INSTANT NEWS

The ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has won all the 44 local government chairmanship and 484 councilors positions contested in Kano’s just concluded local council election.

Announcing the results, the chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission KANSAIC, Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, said six political parties, including AA, AAC, Accord, ADC, APM, and NNPP, participated.

He said the commission had exercised and observed its constitutional mandates of planning, organising, coordinating, observing and conducting local government elections in Kano State of Nigeria.

“The exercise had been largely peaceful and successful in all ramifications. The Commission therefore deeply appreciates the roles played by the critical stakeholders, notably security agencies, media organizations, leaders of political parties, civil society organisations, religious leaders, community leaders, youth and women organisations, towards the actualization of grassroot democracy in the state.

“The Commission is also profoundly grateful to the good people of Kano State for their collective support, prayers and expression of positive emotions,” he said.

Prof. Malumfashi added that the peaceful conduct of the exercise is a manifestation of public acceptability of the exercise in terms of credibility, fairness and decency.

The South East Development Peace Initiative (SPDI) is calling on the Nigerian government to investigate the sources behind the rumoured death of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff. According to Hon Vitus Okechi, leader of SPDI and former commissioner in Enugu State, it's shocking that people would wish the Army chief dead, especially considering his successes in combating terrorism across the country ¹.

Okechi expressed concern that even after the army issued an official statement, some individuals are still requesting proof of Lagbaja's well-being, specifically asking for a video of the General. He believes there must be an ulterior motive behind these actions and urges the government to investigate the source of the rumour. SPDI is advocating for increased security measures to protect Lagbaja and ensure his safety ¹.

Since Lagbaja took office, Nigeria has seen significant victories in the fight against terrorism in the North West and beyond. Okechi notes that Lagbaja's appointment has been a positive turning point in the combat against terrorism and insurgency, but some individuals seem uncomfortable with this progress .

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that Lagbaja recently spoke with Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, dispelling earlier rumours about his death . As the situation unfolds, SPDI's call to action emphasizes the importance of uncovering the truth behind these malicious rumours and ensuring the Chief of Army Staff's security.

The member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, Terseer Ugbor has filed a N1 billion defamatory suit against the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia.

Also joined as co-defendants in the suit marked MHC/422/2024 are the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, Mr Tersoo Kula and Isaac Uzaan, identified in the suit as a media aide to the governor.

In the statement of claim, Ugbor claimed that as a responsible representative who has the plight of his constituents at heart, he had written two letters dated October 9th, 2023 and 16th October 2023 to the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, requesting for palliatives to support the displaced victims of herdsmen attacks in Moon, Yaav, Kumakwagh and Mbadura Council Wards of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Kwande/Ushongo representative said the humanitarian situation kept increasing with no positive response from NEMA, he decided to write another letter on May 8th, 2024, to the said agency requesting urgent intervention in support of victims in Moon, Menev, Liev 1, Liev 2, Yaav, Kumakwagh, Yaav and Mbadura council wards of Kwande Local Government and NEMA finally approved and released relief materials for his constituents as requested and he wrote a letter on the same date acknowledging receipt.

Ugbor claimed that on September 11th, 2024 while he was in the United States of America attending to matters of national interest, he arranged and conveyed the relief materials from the warehouse of NEMA in Jos to Makurdi for storage at a public commercial warehouse for safety to enable him return and convey the items to his constituency for distribution to the internally displaced people.

Ugbor said the palliatives were kept at the Culture warehouse located at 6E Wantor Kwange Street, Makurdi, Benue State, a public warehouse that was hired for the storage of palliatives pending his return from an official trip for onward distribution to the internally displaced people in his constituency, attaching receipts for payment of the warehouse.

He alleged that to his surprise, Governor Alia impounded the vehicle conveying the items and when he, Ugbor raised complaints, Mr Isaac Uzaan took to his Facebook timeline and authored a publication entitled “RE: ALIA VOWS TO MAKE LIFE UNBEARABLE FOR IDPS IN KWANDE” wherein the said Uzaan published defamatory words against him.

Ugbor also alleged that Mr Kula on September 18th also took to his Facebook page to publish a press statement for himself and on behalf of Governor Alia entitled “Gov. ALIA HANDS OVER TRUCK OF DIVERTED RELIEF MATERIALS TO EFCC/ICPC” wherein the Governor and Mr Kula defamed his character and reputation.

The House of Representatives member further averred that Governor Alia also on the 18th Day of September 2024, in a video shared on Fr. Alia TV Network which went viral on social media, especially Facebook made several defamatory statements that he, Ugbor, diverted palliatives meant for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency and referred to him(Ugbor) as a “dishonourable member”.

In the suit, the member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency is seeking an order from the court directing Governor Alia, Tersoo Kulas and Isaac Uzaan to pull down all the defamatory posts/publications against him posted on their Facebook pages.

Ugbor is seeking an order of the court directing Governor Alia, Kula and Uzaan to retract all the defamatory publications against him and tender a public apology to him to be published in not less than five national dailies as well as on Facebook and social media platforms.

The plaintiff is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining all the defendants, their privies, servants, agents, surrogates or whosoever called from defaming him.

Ugbor is further seeking an order of the court directing Governor Alia, Tersoo Kulas and Isaac Uzaan to jointly or severally pay him the sum of N1 billion as damages for defamation of his character and reputation, amongst other reliefs.

A date is yet to be fixed for the hearing of the suit.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, has made a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians to pray for their leaders, regardless of their performance or the current state of the nation. Speaking at an event held at the University of Ilorin, the Sultan emphasized the importance of prayer and positive energy in shaping the country's leadership.

*A Call to Action: Pray, Don't Condemn*

Abubakar encouraged Nigerians to refrain from cursing or condemning leaders, opting instead for prayers that could potentially inspire positive change. "Even if a leader is bad, pray for him. Almighty Allah can make him turn a new leaf and become a better person," he said. This message was echoed by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who chairs the event and urged Nigerians to focus on encouraging their leaders rather than criticizing them.

*Collective Support for National Growth*

The Sultan's appeal is not just a spiritual call to action but also a reminder of the importance of collective support for national growth. By adopting a supportive attitude towards leadership, Nigerians can contribute to the country's progress and well-being. This message resonates with similar sentiments expressed by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has also encouraged Nigerians to pray for their leaders and make sacrifices for the country's development ¹.

*Key Takeaways*

- _Prayer over Criticism_: The Sultan urges Nigerians to pray for leaders rather than condemning them.

- _Positive Change_: Prayers can inspire leaders to change and become better.

- _Collective Support_: Nigerians should adopt a supportive attitude towards leadership for national growth.

- Unity and Sacrifice_: Citizens should make sacrifices for the country's development and pray for leaders to do what is right.

*PDP Crisis Deepens: National Chairman, Secretary Suspended*

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, over alleged anti-party activities ¹. This decision was made public by the party's National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, following the National Working Committee's (NWC) 593rd meeting on Thursday ¹ ².

*Reasons Behind the Suspension*

The suspension is linked to a letter Damagum and Anyanwu addressed to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No:CA/PH/307/2024, which went against the party's position in a case involving 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ¹. The NWC condemned this action as a gross violation of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office ¹.

*Investigation and Disciplinary Action*

The NWC has constituted a committee, chaired by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the issues raised against Damagum and Anyanwu ¹. The duo has been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action ¹. Additionally, the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, were earlier directed to step aside pending an investigation into allegations against them ¹ ².

*Internal Power Struggle*

This development is seen as part of an internal power struggle within the PDP, with factions loyal to different leaders ². The crisis may have far-reaching implications for the party's leadership structure and its ability to present a united front in future elections.

*What's Next?*

As the PDP navigates this crisis, it remains to be seen how the suspended officials will respond and what impact this will have on the party's overall performance. One thing is certain - the PDP's internal dynamics will continue to shape Nigerian politics in the days to come.