President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to immediately prepare the schedule/timetable for the national convention.
Recall that the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, had disclosed that the president would meet with APC governors on Sunday over the party’s national convention.
Speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting with the president, Lalong said the leaders will discuss the convention slated for February and other matters affecting the party.
A source close to the APC governors told ThisDay that Buhari had asked the committee led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State to submit the prepared schedule before Friday.
Following the president’s directive, the source said the caretaker committee will meet on Tuesday to prepare the timetable and submit it to the president for approval.
Speaking further, the source said that the governors were divided on the issue of holding the convention next month or postponing the event.
He claimed that some of the governors wanted the exercise to hold next month to ensure that reconciliations that may arise after the convention are fully addressed before next year’s general election while others want the event shifted.
The source stated that the publicity, venue, accreditation, finance and other committees would depend on the outcome of the two meetings on Sunday and Tuesday.
Inspite of overtures by some Northern governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to fly the flag of the party in next year’s election, there is no commitment yet from President Muhammadu Buhari or key party leaders on the matter.
It was learnt that the ex-President is still consulting on whether or not to contest or remain a statesman.
Jonathan is believed to have lost the backing of some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, especially his anointed choice in one of the South-South states.
The particular governor is said to have ruled out the prospect of another Jonathan presidency under any guise.
According to an investigation conducted by our correspondent, the cold shoulder from the PDP governors was capitalised upon by some APC Northern governors to woo Jonathan.
The APC governors opted for Jonathan because he is only entitled to one term, after which power would return to the North.
It was gathered that Jonathan’s candidacy is not acceptable to more than three APC governors.
A top source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “Some Northern governors have reached out to Jonathan on 2023 presidency and the need to be APC flag bearer.
“The permutations of the governors border on fostering a North and South-South alliance with some elements in the South-West in 2023.
“The governors believe that with one term for Jonathan from 2023, the presidency can return to the North in 2027.
“But many APC governors are not buying into the Jonathan project at all. They claimed that if Jonathan secures APC presidential ticket, there would be no justification for the 2015 ouster of PDP from power by the ruling party.”
Findings from some close associates of Jonathan confirmed that he is interested in the presidency but he wants the ticket on a platter of gold.
The ex-President is said to have confided in some members of his former cabinet.
A former Minister said: “So far from interactions with him, the ex-President appears to be interested but he is not convinced of the genuineness of the overtures.
“Some APC governors came to beg him to run for the 2023 presidency on the platform of the party.
“I think the affected APC governors are aware of the fact that Jonathan has lost grounds in PDP. They see him as a big catch to renew the aged alliance between the North and the South-South as was the case during the Second Republic.
“The talks are still ongoing. Jonathan has been awaiting a firm commitment from President Muhammadu Buhari and key APC leaders but this is not forthcoming. His terms are to join APC and get the presidential nomination.
“Buhari, who said he won’t disclose his preferred candidate for 2023 presidential race, sticks to due process and he has not given any green light to Jonathan.
“Many APC stalwarts are also not excited by likely defection of Jonathan from PDP to their party. Apart from his gentle disposition and democratic credentials, they don’t rate him as a political asset.
“But Jonathan’s aspiration has received the blessing of two former presidents/heads of state.”
Investigation revealed that Jonathan has been boxed into a corner in PDP by some governors and presidential aspirants.
A party source added: “The truth is that Jonathan is not finding it easy in PDP. The PDP governors hold the party’s structure and they are not looking towards Jonathan.
“In fact, Jonathan is no longer enjoying the confidence of PDP governors. He seems to have fallen out with a South-South governor he installed in 2015. The governor has ruled out Jonathan from 2023 presidential race.
“Among PDP governors, there are presidential aspirants, including Jonathan’s 2010 /2011 chief strategist, Sen. Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Barr. Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and his old foe, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto).
“Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom Jonathan defeated at the presidential primary election in the past, is stronger now than the ex-President.
“The option left for the ex-President is to take the risk and plunge himself into the race to try his luck.”
At least seven people were killed and three were missing after a cliff collapsed onto boats carrying tourists on a lake in Brazil, authorities said Saturday.
Rescue teams including a dive squad and members of the Brazilian Navy rushed to Furnas Lake in Minas Gerais state, where panicked tourists had watched helplessly as a large rock fragment broke off a ravine and plunged atop three boats.
The latest official toll is “seven dead and three missing,” Minas Gerais firefighters’ spokesman Pedro Aihara said on Saturday night.
Another 32 were wounded, including nine who had to be hospitalized, authorities said.
Firefighters had initially reported 20 missing, but “that number was substantially reduced because a good part of the victims who were unaccounted for were people who moved by their own means to hospitals,” Aihara said in a voice message sent to reporters.
Tourists flock to see the rock walls, caverns and waterfalls that surround the green waters of Lake Furnas, formed by the hydroelectric dam of the same name.
Dramatic videos shared on social networks caught the exact moment when the cliff fell on the three boats.
Another video posted on social media shows the minute before the fall, in which several people warn that “lots of stones are falling” and yell at the occupants of the other boats to move away from the wall.
President Jair Bolsonaro retweeted some of these videos on his account, and reported that “as soon as the unfortunate disaster occurred, the Brazilian Navy moved to the site to rescue victims and transport the injured.”
The divers’ search will be interrupted overnight for safety reasons and resumed in the morning, but other rescuers continue to work at the site.
Very heavy rain has fallen in recent days in southeastern Brazil, making the collapse more likely, according to firefighters.
OPERATION SAFE HAVEN COMMENDED FOR UNITING DIVERSE GROUPS FROM PLATEAU, BAUCHI AND KADUNA STATES
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong has commended Operation SAFE HAVEN for uniting youths of diverse backgrounds in its area of operation. The governor gave the commendation today 8 January 2022 during the Grand Finale of the Chief of Defence Staff Peace and Unity Marathon and Football Competition organized by Operation SAFE HAVEN in Jos.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Prof Danladi Attu, Governor Lalong noted that bringing the youths together from 24 local government areas of Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna states is a novel idea towards promoting unity, friendship and teamwork. He maintained that the competition was an indication that sporting activities could be used to unite the youths and take them out of crime.
Governor Lalong further lauded the pragmatic approach of Operation SAFE HAVEN in deploying non-kinetic means to solving communal crises in its area of operation. He urged the participants to be agents of peace in their respective domains in order to consolidate on the efforts of the security agencies in securing citizens’ lives and property.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Governors of Kaduna and Bauchi states represented by the Commissioner (Administration) Kafanchan Municipal, Hon Phoebe Sukai Yayi and Special Adviser to Bauchi State Governor on Security, Brigadier General MJ Yake (Rtd) said the competition was capable of fostering unity and bringing permanent peace to the nation if emulated by both private and public institutions.
They commended Operation SAFE HAVEN for its commitment to national security and congratulated the youths for participating in the competition. They also urged the participants to consider a career in sports which could bring glory to the country.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Ibrahim Ali, called on all peace loving citizens to unite against the enemies of peace in the society. He urged the youths to distance themselves from activities that will destroy their future, noting that exposing bad eggs in the society is the surest way to achieving peace. He further assured that the competition would enhance robust civil/military relations of the command.
While encouraging the athletes to make good use of the opportunity provided by the competition to discover and develop their potentials towards becoming better persons in the society, General Ali called on community and religious leaders to champion the course of peace in their various domains.
Also Speaking during the event, His Royal Highness the Mbra Ngwe, Rtd Rev Ronku Aka , the paramount ruler of Irigwe kingdom and the Ardo of Gashish, Ardo Idris were optimistic that the event has proved that peace has come to stay. They called on the youths to maximally support security agencies and never to harbour criminals in their communities.
Highlight of the event were presentation of trophies, medals and cash prizes to the champions, second, third and fourth positions of the football tournament as well as winners of the boys and girls categories of the marathon competition. Consolation prizes were also presented to physically challenged, oldest and youngest competitors of the tournament.
You are please requested to disseminate this information through your medium. Thank you for the usual cooperation.
ISHAKU TAKWA
Major
Military Information Officer OPSH
8 January 2022
SUSPECTED Fulani kidnappers resumed criminal activities in Oyo State early on Saturday, as they struck at Onigaari axis of the Lagos-Ibadan highway, killing a commercial driver, identified as Oluwatosin Aruwajoye, and abducting five of his passengers, while another one, Ibrahim Tiamiyu, was shot in the thigh.
One of the passengers, however, managed an escape, it was gathered.
The abduction reportedly occurred at about 6 am.
Sunday Tribune learnt that the passengers boarded an eight-seater ash colour Toyota Sienna bus with registration number MUS 493 HH from Ibadan, Oyo State, and were on their way to Lagos State when the kidnappers suddenly emerged from the bush on the roadside at Onigaari, shooting sporadically.
Information had it that the driver, who sensed their presence and tried to manoeuvre his way through, was immediately shot dead at close range, while Tiamiyu was shot in the thigh.
Among the five abducted victims was a woman, it was further learnt.
On getting information about Tiamiyu, the brother of the injured victim reportedly rushed to Toll Gate Division of The Nigeria Police where he reported the case.
Police operatives from the Oyo State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad and the Toll Gate Police Division were said to have moved to the scene immediately they got the information and rushed the injured victim to the hospital for treatment.
Several operatives were said to have combed the bush in a move to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The driver’s corpse was also deposited in the mortuary at Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring Road.
Meanwhile, the kidnappers have demanded N30 million as a ransom for the female victim.
A reliable source told Sunday Tribune that the kidnappers made the call to a female relation of one of the victims based in Lagos not too long after the abduction.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident which he described as unfortunate.
The PPRO said that there would be an update in due course.
Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said his principal was “was persuaded and pressured” to contest for President in 2015.
Buhari is in his second term in office, and will leave when his tenure expires in May 2023.
Shehu, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, stated that President Buhari is right to blow his trumpet anytime the opportunity presents itself.
“The president can be very casual sometimes in speaking and jovial and jocularly; I think this is what people fail to understand of him. They need to understand how he was persuaded and pressured to even run in the first instance.
“He had served as governor, minister and military Head of State and that’s the highest it could get. He had retired home and Nigerians came and said you are the right person for this moment, we need you. It took some persuasion.
“So, yes, it is right for the person to say he has given his best and when the time is up, some other person will take over,” Shehu said.
The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.), has lost his first wife, Hajiya Zainab Marwa.
A statement by the family on Saturday said Zainab Marwa died in the early hours of the day at the age of 66 after a brief illness.
The deceased is survived by four adult children: Abubakar, Mohamed Jr, Mariam and Zainab, and 10 grandchildren as well as her siblings and aged mother.
During her lifetime, she championed the course of women and the girl child.
The statement added that a burial arrangement will be announced at a later date by the family.
OP Hadin Kai: Troops Inflict Casualty On Boko Haram/Iswap Terrorists, Destroy Illegal Market
Troops of 5 Brigade, Sector 3 Joint Task Force (JTF), North East Operation HADIN KAI, while consolidating on their dogged push to deplete Boko Haram(BH) and Islamic State West Africa Province Terrorists (ISWAP) in Borno State, recorded a decisive victory against the terrorists in Damask on Friday 7 January 2022.
The gallant troops, while conducting clearance operations, code named Operation DOMINANCE I, came in contact with the terrorists at an illegal market operated by the terrorists in Gallo Malawari Village. In the fierce encounter, three BH/ISWAP terrorists were neutralized, while others, bowing to superior firepower retreated in disarray.
Troops recovered one AK 47 Rifle, a truck, two Motorcycles, four empty magazines and rounds of 7.62mm ammunition amongst others.
A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Bri. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu has statement at the weekend
The owner of Hilton hotel, Prince Ramon Adedoyin has been further indicted in the circumstances that led to the death of Timothy Adegoke, a masters student of OAU who died at the hotel some months ago.
He was said to have been gruesomely murdered and buried by staffers of Hilton hotels. The police also confirmed that he was buried without the consent of his family members or the police force.
This made the matter complex and led to the arrest of Ramon Adedoyin as investigations began into the sudden death of the young man.
In the course of investigation, the police revealed that Ramon Adedoyin’s son monitored the burial of Timothy Adegoke and that since the matter happened, he has been on the run.
In a new twist today, a human right activist who has been making revelations about the case, simply called Hamzat spoke this evening and made it known that the CCTV has been released and Ramon Adedoyin was confirmed to be part of the people that carried out the act.
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) will conduct its final outdoor Field Training Exercise for Army Cadets of Short Service Course 47, nicknamed Exercise CAMP HIGHLAND, in Plateau and Kaduna States, respectively, from 8 – 29 January 2022.
The Exercise is designed to test the cadets leadership skills, physical fitness, as well as command and control abilities, among other military competencies. The Exercise is an important military training activity used in ascertaining the preparedness of the Army cadets for commissioning as Officers into the Nigerian Armed Forces. Phases of the Exercise that would take place in Plateau State include Map Reading Exercise at Heipang and Adventure Training at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Shere Hills, Jos, from 8 – 14 January 2022. Furthermore, Tactical Drills and Battle Inoculation Drills would take place in Kachia general area from 14 – 29 January 2022.
Consequently, communities living around Heipang and Shere Hills, Jos in Plateau State would observe mass movement of military personnel, vehicles and equipment in the general area from 8-15 January 2022. Similarly, residents of KATUL CROSSING – FADAN KAMANTA axis in ZAGON KATAF Local Government Area of Kaduna State will observe same tactical drills involving firing /simulation of small arms and artillery fire from 15 -19 January 2022. Residents in the general areas mentioned above are therefore advised not to panic but to go about their normal daily routine activities without fear. They are to however advised to report any breach of security to the nearest authorities. Furthermore, Battle Inoculation, which would involve live firing of small arms, amour and artillery weapons will be conducted from 20 – 29 January 2022 within the Military Exercise Area near Nigerian Army Base Camp, Kachia. Therefore, locals around ANINKWA, INSAME and neighboring communities are advised to stay away from the live firing area during the period of the exercise. On our part, all necessary safety measures and arrangements have been put in place to ensure safety in the exercise areas.
We wish to appeal for cooperation from the local communities directly affected by the Exercise and Nigerians as a whole as we train future military leaders for our Armed Forces. You are please requested to use your medium to enlighten the general public, particularly the inhabitants of the aforementioned areas. While thanking you for your usual cooperation, please accept the esteemed regards of the Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy.
BASHIR MUHAMMED JAJIRA
Major
Academy Public Relations Officer
7 January 2022
