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Niger Republic’s ruling coalition Thursday called for a national day of protest against Boko Haram following repeated attacks from the Nigerian Islamist militants.
“We call on all citizens to come out in numbers Tuesday February 17 across the country to organise protest marches against” the Islamist insurgents and in support of security forces, said a statement from President Mahamadou Issoufou’s coalition.
Nigeria, Cameroun, Chad and Niger this month launched an unprecedented joint effort to crush Boko Haram fighters, who have killed more than 13,000 people in a six-year insurgency.
The ruling coalition, according to AFP, urged the nation to “close ranks” and “show their unity in order to face the terrorists of Boko Haram.”
The militants have struck border town Diffa in Niger five times since February 6, the day after Niger announced it planned to send 750 troops into Nigeria to battle the militants.
Niger’s rulers also asked demonstrators to pay homage to the people of Chad for “their solidarity through the remarkable support from their army in the struggle against Boko Haram.”
Chad’s troops, considered the most battle-hardened in the region, have been stationed in Niger for nearly two weeks in preparation for fighting against the Islamist militants.
Niger declared a state of emergency on Tuesday in the region of Diffa, which allows security forces to carry out searches day and night in order to crack down on Boko Haram “sleeper cells” in Niger..
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) has accused Chief Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, who is presiding over the Coroner’s Inquest investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse of a six-storey guest house within the church premises of exceeding his jurisdiction.
Counsel to the church, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), made the submission on Thursday at the commencement of the church’s suit against Komolafe and the Lagos State Government, before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court.
The Lagos State Government inaugurated the coroner’s inquest under the state Coroner’s System Law No.7 of 2007 to investigate the cause and circumstances resulting in the death of 166 people following the building collapse of September 12, 2014, and bring its findings and recommendations to the appropriate authorities.
SCOAN and its founder, Prophet T.B Joshua, had filed an application dated November 11, 2014 and marked ID/188MJR/2014 before the High Court, seeking a judicial review of the Coroner’s proceedings, which began on October 13.
Moving the application, yesterday, Fagbemi argued that the Lagos State Coroner’s Law 2007 only empowered the coroner to determine the cause of death and to identify the body of the deceased.
According to him taking evidence on the issues of approval and construction of the collapsed building are clearly outside the scope and jurisdiction of the coroner’s court.
He said Komolafe had been hearing evidence on such extraneous issues at the inquest proceedings.
Fagbemi said Sections 32 and 33 of the Coroner Law does not empower the coroner to summon on manners of persons to appear before the inquest. According to him, the coroner’s summons on SCOAN’s founder, Prophet Joshua, to personally appear before the inquest is unconstitutional and a breach of his right to fair hearing.
He said the coroner had demonstrated personal interest in the subject matter which could lead to being biased against his client.
Fagbemi, therefore, urged the court to grant the application and declare the coroner proceedings null and void.
Responding, counsel to the Lagos State Government, Mr. Afeez Owokoniran, urged the court to dismiss the suit.
Owokoniran said the coroner had extensive powers to investigate the cause and circumstances of death and bring his findings and recommendations to the attention of appropriate authorities.
“In doing this, he has all the powers of a magistrate to summon and compel the attendance of witnesses, including medical examiners, and require them to give evidence, produce documents or present other relevant materials.”
“In order to determine the cause of death, the coroner has the latitude to investigate issues pertaining to building approval, soil testing and materials used in the construction of the collapsed building,” he added.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Senate President, Senator David Mark, Thursday expressed shock over an allegation by Senator Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central), that he called for the postponement of the 2015 general election, describing it “as an undignifying mischief least expected of a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Ojudu had alleged in an interview he granted THISDAY in Lagos that Mark had once attempted to sell the dummy for election postponement to senators in a meeting, saying the senate president allegedly flew President Goodluck Jonathan’s kite to remain in office for another two years without conducting elections.
The senator also alleged that the idea was to hide under a section of the constitution which provides for deferment of elections for six months as a result of security crisis, adding that the hope that 2015 elections will be conducted on March 28 and April 11 remains a mirage.
Ojudu, who added that Mark unveiled the agenda after the senators resumed from a summer break, said he (Mark) was forced to beat a retreat on his intention to co-opt senators into the plan when he was confronted over the move.
But Mark in his reaction through a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja yesterday, said he was shocked and disappointed by the allegation, saying he never held any meeting with Ojudu or any other senator where any issue on deferment of elections was raised.
While accusing Ojudu of attempting to ridicule his fellow senators by the allegation and consequently drag the Senate into public disrepute, Mark said he never at any given time suggested the postponement of elections.
According to him, these are desperate times for politicians and Ojudu must have cooked up the story in pursuit of his alleged clandestine intentions, saying he was still at a loss over the factor that could have prompted the senator to descend so low to the level of blackmail and mischief.
“I have neither canvassed the postponement or deferment of 2015 elections nor has my body language ever suggested that. I am shocked that distinguished Senator Ojudu could descend to this level of mischief and blackmail for reasons that I am yet to understand.
“How could I call for the deferment of elections whereas I ran for the primary election of my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was elected unopposed. I picked and filled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) forms. I had commenced a rigorous campaign that took me to the length and breadth of my senatorial district where I urged Nigerians to come out and participate in the electoral process. How else could I have shown commitment to the process?
“In no unmistakable terms, when the issue of insurgency came to the floor of the Senate and a distinguished senator introduced the issue of elections, I cautioned that the issue before the Senate had nothing to do with elections and that the issue before us in the Senate was insurgency and terrorism.
“I do hope Ojudu has not embarked on a voyage to re-write history to suit his clandestine intentions. I know these are desperate times for a lot of politicians. But it has not called for this outright mischief. Different political affiliations notwithstanding, we all have a common goal to maintain the sanctity of our peace and unity.
“If Ojudu feels strongly about any issue, he had the opportunity to make his point before his colleagues and certainly not grandstanding in the media arena. I have always maintained that elections should hold on schedule. I also believe that the right thing should be done. This is not personal but in the collective interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. The country is bigger than any of us. Our unity must be held sacrosanct,” Mark submitted.
Meanwhile, Ojudu yesterday clarified that Mark only said election should not be Nigeria’s priority in a speech he gave after the 2014 summer break. In a statement he signed, Ojudu said the senate president did not specifically asked the senators to support the election deferment of 2015 elections, though explained what should be Nigeria’s priority rather than elections.
The statement said: “What I said was that when we came back from last year’s summer break, the senate president gave a speech where he said that left to him, the defeat of Boko Haram should be the nation’s priority now and not an election.
“I said from that moment on I began to feel that the elections as fixed for February may not hold since the nation may not have overcome Boko Haram by then,” the statement said.
Medical Student Wins 2015 Photo Contest
A 400-level medical student of Abia State University, Uturu, currently undergoing clinical studies at Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Chioma Nwanyichukwu Maduagwu, has emerged the winner of the maiden Proudly Adamazi 2015 online Photo Contest. She beat 31 other contestants to clinch the crown as well as the $1000 cash prize in a heated contest that trended enthusiastically for several weeks on facebook and other social media.
An ex-student of the Federal Government College, Okigwe, Chioma’s alluring traditional costume, matching accessories and delectable dancer’s gait gave the photograph she submitted for the competition a winning edge. All the five judges unanimously choose her photograph as the winning entry.
Organised by Arondizuogu Heritage Foundation, a non profit organisation dedicated to the rekindling of Igbo culture, the Proudly Adamazi Photo Contest is aimed at promoting Igbo cultural heritage from an Arondizuogu perspective. The 2015 contest is the maiden edition and many prospective contestants are already gearing up for the 2016 Contest.
Other contestants that emerged in the contest included Chioma Nwokeji (first runner up). Two contestants, Princess Charity Kanu and Faith Chinwe Ijita tied for the position of the second runner up; while Adaeze Felix Nkaru emerged as the third runner up.
Formal presentation of prizes and certificates of participation to the contestants is scheduled to take place during the 2015 Ikeji Festival. Highlights of the event shall include the unveiling of Heritage Magazine, a bi-annual magazine of culture and tourism, the 2015 Proudly Adamazi Calendar as well as “My Vision for Arondizuogu – A Collection of Essays,” written by the contestants as part of entry requirements for the Photo Contest. A tour of places of interest and visits to selected dignitaries are being planned to precede the event proper.
A statement signed by the Director-General of Arondizuogu Heritage Foundation, Mr. Uche Ohia, stated that efforts were being made to make the maiden prize presentation and related events memorable.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
National Leader of the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of plotting to kill him, saying that Nigerians and the world should hold the President responsible should anything happen to him.
Tinubu who raised the alarm while reacting to the deployment of soldiers to keep vigil at his Bourdillon road Ikoyi residence said the soldiers were deployed to target him.
the ‘Unknown Soldier’ is too recent in our memory,” his media office said in a statement.
“This morning, Tuesday, two vans from the army were stationed on both sides of the house along Bourdillon road, their missions shrouded in secrecy. They stationed about 500 metres away from Tinubu’s gate. Later, they moved close to his gate as if they wanted to enter the premises. The stern-looking soldiers were around for hours on Sunday and returned on Monday to continue their surveillance.”
The former Lagos governor said he would not be intimidated by “this show of strength, intimidation and possible harassment”, adding “I remain resolute in my advocacy and support for the rule of law.”
“Jonathan’s government has through the service chiefs staged a coup against Nigerians and the constitution and now wants to silence his critics. I will not be muzzled through the barrel of the gun. The guns and bullets they should use to defeat Boko Haram are now being turned against the opposition and innocent Nigerians”, he stressed.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
A group, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room), has disagreed with President Goodluck Jonathan on his claim that he possessed the power to sack the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega and other commissioners of the electoral body. The group at a press conference in Abuja warned that the president risked throwing the nation into anarchy should he take such a step.
It said much as the president was empowered under the Constitution to nominate people as INEC’s chairman and commissioners for confirmation by the Senate, he lacked the power to either sack or compel occupants of such offices to proceed on pre-retirement leave.
The president had last Wednesday, during a media chat, said that having appointed Jega and other INEC commissioners, he possessed the powers to fire them should he feel displeased with their conduct.
The group, comprising lawyers and civil rights activists also cautioned against a further shift in the election timetable.
It noted that any alteration in the schedule of the general election could result in an unprecedented constitutional crisis that might consume the country. At a press conference Thursday, the group appealed to members of the National Assembly, the judiciary, other stakeholders in the electoral process and the international community to prevail on the Nigerian authorities to ensure that elections were held as scheduled.
It regretted the impact of the postponement of election on the people, noting that since the postponement was announced, “Nigeria has been in a state of suspended animation,” with effects on the economy, politics, the society and the collective state of the people’s emotional and psychological well-being.
The group’s spokesman, Clement Nwankwo, argued the INEC, not being a civil service institution, was not subject to both the civil service rules and the control of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. He said being a public service institution, created by the constitution, INEC, was not subject to the control or direction of any person or authority in the performance of its responsibilities.
Nwankwo, a lawyer and Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (a member organisation of the Situation Room) said: “The Constitution (Section 157) is very clear on the appointment of the Chairman and members of INEC. The president makes the nomination, he sends it to the Senate and the Senate votes to confirm it. Once a nominee is confirmed by the Senate, the person remains in office until the last date, amounting to five years of his tenure.
“Such a person can only be removed by the Senate, voting on a two-third majority. Outside of that, the President has absolutely no powers to suspend, to ask a commissioner or Chairman to proceed on a pre-retirement leave, or to remove them under any circumstance. Any purported removal would be a constitutional violation for which the president could be impeached.
“Apart from the constitutional question, the president, for the integrity of the electoral process, should be quite wary about what he says. It is important that the President realises that INEC is a special body because of the special nature of its activities. And, the President is now a party in the electoral contest. So, he should be wary about the kind of things he says concerning the umpire in the election in which he is a participant.
“I am quite surprised that the President would say such things. It raises questions about the understanding, in government circle, about the special role of INEC,” he said. Nwankwo, who expressed concern over the negative implication of a further shift in election dates, noted that “of all threats, the most critical at this moment, is the crisis of legitimacy.
“Sections 132(2) and 178(2) of the Constitution clearly states that an election shall be held ‘not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.’ As such, elections cannot happen later than April 29 2015.Therefore, the election dates of March 28 and April 11, 2015 cannot be moved,” Nwankwo said.
Section 157(1) of the Constitution states that: “Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, a person holding any of the offices to which this section applies may only be removed from that office by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct.
Sub-section 2 says: “This section applies to the offices of the Chairman and members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), the INEC, the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), the Federal Character Commission, the Nigeria Police Council (NPC), the National Population Commission (NPC), the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Police Service Commission (PSC).”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness (CISA) has warned Nigerians against the antics of some hostile foreign powers currently masquerading as friends on the issue of postponement of 2015 general election.
At a press conference organised by I-Nigerian Initiative in Abuja, the civil society group expressed its disappointment at the postponement of the polls after much mobilisation by its members and political parties but insisted “the six weeks is not six months, more so, when we have received continuous assurances from both the NSA and President Jonathan that the May 29 date for inauguration of a new government is sacrosanct.”
National Coordinator of CISA, Chidi Omeje, said despite the disappointment however, “we believe, without equivocation, that the intervention and position of the National Security Adviser and the relevant security agencies on this issue was guided by altruism and the larger interest of the nation and not in any way for partisan considerations.
Omeje reminded Nigerians that regardless of whichever political party they support, “we know where our shoe pinches us”, and so we should be wary of insincere advice by those who had predicted the disintegration of the country.
“For several years after the commencement of our counter-insurgency operations, we approached some western nations for the supply of arms and ammunitions to contain Boko Haram terrorists.
Rather than offer us the much needed effective support by way of selling necessary equipment to us, they bluntly refused and even went further to veto decisions by other friendly countries to sell weapons to us, citing some vague claims of human right abuse by our troops”, insisting that “this is clearly in a bid to frustrate our efforts and to denigrate our sovereignty.”
He noted that patriotic Nigerians must never be silent in the face of glaring supremacist interference in our internal affairs by the Western interlopers, who turned their back to us in our time of great distress but are now quick to grandstand and pontificate over our election dates.
He noted that the present momentum in the counter-terrorist operation occasioned by a reinvigorated Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), involving Nigerian military and her counterparts from Chad, Cameroun and Niger Republic which is rapidly yielding positive results.
“It was based on this imperative that the military is of the opinion that providing full support to the electoral process at the moment will greatly affect the terms, spirit and tempo of the new collaboration. The belief is that between now and the coming weeks will be very crucial in the renewed fight against terror by the reinvigorated Multi National Joint Task Force which Nigeria is coordinating and that any distraction or diversion at this critical moment will be counter-productive as we move to reverse the situation in the northeast.
“The position of the military is definitely in the larger interest of our national security and never for any political expediency or ulterior consideration as is being bandied about by some politicians and in the social network platforms. “We therefore advised fellow Nigerians to insulate the military from partisan politics and rather have confidence in its neutrality and sense of patriotism.”
Omeje also urged politicians not to crucify the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, who he said “is not known for any penchant for frivolity or undue partisanship in matters of national importance.
“We must also admit that his office is privileged to have security information that ordinary citizens do not have, we have no doubt in our minds that his advice to INEC on the need to postpone the elections stemmed from a vantage position of knowledge,” he declared.
Omeje observed that with Nigerians anticipating an election that will not only be free and fair but which must also be credible, “a situation whereby close to 30 per cent of potential voters had not collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) is hardly one that could produce a result that will be respected by all. “INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, was also quoted to have admitted that if given more time, the commission would do a better job; this is in recognition or admission of apparent non-readiness of the commission.
“Card readers were still being imported, while ad-hoc staff were yet to be trained for an election that was just seven days away. Will it not have been a monumental embarrassment for INEC if it had gone ahead to conduct the elections with such a poor level of preparation?”
The group’s coordinator then expressed appreciation to the gallant military which apart from its primary constitutional role of defending the country from external aggression and internal insurrection also has the added responsibility of providing support in aid of civil authority in times of national security emergencies such as providing complementary security arrangement to protect our electoral process.
“It is on record that our Armed Forces have successfully lived up to this constitutional provision during the conduct of past elections without equivocation.
“We all know that our troops are currently engaged in a very serious and frantic national assignment,” he said.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The recent shift in the dates of the general election will cost the European Union (EU) Election Observer Mission (EOM) in Nigeria 1.8 million Euros (about N435 million) in additional expenses, the mission’s head, Mr. Santiago Fisas has said.
Fisas made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja at a session with journalists. He said the shift in date had shot the mission’s budget from 4.4 million Euros to 6.2 million Euros.
He said the EU election observer mission decided to stay back in Nigeria even when other missions pulled out.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega, had Saturday night announced a shift of the presidential election from February 14 to March 28.
The governorship election, said the INEC chairman, was shifted from February 28 to April 11.
Fisas said the EU mission needed an additional 1.8 million Euros to keep 95 observers in Nigeria for the period.
The financial implication aside, the EU election monitoring chief said the change in date had affected their official and social calendars.
Flanked by deputy chief observer Hannah Roberts and other observers, Fisas, however said there was nothing wrong with the shift so long as it conformed with the Nigerian Constitution.
He, however, was quick to highlight the importance of sticking with the election calendar.
“It is good for people to vote according to the date fixed for the election. There is nothing wrong with changing the date so long as it falls within the time permitted by the constitution,” said the observer mission chief.
According to Fisas, Nigeria’s position as the most populous country in Africa, and the largest economy in the continent, made the election “very important to the EU.”
He described his two meetings with the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and his meetings with Jega, APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders as “very interesting.”
He explained that the EU mission was not interested in who emerged winner or loser in the election, saying his mission, though funded by the EU, is not tied to the political interests of EU member nations.
On his recent disclosure that his mission would not send observers to the troubled North-east, Fisas said the EU election mission had taken the same position in the last election in Niger Republic when Al-Qeada terrorists controlled northern parts of the country.
Meanwhile, the authorities of Nigeria Police hav again re-affirmed its preparedness to ensure an enabling environment for a successful 2015 general election.
The re-assurance came from the Inspector-General of Police (IG) Suleiman Abba, when he played host to the EU delegation led by Fisas.
The police boss maintained that the Force would utilise the six weeks extension in election date announced by INEC to advance its strategies and material requirement.
Fisas saluted the high level of professionalism of the Nigeria Police and urged it to provide a secured environment for a successful general election.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
A former Minister of State for Defence and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has described the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations against the Boko Haram sect as a strange war without boundaries.
Obanikoro stated this on Thursday during the presentation of materials to the military by the Support Our Troops Foundation at the Nigerian Army Garrison headquarters, Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja.
He said for the first time in its history, the country was struggling with war because of its unconventional nature, but assured Nigerians that the war must be overcome.
Obanikoro further assured the people that vital lessons were being learned from the ongoing war against terror that would be helpful on how the country tackles its security challenges in the future.
“Yes we are, it not a conventional war, it is a war that is strange to us, and it is a war that the boundary is not drawn. It is a war that for the first time in the history of our nation, we had to struggle and learn from it with a view to putting it behind us.
“Beyond the fact that we are at war, I know pretty well that we are equally engaged in other security activities in this country and beyond,” he said.
Speaking further, the former High Commissioner to Ghana noted that it was the second time that he has been called upon to participate in the distribution of materials for the troops and their families.
According to him, “We are indeed very proud of your records and what you are doing for us as a nation today. The essence of this initiative is to encourage you, strengthen you, and to let you know that you are not alone.
“For our society; it is a way of introducing a culture of showing respect, recognition and identifying with our military men and women. I don’t know of any service that can give to a nation other than being willing to pay the supreme sacrifice in the service to humanity and the nation.
“I salute you; I salute your courage and this is my own way of identifying with what you are doing…
“This effort, to me, is very laudable, and particularly when you have a section of our society that is doing everything humanly possible to reduce or discredit the activities of our men and women in uniform, for me the only thing for all of us is to identify with you openly and also privately.”
According to Obanikoro, the military needs all the encouragement in the world to perform at their best and to perform optimally, as anything short of that is unacceptable.
He further advised that “even when eventually we are able to conquer the activities of terrorists within our boundaries, this effort must continue.
“I make bold to say that any where you see our military men you feel more comfortable because they are men and women who you can bank on anywhere in the world.”
Earlier, the Commandant of the Garrison Maj-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, commended the support group, saying: “It’s a unique and kind gesture to give so much back to the Nigerian army in recognition of the enormous sacrifices of our officers and soldiers in the operations of our soldiers in the North-east region.
“There is no doubt in our minds that this very kind gesture is appreciated by the officers and soldiers, and that it will go a long way to boost the morale of our soldiers who are out there in the North-east.”
The commandant expressed hope that other citizens of Nigeria will tow the line and appreciate the efforts and enormous sacrifices being made by the officers and soldiers out there in the field.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Stop Impunity Nigeria (S.I.N) Campaign has expressed concern over reports of an imminent federal government clampdown on the media, warning that such a move would put the democratic process and the forthcoming general election in jeopardy.
In a statement signed by Mr. Edetaen Ojo of the Media Rights Agenda, the organisation said it was reacting to media reports of a military meeting held in Kaduna on Tuesday where a plan to clampdown on some media organisations perceived to be unfriendly towards the federal government and too critical was allegedly hatched.
The media organisations reportedly penned down for government action, including the arrest of their top management personnel, include: The Punch newspaper, The Nation newspaper, and Channels Television.
The campaign said it was worried about what it called “the federal government’s increasing intolerance of any criticism of its actions or policies” which had resulted in a clear pattern of branding anyone expressing such criticism as an enemy.
It also expressed concern over the excessive militarisation of the country, creating a climate of fear and tension.
The S.I.N Campaign Coordinator, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said: “It is a sad development that the federal government now considers anyone or group critical of its action as an enemy of state that must be silenced by any means. This is completely antithetical to the culture of multi-party democracy, where the media features robust public debates and even virulent criticisms of government policies and actions, most of which are expressed through the media.”
He noted that as vehicles and platforms for democratic debates and the expression of competing ideas, any repression of the media would constitute a direct attack on the democratic process and would automatically rob the electoral process of one of its most enduring characteristics.
The campaign reminded the federal government that the media have been tasked by the Nigerian Constitution with holding the “government accountable to the people” and that the government should not become an impediment to the media’s ability and freedom to play this role.
It called on all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the government to abandon the plot as it would further damage Nigeria’s image and credibility before the international community.
Owasanoye said: “Whatever happens, this government must not interfere with the independence of the media or its operations; the media must be given a free hand to operate in an atmosphere devoid of fear and intimidation.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, AIG Mbu Joseph Mbu, Thursday ordered his men to shoot any electoral offenders who first shoot at his men, as a means of self-defence during the general election.
Mbu who was visited the state Command, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, while lecturing the policemen on the general election, said,
“That’s why I said don’t touch my policemen. If you shoot my policeman, I will shoot twenty of you, I will shoot a hundred of you because we are coming to you for peace. We are not coming to you to come and kill you.”
He said “anybody who fires at you, fire him back in self-defence. Anybody who fires at you, fire him back in self-defence but don’t fire first. Anybody you see who is firing at other persons, fire him because you are trying to protect that other person because the law permits you. You are empowered to stop that person from causing harm to the other person.”
Speaking further, he said, “It is clearly stated in the constitution that there shall be a Nigeria Police Force for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. There is no other police force. The military can come to us in aid of civil authority. We are the civil authority because we are supposed to deal with harmless civilians. So, we are the civil authorities.”
He therefore said he was in Abeokuta to restore hope in all the policemen and to blow air in them, saying, “You know when you just have a male child, you blow air into his mouth and nose so that he can be like you.”
He said, “I love Nigeria Police, I love being a police officer and I’m very proud to be a police officer because only a police officer can do every other job and no other person can do a police job.”
He said “In aid of civil authorities, we are the one in charge of apprehending offenders before, during or after elections. Every other person that is coming is only coming to help us.
“We are the authority, we are the leading agency. So, you are a leading agency and you must take charge of wherever you are posted.”
He added: “Our duty is to make sure that the elections are conducted freely, fairly, peacefully and violence-free.”
“This is a turning point in the history of the Nigeria Police where two very powerful political parties contesting keenly. So, we have to be very serious. “We have to be very bold. We have to be very brave. You must remain at your duty post. You must make sure you keep an eagle eye on everybody coming there.
“You must make sure that whatever is in the Electoral Act, whatever is against the Electoral Act, you are there to stop it. You are not there to start greeting honourable or oga how are you, no.
“He said anybody who comes to the polling unit with an entourage of vehicles, you arrest them immediately, saying, “even if the governor comes there with an entourage and with policemen by his side to come and intimidate people, call your senior officers to arrest them whenever they misbehave.”
He added, “Anybody who comes there with people jumping down, don’t be intimidated. Stop them, even if he’s the governor, you have the power to say stop there and he stops there. Your excellency, I don’t like your conduct. The you call your senior officers around.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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