News
Protesters vow to occupy Nasarawa till Supreme Court delivers justice
Coalition of women groups has vowed to continue in their struggle to demand for justice until the Supreme Court deliver justice in the governorship dispute in Nasarawa state.
The group in their doggedness embarked on four kilometers match from the ‘Welcome to Lafia’ entry gate carrying placards with different inscriptions, Count every vote, protect democracy in Nasarawa State, injustice kills democracy, Appeal Court has failed us, Supreme Court review BVAS records of Gayam and Ciroma Electoral Wards.
The group included Nasarawa Indigenous Peoples Movement, (NIPM) Wind of Transformations, (WOT), Nasarawa State Christian/Muslim Coalition for Peace.
From Daniel Abel, Lafia
Speaking at the end of the protest, Helen Dalyop said they have been on the streets for the past six months demanding for their rights since the wrong pronouncement of the result of governorship election in March.
She said that they were called all categories of provocative names, but that does not mean anything to them because they are all responsible parents.
She added that nobody is sponsoring them and they were doing all this because of the love they have for the state and for better future.
“We are out on a peaceful protest and prayer seeking God’s intervention on our matter and we believe that we will smile at last.
Mummy Barau from Akwanga Local Government Area said they transport themselves everyday from Akwanga to Lafia just to ensure that they liberate themselves and thier children.
She added that they had voted for David Ombugadu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the March 18 governorship election and not Gov. Abdullahi Sule of All Progressives Congress (APC).
She explained that if votes would not count then what is the essence of wasting tax payers money in conducting elections.
Similarly, Juliana Affiku from Lafia called on the Supreme Court to review the BVAS records of Gayam and Ciroma Electoral Wards of Lafia before passing its judgment to ensure that justice is seen to have been done.
She appealed to judges of the apex court to save democracy from collapse by refusing to succumb to pressure from any person or group of persons in compromise.
It could be recalled that the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, November 23 had set aside the judgment of the tribunal of Oct. 2 and declared Gov. Abdullahi Sule of All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of March 18 governorship election.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party had since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the verdict to the Court of Appeal.
Former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Professor Tom Adaba, has passed away at the age of 84.
According to reports, he died peacefully on Saturday in Abuja.
Chief Adinoyi Joe Anivasa, Secretary of the Egbira Elders Forum, confirmed the news, stating, “I feel sad to inform you that our elder and leader, Prof. Tom A. Adaba, has answered the call of nature this morning. Further details about his burial arrangements will be communicated later.”
Born on July 2, 1941, Prof. Adaba made significant contributions to Nigeria’s broadcasting industry. Between 1988 and 1992, he became the first Nigerian to serve as President of the African Council for Communication Education.
Despite calls for suspension from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Nigeria Police Force, the Osun State local government election proceeded as scheduled on Saturday.
Governor Ademola Adeleke voted in Ede North Local Government Area, describing the process as peaceful and urging residents to exercise their franchise.
The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, cited a Court of Appeal ruling allegedly reinstating sacked local government chairmen, while the police warned of potential security threats.
However, the Osun State government insisted on holding the election, emphasizing its commitment to obeying a court directive. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) boycotted the polls.
Voting took place under tight security, with minimal commercial activity observed in Osogbo, the state capital.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Commissioner for Information, Jonathan Vatsa, has indicated that Firmer President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence at the public presentation of former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida’s autobiography, The Journey of Service, held in Abuja on Thursday was not surprising.
Speaking to journalists in Minna on Saturday, Vatsa suggested that Buhari’s no-show was a result of unresolved bitterness over the 1985 coup, in which Babangida overthrew him and subsequently detained him.
According to Vatsa, Buhari may still harbor resentment, especially over being denied the chance to bid his late mother farewell while in detention.
“It Would Have Been the 9th Wonder of the World If Buhari Had Attended”
Vatsa claimed that Buhari’s absence was expected, given the deep-seated history between the two former leaders.
“The memory of the ‘mother of all betrayals’ has not left him. It would have been the ninth wonder of the world if Buhari had attended that book launch,” he said.
The APC chieftain also linked Buhari’s perceived neglect of Niger State during his eight-year presidency to his history with Babangida.
“The whole world knows that Niger State was made a scapegoat by Buhari because of IBB. For eight years, he did not pay any serious official visit to the state, and not a single federal project was executed here. The Baro Port project was abandoned, and federal roads across the state were left in disrepair,” Vatsa alleged.
He claimed that despite the overwhelming votes Buhari received from Niger State in 2015 and 2019, the state was sidelined due to the personal history between the former presidents.
“When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. Niger State paid for the sin of one man,” he lamented.
When asked for his opinion on the contents of IBB’s autobiography, Vatsa said he would reserve his comments until he has read and digested the book fully.
“There are certain things I expected to see in the book. Once I am done reading, I will invite you all for my comments,” he stated.
The book launch attracted several high-profile attendees, including President Bola Tinubu, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Yakubu Gowon, as well as former military head of state Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Other dignitaries included former Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo, former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma, and ex-vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Yemi Osinbajo, and Namadi Sambo, alongside traditional rulers and state governors.
Buhari’s absence, however, remained a major talking point, reinforcing speculations that the 1985 coup remains a sore point in Nigeria’s political history.
-
Crime1 year agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News1 year agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
Kogi1 year agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
Kogi1 year agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News1 year agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro11 months ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News1 year agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu