with patriotism.
“Considering our large membership, when the elections are held, we will also attract the attention of many people to cast their votes for Tinubu.
” Therefore, with a large membership of over 65,000 people, and the efforts we will make to get people with voter’s cards, will ensure that we generate the votes for Tinubu.
“This is a guarantee that this will indeed be done.”
The chairman, however, called on Tinubu to ensure that all his political appointees were closely monitored.
“This call becomes necessary so that the people could be properly cared for as per the constitutional provisions,”Aliyu explained.(NAN)
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has announced a ban on night grazing and restricted the use of motorcycles across the state following incessant attacks.
In a state broadcast on Wednesday, Mutfwang described the attacks as “coordinated acts of terror” aimed at displacing residents and undermining their right to exist peacefully on their ancestral lands.
The governor also prohibited the transportation of cattle by vehicles after 7pm.
He said the directives take immediate effect, with the restriction on motorcycle use in place from 7pm to 6am across the state until further notice.
“The tragic echoes of Dogo Na Hawa, Riyom, Barkin-Ladi, Mangu, and the Christmas Eve massacres in Bokkos remain vivid. The cycle continues, but it must not endure. Enough Is Enough,” the governor said.
“As your governor, I stand resolved — Plateau shall not be overrun by fear, nor shall we accept this culture of bloodshed as the new normal.
“My administration is intensifying efforts to protect our people and enforce the rule of law across all local governments.
“I hereby announce the following measures, effective Wednesday, April 16: Night grazing of cattle is strictly prohibited; transportation of cattle by vehicle is banned after 7pm.
“The use of motorcycles is restricted from 7pm to 6am across the state until further notice.”