Fubara, Kwankwaso and leadership crisis
Photo Credit: The Nation Nigeria
In both Kano and Rivers States, the causes of their political and administrative unrest are still being unravelled and litigated. It is unlikely the litigations will last more than a few more months, or even weeks. But the governors of the two states, Abba Kabir Yusuf and Siminalayi Fubara respectively, and their backers are unwilling to wait much longer. Despite enjoying the fruit of democracy, they have nevertheless indicated their preference for strong-arm tactics. Both governors are enraged by the audacity of the opposition. In Kano, Mallam Yusuf and his main backer, Kwankwasiyya Movement leader and ex-governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who hovers over the governor like an apparition, are determined much more than anything else to efface the memory of Abdullahi Ganduje, former governor and current All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman. The governor and Mallam Kwankwaso are driven by and obsessed with vengeance.
The conflict in Rivers State is only a little different from Kano. While Kano is prepossessed with vengeance, Rivers is haunted by what Governor Fubara and his supporters have described as their emancipation struggle. They wish to be rid of the pernicious influence of former governor and FCT minister Nyesom Wike. In the case of Kano, ex-governor Ganduje was unable to foist his party’s candidate, Nasir Gawuna, on the state. It is not surprising, therefore, that the Kwankwasiyya Movement appears determined to obliterate his memory from the state. Kano is probably the closest approximation to a civic culture in Nigeria. Had Mallam Gawuna won, the state would not be in the throes of conflict as it is currently experiencing. But the struggle in Rivers has left many people truly bewildered. Mr Wike rammed the heedless Mr Fubara down the throats of both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state’s longsuffering electorate, clearly without knowing who he really was. Nothing qualified him for both the post and the job, except that he sounded, looked and acted loyal and apolitical. That he fooled Mr Wike so effectively and comprehensively is a testament to the former governor’s lack of depth and capacity in judging character.
Photo Credit: Google
Cultists kill banker in Edo
Photo Credit: Punch Newspaper
A staff member of a new generation bank in Benin, Edo State, simply identified as Nosa has been shot dead by gunmen suspected to be cultists.
The incident occurred on June 20, 2024, in the Government Reservation Area of Benin City, in the state capital.
It was gathered that the victim, while at work, received a call from a yet-to-be-identified person inviting him to hang out at a joint after the close of work.
The banker, who did not suspect any foul play, decided to join his caller at the close of work at the appointed joint.
While on his way to the place, his assailants who apparently have been trailing him, were said to have blocked his vehicle with their car and immediately opened fire.
How Pro-Democracy Activists Betrayed Nigerians, M.K.O. Abiola To Help Install Obasanjo As President In 1999 –Sowore
Photo Credit: Sahara Reporters
RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, has recounted how some pro-democracy activists betrayed Nigerians and worked in cahoots with the military to install one of their own as President.
Sowore stated this while speaking with Seun Okinbaloye on ‘Mic On Podcast’ on Saturday.
The activist, who was one of the young Nigerians at the frontline of the struggle for the return of democratic government in 1999, expressed regret that many of those who put their lives on line to fight for the enthronement of democracy in the country secretly worked with military authorities at the expense of the mandate given to the winner of the1993 Presidential election, Moshood Abiola, popularly known as M.K.O. Abiola.
Sowore said they would have formed a political party, taken over the power and put Nigeria on the path of honour and right trajectory shortly after the struggle but the military government would not register the party.
He stated that Nigeria has not had a democratic rule since the military was forced out of power, stating that what the country has had is civilian rule.
According to him, the betrayal was one of the reasons why he left the country in 1999.
Sowore said, “The political class who were fighting on our side as at that time were complicit including the leaders of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) when they met with the former military head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar but refused to meet with Moshood Abiola, who was in detention and seek his release.”
He noted that the betrayers consolidated, took over power and started adjusting the system to suit their agenda.[GA1]
No plans to abolish patrol points in South East, FRSC clarifies
Photo Credit: Punch Newspaper
The Federal Road Safety Corps on Sunday clarified that it does not intend to abolish patrol points in Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, and Enugu states.
The announcement was made in a statement by the FRSC Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, to address circulating reports suggesting the corps had initiated moves to remove these patrol points.
It was reported on June 21 that the Zonal Commanding Officer of Zone 9 Headquarters in Enugu, Uche Chukwurah, announced the abolition of static patrol/patrol points in the South East states of Abia, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi.
Chukwurah, who disclosed this during his maiden visit to Abia State Federal Road Safety Command Umuahia, further explained that instead of the static check point style of patrol in the past, the Zone has adopted the mobile patrol operations.
However, Ogungbemide explained that Chukwurah was misquoted.
“Nothing can be further from the truth as the statement was not only misleading but capable of giving wrong information to unsuspecting members of the public on the intention of the FRSC Management on the ongoing operational rejigging not targeted at the Southeastern states of the country but the nation at large.
“Consequently, any meaning read to the original statement attributed to the Zonal Commanding Officer of Zone 9 Headquarters to create the impression that the FRSC is abolishing or intends to abolish patrol in the Southeast is distorted, misleading and should be disregarded,” Ogungbemide stated.