POLITICS

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SOUTHERN KADUNA WOMEN TAKE TO THE STREETS NAKED IN PROTEST

By Gbadamosi Joseph

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Last Thursday, 23^rd of July 2020, over one hundred women in southern kaduna took to the streets in an heart rending protest against the Government for doing nothing to ameliorate the incessant killings in their community.

On this fateful day gunmen invaded kukum-daji village in Kaura LGA at about 10pm and opened fire on the villagers, mostly young people who were celebrating a wedding, killing 24 people with 22 others seriously injured. This protest was made against the ruler of the community known as ”AGWAM ATYAP”(RULER OF THE ATYAP PEOPLE).

The Northern part of kaduna is popularly known as “MECCA” and the Southern part “JERUSALEM”. The South being predominantly dominated by Christians and the North by Muslims.

Sahara Reporters are of the opinion that Southern Kaduna has witnessed more ethno-religious violence than any region in Nigeria’s North.

According to ThisDay, The past three days following the unfortunate event has recorded not less than 39 deaths. Another attack taking place last Monday in Gora, Zangon Kataf LGA, where 10 people were killed, while last Wednesday also, five people were killed in the attack in Kizachi community, Kauru LGA.

In all these the major cause for concern is the fact that due to the continuous killings in the community a 24 hour curfew has been instigated in Zangon, Kataf and Kauru LGAs since June 11, 2020. Military agents has been stationed at this venues but despite this the killings has continued unperturbed.

The women of Kaduna are beginning to doubt the Governments concern for their well being. They are pleading with the federal Government to take due action and stop the killings of their Husband and Children.

“I MADE A MISTAKE BY SUPPORTING A MAN WHO HAD NO VISION FOR MY PEOPLE” – COMRADE OSHIOMOLE

BY Sanni Omolaja

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Comrade Oshiomole, Former National Chairman of the Ruling Party All Progressives Congress (APC) and ex-governor of Edo State, has regretted his action for supporting Obaseki to become the Edo State Governor in 2016 and he has apologized to the people of the state.

On Saturday night while addressing supporters, who welcomed him from Abuja at his Iyamho country home in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

Comrade Oshiomole said: “I made a mistake by supporting a man (Obaseki), who has no vision for my people. So, I want to correct my mistakes by making sure a servant of God, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, is elected as governor on September 19 and to kick the snake out of Government House, Benin. From now till September 19, I am here in Edo State, because as a political lion that I am, I am not scared of anything.

“The man (Ize-Iyamu) that is coming is not a stranger. He campaigned for me in 2012 and I won in the 18 local governments. He knows the roots, unlike the current governor who just became governor and does not know the efforts people made to make him governor. We will kick out the MoU governor and replace him with a pastor who will sweep out the Coronavirus party (PDP), by the grace of God.”

He stated that the negative things he said in 2016 about Ize-Iyamu, then in the PDP, were part of playing politics.

He vowed “I am back and ready for Edo, my home state.

“I have come home to join you and start the process of reclaiming the house back to the family of the APC.

“If the people say yes, and God says yes, there is no man born of a woman that can say no.

“So, now, I have only one mission and I know it is our common mission; to bring Edo back to the parts of sustainable development.”

“We want to return to the government of the people, by the people and for the people”

EFCC CHAIRMAN ARRESTED BY DSS

By Gbadamosi Joseph

The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC) has been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Sahara Reporters say he was arrested over allegations that he owns four properties.

According to PUNCH the security details to Magu put up a stiff resistance during the arrest of their principal, as they objected to the DSS move.

He is also alleged to have transferred funds abroad through a third party.

In 2016, DSS accused the EFCC boss of living in a N40m mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired Air Commodore.

The DSS report said on December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security – withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer, and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.

DSS stated that Magu enlisted “the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed, to furnish the residence at the cost of N43m”

“Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high-profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for first-class air travels. On 24 June 2016, he flew Emirate airlines first-class to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9m. This is in spite of Mr President’s directive to all public servants to fly economy class.

“Magu has fostered a beneficial relationship with Mohammed who by his confession approaches clients for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns,” the DSS report said.

This is happening barely two weeks after the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) reportedly complained to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) about Magu’s conduct and advised that he should be relieved of his appointment.

#We would like to hear your opinions on this subject in the comment box at the bottom of the page.

THE MANY DANGERS OF POLITICAL APATHY

By Gbadamosi Joseph

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In October 1960, our dear Nation, Nigeria was granted Independence. This development has irrevocably triggered a series of reactions on the part of the populace. While some are of the opinion that Independence was never meant to be and has caused more harm than good, others feel it was a blessing and an integral development to the progress of the Nation.

 Year after year we celebrate this event with mixed feelings. Happy to be out of bondage on one hand, doubting if we are not really in bondage of a different nature on the other hand.

In October 1966, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) commented in a memorandum that “ Africa’s most populous country (population estimated at 48 million) is in the throes of a highly complex internal crisis rooted in it’s artificial origin as a British dependency containing over 250 diverse and often antagonistic tribal groups. The present crisis started with Nigerian independence in 1960, but the federated parliament hid ‘Serious internal strains’. It has been in an acute stage since last January when a military coup d’etat destroyed the constitutional regime bequeathed by the British and upset the underlying tribal and Regional power relationships. At stake now are the most fundamental questions which can be raised about a country, beginning with whether it will survive as a single variable entity…”

At a later period in History, U.S Analysts said that “Nigeria is still very much a tribal society where local and tribal alliances count more than National attachments”.

This, of course, is little compared to the sea of pessimism that surrounds Nigeria’s Independence.

Political Apathy has therefore spread like a disease in the hearts of Nigerians. Due to disappointments over time we have lost belief in our Leaders, but whether or not the pessimism of the outsiders have elements of truths in them, one fact remains, The Future of our dear Nation lies in our hands. 

It would have been excusable to leave the reins of our Nation at the hands of the Political Leaders if not for a Yoruba adage that says “If your neighbour chooses to eat dangerous insects and you refuse to caution Him, his restlessness at the dead of the night will disturb your own sleep.”

If there is any lesson the current pandemic should have taught us, it is that “there is no place like home” .We cannot run away from our land. Now we are faced with our own failures, we cannot run to other countries as the pandemic is even stronger there. The state of our health sector now stares us in the face. We have nowhere to run to. This has shown us that it is either we get involved or watch our society go down the drain.

Political Apathy in no small way robs us of a lot of benefits we ordinarily should have enjoyed as citizens of Nigeria. The ideology that ‘my small quota does not count’ should be done away with if we are ever going to make progress.

Nigeria’s population as at Feb 8 2019 stood at 200,962,417, during the 2019 Elections however only 84,004,084 registered voters were recorded. The average turnout was 49.78%. A little less than half of the population. This is obviously not good enough.

Every Nation that achieved anything worthwhile took the bull by the horns. Nigeria needs more than epileptic reconstructions at every change in Government, Nigeria needs a total renovation. These renovations will only happen if we all get involved.

Truly, I believe that we have more than enough reasons to be disappointed in our Government. But, if the reasons are minute, compared to the many advantages of social reformation then it is only logical that we pursue progress and not sit like rams awaiting slaughter.

A Popular Maxim in Law states “ IGNORANTIO NON EXCUSE” which means “IGNORANCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE”. We have all been told of the negative effects of political Apathy but turned deaf ears Instead.

A resultant effect of our negligence and resignation to fate is that we will live the rest of our lives telling the story of our failed Government to our children and the reality of our foolishness will only become obvious to us when our unborn children stares us in the face and asks “But Dad/Mum what did you do about it?”

LAGOS STATE SENATOR ANNOUNCED DEAD

By Folami Roqeeb

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Lagos State senator Bayo Osinowo on Monday June 15th has been announced dead at the age of 64 as a result of a brief Illness.

Osinowo also known as pepper was a business man and politician. He was in the Lagos State House of Assembly Kosofe Constituency for 16 years. He was a senator representing Lagos East up until his death.

According to reports online, Osinowo was said to have died of COVID-19 complications. Another report had it that three days ago, he was at the Yaba Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) before his death earlier today.

When The Publicity Secretary of APC in Lagos, Mr. Seye Oladejo was contacted, he confirmed saying “It’s true, Osinowo is dead. This is regrettable at this critical period”.
APC statement reads, “The All Progressives Congress, Lagos State, regret to announce the passage of Senator Bayo Osinowo, the senator representing Lagos East.
“We commiserate with our National Leader, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his immediate family and the entire Lagos State APC on this shocking loss.

“Senator Bayo Osinowo, it will be recalled, was in the forefront of the battle to entrench democratic governance. He was, particularly, a leading light, in the struggle for the revalidation of June 12.
“He was a strong pillar and a stabilizing force as a long-serving member of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“Pepper, as he was widely known, will be remembered for his wise counsel, matured leadership, loyalty to the party and commitment to democratic ideals.
“May Almighty Allah repose his soul, forgive his sins and grant his numerous admirers the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

COVID- 19: “NIGERIA WILL GET THROUGH THIS MUCH STRONGER” -Professor Yemi Osibanjo

By Princess Onisemoh

The vice president of the republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo encourages the populace during this trying times; as he assures them of victory . “We will get through this much stronger economically and much stronger as a people. With our strength, resilience, and innovation, we will go through and Nigeria will prevail” were his words on May 2 2020.

These words of assurance came forth at the 2020 edition of ‘The Platform’ themed “Nigeria’s battle against COVID-19”

Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s words had aroused mixed feelings, as some had countered his words stating the decadence in the country while some had received his words with optimism.

Here are some of the opinions of twitter users “Getting out stronger is not just by mere saying” Abayomi Victor says. “We are hungry,no work again, no food, no money” “How do we get through it with no dime in our pockets” Okafor Victor laments “Nigeria shall surely prevail and we shall get through this storm stronger, more United and developed” Kemisola Adekunle tweets.

On Sunday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said that the banking system, exchange rate, dwindling oil revenue and reliance on foreign borrowing have summed up to keep the economy on the crutches. He also said high interest rates have constituted a fundamental drag on national economic growth while unreliable power supply was a bigger impediment to national prosperity.

The present system, he added, also suppresses wealth and job creation and also keeps the economy on crutches. “It keeps the economy on crutches so it cannot run too fast as to get beyond the grasp of whosoever wields that arbitrary power. As such, we are in a situation where the banking system is not sufficiently governed by the rational dynamics of economic maximization. “As a result, the system sputters and fails to reach full throttle.

Without optimal financial sector support, the productive economy has failed to grow as it should. We all suffer especially the poor man who would have been employed and earning enough money to take care of a family and contribute to national wealth if only sufficient levels of investment had been attained.’’

Tinubu’s words had being a contradiction to the assuring words from Prof Osinbajo on the stronger economy prevailance of our Nigeria. The Economic prevailence of Nigeria seems to be an unknown fate despite the many donations and fundings from several bodies and individuals.

As a people, getting through this stronger is a reality that seeks to be expressly achieved when the pandemic bids farewell. As Many Nigerians have took the opportunity to explore a number of things and personally equip themselves.

” I just opened a YouTube channel ” Kemi an undergraduate shared. “I have enrolled for online courses”Mrs Lara ojo , a business manager says.

I have been able to study and equip myself ” “Though presently my business is down but this pandemic offered me luxury of time which I have maximised to come up with a clearer vision and mission statement; I’m sure my business is to take a new turn” Mr Femi , a businessman explains.

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI EXTENDS LOCKDOWN BY ONE WEEK

FAVOUR OLABANJI

During the Speech given by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday night while addressing the Nation on the Covid-19 Pandemic, he revealed that the lockdown of Lagos, Abuja and Ogun State has been extended by one week.

It is worthy to note that the Lockdown in the three states has existed for four weeks . Effective from next week Monday, the President also stated that the Lockdown will be reduced in three states to night curfews from 8:00pm to 6:00am

In his words “For the avoidance of doubt, the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States shall remain in place until these new ones come into effect on Monday, 4th May 2020,”

COVID-19: The Many Illogicalities of a Privileged Nation

By Favour Olabanji

“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool” – Williams Shakespeare

When Illogicalities or illogical acts is the norm in any setup or establishment whatsoever, it is rather obvious that there is either a dead end or calamity looms in the corridor of such establishments and that’s the current state of our dear Nation.

This is not to celebrate our present unfortunate condition but to establish the privilege we have experienced as a nation compared to other developed climes. The initially praised and exalted governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde returned from a Nigerian-American Business Forum, which was held in Tampa, Florida, the United States in early March. Despite being warned against it, the governor held a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rally in his State capital (Ibadan) and even joked about COVID-19 in mid-march.

“They said we should not do this rally because of coronavirus. It was their leader that said coronavirus is in their party, yes or no? Have you used your hand sanitiser? There is no coronavirus in our own party”, he was quoted. This drew public criticism. Weeks after, the same Makinde was confirmed positive for coronavirus.

Either his statement at the rally was misconstrued or the place where he contracted the disease was unknown, it is clear that he was warned against the rally, he joked about the virus in the rally and he eventually tested positive for Coronavirus disease. Apparently, the Law enforcement agencies were quiet about this anomaly perhaps due to the caliber of personality involved.

Truly some animals are more important than others and this was evident in Funke Akindele’s case after she was arrested and prosecuted alongside her husband for “violating the Stay-at-Home directive and organised a social event with a large gathering of people which could lead to the spread of Covid-19.”

The count charge against her read as follows: “That you, (1) Funke Akindele and (2) Abdul Rasheed Bello, on April 4, 2020, on Gbadamosi Close, Amen Estate, Ibeju-Lekki in the Lagos Magisterial District, gathered at the aforementioned with over 20 persons, contrary to the social distancing directive of Mr Governor of Lagos State, made pursuant to Regulation 8(1)(a) and (b) and 17(1) (i) of the Lagos State Infectious Disease (Emergency Prevention) Regulation, 2020, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 58, Public Health Law, Cap P16 Vol. 9, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”

Alas! It was a bombshell, when the chief of staff to the Presidency was announced dead. It was discovered that he was treated in a private facility despite the unapproved treatment of the virus in private Facilities, When contacted by SaharaReporters to know if they had the capacity to treat Coronavirus cases in the country, an employee of the hospital, who answered the call denied that Kyari died at their facility. She said, “He didn’t die here, don’t believe what bloggers are saying”

Despite the fact that families of the dead coronavirus victims were not allowed to claim their remains for burial according to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, that wasn’t the case for the almighty chief of staff. At his burial, the social distancing rule was ultimately flouted by those in the presidency and several attendees. No arrest nor prosecution was made thereafter.

Some days ago, the same happened at the burial of the father of former governor of Borno State, Ali Sheriff, Galadima Modu Sheriff who died in a fire incident It’s quite disturbing to note that the government is not being sincere in it handling of this pandemic and it can be seen in how Lagos government contradicts itself on private treatment of Coronavirus.

The health minister, Osagie Ehanire had on Friday, 17 April, disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Health has not accredited any private hospital to treat COVID-19 patients. The Minister noted that although some private hospitals have shown interest to treat the virus, none have met the criteria to receive approval yet. Earlier, the Lagos state commissioner of Health Prof. Akin Abayomi had warned that private hospitals across the state are not yet allowed to treat COVID-19 patients.

However, weeks after the Lagos State government warned private hospitals not to treat Coronavirus patients, it has declared that it accredited First Cardiology Consultants, Lagos, where Mallam Abba Kyari died. Isn’t it contradictory, misleading and illogical on the part of the government?

In clear terms, the above instances have revealed how illogical our leaders can be amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Seyi Makinde flouted the social distancing rule and got away with it via an apology. Funke Akindele flouted the same rule and was prosecuted with immediate effect alongside her husband and other attendees of her house party.

Funny enough, the social distancing principle was disregarded at the same court where she was being prosecuted. Who is then deceiving who? If the social distancing rule was flouted in other nations of the world in this manner, they would perhaps have been wiped out of existence by the virus. Hence, emphasizing how lucky we’re as a Nation in the midst of our illogical acts and hypocrisy. The political space has become a game of chess played by certain individuals who can bend the rules and get away with it. In the case of covid-19, bending rules will only be a case of the viral song “Egungun be careful, na express you dey go, motor go jam you” Masquerade beware! For you approach the highway, you’ll be hit by a vehicle.

THE QUEST FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

By Hannah Soyombo

The role of governance in the polity of a state cannot be over emphasized. It is informative to note that the growth and development of a state is contingent upon the manner in which the government set the platform for effective and proper discharge of authority and control.

The issue of good governance is a phenomenon that has stunted the growth of many nations of the world with reference to Africa and Nigeria in particular.

Nigeria has battled with the issue of good, accountable and credible government since her independence.
The search for good governance seems to be her most urgent need at this time in her history.

Given the present social, economic and political condition of the Nigerian states, good governance has become a subject of intense and passionate discourse. This is reflected in the high rate of poverty, unemployment, lack of transparency and accountability, inefficiency and ineffectiveness, lack of equity, fall in the living standard of citizens, social injustice and most perturbing,corruption.

For good governance to be attained the welfare of the citizens have to be considered, our politicians form government with no developmental plans and manifesto. Promises made on most occasions are not delivered. Most politicians see their appointment as a means to accumulate wealth and fame, while some a means of investment through the sponsorship of candidates for election so that if they win they will reimburse in folds what they have spent to get them into offices.

Corruption is one of the hindrances to attaining good GOVERNANCE in any country. People now see political appointments as a do or die affair because it appears to be the only way of having a share of the National cake. Our politicians neglect the needs of their citizens and forget their promises to acquire wealth for themselves.

Lack of party ideology is another hindrance to good governance. Most political parties do not have a clear cut agenda of their intentions if voted into power, instead they make ancient promises of good roads, steady power supply,public health centre, infrastructure e t c.

Nigerians clamor for a good, efficient, accountable, effective and transparent government who will not only make promises but fulfill them and also make the welfare of the citizens his/her priority.

#Clamour for good governance