News
I didn’t call for a coup in criticising Buhari, says Kukah
Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Kukah, says he did not call for a coup in his criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The priest said he only expressed his personal view “based on evidence”.
While accusing Buhari of nepotism in his Christmas message on Friday, Kukah had said there could have been a coup if a non-northern Muslim commander-in-chief does a fraction of what Buhari had done.
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has called for the prosecution of Kukah for allegedly demanding a coup, describing the bishop’s comments as “treasonable”.
But speaking with reporters on Monday night, Kukah said it was unfair for anyone to report that he called for a coup.
“The loss of lives in the last ten years, even before the advent of this administration, calls for concern,” he said.
“The reactions are a reflection of every citizen that makes up Nigeria. It is sad that when you drop something in Nigeria, everybody goes back to their enclave and abandons the larger picture. I am someone who never takes offence to what people say about me.
“What I said was my opinion based on evidence and what has happened in Nigeria, and if you looked into the records, there is evidence that justifies that statement, and if anyone thinks I am wrong, they should come out with a superior position.
“It is unfair for a journalist or news medium to report that I called for a coup while expressing my personal view about Nigeria.”
The cleric also responded to calls by some people asking him to drop his priesthood cassock and join the political fray, saying if he was to join politics, it would have been during the time of late Aminu Kano and not now.
The Catholic priest added that he had no plans to indulge in partisan politics.
Kukah said, “I have no plan and will never play partisan politics for any reason. Those who link my message to partisan politics are only playing to the gallery,” he said.
“Take, for instance, brilliant Nigerian youths making comments about Chelsea or Arsenal and have never been to England. Does that make them players of such club sides?
“So, why will someone think because Bishop Kukah is speaking, therefore he is a politician? People who make this argument are totally ignorant of elementary politics and ignorant of the role of a priest.
“The truth is that a lot of us have not seen a priest saying what I am saying. The truth of the matter is, we are all in politics, but party politics for me, no. I am not a member of any political party and I cannot be. If it comes to voting, I do my right.
“Whatever I said can please or displease anyone, but that is my own opinion and doesn’t stop others from saying their own opinion. If you think my motive is wrong, say yours.”
News
Trouble as Kogi lawmakers are told to impeach Gov Ododo after his recent action
Trouble As Kogi Lawmakers Are Told To Impeach Gov Ododo After His Recent Action
Fresh trouble may be brewing in Kogi State due to a move to impeach the Governor, Usman Ododo.
This is as a human rights lawyer, Deji Ajare, has urged the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Umar Yusuf, to begin impeachment proceedings against Governor Ododo over allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.
Ajare conveyed his call in a letter addressed to the speaker, submitted through the clerk of the House on Friday.
Regarding the governor’s use of his motorcade to transport the embattled former governor, Yahaya Bello, Ajare deemed it harboring a fugitive, obstructing justice, and misusing state resources.
“In the light of the above allegations and the inherent potential breaches of statutory duties imposed by the Constitution and other relevant laws of our country, these actions, if proven true, amount to gross misconduct and warrant immediate investigation and commencement of impeachment proceedings.
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“I hereby call on the Kogi State House of Assembly under your leadership to initiate a thorough inquiry into these allegations by Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, to ascertain the truth and to hold Governor Usman Ododo accountable if the allegations are found to be true.
“I also urge the Kogi State House of Assembly to cooperate with national law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC, to ensure all individuals involved are available for questioning and to facilitate a smooth investigation”, he said.
Ajare implored swift and decisive action from the House of Assembly, emphasizing the detrimental effects of the alleged misgovernance on the people of the state.
Responding, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mohammed Yabagi, stated that neither the Clerk nor the Speaker had received such a letter.
Yabagi added that the House had not seen valid reasons to initiate impeachment processes against the governor, asserting that there was no evidence of the governor preventing security agencies from arresting Yahaya Bello.
“As far as the Assembly is concerned, the Assembly supports all constitutionally recognized security agencies. We have not seen any reason why the House should commence any impeachment processes,” he said.
Trouble As Kogi Lawmakers Are Told To Impeach Gov Ododo After His Recent Action
News
Excitement as Nigeria’s Tunde Onakoya sets new world record for longest chess marathon
Excitement as Nigeria’s Tunde Onakoya sets new world record for longest chess marathon
Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, has set the new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, surpassing the previous record of 56 hours and 9 minutes.
The chestmaster confirmed this in a post on his official X account.
He wrote, “We have done it.
“We’re pushing to 60 hours guys. We’re not stopping yet. Let’s keep going.
“We have a fundraising goal to meet for the education of African children around the world. This is our why – the reason we are doing this.
“Let’s demonstrate to the world the incredible power of love. Together, we can make this happen.”
Onakoya broke the record of Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, who played for 56-hour, 9-minute in 2018 and aimed at reaching 58 hours target.
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The challenge, which is underway at New York City’s iconic Times Square, has currently exceeded 56 hours and a few minutes and already set him adrift the previous record holders.
The new record holder said his attempt was to raise funds and awareness for providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children across Africa.
In a statement by his foundation, Chess in Slums Africa, Onakoya said he will be joined by his US counterpart, Shawn Martinez.
It read in part, “This record attempt requires a team of two players. Tunde Onakoya (NG) will be facing off against Shawn Martinez (US) for the challenge. Both players hold the title of National Masters.
“Shawn Martinez, a US National Master, renowned New York City chess legend, and chess coach, poses as a formidable adversary. Both Tunde Onakoya and Shawn Martinez will hold the record title.”
“This record is for the longest time to continuously play chess. This record is to be mentioned in hours, minutes, and seconds. This record is to be attempted by a team of two players,” it added.
After about 23 hours into the game, Martinez joined to make the new world record.
Excitement as Nigeria’s Tunde Onakoya sets new world record for longest chess marathon
News
Kogi govt reacts to reports of Ododo stopping EFCC from arresting Yahaya Bello
Kogi govt reacts to reports of Ododo stopping EFCC from arresting Yahaya Bello
The Kogi State government says Governor Usman Ododo did not facilitate the escape of his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, from security operatives who wanted to arrest him
On Wednesday, officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had laid a siege to Bello’s Abuja residence in order to apprehend him.
Ododo arrived at the scene and hours after he drove out only to be reported later that the former governor had found his way to Kogi, sparking speculation that his successor whisked him away.
Governor Ododo came under a barrage of criticism for his alleged involvement in the whole incident.
READ ALSO:
- Police close in on Yahaya Bello, arrest his ADC, security details
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But speaking in an interview with Channels TV, Fanwo, who also worked under Bello, said Ododo didn’t aid the escape of his former principal from security agencies.
He noted that the incumbent governor is committed to upholding the laws of the country, including respecting its legal processes.
“Governor Ododo did not assist in Bello’s departure from his residence; the EFCC’s claims are misinformation aimed at furthering their objectives. Bello is not evading anyone; the existing court injunction protects his fundamental rights,” he said.
Fanwo stated that the anti-graft agency’s claims are baseless and product of an planned disinformation campaign.
He argued further that the ex-governor is not a fugitive, referring a state high court injunction that protects Bello from harassment by the anti-graft agency.
The commissioner therefore criticized the commission ‘s allegations even as he questioned the agency’s certainty about Bello’s whereabouts.
He said Governor Ododo remained a law-abiding leader who respects the rule of law and the Constitution of the country
Kogi govt reacts to reports of Ododo stopping EFCC from arresting Yahaya Bello
Trouble as Kogi lawmakers are told to impeach Gov Ododo after his recent action
Excitement as Nigeria’s Tunde Onakoya sets new world record for longest chess marathon
Kogi govt reacts to reports of Ododo stopping EFCC from arresting Yahaya Bello
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