Category: News

Amidst ongoing speculation regarding potential efforts by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s camp and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to influence the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), human rights organizations and pro-democracy advocates have issued a stern warning against any interference with the PEPT members.

In an official statement delivered to the press in Abuja, FCT, the Chairman of the South East Zone Campaign for Democracy (CD) and the Executive Director of the Human Rights, Liberty Access, and Peace Defenders’ Foundation (HURIDE) emphasized that neither the presidency nor the APC, along with their associates or accomplices, should make any attempts to compromise or sway the panel members using financial incentives or attractive appointments.

The organizations further stressed that it is imperative that no efforts be made to employ security personnel to infiltrate, intimidate, or manipulate the Judges in order to obtain biased rulings that pervert the course of justice.

Drawing attention to the current critical juncture in Nigeria’s trajectory, the groups cautioned that the nation is in a precarious position, with potential for even the slightest provocation to spark widespread protests that could spiral out of control.

Given this context, the rights groups underscored the responsibility of the Tribunal members to firmly resist any pressures that might lead them to deliver judgments contrary to the nation’s constitution and existing laws.

Highlighting the pivotal role of the judiciary, particularly the five-member Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, the organizations asserted that the fate of the country now rests in their hands.

Consequently, they urged the Tribunal members to maintain the highest standards of integrity, akin to Caesar’s wife, and to uphold their reputation as incorruptible and impartial judges. Dede Uzor, speaking on behalf of the groups, issued this resolute caution.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has pledged the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering assistance to the families of the individuals who tragically lost their lives in the MI-171E Helicopter crash in Niger State on August 14, 2023.

Abubakar said this when he visited Port Harcourt to extend his condolences to the families of the crew members.

While offering his sympathies for the painful loss, Air Marshal Abubakar conveyed that the incident dealt a significant blow to the NAF, necessitating a considerable amount of time for the Service to recover from.

He reassured the grieving families that the NAF would stand unwaveringly by their side, emphasizing that their support would be enduring.

He articulated, “The NAF is committed to standing by you and providing assistance throughout.”

Also, he assured the families that the sacrifices made by their loved ones would hold meaning, as both the NAF community and all citizens of Nigeria would forever remember their valor in sacrificing their lives for the nation’s survival.

During his visit, Air Marshal Abubakar took the opportunity to engage with the officers and personnel of the unit. In these interactions, he conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the unit and expressed gratitude for their dedication and contributions in the ongoing collaborative military operations in the Niger Delta.

He further pledged that the heroic sacrifices of those who lost their lives would not go in vain, asserting that the Nigerian Air Force would take every conceivable measure to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.

It’s essential to recall that on August 14, 2023, a NAF MI-171E Helicopter, which was on a mission for casualty evacuation, crashed in Niger State, resulting in the unfortunate loss of all passengers and four NAF crew members on board. The names of the departed crew members are Flight Lieutenant Adamu Ibrahim, Flight Lieutenant Anthony Duryumus, Lance Corporal Alaribe Daniel, and Lance Corporal Briggs Stephen Peter.

It’s also noteworthy to mention that two NAF Regiment personnel, Corporal Jauro Amos and Lance Corporal Abdulrahman Abubakar, tragically lost their lives as part of the Nigerian Army personnel who were recently ambushed and killed by terrorists in Niger State.

Stakeholders have advocated the adoption of a single currency across Africa, aiming to foster the development and growth of the entire region.

They raised concerns about a deliberate conspiracy being the cause behind the ongoing delays in implementing a single African currency and a unified trade facilitation system.

These perspectives were highlighted during the 2022 National Institute Seminar for the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC), held at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) in Abuja. The seminar, themed “Globalisation and Regional Economic Integration: Implications For Sustainable Development In Africa,” featured various suggestions and discussions.

During the event, the Chairman of the seminar and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abubakar Rasheed, emphasized that the adoption of a single currency across Africa would contribute to the growth, cohesion, and economic advancement of the entire African region. Professor Philip Afaha, representing Professor Rasheed as the deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja, further expressed the view that African countries should be allowed to address their challenges using an approach that aligns with their unique circumstances, free from external interference or the imposition of European solutions.

Professor Rasheed also pointed out that the lack of unity among African countries has been a significant obstacle to development on the continent. He believed that the adoption of a single African currency could play a pivotal role in uniting the nations of Africa.

Another speaker at the seminar, Professor Undenta Undenta, highlighted the ongoing situation in Niger Republic as an example of interference and external interests from European and American powers, which are seeking to exploit the region’s natural resources for their own gain.

Earlier, the director-general of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi said: ” In today’s world, you will agree with me that the landscape of security challenges is rapidly evolving and the dynamism of globalization and regional economic integration play a pivotal role.”

Represented by Bolaji Toke, the director-general, while speaking on the theme of the programme, said, “The topic of the seminar stress at the heart of our collective responsibility as professionals in intelligence, security, law enforcement and regulations. The interconnectivity of our globalised world demands high levels of collaboration by the sharing of information and expertise across the nations.

“In our persuit of safeguarding the interest of our nations and ensuring the safety of our citizens, we are presented with the task of striking a delicate balance between security imperatives and sustainable development goals. At the DSS, we are committed to facing the challenge headon, recognizing that security and economic progressing are intertwined.”

The 16th iteration of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) comprises 86 participants hailing from diverse organizations including DSS, FAAN, NDLEA, Military, Police, EFCC, ICPC, FRSC, NPA, NIMASA, FIRS, NUC, as well as representatives from The Gambia, Niger Republic, Chad, and various others.