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Polls: Be Neutral, Gen Enenche Urges INEC, Security Personnels
By Sunday Isuwa, Abuja
A former defence spokesman, Gen John Enenche has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other security personnel that will be involved in the conduct of the Saturday’s presidential election across the country to maintain neutrality.
According to Enenche, a lot of people have suffered adding that Saturday’s presidential election offers them an opportunity to elect a competent leader that will assuage the sufferings of the masses and move the country forward.
Speaking in an interview with LEADERSHIP, Enenche, who retired from the Nigerian Army as a two star general, said the electoral umpire and the Police who are the lead agencies when it comes to election conduct and security, should know that they have people depending on them to do the right thing.
Enenche, who expressed confidence in INEC and the security agencies, urged them to do the right thing and protect every candidate where necessary.
The former defence spokesman, Enenche, who also called on Nigerians to stay away from trouble and other acts that could affect the credibility of the election, added that despite the cash scarcity, Nigerians should ensure they vote for their freedom.
“My advice to the security agencies, particularly the lead agency, which is supposed to be the Nigerian Police, is to be firm. They should not be distracted. Why am I saying so? Sometimes human beings want to bend to pressure, for several reasons.
“From what we’ve gone through from the past eight years and even beyond 16 years, and 20 years, if you are a Policeman, you are a soldier, you are an immigration or the State Service personnel, you are just one person in the organisation and you have multiples that are relying on you. Your relations are suffering. That one alone should be a challenge.
“But I am urging the security personnel to go and stand their ground. Let the credible candidate that we’ve seen now emerge. We are not saying you should defend a particular candidate and leave out others. We are saying that just go and do your duty. Let the Policeman go and do his job and not be bought over or look the other way round.
“Whatever you are supposed to do, ensure you provide security. Let no voter be intimidated. That is my advice to the police.
“Then the order agencies that will support, particularly the State Services and the other intelligence services, let them put their eyes on the ground to ensure that nothing funny happens. For the military, they are supposed to be the back up. Ofcourse, I know that the military is always firm and fair. My advice to them is to remain committed to the constitution, remain committed to Nigerians and assure them that they are going to be fair to all. And in that way, this translates into providing the backup security to the Nigerian Police, and other security agencies. That’s my advice to them.
“Because I was there, I have a lot of dependents. So, I will not look at myself, but I look beyond myself, and once I look beyond myself, I should be able to do what I’m supposed to do. And what they are supposed to do is to ensure that they provide personal security, organisational security to INEC and all of them backing up the police,” Enenche said.
Enenche, who also advised Nigerians to ensure they vote competent people, added that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Mr Peter Obi has a track record Nigerians should consider.
“Peter Obi is a man with impeccable integrity, a man of strength. A man of physical fitness and mental alertness. Highly cognitive and focused which I couldn’t find amongst the other candidates.
“So, that was what informed my decision to endorse Peter Obi for Saturday’s presidential election and I believe that he will definitely make himself and Datti Baba Ahmed the example of good leadership in Nigeria.
“If the leadership is upright, the followership will follow. That is why I’m supporting Peter Obi. And I pray that comes the 25th, in the next couple of days, a few hours from now, that decision will be made by Nigerians. I’m hopeful and I want to encourage everybody to be prayerful about it and work towards ensuring that Peter Obi wins the election,” Enenche added.
Kano State’s influence in Nigeria’s leadership landscape was reaffirmed as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso were named top honorees at the 10th Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony organized by Authentic News Daily.
The event, set for Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Arewa House in Kaduna, will celebrate their contributions to governance and public service.
According to a statement by Governor Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the ceremony will also honor Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as the “Authentic Woman of the Year.”
Governor Yusuf will receive the “Authentic Humanitarian Governor of the Year 2024” award for his transformative leadership and grassroots development initiatives, which have significantly improved lives in Kano State.
Senator Kwankwaso, national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and former Kano governor, will be recognized as the “Authentic Politician of the Year 2024” for his visionary leadership and enduring legacy of mentorship.
Themed “Religion as a Tool for Peace and National Unity,” the event will feature a keynote address by former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd). Prominent speakers, including Rev. Joseph John Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Sheikh Halliru Abdullahi Maraya of the Global Peace Foundation, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, will discuss the role of religion in fostering national unity.
The awards committee lauded Yusuf and Kwankwaso for their “remarkable dedication to public good” and “unmatched service to humanity,” noting that the honors followed a rigorous evaluation of their impact and national relevance.
The recognition of Kano’s leaders underscores the state’s prominence in Nigerian politics and highlights a shared commitment to purpose-driven governance.
National
Talata Mafara Resident Praises Tinubu, Matawalle For Eliminating Bandit Leaders Jijji, Kachallah Sagili
Residents of Talata Mafara Local Government Area in Zamfara State have expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of State for Defence Dr Bello Matawalle, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa for their roles in the elimination of two notorious bandit leaders
The operation, which targeted Jajji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, has been hailed as a significant step towards restoring peace in the troubled region.
Yakubu Ibrahim Mafara, speaking on behalf of the Talata Mafara community, issued a statement on Friday commending the concerted efforts of the Nigerian government and security forces.
“We are very grateful to Matawalle, Tinubu, NSA, and others,” he said, reflecting the community’s relief and optimism following the operation.
The statement underscored the profound impact of the operation on the local population, which has long endured the terror inflicted by bandit groups in Zamfara State.
The operation took place on Thursday in Maikwanugga, a community within Talata Mafara Local Government Area, where security forces, alongside local vigilante groups, conducted targeted patrols along the Mafara axis.
According to the statement, reports indicate that Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, both feared bandit leaders responsible for numerous attacks, kidnappings, and extortion in the region, were neutralised during the operation.
” Their deaths have been described as a turning point for the community, which has suffered years of violence and insecurity.
“The killing of Jijji Ɗan Auta has brought relief and fresh air into our community,” Yakubu said, echoing the sentiments of residents who have lived under the shadow of banditry for years.
The operation is seen as a direct response to the escalating violence in Zamfara, where armed groups have terrorised rural communities, disrupted livelihoods, and displaced thousands.
The community’s gratitude reflects growing confidence in the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest.
Meanwhile, the operation was a collaborative effort involving the Nigerian military and local vigilantes, who have increasingly played a critical role in intelligence-gathering and community defence.
The patrols in the Mafara axis were part of a broader strategy to dismantle bandit strongholds and restore normalcy to Zamfara, a state that has become a hotspot for banditry and kidnapping in recent years.
“The elimination of Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili is expected to weaken the operational capacity of bandit groups in the region.”
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on Friday announced the release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, results.
Elanza news reported that over 1.9 million applicants participated in the just-concluded exercise.
The board also disclosed that 80 suspects across the country are currently under interrogation for examination fraud, with Anambra State leading the pack with 14 suspects.
The board said it is withholding the results of 39,834 candidates over issues relating to examination irregularities.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated this on Friday while officially releasing the 2025 UTME.
He also disclosed that while 467 underage candidates met the prescribed minimum score, 50 were engaged in cheating scandal.
A press conference to this effect is ongoing.
Details coming…