Election Coverage: SERAP Gives Buhari 48 Hours To Withdraw Threat To Shut Down Broadcast Stations

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Election Coverage: SERAP Gives Buhari 48 Hours To Withdraw Threat To Shut Down Broadcast Stations

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “instruct Mr Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to urgently withdraw the ‘last warning’ and threat to revoke the licenses of broadcast stations and shut them down over their coverage of elections and post-election matters.”

The NBC had last week threatened to revoke the licenses of broadcast stations and shut them down “if they continue to allow unpatriotic individuals on their platforms to make utterances that are subversive, hateful, and inciting, and negative conversations particularly in the post-2023 Presidential Election.”

But in a letter dated 11 March, 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said, “The ‘last warning’ and threat by the NBC if not immediately withdrawn would limit freedom of expression and the ability of broadcast stations to cover important issues around the 2023 general elections.”

According to SERAP, “Threatening to shut down and revoke the licences of broadcast stations simply for carrying out their ‘watchdog role’ is clearly incompatible with Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.”

The letter, read in part: “Political expression is a fundamental right. The threat by the NBC creates a significant risk that legitimate expression may be prohibited.”

“Such unlawful prohibition may prevent transparency and dissemination of information on legitimate issues of public interest around the 2023 general elections.”

“We would be grateful if the requested action is taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“The threat may produce a direct impact on the work of broadcast stations in ways that are inconsistent with the right to freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.”

“Your government has a legal responsibility to ensure an environment in which a diverse range of political opinions and ideas around the general elections can be freely and openly expressed and debated.”

“The threat by the NBC is neither necessary nor proportionate, as it would unduly intrude upon Nigerians’ right to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.”

“The use of vague and undefined phrases such as ‘unpatriotic individuals’ ‘subversive, hateful, and inciting utterances, particularly post-election’, as grounds to threaten to shut down broadcast stations is inconsistent and incompatible with human rights requirements.”

“The Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties impose legal obligations on your government to refrain from imposing restrictions which are not consistent with human rights requirements, including on discussion of political and election-related issues.”

“It is also inconsistent with constitutional and international human rights requirements to threaten broadcast stations solely for their coverage of the issues around the general elections on the basis of vague phrases such as ‘unguarded statements, divisive and dangerous comments’, ‘negative conversations’ used by the NBC.”

“The threat may stifle reporting on political and election-related issues, as well as have a deterrent effect on the public’s exercise of their right to freedom of expression on political and election-related issues, in particular issues deemed controversial or critical.”

“The threat also represents a serious hindrance to the exercise of journalism, media diversity and media freedom, and participation.”

 

“This kind of threat to journalism has furthermore serious implications on the public’s right to information, in particular in the context of the general elections where the role of the media is of particular importance.”

 

“SERAP notes that Section 39(1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party protect everyone’s right to maintain an opinion without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers.”

 

“Under the Constitution and these human rights treaties, restrictions on the right to freedom of expression must be ‘provided by law’, and necessary for ‘the rights or reputations of others’ or ‘for the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health and morals’.”

 

“Similarly, the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties provide for the rights of individuals to be protected, inter alia, against unlawful or arbitrary interference, and provide that everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference.”

 

“‘Unlawful’ means that no interference may take place except in cases envisaged by the law which in itself must comply with the requirements of human rights and the rule of law.”

 

“Media coverage of the general elections and post-election matters, and media freedom are closely connected, as access to information is an essential requirement for the realization of the rights to freedom of expression and participation.”

 

“Similarly, phrases such as ‘unguarded statements, divisive and dangerous comments’, ‘negative conversations’ used by the NBC lack sufficient clarity and can be arbitrarily or discriminatorily applied and enforced.”

 

“The ‘last warning’ and threat by the NBC would seem not to meet the strict requirements of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations. In particular, it is unclear the scope or object of what these wordings seek to prohibit.”

 

“Under the constitutional and international requirement of legality, it is not enough that restrictions on freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom are formally stated in press releases and regulations.”

 

“The NBC legislation and codes do not confer unfettered discretion for the restriction of freedom of expression on those charged with their implementation.”

 

“The requirement of legality also serves to define the scope of legal discretion conferred on implementing authorities in order to provide adequate protection against arbitrary implementation.”

 

“General prohibitions on the dissemination of information based on vague and ambiguous ideas, including ‘unguarded statements, divisive and dangerous comments’, ‘negative conversations’ are incompatible with legal requirements and should be immediately withdrawn.”

 

“According to our information, Mall. Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Tuesday 7 March 2023 reportedly made the NBC’s ‘last warning to broadcast stations’. The NBC ‘will not hesitate to shut down any station or revoke its licence once it is convinced that the activities of the station is capable of undermining the peaceful co-existence of the country.’”

 

Court grants Bauchi PDP, NNPP candidates leave to inspect election materials

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Court grants Bauchi PDP, NNPP candidates leave to inspect election materials

The Governorship, National and State House of Assembly Election Tribunal, sitting in Bauchi, on Saturday, granted leave to Garba Dahiru of the PDP, to access sensitive materials used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Feb. 25 NASS election in the state.

Dahiru contested and lost the Bauchi South Senatorial District election to Shehu Umar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as declared by INEC.

A three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, gave the order in Bauchi, following an ex-parte application filed by the candidate and his party.

Those involved in the matter are Shehu Umar and his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as well as INEC.

Earlier, the Lead Counsel to the applicant, Alex Hassan, had prayed the court to compel INEC to allow his client to obtain documents in the Commission’s custody used for the election.

He said the documents would aid his petition against the emergence of APC’s Umar as winner of the election.

In his ruling, Kpochi said that the application had merit and was granted accordingly.

He, therefore, ordered INEC to make available all the election materials used for the conduct of the Bauchi South Senatorial District election to the applicant, his agents and counsel.

“The petitioners are to take certified copies and conduct manual and physical inspection of all the electoral materials used in the conduct of the Bauchi South Senatorial District election held on the 25th February, 2023,” he said.

Meanwhile, the tribunal also granted leave to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate, Mijinyawa Mohammed, to access election materials deployed by INEC for the Bauchi North Senatorial District election.

The petitioner, through his Counsel, Yaldami Gambo, said the order would enable him and his party to inspect all the election materials used by the electoral umpire in preparing their petition.

Also cited as respondent in the matter is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

While granting the order, Justice Wilfred Kpochi said that the application has merit.

He, therefore, granted a leave to the petitioner and his counsel to approach INEC and take certified copies of the election materials used in the Feb. 25 Bauchi North Senatorial District election.

Zamfara Police Rescue 14 Kidnap Victims After 68 Days In Captivity

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Zamfara Police Rescue 14 Kidnap Victims After 68 Days In Captivity

BY SULE TAHIR

Combined efforts of the Zamfara state Police Command’s have rescued 14 kidnap victims after 68 days in captivity.

In a statement issued and signed by the Command’s spokesman Mohammed Shehu said, this was in conjunction with the vigilante, and the victims were freed near Munhaye forest after the officers dislodged a bandits’ camp belonging to kingpin Dogo Sule.

It states this was “As a result of the operation, were fourteen (14) hostages comprising two (2) male adults, seven (7) females, and five (5) children below the ages of 2 years were rescued,” the statement added.

“In the course of press briefing, the victims informed the Police detectives that, on 1st January 2023 at about 23:00hrs, a large number of suspected bandits armed with sophisticated weapons stormed Anguwar Mangoro and Gidan Maidawa villages in Gusau LGA and abducted them to their camp where they spent 68 days in captivity.”

The victims were then taken to the Police Clinic, Gusau for medical treatment and thereafter reunited with their families.

The Commissioner of Police CP Kolo Yusuf, the spokesman added, has congratulated the victims for regaining their freedom. He reassured residents of the state of continuous commitment to protection of lives and property of the citizens.

Kano-Gawuna Urges Supporters To Come Out Enmasse To Vote APC During Gubernatorial Election 

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Kano-Gawuna Urges Supporters To Come Out Enmasse To Vote APC During Gubernatorial Election 
The Deputy Governor of Kano State and APC Governorship Candidate Dr.Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna has called on his paty’s supporters and the Kano people to turn out enmasse and vote for him and other APC candidates during the forthcoming gubernatorial and state assembly election.
According to him…”While we commend you for tenacity and courage, we are also urging you to troop out in large numbers on Saturday 18th march and vote for the APC.”
Gawuna made the call while addressing members of support groups during a meeting,he added that voting the APC is vital for continuation of socio-economic development of Kano State.
He further said by coming out next saturday to vote according to the electoral guidelines,the supporters would be demonstrating effort of consolidating the success achieved by the APC across the country.
” Our supporters should eschew violence and conduct themselves in an orderly manner during the election”
The APC Gubernatorial Flagbearer however noted that with the victory of Alh.Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the recent presidential polls the country is on the path of renewed hope of progress and development.

Gunmen Attack Abuja Estate, Kidnap Nine

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Gunmen Attack Abuja Estate, Kidnap Nine

No fewer than nine residents have been kidnapped by gunmen at the Grow Homes Estate along Kuchibiyi in the Kubuwa area of the Federal Capital Territory.

The gunmen numbering about 20 were said to have stormed the estate around 11:30 pm on Friday.

A resident of the community who identified himself simply as Hassan told our correspondent on the phone that the victims were captured from two separate apartments in the estate.

He added that the incident had caused panic in the community.

He said,” Yesterday, at about 11:30 pm some gunmen in their large numbers came to carry out an operation at Grow homes estate along Kuchibiyi. We heard the sounds of gunshots, there was panic in the entire community as a result of the incident.

“This morning, we went to the estate and we learnt those gunmen were about 20. They moved from one apartment to the other dispossessing their belongings. They also kidnapped at least nine persons including children and women from two apartments in the estate.

“They escaped through the bush which linked the community to Paze village. The police and the estate security have been searching the bush since morning to see if they can rescue the kidnapped residents.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the police in Abuja, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident.

She added the police and the estate security are combing the bushes in the area to ensure the victims are rescued.

Adeh said, “Upon receipt of the distress call, we immediately deployed our men to the scene. The suspects however abruptly suspended their operations and took some victims with them into the bush.

“Operatives of the Police and the estate security are still combing the bushes in the area to ensure they are rescued unhurt.”

She urged residents of the area not to panic, calling on them to help the police with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the assailants.

“We urge the residents to remain calm and assist with useful information that could lead to the swift arrest of these criminals,” Adeh added.

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Source: https://theeagleonline.com.ng/gunmen-attack-abuja-estate-kidnap-nine/

Gov Wikes’s Gift Tears Family Apart As Fight Moves To Port Harcourt High Court

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Gov Wikes’s Gift Tears Family Apart As Fight Moves To Port Harcourt High Court

The Rivers State governor, His Excellency, Chief Barrister NYESOM WIKE, as a general compensation, act of kindness and gratitude for the people of Ogbum-nu-Abali, gave two billion naira to the community. According to him, it was to be shared amongst the families of the community, and to every member of these families, including woman married into these families.

Unfortunately, most of the family heads and their co-conspirators, out of greed, envy, or hate, devised a means to deprive some members of their families from sharing from the gift by disqualifying them as non-members of their family ‘meetings’, which is contrary to the governor’s advice.

However, a case in point is that of the Oro Ada Extended family. Two brothers, Theophilus Achigbule, and Chisom Achigbule, and their wives were deprived from partaking from the gift.

Oro Ada Extended family is headed by Chief NYECHE AMADI. The Oro Ada extended family comprises of the Achigbule, the Amadi, the Chinda, and others. These families make up Oro Ada Extended family. It was gathered that the members of Oro Ada Extended family received more money each compared to other families in Ogbum-nu-Abali. Her male members got between one million five hundred thousand naira to three million naira each, while the women got two million five hundred thousand to four million naira.

According to the brothers, similar injustice was meted out to them years back while part of their so-called meeting members, were after years of contribution with other members, even financially, to sponsor the family legal matter on a land dispute with the people of OGOLOMA, a neighboring family. When judgement went their way, the family shared the land amongst themselves but gave them nothing.

According to these brothers, they believe that their inaction promoted the family to repeat same injustice. Besides, Mr Theophilus Achigbule, said that he visited the chief along with their uncle, Mr. Joel Chukwuemeka Achigbule, a Deeperlife Bible Church pastor, two weeks before the money was shared. According to him, right before his uncle, Chief Nyeche, repeatedly told them that he would share the money between families, where the family heads from Achigbule, CHINDA etc. would receive the money and share amongst the other members of their families, and that it was to avoid conflict of any kind.

The chief also clarified that the issue of being a member of the family association ‘meeting’ is not a barrier, but advised him and his brother to rejoin the association ‘meeting’ thereafter. On the women’s side, whose meeting is headed by one Mrs. Stella Achigbule, cousin to the complainants. She was approached about two weeks before the sharing by Mrs. Ine Benibo Achigbule, one of the complainants, concerning same issue of meeting, but Mrs. Stella Onu Achigbule told her that she would receive nothing because she wasn’t a member of the women’s meeting. when Mrs. Ine Achigbule asked for the requirements for membership, so that she could join, Mrs Stella replied that even if she joined then, she would still share nothing, and that it was the consensus of the members. Finally, Mrs. Ine Benibo Achigbule and Mrs Josephine Achigbule shared nothing. She was totally deprived. As a result of what Mr. Theophilus, Chisom, Ine, and Josephine Achigbule perceived as injustice. They took their complaints to the High Court in Port Harcourt.

The Nigerian Voice reached out to Chief Nyeche Amadi who is the head of Oro Ada Extended family on March 1, 2023 at 15:45 pm to corroborate the story. However, his lawyer, Barrister Temple Amadi called our staff on March 10, 2023 and warned this platform against publishing this story. He did not allow our staff to ask questions but unlike a Nigerian lawyer, dropped off his phone after the warning. We will follow up on the Court proceedings which will soon commence.

INEC Declared Sen Shekarau As Winner, Beware Of Fake News – Chair, APC Kano State Chapter

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INEC Declared Sen Shekarau As Winner, Beware Of Fake News – Chair, APC Kano State Chapter

Press Release On The Kano Central Senatorial District Of Kano State

 

The attention of the All Progressives Congress (A.P.C.) was drawn to the misleading news publication/report widely circulated on several mass media, print and social media platforms alleging that the Supreme Court had declared and returned Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga as the winner of the 2023 General Election for the member of the Senate representing Kano Central Senatorial District of Kano State held on 25th February, 2023, and ordered that a Certificate of Return be issued to him to that effect in place of Senator Ibrahim Shekarau.

The party states that the said report is absolutely false and a misrepresentation of the Judgement of the Supreme Court. The party call on media practitioners to be professional, thorough and verify facts before reporting them so as not to misinform the general public and ridicule the judiciary which is the last hope of the common man.

For the avoidance of doubt and in order to set the record straight as well as properly informing the general public about the clear facts and circumstances, the subject matter of the civil action before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division (Coram: Honourable Justice Z.B. Abubakar) in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1632/2022, N.N.P.P. v. I.N.E.C, which cumulated in the Supreme Court’s decision delivered today, had absolutely nothing to do with the declaration and return of Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga as the winner of the 2023 General Election for the member of the Senate representing Kano Central Senatorial District of Kano State.

Furthermore, and importantly so, neither Senator Ibrahim Shekarau nor Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga were parties to the case which was the subject of the Supreme Court’s Judgement and it is an elementary principle of law that Judgement cannot be delivered in favour of a person who is not a party to a suit or appeal.

Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga who was never a candidate in the just concluded election cannot be declared and returned as the winner of the said election. Doing so, will amount to an affront to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022.

By the law, INEC has already declared Senator Ibrahim Shekarau as the winner of the 2023 General Election and as such cannot make a second declaration and return of another person as the winner of the same election.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, has in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, written to INEC appealing to it to review its decision on the declaration and return of Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, who was not qualified to contest as at the time of the conduct of the election. However, INEC having failed to exercise its powers of review under Section 65 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, despite the appeal from us, the party and its candidate had directed its team of lawyers to approach the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for redress so to reclaim the mandate of the party lawfully entitled to it and its candidate by the majority of the lawful vote cast at the election.

Before the mandate of the party is restored and secured, the party appeal to its teaming members and supporters, to remain calm, peaceful and have faith in the judicial process in Nigeria. We call on them to continue enlightening the public not to cast their vote in favour of NNPP in the next election as just like the case of Senator Ibrahim Shekarau and Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga, the NNPP has no candidate in all the elections as there are pending cases on the issue of NNPP candidates in the 2023 General Elections.

Long live All Progressives Congress (APC), Kano State and Nigeria.

Signed

Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas,

Chairman, APC Kano State Chapter.

Two PDP Chieftains Jailed 3 Years for N142m Elections Bribe Scam

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Two PDP Chieftains Jailed 3 Years for N142m Elections Bribe Scam

Two Chieftains of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bauchi State, Saleh Hussaini Gamawa and Aminu Umar Gadiya, have been convicted by a Federal High Court, Bauchi and sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for offences that bordered on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N142, 460,000.00 (One Hundred and Forty Two Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira). Justice Hassan Dikko convicted the duo on March 2, while ruling on the two count charge brought against the defendants by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The defendants were first arraigned on June 4, 2018 and re-arraigned on October 16, 2018 on a two count charge for allegedly receiving over N142million to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential elections in Bauchi State.

Count one of the charge reads, “That you, Saleh Hussaini Gamawa and Aminu Umar Gadiya, all members of the Finance and Funds Disbursement Committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) 2015 General Elections, and in such capacities sometimes in March, 2015 in Bauchi State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did agree amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit; Conspiracy to accept cash payment exceeding the threshold provided by law, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 16(2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012( as amended) now No.1, 2012”.

Count two reads, “That you, Sale Hussaini Gamawa and Aminu Umar Gadiya, all members of the of the Finance and Funds Disbursement Committee of the peoples ‘Democratic Party (PDP) 2015 General Elections, and in such capacities sometimes in March, 2015 in Bauchi State within the jurisdiction of this Honourabe Court did accept cash payment of N142,460,000.00 ( One Hundred and Forty Two Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) from the Directorate of Finance, Bauchi State PDP Campaign Organization exceeding the required threshold of cash payment, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1, 16(1)(d) and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition)Act, 2011 (as amended) now No.1, 2012”

The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges, setting the stage for the case to proceed to full trial. In the course of trial, the prosecution presented one witness and tendered documents marked as Exhibits A1, A2 and A3. Both defendants testified in their respective defence.

At the close of evidence, the final written addresses were filed, exchanged and adopted on January 17, 2023, with the prosecution asking the court to convict the defendants as charged. The defence, on the other hand, submitted that the evidence presented against the defendant by the prosecution was not credible and urged the court to discharge and acquit the defendants. Justice Dikko then reserved judgment for March 2, 2023.

In the well-considered judgment that lasted more than three hours, Justice Dikko reviewed the facts of the case and the submissions of counsel and arrived at the conclusion that the prosecution proved the cases against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt on count one and convicted them as charged. He however discharged and acquitted the 2nd defendant on count two.

According to justice Dikko, “the fact that the defendants in this instant case endorsed exhibit A1, A2 and A3 to receive cash to the tune of N142,460,,000.00, well in excess of the legal threshold designated by law, there can be no other conclusion but that the defendants conspired to so commit the offence and I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt. It is rather astonishing that in the defence of the count, the defendants completely disregarded the damaging evidence of exhibits A1,A2,and A3, lying right before the Court. I therefore find the 1st and 2nd defendants guilty of conspiracy as charged in court one and are accordingly convicted”.

On Count two, he said, “I have relied almost entirely on Exhibits A1, A2 and A3, and a close scrutiny of the Exhibits demonstrates that the 1st defendant, Saleh Hussaini Gamawa received N105, 840,000.00 in Exhibit A1, N27, 650,000.00 in Exhibit A2 and N8, 970,000.00 in Exhibit A3, summing up to N142,460,000.00, all in the presence of, or witnessed by the 2nd defendant Aminu Umar Gadiya. The content of these documents leaves no one in doubt as to who received the money, that is Saleh Hussaini Gamawa (1st defendant) who is a natural person from the Bauchi State PDP Campaign Organization (Director of Finance) which is not a designated financial institution, and for the purpose of payment to participants during the National and Presidential Elections.

“The offence under Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012 is one of strict liability. The fact of the payment or receipt of cash in excess of the threshold alone is sufficient to ground a conviction as can be noticed in the exhibits before this court and again, I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, I find the 1srt defendant guilty of the count and is accordingly convicted. The 2nd defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted on this count””.

In his allocutus, the 1st defendant urged the court to be lenient and temper justice with mercy. “I have a large family which includes the family of my elder brother who turned blind and cannot fend for his family; they look up to me for sustenance, since the beginning of this case neither the political party nor the Government came to my rescue, thus I urge the court to forgive me”, he stated.

The 2nd defendant also pleaded for leniency, arguing that he is a retiree and had not benefited from the money.

Before sentencing the defendants, Justice Dikko acknowledged their pleas for leniency but insisted that they must be punished to serve as deterrent to others. “I consider your pleas that you have family who will suffer in your absence thus I will be lenient, however your offences must be punished appropriately to deter others in the society from perpetrating same.” He consequently sentenced the 1st and 2nd defendants to 2years imprisonment at the Bauchi Correction Service or a fine of N3,000,000.00 each in lieu of imprisonment on count one; while the 1st defendant bagged a further 2years imprisonment or a fine of N3,000,000.00 in lieu of imprisonment on count two.

The sentences are to run concurrently from March 2, 2023.

Why I Want To Be Taraba Governor – Bwacha

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Why I Want To Be Taraba Governor – Bwacha

By SULE TAHIR

Taraba state governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), senator Emmanuel Bwacha has explained the real reason why he is contesting to be governor of Taraba state in the upcoming governorship election.

According to the APC guber candidate, the abysmal performance of the PDP-led administration in the last seven and half years under governor Darius Ishaku has taken Taraba backward in all aspects of development and needed to be repositioned and bring the state to her days of greatness.

“I am contesting to be governor because I want to make Taraba a great place for Nigerians and make the citizens remember the days of Jolly Nyame and Late Danbaba Suntai. My first project as governor would be the issue of pensioners. I will clear all outstanding pension arrears and gratuity and return all the displaced Tarabans to their ancestral homes before embarking on proper development of Taraba state.

“I want to unite the citizens and put an end to the train of ethnic clashes in Taraba. My desire is to make Taraba an economic hub of Nigeria through untapped natural resources. I believe that governance is for the people and I do have sleepless nights whenever citizens are complaining about bad government.

Bwacha who spoke to our correspondent in an interview in Jalingo explained that he was contesting to restore good governance and attract development for Taraba state.

“I want to revive Taraba and make it a workshop where every citizen would have something of his or her own and build a comfortable life. Whenever I go round the streets of Jalingo and across the 16 local governments, I feel very unconformable that the citizens are suffering so, i want to make life easy and great for Tarabans by bringing the require development both in the ruler and urban areas of the state.
“My tracks as a senator is not because of pride, I believe that what belongs to the people should be given to them and that has become part of my life. I always get sick within three days whenever my constituency project is approved and i failed to come home within two days to start executing it. The sickness finished immediately when I start assembling team of engineers for the project and that has been in my blood so, I will not want to be a hospital customer because I will always be sick if I fail to provide the needed development for Taraba state.
“Our health system is poor, I want to make it a word class one where Nigerians would no longer travel abroad for treatment but always come to Taraba and have their illness treated. I am already contacting word best consultants of in the profession on how to make it a reality in Taraba and from what I gathered, it will be a simple one year project if elected governor of Taraba state.
“All this I mentioned is targeted toward total transformation of Taraba. I want to transform Taraba state into a place where Nigerians would no longer travel to Lagos or Dubai in search for daily livelihood but come to the state to build their future. I feel the pains of hardship Tarabans are passing through under the administration of governor Ishaku so, I want to liberate the people, make them smile again, make them remember the days Jolly Nyame and Late Danbaba Suntai in happiness and return the state to her days greatness” Bwacha explained.

Uzodimma Sacks Commissioner, Ford Ozumba

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Uzodimma Sacks Commissioner, Ford Ozumba

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has approved the immediate removal of Chief Ford Ozumba, the State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, from office.

In a terse statement on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba said, “Accordingly, His Excellency further directs that Chief Ozumba hands over to the Permanent Secretary of his Ministry with immediate effect.”

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