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Allow democracy to thrive in Nigeria – Diaspora group tells Tinubu

A group of Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Nigerians in Diaspora Movement for Democracy, has urged President Bola Tinubu to allow democracy to thrive in the country. The association made the call in reaction to recent developments in Rivers State, where the President declared a state of emergency, suspending the elected governor, Sim Fubara. In
Allow democracy to thrive in Nigeria – Diaspora group tells Tinubu

A group of Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Nigerians in Diaspora Movement for Democracy, has urged President Bola Tinubu to allow democracy to thrive in the country.

The association made the call in reaction to recent developments in Rivers State, where the President declared a state of emergency, suspending the elected governor, Sim Fubara.

In an open letter to President Tinubu, the Nigerians in Diaspora Movement for Democracy said the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers and the attendant suspension of democratically elected officials is an example of democratic erosion.

Expressing concern over the suspension of the governor, deputy governor and members of the State House of Assembly for six months, the group described the development as a distortion of democracy.

In the letter co-signed by Dr. Samson Idoko and Patriot John Andrew Onuh, President and Secretary General, respectively, the group urged Tinubu to revisit the decision to declare emergency rule in Rivers State.

Instead of emergency rule, the group urged the President to use legislative processes to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State.

Also, to resolve the crisis, the Diaspora group canvassed the implementation of some stringent measures, including a ban on participating in political activities and/or holding public offices for at least ten years for anyone promoting the conflict.

The group emphasised that if the current situation is not addressed, it could damage Tinubu’s legacy.

“We wish to passionately plead that democracy should be allowed to thrive and seen obviously to be thriving. We do not make this assertion lightly or base it on an assumption but on factual grounds.

“There is clear derailment from what your Excellency stood and fought for from what is happening today. Your Excellency, with what has happened in Rivers State, it is potentially clear that democracy under your presidency is no longer thriving.

“A practice where an elected State Governor, his deputy and members of the State House of Assembly are suspended for six months does not represent what His Excellency stood for and fought so much for.

“Your Excellency, the unequal disproportionate and excessive pressure placed on Rivers State at its jugular is affecting the entire democratic system in the whole country, democracy is in a state of asphyxia, losing air and if nothing is done in some few minutes, it will be suffocated to death.

“If that happens, then the entire efforts of Mr. President both past and future would be dented in an ugly history, a crude democratic tragedy. Your Excellency cannot allow this to happen.

“We, therefore, wish to call on Mr President to take a serious and urgent look at the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State to revise the decision and instead utilize legislative processes to stabilize the situation as well as ensure that there is no reversal of the ugly drift in Rivers State.

“These legislative measures could be compelling for all parties concerned with strong deterrent elements and sanctions which will include a ban on participating in political activities and/or holding public offices for not less than ten years.

“We are convinced that Your Excellency will heed this call and act expeditiously. Have the confidence of our unending patriotism Sir,” parts of the letter read.

Allow democracy to thrive in Nigeria – Diaspora group tells Tinubu

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China calls US tariffs ‘bullying’, seeks consultations

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, said on Monday that threats and pressure are not the right way to deal with China, describing US President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” as bullying. Lin, who stated this while speaking at a press conference, stressed that the tariffs are typical unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, adding that
China calls US tariffs ‘bullying’, seeks consultations

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, said on Monday that threats and pressure are not the right way to deal with China, describing US President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” as bullying.

Lin, who stated this while speaking at a press conference, stressed that the tariffs are typical unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, adding that US tariffs in the name of reciprocity only serve its own interest at the expense of other countries.

Recall that last week, Trump introduced an additional 34% tariff on Chinese goods as part of steep levies imposed on most US trade partners, bringing the total duties on China this year to 54%.

China, however, retaliated with a series of countermeasures.

Lin deferred to other bodies the question of whether China would engage in negotiations with the United States.

DAILY POST reports that US customs agents have been collecting Trump’s unilateral 10% tariff on all imports from many countries since Saturday.

“The abuse of tariffs by the United States is tantamount to depriving countries, especially those in the Global South, of their right to development.

“All countries should uphold consultation, joint construction and sharing, and “genuine multilateralism”, he said.

Lin also urged countries to jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and safeguard the international system and the multilateral trading system according to the United Nations and World Trade Organization values.

China calls US tariffs ‘bullying’, seeks consultations

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Tariffs: Indonesia wants fair, equal relationship with US

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said his country wants a fair and equal relationship with the United States and will pursue diplomacy to address a 32% tariff rate imposed by President Donald Trump. Prabowo spoke on Monday during a rice harvesting event in West Java. “We will also open negotiations with America. We will say, we
Tariffs: Indonesia wants fair, equal relationship with US

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said his country wants a fair and equal relationship with the United States and will pursue diplomacy to address a 32% tariff rate imposed by President Donald Trump.

Prabowo spoke on Monday during a rice harvesting event in West Java.

“We will also open negotiations with America. We will say, we want a good relationship. We want a fair relationship. We want an equal relationship,” he said.

The Indonesian government has said it would pursue negotiations rather than retaliate against the US tariffs, and will send a high-level delegation to the United States.

DAILY POST reports that Indonesia is among six Southeast Asian countries that were slapped with high tariffs by the US President last week. The levies are set to take effect on April 9.

Prabowo’s ministers have been working on a proposal to address the tariffs by offering to buy more US products such as cotton, wheat, oil and gas, as well as pledging to resolve non-tariff barriers and possible tax cuts on US goods.

The chief economic minister, Airlangga Hartarto, who will lead Indonesia’s high-level delegation to the US, was said to have met with more than a hundred business associations on Monday to gather inputs.

After the meeting, the government reportedly came up with a plan to increase imports from the US, including buying components for an oil refinery project and reviewing the possibility to reduce a local content rule for US tech and communication firms.

According to the finance ministry, its fiscal posture is unchanged at the moment and it will try to maintain it amid the current situation.

Tariffs: Indonesia wants fair, equal relationship with US

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BREAKING: Emergency rule: Police fire teargas at protesters in Port Harcourt

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command on Monday morning fired teargas at protesters in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The protesters had converged at the Isaac Boro Park when the officers stormed the area. The protest was organized by the Take It Back Movement over the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State. Members
BREAKING: Emergency rule: Police fire teargas at protesters in Port Harcourt

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command on Monday morning fired teargas at protesters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The protesters had converged at the Isaac Boro Park when the officers stormed the area.

The protest was organized by the Take It Back Movement over the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.

Members of the organization were greeted by heavy police presence when they gathered at the protest venue as early as 9:00 am.

“Nobody can tell us where not to gather, we are Rivers people,” Channels TV reported young demonstrators shouting at policemen.

The Nigeria Police Force had advised the organizers to shelve their plans.

More to follow…

BREAKING: Emergency rule: Police fire teargas at protesters in Port Harcourt

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Prepare for Putin’s strike – Security advisers warn Britain residents

Security advisers have warned families in Britain about fears of a plot by Russia to sabotage energy pipelines. They have advised residents to pack a 72-hour ‘survival kit’. The UK has become increasingly reliant on supplies of gas and electricity from abroad to “keep the lights on.” Almost 40% of the UK’s gas supply comes
Prepare for Putin’s strike – Security advisers warn Britain residents

Security advisers have warned families in Britain about fears of a plot by Russia to sabotage energy pipelines.

They have advised residents to pack a 72-hour ‘survival kit’.

The UK has become increasingly reliant on supplies of gas and electricity from abroad to “keep the lights on.”

Almost 40% of the UK’s gas supply comes from Norway, with much of it traveling through the 700-mile Langeled pipeline.

Concerns have been raised that the Russians are planning a sabotage operation after one of their spy ships, the Yantar, was detected mapping the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure in the North Sea in recent months.

With the UK reportedly coming close to blackouts during the past winter, security experts have argued that British households should follow the example of the EU, which has advised citizens to pack a three-day survival kit.

This should include water, non-perishable food, a torch, identity documents, medicines, a battery-powered radio, and a Swiss Army knife.

Prepare for Putin’s strike – Security advisers warn Britain residents