GRPolitics
UK Envoy calls for peaceful process as Lagos State holds LG Poll today
By Ikenna Oluka
The UK Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Ben Llewellyn-Jones has called for a peaceful and credible electoral process, ahead of the forthcoming Lagos State Local Government elections scheduled to hold on the 24th of July 2021.
The LG polls hold in 20 Local Governments and 35 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs and into the offices of chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors in the state.
The UK Deputy High Commissioner spoke with the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Babatunde Alade Balogun and PDP State Chairman – Engr. Deji Doherty, on Wednesday 21 July about the importance of a free, fair, credible and peaceful elections process.
During the discussions, the UK Deputy High Commission said: “I’d like to encourage all parties to ensure that the electoral process of the local government elections on Saturday 24 July 2021 in Lagos is both peaceful and credible. Everyone who has registered should be able to vote, and all votes should count. The process must be seen to be free and fair.
“Ahead of 2023 elections, the UK has continued to offer a broad range of support to Nigeria’s democratic process, and support for civil society monitoring, working with organisations such as YIAGA Africa, which champions the Not Too Young to Run movement in Nigeria. We hope to see more young people participate, and constitutional amendments that can make it easier for women to get involved in politics and to vote.”
GRPolitics
Jigawa APC Warns Against Attacks on State Leaders
The All Progressive Congress APC Jigawa state chapter has warned those launching attacks against the state leaders to desist from such.
A statement by Hon Aminu Sani Gumel, Chairman, All Progressive Congress, Jigawa State, reads:
“The party has been meticulously monitoring some write-up on social media and main stream media of the calculated attempt by some unscrupulous element to create disturbances and sow seed of disharmony in our great party.
“These elements who are not even card carrying members of our party are using some few narrow-minded party members in promoting their sinister agenda against party peace and stability.
“The led APC Jigawa state government under the leadership of Governor Malam Umar Namadi is a reflection and continuation of the immediate past state government led by H.E Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar CON mni.
“The two Leaders have the party confidence and regards to the higher esteem, their reputation is sacrosanct to us and must be guarded jealously.
“The Jigawa APC will never allow any misguided element to create discomfort or a scenario that may deter or interrupt the led APC Government from delivering it’s campaign promises in Jigawa state and Nigeria in general.
“One of the such flabbergasted sponsored report against our leader the Hon minister of Defence Muhammed Badaru Abubakar CON mni will be verified and an appropriate sanction will be applied.
“The faceless group that is not in any record of the APC headquarters Jigawa state had in their campaign of calumny labeled so many false allegations against the minister including anti-party.
“It is imperative to ask that where was this group when The Minister was APC Northern Region Campaign Coordinator, and successfully delivered Jigawa state and the Northern region to president Bola Ahmed Tinibu GCFR during the 2023 general election.
“Other childish and silly accusations against the Minister by the unknown group does not even worth to be mentioned.
“However for the record and public clarification , Jigawa APC will use all necessary avenue within the ambit of law to fish out the group and the sponsor for appropriate political and legal action that will be a deterrent to others with mischief intentions”.
GRPolitics
Zamfara: PDP members Praise Metawalle, Protest Against Gov. Lawal
…as Federal Lawmaker dumps PDP for APC, reports SANDRA ANI
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, Zamfara State, took to the streets on Monday to protest what they described as poor governance under Governor Dauda Lawal.
Staging a strong protest against Governor Dauda Lawal, the protesters said that the tenure of the former governor of the State, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle is far better than the present one in terms of economic opportunities, job creation, and security.
The demonstrators accused the governor of neglecting citizens’ welfare, worsening hunger, and imposing candidates in local elections against the will of the people.
During the protest, participants expressed longing for the tenure of former Governor Bello Matawalle, whom they described as more responsive to the people’s needs.
“We miss former Governor Matawalle,” Ibrahim remarked, as fellow demonstrators echoed their agreement. “At least he cared for the people. We’re calling on him to run in the next election, and we will vote for him.”
Led by PDP local leader Muhammad Ibrahim Talatar Marafa, the protesters assembled at the local government headquarters, voicing their displeasure with the administration.
They criticized the governor for allegedly prioritizing personal luxury over the well-being of residents.
“We are tired of Governor Dauda’s policies,” Ibrahim said. “The people are suffering; hunger is rampant and has worsened. Meanwhile, the governor lives a lavish lifestyle, ignoring the plight of the ordinary citizen.”
The protesters also accused the governor of interfering in the party’s internal processes by imposing candidates in the recent local elections, a move they argued undermined democratic values.
“This is not democracy,” Ibrahim stated. “The people’s choice was disregarded. It feels as though Dauda is only interested in furthering his personal agenda, not addressing the needs of Zamfara.”
In addition to electoral concerns, the protesters raised alarms over rising insecurity, saying that the region remains increasingly exposed to bandit attacks. They also lamented the soaring cost of food and the general economic hardship residents are facing.
“The hunger situation here has gotten worse, and there seems to be no solution in sight,” one protester said. “People here are hungry.”
All these happening in the State must have necessitated the Federal lawmaker from Zamfara state, Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gummi to leave PDP to Join APC.
Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gummi, a Federal House of Representatives member for Gummi/Bukkuyum Constituency, has dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The activities of Governor Lawal will spell doom for PDP in the State as the Party will soon be hit with more defection.
GRPolitics
Banditry: FG Exonerates Matawalle of All Allegations
The Federal Government has cleared the Minister of State for Defence H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, over allegations of complicity on banditry in Zamfara State.
As false as these allegations were, the accusers could not come out with convincing evidence to buttress their allegations. It is baseless and unjustifiable!!!
Now that Minister Matawalle has been cleared of perceived wrongdoing, it is time for those who falsely accused him to retract their statements and apologize.
The Federal Government’s investigation found the allegations as recklessness and complicity with banditry to be baseless and politically motivated.
Their intention is to discredit Matawalle so that Mr. President will not deem him fit enough to retain his seat as Minister of State of Defence.
Cabinet reshuffle has come and gone, Matawalle was not removed thanks to his dedication and commitment to service through his contribution to the security of the nation.
It is true that since his appointment, the security situation in North West and Nigeria in general has improved tremendously.
His recent operational visit to Sokoto is a testament that the man is committed to eradicate insecurity.
The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, in an interview on a national television station, Arise Tv said allegations against the Minister were thoroughly investigated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and found to be baseless and politically- motivated.
According to him NSA’s investigation concluded that the allegations against Matawalle were “mere fabrications”.
He said, “As far as I know, most of those things are just mere allegations.
The Presidential aide also provided insights into the rationale behind the reshuffle, explaining that public perception played a crucial role.
“People are just bringing out all kinds of fake things and allegations. That is why the man Matawalle is still in the cabinet. The President, I am sure, has heard many stories about him.
“For him to be there shows that, as I have said, some of those things have been probed. They are not true,” Onanuga said.
He added that the reshuffle was not solely about meeting the President’s expectations but also addressing the concerns of the public.
Matawalle who has recently visited the operational base of Operation Hadirin Daji twice led a successful coordination that culminated to the elimination of Halilu Sububu, a major bandit kingpin and his several lieutenants.
Besides, going by the achievements, proactive commitment to the fight against insurgency, and political doggedness, many opposition figures are uncomfortable with the confidence reposted on him by the President.
The Minister is a strong supporter of President Tinubu in the North.
We are calling on the campaigners of these falsehoods and those behind this pull him down syndrome politics to retract the false claims, withdraw their allegations and apologize for spreading misinformation.
Consequently, they should also reflect on their actions which are considered harmful and take responsibility of supporting the national security efforts by contributing to the country’s progress, rather than spreading falsehoods.