Headlines
CAN Calls for Immediate Rescue of Taku, Leah Sharibu, Others
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr Samson Ayokunle, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to secure the release of Leah Sharibu, an aid worker, Grace Taku, and other hostages being held by Boko Haram terrorists, before it is too late.
Noting that the primary duty of any serious government was the security of lives and property of the people, the Christian leader said any government that failed to guarantee such responsibility might lose the confidence of the citizens.
The Special Assistant, (Media) to the CAN President, Pastor Bayo Oladeji, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said CAN had seen the video by Taku in which she appealed to the Federal Government, CAN, and other well-meaning people to secure her freedom and those of the other five victims abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents.
In response to Taku’s cry, the Christian association, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to secure her freedom and others.
It said, “The Boko Haram sect sometime in April this year reportedly kidnapped a National Youth Service Corps member, Abraham Amuta, and a cleric with the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), identified as Pastor Moses Oyeleke in Borno State. We have not heard anything about their whereabouts.
“We have heard the prompt response made by the Federal Government to the save-our-souls cry of Grace and we join her in calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies, especially the Department of State Services, to secure her freedom and that of Leah Sharibu.
“Grace Taku has cried out on behalf of other hostages, like Amuta and Pastor Moses Oyeleke before it is too late.”
The CAN said it strongly believed Sharibu was alive and she and others should be set free, stressing that the government needed to speed up action towards their release.
The group also restated calls for the overhaul of the nation’s security apparatus, noting that the roads were unsafe “as kidnappers, terrorists, killer herdsmen and bandits are operating with impunity.”
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.
