By Stephen Adeleye

A Political Scientist, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the lingering issues of hunger and perceived selective justice in the country.

Usman made the call in Lokoja, during the inauguration of “Citizens Assembly” town hall meeting, organised by the office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

Prof. Usman, who was the guest Speaker at the event, commended President Tinubu, for taking frontal decisions and implementation of several policies such as local government autonomy, the students loan, palliative distribution and the Renewed Hope Initiative in health sector.

Prof. Usman, who doubles as the Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, also eulogised the President for reversing to the old National Anthem as well as other short, medium and long term policies which he said were highly commendable.

“We also commend Mr President for being bold enough to confront the cabals in the oil sector that have held Nigeria down for years.

“However, the removal of fuel subsidy without putting a concrete template on ground, is the area we have protracted and conflicting issues, and to me, that is what is bringing severe hunger to the people.

“Mr President, Nigerians are hungry, I must tell you the truth. Nigerians are also angry. So, the people are hungry and angry because hunger will automatically bring anger.

“No concrete template plans were put in place to cushion the negative effects of subsidy removal and that is the major thing that is causing hunger in the land.

“To me, every other policy of Mr President is okay but anyone that will bring hunger will make people to ignore all other good policies on ground.

“Though the President has been providing palliatives for the indigent but I tell you that it is just a drop of water in the ocean.

“The cost of fuel is rising everyday as high as N1,100 per litre and the cost of food items and other commodities are skyrocketing.

“Since this meeting is Citizens’ Assembly, and it is about citizens engagement and giving feedback to the government.

“I can tell you if you ask average participants in this meeting today, they will tell you there is hunger in the land, which is occasioned by the removal of subsidy without concrete plans to address these issues.

“So, we advise Mr President to as quickly as possible address the lingering issue of hunger in the land,” Usman said.

The political scientist also urged President Tinubu to address the issue of perceived selective justice under his administration.

He described: “Perceived selective justice” as the notion that justice is applied unfairly or disproportionately, favoring certain individuals or groups over others.

Pointing at alleged corruption accusations in Rivers, Kano and Zamfara states where the accused actors are celebrated leaders within the current administration, and queried, “why is Kogi different”?

“Without sounding immodest, a typical example is in Rivers State. Before Nyesom Wike left office, I was aware that his Accountant General who later became Governor was declared wanted over alleged N400 billion fraud, and they said they were looking for him.

“The Wike, whom they were looking for that had immunity that time is now presently serving as Minister of FCT, and nothing happened!

“Also, in Zamfara State, the former Gov. Bello Matawalle, was recently accused by the current Governor of embezzling over N200 billion, but the same Matawalle is currently serving as Minister, and nothing was done.

“In addition, in Kano State, the former Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje is being accused of embezzlement and bribery, but the same Ganduje is the National Chairman of our dear party .

“So, why is the case of Kogi State different from that of Rivers, Zamfara and Kano”?

“Why are our Laws being enforced selectively, targeting specific individuals, and similar cases receive different treatments, and prosecutions seem biased under this present administration”? Usman queried

The analyst insisted that the ongoing quagmire by the EFCC against the former Gov. Yahaya Bello is a “politically motivated selective prosecution”, targeting him for prosecution while ignoring similar offenses by others.

He stressed that the issues of hunger occasioned by fuel subsidy removal and the selective justice under the present administration, have eroded trust in institutions, loss of public trust, fuel social unrest, polarization, instability and undermine the rule of law in Nigeria.

“The people are hungry due to fuel subsidy removal and are also angry because of the perceived selective justice ongoing under this present administration at the centre.

“So, we are calling on Mr President to as a matter of urgency address these two key issues of hunger and perceived selective justice, and Nigerians will be happy and our country will better for it.

Prof Usman, however commended Mrs Abiodun Essiet, SSA to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, for putting such lofty initiative in place to engage with citizens.

The don urged her to relate the feedback to Mr President as a matter of urgency to address all the issues that were raised at the meeting.

He added: “I can assure you, if the issue of hunger is quickly and adequately addressed, every other issues will be resolved because hunger and governance has no tribe or religion.

“I believe Mr President will listen and quickly address these issues”.

Endl

***Urges unity and participation to consolidate on APC’s achievements in the state

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has called on All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates and stakeholders to push for a landslide victory in the forthcoming Local Government Council elections scheduled for October 19th.

Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah quted Governor Ododo to have made the call during the official flag-off of the APC’s statewide campaign at Muhammadu Buhari Square in Lokoja on Thursday.

Addressing the gathering, which included APC leaders from the state’s three senatorial districts, Governor Ododo presented the scorecard of the APC-led administration, highlighting its achievements and commitment to grassroots development.
He praised the party’s 40 percent affirmative action for women, which reserved all vice-chairmanship positions and at least four councillorship slots in each of the 21 local government areas for women. He noted that the appointment of Ward Special Assistants and Local Government Special Assistants had brought governance closer to the people.

Governor Ododo called for peace and unity among residents, stressing that the APC-led government is dedicated to using the state’s resources to uplift its people.
“Our state is blessed with abundant mineral resources and human capital to lift us out of poverty. We must work hard to consolidate on the solid foundation laid by my predecessor and the immediate past administration in different sectors by supporting the APC,” he said.

He urged the people of Kogi State to turn out in large numbers on October 19th to vote for the party’s chairmanship and councillorship candidates across the 239 electoral wards.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts in navigating the country through economic challenges and assured that Kogi State would continue to align with policies aimed at reducing hardship among Nigerians.

State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, echoed the governor’s sentiments, applauding Governor Ododo’s performance, which has facilitated the campaign process for the party.
He encouraged party members to engage in door-to-door canvassing to secure a sweeping victory in the local government elections.
The campaign launch witnessed a significant turnout of APC members from all 21 local government areas. It also featured the defection of Honourable Salman Idris, the representative of Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the APC.

The high point of the event was Governor Ododo’s presentation of APC flags to the chairmanship candidates from the state’s 21 local government areas.

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Member Representing Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency, Hon. Ozigi Muhammed Tijani has empowered over 100 artisans and petty traders from his constituency with strategic training to enhance their means of livelihood and standard of living.

The training which took place at Ebira Muslims Community College, Okengwen (EMCCO), Okene, in the Central Senatorial District of Kogi had beneficiaries drawn from Ageva, Ozuja and some selected communities in the distrct.

The training undertaken under the strategic empowernment programme was conducted by
the Federal Cooperative College, Kaduna and Federal College of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with KhalidTech Global Concept Limited.

Speaking at the end of the programme, the Sponsor and organizer, Hon. Ozigi Muhammed Tijani said it was aimed supporting the constituents in the various means of livelihood with the hope of improving their standard if living.

The Federal Lawmaker said the programme was part of fulfilling his mandate to the Federal constituency as he expressed satisfaction with the success of the programme and urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items given to them.

Tijani who was also represented at the closing ceremony by Hon. Abdulyekini Okino, assured the people of Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency that more empowerment programmes were in the pipeline.

Earlier in his opening remarks, representative of KhalidTech Global Concept Limited Mallam Abdulrasheed Siaka charged the beneficiaries to take the advantage of the empowernment to improve on their livelihood.

Also speaking, the provost Federal Cooperative College, Kaduna, Hajia Aisha Ismail Ishaq said the empowerment programme was timely saying that it came at a time when the economy is in shambles.

The Provost who was represented by Dr. Ayinla John, urged the beneficiaries to utilize all that was provided for them to assuage the hardship, reduce poverty and improve their standard of living.

Speaking on behalf of the communities, Hon. Ibrahim Adams Kadoka commended the facilitator for prioritizing the welfare of his constituents and appealed to the beneficiaries to judiciously utilize the money and equipment provided.

On behalf of other beneficiaries, Mallam Aminu Shaibu, expressed gratitude to the sponsor, saying that the empowerment had opened a fresh frontier of opportunities for them to exploit and improve their lives.

At the end of the programme participants were empowered with 15 Mechanic Tools kits; 15 Manual Sewing machines; 15 Deep Freezers; 15 Barbing saloon Kits and 15 Generating sets.

Other equipment given to them include: two (2) Qlink Motorcycles; one (1) tricycle (KekeNapep); Special empowerment grants to 10 beneficiaries; cash assistance to 100 Petty Traders as well as four (4) Washing machines and industrial Irons. (Ends)