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Group cautions Asari Dokubo over allegations against Army, Navy
National Probity And Values For Nation Building Organization (NPVNBO) has cautioned a former militant leader in the Niger Delta Mujaheed Asari Dokubo to be tactful and honest while exercising what he feels are his civic responsibilities and not to be carried away with euphoria, he is on borderline behavioural dysregulation, he should not be seen trying too hard to impress President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for very obvious reasons.
We find it appalling that Mujaheed Asari Dokubo could make such wide off the mark allegations against the Nigerian Armed Forces – particularly the Nigerian Army and Navy respectively of their alleged involvement in crude oil theft and economic sabotage.
We feel such spurious and unguarded claims should better be avoided as it is capable of heating up the polity within the Armed Forces in a government that is still in transition, this is obviously tactless and garrulous and we believe the nascent administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not be crowded and distracted with such unsubstantiated allegations that is capable of sowing distrust.
We are of the opinion that if and when Asare Dokubo is a privy to any confidential informations regarding the security of this country at best he should have brought it to the knowledge of the President privately since he was a guest of the President and bearing in mind the weighty allegations and the confidentiality and integrity that the office of the President demands in dealing with such security issues, the President still maintains the prerogatives on national security as he is the commander in chief of the armed forces.
The public acknowledgement to this point by all parties involved in the pipeline surveillance engagement – the federal government, NNPCL, the private security contractors, the armed forces and community stakeholders have all alluded to the complementary working relationships and laudable efforts by all involved in the surveillance and protection of the pipelines and the correlating increase in the production of crude oil since August of 2022 when the federal government reinvigorated its onslaught against crude oil theft, the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy respectively in particular as institutions of repute have been singled out for commendation for their work against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft in the last year.
As stakeholders in this country and particularly in the Niger Delta region we believe in the fight against crude oil theft and its total eradication, the prosecution of the criminals behind it and the elimination of the twin evil of environmental degradation, our unwavering focus is on the total rehabilitation of the Niger Delta – environmentally, infrastructurally and economically and as such we will support all efforts that will help eliminate the variable threats and sabotage that are ultimately responsible for the summed aggregate deficits in the region, what we are saying without mincing words is that we have always worked with the armed forces in our communities to flush out criminals and whatever inducements that are there, we recognise the daunting efforts of the armed forces in our communities in peace building and crime fighting, so in situations where reported that some purported bad elements within the armed forces are involved in economic sabotage we must be careful and disciplined enough to isolate such and not tar the entire armed forces with such brush of an act of infamy.
There are hundreds of thousands of men and women of the armed forces of Nigeria who are sworn to oath and put their lives in line of fire in the call of duty daily to secure and protect Nigeria and as such we must bear in mind their salutary sacrifices and must not dishonour, discourage and criminalise them because of a few purported bad eggs.
On Nnamdi Kanu, the acclaimed leader of IPOB, the group appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reach into the depths of his rich resume of leadership dynamism to finding an understanding for dealing with the issues that led to the agitations in the south east of the country and find out a better understanding of the the dynamics for the success of a multi layered social and diverse ethno-religious society as ours.
We are surprised by the irony of Mujaheed Asare Dokubo’s position, yesterday it was Asare Dokubo who bore arms against the Nigerian State under the guise of a liberation struggle for his people and to this day still parades himself and carries the toga of the “Supreme Leader of NDPVF” (Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, an organisation that confronted the Nigerian State )
Today it is Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho, depending on what aisle of the argument you stand, spurred on rightly or wrongly by a perceived sense of injustice standing up to liberate and defend their people in Igbo Land (Eastern region) and Yoruba Land (Western region) respectively, in a supposedly federal and democratic society, this has also put them in a collision cause with the Nigerian State, we are using this medium to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to critically evaluate the issues that frequently gives rise to such separatists tendencies in the different regions of the country with an aim to finding lasting solutions that will help heal and instill in all a sense of belonging and patriotism needed for nation building.
Finally the group advises the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be very careful in handling issues of national security and especially as it relates to the pipeline surveillance engagement with the armed forces, we are advising the President to get his briefings from the GCO of the NNPCL and the Chief of Defence Staff respectively who understands the dynamics of the crude oil theft and have the intelligence gathering on those involved in this illicit trade of great economic proportions and sabotage. The serious matter of national security cannot be left in the hands of pedestrians in the public domain of gossips.
The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has dismissed as baseless and diversionary, widespread rumours about his collapse and being rushed abroad for treatment.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, following a routine inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects slated for commissioning in May to commemorate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second anniversary in office, Barrister Wike categorically denied the claims, saying that they were untrue.
He attributed the spread of these rumours to political machinations, specifically pointing to those he alleged, sought to divert attention from serious allegations of planned attacks on national assets, including the Rivers State House of Assembly complex as revealed by a former Head of Service of Rivers State government.
He said, “What happened was that the former Head of Service of Rivers State government came out to let the public know what was going on about a plan to bomb the House of Assembly complex and attack national assets. To divert the attention of people from focusing on that, they had to bring up rumours that I had been flown overseas. There was never a time I collapsed, there was never a time anybody took me overseas”.
The Minister said he was focused on his job of providing good governance in the FCT and would not be distracted by such unfounded rumours.
Barr. Wike emphasized his continued public engagements, citing his presence at the President’s Iftar engagement and his leading of Abuja residents during the Sallah homage to the President as evidence of his robust health. “You see me every day. The day Mr. President broke Iftar during his birthday, I was there. The next day, I led Abuja residents to pay Sallah homage. I see so many stories online, this is politics. Those things don’t bother us. We are not distracted. We are focused on our jobs.”
He thanked Nigerians for their concern but cautioned against wishing ill health on others, reiterating that only God determines the time of one’s passing. “I thank Nigerians for showing concern, but people should not wish their fellow human beings such a thing to happen. We know that we will die one day, nobody will remain in this world forever, but it’s only God who determines the day you will die. No human being can say you will die today or tomorrow. So, don’t bother yourself, I’m very agile and I can assure you that I will write the condolence letters for those peddling these rumours.”
Speaking on the infrastructure projects he inspected, Barr. Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the International Conference Centre (ICC) renovation, the Arterial road N16 in Gishiri and its interchange connecting Maitama District to Katampe, and the Judges Quarters and its access roads in Katampe District.
He said, “We were at the International Conference Centre where much work has been done. They are keeping to the time that they have given and they are also doing a good quality job. We’ve gone to Gishiri and the roads leading to the Justices Quarters. I’m very much impressed with the good jobs and the contractors handling these projects. You can attest to the fact that this is a quality job being carried out”.
He commended the contractors, including Julius Berger and CGC, for their commitment to delivering the projects on schedule and assured that funding, with the support of President Tinubu, was not a challenge.
He encouraged taxpayers to fulfill their obligations, promising that they will witness the tangible results of their contributions. “All we will say is that those who are supposed to pay their taxes should pay their taxes, and ask us what we are doing with taxpayers’ money. They can see what we are doing with taxpayers’ money.”
The Supreme Court has sacked Julius Abure as National Chairman of the Labour Party in a ruling that was delivered on Friday in Abuja.
The judgment has put paid to a prolonged legal battle of the party. In a unanimous judgment, In a delivered by a five-member panel, held that the Court of Appeal had overstepped its jurisdiction when it declared Abure as the party’s leader.
The Supreme Court ruled that the issue of party leadership is an internal affair beyond the jurisdiction of the courts, thereby overturning the lower court’s ruling. This decision has significant implications for the Labour Party, which has been embroiled in leadership tussles in recent months.
The judgment came after an appeal filed by Senator Nenadi Usman and another appellant, challenging Abure’s claim to the chairmanship. The court found their appeal meritorious and accordingly upheld it, solidifying the legal stance that party leadership disputes should be settled within party structures rather than through litigation.
In a further blow to Abure’s camp, the Supreme Court dismissed a cross-appeal filed by his faction of the Labour Party, describing it as lacking merit.
With this ruling, the legal battles surrounding the leadership of the Labour Party may have reached their final chapter, barring any internal resolutions or new legal maneuvers by the affected parties.
The verdict has sparked reactions from political analysts and party stakeholders, with some expressing concerns over the stability of the Labour Party ahead of the next electoral cycle. The party, which emerged as a formidable force in the 2023 general elections, now faces the challenge of reorganizing its leadership and uniting its members.
While the ruling may settle the legal aspect of the dispute, the political ramifications are far from over.
Party members and loyalists of Abure may seek internal resolutions or political realignments to navigate the fallout of this decision. The Labour Party’s next steps will be crucial in determining its future strength and cohesion on the national stage.
As of press time, Abure’s camp has not issued an official statement on the ruling, while other factions within the party have welcomed the decision, calling it a victory for internal democracy.
In a landmark ruling today, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered a judgment that has been hailed as a significant victory not only for the Labour Party (LP) but also for Nigeria’s democracy. The ruling, which saw the removal of Mr. Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, is widely regarded as a triumph of democracy, the rule of law, and the resilience of Nigeria’s judicial system.
The statement celebrating the historic judgment was issued by the Labour Party National Caretaker Committee Secretary, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha who was present at the Supreme Court in Abuja during the judgment. The Secretary expressed immense gratitude to the Justices of the Supreme Court for their fair and forthright decision, which was described as a beacon of hope for the country’s democracy.
“This ruling is a monumental victory for the Labour Party and, more importantly, for the future of Nigeria’s democracy,” said the Secretary. “It demonstrates that the Judiciary remains the last hope for the common man, ensuring that justice and the rule of law prevail in the face of challenges.”
The Labour Party National Caretaker Committee (LP NCC) emphasized that the judgment is a clear indication that despite the struggles Nigeria faces, the nation’s democracy is resilient, and the judicial system remains a pillar of strength. It is also seen as a crucial step towards unifying the party and fostering an environment conducive to political reform and nation-building.
“This historic ruling is not only a victory for the Labour Party, but also for the Nigerian people and our democracy. It affirms that the rule of law will always be upheld,” the statement continued. “We now have an opportunity to rebuild Nigeria’s democracy and strengthen our party, which remains the political party of choice for millions of Nigerians.”
The Labour Party extended a call to all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation, to unite with the party in its efforts to restore and rebuild the nation’s democracy. “We call on all Nigerians to join hands with the Labour Party in the mission to restore the true values of democracy, justice, and equity in Nigeria,” the statement urged.
The judgment is being seen as a significant milestone not only for the Labour Party but for the entire nation, as it underscores the importance of a free, fair, and independent judiciary in maintaining democratic principles. The ruling have now firmly brought to an end the perennial leadership crisis within the Labour Party, enabling it to focus more effectively on its agenda for a better Nigeria.
The Labour Party also took this moment to express their deep appreciation to their supporters for their unwavering dedication and solidarity. “We thank Nigerians for their resilience, support, and trust in our cause. The Labour Party remains the people’s party, and together, we will continue to fight for a more just, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria,” the Secretary concluded.
As the Labour Party moves forward, it is committed to uniting its members and supporters to build a Nigeria free from oppression, where justice and fairness are upheld for all. The Supreme Court’s ruling today serves as a powerful reminder that in Nigeria, the law is supreme, and democracy will always triumph.
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