Topical Issues discussed by The Guru @ Lagos Talks 91.3 FM, on Monday, April 3, 2021.

 

 

Lagos Talks 91.3 FM, Monday, May 3, 2021

  1. Insecurity: Senator Adeyemi weeps, says Nigeria on ‘fire’ – Daily Post
  2. Boko Haram now occupying Niger communities- Governor – Premium Times
  3. Nigeria’s Actual Daily Oil Production Unknown, NEITI Insists – Thisday
  4. Govs cry out, demand action from Buhari as 21 more Nigerians killed – Punch
  5. No fuel price increase without fixing refineries, says NLC – Punch

[1]

INSECURITY: SENATOR ADEYEMI WEEPS, SAYS NIGERIA ON ‘FIRE’

Daily Post of April 27, 2021

The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Smart Adeyemi, in emotion-laden contribution to a motion on insecurity in Nigeria on Tuesday, wept openly over sustained devastation and wreck by terrorists across the nation.

While contributing to the motion sponsored by Senator Sani Musa, stating that Boko Haram terrorists have taken over three Local Governments in Niger State, Adeyemi admitted that security system has collapsed and innocent citizens are the receiving end.

He said it is foolhardy at this time for government to pretend about its helplessness, more so, that Senators should continue to be partisan on security issues.

Kogi lawmaker said: “Mr President, insecurity is a serious problem today in Nigeria and there come a time where we can do nothing, but to speak the truth irrespective of sentiment. “Today Mr. President, all of us are being threatened. A lot have been said this morning Mr. President and I want to thank you for giving us time to speak expressly on this issue. “Like my sister was saying, there come a time when talk will talk itself. There comes a time when truth becomes torchlight.

“We need not to run away from the fact that more than ever before in the history of our nation, this is the worst instability so far and because of insecurity in our nation, today there are of lot misgivings; there are a lot lot of misinterpretation. “Some persons believe it is government that is supporting terrorists; some people believe some persons sponsored those who are destabilising our nation. We are not pretending we are capable of confronting the situation in our hand. “America as powerful as they are, when pandemic came through China they woke up to their responsibilities. We shouldn’t pretend that we needed foreign support.

Adeyemi insisted that government should seek foreign intervention before the nation is doomed, adding that Nigeria should forget about its pride and seek foreign aid. “Let no body deceive us Mr. President. A lot of millions of naira has been put into security services nothing is coming out of it. We wouldn’t wait until our nation got burnt. Let us get up and call for foreign support. I am APC and I have been supporting our party, but let the President know that we who support APC could no longer keep quiet. “The President must rise to the occasion. The nation is on fire; the President must rise to the occasion. It cost us nothing to get foreign support. We must rise to the occasion of speaking he truth to save this country or else we will be consumed.

“Every one of us have chapter of history. When the history of this period is told, whatever is our position will be a chapter. “We cannot keep quiet any longer. It has gotten to a level that we can no longer sleep with our eyes closed. Our children are not free. The President must rise to the occasion. “The situation is our security system has collapsed; it has failed, because it has failed, we need foreign support, it cost Nigeria nothing. Forget the ego, forget Nigeria in African nation.

Hel lamented that crisis has engulfed the nation, stressing that the National Assembly should act fast before it gets late, particularly that terrorists are few distance away from the Federal Capital Territory.

“From the North to the South nobody is safe and Boko Baram are to kilometres to the nation’s capital and today, I cannot travel to Kaduna and Niger State where I was born.

“The President knows this is a bad time for our nation. They are killing people in the East. What are we doing in the National Assembly? Our country is bleeding….” (weeps).

What Senator Remi Tinubu told Senator Smart Adeyemi: Remi Tinubu calls Sen Adeyemi ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ for tackling Buhari over insecurity

Wife of former Lagos State governor and Senator representing Lagos Central at the Senate, Remi Tinubu, has attacked her colleague, Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West), for daring to speak out on the spate of insecurity across the country.

Adeyemi had, on Tuesday, during a debate on the floor of the Senate, called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administraton to seek foreign assistance on the insecurity challenges in the country. The Kogi West Senator, while supporting a motion sponsored by a Senator from Niger State, Sani Musa, had broken down during plenary and wept profusely over the sustained devastation by criminals across the country. He also used the opportunity to call on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to seek foreign help without further delay. “This is the worst instability we are facing. In fact, this is worse than the civil war.”

However, Mrs. Tinubu who took exception to the call, called out on her colleague who is also a member of her party, the APC. “Are you in PDP? Are you a wolf in sheep’s clothing?”

But Adeyemi ignored her and continued: “We shouldn’t pretend that we need foreign support now. Billions of naira have been voted for security services and nothing is coming out of it. “I’m a party man and I’m supporting APC but it has gotten to a point that as supporters we cannot keep quiet,” Adeyemi said.

What Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State said:

To put the icing on the cake, the usually blunt Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on Tuesday accused President Muhammadu Buhari of working for Fulanis to take over Nigeria.

The Governor said: “What is happening now, to me, is very clear; Mr President is just working for these Fulanis to take over the whole country.

“His body language is what is being played out. The body language, the action and inaction of Mr President shows that he is only the President of Fulani people; I have known this.

“We are becoming a Banana Republic. If we have a President who gave the security agencies order to shoot at sight whosoever is having AK-47 and the Minister of Defence came out to say that they cannot shoot at sight. So who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces?”

According to Ortom, the people of Benue are being overstretched and running out of patience due to the incessant attacks on their communities.

“Mr President must rise up. He is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and over the 250 nationalities that are in this country; Mr President is their President, we all voted him.

“He has taken oath of office to secure the country and provide security for lives and property; this is unacceptable, this cannot continue,” he said.

WHAT ALL THE 109 SENATORS OF THE REPUBLIC RESOLVED ON APRIL 27, 2021, ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.

INSECURITY: SENATE SCHEDULES URGENT MEETING WITH BUHARI, SAYS NIGERIA ON FIRE

TNG of April 28, 2021

…summons Service Chiefs for briefing

The Senate on Tuesday mandated its leadership to schedule an urgent appointment with President Muhammadu Buhari to enable all 109 Senators to meet with him in a closed session to discuss security matters in the country.

This was just as the chamber resolved to summon the Service Chiefs to brief lawmakers on steps taken so far to address the rising spate of insecurity in the country.

It also mandated the Joint Committees on Foreign Affairs; Defence and National Security to engage the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno, Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd) and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, on the regional implications of the recent development in Chad.

These formed part of resolutions reached, following a motion on the deadly activities of bandits and Boko Haram terrorists in some Local Government Areas of Niger State and other parts of Nigeria.

Coming under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, sponsor of the motion, Senator Sani Mohammed Musa (APC, Niger East) raised alarm that for seven years, “Niger East Senatorial District of Niger State have come under constant and sustained multiple deadly attacks by heartless, venomous and hydra-headed Boko Haram terrorists who are always heavily armed with assorted sophisticated and dangerous weapons unleashing their horror on our innocent populace.”

According to the lawmaker, the negative effects of atrocities committed by the terrorists have led to a collapse of the local economies and educational system in the affected areas.

He added that, “about 42 communities across the two Local Government areas of Shiroro and Munya Local Government have so far fallen under the Boko Haram control with about 5,000 villagers already displaced in the last three days.”

“They have kidnapped many and their wives seized from them and forcefully attached to Boko Haram members.

“Three military camps In Allawa Bassa and Zagzaga in the two local government areas have been sacked and some security personnel killed by the insurgents in the last one month of renewed attacks.

“I can authoritatively confirm that the Boko Haram terrorists have mounted their flags in many of the villages they have captured such as Kaure, Alawa and Magami.

“Inhabitants of these war-torn parts of the State have been abandoned and left to their fate thereby compelling them to wallow in perpetual agony and abject misery”, Senator Musa said.

The lawmaker disclosed further that, “at this moment primary schools in Gwada, Kuta, Pandogari and Minna have hurriedly been turned to IDP camps following the sacking of nearly 5600 villagers from their ancestral homes in Shiroro, Rafi and Munya tocai government areas in the last few weeks by bandits who raided the towns over the weekend. And what this means is that if they can launch attacks without hindrance in Niger East Senatorial District, then I don’t see how Abuja is safe anymore.

“Again note, before the recent Bandits struck Kagara headquarters of Rafi Local Government, Madaka-Gari, Maikujeri, Magami, Zangouru, Bassa, Gusoro, Galadiman Kogo and Kokki villages where all attacked with casualties more than 46 people killed.

“[And] between March 2021 to date same terrorist have launched serial attacks on daily basis to adjoining villages of Alawa, Shakodna, Chiri, Kwaki, Ajatayi, Gwassa, Barden Dawaki and Gyammamiya communities in Munya and Shiroro local Government Areas of Niger State killing many innocent people which also resulted to the loss of more than 25 Gallant soldiers, mobile policemen and other security personnel, while more than 16 civilians were killed, many others unaccounted and leaving over 2300 displaced, while over 1500 are now sheltered at Primary Schools turned temporary camps at Brena, Galadiman-Kogo and Zumba. The number of persons said to have been killed by bandits in Niger East are over 475 between January 2020 to date.

“Aware that the Federal Government had made frantic efforts in curbing the menace through various Operations to tackle cases of terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping across Nigeria, but yet the expected return  of peace in our land Is unattainable.

“Further ware that confirmed reports emanating from those affected areas of Allawa and Bassa towns in Shiroro local government Niger State indicated that the Joint Security Task Force stationed there have been withdrawn.

“However, no reason has been advanced for the withdrawal, but observers believe it will not be unconnected with the casualties suffered by the JSTF during the last unfortunate invasion and ambushing of the troops stationed at Alawa by the heartless, venomous and hydra-headed terrorists.

“Worried that the continuous security challenges and related attacks by bandits in towns, villages and communities in Shiroro, Rafi and Munya Local Government Areas of Niger State have meted untold hardship on the people and has subjected the affected areas under serious survival threat.

“If this menace is not drastically addressed, the attacks will continue, and the danger is that it may escalate further to other communities, which are mostly farming communities, and th

farmers may desert their farms this season and this will negatively affect the food sufficiency and economic diversification policy of the Federal Government.”

Contributing, the Deputy Whip, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi (APC, Niger North) said Niger State have become a save haven to bandits and terrorists who fled parts of the North East region, warning that something drastic must be done by the federal government to nip the problem in the bud.

He said: “Today, we are talking about them occupying Niger state in the manner that have been given earlier by the mover of the motion.

“The point to be made now is, if we are lucky to have a security intervention in Niger State, where would be their safe haven? Possibly Abuja, and, I think this is something we have also said before.”

“The number of people that are becoming displaced daily is on the increase, and I think we are definitely feeling very insecure, because these are our citizens, we can’t even go to them as we used to.”

Mohammed Bima Enagi (APC, Niger South), said, “the situation has become so bad and shameful. Our women cannot go to market, our women cannot go to fetch water from the rivers, our men cannot go to farm, our children cannot go to school.”

He lamented, “Nigerians cannot continue to bear this pain of our women been raped and forcefully married to Boko Haram terrorists.

“We cannot continue to allow Boko Haram to mount flags on Nigerian territory. What is our Army doing, what are the security agencies doing? The situation has become so shameful that a great country like Nigeria will be in this type of terrible situation.

“[And] it seems like the federal government is handling this security situation with kid gloves. People are dying everyday and nothing is being done, no serious or concrete situation on ground to confront these people.

“I don’t know what else this Senate can do, apart from coming here to talk and appeal to the federal government to do something about the security situation. Something must be done.”

Senator Ike Ekweremadu (PDP, Enugu), said, “in the South East, soldiers are killed, police are killed, police stations are destroyed, and innocent people killed and kidnapped on a daily basis. Same goes for South West, North Central, North West and other parts of the country.

“We have come to a point where we have to decide whether to shut down government and deal with this, or continue with it as business as usual.”

Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (PDP, Osun East), said, “I was so shocked as from last Sunday of the other week, Geidam was attacked. That is the home base of our leader here (Senate President) and the Inspector General of Police’s home. Then on Sunday, again, our own Airforce by mistake wiped off a whole unit (military) just some villages close to Maiduguri.

“As Senator Sabi has said, something drastic must be done. When the government cannot maintain security again, economic problem is mounting, then something must be done.

“The Senate must do its work, we have the power. We can install, and we can remove. If it means we have to look at that clause, we have to sit down and talk in executive session and harmonize and do things the way we are supposed to do it.

“If not, one day we would sit down here, and one small boy would carry AK-47, and some of us who would be able to use Amotekun clause can run away, but few of us may not be lucky. Are we going to wait for that time until we take a decision?

“All the northern Governors ran to Zamfara the other time, the next day, they (bandits) killed a lot of people in Zamfara. Governors pay condolences to each other, is that the life Nigerians must live?”

Senator Amos Bulus Kilawangs (APC, Gombe South), who called for a National Security Summit, warned that if nothing is done to address the rising insecurity in the country, same would eventually take a toll on food security.

On his part, Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf (APC, Taraba Central) underscored the need for the procurement of sophisticated military equipments for security agencies.

The lawmaker noted that the prevailing security problem is an indication that the nation’s security intelligence is severely compromised.

Another lawmaker, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi (APC, Ekiti North), said the present security threat posed by banditry, kidnapping and insurgency were signaled in early warnings by the activities of Boko Haram and other criminal elements in the past which were ignored by government.

“What is so wrong with our system that makes us not to respect early warning signals? In the last ten years, there have been several reports in the open space that have given us indication that Nigeria, if not helped, may be entering into the situation we are describing at this point.

“Since 2013, Mr. President, the Fragile States Index analysis by Fund for Peace had already signaled to Nigeria that there could be trouble. The Global Terrorism Index for the last seven years has been saying the same thing. But nobody appears to be paying attention to these indicators that show that we might be entering into the situation we are at presently”, Adetumbi said.

The lawmaker further described the daily incessant cases of kidnapping and killings as a “national embarrassment”.

Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Bashiru (APC, Osun Central), observed that the National Assembly has a responsibility to setup a Committee to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Adhoc Committee on Security Challenges.

Gabriel Suswam (PDP, Benue North East) said the  Executive arm of government “has shown clear incompetence in tackling the security situation.”

He expressed frustration at the inability by the National Assembly to implement the recommendations of the Senate Adhoc Committee on Security Challenges.

The lawmaker warned that the lives of members of the National Assembly are endangered, saying, killings have become rampant.

Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti South) who bemoaned the recent killing of some students of Greenfield University by bandits, blamed the lingering insecurity in the country on the federal government’s lack of political will.

Another lawmaker, Emmanuel Yisa Oker-Jev (PDP, Benue Noth-West) raised alarm that every part of Nigeria has become affected by problems of insecurity, adding that, the notion of government treating security with kids gloves was understated.

Senator Smart Adeyemi (APC, Kogi West), who underscored the need to seek foreign intervention, lamented that the Nigeria’s security problems continue to worsen despite huge amount of monies appropriated to security agencies.

He said: “Mr. President, insecurity is a serious problem today in Nigeria, and there comes a time when you cannot but speak the truth, irrespective of the sentiments you may share.

“Today, Mr. President, all of us are being threatened – our families, our nation, our state.

“Mr. President, we need not run away from the fact, that more than ever before in the history of our nation, this is the worst instability we are facing. In fact, this is worse than the civil war.

“Mr. President, the submission is very simple. Today, there are a lot of misgiving and misinterpretation on what is happening.

“Some people believe some people in government are supporting this move. Some people believe some people sponsor those who are destabilizing our nation within the country.

“The answer is very simple, we cannot pretend we are capable of confronting the situation in our hands. America as powerful as they are, when the pandemic came, it got to a point that China had to come to their rescue.

“We shouldn’t pretend that we don’t need foreign support now. Let nobody deceive us. A lot of billions of naira has been voted for security services, nothing is coming out of it.

“We wouldn’t wait until our nation gets burnt. Let us shout and call for foreign support. I am an APC man and I’ve been supporting my party, but the President should get to know it has got to a point that we who are supporters and members of the APC can no longer keep quiet.”

Adeyemi continued: “The President must rise to the occasion. You will not see the truth and you are afraid to say it because you’ll die?

“Mr. President, the nation is on fire. The President must rise to the occasion, it costs us nothing to get foreign support. We must bring these people to save this country or else we will be consumed.

“It has gotten to a point that we cannot sleep with our two eyes closed, we are not free, our children are not free.

“The situation is, our security system has collapsed, it has failed. [And] because it has failed, we need to look for foreign support. It will cost Nigeria nothing. Forget the ego, forget the superiority of Nigeria amongst African nations.

“Today, we are facing serious problems. If our nation is to survive this period, I’m not in doubt that the security infrastructure we have today cannot cope with what we are facing.

“Every part of this country is threatened, from the north to the south, nobody is safe, nobody can travel 50km in our nation.

“I feel like shedding tears for a country that we grew up where nobody harasses you when you travel from Lagos to Maiduguri. Today, I cannot travel from here to Kaduna or Niger State where I was born.

“The President must know this is a bad time for our nation. We must look for foreign support to save this nation. This is my position, Mr. President, we must rise to it.

“They are killing people in the East, West, South and the North. We should shut down the National Assembly. Let’s shut down if we cannot save this country.

“Our country is bleeding, people are in poverty, there’s no food, people are hungry, insecurity is threatening us, we cannot pretend. Everyday Nigerians are dying, we must rise to the occasion. I submit, Mr. President.”

Danjuma La’ah (PDP, Kaduna South) said the issue of security has for long been politicized.

Seriake Dickson (APC, Bayelsa West), observed that the recent development in Chad, which led to the death of its former President, Idris Derby, has far reaching implication on the security situation in Nigeria.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks said, “I don’t think it’s the best of ideas to close the Senate because there’s serious security situation, it’s when there’s challenges that you should be opened not closed, we shouldn’t be detached or discouraged. This is the essence of parliament.

“There’s no arm of government that’s not concerned about the security situation of the country, everyone is concerned.

“We must appropriate funds for the military, they require additional man power, and they can’t do that without funds being appropriated for them.

“So we need to have a supplementary budget, not only for recruitment but for procurement of weapons.. it’s going to be expensive but that’s an investment that’s worthwhile.”

Accordingly, the Senate in its resolutions, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order for massive recruitment of Police and military personnel to arrest the issue of insecurity in the country.

While urging the Federal Government to urgently procure necessary equipment for the use of the Military, Police and Intelligence community, the Chamber called on the Chief of Defense Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and the inspector General of Police to immediately deploy troops to defend the unarmed populace and bring back security to the affected communities, which-is the only antidote to restoring confidence in the security and safety of the affected communities.

It also urged the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to, as a matter of urgency, direct for the establishment of a permanent military and police command base at the axis adjoining Shiroro and Rafi Local Government areas, respectively, and to redesign the modus operandi of the military operations within the affected areas so as to curtail the escalating insecurity.

The Senate amid its prayers resolved to set up and Ad hoc Committee to consider and report on the implementation status on the report of the Ad hoc Committee on Security and recommend further implementation actions on the report.

The upper chamber directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and-NEMA to, as a matter of national emergency, provide relief materials and medical support team to the victims immediately.

The Senate observed a minute silence for all the victims of acts of criminality.

[2]

BOKO HARAM NOW OCCUPYING NIGER COMMUNITIES- GOVERNOR

Premium Times of April 26, 2021

The Niger State government says Boko Haram has hoisted its flags in Kaure and Shiroro local government areas of the state. The North-central state is about 140km to the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria’s seat of power. Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, who confirmed this on Monday, said the terrorists have displaced over 3,000 residents of the affected communities.

“I am confirming that there are Boko Haram elements here in Niger state, here in Kaure, I am confirming that they have hoisted their flags here. “Their wives (of the villagers) have been seized from them and forcefully attached to Boko Haram members. I just heard that they have placed their flags at Kaure, meaning they have taken over the territory.”

Mr Bello further said he had earlier alerted the federal government but it (government) has not been proactive. ”This is what I have been engaging the federal government on, unfortunately it has now got to this level. If care is not taken, even Abuja is not safe. We have been saying this for long. All our efforts have been in vain.” Mr Bello said he hoped for a more coordinated military activity to fight the terrorists.

“Sambisa is several kilometers from Abuja but Kaure is less than two hours drive from Abuja. So nobody is safe anymore, not even those in Abuja.” “This is the time to act. All hands must be on deck. It is not a fight for Niger State alone. I am not waiting for anyone anymore, I am going to take action,” he said.

Nigeria has been battling Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east for over a decade with recurring attacks in many parts of the country. In the last seven years, despite the federal government’s claim that the sect had been ‘degraded’, the country has lost hundreds of lives to the unending insurgency while millions have been displaced and rendered homeless.

[3]

NIGERIA’S ACTUAL DAILY OIL PRODUCTION UNKNOWN, NEITI INSISTS

Thisday Newspaper of April 28, 2021

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday doubled down on its recent disclosure that Nigeria does not know its actual daily oil production.

The Executive Secretary of the organisation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, who spoke when he received the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Ahmed Idris, in his Abuja office, said the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) was still using estimates to forecast the quantity of oil produced daily.

DPR Director, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, had dismissed NEITI’s claim that the country cannot tell how much oil it produces, stating that the agency has developed an application which is deployed in getting the figures daily.

But Orji stated that many oil-producing nations have moved beyond estimates to actual data of daily oil produced, through the use of metering.

He added that that NEITI would continue to work with DPR to ensure that all areas of disagreement are resolved and that the federal government gets all its accruals.

He said: “There’s still a gap in our operation. A few days ago, NEITI made a statement that not many Nigerians can attest that we know how much oil we produce. This is a statement of fact and we still stand by it. “The issue here is not that we do not have estimates. The issue is that from the work we have done, we have recommended metering infrastructure. The argument is that we need to know empirically and statistically what we are producing. “From the point of production to the point of refining, a lot of water passes under the bridge, there are product losses due to outright stealing, a lot of pipeline vandalism and many processes lapses.”

Orji said the DPR’s response that it had an idea or that it had an app to forecast and project the figures, was not the issue NEITI raised, but the exact number of barrels produced.

“But we are saying the same thing. Projection and forecasting is not an accurate measurement. Forecasts can be wrong or right, but what I appreciate in their response is that at least they are thinking in that direction by developing an app,” he added.

He pledged to work with the DPR to make it understand exactly what he meant when it made the statement, because NEITI has seen technology in action in the way and manner countries monitor production from the scratch up to the point of sale in the international market. He added that the infrastructure has been demonstrated elsewhere outside the country.

“It’s not child’s play. We will work with the DPR, which is a key agency covered by our process to boost that sector, developing a uniform approach to cost determination, so that the royalties and taxes are clear to us and to reduce to the barest minimum questionable decisions and use of discretion to make decisions that cause the government to lose revenues,” he said.

In his comments, Idris said his visit attested to the importance that his office attached to the NEITI’s tasks, especially in terms of revenue generation, blocking leakages and curbing the menace of corruption.

He promised to revamp the Inter-ministerial Task Team (IMTT), headed by his office and comprising 16 government organisations, where among others, the development of a comprehensive remediation plan on findings and recommendations in NEITI reports are discussed.

The IMTT also ensures the implementation of the plan using NEITI reports, providing regular feedback to NEITI multi-stakeholders working group (NEITI board) on implementation status and identifying risks and opportunities associated with implementation as they affect all agencies covered by NEITI reports.

[4]

GOVS CRY OUT, DEMAND ACTION FROM BUHARI AS 21 MORE NIGERIANS KILLED

Punch Newspapers of 28 April 2021

  • Security situation very pathetic, Buhari should be told the truth, says Zulum

Senators and three governors on Tuesday expressed concern about the nationwide ceaseless killings and kidnappings in the country, urging the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd,), to seek foreign help.

The lawmakers, while debating a motion on activities of Boko Haram in Niger State, described insecurity in the country as not only terrible, but also shameful. The motion was sponsored by Senator Sani Musa (All Progressives Congress, Niger East).

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; his Niger State counterpart, Sani Bello and Samuel Ortom of Benue State, in separate interviews warned that insecurity in the country was getting out of control.

The governors, therefore, urged the Federal Government to act fast as 21 people were killed across the country on Tuesday.

Zulum, in an interview with the State House correspondents on Monday night, said the President should be told the truth about insecurity in the country.

On his part, Ortom decried herdsmen’s attack on Abegana area of the state where seven persons were killed on Tuesday.

Bello, in an interview on the Nigerian Television Authority on Tuesday, said Boko Haram was scaring people away from Niger State communities.

The insecurity in Niger State was brought to the fore at the Senate on Tuesday as Senator Musa in his motion corroborated the governor’s statement, saying many communities in the state were under the control of Boko Haram.

He said, “About 42 communities across the two local government areas of Shiroro and Munya have so far fallen under the Boko Haram control with about 5,000 villagers already displaced in the last three days.

“They have kidnapped many and their wives seized from them and forcefully attached to Boko Haram members.

“Three military camps in Allawa, Bassa and Zagzaga in the two local government areas have been sacked and some security personnel killed by the insurgents in the last one month of renewed attacks.”

Contributing to the motion, Bima Enagi (APC, Niger North), said Nigerians could not continue to bear the pain of women being raped and forcibly married to Boko Haram terrorists.

Enagi, who said insecurity in the country was terrible, stated, “We cannot continue to allow Boko Haram to hoist flags in Nigerian territories. What is our army doing? What are all security agencies doing?

“It has become so shameful that a great country like Nigeria will be in this type of terrible situation. It seems the Federal Government is handling this insecurity with kid gloves. People are dying every day and nothing is being done. No serious, concrete situation on ground to confront these people (insurgents and bandits). I don’t know what else this Senate can do other than appeal to the government.”

I am not convinced Buhari is aware of what is happening — Bamidele

The contribution by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele drew murmurs from his colleagues when he said he was not convinced that the President was aware of the security situation in Nigeria.

He suggested that the Senate should, “mandate the leadership of the National Assembly to book an appointment with the Commander-In-Chief on behalf of the 109 senators…because I’m not convinced that Mr President is aware of everything that’s happening. And if you (Lawan) are meeting with the Commander-in-Chief, all the service chiefs and all the relevant people will be there.”

Seek help, Senators tell Buhari

Also, Ike Ekweremadu, the senator representing Enugu West, said any government that could not protect its citizens had lost its “legitimacy.” He said, “Any government that cannot protect its citizens has lost legitimacy. We should not be ashamed to seek support. Time has come for Niger State to shut down and protect its citizens. It’s time to shut down this Senate and  go into an executive session to find a solution to this problem.”

Similarly, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, (Edo South), supported Ekweremadu’s position, calling on the Federal Government to seek external help in addressing the country’s security challenges.

Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West) while making his contribution shed tears, but Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who sat close to him, was not moved by Adeyemi’s tears.  Rather she described him as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

READ ENTIRELY PARAGRAPH THE BELOW

Remi; the wife an All Progressives Congress’ leader, Bola Tinubu, was obviously not comfortable with Adeyemi”s submissions. Adeyemi said the country was facing the worst instability since the civil war. He said, “This is the worst instability we are facing. In fact, this is worse than the civil war,” he said. Tinubu, who couldn’t hide her anger, asked, “Are you in the PDP?  Are you a wolf in sheep’s clothing?” Adeyemi, however, ignored her and said amidst tears that, “We cannot pretend that we are capable of handling the situation in our hands. “We shouldn’t pretend that we need foreign support now. Billions of naira have been voted for security services and nothing is coming out. “I’m a party man and I’m supporting the APC, but it has got to a point that as supporters we cannot keep quiet.”

On his part, Senator Francis Fadahunsi said that something drastic must be done, adding that Senate must do its work.

Senator Seriake Dickson on his part stated, “Our federalism is only in name. Our security is structurally incompetent. We are about to lose the Nigerian dream.”

Biodun Olujimi said bloodletting in the country had got out of hand. “There is lack of political will to handle insecurity. None of us here can say we know the process that this government is taking to handle insecurity. There is also lack of leadership. New service chiefs have come. Have we told them what to do and given them a timeline?” she asked.

Executive has shown incompetence – Suswan

Gabriel Suswan lamented that the executive had shown clear incompetence in tackling insecurity. He said “Our lives as senators are in danger. Nobody is attaching any value to human life again. Maybe our President doesn’t know the magnitude of this situation.”

Senator Sabi Abdullahi said that the security situation should be addressed, noting that the next place after Niger State would be Abuja.

After the debate, the Senate in its resolutions directed its leadership to hold an urgent meeting with the President. The red chamber also agreed to summon the service chiefs and other heads of security agencies. It also agreed to invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, and the Director of National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

It also urged the Federal Government to recruit more soldiers and other security personnel to boost the war against terrorism and forms of insecurity.

LOOK AT WHAT THE SENATE PRESIDENT IS SAYING

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, stressed the need to purchase necessary equipment to fight insurgency. He said, “We need to request supplementary budget from the executive to procure more weapons for the military. “We’ve spoken the minds of our people. We will not be discouraged with what is happening. Security requires manpower and procurement of weapons and platforms.”

Musa, who moved the motion, told journalists after the plenary that he refused to include Buhari’s impeachment in his prayers to avoid further crisis.

Also on Tuesday, the House of Representatives held a three-hour executive (closed-door) session to discuss the rising spate of insecurity across Nigeria. It called on the President to declare a state of emergency on security.

The lawmakers unanimously adopted 11 resolutions, which the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, read to journalists after the meeting.

The House stated, “Considering the security situation, the President should immediately declare a state of emergency on security so as to fast track all measures to ensure the restoration of peace in the country.”

AND NOW FACTS FROM PROFESSOR BABAGANA ZULUM

Security situation pathetic, Buhari should be told the truth – Zulum

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, described the security situation in his state and the North-East as very pathetic. He regretted that many soldiers had been killed in the renewed onslaught. Zulum disclosed these in an interview with State House correspondents after a meeting he had with  Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday night.

The governor said he decided to meet with Buhari because he felt it was his responsibility to tell the President the truth. He said the North-East needed support if the war against insurgency must be won. Zulum said, “In Borno particularly, brigade headquarters was attacked, many soldiers, men and officers of the Nigerian Army were killed. “Let me use this opportunity to extend my condolences to the families of the deceased. May God, in His infinite wisdom, forgive them. “I think it is my own responsibility to come and say the truth to Mr President. Let him know what is going on in the entire North-East sub-region. “I think there is the need for us to get support for us to succeed in this war against insurgents. It is very pathetic. “Few days ago, Damasak was attacked, hundreds of people started fleeing Damasak and now Geidam (in Yobe State) is almost deserted, many people have left Geidam.”

WHEN ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DETERIORATING SECURITY SITUATION IN THE NORTH-EAST, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT APPEARED THE MILITARY HAD YET TO TAKE DELIVERY OF SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT ORDERED FOR.

BOKO HARAM HAS TAKEN OVER OUR CATTLE ROUTES, GOVERNOR BELLO OF NIGER STATE CRIES OUT

In a related development, the Niger State Governor,  Bello, on Tuesday said Boko Haram had taken over all the cattle routes and tracks in the Kaure Local Government Area of the state. He also said the insurgent group demolished a local church, abducted women and hoisted their flag in the local government. Bello, while featuring on Political Update, a current affairs programme on NTA, disclosed that the insurgents had married the abducted women.

Describing the situation as worrisome, the governor said the issue of insecurity in the state was not treated with kid gloves. He noted that he had sent out signals in the last two years, adding that the response he got had not been in line with the threats. He said, “The modus operandi of these people is different from bandits. Boko Haram elements want to scare people away from their land and take over the territory which to a certain extent they have succeeded in doing. “In Kaure for example they have dominated the area, they have demolished the local church that was there and they have hoisted their flag. They have also abducted the women and allocated them to their men on ground. “The number of insurgents cannot be ascertained as of this moment but definitely their number supersedes that of the military operatives we have in the area. This area is in the forest region although not too far away. They operate on motorcycles. They have taken over all the cattle routes and tracks.”

[5]

NO FUEL PRICE INCREASE WITHOUT FIXING REFINERIES, SAYS NLC

Punch Newspaper of 28 April 2021

The Nigeria Labour Congress says it has listed key issues that should be addressed before the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation will adjust the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol. It specifically stated that one of such items was that the oil firm must fix the country’s refineries in order to cut down on the importation of refined petroleum products by NNPC into Nigeria.

The Deputy President, NLC, Joe Ajaero, told our correspondent on Tuesday that labour unions made this clear to the Federal Government during the last meeting on the petrol price matter. Ajaero disclosed this while reacting to statements by NNPC that the corporation would only adjust petrol price after the Federal Government had concluded negotiations with labour.

NNPC’s spokesperson, Kennie Obateru, had stated on Monday that the price of petrol was not going to be adjusted despite the fluctuations in global crude oil prices until the Federal Government, labour and other stakeholders agree on pricing issues.

In an interview with our correspondent, Obateru said, “The Federal Government is engaging labour and other stakeholders to agree on modalities and what would be in the best interest of all Nigerians.

“NNPC would not do anything to frustrate this by adjusting its ex-depot price until an amicable agreement is reached.”

But when contacted and asked what was delaying the meeting between labour and government on the petrol price matter, Ajaero replied that the organised labour had made its position known on the matter.

He said, “After our last meeting with them, which was both on electricity tariff and petrol price, we were clear about it and we said go and do some of the stated items and that the refineries must work.

“That is the situation. So if they are talking of endless meeting and that they are meeting with us in view of increasing the pump price of petroleum products when the refineries are not working, then it won’t work.”

He added, “We were clear about it. You must have listened to the president of the congress that we can’t drive the sector based on imports. We are not going to base the pump price of petroleum products on imports. Our refineries must work.

“So ask yourself, have they done that? So what is the essence of saying continuously that we are meeting when our position is clear to them?”

The NLC official argued that the government was still consulting with its stakeholders, stressing that the issues had yet to be resolved.

Ajaero said, “They are still consulting their stakeholders because they said they were going to consult those who sent them. We are also consulting those who sent us. “So we have not reconvened and until we reconvene, those issues are not yet resolved.”

When told that the refineries would not be ready in more than a year, Ajaero insisted that fixing the facilities was a key requirement before adjusting petrol price. He said, “They have to fix it because when you repair the refineries, Nigerians will work there and you will get some other products from there.

“And then all those costs such as cargo cost, landing cost; all of them will disappear and we will be good for it. Those are the issues and that is the only way it will pay us. “We can’t get a product here and we spend much money to go and refine it and bring it back and sell it to the owners.”

Last month, the Federal Executive Council approved the plan by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to rehabilitate the Port Harcourt Refinery with $1.5bn.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, stated at the time that it would take 18 months to complete the first phase of rehabilitation to make the facility produce at 90 per cent capacity.

Knowledge Dropbox

The autocrat Idriss Déby Itno has reigned in Chad since December 4, 1998. In 28 years, he has multiplied women and children. After Zina Wazina Déby, Hadja Halime Déby, he takes a break by taking Hinda Mahamat Abderahim Acil as his fourth wife in 2005. It is not over yet! He married Amani Moussa Hilal again in 2012. His other more or less known wives are Anda Ali Bouye Déby, Souad Zakaria Abdallah Déby, Haoua Toldjei Tchou Déby, Acheick Oumar Déby.

His sons, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, brothers, brothers-in-law invaded all the strategic positions of the country in a system of nepotism associated with despotism.

  1. ZAKARIA IDRISS DEBY: Ambassador of Chad to the United Arab Emirates
  2. General Mahamat Idriss Deby: COM DGSSIE
  3. SEID IDRISS DEBY: Deputy Managing Director, Chad Refinery
  4. Hissein Idriss Deby: Director General Rahad Tchad
  5. General Nassouri Idriss Deby: Chief of Staff of the President
  6. Colonel Kerim Idriss Deby: Military Coordinator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  7. General Ahmat Youssouf Mahamat Itno: Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, 1st Deputy CEMGA.
  8. Sougour Youssouf Mahamat Itno: Ambassador of Chad to South Africa.
  9. General Oumar Deby Itno: Director General of the Strategic Reserve.
  10. General Ousman Bahar Mahamat Itno: Commander of the Chad, Central African Republic and Sudan Mixed Forces.
  11. General Hassan Sendel Mahamat Itno: special advisor com DGSSIE
  12. Hamid Hissein Mahamat Itno: General Coordinator of Water and Forests.
  13. Idriss Ibrahim Mahamat Itno: Director General of the Budget at the Ministry of Finance.
  14. Koubra Hissein Mahamat Itno: Director General of the Chadian Water Company.
  15. Haoua Hissein Mahamat Itno: Director at the Ministry of Telecommunications.
  16. Nassour Bahar Mahamat Itno: First Counselor Embassy of Chad in Canada.
  17. Mariam Hissein Mahamat Itno: Director of Administrative and Financial Affairs at Radio Tchad.
  18. Hamaday Haïga Deby: Administrative and Financial Director SNE.
  19. Colonel Ousman Kadidja Deby Itno: National Coordinator of the Support Forces for the Régies of the Ministry of Finance.
  20. Mahamat Haïga Deby: Administrative and Financial Director SHT
  21. Colonel Daoud Sendel: Deputy Military Zone Commander in Amtiman.
  22. Colonel Seby Sendel Mahamat Itno: Regiment Commander DGSSIE
  23. Colonel Sougour Kerim Deby: Deputy Director of General Intelligence.
  24. Ali Timan Deby Itno: Managing Director of Banque Habitat.
  25. Mahamat Timan Deby Itno: General Manager of the Cement Plant.
  26. General Sidick Timan Deby Itno: Director of Military Engineering.
  27. Abbas Cheno Déby Itno: Governor of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC).
  28. Souleymane Ermia Mahamat Itno: Treasurer Paying General of Chad.
  29. General Amir Youssouf Mht Itno: Commander of the Chadian-Sudanese mixed forces.
  30. Hissein cheno Deby Itno: Director of Wiretapping at ANS.

This list is only indicative to show the clanization of the state by an African leader who makes the naive believe he is Pan-Africanist and who proclaims himself “white as snow”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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