By Abdul Hassan

The Arewa Community in Southern Nigeria, has faulted call for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Alhaji Musa Saidu, the leader of the Community, stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, had on Sunday urged Buhari to release Kanu before the end of his tenure.

But Saidu said that the call was wrong.
“Where were they when Kanu was leading IPOB militants to kill innocent people in the South East.

“Not only in the South East, so many members of the Arewa community were attacked in Port Harcourt and nobody said anything, we have the figures, we have even the photos of those killed in cold blood.

“Now they’re clamouring for his release, what guarantee are they giving that the killings will not continue if he is released,” he said.

Saidu said that the IPOB leader cannot be released by presidential order because he was facing trial in the law Court.

“Buhari didn’t order the detention of Nnamdi Kanu in the first place, he is being detained by the court where he is facing treason charges.

“So it will be absurd for Buhari to order for his release,” he said.

Saidu advised Ohanaeze to visit the victims of IPOB attacks in the South East who were mainly settlers toward finding solutions to the problem.

” The Ndigbo should go round the entire South East and even South South, visit the victims of IPOB attacks and try to extract forgiveness from them so it can be use to convince the court to release Kanu,” he said.

Saidu said also said that releasing Kanu would further aggravate the killings in the South East.

“IPOB militants have continued to attack security agents in the South East, even the police are not spared, what guarantee do we have that his release will not aggravate the killings, ” he said.

Iwuanyanwu had said Kanu should be released to allow him to tend to his deteriorating health.(NAN)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

No Alternative To Tinubu 2023 (NATT 2023), a political pressure group, says the 2023 general election remains one of the fairest elections recorded in the country.

This is in spite of acknowledged few irregularities perpetuated by the major political parties during the polls, the group said.

The National Coordinator of NATT 2023, Mr Vincent Uba, in a statement he issued on Monday in Abuja, said that the 2023 presidential election was clearly won by Sen. Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He described the President-elect as God’s anointed candidate that would be inaugurated as the 16th President of Nigeria on May 29, irrespective of hatred by opposition parties.

“Let me say this and I say it as a Christian with clear conscience and without making any bones.

“The 2023 presidential election, though with some pockets of irregularities perpetuated by the three major political parties (APC, PDP and Labour Party), was one of the freest.

“It is one of fairest elections in Nigerian history and Tinubu won clean and clear to become the President-elect,” Uba said.

He, however, expressed concerns on the level of desperation shown during the general election campaign period, especially among some religious leaders, who used the House of God for political campaign.

“They abandoned the cardinal objectives of preaching love, tolerance, charity and righteousness, which are the hallmark of Christ’s attributes and teachings,” Uba said.

He said that though Tinubu is not a Christian, he ranked high, especially in charity, which is one of the bedrocks of Christianity and Godliness.

Uba said that those who do the will of God are ‘Christly Christians’ who are imbibed with the virtues of charity, tolerance and hospitality in love.

“Tinubu, in his act of service/governance as Lagos State governor was charitable and generous enough not to restrict his cabinet appointments to Lagosians alone.

“He spread the same to other ethnic nationalities, including Igbos.

“Again, in his acts of charity and generosity, he had empowered and mentored countless numbers of persons without placing emphasis on ethnicity and religious background,” he said.

Uba added that Tinubu performed excellently as the governor of Lagos state, laying a solid foundation for a modern Lagos and bequeathing to Lagosians, the legacy of development that subsequent governors have been building upon.

Uba commended Tinubu’s acts of generosity, track record of achievements, detribalised standing, religious tolerant attributes and mentorship acumen.

He advised those always quick to judge Tinubu to be cautious and take counsel from the saying of Mother Theresa that “if you judge people, you have no time to love them”.

“Joy Marino/Pinterest also said that every time you judge someone, you reveal a part of yourself that needs healing,” Uba said. (NAN) (www.nannees.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Uche Anunne

Rep Tolulope Akande-Sadipe has said that she was committed to legislative actions that would protect workers’ rights and guarantee appropriate reward for their labour.

Akande-Sadipe said this on Monday in Abuja in her goodwill message to Nigerian workers as they joined their colleagues worldwide to mark Workers Day.

“We remember the sacrifices made by Nigerian workers and advocate their welfare, we must recognise the importance of creating a conducive working environment that promotes productivity, job security, and fair compensation.

“We can build a more prosperous and equitable society for all… as we mark this day, it is essential to reflect on the challenges faced by the Nigerian workers.

“Despite their significant contributions to the country, workers often work under harsh and unfavorable conditions, with little or no job security, and inadequate compensation,” she said.

She said it was unfortunate that many Nigerian workers had lost their jobs due to the harsh economic realities.

“Some have lost their lives, some their mobility due to various job related disabilities and poor working conditions, resulting in increased hardship and suffering for families across the nation,” Akande-Sadipe said.

She said it was important for the incoming Sen. Bola Tinubu administration to partner the 10th National Assembly to provide the right atmosphere for Nigerian workers whom she described as being resilient.

“We celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of the Nigerian workers who have tirelessly, against all odds, had to develop the economy of Nigeria.

“This day is a time to appreciate the efforts of workers who have made countless unimaginable sacrifices through trials and toils to ensure that our society functions.

“With the incoming government of President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the 10th Assembly, the welfare of the Nigerian workers will be a priority.

“Laws to encourage improved and adequate compensation, job security and better working conditions will be priority, ” the legislator said. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG), has tasked Vice-President-elect Kashim Shettima, to ensure that the ministerial appointment for Borno is given to the southern zone of the state.

Dominic Ogakwu, President, CSGGG, said this at a news conference in Abuja.

Ogakwu said that for decades the southern part of the state had suffered marginalisation in terms of state and national appointments.

He said that from 1979 till date, the north and central zones had continue to occupy the state governorship office, while the south was yet to occupy the office.

Ogakwu added that the southern zone was also at disadvantaged position in the political arrangements in the state.

He said the group appeal was not an ethnic agitation nor a religious protest, but a ‘moralsuation.’

“We are only appealing to the humanity which binds all of us and calling the good people of Central and Northern Borno, led by Vice-President-elect Shettima, to ‘be their brothers keepers’ this time.

“We must back a Southern Borno person for appointment as a federal minister, for balancing, inclusion and participation, which are key criteria for political equity, fairness and justice.

“Considering the current political setup in the state, we are particularly calling on the president-elect to lead the charge for sociopolitical and socioeconomic integration, by appointing a person from Southern Borno as a federal minister,” he said.

Ogakwu said the appeal was critical considering the disadvantage and marginalisation position the people of the south in the state were already facing.

“As civil society, we are appealing Shettima to leverage on his influence in the party to mend the broken fences.

“To build a bigger, better and more united Borno State and Nigeria, by throwing his weight behind Borno South for federal ministerial appointment, to compensate and bring them into the fold as one family,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Kingsley Okoye/Naomi Sharang

Senators- elect from the North-Central have  said that the least position worthy of the zone was the position of  the Deputy President of the Senate.

Senator-elect for Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Ahmed Wadada  (SDP-Nasarawa) made the declaration on behalf of the North -Central Senators-elect caucus at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Wadada, who holds the traditional title of Sarkin Yakin Keffi, said that the least position the zone would go for was the position of the Deputy Senate President.

He said: “We as a caucus meet and first welcome the President -elect from his trip and asked that fairness takes place in the distribution of leadership to all the geo-political zones.

“Of course we are aware that there are agitations from various geo- political zones on the positions of Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

“Haven been aware of these agitations of course, it should be called to mind that the South-West and the North-East haven’t produced the president and vice president respectfully.

“The north-central as a result of that is of the stand and position that the least position we will go for is the deputy senate president and this is not just coming today.

“The north-central caucus has been consistent from the commencement of the politics that will lead to the emergence of the leadership of the national assembly.

“That has always been our position that  we are for the deputy senate president position and that is what we stand for.

“We shall work in harmony, mutuality and cordiality with all other geo- political zones for the good of Nigeria but not to be compromised for any reason what so ever.”

The senators-elect also disclosed that the caucus was projecting Sen. Sani Musa ( APC-Niger) for the position of Deputy Senate President of the 10th Senate.

“We made it clear at our maiden meeting to give the position to the  chairman of this caucus, Sen. Sani Musa.

“We all agreed among us that whatever comes to north-central goes to Sen. Sani Musa because we are a united family.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the caucus comprised members of different political parties.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Sarafina Christopher

The Coalition of
Civil Society Organization for Peace and Unity of Nigeria (CCSOPUN) have advocated for a Senate President from the South-East to promote fairness, equity, Justice and balance for peace and unity of Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the call was made on Thursday during a meeting on “10th National Assembly Leadership” issues and prospects in Abuja.

According to Dr Onwubuya Breakforth, Chairman of the Coalition, the South East -geo-political zones are being treated unfairly and unjustly in the political equation of our country.

“From 1999 till date, the South East has been denied Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the South West has done Presidency from 1999-2007, North-West 2007 to 2011, South-South from 2011 to 2015, North-West again 2015 to 2023.

“For the Vice President, North East has done from 1999 to 2007, South –South has 2007 to 2011 and North-East 2011 to 2015 and South-West 2015 to 2023.

“Now 2023 should have been the turn of the South-East to produce the President of Nigeria but the ongoing events now showed that South-West again has the President and North-East for Vice President.

“The question is, where is the South-East in all this political equation? Where is fairness? Where is equity? Where is brotherhood? Where is justice? Where is one Nation?

“To this end, we sincerely plead with all National Leaders, Political Fathers and elites, the Leadership of APC, PDP, LP, APGA, SDP, YPP and all elected Senators to for once stand for truth, justice, equity and cohesion.

“To support the candidates for South-East to emerge as Senate President that will in a long way heal our divisions, agitations, and discourage any act of National insubordination.”Breakforth said.

He also added that the South-East Presidency will help discourage continuous agitations like IPOB, and others in the South-East.

“We have reputable senators from the South-East such as Senator Osita Izunaso and others that have the capacity to Chairman the National Assembly and bring the balancing and dividend of democracy as Nigerians are clamoring especially from the South-East.

“This coalition will resist and protest against any attempt by APC to zone the Senate Presidency to any other zone other than South-East.

“Further support for disunity, inequality and unfairness is not acceptable as it will continue to worsen National disunity,” he said.

In his remarks, Alhaji Salisu Abdullahi, Pan African Youth, noted that the most important thing for all Nigerians was the unity of this nation.

“The beginning of the crisis in Sudan started because of injustice so we believe that in order for Nigeria to avoid that crisis, there must be Justice for the Southeast,” he said.

Also, Comrade Bello Osaretin, DG, Progressive Leaders Association of Nigeria PLAN-Nigeria commended the Collation for putting up this initiative on the importance of equity.

“It is very important that everyone is put forth in order to have a balanced and more peaceful country,” Osaretin said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu