Hardship: We can no longer stop our subjects from revolting, Northern monarchs tell FG – Newstrends
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Hardship: We can no longer stop our subjects from revolting, Northern monarchs tell FG

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Hardship: We can no longer stop our subjects from revolting, Northern monarchs tell FG

Monarchs from the North, under the umbrella of Northern Traditional Council, NTC, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday, says it’s becoming increasingly difficult to rein in their subject amid the plethora of biting challenges facing the nation.

The monarch told the Federal Government that the hardship, insecurity, poverty and unemployment in Nigeria and the North, in particular, was getting to a level they could no longer pacify the people from revolting.

The sultan made this known while addressing members, yesterday, at the Arewa House, Kaduna, during the 6th executive Northern Traditional Council Committee meeting.

The Sultan informed the government that the traditional rulers, religious leaders, as well as state governors, had been appeasing the masses and the jobless youths from rebelling against political leaders at the helm of affairs.

According to him, “It is getting to a level that traditional leaders could no longer pacify the people from revolting against government and political leaders that supposed to find solutions to their lingering socioeconomic plight.

“And let’s not take it for granted; people are quiet, they are quiet for a reason, because people have been talking to them. We have been talking to them, we have been trying to tell them that things will be okay and they keep on believing.

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“I pray to Almighty Allah that they will not one day wake up and say we no longer believe in you that would be the biggest problem. We can’t continue to keep these people quiet as traditional, spiritual leaders and diplomats forever.

“We have reached that level, people are very agitated, people are hungry, they are angry, but they still believe there are people who can talk to them. They believe in some of their Governors, some other traditional rulers and some of their religious leaders, fortunately some of us double as traditional and religious leaders.

“So, we have this onerous task of reaching out to everybody, calm them down and assure them that things would be okay. And that they should continue to pray and still do something good because prayer without work will not bring anything good.

“To make matters worse, we are faced with rising level of poverty of most of our people. They lack normal sources of livelihood by the common man to have even a good meal a day.

“But I believe talking about insecurity and the rising level of poverty are two issues that we cannot fold our arms and think everything is fine. I have said it so many times and at so many fora that things are not alright in Nigeria. Of course, things are not okay in the North.”

Hardship: We can no longer stop our subjects from revolting, Northern monarchs tell FG

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Rivers crisis may truncate Nigeria’s democracy, remember ‘Operation Wetie’ – Bode George warns

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Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George

Rivers crisis may truncate Nigeria’s democracy, remember ‘Operation Wetie’ – Bode George warns

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, on Friday, has warned that the political crisis rocking Rivers State could consume the country.

He urged elders and stakeholders of the party to intervene in the crisis between members of the state House of Assembly loyal to the ex-governor Nyesome Wike and incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He also urged President Bola Tinubu not to treat with levity the threat by some lawmakers in the state to impeach Governor Fubara, insisting that the state belongs to the PDP.

He advised that nobody should sit on the fence and pretend that things were fine in the state.

He quoted Section 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution, stating that a member of a House of Assembly would vacate his seat in the House if he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which he was elected.

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George maintained that all the PDP lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) had automatically lost their seats.

“They are in no position to threaten Governor Fubara. So, their plot to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor is already in vain,” he said.

He also said, “Rivers people belong to PDP. Those threatening to impeach the governor are being remote-controlled by some forces. This must stop because if Rivers is set on fire today, that may end this democracy.

“We should remember ‘Operation Wetie’ which started in the defunct Western Region and eventually consumed the nation and ended the First Republic in 1966.

“All the actors in this crisis in Rivers should avoid actions likely to cause breach of peace and breakdown of law and order in our country.

“Members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of our party should be the elders in the room, act swiftly and nip this crisis in the bud before it consumes everybody.

“All the gladiators should also think of the collective interests of Nigerians. Whether we are members of PDP, APC or other parties, we should stop issuing provocative statements to increase the tension in Rivers.

“Any move that can truncate this democracy must be stopped immediately. Enough is enough”.

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NANS kicks against tuition fee introduction in federal varsities

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NANS kicks against tuition fee introduction in federal varsities

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly opposed the recent proposal by Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, to introduce tuition fees in federal universities.

Echono’s suggestion, made during an education sector conference in Abuja themed “Funding for Tertiary Education in Nigeria,” sparked widespread concern among student communities.

Pedro Obi, the President of NANS, issued a statement on Friday, condemning the proposal as a direct assault on the fundamental principle of accessible education for all Nigerians.

Obi emphasized that federal universities have historically served as pillars of hope for underprivileged students, offering them the opportunity to pursue higher education without financial constraints. Introducing tuition fees, he argued, would undermine this noble principle and create barriers that could prevent countless deserving students from accessing tertiary education.

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While acknowledging the need for sustainable funding in educational institutions, Obi asserted that burdening students and their families with tuition fees is not a viable solution. He urged the government to explore alternative funding mechanisms that would not compromise the accessibility and affordability of education.

NANS called on the federal government to reject the proposal and uphold its commitment to providing free and accessible education for all Nigerians. Obi urged stakeholders in the education sector to prioritize the welfare and future of students above all other considerations.

The statement reiterated that education is a fundamental right, not a privilege reserved for the affluent. NANS affirmed its unwavering commitment to defending this principle and ensuring equal access to quality education for every Nigerian.

NANS kicks against tuition fee introduction in federal varsities

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Binance: Rep threatens legal action over $140m bribe allegation

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Rep. Dominic Okafor

Binance: Rep threatens legal action over $140m bribe allegation

A House of Representatives member. Dominic Okafor, has denied allegations of accepting a $140 million bribe from Binance, an online cryptocurrency trading platform.

Okafor, representing Aguata Federal Constituency of Anambra State, has threatened to sue Premium Times that reported the allegations.

He told journalists in Abuja of his intention to pursue legal action against the media outlet responsible for the report tarnishing his reputation.

This came after Okafor’s motion to investigate the escape of Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla from Nigerian security custody.

He asserted that the timing of the bribery allegations, shortly after moving the motion, suggested a deliberate attempt to smear his name and integrity.

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In response to the report, Okafor wrote a letter to Premium Times demanding the retraction of the report within 24 hours.

He copied the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk, Inspector General of Police, EFCC, and DSS.

A Binance executive had earlier accused members of a federal government committee of corruption.

Okafor said he remained resolute in defending his reputation and ensure justice.

Binance: Rep threatens legal action over $140m bribe allegation

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