Politics
1,000 kidnapped victims released in Katsina
The chairman of Sabuwa Local Government Area in Katsina State, Hon. Faruk Ayatu, has confirmed the release of at least 1,000 individuals who had been kidnapped by bandits.
Speaking to journalists in Funtua on Monday, Ayatu explained that Sabuwa is one of the hardest-hit areas in the state, largely due to its proximity to bandit-infested forests along the borders of Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, and Kebbi states.
While he acknowledged a reduction in attacks due to the state government’s intensified efforts, Ayatu raised concerns about a recent uptick in violence. He attributed the surge to negotiations between bandits and authorities in neighbouring Kaduna State.
“The bandits are now pressuring us to accept negotiations on their terms, threatening further severe attacks if we refuse,” Ayatu said.
The council chairman reiterated the local government’s firm stance against negotiating with criminals, describing such deals as deceptive. “Even if a deal is struck, they will not relinquish their weapons,” he warned.
Ayatu also suggested that bandits harbor resentment toward the residents of Katsina due to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s refusal to engage in talks with them.
He further revealed that of the 1,000 people freed, some were released after ransom payments, while others were freed voluntarily. However, around 70 individuals remain in captivity.
In his statement, Ayatu emphasized that a sustainable peace agreement could only be achieved if all governors in the North-West region collectively agreed to negotiate with the bandits.
He also expressed gratitude to Governor Radda for his dedication to fulfilling campaign promises, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and water supply.
However, security concerns remain high, with many residents urging for continued military operations to combat the escalating banditry in the region.
Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.
Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.
The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.
“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.
“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.
“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?
“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.
Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.
The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.
He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.
Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.
DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.
Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.
“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.
“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”
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