Atletico Madrid edged city rivals Real Madrid to the La Liga title in dramatic fashion after coming from behind to beat Real Valladolid in the final game.
Diego Simeone’s side trailed to Oscar Plano’s strike but turned the match around in the second half through goals from Angel Correa and Luis Suarez.
Real scored twice late on to beat Villarreal 2-1 but came up short as they needed Atletico to drop points.
Atletico clinched their first title in seven years and their 11th overall.
It was a highly satisfactory triumph for Los Colchoneros as they finished just two points ahead of defending champions Real, who end the season without silverware. BBC
Reno Omokri, former presidential aide, has criticized President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for not attending the burial of the late Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Attahiru, on Saturday.
It was earlier reported that Buhari and Osinbajo were conspicuously missing at the burial of the late COAS and other military officers on Saturday.
Attahiru died in a plane crash close to the Kaduna Airport on Friday.
Ten other officers were also killed when the Beachcraft 350 aircraft came down due to bad weather.
Their remains were on Saturday moved to the National Mosque and the Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church venues of prayers.
The burial rites started around 1 pm and were attended by top dignitaries in Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
Their bodies were later moved to the National Military Cemetery for the interment ceremony, where they were honoured with a 21-gun salute.
Reacting, Omokri, in a tweet via his Twitter handle, said, wonder why will anyone want to die for Nigeria after Buhari and Osinbajo failed to attend the burial of late COAS, other military officers.
Omokri’s tweet read, “@MBuhari called General Attahiru a “hero”, but he did not attend his funeral just 15 miles from Aso Rock. Yet, he travelled 4000 miles to Paris.
“Even @ProfOsinbajo did not attend, yet he traveled 2500 miles to Kampala. Why will anyone then want to die for Nigeria? ”
Gov Matawalle shuts down defection rumours, attends PDP Governors meeting
The Federal Government has come under severe criticisms on social media, particularly on Twitter, following reports that the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) collect the identification numbers of citizens phones. The identification numbers also known as ‘IMEI’ allows phones to be tracked and monitored. It also allows access to sensitive data of users.
The NCC’s Revised National Policy for Sim Card Registration, which disclosed the said plan stipulates that “implementation of a Centralised Equipment Identity and Register (CEIR), otherwise known as Device Management System (DMS) will serve as a repository for keeping records of all registered mobile phones’ International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) and owners of such devices.”
“IMEIs that have been reported as either stolen or illegal; will be shared through the DMS to all the operators and service providers. The purpose is to ensure that such devices do not work even if different SIM Cards are inserted in those devices.”
“Accordingly, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has directed that the Device Management System should be implemented within three months,” it read.
Outrage
The new policy comes months after the federal government announced compulsory integration of sim cards with National Identity Numbers (NIN). The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) tackled the government over the decision, claiming it is a violation of the 1999 Constitution.
“We urge President Buhari to direct the Nigerian Communications Commission to immediately withdraw the illegal directive asking Nigerians to submit the International Mobile Equipment Identity of their phones.”
“The directive cannot be justified under any circumstances, as it amounts to mass surveillance, which is contrary to the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], and violates the rights to privacy, freedom of expression, and would have a profound impact on other human rights.”
“Asking Nigerians to submit their Phone ID is illegal and unconstitutional,” the group said.
A Twitter user who simply identified himself as Ayemojubar while reacting to the report on IMEI submission to Federal Government said, “You are at the mercy of whoever has your BVN, NIN and IMEI — your finances, your communication channels, your contacts, colleagues and family, your location, I mean the complete organogram of your existence.”
POLITICS NIGERIA also monitored an online poll on the subject of discourse and 90 per cent of the respondents said they won’t support submission of their phone identification number to the NCC. Amidst public outcry, the NCC in a statement by its spokesperson, Ikechukwu Adinde, on Friday, said it will get the numbers automatically without asking individuals to submit them.
“It is pertinent to state that the Commission is in the process of deploying a Device Management System (DMS). The DMS will essentially protect subscribers against phone theft and will identify and enable the elimination of fake devices from the networks. The system will capture IMEI automatically without any requirement for subscribers to submit same,” the statement said.
Pantami’s terror-related factor?
One major reason why Nigeria are skeptical about the development is the history of terror-linked Minister of Communication, Isa Pantami.The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is the independent regulatory authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria and the agency works directly under the watch of Mr Pantami who heads the Ministry of Communications.
The minister was recently attacked for his vociferous support for terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and Taliban.
He also considered Osama bin Laden “a better Muslim than himself in a country where Boko Haram insurgents have claimed the live of thousands of people”. He was first the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency and later the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
A report on his alleged activities generated controversy after he was said to had been placed on the U.S. watch list for terrorism. The article was later retracted but the damage had been done. Some days after the publication, some videos of his teachings 20 years ago also surfaced online.
Documents of him volunteering to command a militia to fight against Christians in a Plateau community also went viral online; then reports that he offered public condolences to the notorious Al-Qaeda leader, Abu Musa’b al-Zarqawi. Asides all these, Mr Pantami, whose agency is expected to have citizens IMEI in a few months time, reportedly “issued a fatwa” on several Christian students on campus, leading to the eventual killing of one of them.
Mr Pantami has renounced his past statements, but calls for his resignation have continued to gain traction. This among others won’t make Nigerians support the submission of phone identification number directive.
Govt incessant gag against press freedom
Another reason why Nigerians will not support the order is the incessant gag against press freedom by President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Several Nigerians have in the past been a victim of this. A popular instance is the case of Dadiyata who has been missing for months after criticising a state governor.
The order will also poses threats to investigative journalists who try to hold authorities to account.
“Nigerian government cannot be trusted,” Dunsi Olowolafe said. “Some of us in the media will be picked from home anytime we write about their irregularities.”
The Governors on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against witch-hunting opposition parties.
The PDP Governors’ Forum said that the recent invitation of officials of the PDP by the EFCC acting on a spurious petition by a disgruntled former member of PDP raises questions on the seriousness and impartiality of the anti graft agency to do its work.
The Governors in a statement by its Director-General, CID Maduabum said, “while PDP as a political party is accountable to its members and the general public for its actions, we are, however, concerned that the old tactics of using the EFCC to silence political opposition are creeping into our polity once again.
“We had expected that the EFCC under a new leadership will learn from the mistakes of its predecessors.
“It is a misplaced priority for EFCC to abandon revelations of monumental fraud by various officials and agencies of the Federal Government to pursue the PDP which is the main opposition party doing a yeoman’s job of preventing the descent into chaos and anarchy in Nigeria.”
The governors said that the assertive role PDP is playing is given the government a sleepless night, hence the action of the EFCC.
“Perhaps certain interests in government are worried about the increasingly assertive role the PDP is playing in calling out corruption in government and wants to weaken and silence it,” the governors said.
The Forum noted that the petition in question didn’t talk about embezzling of government funds, adding, “even the petition in question did not make a single allegation of misuse of government funds, nor cheating of any individual or public authority by the PDP.
“It is therefore surprising that EFCC should use its scarce human and other resources to begin an investigation into PDP finances. If EFCC is even – handed and non-partisan, it should also conduct an investigation into other political parties including APC, the ruling party.”
The governors said that PDP is up to date in making financial returns as required by the Constitution to INEC, “and we are not aware that INEC made any complaints to EFCC on PDP’s Returns.
“The times are really perilous. We face existential threats as a nation and PDP shouldn’t be distracted from its main role as a political watchdog on behalf of Nigerians.”
The remains of the officers who died in the Air crash together with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru have arrived at the Protestant Church, Air Force Base, Abuja.
A burial service has already commended for five of them at the Church.
It was reported that on Friday, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru died in an air crash at about 6:00p.m.
A military Beachcraft 350 carrying him went down at the Kaduna International Airport on Friday, claiming all passengers.
The top military officer, alongside his senior aides and other senior army officers, were in Kaduna on an official trip. DAILY POST gathered that they passed on with him.
BREAKING: Agitators Flood Akure To demand Yoruba Nation
Hundreds of Yoruba nation agitators have arrived in Akure, Ondo State to demand the separation from Nigeria.
The agitators held a rally in the state capital, Akure, displaying banners showing their demand for Yoruba Nation.
A spokesman for Ilana Omo Oodua, the group coordinating the rally, Maxwell Adeleye, said, “We are in Akure to demand Yoruba Nation. This current structure is not working. There will be no election in 2023. We want a Yoruba nation and we are ready to gain that peacefully.”
Navy Cancels 65th Anniversary over Army Chief’s Death
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, has directed the cancellation of the events marking the 65th Anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.
A statement by the Director of Information, Commodore Suleman Dahun, said: “this decision followed the sad demise of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, some senior officers, other officers and personnel in the air crash of yesterday, May 21, 2021 in Kaduna.
“The CNS commiserates with the nation and offers the condolences of officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy to Mr President, the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force as well as families of the departed. May their souls rest in peace.”
Former Aviation Minister and opposition figure, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has reacted to a tragic airforce plane crash that occurred on Friday killing Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and several other top military brass.
FFK, in a series of tweets called for an investigation into the matter asking if the incident was truly an accident or an ‘inside Job’. He tweeted;
“Lord have mercy! May the souls of Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru & all our other warriors that went down with him rest in peace. We DEMAND to know what really happened! Was it an accident or was the plane brought down? If it was brought down, who by? Was it BH or an inside job?”
“..If it was an accident what caused it? Weather, engine failure, pilot error? So many questions!”
“No cover-ups this time! We have a right to know the truth and to be told under what circumstances our COAS & his officers were killed. Accident Investigation Bureau over to you!”
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation AGF, Abubakar Malami has come under attack for comparing the ban on open grazing by Southern Governors with prohibition of spare parts trading in the North.
Malami had in an interview while reacting to the decision of the Southern Governors, said it is a dangerous decision for any governor in Nigeria to think that they can bring any compromise on the freedom of liberty of individuals to move about, comparing it to northern governors prohibiting the sales of spare parts in the North.
He insisted that the ban does not align with the constitution in the context of human rights.
Arise Television presenters bared their hearts on this when they discussed trending videos anchored by Orji Okpe, a model.
In his reaction, a former Presidential spokesman and television presenter, Dr Rueben Abati urged the AGF to stop misreading the constitution, saying Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, guarantees freedom of movement to person and not cows.
He said; “The office of the Attorney General of the Federation is provided for in Section 150 of the 1999 Constitution and the functions of the Attorney General are very clear. He is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation. He is the Chief Legal Adviser to the Federal Government of Nigeria. At the state level, Section195 provides for Attorneys General of the states.
“However, the first problem we have with this comment by the AGF is that when an Attorney General begins to dabble into politics, it becomes a very untidy situation and it is one of the reasons some persons have been arguing that we need to separate the Office of the AGF from the office of the Minister of Justice, because the office of the minister is a political appointee. The AGF has to focus on the law. So, this is the problem that I see here because in this particular instance, the AGF responding to the 17 governors of the South is crossing the line from discussion of law into partisan politics.
“The second point is S. 41 of the 1999 Constitution which he was referring to, does not talk about cattle. It talks about persons. It says, “every person…” And this is without being presumptuous because I don’t imagine that I can teach the AGF on the point of law. He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN and all of that, but with due respect, the governors of the 17 Southern states are talking about cattle going about and disturbing people in the Southern part of the country, destroying farms.
“If I recall, in that 12-point communique, there was no where they said northerners have been banned from the South. Nobody has banned the Fulani or anybody from any part of Nigeria. In the Southwest or the Southeast, you can go anywhere, but the issue is about cattle grazing and that is why they are calling for ranching. They are not calling for the ranching of human beings, they are calling for the ranching of cattle.
“The third point is his analogy. I think it is entirely misplaced. Look, the Southern Governors can say yes, don’t even bring the cattle, they will eat fish.
There are even southerners who have set up their own ranches, if the issue is about economic conflict that is indicated. The people selling spare parts in the North, if they come from a particular part of the country, maybe, from the Southeast or Southwest can gladly say okay, they will leave, that they will not sell spare parts in the North again. Now, in terms of cost, the people in the South have an alternative.
They can eat fish, they can eat snails, but if you don’t have spare parts, how do you maintain your vehicles? How do you replace vehicle parts? So, that is why I think that the analogy is a bit misplaced but what is more important is that we will like a situation whereby the AGF does not get involved in partisan politics and just concentrate on the job of defending the rule of law, which is what is important in this regard.
On her part, Tundun Abiola, daughter of late Chief MKO Abiola said comparing cattle grazing and activities and criminal herders with spare parts dealers is a false equivalence.
She said; “I think that is a false equivalence he made there. He was referring to S. 41 of the Constitution that guarantees freedom of movement all over the country to all Nigerians and you cannot be expelled from any part of the country.
However, we have a pressing security issue at the moment. Nobody has any problem with lawful herders. We never had because we all grew up with herders roaming the country. But now we have a new breed of herders who are brandishing AK-47. So, it is disingenuous of him to talk about it like it is just about cattle rearing. It is not. It has taken a sinister dimension and it will be irresponsible for southern governors to fail to curb this menace. So, it is a false equivalence on that score.
“Now, spare parts traders in the North do not have AK-47s, do not shoot down customers. What is happening between the farmers and the herders is completely different and I really like that he would raise the spare parts issue whereas when Hisbah goes and destroys the stocks of Christians trading in Kano, what do we hear? Crickets. This is the kind of problem and tension that we are facing in the country when people don’t feel a sense of belonging and that some are more equal. I don’t appreciate this kind of comparison to lawful businessmen; comparing them to criminals”.
Another presenter, Rufai Oseni expressed dismay that Nigeria has so degenerated to a level where cows have become subjects of national discuss at a time the country should be thinking of other developmental issues.
“I saw the interview and it was quiet very sad. The fact that as a nation with the might and the size of Nigeria the potential it has got, that our national issue and development have been reduced to issues about ‘ma’alu’, that is cattle. It is problematic. And when you sense the body reaction of the AGF, you expect more from an AGF in cases like this. At first, an Attorney General trying to distort the law… S. 41 talks about movement of persons. So, why twist it? Cattle are not human beings except if you are telling us that cattle have become human beings in this country or you are giving them human status.
“Sometimes, maybe we need to check. Look at the open grazing law- they have had this since 1965 in the North but in the ’70s we had the Land Use Act that vests powers over land in the hands of the state governors and that still subsists.
The state governors still call the shots on the land. What is residual should be left for the residual. So, why is the AGF talking as though there is another law he is quoting from in this country, trying to play technicalities with us? And we have seen the signs and the next thing, you use a very tribalistic slur by saying spare parts.
Because we all know that the major dealers in spare parts are the Igbo. Why are you doing this? At first, you put forward Ruga, we said no. Just because of this same land, you come and collect land from people and call it settlement for cows. You went further ahead and put forward the Water Bill and we said no.
Let us cool things down. We all want this country to work. Let us not inflame passions. We should all be statesmen in the collective development of this country. Nobody is bigger than any other person”.
Attahiru’s death, monumental tragedy to Nigeria– Fani-Kayode reacts bitterly to death of Army Boss
Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister has reacted to the death of the Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Attahiru.
Fani-Kayode described Attahiru’s death as a monumental tragedy to Nigeria.
Attahiru died in an air crash on Friday.
He was aboard a military aircraft on an official trip in Kaduna.
It was gathered that Attahiru died with his aides in a plane crash.
It was learnt that the ill-fated aircraft crashed at the airport’s runway about 6 pm.
Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria, Akin Olateru, confirmed that the eight souls died onboard.
“Beachcraft 350. 8 souls on board. Unfortunately all dead,” Olateru wrote in a WhatsApp note.
Reacting, the former minister, in a tweet wrote: “The Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Armed Forces, General Attahiru Ibrahim, has been killed in an air crash together with a number of his officers and aides.
“This is a monumental tragedy and a big blow to our nation. May their souls rest in peace & may God help Nigeria.”
