“The government wishes everyone journey mercies and reassures that security measures have been provided to ensure a free, fair and credible election.”
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Protesters carrying Russian flag mostly from Niger Republic – Prof Akinterinwa
Protesters carrying Russian flag mostly from Niger Republic – Prof Akinterinwa
Former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, has claimed that individuals carrying the ‘Russian’ flag during the nationwide hardship protest in Kano are primarily from Niger Republic. According to him, these foreigners are displaying the Russian flag to express their dissatisfaction with the Nigerian government’s and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), chaired by President Bola Tinubu, stance against the military coup in Niger.
The display of the Russian flag, which began on Thursday and intensified by Monday in Kano, has led to a crackdown on those orchestrating the trend. A man believed to be producing the flags was among those arrested by security agents.
He stated, “Those who are carrying the Russian flag, what does it mean to them? I’m not sure they know anything beyond the fact that they are supporting Russia rather than the West. Are the carriers Nigerians from Kano? My position is that, far from it, they are not likely to be Nigerians. Only when you consider them Nigerians can you seriously be more concerned about the implications.
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“There is a porous border between Nigeria and Niger, and you have the same ethnic community on both sides of the border; there is no true border between Nigeria and Niger. Consequently, all those who are carrying the Russian flag are basically from Niger. They only came to Kano. These are foreigners taking advantage to tell the government of Nigeria that Nigeriens are in support of the military junta.”
The diplomat further warned that this situation could escalate tensions between Nigeria and Ukraine, which is currently at war with Russia, potentially drawing Nigeria into a broader crisis.
He elaborated, “The government of Nigeria is not likely to be taken seriously by Niger because they see Nigeria as a disappointment. There is a need to explore citizen diplomacy, whereby citizens of the two countries come together and resolve not to be divided by foreign interests.
“The Russian flag is a notice to Tinubu government to be more conscious. It’s a warning. Ukraine is at war with Russia, but does not have a war with Mali. But knowing full well that Wagner (a Russian mercenary) is a major war ally for Russia, Ukraine decided to take a war to Mali.
“By implication, they (Israelis) are saying anywhere you find Russia, we can go there and attack. Suppose people are carrying Russian flags in Nigeria. In that case, we can expect the anger of the Ukrainian government as well, the same way Israel is attacking its enemies anywhere in the world. So, we need to tread more cautiously,” he added.
Protesters carrying Russian flag mostly from Niger Republic – Prof Akinterinwa
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Pension bill: Police retirees to embark on protest
Pension bill: Police retirees to embark on protest
The National Union of the Police Retirees, Kaduna State Branch has arranged for what it called a mother of all protest to remain at the National Assembly until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signs the Pension Exit Bill.
The Bill to exit the Nigeria Police from the Contributory Pension Scheme and the bill for the establishment of the Nigeria Police Pension Board, as the police retirees are patiently waiting for, and there is the tendency that, the promise may not be fulfilled, as September is winding up.
This is contained in a press release signed by the chairman of the Police Retirees Kaduna State Chapter, CSP Mannir Lawal Zaria Rtd and the Vice Chairman ASP Danlami Maigamo Rtd and distributed to journalists in Kaduna.
CSP Mannir Lawal Zaria Rtd lamented that the police retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme are dying immensely due to poverty and hunger.
“The union is also pleading that, as the death toll is on the increase among the police retirees under the contributory Pension Scheme and the prices of commodity of any type is also on the increase.”
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He said: “Federal government should come to the aid of the police retirees under the contributory Pension Scheme before they all perish, by immediately paying the following allowances to the police retirees under the contributory Pension Scheme.
“Two point five percent differential, the Federal Government Palliative and three consecutive pension increases by the Federal Government as well as the minimum wage increase.
“During the Police Retirees, Kaduna State Branch monthly meeting held last Wednesday at Police Officers Mess Kaduna. Members became shocked and worried, as there is a sign of unfulfillment of a promise that began to manifest itself because it can be recalled that, on 22/09/24.
“The National Union of the Police Retirees under the contributory Pension Scheme carried out a nationwide peaceful protest to the National Assembly Abuja.
“During the protest, the Chairman of Senate Committee for Police Affairs, Senator Ahmed Abdulkadir Malamadori, addressed some of the retirees in his office, where he promised the retirees that, before September 24, they would be exited from the Contributory Pension Scheme to the Define Benefit Scheme (DBS) that the two Police Bills would be Harmonize.
“Sequel to this, the blood pressure of many concerned police retirees has risen above maximum. Therefore, the Kaduna Branch has unanimously agreed that, if by the end of this September, the Nigeria Police is not exempted from the contributory Pension Scheme,” he said.
Pension bill: Police retirees to embark on protest
News
Edo poll: Court gives fresh order on APC candidate Okpebholo
Edo poll: Court gives fresh order on APC candidate Okpebholo
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has ordered a judicial review concerning the criminal summons issued against Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the upcoming Edo governorship election.
The court’s decision follows an application submitted by Okpebholo’s legal counsel, Adaze Emwanta.
The presiding judge, Justice O.C. Agbaza, delivered a ruling after hearing an ex-parte motion on Wednesday. He agreed to the reliefs sought by Okpebholo’s counsel, setting the next hearing for October 28.
The criminal summons was initially issued by Magistrate Abubakar Mukhtar of Wuse Zone 2, who had ordered Okpebholo to appear in court on September 20.
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The summons stemmed from allegations that the APC candidate provided false information regarding his date of birth on forms submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The case, which was filed by an Edo indigene, Honesty Aginbatse, accused Okpebholo of conflicting dates of birth in his nomination documents. In response, Okpebholo sought intervention from the FCT High Court to prevent the summons from proceeding. His legal team argued that the criminal charge was part of a plot to tarnish his image ahead of the election.
According to Okpebholo’s defense, the issue of his birthdate had already been addressed and resolved at the Supreme Court’s registry through a Deed of Regularisation, which was officially gazetted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria in August. The APC candidate also alleged that the summons was not served to him directly but circulated on social media to damage his reputation on the eve of the election.
Meanwhile, in a separate but related case, the Federal High Court in Abuja is set to rule on a motion filed by the APC seeking to amend its summons in a lawsuit involving INEC, Asue Ighodalo, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Justice Peter Lifu has reserved his judgment on the case, with both the PDP and Ighodalo contesting the jurisdiction of the suit.
The legal battles surrounding Okpebholo continue as the Edo governorship election approaches, raising questions about their impact on the candidate’s campaign.
Edo poll: Court gives fresh order on APC candidate Okpebholo
News
JUST IN: Edo declares Friday work-free day for gov election
JUST IN: Edo declares Friday work-free day for gov election
The Edo government has declared September 20 as a work-free day to facilitate travel for workers and residents ahead of the state’s governorship election.
The election is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, across 18 LGAs in the state.
In a statement, Joseph Eboigbe, secretary to the state government (SSG), assured that adequate security arrangements are in place for a secure and democratic election process.
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“This is to enable workers and other electorates travel to their voting areas ahead of the September 21 governorship election in the State” he said.
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