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Niger Coup: Muslim clerics, ex-Kano Emir meet Tinubu
Niger Coup: Muslim clerics, ex-Kano Emir meet Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday received a delegation of Nigerian Muslim leaders, led by Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, and accepted their mediation in the Niger Republic conflict.
The leaders were at the State House, Abuja to consult with the President on the situation in the Republic of Niger.
The President had on Tuesday declared that all options were still opened to find an amicable resolution to the Niger political crisis.
Speaking to newsmen, Sheikh Bala Lau said the delegation pledged to find a lasting and peaceful solution in neighbouring Niger Republic.
Lau said: “The delegation of Ulamah here in Nigeria met with Mr. President on the issue of Niger Republic.
“We want to find a lasting solution.
“We want peace and harmony to reign not only in Nigeria, but in the sub-Sahara region and globally.
“So, the whole Ulamah advised Mr. President that we want peace and reconciliation.
“Always if there is anything that happens between you and your neighbour, the Holy Qur’an commands you to reconcile.
“So, we want reconciliation.
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“That’s why we’re here and our able leader and President accepted the offer that he wants us to intervene and to talk to our brothers over there in Niger Republic, the scholars as well on how we can come together and bring a lasting solution to this problem.”
Similarly, Sheikh Abdurrahaman Ahmed confirmed that the President accepted their offer to mediate in the Niger Republic imbroglio, adding that the mediation will start as soon as possible.
Ahmed said that Tinubu also accepted for them to speak with the military junta in Niger to give concession in order to find a common ground between it and the Economic Community of West African States, which he heads as Chairman.
He said: “Other than that, the President deplored coup d’état in the Sahel region and as a democrat himself, said he will do everything to ensure that there is democracy, justice, freedom and peace in the sub-region.
“We as Ulamah are also committed to peace and justice, and the president will be enabling the Ulamah to mediate as it is appropriate.
“So this is why we’re here.
“And it is a mission accomplished because the President responded positively and in turn he has given us an assignment to also mediate to ensure reconciliation between the warring factions in Niger Republic.”
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that on July 26, 2023, soldiers from Niger’s presidential guard deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and closed the country’s borders.
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Entrances to government ministries were also blocked by the presidential guard.
While the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government agreed on a number of resolutions against the military junta, another round of financial sanctions were on Tuesday imposed on entities and groups associated with the junta.
The former Emir of Kano, Mohammed Lamido Sanusi II, was also at the Villa to see the President on the Niger Republic issue.
Sanusi has reportedly spoken with the head of the military junta on Wednesday in Niamey in collaboration with the Emir of Damagaram, Niger Republic.
Speaking with State House Correspondents, Sanusi II said his mission was a private one not known to the government.
He said: “I came to brief him on the details of my discussions with leaders of Niger.
“We’ll continue to do our best to bring the two parties together to improve understanding.
“This is the time for public diplomacy, it’s not a matter that we leave to governments.
“All Nigerians, all Nigeriens need to be involved to find a solution that works for Africa, a solution that works for Niger, that works for Nigeria and a solution that works for humanity
News
Rivers: Tinubu acted to save state, economy, says Karimi
Rivers: Tinubu acted to save state, economy, says Karimi
Chairman of the Senate Services Sunday Karimi has hailed President Bola Tinubu for the decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
He told reporters on Friday in Abuja that the President acted in the best interest of the State and Nigeria, having taken his decision in compliance with the Constitution.
“No President or government worth a name, will fold its arms and watch a political situation deteriorate to what we saw unfolding in Rivers State.
“We saw that bombing of pipelines had begun, and the security situation was getting worse with the tension everywhere”, Karimi stated.
Karimi, who represents Kogi-West on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recalled the “fatherly role” Tinubu had played in the crisis since 2023 in a bid to get the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara to reach an understanding, to no avail.
He explained: “We were all here in 2023 when Mr President called that truce meeting at the Aso Rock Villa. There was the eight-point agenda for settlement reached between the factions.
“When Nigerians expected that progress should be made to achieve peace, things started deteriorating considerably to a point where the governor demolished the House of Assembly building and administered the state with only three legislators.”
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Karimi observed that with the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, which gave the upper hand to the 27 lawmakers loyal to the camp of the FCT Minister, matters merely got worse in the State as the lawmakers were set to impeach the Governor.
“What did you expect would be the implications? There would have been more destruction, killings and economic losses for the country.
“With the bombings that had already started, it was a matter of time before the whole state would be engulfed in flames. No responsible President would sit, arms folded, and allow that to happen “ he added.
The senator further argued that it took “painstaking efforts” by the administration to raise daily crude oil production to around 1,800 barrels, noting that Nigeria’s economy was already “witnessing a rebound under the renewed hope projects of the government.”
“Allowing the situation in Rivers to get worse before he would act, wouldn’t have helped the state or Nigeria as a country in any way.
“Mr. President intervened at the right time, and his actions are covered by law,” he said.
Karimi also spoke on the emergency declaration in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and a couple of other states by former President Goodluck Jonathan without removing the Governors from office or suspending the state assemblies.
According to him, the case with those States was not generated by political crises but rather security concerns.
“So, I will advise those comparing the two scenarios to remember that one was purely about security threats resulting from the insurgency caused by Boko Haram, while that of Rivers is clearly political.
“It was the proper thing to do to suspend the political actors in the two factions to allow for tensions to diffuse. Nigerians should appreciate the President for the action he has taken so far,” he stated.
Sen. Karimi also noted that there was no cause for alarm as the National Assembly had indicated that the emergency rule could be reviewed as soon as there were signs that things could quickly normalise in Rivers State.
Rivers: Tinubu acted to save state, economy, says Karimi
News
Just in: Tinubu swears in Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas
Just in: Tinubu swears in Rivers Sole Administrator Ibok-ete Ibas
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Vice Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (Retd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The administrator was sworn in on Wednesday after a short meeting with the President.
Tinubu announced the appointment of the retired naval chief at a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, when he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly members.
The President said his decision was based on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, saying he could not continue to watch the political situation in Rivers escalate without taking concrete action.
The suspension of Fubara and other elected representatives has been rejected and condemned by many eminent Nigerians, legal luminaries, groups such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Femi Falana, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigerian Bar Association.
However, the emergency rule has been praised by the pro-Nyesom Wike Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule, accusing Fubara of contravening the Supreme Court ruling on the political situation in the state.
Ibas was the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021.
He is from Cross River State where he had his early education.
The new sole administrator went to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979 from where he proceeded to have a successful career in the Navy, rising through the ranks to the very top.
He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
President Muhammadu Buhari who appointed him as Chief of Naval Staff conferred him with the National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2022.
News
Breaking: Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers State
Breaking: Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers State
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following the protracted political crisis in the state.
Tinubu made the declaration during a nationwide broadcast, saying it is for six months.
He announced the suspension of the Executive Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and all the members of the House of Assembly for six months.
He immediately named an administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Retd), to take charge of the affairs of the state for the six-month period.
Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution interprets a state of emergency as a situation of national danger or disaster in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control.
A state of emergency allows the President to immediately make any desired regulations to secure public order and safety. (Channels TV)
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