Politics

Ranches Commission bill will relocate Fulani herders to states of origin – Barau cries out

Published

1 year ago

June 7, 2024

Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau on Wednesday strongly opposed a bill for an act to establish the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission, which was sponsored by Senator Titus Tartenger Zam, from Benue State.

Barau said the bill, if allowed and passed into law, was targeted at relocating Fulani herders wherever they are to their various states of origin, which will be absolutely difficult as they may not know where they came from.

The concerned lawmaker maintained that the bill was in breach of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, particularly in regard to choice of residence, insisting that nobody should be denied where they chose to live.

Barau stoked heated debate as he expressed rejection, but was the lone voice as other Senators who contributed to the bill welcomed the development.

According to him, he benefited from living in a place that was not his place of origin, hence, Fulani herders in any part of the country should be allowed to live wherever they chose to.

He said: “There is a snag in this bill, there is a problem because you cannot stop any Nigerian from living in any area that he so wishes.

“The relevant section of the constitution has been read. I saw something just a few days ago: Senator Natasha visited a Fulani settlement in her senatorial zone. Those people do not have any home except that place. They have been there for so long. They have been part and parcel of that society.

“Now, to tell them to move to their state of origin, where is their state of origin?

“Now, for us as political leaders, I would like you to look at that. Who is the current Senator of FCT? She is a Yoruba native, but she has won the election here. Nobody told her to return to her state.

“I won my first election in Tarauni Federal Constituency to the House of Representatives in 1999 from Kano Central, but I am from Kano North. Nobody told me to go back to Kano North, so why do we now tell herders to go back to their states of origin?

“My friend Zam understands that this is not in consonance with our constitution; your bill is good. I like this bill, but this aspect should be removed. We should remove it. I advise my friend Senator Zam to stand this bill down for a consultation, for better drafting, so that it goes in consonance with our constitution.

“Mr President, I will tell you some of these Fulanis, if you ask them where their state of origin is, they have even forgotten; they look at themselves as Nigerians.

“We should address the issue to reflect wherever someone is, it’s his place, and he can do his business there. So, Mr President, I advise this bill to be stepped down for further consultation.”

Barau’s spirited effort to shut down the bill failed as majority of the lawmakers okayed the bill when Senate President, Godswill Akpabio put it to voice vote.

The bill having passed second reading was committed to the relevant Committee for public hearing.

Politics

Benue govt declares public holiday ahead of Tinubu’s visit

Published

4 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Benue State Government has declared Wednesday, June 18, 2025, a public holiday to mark the official visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the state.

Ekwutosblog reports that Tinubu had announced that he would cut short his schedule to visit Benue State over the recent attacks on the state.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Serumun Deborah Aber, the President is expected in the state on a one-day condolence visit to commiserate with the government and people of Benue over the recent spate of violent attacks that have led to numerous deaths.

The government stated that the holiday is intended to give citizens the opportunity to receive the president warmly but clarified that the directive excludes workers in essential services, including medical personnel, security agencies, and banking institutions.

“Residents across the state are encouraged to come out in large numbers to welcome the President and his delegation during what has been described as a significant and symbolic visit,” the statement added.

Politics

Natasha: Akpabio’s aide petitions IGP over alleged hacking of account, defamation

Published

12 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Former Delta State Commissioner and Special Adviser on Communications/Strategy to the President of the Senate, Mr. Kenny Okolugbo, has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, calling for an urgent investigation into what he described as a coordinated cyberattack and defamation campaign targeted at destroying his credibility and misleading the public.

In the petition, Okolugbo alleged that his verified social media account on X was hacked and used to publish damaging statements falsely attributed to him.

The fabricated content, he claims, was then amplified by three popular social media influencers, Tunde Ednut (@mazitundeednut), Rufai Oseni (@ruffydfire), and Adeola Fayehun (@adeolafayehun), who, according to him, embellished the post with additional falsehoods, including allegations of phone cloning, voice manipulation, and fictitious meetings in London.

“These allegations are not only untrue but impossible based on verified evidence,” he wrote.

“Most disturbing is that the fabricated post was simultaneously circulated and embellished by these influencers using identical language and coordinated timing, pointing to a syndicated disinformation campaign,” he added.

Okolugbo alleged that the campaign was orchestrated to lend undue credibility to allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan.

He emphasized that the false narratives promoted online were not contained in the original hacked post, showing that it was indeed orchestrated, suggesting deliberate malice and manipulation aimed at tarnishing his public image.

As part of his plea to the Nigeria Police Force, Okolugbo requested the following actions:

“A full-scale investigation into the hacking and impersonation of his verified social media account, citing violations under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015;

“Identification and prosecution of individuals responsible for the forgery, defamation, and spread of malicious content;

“Preservation of all relevant digital evidence from social media platforms and third-party service providers for forensic analysis.”

He noted that the matter was of significant public interest and personal concern, urging the Police Force to act “swiftly and decisively.”

Okolugbo also disclosed that he had enclosed his travel documents showing he has not visited London or anywhere outside Nigeria as alleged this year 2025 and the last time he was in London was 5th November 2024 and had no meetings in London, printouts of the alleged defamatory and manipulated posts to support his claims and provide context for investigators.

The Nigeria Police Force is yet to issue a formal response to the petition as of the time of this report.

Politics

Tinubu Signs Kalu’s Bills Establishing 3 Tertiary Institutions in Abia, Imo into Law

Published

16 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law three bills sponsored by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, establishing Federal College of Education, Bende, Abia State; Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Item Bende, Abia State, and Federal University Okigwe, Imo State.

The institutions aim to provide quality education, research opportunities, and cater to the educational needs of the South East region

Kalu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for signing the bills into law, he urged the people of the South East people to continue supporting the Tinubu-led government, promising more democracy dividends.