News

Zamfara Gov Accuses FG of Holding Meetings with Bandits, Says He Has Evidence

Published

1 year ago

September 26, 2023

Eric

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has said his administration has enough facts to show that some officials of the Federal Government met secretly with bandits in the state.

On Monday, Lawal had claimed that some agencies of the Bola Tinubu-led government had entered a secret dialogue with the bandits after he ruled out the option of negotiating with criminals.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the governor said some government agencies engaged in negotiations with bandits without the knowledge of the state government and other security agencies.

Lawal, therefore, called for an urgent and comprehensive investigation by the Tinubu government into the secretive negotiations held with bandits in the state by the agencies.

In a swift reaction to the allegation, the Federal Government claimed that there was no truth in the claim that some of its agencies held a secret negotiation with bandits in Zamfara.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, however, accused the Zamfara government of politicising security in the state.

Responding to the minister, the Zamfara governor said he had evidence to expose some Federal Government agents involved in the negotiations with bandits.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Lawal stated that the Minister of Information should have conducted a thorough investigation before discrediting his government.

The governor, therefore, urged the federal government to take a firm stance against such activities and investigate the motives of those who engage in negotiating with the criminals.

The statement read in parts: “We sought clarification from the Federal Government regarding the sneaky negotiations with bandits carried out by some of its agents without recourse to the State Government and heads of Security agencies in the State.

“We have facts and evidence on what had transpired between these agents of the Federal Government and the bandits during the negotiations in several places across Zamfara.

“It is disappointing that the information minister discredited our claim without verifying it first. What is expected of him as a professional is to collaborate with relevant authorities to substantiate the claim’s authenticity.

“Zamfara State Government respects protocol and established authority. We would not come out in the media to start exposing the names of the Federal Government agents involved in the covert dialogue with bandits.

“We want to clarify that those individuals leading secret negotiations with bandits in Zamfara are politicising insecurity, not the State Government.

“The Information Minister’s statement claiming that there were no negotiations between government officials and bandits in Zamfara requires further clarification. We have already exposed a few locations where such talks were held with bandits, such as Birnin Magaji, Maradun, Mun Haye, Ajah, Bawo, and Bagege.

“Negotiating with bandits in Zamfara is a grave mistake we cannot afford to make. It is not the solution to the problem and only encourages and emboldens the criminals.

“We urge the Federal Government to take a firm stance against such activities and investigate the motives of those who engage in them.”

Opera News

News

Akpabio, Akume, Ministers Assume Presidential Roles As Tinubu, Shettima Remain Abroad, Says Presidency

Published

6 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Eric

The Presidency has named Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume and the ministers as those in charge of the country’s leadership in the absence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Both Tinubu and Shettima are currently abroad while the presidency insists that there is no leadership vacuum in the country.

There have been enquiries across the country regarding who is in charge of Nigeria in the absence of the president and his deputy.

The Presidency, through a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, recalled a similar situation during the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement said: “It is important to note that the President and Vice President are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away. There is no leadership vacuum in the country.”

Tinubu jetted out of the country on October 3 to commence a two-week working vacation in the United Kingdom (UK), while the vice president departed on Wednesday for Sweden, on an official trip.

“All State organs are functioning as usual. The Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ministers, and service chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government,” Onanuga’s statement clarified.

“We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country. President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth II.

“We have also experienced it during this administration. Between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Vice President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi, to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit.

“After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. President Tinubu returned home on 8 May. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.

“The Constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president in the country at all times to fulfill his duties.”

News

Glo-Sponsored 2024 Ofala Festival Begins in Onitsha, Showcases Nigerian Culture

Published

7 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Eric

The annual Ofala Festival which celebrates the best of African culture and sponsored by digital solutions provider, Globacom, kicks –off in the historic city of Onitsha on Friday at the Ime Obi, the palace of Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the traditional ruler of the Kingdom.

In a press statement in Lagos, Globacom said, “the festival’s first day, known as Iru Ofala, takes place on Friday, followed by Azu Ofala, on Saturday, October 19, while the annual Royal Banquet organised by Globacom in honour of Igwe Achebe comes up at the Ime Obi on Wednesday, October 23.”

This prominent traditional festival in Southeastern Nigeria marks the monarch’s annual emergence from seclusion, where he successfully negotiates the kingdom’s fortunes.

The theme of the 2024 Ofala festival, “Courage, Perseverance, and Self-Reliance” (Onye kwe, Chi’e ekwe), reflects the Igwe’s message of hope and resilience amidst prevailing hardships in the country.

“We are proud to once again partner with the Ofala Steering Committee to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. The Ofala is a celebration of our nation’s diversity and resilience, and we are honoured to be a part of it”, Globacom concluded.

News

National Grid Collapses Again, Second Time in 24 Hours

Published

2 days ago

October 15, 2024

Eric

The national electricity grid collapsed again on Tuesday, the second time within 24 hours, plunging millions of people into darkness.

The latest incident comes barely 24 hours after electricity distribution companies across the country announced the grid collapsed around 6:48 p.m, resulting in the loss of power supply across their networks.

“Dear valued customer, kindly be informed that there was a system collapse at 09:17hrs which has resulted to a loss of power supply across our network,” Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) which serves some parts of Lagos State said on its X handle.

“We are currently working with our partners as we hope for a speedy restoration of the grid. We will keep you updated as soon as power is restored. Kindly bear with us.”

Similarly, the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the fresh collapse and promised the restoration of normalcy as soon as possible.