News
Just in: Why We’re In Kano – Nigerian Army Finally Opens up
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa.
The Nigerian Army has clarified its mission in Kano, where there is tension as a result of emirship tussle.
Naijablitznews recalls that Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, Emir of Kano, and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, dethroned Emir of Kano, are locked in a royal tussle.
The Kano House of Assembly had repealed the law which former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje used to dethrone Sanusi in 2020, paving the way for reinstatement of the monarch
While signing the new law on Friday, Governor Abba Yusuf had directed the deposed emirs to leave their official residences and hand over properties to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs who doubles as Deputy Governor of the state.
However, in what appeared to be a rare moment of surprise, Ado Bayero who was outside the state at the time of the order, returned to the ancient city and made his way to a mini palace in Nasarawa.
Reacting to the development, Governor Yusuf directed the emir’s arrest, but the police, however, vowed to respect court order stopping Sanusi’s reinstatement.
Shortly after the arrest order, men of the Nigerian Army moved to the mini palace to secure the place, while the main palace was guarded by vigilantes and hunters.
This had given the impression that the Army was on the side of the dethroned monarch.
Civil society groups, activists, lawyers and many others had condemned the military action, saying such has no place in a democracy.
But in a statement on Sunday night, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, said the army is not involved in the emirate tussle.
“Contrary to insinuations by the Kano state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association as published on 26 May 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army have not been involved in the Kano state emirate tussle and are not involved in enforcing any court order. They have only taken proactive steps to checkmate any possible breakdown or breach of the security that may be occasioned by the Kano Emirship tussle.”
“Contrary to insinuations by the Kano state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association as published on 26 May 2024, troops of the Nigerian Army have not been involved in the Kano state emirate tussle and are not involved in enforcing any court order. They have only taken proactive steps to checkmate any possible breakdown or breach of the security that may be occasioned by the Kano Emirship tussle.”
“The issue of paramount concern to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies is the prevention of breakdown of law and order in the state, which could be taken advantage of by adversarial non-state actors. The military would imminently intervene when it becomes apparent that the intensity of the security situation becomes overwhelming for the police.
“All the Army is doing at this stage is to monitor the situation as it unfolds and be on standby in the event of any escalation that could threaten the security of the state and the region in general.”
News
Ecoparl: Speaker Ibrahima Reaffirms Parliament’s Dedication to Regional Unity
News
Air Force Begins Moving Electoral Materials For Edo Guber Election
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has began airlifting the sensitive election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Benin, Edo State, ahead of the upcoming governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Kabiru Ali.
The operation is part of the NAF’s efforts to ensure the timely and secure delivery of materials necessary for a smooth electoral process.
This development reinforces the collaboration between NAF and INEC to facilitate logistics and ensure a peaceful election in Edo State.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, had previously reiterated NAF’s commitment to providing airlift support for the swift movement of electoral materials during a meeting with INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
This airlift operation is a crucial aspect of NAF’s constitutional responsibility to provide Military Aid to Civil Authority, underscoring the force’s dedication to supporting democratic processes in Nigeria. With the election just days away, the NAF’s timely intervention will help ensure the successful conduct of the governorship elections in Edo State.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State had earlier accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hunt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and supporters in the state and force them into hiding ahead of September 21 governorship election.
Obaseki, who made the allegation when a delegation led by the former Head of State, Abdusalam Abubakar, met with him to get the governor and his party to sign peace accord, said that the IGP had made nonsense of his (Obaseki’s) role as the chief security officer of the state.
The governor had said that the police chief obtained a warrant to arrest 60 members and supporters of PDP in Edo and that the IGP sent an armed “gang” of policemen who invaded the state, attacked PDP members, shot at a local government chairman and arrested 10 persons who are currently being detained in Abuja without charges.
Asked by the former head of state if his party would sign the peace accord, Obaseki said, “The person who is supposed to enforce the peace accord is now an active participant in creating a destructive environment.
“We are now in a situation where from the Inspector General’s office, there are armed gang policemen who came into Edo State, invaded, arrested and took away PDP members.
News
“Dancing gives me abundant joy and peace of mind”-Gov Adeleke
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has given reasons why he loves dancing.
The ‘Dancing Governor’, as he is fondly called, revealed this on Wednesday while responding to a tweet on X.
An X user, @Iwogoke, while praising the governor, stated that Adeleke has been busy fulfilling his electoral promises to the people of Osun State, while his political opponents believe he is only good at dancing.
Iwogoke tweeted, “I’m not flattering you, Your Excellency, your opponents think you can only dance but while they are busy shouting and calling you ‘Dancing Governor’, you are busy fulfilling your electoral promises to the people.”
Responding to the tweet via his verified X account, Adeleke explained that he loves dancing because it brings him joy.
Speaking further on his love for dancing, Adeleke highlighted that while dancing brings him immense happiness, his greater fulfilment comes from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Osun.
Outlining his administration’s efforts to enhance the state’s infrastructure, he noted that primary health centre rehabilitation is underway in at least 200 out of the 332 wards across Osun State, adding that road construction projects are also progressing in every local government area.
He wrote, “Dancing gives me joy, but delivering on my electoral promises and providing the dividends of democracy to the good people of Osun gives me even greater joy. Rehabilitation of primary health centers is ongoing in at least 200 out of 332 wards, and road construction is progressing in every Local Government!”
-
News21 hours ago
PHOTOS: Finally, FCT Minister, Wike settles with the Duke, Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of Thisday, Arise Tv
-
Politics20 hours ago
Rivers PDP elders tackle Ada George over attack on Wike
-
News20 hours ago
Over 3000 Lagos Residents Rendered Homeless As Govt Officials, Policemen Demolish, Set Buildings On Fire
-
News17 hours ago
Popular Ekiti Born Philanthropist, Funso Ayeni Bags PhD in US Varsity
-
Economy17 hours ago
SEE Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate Today
-
News15 hours ago
Just in: Wanted ex-Kogi gov, Yahaya Bello honours EFCC invitation
-
News21 hours ago
Hire and fire Gov Fubara fires LG chairman, appoints caretaker immediately
-
News20 hours ago
FG Issues Flood Alert As Cameroon Releases Water From Lagdo Dam