Headlines
Again, Kwankwaso Dumps PDP, Joins NNPP
A former governor of Kano State, Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Tuesday ended speculations about his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party when he finally left the party for the New Nigeria Peoples Party and registered as a member in preparation for the 2023 election.
He registered for the NNPP and obtained its membership card during a brief ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, he was leaving PDP because of the failure of its leadership and lack of internal democracy.
The former Minister of Defence during a press conference held in Abuja said that in 2021 he was sidelined from the activities of the PDP and waited for the leadership of party to talk to him for over one year but got no response.
He said Nigerians were not satisfied with the achievements recorded under the ruling All Programme, and so are yearning for positive change in the state of the nation.
He said, “Today, those who are not certain (about where I belong) will be very sure that I am already in NNPP.
“Politicians like my humble self are always open. In addition, there are ideological differences that we have with so many people, especially the leaders in PDP and even in the APC itself.
“We had a situation in April last year where zonal positions were being shared among the States, and all leaders in the six other states were given the opportunity to nominate.
“In Kano, some people thought I wasn’t that important. So, they had to do it the way they wanted. That was what triggered the issue (of decamping). And, I spent almost one year now waiting for the PDP to talk to me. Even the new leadership does not want to talk to me.
“For that reason, I felt that there are irreconcilable differences between myself and many of the leaders. This is mainly based on ideology.
“We believe in the masses of this country and that people should be given an opportunity not minding their ethnic or religious affiliation. That’s why we have the ‘Third Force’ party today.
“Everybody wants a new Nigeria because nobody is happy with the status quo. I believe this country requires a positive change.
“I just registered. Probably I am the newest member of the NNPP. The name of the party is New Nigeria People’s Party.
“I am happy that all of us are witnessing this moment. I am sure you remember earlier today (Tuesday) I resigned and withdrew my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“I have to say that I am very delighted, especially going by what we are seeing in both parties. I am sure you know that I was one of the founding members of PDP in 1998. By 1999 I was governor of Kano State.”
Speaking on the recent attack in Kaduna State, he said, “I want to appeal to the Federal Government to make a statement on the Kaduna attacks.
“Government should be seen to be doing something. We learnt that so many people were maimed and taken into the bush and we hear nothing from the government.
“Some of them voted for the president and everybody. So, we have to come and stand against insecurity and the economy and so on. If you look at these parties they have no ideologies; everybody is just there to make the maximum benefits during elections.”
The Punch
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
