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We Musn’t Play Politics with Monarchy, Religion, Security – Tambuwal
Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal have advised leaders and stakeholders in the Nigerian project not to politicise the triple issues of the monarchy, faith and security.
Gov. Tambuwal handed down the advise when the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II paid him a courtesy visit along with the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar in Government House, Sokoto.
The two monarchs were also in the company of their colleagues, the emirs of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu III, Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa and Lere, Gen. Garba Abubakar Muhammad (rtd), who was also one time military administrator of Sokoto state.
Gov. Tambuwal who observed that although as politicians some leaders take certain issues for granted and in the process skid into issues that could jeopardize the collective coexistence of the country, all hands must be on deck to ensure that nothing rocks the boat of unity.
According to him, “sometimes we play politics. We must desist from playing politics with our traditional institutions. We must desist from playing politics with religion. We must desist from playing politics with security.”
“These issues are beyond politics,” he noted, advising that: “we must try as much as possible to cooperate and work together for the unity and stability of this country.”
The governor appealed to the monarchs and other leaders in the country “to have patience and not to be daunted by certain developments of the past.”
Admonishing the traditional rulers to strengthen existing ties with the aim of ensuring the unity of the country, Tambuwal said this is important now that it “appears as if forces and enemies of progress are working against our country; and, our national cohesion is being threatened by some of these forces and tendencies.”
He encouraged them to be steadfast in playing their roles as “God is watching” and He “knows that you are invaluable to the existence and continued stability of this country.”
“I implore all the traditional rulers to be working and praying together for the peace and continued existence of Nigeria. We need all of your support and counsels so that we can continue to provide what God has given us in terms of leadership and discharge our responsibilities,” the governor emphasized.
Earlier, the Ooni of Ife expressed satisfaction that he was able to pay the courtesy call on the governor, who he described as an able and dynamic leader, after four attempts.
“I have been following him for many years. He has natural leadership style. Many of us can testify to that. He should continue with this. He should carry everybody along not only in Sokoto but everywhere in the country as he use to do,” the Yoruba monarch stated.
“That is leadership and that is the kind of person we need to lead us. Keep doing what you are doing. We are watching you. God Almighty will continue to be with you,” he added, applauding the governor as “ever mobile, dynamic and forward looking.”
The first hostages freed from Gaza under a long-awaited ceasefire agreement are back in Israel. The news sparked jubilant scenes in Tel Aviv where large crowds gathered ahead of their release.
The three freed Israeli hostages – the first of 33 to be released over the next six weeks – are Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. They are said to be in good health and are receiving treatment at a medical center in Tel Aviv.
In exchange, 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are set to be released by Israel from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military withdrew from several locations in southern and northern Gaza after the truce began earlier on Sunday, an Israeli military official told CNN.
Displaced Gazans have started returning to their homes, while the aid trucks laden with much-needed supplies have crossed into Gaza. Here’s what we know about how the ceasefire deal will work.
Hamas, despite suffering devastating losses, is framing the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a victory for itself, and a failure for Israel.
One of Hamas’ main goals for taking some 250 people during its brazen October 7, 2023, attack on Israel was to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. As Israel pounded Gaza in response, Hamas vowed not to return the hostages until Israel withdrew its forces from the enclave, permanently ended the war, and allowed for rebuilding.
Source: CNN
The leader of UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has said she doesn’t want Britain to be like Nigeria that is plagued by “terrible governments.”
Speaking on Thursday at an event organised by Onward, a British think tank producing research on economic and social issues, Badenoch expressed fears that Britain may become like Nigeria if the system is not reformed.
“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch told the audience.
“I don’t want Britain to lose what it has.
“I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation.
“I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life.
“So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.”
Badenoch has been in the news of late after she dissociated herself from Nigeria, saying she has nothing to do with the Islamic northern region.
She also accused the Nigeria Police of robbing citizens instead of protecting them.
She said: “My experience with the Nigeria Police was very negative. Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive.
“The police in Nigeria will rob us (laughter). When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well…I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”
