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Hardship: As more northern youths push for mass protest, elders divided

Published

3 months ago

July 27, 2024

Hardship: As more northern youths push for mass protest, elders divided

As some groups and individuals continue to push for the planned mass protest from August 1, youths from the North appear to be excited about it and have begun to warm up to the mass action.

There are therefore fears mostly from the government that it might disrupt social and economic activities.

A report by Daily Trust notes that a prominent tiktoker, Junaidu Abusalma Abdullahi, has been reported as one of those instrumental to promoting the idea among northern youth through the social media.

Only last week, another youth in Kano, Bashir Abubakar was accused of producing the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria T-shirts.

Other than that not much is known about the organisers of the planned protest.

Even the government seems uncertain about where the idea is coming from as its organs point at different directions.

While presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, accuses opposition elements, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) says it is the work of some fifth columnists in the Diaspora.

The Directorate of State Service (DSS) said in a statement that it knows the organisers, but did not provide details.

The reaction in the North has led to the involvement of clerics in the issue.

But rather than douse tension, their involvement has served to divide opinions on the proposed action.

While prominent clerics such as Sheikh Kabiru Gombe, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, Sheikh Aliyu Sokoto and Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa are rallying against the planned protest, the likes of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and Ibrahim Khalil Danshagamu have insisted there is nothing wrong with it if done in a peaceful manner.

Sheikh Gumi supports the idea of a peaceful protest as he views it as a means of conveying the grievances of the citizenry to the government.

Sheikh Jingir, on the other hand, is against it, saying the idea is conceived to make the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Tinubu look bad.

“Just because there is hunger now in Nigeria, Christians against a Muslim-Muslim ticket, and Shiites and hypocrites who don’t like the Muslim-Muslim ticket are now calling for you to come out and protest. May Allah undermine all planned protests,” he said.

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Danshagamu said he is in support of the protest because it is an opportunity for people to claim their rights from the government due to the hunger and insecurity in the land.

Leader of Hisbah in Kano, Sheikh Daurawa, said he is against protest because Nigeria cannot allow what happened in Syria, Sudan, Libya and Iraq, where, according to him, protests were hijacked.

“There are people that want the country divided and have stockpiled arms and money waiting for the right opportunity. That’s why we are trying to prevent protests, not that we are afraid,” he stated.

As expected, the government is doing all it can to ensure that the protests do not hold, taking measures that include appealing to citizens to refrain from actions that could lead to anarchy, and involving the security agencies to caution against breaching the peace.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the president has listened to all concerns and assured that efforts are on to address the challenges.

He said, “We also discussed the issue of the country generally and Mr President has asked me to again inform Nigerians that he listens to them, especially the young people that are trying to protest.”

Opposition figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have, however, criticised the federal government and its agencies for trying to abort the planned nationwide protest.

Atiku said it was ironical that those who protested against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012 are the ones trying to stifle other peoples’ rights to protest now.

But the government has said on several occasions that it is not against protest, but against the violence that may follow it if it is hijacked by certain elements.

An opposition lawmaker, who prefers not to be named, said given the ease with which the people were mobilised to join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) strike a few months ago, the fear of government that the protest may be hijacked is not out of place.

“Remember that even the Endsars protest was hijacked while lives and property worth billions were lost,” he said.

It, however, remains to be seen if the protest would hold given the sharp division among major stakeholders.

Hardship: As more northern youths push for mass protest, elders divided

Related Topics:hardship Northern Youths protest

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Orji Kalu: N14m I earn monthly as senator not enough for fuel, others

Published

18 mins ago

October 18, 2024

Trends Admin

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu

Orji Kalu: N14m I earn monthly as senator not enough for fuel, others

Former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that he earns 14 million monthly as a senator, but the money is not enough to take care of his overhead and other costs.

Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday.

He said that the money was not enough to cover his expenses.

Kalu argued that most senators were doing well for their constituents, saying he would never fail his people.

“I am doing my best as a legislator for my constituency. I will never fail in my duty and I am sure most senators are doing their duties in their constituencies. I can never fail in Abia North Senatorial District.

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“I earn N14 million in a month encompassing my salary, overhead and workers’ salaries. Let me be honest with you, do you know from this money I have to buy fuel to travel to my constituency? It’s not enough.

“When I was a governor, I voted for one term of six years. Remember Obasanjo said I was after him. That was the beginning of our quarrel. I went for one term of six years because of the cost of election, because of the cost of managing the economy. As a governor or a president, their eyes are on re-election. They are not even thinking about what people will gain, what people will do. They are only looking for reelection. The only way to solve this problem is to do a six-year one term.

“It will go a long way in boosting their performance because the people think they need to make money for re-election in my opinion.”

Orji Kalu: N14m I earn monthly as senator not enough for fuel, others

News

Lagos Assembly to scrap 37 LCDAs created by Tinubu

Published

14 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Lagos State House of Assembly

Lagos Assembly to scrap 37 LCDAs created by Tinubu

The Lagos State House of Assembly is preparing to replace the existing 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) with newly designated Administrative Areas.

The 37 LCDAs were created by President Bola Tinubu in 2003 when he was governor of Lagos State.

This initiative was revealed during a public hearing for the proposed “Bill for a Law to Provide for the Local Government System, Establishment and Administration, and to Consolidate All Laws on Local Government Administration.”

The bill, which outlines the structure of local governance, states that Lagos will operate through democratically elected Local Governments.

According to the bill, Lagos will recognize 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) as outlined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The move coincides with the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to the 774 local governments across Nigeria, which requires that only democratically elected local government bodies can access federal funds.

The bill further mandates the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to conduct elections for the 20 constitutionally recognized LGAs.

Additionally, each LGA will have designated Area Administrative Offices to enhance local governance efficiency. The bill also proposes the creation of 37 Area Administrative Councils, which will serve under the 20 LGAs.

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These Administrative Councils, to be headed by Area Administrative Secretaries appointed by the Governor, will be funded by the respective LGAs they serve under. The Councils will manage local matters and retain rights, obligations, and liabilities from their previous status as LCDAs.

Furthermore, the proposed law allows LGAs to delegate functions to their respective Administrative Councils. It also grants the Governor the power to suspend any chairman, vice chairman, or political appointee, with reinstatement allowed upon expiration of the suspension, subject to notification of the Assembly.

The bill will repeal both the Local Government Administration Law of 2015 and its 2016 amendment.

During the public hearing, several stakeholders, including the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, and former Lagos State Commissioner, Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole, expressed concerns.

The Chairman of Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Hon. Rasak Ajala, argued that the changes could undermine grassroots development, emphasizing that LCDAs had been pivotal in local administration.

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro also criticized the lack of publicity surrounding the public hearing and stressed the importance of more inclusive consultations.

In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Mojisola Meranda, described the bill as a significant step in optimizing local governance.

He noted that the bill addressed the tenure of local government officials and sought to improve the separation of powers within LGAs, ensuring greater accountability.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, highlighted that the public hearing aimed to gather feedback for refining the bill before its passage into law.

Lagos Assembly to scrap 37 LCDAs created by Tinubu

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Tinubu, Shettima’s absence won’t create vacuum in government – Presidency

Published

24 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima

Tinubu, Shettima’s absence won’t create vacuum in government – Presidency

The presidency said on Wednesday the absence of President Bola Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima would not create a leadership vacuum in the country.

President Tinubu left the country for a two-week vacation in the United Kingdom on October 3.

He also made a brief visit to France last week.

Shettima on his part left Abuja for Sweden on a two-day visit on Wednesday.

During his stay in the Nordic nation, the Vice President will hold bilateral talks with the Swedish Crown Princess and the country’s Prime Minister, Mr. Tage Erlander.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, said the two leaders are fully engaged in the country’s affairs, even while they are away.

The statement read: “There is no leadership vacuum in the country.

“President Tinubu left the country on October 3 and is on a two-week working vacation.

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“During this time, he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires.

“The vice president departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.

“All state organs are functioning as usual — the Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministers, and Service Chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government.

“We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country.

“President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth ll.

“We have also experienced it during this administration — between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Vice-President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi, to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit.

“After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organized by the Corporate Council on Africa.

“President Tinubu returned home on 8 May. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.

“The constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president in the country at all times to fulfill his duties.”