Tragedy as terrorists on Tuesday afternoon reportedly killed six people and injured six others during an attack on Ruwangodiya, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to residents, the terrorists stormed the town around 1.30 pm and started shooting indiscriminately.
Residents who prefer anonymity added that terrorists were in the town to rustle domestic animals.
It was further learned that those killed and injured were hit by the terrorists’ bullets during the sporadic shooting.
The terrorists were also said to have succeeded in rustling some domestic animals.
The spokesman for the state Police Command, Gambo Isah, confirmed the incident.
He said, “It is true. The terrorists struck around 1.30 pm and killed six people while six people were injured. Those injured have been evacuated to hospitals for treatment. Our operatives are already on ground there.”
Facts have emerged on the reason Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, denied supporters of Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, access to Arewa House, which they duly paid for.
The action may not be unconnected with Obi’s restriction of el-Rufai’s movement during a governorship election in Anambra State close to a decade ago.
However, the Peter Obi Support Network (POSN) condemned el-Rufai’s decision, less than 24 hours after the Northern Summit in support of Obi-Datti.
Arewa House was earlier promoted as the venue for the event, but the governor allegedly put a spanner in the works.
In a press statement signed by its spokesman, Sani Altukry, POSN noted that El Rufai, through his spokesperson, reportedly called the Manager of Arewa House to notify POSN spokesman of the unavailability of the venue for the Peter-Datti Northern Summit.
While regretting that the governor failed to give any reason for turning down the group’s widely advertised use of the venue, Altukry explained: “The summit is not a political campaign of any sort, but a convergence of volunteers, would-be volunteers and supporters of the Obi-Datti project for necessary interaction and cross-fertilisation of ideas.”
He stated that the event was initially billed to hold on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at the Arewa House, Raba Road, Kaduna, before the governor issued a directive cancelling the use of the venue after POSN had paid the necessary fees for its use.
The statement reads: “We condemn the decision of El-Rufai to block the hosting of the Northern Summit for Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the LP presidential candidate and his running mate at the Arewa House in the state.
“The decision of the governor is disheartening at the critical point in time when Northern Nigerians are desperate for development and liberation from poverty due to maladministration.”
According to Altukry, the Obi-Datti movement represents all oppressed Nigerians and everyone that desires good governance, asserting that it was evident that the Kaduna governor “is intimidated by Obi’s rising profile across the length and breadth of the country.”
However, a Kaduna Government source said “all is fair in love and war,” recalling how, in 2013 during the Anambra governorship poll, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) confined El-Rufai to his hotel room, reportedly on Obi’s orders.
He stated: “The table has turned. Nine years ago, Mallam (El-Rufai) was kept at Finotel in Awka against his will when he arrived Anambra to monitor the election in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Chris Ngige was contesting.
“So, this time around, we are protecting the place and the organisers against any breakdown of the law. If anything happens to the attendees or the premises, the Kaduna State government would be held responsible. As a responsible Chief Security Officer of the state the governor decided on that measure. I did not say you should quote me.”
The programme had been moved to an alternative venue housing one of the labour unions in the state.
Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola may engage no fewer than 50 lawyers, including senior advocates, to challenge the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Ademola Adeleke, in last Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
A member of the governor’s legal team, Kunle Adegoke, gave this indication in an interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday just as the PDP and the governor-elect warned the Independent National Electoral Commission against allowing the All Progressives Congress to tamper with election materials.
The governor’s legal team has been sifting through the election results in preparation for taking serious legal action against the declaration of Adeleke as the governor-elect by the INEC.
The electoral body had on Sunday declared Adeleke the winner of the governorship election in the state. The Returning Officer for the election and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said Adeleke got a total of 403,371 votes to beat the incumbent APC governor, who polled 375,027 votes and 13 other candidates in the keenly contested race.
Oyetola won in 13 local government areas of the state to come second in the election.
Before his electoral loss, Oyetola, had 2018 defeated Adeleke after a run-off, with the support of his predecessor, and now Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and former Lagos state governor and now, APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
After his opponent was declared the winner, the governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismaila Omipidan, told his supporters to remain calm, noting that he would respond after studying the results.
He stated, “Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has taken cognisance of the results of the governorship election in the state as announced by INEC on Sunday.
“He, however, noted that the party would be responding appropriately after studying the results and consulting with critical stakeholders of the party.”
A member of Oyetola’s legal team, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), said on Tuesday that they were still reviewing the results declared by INEC.
He said, “We are still reviewing documents and the legal team is actually working. In an election of this nature, the documents will be so many; so it is important to look at them critically before we make a decision and that is exactly what we are working on right now.
“Dr Biodun Layonu (SAN), is the leader of the team. The legal team is not complete yet because there are so many others that will still come in.
“In the meantime, the two members of the legal team we can reveal are Dr Biodum Layonu and Kunle Adegoke. Others that may come in are people we may not know but as soon as we are ready to move, we will notify the press.
“The membership can’t be determined as many lawyers are interested in joining the team. You know election petition is a special case. So, we allow as many lawyers that are interested to come in. We may run into 50 or more members.”
Senate Chief Whip and Senator representing Abia North Senator, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, says the Labour Party presidential candidate has uncommon wisdom.
The former Governor of Abia State stated this in a post on his official social media handles while congratulating Obi on his 61st birthday.
Obi who was born on July 19, 1961, will clock 61 years on Tuesday (today). العاب تربح مال حقيقي
Senator Kalu, in the felicitation post, wished Obi good health and peace of mind. كازينو البحرين
The post reads, “I wish my dear brother and Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi a very happy birthday.
“You have exhibited uncommon wisdom, remarkable vision, and exemplary leadership. I wish you peace, good health, and happiness. العاب وجوائز مالية حقيقية Congratulations and happy birthday!”
In an effort to alleviate their challenges following flood disaster that ravaged their community, the APC House of Representatives candidate, Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia, Chief Dan Okeke has distributed relief materials to the people of Nkporo in Ohafia local government area of the state.
The Ututu Arochukwu born business mogul and Chairman Express Concerns Int’l Ltd, Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites Danag distributed items such as bags of rice, cartons noodles and cash to the flood victims.
The items were distributed through his non-governmental organisation, Mezie Abia Mandate.
In a release by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Oti Maduabuchi Orieji, Chief Dr. Daniel Okeke who was represented by High Chief Stephen Kalu Nwankwo (Nnanyere Ugo) told the flood victims that the palliative was not a compensation but a relief materials in the form of food items as well as cash.
Chief Stephen Kalu Nwankwo further sympathized with the victims, prayed God to prevent future occurance, adding that Chief Dr. Daniel Chimezie Okeke will continue to come to the aid of the people of the constituency who are in distress.
The release read in part, “Hon. Ojisi Iro Ugbaja (Abacha) who is the Coordinator Mezie Abia Mandate Nkporo Chapter advised them to properly utilize the items provided while thanking Chief Dr. Daniel Okeke for the support and encouragement which he said will go a long way in bringing succor to the victims.
“In his remark, Abacha Recalled, that Chief Daniel Okeke shared Hundreds of bags of rice with people during the Covid-19 pandemic and has helped many people without hesitation. “Indeed Chief Daniel Okeke is a man with high pedigree and has proved to us that wealth are meant for service, through his humility and kindness. I have never seen a man with such financial constraints still mingle with the poor and riches. Indeed, he is a blessing to our constituency and Abia state in totality.”
“Responding on behalf of their respective communities, Chief Engr. Kalu Akuma Uko and Eze Ogo Mba Kalu expressed appreciation to Chief Dr. Daniel Okeke for his kind gesture which they said will greatly assist the victims and prayed for God to continually to bless MEZIE ABIA with his heart desires and cause the light of his countenance to shine in his life and be gracious to him.”
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, has described the gruesome murder of Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum by terrorists as a dangerous terrain for Christian leaders.
ABN TV recalls that Fr. John Mark was abducted from the rectory of Christ the King Parish YadinGaru, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was brutally killed by his abductors on the same day of his abduction, Friday, 15 July, 2022. لعبه بلاك جاك
Rev. John Joseph Hayab, CAN state chairman in Kaduna expressed sadness while reacting to the killing of one of the priests, Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum, who until his death, was the CAN Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Area of the state, as well as coordinator of CAN in Southern Kaduna.
According to Rev. Hayab, “Kaduna State is a dangerous place to travel through and not safe, particularly for Christian leaders.”
Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, in a statement issued by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, confirmed the murder of Very Rev. العب بلاك جاك اون لاين Fr. John Mark Cheitnum.
The statement announced that Rev. كازينو العرب 888 Fr. Donatus Cleophas, who was also kidnapped by the terrorists, escaped from their abductors.
The statement explained, “Sequel to the announcement of the two kidnapped priests from our diocese, we wish to announce that Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleophas escaped from his abductors and has reunited with us.”
It added, “However, it is with a deep sense of sorrow and pains that the bishop, clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Kafanchan announced the gruesome murder of Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum.”
According to the statement titled, “Re: Kidnapped priests of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan”, the statement further explained that his corpse was later discovered decomposing on Tuesday, July 15, 2022.
It explained that until his demise, he was the CAN Chairman, Jama’a LGA as well as the Coordinating Chairman of CAN, Southern Kaduna, stressing that Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum was the Dean of Kwoi Deanery, Director of Communications in the Diocese of Kafanchan and the Pastor of St. James Parish Fori, Jama’a local government area of Kaduna State.
The Diocese has, however, declared two-day mourning for peaceful repose of his soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
Five officials of Traffic and Indiscipline Management Agency of Abia State (TIMAAS) have appeared before the state Magistrate Court, sitting in Aba North Magisterial district over allegations bordering on acts occasioning harm.
The officials were alleged to have pushed 17-year-old Miss Kelly down from a moving vehicle around Brass Junction in Aba.
The case with the suit number MAE/78/2022, is between the state Commisisoner of Police, CP Janet Agbede and Onwuhara Victor and four others.
The teenage girl who sustained serious bodily injuries as a result of the incident and was admitted at the police clinic, Aba where she received medical attention for one week.
She was later transferred to a local orthopedic hospital where she is presently being treated for bone fracture as a result of the unguarded actions of the overzealous TIMAAS officials.
When the charges were read on the first hearing date, the officials pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, S. E. Elekeson granted the five accused persons bail in the sun of N2.5m with one Surety, which is the GM of TIMAAS, Bright Chinedum Ikeokwu who the court ordered to deposit two of his passport photographs.
In granting the bail, Elekeson said he was guided by what the defence counsel told the court that on or before the next adjourned date, his client, Ikeokwu promised to take care of the expenses incurred by the parents of the victim.
The Magistrate warned that bail may be revoked if the said Surety failed to fulfill his promise to take care of the said expenses made so far by the parents of the 1st nominal complainant.
However, on the adjourned date, yesterday for report of out of court settlement, the second nominal complainant, Joyce Egbusinwa, who is the mother of the victim, told the court the matter was not settled out of court.
She said she was not approached by the accused persons or their counsel for any out of court settlement.
In his ruling, the Magistrate frowned at the attitude of the accused persons over the out of court settlement agreement and reminded them they were granted bail in the first place because of the agreement.
The Magistrate gave parties to the matter one week to settle out of court, warning that failure, the court would proceed with the matter proper.
He adjourned the case to July 27, for report of the out of court settlement and ordered that the agency’s vehicle impounded by the police, should remain in their custody until the next adjourned date.
Following the prolonged industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, to proffer a solution to the challenge and report back to him in two weeks.
Sources in the Presidential Villa said the President gave the directive on Tuesday during a meeting with relevant government Ministries, Agencies, and Departments (MDAs) where he received briefings on the current face-off with the university unions since February 14, among other issues.
Although it is not unusual for the President to hold briefings with the ministers, it was gathered that President Buhari placed a high premium on the issue of resolving the lingering ASUU strike.
Besides the directive to the education minister, the President instructed that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, must be in attendance in all the meetings to speedily resolve the crisis.
Those present at the meeting include Adamu, Ngige, and Mustapha, as well as the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; the Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan; the Chairman of National Salaries Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta; and the Director-General Budget Office, Ben Akabueze.
President Buhari’s directive comes a week after he told the striking university lecturers that ‘enough is enough’ and should as a matter of responsibility reconsider their position on the prolonged strike with a view to calling it off.
ASUU commenced a nationwide strike on February 14 over the adoption of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) of the government as the payment system in the university sector.
Members had also decried the poor funding of universities, non-payment of salaries and allowances of some of their colleagues, as well as the inability of the government to pay earned academic allowance to lecturers, among other issues.
Since the industrial action began, several negotiations between the union and the government have ended in deadlock.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim youths have rejected the choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as the running mate to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming presidential election.
They want Tinubu to replace the former governor of Borno with a Christian political leader or cleric from the North without any delay to enhance the party’s fortunes ahead of the polls.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday evening, the leader of the group, Abdullahi Saleh, said they were vehement and total in the rejection of against a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
According to him, while it must be stated that Asiwaju reserves the right to make decisions regarding his choice of running mate, such decisions must not be made against the collective sensibilities of the people.
He said, “As concerned stakeholders of the APC in the 19 Northern States in the country, we find it worrisome that such a decision could be taken without recourse to its implication on the electoral chances of the party and the attendant uproar such a decision could bring about in the country.
“It is also worrisome that of all the country’s political parties, only the APC presented a Muslim-Muslim ticket. In our opinion, this is insensitive and a gross display of a lack of respect for our Christian brothers and sisters.
“This is on the heels that the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a Muslim from South West Nigeria, and picking another Muslim from the northern part of the country as his running mate is politically and morally indefensible.
“We hold the firm conviction that such a move can boomerang with unpleasant consequences for the APC at the general elections, hence the need for the party’s leadership to make haste to correct this error of judgment,” he added.
Saleh explained that in Northern Nigeria, there are credible candidates with rich credentials and with massive grassroots following that can complement the presidential ticket of the APC in the presidential elections.
“As such, the 19 APC states Northern Muslims Forum sees the selection of Senator Kashim Shettima as an aberration that should be corrected with immediate effect by the relevant authorities within the party.
“The implication of non-action in this regard can only be imagined, so much so that the majority of the eligible voters in Northern Nigeria have elected to boycott the APC in protest of the disrespect and disregard to Northern Christians, whose population and relevance in the scheme of things in the region cannot be overemphasized.
“As a group, we wish to state unequivocally that we reject the choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as the vice presidential candidate of the APC.
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“This decision is hinged on the need to ensure a balance in the presidential ticket of the APC, as it has been since the return of democracy in 1999.
“The APC must respect the religious diversity of the country. We hold the opinion that emphasis must be placed on ensuring a united house before the elections and not a fragmented house,” he added
The youths, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu to replace the vice presidential candidate of the APC with a Christian as the vice presidential candidate of the party.
“If the APC is desirous of recording electoral success in the 2023 presidential elections, it must retrace its steps by selecting a Christian cleric as its vice presidential candidate. The party must not be perceived as promoting a religious agenda by fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“The 19 APC States Northern Muslim Forum condemns such a move in its totality as it is a recipe for the entrenchment of mutual suspicion between the Muslims and the Christians in the country, which won’t augur well for relative peace and tranquillity.
“We consequently say no to a Muslim-Muslim ticket by the APC. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to kindly intervene to save the party from an electoral crisis. We urge Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emulate the example of President Muhammadu Buhari in the choice of his running mate in the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.
“This stance is hinged on the national interest. Our Christian brothers and sisters deserve a place in the scheme of things, and the APC must not be seen as a religiously insensitive party. The time to act is now,” he said
The people of Ebem Ohafia Ancient Kingdom have rolled out warm tributes to Hon. Chief Ibe Okwara Osonwa, Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in...
