Politics
Atikus Borno Attack: Views From Another Side
Atikus Borno Attack: Views From Another Side
By: Inuwa Bwala
It is a common sight during political rallies, to see young men dangerously hanging on moving vehicles: often displaying dangerous weapons while assaulting passers by and onlookers, who fail to cheer them on or respond to their party chants.
They are known to beat protocols and force themselves on people, often clinging to vehicles without any form of invitation.
They are intolerant of any form of opposition chants and loath any form of orderly conduct by others from their own group.
They are not peculiar to any particular political party and they are often available for hiring: if only to checkmate rival political thugs from disturbing VIPs during rallies.
Reports from the reported attack on the convoy of the presidential standard bearer of the opposition Peoples Democratic party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar had it that, such people
were not in short supply during the PDP rally in Maiduguri last Wednesday.
The first question I asked when the news of the attack on the convoy of
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar broke out, was, whether the reporters witnessed the violence or were informed.
When they informed me that they quoted Dino Melaye, Spokesman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, doubts started creeping into my mind, as to the accuracy of the reports.
Curiously, all reports ignored the fact of the presence of armed thugs on the convoy of the visiting PDP, rather everybody looked in the direction of the Government and the ruling APC as the culprit.
Knowing the character of Dino Melaye and his capacity to dramatize issues out of proportion, I decided to look beyond Melaye’s claims and I discovered that there was actually a clash between rival thugs, on the convoy of the visiting party and others stationed in their traditional shade, along the airport road.
By implications, what transpired was a clash between two groups and not a premeditated attack on Atimu, as we were initially made to believe.
Police confirmed to me that they had their personnel spread out along the highway from the airport to the Shehu of Borno’s palace and the Ramat Square, venue of the PDP rally; who witnessed all that transpired.
According to the police, some youths holding brooms and APC flags, instead of that of the PDP, seemed to have caught the attention of the PDP boys, who in turn started pouring invectives on the state Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum and the APC.
The APC boys responded by throwing their brooms at the PDP supporters, while the PDP supporters also threw objects at their APC counterparts, leading to a pandemonium.
The speed with which Melaye, churned out figures of the wounded and vehicles vandalized, even when the rally was still ongoing, and the immediacy with which it went viral, was in itself suspicious, yet most reporters chose to flow with the tide, to avoid queries from their eager editors.
On my part, I have always been of the belief that, there are always two sides to a story, and something did not seem to have fallen in place properly,
READ ALSO: https://dailypost.ng/2022/10/29/frsc-hails-borno-gov-zulum-for-supporting-command/
In blaming the Government and the APC in the state without proper briefing, Dino Melaye seemed to have pulled the wool over the public eyes by quickly creating a narrative, which gained currency and acceptance: thereby shutting out any likely counter narrative on the true genesis of the incident.
Our correspondent had reported long before Atiku Abubakar’s arrival in Maiduguri, that people were being ferried out of town, ostensibly to depopulate the city center.
When I enquired from a state Government official, why people were being taken away, he explained that Governor Babagana Zulum had charged them to ensure a hitch free PDP campaign, and that, out of fears of the likelihood of what transpired on the airport road, they decided to reduce the population of their own supporters by taking them away from the city center.
According to him, the Governor had to go to Abuja on official duty and had left instructions that Borno must live up to its name as the center of peace, by allowing a hitch free rally by Atiku, even as an opposition figure.
While exonerating the Government and the APC from any form of complicity in the incident, the state official who prefers anonymity told me that, it was actually Atiku’s supporters: apparently ovetehelmed by events during the visit, that provoked APC supporters standing by the side of the road.
Even without the benefits of the emerging facts about the incident, I would still not have believed that, Professor Zulum, whom most Nigerians hold in reverence could descend so low as to disturb the peace or prevent a rival rally for whatever gains.
It is obvious that, the State Government has maintained the studied silence, so as not to lend credence to the skewed narrative over the incident.
Atikus Borno Attack: Views From Another Side
Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission
By: Michael Mike
The President of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has deployed an Election Observation Mission of 40 observers to Togo to monitor the legislative and regional elections scheduled for 29 April 2024
According to a statement at the weekend, the mission is in line with the provisions of Article 12 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and constitutes support from the regional organisation to its Member States for the conduct of their elections.
The mission is led by the former Vice-President of The Gambia, Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang.
According to the statement, the mission is made up of Ambassadors from Member States accredited to ECOWAS; representatives of the ECOWAS Court of Justice and Parliament; Civil Society Organisations; media professionals and election observation specialists from the West African region.
It revealed that: “This observation mission is being deployed following the recommendations of a pre-election fact-finding mission that visited Togo from 15 to 20 April 2024 to assess the preparatory phases of the elections.
“During its stay in Togo, the observation mission will hold consultations with the main stakeholders in the electoral process and monitor the voting process up to 29 April 2024.”
Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission
Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande
By: Bodunrin Kayode
A Plateau elder Ambassador Yahaya Kwande has described the just concluded re-run election into the national assembly as a Triumph of Democracy.
In a release titled Congratulations to the Winners of Plateau State Bye Elections of February 3, 2024, he noted that the entire exercise was a victory to the people of the state.
“With great joy and profound gratitude, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected Senator, (Plateau North Senatorial District), Prince Pam Mwadkwon Dachungyang, and the Member of the House of Representatives, (Jos North/Bassa Constituency), Hon. Daniel Asama, on their resounding victory in the recently concluded bye election held in Plateau State.
“Your triumph is a testament to the true spirit of democracy and the unwavering support of the people.
“I have no doubt that both Prince Pam Mwadkon and Hon. Daniel Asama will live up to the aspirations and expectations of the voters, as they embark on this noble responsibility of representing their constituents. May your tenure be marked by dedication, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of progress for our beloved state and nation.
“As we celebrate this momentous milestone, let us not forget the challenges we faced during the post-2023 elections period. It is my sincere hope that Plateau State will swiftly recover from the divisions and tussles that marred our unity. Let us unite as one, for the strength of our state lies in our togetherness.
“It is essential for the government and the people to undertake immediate measures to reconcile and bridge the gaps that have emerged. We must never forget that every citizen, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, is entitled to their fundamental rights. The use of religion as a tool of disfranchisement must cease; we must affirm that citizenship rights are not conditional on faith.
“Let us also strive to recapture the lost glory of our state, when Jos was hailed as the political Mecca of Nigeria, attracting momentous political events and embracing politicians from all shades and ideologies. We can revive this legacy by nurturing an environment that exudes peace, openness, and security for all. Together, we can restore Plateau State as a beacon of democratic excellence.
“In conclusion, I express my utmost optimism for the future of Plateau State. I extend my deepest appreciation to all who peacefully participated in the bye election, be it as candidates or enthusiastic supporters. Our journey towards progress and development continues, and I am confident that we will stand united, empowered by the unwavering spirit of our people.” said Kwande.
Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande
Politics
APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.
APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.
By: Jabiru Hassan
The National President of the APC Initiative for Good Governance (APC-IGG), Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening to ease the hardships affecting Nigerians.
In a message he issued to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Ambassador Tsoken described President Tinubu as a leader with listening war by giving a marching order for the release of different food items to ease hardships for the people of Nigeria, which is a good initiative.
”APC-IGG has recognized what Mr. President has done in order to ease the hardship affecting the people on the food price hike, which is very good foresight from our leader. We therefore thank all those who have helped with the implementation of the process to release the food items from the federal government reserves across the country for their well-deserved thought.” The statement was added.
Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken reassured the people of Nigeria that the APC Initiative for Good Governance would continue to work selflessly in order to ensure that Nigeria is progressive under the present democratic dispensation without bias.
Amb Tsoken emphasizes that the emergence of His Excellency Sen. Dr. George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation depicts the fact that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu has reliable and credible individuals who have verse experience in governance from all ramifications; therefore, the deliverance of democratic dividends is something that Nigerians should believe in its workability and full efficacy in the near future, considering the fact that some of the policies and programs of the Renewed Hope Agenda have started gaining sway in the lives of the citizenry, he concluded.
APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.
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