Nigerian Army Dismisses Coup Speculations, Threatens Legal Action
The Nigeria Army has dismissed speculations about the military taking over the government of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu There were reports on Sunday, claiming that the presidential guards have been placed on “high alert” over suspicions of a coup plot in Nigeria. The report said key brigades were under watch as the Commander of the Presidential Guards Brigade, Col. Adebisi Onasanya held meetings with Tinubu and his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Reacting to the report, the Nigerian Army quoted one of such reports on their official X page and wrote “FAKE NEWS”. The Defence Headquarters also threatened to seek legal redress on the recent claim that the Guards Brigade has been put on high alert following unusual movements, leading to suspicion of a coup plot in Nigeria. In a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Defence Headquarters stated that the allegation was totally false. Gusua, maintained that the Guards Brigade has been statutorily assigned the responsibility of protecting the seat of power (The Presidency) and by extension the Federal Capital Territory and its environs. According to him, the Guards Brigade has always been on high alert in order to effectively execute its assigned tasks. While calling on relevant security agencies to immediately take appropriate action against the source of the report (not Daily Post), it added that the Defence Headquarters will seek legal redress on the issue as it’s capable of creating unnecessary tension in the country. The statement read: “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a malicious and unfounded article published online by @SaharaReporters on 25 February 2024 claiming that the Guards Brigade has been put on high alert following unusual movements, leading to suspicion of a coup plot in Nigeria. The publication also asserted amongst other things that the suspicion prompted an emergency meeting involving President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Staff to the President and Commander of the Guards Brigade. The Defence Headquarters wishes to categorically state that the allegation is totally false. For the avoidance of doubt, the Guards Brigade has been statutorily assigned the responsibility of protecting the seat of power (The Presidency) and by extension the Federal Capital Territory and its environs. Hence, it is to be noted that the Guards Brigade has always been on high alert in order to effectively execute its assigned tasks. “It will be recalled that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa OFR had in various fora reiterated the unalloyed commitment of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the protection and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. Therefore, the Defence Headquarters strongly condemn this unsubstantiated assertion which is just a figment of imagination of the publisher and enjoins members of the public to disregard it. “Furthermore, the Defence Headquarters calls on relevant security agencies to immediately take appropriate action against the Sahara Reporters for this unpatriotic action. Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters will seek legal redress on the issue which has the ulterior motive of creating unnecessary tension in the country.” Last week, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, warned against calls for a coup and asked people to desist from such, noting that the rumour has the ulterior motive of creating unnecessary tension in the country. Meanwhile, tension has continued to rise in Nigeria amid the current economic hardship, rising inflation and high cost of living following the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira by President Tinubu.
Deputy Speaker Reveals When New Nigerian Constitution Will Be Ready
Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, announced on Monday that Nigeria’s new constitution is expected to be ready for presidential assent within the next 24 months. During the formal inauguration of the House Committee on the review of the 1999 constitution, Kalu emphasized the importance of allowing the President ample time to study proposed alterations before signing them into law, particularly amidst the busy schedule of an election year. Kalu highlighted the crucial need for constitutional reform in light of the 21st-century realities, stating, “Our constitution, the foundation of our democracy, stands as a testament to our collective aspirations for a just, equitable, and prosperous society.” He revealed that the House has received various bill proposals, including those for the establishment of state police, state access to mines, increased participation of women in politics, clear tax specifications for each tier of government, and the provision for the office of the Mayor of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. Moreover, Kalu mentioned the reintroduction of several bill proposals that didn’t receive presidential assent in the previous constitution alterations. These include powers of the National Assembly and State Assemblies to summon the President and State governors, as well as requirements for the government to focus on ensuring the rights to food and food security. Highlighting the dynamic nature of the constitution review process, Kalu expressed the House’s openness to more proposals aimed at enhancing the Constitution and strengthening the nation’s democracy. He also noted the anticipation of executive-sponsored bill proposals reflecting issues on the renewed hope agenda of the President. Kalu acknowledged past constitutional amendments, such as financial independence of State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciary, redesignating “Prisons” as “Correctional Services,” and transferring certain matters to the concurrent legislative list.
Former NBA President, Akpata Clinches Edo LP Governorship Ticket
The Labour party in Edo State has announced a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Olumide Akpata, as the winner of the party’s primary election for the September 2024 governorship election in the State. Akpata scored 316 votes to clinch the party ticket at the exercise held at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State capital on Friday. His victory comes months after he declared interest in the Edo State governorship race under the Labour Party. Akpata, had in October visited the Edo LP secretariat in Benin City to formally declare his interest in the governorship race, stating that his decision is influenced by his love for the people. “My interest is for the people of Edo State. And what I find out about politics and governance in Nigeria today is that the people have been taken out of the equation. Nobody cares about the people,” Akpata told the mammoth crowd that welcomed him.
Tinubu Not Responsible For Nigeria’s Economic Hardship
Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, has exonerated President Bola Tinubu from being responsible for hardship in the country. According to Igboho, former President Muhammadu Buhari, should be held responsible for destroying the Nigerian economy, saying Buhari handed over a bad economy to President Bola Tinubu. Speaking on Friday while ddressing his followers in Oyo State, the freedom fighter insisted that Tinubu has not destroyed the Nigerian government. “Tinubu didn’t destroy the government; my pain with Yorubas is that while Buhari was in power, I was shouting that we should unite and free ourselves from this suffering. Buhari has nothing to offer us. “I said we should divide from Fulani because one Nigeria can’t work but they refused to listen to me. Buhari now handed over a government he had destroyed to Tinubu. Igboho, urged Yorubas to unite and liberate the Southwest from armed Fulani herders terrorising the South West region of the country. “Now some Yorubas are crying that they are hungry, have you seen Igbos crying? They have sent all Fulanis out of their lands and they are farming, doing what they want with their lands. “Why can’t Yorubas unite and liberate the Southwest from Fulanis so that our fathers and mothers can return to their farmlands?”
Edo APC Governorship Candidate Emerges
Senator Monday Okpebholo has emerged as the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Edo State. The re-run election, prompted by the inconclusive initial result, witnessed Okpebholo securing a notable 12,433 votes, surpassing 11 other aspirants in the race. The results were officially declared in Benin by the newly appointed Chairman of the election committee and Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu. The announcement followed meticulous collation of results from all 18 Local Government Areas, solidifying Okpebholo’s position as the preferred candidate. Notably, Senator Okpebholo was among the three winners who emerged from last Saturday’s canceled shadow poll, further underscoring the significance of his victory. Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State was replaced by Otu, who, in line with APC’s indication, expressed his unavailability for the re-run election.
Former Kwara Governor Arraigned In Court For Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought forward charges against the immediate past Kwara State Governor, Abdulfattah Ahmed. Ahmed was arraigned on Friday at the Federal High Court in Ilorin, the state capital. The anti-graft agency alleged that Ahmed misappropriated the sum of N1,610,730,500.00, originally designated for the security and running costs of the state, to charter private jets during his tenure. The charges include an alleged N10 billion fraud, with Ahmed facing a total of 12 counts. One of the counts accused Ahmed of converting N400 million from a N1 billion short-term loan received by the Kwara State Government from Ecobank Nigeria Limited. The EFCC contended that this conversion was done fraudulently, diverting funds intended for ongoing state projects. The EFCC’s document stated, “Ahmed (while being the Governor of Kwara State) between 2015 and 2019 in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this honourable court used an aggregate sum of N1,610,730,500, property of Kwara State Government, meant for the security and running cost of the Government of Kwara State, to charter private jets through Travel Messengers Limited on different occasions for your local travels and which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust or theft.” Abdulfattah Ahmed, who served as the state finance commissioner during Dr. Bukola Saraki’s governorship, succeeded Saraki in office and governed Kwara from 2011 to 2019.
Rhodes-Vivour’s Running Mate Resigns From Labour Party
Princess Islamiyat Abiodun Oyefusi, the Labour Party’s deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, has officially resigned from the party. Oyefusi conveyed her decision in a letter addressed to her ward chairman, expressing gratitude to Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour for the political opportunity as his running mate. The resignation, outlined in the letter, stated, “I can no longer see myself aligning with the current values of Labour Party or as a member of Labour Party, and the time has come for me to move forward.” Oyefusi highlighted the past 10 months of her political career as interesting and thanked supporters across Lagos State and Nigeria for their dedication during the 2023 electioneering period. Looking ahead, she expressed optimism about collaborating with her team and supporters in the future to work towards shared goals, emphasizing the vision of freeing Lagos from one-party politics and contributing to a better Nigeria.
Labour Party Chairman Released on Bail After Arrest in Edo State
Julius Abure, the national chairman of the Labour Party, who was apprehended in Benin, Edo State, on Wednesday, has been released on bail. His arrest, triggered by a petition from the Inspector General of Police, involved charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and related offenses. Addressing supporters after his release, Abure linked his persecution to efforts to destabilize the party following the 2023 general election. He highlighted ongoing challenges within the party, expressing hope for the release of the state chairman, Kelly Ogbaloi, and the state youth leader later today. He said, “Let me appreciate all of you for the solidarity, for the support and your commitment. No struggle to liberate the country comes easy. In many countries of the world where freedom fighters have fought for the emancipation of the people, freedom fighters suffer injustice, suffer prosecution and it is what is happening to me and my other colleagues since after the general election. “After the general election, they have been trying to instigate crises in the party. They try to bring false accusations against us. They talked about forgery against us at a time when it didn’t work. They came with embezzlement. “Any person that is aggrieved in the party, they go and instigate them to write a petition against us. The irony is that the police even act on those, and at the end of the day, they discover that those things are false. “Yesterday, we were making arrangements for the Edo State primaries and of course, the police swooped on us and arrested us over what I will not want to discuss now because the investigation is still going on and therefore we would not want to preempt them. “But I must state clearly that following several interventions, they have graciously released me on bail except for the Edo State Chairman of the party, Kelly Ogbaloi and the youth leader. They (police) have also promised that by the early hours of Thursday, they will release them. We are hoping that they will fulfil their promise and release them. “Whatever is happening to me will not discourage me from the struggle. We must continue to pursue the cause of the people. We must continue to fight for our people until we liberate them. I have said it, and I will say it again, it is not capturing power that matters. It is what you do with power. “Today, APC is in power. Life has become more unbearable for the people. Today, the dollar is exchanging for almost N2,000. Fuel today is sold for N700 per litre. There is even scarcity now, and the price is likely going to increase. “Inflation, even though it is double digit, it is now above 31 per cent, unemployment has increased, and a bag of rice today is sold for N120, 000, and the minimum wage is N30, 000. You can see the paradox. You can see the irony and Nigerians are in for a difficult time.”
Labour Party state chairmen speak on suspending Peter Obi
The Labour Party’s 36 State Chairmen, along with the Federal Capital Territory, have denied rumors of a plot to suspend their leader and 2023 Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi. Dismissing allegations against Party Chairman Julius Abure as the work of detractors, the chairmen expressed satisfaction with the day-to-day management of party affairs. They clarified during a solidarity visit that the party has not considered suspending Peter Obi, reaffirming his leadership and commitment to addressing the nation’s challenges. The chairmen also dispelled claims of financial impropriety, emphasizing transparency in party fund management and denouncing unrecognized individuals falsely claiming to be party officials. They reiterated confidence in Abure’s leadership and passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the National Chairman and his executive. Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Chairman of the Council of State Chairmen of the party, Ceekay Igara said; “We want to use this opportunity to debunk the allegation that the Labour Party is planning to suspend our National Leader, Peter Obi. “Our party is under the worst siege ever, including unleashing fierce propaganda against the party. “The party has not at any time contemplated a suspension of our leader. He remains our leader and will continue to lead the party in our avowed determination to pull this nation out from the strangulation under this present government.” “We are also using this opportunity to beg our media friends to cease on going media trial against our party and its leaders. What you are witnessing now is orchestrated and will fizzle out very soon.”, he said.
Nigerian Senate Establishes 43-Member Committee for Constitution Review
The Nigerian Senate has taken a decisive step towards addressing the longstanding need for constitutional reform by inaugurating a 43-member committee tasked with reviewing the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Chaired by Deputy Senate President Jibril Barau, with Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi serving as Vice Chairman, the committee comprises 43 Senators representing each state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as an additional six members representing the country’s geopolitical zones and all female senators of the 10th Senate. In his announcement, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the urgency of revisiting the 1999 constitution, highlighting the necessity for a major review to better serve the interests of Nigerians. Akpabio further directed the Deputy Senate President to engage Speakers of State Houses of Assembly in preparatory discussions prior to commencing the review process. During the inaugural address, Committee Chairman Jibril Barau outlined the committee’s strategic approach, emphasizing collaboration with the House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly to achieve comprehensive results. Barau underscored the importance of consulting with stakeholders from diverse sectors to ensure the success of the review process, clarifying that the committee’s objective is to amend select sections of the constitution for the benefit of the Nigerian populace. Echoing Barau’s sentiments, Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi affirmed the committee’s commitment to delivering tangible outcomes, acknowledging the critical juncture in the nation’s history and assuring Nigerians that the committee’s work would not adhere to conventional practices. Opeyemi emphasized the inclusion of stakeholders from academia, political groups, and other interest groups in the committee’s deliberations. Additionally, lawmakers emphasized the importance of adhering to timelines and collaborating with the executive branch to ensure a holistic approach to constitutional reform. Representatives assigned to the committee from each geopolitical zone include Senator Adamu Aliero (NW), Senator Orji Kalu (SE), Senator Fadahunsi Francis (SW), Senator Bomai Muhammed (NE), Senator Barinad Mpigi (SS), and Senator Umar Sadiq Suleiman. The Senate review committee aims to identify pertinent sections of the constitution requiring amendment to address contemporary national challenges, with inputs solicited from various stakeholders to inform the revision process.