Today's Headlines: Crude Oil Thieves Live In Abuja, Barracks–Prof. Benjamin Okaba,Tinubu Woos Libya Against Junta

Crude Oil Thieves Live In Abuja, Barracks–Okaba

Photo Credit:The Sun papers

Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President, Ijaw National Congress (INC), in this interview, speaks on activities of non-state actors in the Niger Delta region, crisis in Ijaw Youth Council, oil theft in the region and efforts of INC to restore peace, among other issues.

With the level of insecurity in Nigeria, what is the effect of the growing non-state actors in our country?

In the first place, it tells you that the formal security architecture of this country has been compromised. Ordinarily, what these non-state actors seem to be doing is the responsibility of the police, military and other agencies that are empowered to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians. But talking about the implications, definitely, we have to talk about community policing but this is not the direction it should take. In terms of some kind of stop-gap approach to dealing with the immediate issues, I don’t think they should be allowed to continue for too long.

They should be regulated or stopped entirely. Yes, some are pledging loyalty to the Federal Government but we have not seen what the responses are from the Federal Government to the extent of either encouraging or discouraging these outfits. I think the government should take a stand on these issues, if not we are heading into the proliferation of so many militia bodies and that is not good enough for this country.

Tinubu Woos Libya, Algeria Against Junta

Photo Credit:Punch papers

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, dispatched a delegation led by a Nigerian diplomat, Babagana Kingibe, to engage with the leaders of Libya and Algeria on the crisis in Niger Republic, where a military junta overthrew democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

This was as he sent another delegation, headed by former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, to Niger to speedily resolve the current political impasse in the country.

Briefing the two delegations, Tinubu, who is Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, charged them to engage all stakeholders robustly to do whatever it takes to ensure a conclusive and amicable resolution of the situation in Niger for African peace and development rather than a move to adopt the geopolitical positions of other nations.

“We don’t want to hold brief for anybody. Our concern is democracy and the peace of the region,” the Nigerian President said.

Speaking after the meeting, Abdulsalami said the delegation would meet the coup leaders in Niger to present the demands of the ECOWAS leadership.

“We have just been given our marching orders to go to Niger and convey the feelings of our Heads of State in the region that they are not happy with what happened.

“And then gave them an ultimatum that the coupists should desist from what they are doing and give back power to an elected President.

Photo Credit:Google

Tinubu Sends Abdulsalami, Sultan to warn Niger junta

Photo Credit:The Nation papers

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intensified its pressure yesterday on the Niger Republic junta to restore democracy.

The chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Governments, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, dispatched two delegations, one a mission to warn Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani of the consequence of failing to respect the position of ECOWAS that President Mohammed Bazoum should be reinstated.

Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Sultan of Sokoto ALhaji Sa’ad Abubakar on behalf of the sub-region met with junta leader in Niamey, after taking briefing from President Tinubu in Abuja.

The second delegation was led by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe with a mission to persuade leaders of Libya and Algeria – Niger’s Northern neighbours – to lend their support to the pressure on the military usurpers.

The sub-regions Chiefs of Defence Staff, after concluding their meeting in Abuja, have returned to their respective countries to brief their Commanders in Chief on their decisions and readiness for a military offensive, if necessary.

United States (U.S.) President Joe Biden, also yesterday gave his total support to ECOWAS decision that the junta should step down.

Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale explained in a statement that the President acted in line with the resolution reached at the end of last weekend’s extraordinary summit of ECOWAS in Abuja.

Ganduje Pledges Reform, Fairness To Reposition APC

Photo Credit:The Nation papers

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje yesterday promised to reposition the platform for growth and victory in future polls.

He spoke in Abuja shortly after he was elected as the sixth chair of the 10-year-old party during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

Also endorsed as the Secretary is Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.

Basiru was the spokesman of the ninth Senate, representing Osun West. A consummate lawyer and former Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice in Osun, Basiru holds a Ph.D. in Law.

Ganduje replaced Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, while Basiru replaced Sen. Iyiola Omisore. Both of them resigned last month.

The NEC was also empowered to fill the remaining six vacant party positions during the meeting presided over by the former acting chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari. Kyari’s Deputy Chairman (North) position is also vacant, having been nominated for a ministerial position and screened by the Senate.

Five other positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) are vacant due to ministerial nominations and resignations.

El_Zaxks (
)