Tinubu bars ex-Niger Delta agitators from Aso Villa – Newstrends
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Tinubu bars ex-Niger Delta agitators from Aso Villa

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1 year ago

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Alhaji Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo

There are strong indications that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has barred any former Niger Delta insurgent commander from visiting him at the presidential mansion in Abuja.

Based on this directive, it was learnt that the presidency recently rejected requests for courtesy visits by key militant leaders and ethnic militias from the oil-rich region to Tinubu in the villa.

The decision was reportedly taken in the aftermath of the visit to Tinubu by the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo, on June 16 this year.

Asari-Dokubo, a staunch supporter of Tinubu, backed and supported the President in the run-up to the 2023 presidential election.

A report on Tuesday by Leadership stated that Tinubu, in ordering the action, was disturbed by public utterances and actions of Asari-Dokubo after his visit to the villa.

It was learnt that Tinubu was bothered that all “verbal vituperations and militant activities” of Asari-Dokubo in the Niger Delta were subsequently linked to him after the June audience with the notable activist.

As he stepped out of the Villa, Asari-Dokubo, in a chat with the State House reporters, took on the Armed Forces, accusing its personnel of being neck-deep in economic sabotage, especially crude oil theft and vandalism of oil equipment in the region.

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The allegation, it was learnt, embarrassed and shocked Tinubu, especially because he made the shocking revelation moments after departing his office.

Leadership reported sources in the presidency as saying that Dokubo’s outbursts against the military within the vicinity of the villa gave the inkling that the President shared the same views with the ex-militant commander.

It was gathered that the presidency was ruffled by the attacks on the President by notable Nigerians over the utterances and actions of Asari-Dokubo, especially his effrontery in the reckless public assemblage of gun-wielding youths in his enclave in Rivers State.

The gun-bearing renegades often appeared in viral videos with Asari-Dokubo, assuming commanding roles.

Asari-Dokubo also took on the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, threatening to deal with the chief executive of the state.

The presidency was said to have been irked that his association with the President had continued to give a wrong signal to the public that he enjoyed the support and backing of the nation’s number one citizen.

To this end, one of our sources in the presidency said all individuals known to be linked with the Niger Delta ethnic crisis and oil industry unrest in the region, requesting courtesy visits and audience with the President after the Asari-Dokubo’s experience, had their applications declined.

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A notable militant from the region, who made a request for an audience with the President last week, was said to have lamented that his application was declined by the nation’s seat of power.

He said top officials of the presidency pointedly informed him that the President was not disposed to meeting with members of his group.

But Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, said he was not aware of the President’s directive on the matter.

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Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

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6 hours ago

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November 17, 2024

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Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

Four people, including a soldier, were reportedly killed by suspected cultists in the North Bank area of Makurdi, Benue State, on Thursday and Friday.

Local sources revealed that the victims, including two young men and a soldier, were attacked late Friday night.

Another individual, believed to be a cultist, was killed in his home on Thursday.

Chairman of the vigilance group Operation Shara, Nura Umar, stated, “The soldier and two boys were innocent victims attacked by suspected cultists. The incidents occurred near the BIPC area.”

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However, police spokesperson Catherine Anene confirmed only one civilian death, adding, “Operatives have been deployed to address the situation.”

The area has seen a surge in rival cult clashes in recent weeks, raising concerns over public safety.

 

Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

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Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

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7 hours ago

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November 17, 2024

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Senator Ali Ndume and Daniel Bwala

Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on Daniel Bwala, the newly appointed Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Bola Tinubu, to apologize to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In a statement, Ndume attributed his plea to Bwala’s earlier criticism of Shettima’s selection as Tinubu’s running mate, a decision that led to Bwala’s exit from the APC over concerns about the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.

It should be recalled that Bwala, previously a spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign, recently joined Tinubu’s team after being a vocal critic of the ruling party’s decision to present two Muslim candidates for the 2023 presidential election.

Bwala resigned from the APC in July 2022, condemning the party’s choice of Shettima as insensitive to Nigeria’s secular principles. At the time, he publicly opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket, sparking significant debate.

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In his statement, Ndume said, “I wish to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Daniel Bwala as his Special Adviser on Public Communication and Media. This gesture deserves serious applause, particularly in view of the roles played by Bwala in the recent past.”

Ndume praised Tinubu’s appointment as a move towards inclusivity and reconciliation, urging Bwala to work closely with Vice President Shettima. “You should work with the Vice President closely as your second principal to promote the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President,” Ndume advised.

He also encouraged Bwala to follow the example of key Tinubu allies such as Sunday Dare, Hadiza Bala Usman, and Bayo Onanuga, emphasizing the need for constructive advocacy. “These individuals defend and market Tinubu’s policies backed by facts and figures without being abusive or offensive. Bwala should adopt a similar approach,” Ndume stated.

Highlighting the importance of grassroots connection, Ndume added, “Charity begins at home. You must connect with the grassroots to ensure the administration’s message resonates with the people. I wish you success in your new assignment.”

Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

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Supreme Court sacks Remo monarch in Ogun State

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7 hours ago

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November 17, 2024

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Supreme Court sacks Remo monarch in Ogun State

The Supreme Court in Abuja has affirmed Oba Olatunji Kalejaiye’s removal from the throne, the Nloku of Iraye in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Apex court’s decision affirmed an earlier order of the Appeal Court asking Kalejaiye to stop parading himself as the Nloku of Iraye.

In the Supreme Court ruling delivered by Justice Uwani Musa Aba Aji, the Apex Court granted the application to strike out Kalejaiye’s appeal for lack of diligent prosecution, as prayed.

“Appeal number SC/CV11112022 is at this moment struck out for lack of diligent prosecution,”’ the Supreme Court ruled to end the embattled monarch’s troubled reign as Nloku of Iraye.

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Justices Habeeb Adewale Abiru, M.M. Saulawa, Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme, and Obande Festus Ogbuinya were with Justice Musa on the case.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State had in September 2022, halted the reign of the deposed Nloku of Iraye, Oba Kalejaiye, while ruling on the case (Appeal No: CA/1B/255/2015 Suit No: HCS/65/2019, an appeal filed by Kalejaiye against his deposition in 2015 by a State High Court sitting in Sagamu.

The Justices of the Appeal Court, led by Hon. Justice Moore A. A. Adumein, ruled that “the appeal lacked merit and is hereby dismissed. The Judgment of Hon. Justice Olugbenga Ogunfowora is hereby affirmed.”

Speaking on the Supreme Court judgment, Pa Olu Salau, head of the Sugbada royal family appreciated the Justices for doing justice to the matter brought before them in a brilliant, comprehensive, and incisive manner. He urged all parties in the dispute to accept the judgment as the will of God and the wishes of the good people of Iraye.

 

Supreme Court sacks Remo monarch in Ogun State

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