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Drama as Liberia defence minister resigns 10 days after appointment

By Francesca Hangeior
Liberia’s new defence minister has resigned from his post just 10 days after being appointed, following a protest by soldiers’ wives, the presidency said.
The resignation marks the first political crisis facing Liberia’s new president Joseph Boakai since his inauguration at the end of January.
Boakai “has received and accepted a letter of resignation from the recently confirmed Minister of National Defence Mr. Prince C. Johnson,” the presidency said in a statement.
The president swiftly announced a provisional replacement, naming General Geraldine Janet George to the key post.
In his resignation letter, Johnson cited “the current political and civil disturbances occasioned by the protest of women believed to be wives of servicemen”.
He wished to “preserve the peace and security of the State”, the statement added.
Wives of Liberian soldiers set up roadblocks near the capital Monrovia and elsewhere in the country, forcing Boakai to cancel planned National Army Day celebrations on Monday, an AFP correspondent reported.
The women were airing multiple grievances ranging from low salaries and pensions to a lack of social security, electricity shortages, and corruption within the armed forces.
They also demanded the defence minister’s resignation, blaming him for a reduction in the salaries of Liberian soldiers returning from peace missions in Mali.
The first roadblock was assembled on Sunday on the outskirts of Monrovia near the Edward Binyah Kesselly barracks on the road leading to the international airport.
New roadblocks made of kitchen utensils and makeshift supplies appeared elsewhere in the country on Monday.
Drivers stuck in long traffic jams on the road leading to the airport opted to abandon their vehicles and continue their journey on foot.
President Boakai asked the army on Monday to ensure that the roadblocks were lifted “immediately”, according to the presidency.
He met with soldiers’ wives on Sunday and vowed to carefully examine their concerns and set up a commission, his team said.
He ordered the restoration of electricity to the Edward Binyah Kesselly barracks and free classes in the school located within the compound.
“The President has been in office for 20 days only and he has taken immediate steps already to address some of these issues which have been festering for more than five years,” his team said in a statement.
Boakai “advised everyone to remain calm and peaceful as the government seeks to address their concerns,” it added.
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China Reaffirms One-China Principle, Commend Support From Nigeria

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Senator Natasha on FB listed 3 politicians that should be arrested if anything happens to her

The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken to her verified Facebook page to raise a serious alarm, alleging that her life is in danger following a reported attack on her family house in Kogi State.
In the strongly worded post, the Kogi-born lawmaker fingered some high-ranking political figures in Nigeria, declaring that should anything happen to her, the Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, and the current state Governor, Usman Ododo, should be held accountable.
“Nigeria Police, I reiterate, should any harm befall me, Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ex Gov. Yahaya Bello & Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi state should be held responsible,” she posted.
Her statement comes, hours after her family home in Kogi was attacked, although details surrounding the incident remain sketchy as of the time of filing this report.
Recall that this is not the first time the Kogi senator is making such allegations against the trio. She made the same statement few weeks ago during her homecoming to Kogi State where she accused the senate president, Akpabio and Yahaya Bello for plotting evil against her.
Senator Natasha has been a vocal political figure and critic of the ruling establishment in Kogi, and this latest development adds to the growing tension in the state and national political landscape.
Authorities are yet to issue an official response to her recent allegations.
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Emergency Rule: We should be thankful to President Tinubu -Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has backed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, saying he wanted the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the oil-rich state.
In a move that has continued to divide opinions, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly following months of political crisis in Rivers State.
But Wike said the president’s move saved Rivers from implosion, arguing that the decision to appoint a sole administrator following Fubara’s suspension was a step in the right direction.
The former Rivers governor said this on Friday in Abuja during a media parley with select journalists.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state.” Wike said.
However, people must tell the truth. The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him.
“Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”
In February, the Supreme Court waded into the months-long political crisis in Rivers State, asking the Martin Amaewhule-led members of the state’s House of Assembly to resume sitting.
The apex court also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop releasing funds to the Rivers State government over what it labelled as disregard for court orders. It dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Amaewhule as the Speaker and asked the governor to re-present the budget to the lawmakers.
After weeks of back and forth between Amaewhule and the lawmakers over the budget re-presentation and moves to impeach Fubara, President Tinubu stepped in.
He suspended Fubara and his deputy and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, citing security reasons. Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as the sole administrator, a step Wike said saved Rivers.
“Mr president came in and saved the situation, saved Rivers people from that calamity and anarchy,” the FCT minister argued.
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