JUST IN: Nigeria not merit driven, says Uzodimma

A member of the House of Representatives for Apa/Agatu federal constituency of Benue State, Pastor Ojotu Ojema has called on the Nigerian military to embark on clearance operations against armed herders threatening the peace of communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. He said the armed herders were presently occupying 20 communities in
Benue: Armed herders occupying 20 communities – Reps member, Ojema cries out

A member of the House of Representatives for Apa/Agatu federal constituency of Benue State, Pastor Ojotu Ojema has called on the Nigerian military to embark on clearance operations against armed herders threatening the peace of communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

He said the armed herders were presently occupying 20 communities in the area after displacing natives.

Ojema disclosed this over the weekend during a chat with journalists in Makurdi.

Recall that suspected Fulani bandits invaded Egwuma community in Agatu recently and killed two soldiers and six others.

The lawmaker lamented that the activities of the armed herders had increased over time in many communities in the Agatu area of the State, resulting in sacking of over 20 communities and loss of lives.

Ojema stated that there was need for the Nigerian Military to step up more capacity and proactive approach to curtail the situation.

He lamented that the Apa/Agatu axis of Benue State remained the most abandoned and maltreated local government area in Nigeria following the high-level of insecurity being experienced.

“Since I entered the national assembly as a representative of my people, I have visited Agatu more than 25 times and all of these bothers on coming to console people that have been attacked by suspected herders.

“I remember vividly when I was just two months in office, there was an attack in Ayila which I needed to put myself together to identify with the people.

“I moved a motion in the floor of the house and not too long, there was another attack in that same place, five security men were killed and I came again, saw it myself and I still went back to the house, moved a motion to that effect.

“As I speak with you, just Tuesday, exactly October 1, while people were celebrating and others were thinking on how to celebrate the independence, another attack happened in Egwuma community where six persons were killed, including the community leader and two soldiers.

“These soldiers were particularly mobilized to that community because of incessant attacks on that same community.

“As I speak with you, over 20 communities in that area have been sacked. The place has been turned into a forest.

“I came to 72 battalion north bank in Makurdi and I told them that there was a need for soldiers to be permanently stationed in that area and they did.

“Over 50 soldiers were taken to the area and on that fateful day, armed herders appeared from nowhere, killed so many people in that community and thereafter they descended on the soldiers.

“The situation is worrisome. The most worrisome aspect of it is that these people wsacked our people and decided to live in the community with their cattle, do their normal business, then look for the next community to attack”, Ojema lamented.

He maintained that there was need for the country’s security apparatus to urgently step up their efforts in ensuring that they brought total freedom and salvaged the situation in Agatu.

“This is because considering the capacity and volume of the level of professionalism the Nigeria security is known for, I can’t believe that there is anybody with capacity to challenge them or overpower them.

“So, what they need to do is to step up their work by engaging in clearance operations. If they cannot go by road, they can go by air because these people cannot overrun the security of this country,” he further stated.

Benue: Armed herders occupying 20 communities – Reps member, Ojema cries out

The Edo State House of Assembly has approved the request of the State Governor Monday Okpebholo for the appointment of 20 Special Advisers. DAILY POST reports that the House also received a list of a commissioner nominee, Emmanuel Okoebor as commissioner for finance designate. The request for the appointment of Special Advisers and the confirmation
Edo Assembly approves 20 Special Advisers for Gov Okpebholo

The Edo State House of Assembly has approved the request of the State Governor Monday Okpebholo for the appointment of 20 Special Advisers.

DAILY POST reports that the House also received a list of a commissioner nominee, Emmanuel Okoebor as commissioner for finance designate.

The request for the appointment of Special Advisers and the confirmation of Emmanuel Okoebor, as commissioner for finance were contained in a letter sent to the Speaker of the House by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Umar Ikhilor.

In the letter, the governor noted that the appointment of the Special Advisers and the confirmation of the Commissioner for Finance designate would help in the smooth running of his administration.

DAILY POST recalls that the House had confirmed, Samson Osagie and Dr Cyril Oshiomhole as commissioners in the state.

Dr Samson Osagie was confirmed as commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, and Dr Cyril Oshiomhole was for Health.

Edo Assembly approves 20 Special Advisers for Gov Okpebholo

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Osun State chapter has dragged Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, to court over a series of allegations on the proposed local government election in the state. The claimants, in Suit No. Hos/184/2024 challenged the validity of the planned local government elections scheduled to February
Osun: APC drags Adeleke, OSSIEC to court, seeks nullification of planned LG polls

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Osun State chapter has dragged Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, to court over a series of allegations on the proposed local government election in the state.

The claimants, in Suit No. Hos/184/2024 challenged the validity of the planned local government elections scheduled to February 2025 by the OSSIEC, the 1st defendant in the suit.

Joined in the suit as co-defendants are Adeleke and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Oluwole Jimi-Bada.

DAILY POST recalled that OSSIEC had in September disqualified some candidates of the opposition parties, including the APC, from participating in the election.

This decision was at the time opposed by the leadership of the affected political parties.

In an originating summons signed by the claimants’ counsel, Muhydeen Adeoye Galadima and made available to journalists in Osogbo, they bemoaned the conduct of the state electoral commission since the commencement of the entire process.

The claimants asked for court determination on myriad of legal issues bordering on: “whether, having regard to Sections 7, 36, 197, 204(1) 272 and Paragraph 4 (a and b) of Part II of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended), Sections 2 and 29 of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2022, failure of the Defendants to first cause the constitution or put in place the Local Government and Area Council Election Tribunal to enable the Claimants ventilate their pre-election grievances against the decision(s) of the 1st Defendant is not a wrongful and unlawful omission such that has rendered the whole activities so far taken by the 1st Defendant from 22nd July, 2024 in connection with the proposed 2025 Local Government Elections premature, illegal, null and void same having occasioned deprivation to the Claimants of the right of access to the prescribed Tribunal over the 1st Defendant’s decisions against the Claimants.

“Whether, having regard to Sections 13, 15 and 24(1) of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2022, the 1st Defendant has any power backed by law to amend a Notice of Elections already issued and published on 19th February, 2024 midway into the 2025 Local Government Elections.

“Whether, having regard to the provision of Sections 13, 15 and 24(1) of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2022 and the tenor of the Supreme Court’s decision, the 1st Defendant’s Amended Notice of Elections relied upon to deny the Claimants right to participate in the February, 2025 Local Government Council elections is not invalid, null and void same having failed to comply with the stipulated number of days required under the Law.”

The claimants also prayed the court for a declaration that the whole activities so far taken by the 1st defendant from 22nd of July 2024 are premature, illegal, null and void.

They also sought for a declaration that the 1st defendant acted ultra vires with respect to its July 2024 decision amending the Notice of 2025 Local Government Elections issued on 19th February 2024 and therefore the said Amended Notice of Elections is illegal, unlawful, null and void.

The claimants further prayed court for a declaration that the 1st defendant’s amended Notice of Elections is illegal, unlawful, invalid, null and void.

They also sought for an order of the court directing the defendants to jointly or severally pay damages in the sum of N100 million to the claimants, in addition to tendering a written apology for the public embarrassment, humiliation, disturbance and trauma caused to them.

Speaking on the development, the counsel to the claimants, Galadima expressed confidence in the potency of the case.

Osun: APC drags Adeleke, OSSIEC to court, seeks nullification of planned LG polls