By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has slammed the Federal Government over crackdown on citizens criticisms and demanded for the immediate release of detained persons.

The caucus also reiterated the importance of dissenting opinions in a democracy, reminding President Bola Tinubu of his critical stance during the reign of President Goodluck Jonathan.

This was contained in a statement dated December 22, 2024 and signed by the Minority Caucus Leader, Rep Kingsley Chinda, stating that:

“The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives is very concerned about the growing controversial clampdown of citizens criticizing government.

“It is equally disturbing that agents of state are fingered in the brazen, callous, and ill-tempered harassment, and intimidation of citizens who on various medium express their respective disagreement, and apprehensions about some government policies which they believe will further exacerbate the near-zero situations of Nigerians.

“As a responsive and responsible group, we condemn in strong terms any, and every actions by the government; through security, and law enforcement agencies geared towards creating fears, panic, and make people to cow-tow to submission.

The Caucus further explained that: “We wish to reiterate that democracy can only thrive where there is virile opposition, and dissenting voices, as well as enabling alternative opinions
to express their differing views without fear or let.

“The Caucus recalls that, before 2015 when the All Progressives Congress (APC) came to power, the party was very brazen, sharp-shooting, and sometimes not courteous in it’s vilification, and pillorying of the government in power.

” Indeed, President Bola Tinubu in 2011, as the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was very frontal in his criticisms of (then president) Goodluck Jonathan.

” It is surprising that a party that went roughshod in attacking, and castigating the PDP, now abhors, rejects, and hates criticism with much derision.

“As a Caucus, while we counsel that every criticism should be civil, and align with accepted regulations, we enjoin government to eschew every action of citizenry intimidation, coercion, and prosecution which may have negative effects on democracy.

” We also encourage the government to evolve results-yielding, and life-changing policies, and initiatives that will impact positively on Nigerians as an ingenious strategy to “defeat” its critics.

“While the Caucus calls for immediate release of anyone detained by state agencies for criticizing government policies, or under any guise, we also promise to resort to legislative actions against continuous abuse.

Fear grips Okpare-Olomu town, located in the Olomu Kingdom of Ughelli South Local Government Area in Delta State, after Nigerian military personnel invaded the community with three Hilux vehicles.

The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning around 7:30am, has left residents on edge, with reports indicating that the soldiers took control of the community town hall by force. It was learnt that locals are concerned about the military’s presence in their community.

It was gathered that the military stormed the community in search of some of the community’s leaders, especially its President-General, Okiemute Otoka.

The sudden appearance of the military in Okpare-Olomu community sparked widespread panic, with residents fleeing in all directions, while women and children ran for safety to avoid a repeat of a similar incident in Okuama community.

According to Otoka, Okpare-Olomu community President-General, the military’s true intention was to disrupt the community’s annual conference, scheduled for Thursday, where crucial decisions on growth and development were to be made.

Otoka’s allegations suggest that the military’s presence was not just a coincidence, but a deliberate attempt to interfere with the community’s affairs.

Otoka further accused some elders and leaders of the community of unlawfully selling communal land without the approval of the annual conference as those behind the invasion of the community by the military.

Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, there was apprehension in the community as the invading military personnel were still in the community.

Source: Saharareporter

Ex-Kwara State Commissioner and prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdulraheem Adisa, has passed away at the age of 91.

He died in the early hours of Thursday, according to sources in Ilorin, the state capital.

Adisa, a loyal figure in the Saraki political dynasty, had an extensive career in journalism and public service.

He served as the Editor of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the General Manager of The Herald Newspapers, and as the Commissioner for Information in Kwara State. He also held the position of Chairman of Moro Local Government Area in the state.

The burial arrangements are currently underway, with the funeral scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Muslim Public Cemetery in Ilorin.