News
Group warns of religious riot as plot for creation of Islamic Emirate leaks in Kaduna
The Adara Development Association (ADA), a socio-cultural group has warned Kaduna State government against the forceful reintroduction of Islamic Emirate rules on Adara Chiefdom.
The group said it would strongly resist the coordinated plans to re-colonise Adara people and their ancestral lands by Kasuwan Magani Hausa/Fulani Muslim Community in Kajuru area of the state in the Southern Senatorial district.
In statement issued at the weekend by the association’s National President, Mr. Awemi Dio Maisamari, it called on people of conscience to rise and avert the imminent religious crisis, saying a proposal to create Islamic Emirate in a Christian dominated area has been discovered.
“We are therefore calling on all people of conscience in and out of government to arise and avert the crisis that will accompany forceful government reintroduction of Islamic Emirate rule on Adara Christians.
ADA stated that, “it came across a copy of a letter dated March 10, 2020, to the governor of Kaduna State which emanated from the Kasuwan Magani Hausa/Fulani Muslim Community.
“In the letter, the said community expressed support for the restructuring of Kajuru Emirate to include Kufana District, part of Adara Chiefdom which has more than 95 percent Christian population.
“The Kasuwan Magani Hausa/Fulani Muslim community also expressed their wish to comply with the unjust and obnoxious gazette which placed the whole of Kufana District (where Kasuwan Magani belongs) under Kajuru Emirate,” it stated.
The association further expressed dismay that “without any iota of doubt, various actions and letters written by some elements in Hausa/Fulani Muslim communities living in Adara land in concert with implicit government support, have clearly vindicated the long standing ADA position.
“ADA position is that the letters and associated actions show that there is a grand and coordinated plan to populate, occupy, annex, dominate and re-colonize Adara people and their ancestral lands,” it noted.
It stressed that “in Hausa culture, traditional rulers are regarded as the fathers and owners of the land. Whenever government and even private organisations need land in a community, they usually collaborate or conspire with them to facilitate the land deals often at the expense of the people and the community.
According to the association, ‘it’s clearly showed the expansionist and domineering agenda of Hausa/Fulani Muslim extremists from the letter requesting for the creation of Kachia Chiefdom for the minority Hausa/Fulani Muslim community of Kachia District out of the present Adara Chiefdom which dated 8th July, 2014, on one hand.
“And on the other hand, from the letter stating the resolution of Hausa/Fulani Community of Kachia LGA/District in respect of the attire to be worn by traditional rulers, dated 13th October, 2016.
The group also made reference to their letter rejecting the government approved traditional head-Gear of District Heads in Adara Chiefdom “for allegedly and falsely being un-Islamic.
According to ADA, the letter communicating recommendations to the committee on the review of the Chieftaincy system in Kaduna State is dated 14/8/2017 by Kajuru Traditional Council.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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