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Nigeria, UNDP Deepen Commitment to Strengthening Democracy in West Africathrough the Regional Partnership for Democracy

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Nigeria, UNDP Deepen Commitment to Strengthening Democracy in West Africa
through the Regional Partnership for Democracy

By: Michael Mike

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) Nigeria have reaffirmed their joint commitment to advancing democratic governance across West Africa through the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD)—a strategic initiative aimed at promoting inclusive, accountable, and resilient political systems across the sub-region.

During a high-level engagement held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, hosted the UNDP
Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, for a progress review and strategic dialogue
on the RPD initiative.

The engagement reaffirmed a strong, collective commitment to deepening democratic governance and institutional resilience across West Africa. It underscored the importance of strengthening the rule of law, safeguarding the independence and effectiveness of core democratic institutions, including the executive, legislature, judiciary, and electoral bodies, and expanding civic space to foster inclusive and participatory governance. This creates an opportunity for regional cooperation to consolidating democratic progress, promoting peace and stability, and fulfilling citizens’ aspirations for a transparent, accountable, and responsive
leadership.

Tuggar emphasized Nigeria’s unique leadership role within the African Union
(AU) in driving regional approaches to governance reform. He highlighted the Ministry’s resolve to work closely with UNDP and other key actors to align national strategies with regional frameworks to foster more transparent, inclusive, and sustainable democratic outcomes.

The Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) seeks to provide a platform for African-led and context-specific solutions to democratic challenges. It brings together governments, civil society, academia, media, and development partners to design and implement innovative reforms rooted in African values and democratic principles.

UNDP reiterated its support for the RPD through the provision of technical assistance, institutional capacity strengthening, research-informed policy development, and monitoring
and evaluation. Ms. Attafuah reaffirmed UNDP’s dedication to working in partnership with the Nigerian government to scale the impact of the initiative across West Africa.
The programme will be piloted across West Africa, with Nigeria not only providing political leadership but also playing a central operational role in shaping the design, implementation,and knowledge-sharing processes.

This renewed partnership represents a significant step forward in the implementation phase of the RPD and reflects Nigeria’s sustained commitment to promoting democratic resilience, rule of law, and inclusive governance across the West African sub-region.

Nigeria, UNDP Deepen Commitment to Strengthening Democracy in West Africa
through the Regional Partnership for Democracy

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Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

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Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

A renewed chieftaincy tussle in Muye village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, has sparked violent confrontations between rival supporters, prompting swift intervention by security operatives.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the crisis began around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday when the deposed village head, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir Maigari II, forcefully returned to Muye and broke into the palace.

The incident provoked tension among residents, especially after supporters of the current Dakachi confronted the deposed monarch. The situation was immediately brought under control by a team of security personnel from Lapai.

However, Zagazola learnt that the situation escalated on Friday morning when supporters of both camps clashed again, leading to a free-for-all fight that disrupted public peace in the community.

Security sources were swiftly deployed to Muye to restore normalcy.

“The combined security teams have brought the situation under control. Monitoring and surveillance operations are ongoing to prevent further breakdown of law and order,” the source said.

No casualties or arrests have been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

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Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

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Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

By: Michael Mike

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.

The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.

The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.

The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.

The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.

According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.

The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.

It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
End

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Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

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Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

By: Michael Mike

A community leader and the Waziri Mushere of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chief Yohana Margif has expressed dismay over the incessant killing of innocent citizens of the community.

Margif made this known in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene to halt what he described as genocide against the people, which he said was being perpetrated by suspected herdsmen.

Margif also called on Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, and other security chiefs in the country, to rein in the alleged culprits.

He said: “I would like to draw the attention of the topmost leadership in Nigeria to the deteriorating dire security situation in Plateau, particularly in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos LGA.

“I urge President Tinubu to take immediate decisive action to halt these endless and senseless killings, protect lives and properties, and secure the future of the Mushere people, and other victims of obvious genocide against the people.

“Herdsmen are killing our innocent people, burning their homes, looting their foodstuff, property, livestock, and taking over their ancestral lands,” he said.

According to the Abuja-based real estate mogul, the attacks and attendant killings have intensified recently since the onset of this year’s farming season.

Margif further said that the people had been displaced from their villages and ancestral homes and were forced to become internally displaced persons in the country.

He emphasised that the situation required immediate intervention by all stakeholders in order to prevent further escalation and inflict an irredeemable harm by wiping out the entire community from the surface of the earth.

He lamented that: “Since President Tinubu’s administration began, Plateau State has witnessed an unprecedented escalation of violence and loss of lives.

“This is the current sad reality. Our people are constantly under the threat of the enemy’s bullets and can’t sleep with two eyes closed due to the perpetual unleashing of violence against them by external forces.

“Something urgent must be done to stem the tide of violence and end this war against the people in order not to
harm this administration’s reputation,” Margif said.

In the past couple of days, suspected herdsmen militia killed no fewer than 35 people in the localities of Hokk, Pangkap, Fokoldep, Kopmur, Margif, Horop, Mbor, Mushere and Kwahas localities in Mushere Chiefdom.

Chairman, Bokkos Community Peace Observers, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the killings to newsmen, said the victims included a 70-year-old Pastor of COCIN LCC Kwakas-Mushere, Mimang Lekyil, who was attacked and killed in the church.

He said that the pastor’s wife was also shot in the leg and was admitted at the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment, he said.

“Bokkos has never been this insecure, with the people being butchered as we are currently witnessing,” Lilian Madaki, from the Mushere community told journalists.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Emmanuel Adesina, also confirmed the incident in a statement saying security forces including police and military personnel, had been deployed in the affected communities.

Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

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