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Killings: Women protests against Buhari, call on international community’s intervention
The President of Leah Foundation, Dr. Gloria Puldu has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to resign over his failure to address the current killings in North West and other parts of the country.
She noted that President Buhari seems to have run out of ideas in tackling the prevailing security challenges that have claimed hundred of lives across the nation.
Dr. Puldu disclosed this on Monday in Jos during a protest in solidarity with women in North Western Nigeria over the persistent killings in the region.
“If we don’t expect anything better from President Muhammadu Buhari, if he is incapable of addressing the current security challenges, then he should give way. If truly Buhari does not have the capacity to handle the security of this country, he should resign, he shouldn’t wait to be impeached, he should resign and leave.
“We are all here to stand in solidarity with women in North Western Nigeria who have been crying and protesting against the killings of their children and spouses while their daughters are being rape and abducted by bandits.
“The insecurity has engulfed the entire country and all we hear from government is that they are on top of the situation, we are very tired of this situation. What is happening to our girls, what is happening to our women and what is happening to our school children is very pathetic and it is unacceptable.”
She called on the International Community to wade into the insecurity in Nigeria as it is women and children that bears the brunt.
“We want the entire world to know that Nigeria is still very insecure especially to the United States Government who recently removed Nigeria from the list of particular concern. I don’t see the basis of removing Nigeria from the list when the insecurity is heightening, we want to tell the entire world that we are dying on daily basis and President Buhari is not on top of the situation.
“We want to call on the entire women in Nigeria to raise up; do not sit down until you are affected. We should stand up and cry out together in solidarity with other parts of the country, whether it is muslim women that are being killed or it is christian women.
“Blood is being shed, human right is being violated, we must speak out against it. We are tired of the whole situation, they should stop killing our men and making us widows, our daughters are raped on daily basis and most of them are still in captivity. Leah is still going to spend another Christmas in captivity, Chibok girls are going to spend 8 years in captivity, enough of this, we are tired.” she stated.
Amb. Rotha Jahota decried the worsening security situation in the country and urged the Federal Government and Northern Governors Forum to take proactive measures to address it.
“Government is always telling us that they are on top of security in Nigeria and we have not seen any evidence that it is on top of the situation. Our women are dying and our children are still in captivity and no effort is being made to secure them.
“We are out today to cry with out sisters in North West. Most of our women in North West are in the captivity of armed bandits, they don’t want us to call them terrorists, we are tired of hearing armed bandits under the disguise of terrorism. Government should come out with new measure of tackling this insecurity or resign and give way.”
Pastor Esther Fahmicit Lagang who lamented the manner in which women and killed and young girls raped and abducted in the North West and North Central called on Federal Government to address the situation.
She called on the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Simon Lalong to think outside the box and come out with new strategy in securing the north from armed bandits.
The women who came out holding placards with inscriptions, “No to rape; free Leah Sharibu; stop school abduction; free all our girls; stop the injustice against women”, said enough of killings, raping and abduction of women on Nigeria.
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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