Politics
Promote Unity In Southern Nigeria, Barau Tells Northerners
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has tasked Northerners living in the southern part of the country to always be united and support the communities they are residing in to promote peace for national unity and development.
Barau made the call when he hosted leaders of the Hausa communities in the six states of the South-West when they visited him in his office at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
He said Nigeria, a country with diverse ethnic groups, requires unity and brotherhood among its various ethnicities, adding that the constitution of the country has given the right for the citizens to live wherever they want, provided they will be law-abiding.
A statement issued by his Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said: “We are all aware of the fact that you are living peacefully with people there in the South. All we want from you is to continue to support the states you are living in for peace and unity to be maintained.
“You have told me your problems and challenges. I will look at them and see how I can play my role in solving them. What I want to implore you is that you should regard the states you are residing in as your home,” he said.
Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for releasing grains to cushion the rising cost of food items in the country, he urged governors and local government chairmen to take a cue from the President.
“He has done what is expected of him. Mr. President is a very kind person. He has been doing this even before he became the president. So, as always, this time around too, he demonstrated that good quality.
“What is needed here is that everyone should be on board, particularly state and local governments. State governments are now doing very well. They are getting more money because of the removal of fuel subsidies. They are also reaching out to the people in their states to be giving out food items to those in need.
“I am urging all governors to take a cue from our president; and the local governments as well. Because the federal, state and local governments all must make sure that we deal with our problems in a collective manner,” he said.
He said he would distribute rice to 200,000 households as part of his contribution to efforts at addressing the rising cost of food in the country.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Sarkin Hausawan Shagamu in Ogun State, Alhaji Inuwa Garba, said they are being sidelined in the areas of education and employment in the South West.
He commended Senator Barau for extending his various empowerment initiatives to the three senatorial districts of Kano State.
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.”