News
Reps kick against motion seeking engagement of mercenaries
The House of Representatives has resolved to meet with President Bola Tinubu to find a solution to the worsening insecurity situation in the country, just as they oppose a motion seeking engagement of mercenaries.
The resolution of the House was a sequel to the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance on the floor of the green chamber on Wednesday moved by the member representing Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency, Hon. Abdullahi Dabai.
Addressing plenary, Dabai said the people of his constituency are living in a state of fear owing to constant attacks by bandits.
“Families have lost their loved ones, their means of livelihood, and their homes. The psychological trauma inflicted on the survivors, particularly those who have lost family members or witnessed the destruction, cannot be overstated. The kidnappings have further exacerbated the situation, with families anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones.
“The recent spate of attacks has resulted in significant loss of lives, destruction of properties, and displacement of residents, thereby necessitating immediate intervention”, the lawmaker said.
He noted that on Saturday, 25 May 2024, at Unguwar Lamido, Guga Ward, Bakori Local Government Area of the State, eight individuals were killed, 100 cattle and sheep were stolen while 26 persons were killed at Gidan Kare near Lamido.
This is just as he added that during the last Sallah celebration, two brothers of a member of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Shamsudden Dabai, and his son, were taken away by abductors, adding that they are still in captivity two months after the incident.
In his contribution, a member representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal Constituency, Borno State, Ahmad Jaha, called on the Federal Government to engage mercenaries, noting that more advanced nations than Nigerians are doing the same.
“Our security agencies are doing their best. Nobody is saying that they are not doing their best but there is nothing wrong if we engage foreign mercenaries to help us get rid of these insurgents, Boko Haram or what have you.
“Ukraine is stronger than Nigeria and so is Russia but these nations are using external forces. I believe this can be of assistance to this country because this war has been on for over a decade”, he said.
Jaha’s suggestion however did not sit well with Abbas Adigun, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East, Oyo State, who argued that young military officers retired during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari should be engaged to fight the bandits.
“I don’t think that the way to go is for us to engage mercenaries. Some young military officers were retired a few years ago. These young men can deal with the situation. They can get the job done”, he said.
Also contributing, the lawmaker representing Onuimo/Okigwe/Isiala Mbano Federal Constituency, Hon. Miriam Onuoha said there was a need to rebuild infrastructure by non-state actors.
The lawmaker representing Ede North/Ede South/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, Hon. Bamidele Salam urged the government to focus on addressing the challenges of poor access to education, adding that there is a nexus between lack of education and insecurity.
“What is the correlation between insecurity and education? What is the correlation between insecurity and poverty? I think the government will need to create more access to education and focus on poverty alleviation measures. If you take a look at it, you will notice that in places where the level of education is high, insecurity is high and vice versa”, he said.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved to meet with the President to find solutions to the challenges of insecurity.
By Ojomah Austin.
The APC suit filed at the federal high court in Abuja seeking to oust Ighodalo from the gubernatorial race was dismissed on Friday evening by Justice Peter Lifu.
An eleventh-hour attempt by the All Progressives Congress, APC to get the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Asue Ighodalo disqualified from the Edo State Governorship election has been dismissed.
The Judge agreed with Ighodalo’s lawyer, Chief Akinlolu Kehinde that the suit was frivolous, baseless, and unwarranted and was thrown out.
In his judgment in the suit, Justice Lifu rejected the prayer of the APC to use another judgment of the same court that had queried the validity of the primary election that produced Ighodalo to kick him out of the race.
In a suit marked THC/ABJ/CS/165/2024, Justice Inyang Ekwo had on July 4 held that PDP was wrong in excluding 378 delegates from its February 22 primary election that produced Ighodalo.
Although Justice Ekwo did not categorically declare the primary election invalid, the APC cashing in on Ekwo’s finding, filed a fresh suit to disqualify Ighodalo on the strength of the alleged unlawful exclusion.
However, Justice Lifu upheld the submission of the senior lawyer that the federal high court cannot sit as an appellate court in its own judgment.
The Judge also agreed that APC was a busybody and meddlesome interloper by dabbing into the internal affairs of PDP.
Besides, Justice Lifu also upheld the argument of Kehinde SAN that the high court judgment being used to press for Ighodalo’s disqualification had since been voided and set aside by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
The Judge subsequently dismissed the APC’s disqualification request on the ground that it lacked merit and substance.
The APC had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Asue Ighodalo and PDP as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.
By Ojomah Austin.
A large number of officers from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been mobilized across the city, causing traffic congestion in several areas.
Security personnel were spotted at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin, securing strategic locations, with some awaiting further deployment to other parts of the state.
This follows the recent deployment of 35,000 police officers to maintain law and order during the elections, With less than 48 hours to the Edo State governorship election.
The NSCDC also deployed 6,433 officers, while the Defence Headquarters has stationed soldiers to ensure a safe environment for voters.
In addition, authorities have implemented a “show of force” with security agents patrolling key areas.
In anticipation of the election, the Edo State Government declared Friday a work-free day to allow voters to travel to their polling units.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) held a prayer session in Benin, calling for peace and the election of a credible leader who will govern with integrity.
INEC has also commenced the distribution of sensitive electoral materials to all 18 local government areas, ensuring readiness for Saturday’s vote.
……“E remain small make breeze blow am away”
By Ojomah Austin.
Nigerian singer, Zinoleesky stirs a buzz online due to a recent video of him circulating on social media.
In the video, Zinoleesky dons a white shirt alongside black trousers as he brags about being worthy to be used as a Valentine’s gift.
Reacting to the video, netizens commented on his skinny appearance.
Famous musician, Oniyide Azeez, better known as Zinoleesky trends online due to a new clip serving the rounds on social media.
In the video, the ‘Element’ hitmaker is spotted wearing a white shirt and a stylish black trouser. While being filmed, Zinoleesky bragged mightily about his looks.
He reiterated that he could be used as a Valentine’s gift to any girl.
The video generated a buzz online with a large number of netizens commenting on his thin body shape. Some swiftly leveraged it to make fun of the artiste.
One @janicekate_x wrote: “E remain small make breeze blow am away 😂.”
soromotoochukwu wrote: “I like how music can take you to another place. For example, this restaurant is playing Zinoleesky so now I’m going to a different restaurant.”
dave.dexter27 wrote: “Make breeze sha no blow as we wan deliver the valentine gift😂😂😂.”
oluwatamilore_xx wrote: “Bro,drank all the whole slimming tea and nothing is left to slim down.”
isco_west_whil wrote: “Chaii dem don set this Guy up for dragging again😂😂.”
scheargoon wrote: “Try put stone for your pocket guy”
bouncequotes wrote: “My boy 😂😂😂😂 slim daddy for dem girls.”
just_eniola_olayemisi wrote: “No be your fault zino, u no just get choice that to continue to dey craze 🥺 I feel for u my bro.”
zaza_mula112 wrote: “Zino Dey enjoy, while seyi vibe Dey cry under record label 😂😂.”
jamesmike7837 wrote: “See person be like broom stick😂.”
sheis_shuga wrote: “Who Dey decive you werey 😢😢see as u slim like who get HIV 😢😔🙄🥺Dooh.”
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