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Engage with protest organisers, there is hunger in Nigeria – Isoko youths urge Tinubu
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a bid to avert the proposed nationwide protest slated for August 1 to August 19 against hunger and hardships in Nigeria, the Isoko National Youth Assembly (INYA) Worldwide has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently dialogue with the protest organizers and review some of his administration’s policies that have caused hardship for the people to prevent the strike action from taking place.
INYA President, Comrade Eniwake Orogun, in a statement made available to the press on Saturday, stressed that there is hardship in the land occasioned by hasty government policies.
The Isoko youth body also appealed to the youths and security agencies to avoid violent protests and the destruction of national and state assets.
It also appealed to security agencies to treat protesters in a civil manner if the protest goes ahead due to the failure to dialogue and engage with the protesters.
The Isoko youth body said, “Today, we are at the edge as a nation, with all aspects of existence greatly troubled, from the economy, security, socio-political, and corporate existence coming under some form of distress and perplexity.
“It is said that light exists at the end of the tunnel, but this particular tunnel seems too long that not even a flicker of light is in sight.
“It will be foolhardy to try to deny or explain the hardship which pervades the land, exacerbated by policies such as fuel subsidy removal, which many believe has produced the unintended outcome, or should we say, the exact intended outcome associated with wrong timing or hasty policy implementation, favorable only to some fifth columnists?
“Many are hungry, weak, and beggarly. The hardship is palpable, and succor seems far. The proposed protest is only a natural response, which is the least the vast majority of those who live below the baseline can do at this material time.
“Regardless, this protest can be avoided. We call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to act as a matter of urgency by doing the following:
“Constructive engagement of critical stakeholders with a genuine view to providing short, medium, and long-term solutions to the myriad of problems facing the people.
“Reevaluate its priorities and address head-on issues such as inflation, insecurity, and the high cost of governance.
“Reconsider policies such as fuel subsidy removal, floating of the naira, and liberalization of our economy which have never worked in Nigeria or any part of Africa and have proven to be very injurious to individuals, families, and businesses.
“Constructive engagement of critical stakeholders with a genuine view to providing short, medium, and long-term solutions to the myriad of problems facing the people.
“Reevaluate its priorities and address head-on issues such as inflation, insecurity, and the high cost of governance.
“Reconsider policies such as fuel subsidy removal, floating of the naira, and liberalization of our economy which have never worked in Nigeria or any part of Africa and have proven to be very injurious to individuals, families, and businesses.
“Our leaders must learn from the 2011 Arab Spring and the recent not-too-good experience of the EndSARS protest, from which Africa and Nigeria are yet to fully recover, and act in the best interest of the nation.
“To our dear youths and fellow comrades, we stand by you at this trying time.
“However, if the protest must hold, hopefully it does not, let us be reminded that though our right to peaceful protest is inalienable and guaranteed by our constitution, we do not have the right to be destructive and violent. No one benefits from the destruction of national assets; if anything, it increases the suffering which the protest stands against.
“To our gallant security personnel, we implore you not to fall to the temptation of responding with brute force to our people, should the protest hold.
“Understand that people are hungry and angry, and the least expected of you is the performance of your constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
“This is a trying period in our history as a people, and together we shall overcome.”
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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.
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“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!”
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