Headlines
Leah Sharibu: Celebrating 16th Birthday in Boko Haram Captivity
By Eric Elezuo
Today marks the 16th birthday of Leah Sharibu, the Christian girl who beat Boko Haram to their game, earning herself a mention in world affairs as well as continued detention.
The story behind the release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls will not be complete without a thorough mention of the then three months short of 15 year old SS1 student, Leah Sharibu, who snubbed Boko Haram’s forceful offer to convert to Islam.
Miss Sharibu was not among the 105 girls among others released early March 22, 2018 because she refused to become a Moslem and wear hijab. She has remained the only captive left with the sect since February 19 when she, with about 109 others from their school were abducted by the infamous Boko Haram sect 449 days after.
According to one of the freed girls, Khadija Grema, “They freed all of us except one girl, Leah whom they said would not go because she was a Christian.”
Ever since, the government of Nigeria has played hide and seek with her release, and as at, nothing tangible seems to be in the offing, and the poor girl remains a prisoner.
Much as the government has made promises concerning her release, all has remained lip service and propaganda. No one can confidently say he knows where the child is or what has become of her.
As Leah celebrates her birthday in captivity, the second in a roll, it is imperative to once call the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari and his cabinet to the ordeal of the child knowing there’s no respite of any kind for someone in a terrorists den.
The world is still watching…a dumb world at that.
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.
