Crime
State-of-the-Nation: ActionAid Accuses FG of Paying Lip Service to Fight Against Corruption
State-of-the-Nation: ActionAid Accuses FG of Paying Lip Service to Fight Against Corruption
… Insists It has Performed Poorly
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria has accused the federal government of paying lip service to the fight against corruption and the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
The organisation at a press briefing on Saturday, also slammed the government over what it called poor handling of the economy, excessive borrowing, hunger, swelling unemployment rate, endless killings and kidnapping in the country.
Speaking at the press conference in Abuja which was also used to award some retired board members of the organisation, the Convener of ActionAid Nigeria General Assembly, Hassana Yahaya-Bello, further lambasted the hike of cost of nomination and expression of interest forms during the last primaries by some political parties.
Yahaya-Bello, while flaying the outcome of primaries in which only one female emerged as a governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, said: “Following the conduct of primary elections by political parties, we note with concern the unrestricted use of huge sums of money to influence delegates to win nominations for the 2023 General Elections.
“In some cases, unsuccessful aspirants are said to have asked for refunds.
“This ugly development casts a shadow on Nigeria’s democracy. It means that the next administration is being built on a shaky foundation if nothing is done to change this narrative.”
She added that: “The outrageous cost of expression of interest and nomination forms by political parties for the primaries amid the debilitating poverty in the country is insensitive and condemnable.
“Moreso, women’s exclusion remains evident in Nigeria’s political landscape; only one female candidate emerged for the governorship position in the Northeast (Adamawa State) under the APC platform.
“No female candidate emerged for governorship position for the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”
She lamented that: “The current ASUU strike might be the longest in history if urgent steps are not taken. From 1999 when Nigeria transitioned to democracy, to 2022, university teachers have gone on nationwide strikes 16 times, covering 51 months.
“This excludes strikes declared by local branches of ASUU over local disputes, some of them lasting several months. The impact of protracted strikes is not limited to the university system alone. It also affects the entire spectrum of society.
“The unabating insecurity in the country poses a drawback to the progress being made by Nigeria in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals.”
She, however, advised “the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, to seize the current momentum by citizens to register to vote by extending the ongoing continuous voter Registration exercise by at least sixty days to give prospective voters the opportunity to exercise their franchise during the 2023 elections.
Also Read: June 20 deadline for land vendors’ registration stands…
“The Federal Government (FG) should show genuine commitment to improving the quality of education in Nigeria by promptly implementing the 2020 FGN/ASUU Memorandum of Action (MoA).
“Furthermore, FG should declare a state of emergency on education to rebuild it and ensure that young Nigerians get quality education in public institutions, especially the children of the poor.
“This is part of government’s investment in human capital to develop the economy.”
She noted that: “It is important to restore the quality of the educational system that graduated most of the politicians and exceptional working-class citizens Nigeria boasts of today and attract students from different parts of the world.
“To end insecurity, the Nigerian government should decentralise the Police Force, encourage and invest in community policing, and leverage advanced ICT to combat crime and criminality.
“To rebuild the peaceful dream country of our founding fathers, political elites, religious leaders, and traditional rulers must also prevail on violent groups in their domains to stop needless bloodshed and tension
State-of-the-Nation: ActionAid Accuses FG of Paying Lip Service to Fight Against Corruption
Troops Foil Protest Over Election Result Dispute in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Sector 7 of Operation Enduring Peace have foiled a protest by youths in Madakiya community of Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State over alleged delays in the announcement of election results.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 2:10 p.m. on May 20 following reports that youths had gathered to protest the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) handling of the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary election results.
Troops, alongside other security agencies, were promptly deployed to the area to prevent escalation and restore order.
On arrival, the situation was brought under control as security personnel engaged the agitated youths and appealed for calm.
The protesters were subsequently addressed and dispersed peacefully without any violence or destruction of property.
Security sources said troops maintained a visible presence in the area afterwards to deter further unrest and ensure continued peace in the community.
Troops Foil Protest Over Election Result Dispute in Kaduna
Troops Rescue Suspect from Mob Action Over Alleged Attempted Rape in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1 of Operation Enduring Peace intervened to rescue a suspect from mob attack following an alleged attempted sexual assault in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on May 20 after reports that a student of Government Secondary School (GSS) Bassa was allegedly accosted by one Abdulazeez Sani, 25, at a hotel in Agyingi area of Bassa LGA.
The suspect was reportedly overpowered by angry youths who attempted to lynch him before the arrival of troops.
Security sources said troops swiftly intervened, rescued the suspect from mob action, and restored calm in the area.
The suspect was subsequently handed over to Keystone Division in Bassa for further investigation and necessary action.
Authorities said the intervention helped prevent escalation of violence and maintained order within the community.
Troops Rescue Suspect from Mob Action Over Alleged Attempted Rape in Plateau
Troops Disrupt Illegal Mining Activity, Fire Warning Shots in Ebonyi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation UDO KA have disrupted illegal mining activities during a night patrol in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, leading to the arrest of four suspects.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on May 19 when troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Ivo intercepted individuals engaged in unauthorized mining activities within the general area.
The troops reportedly apprehended four suspects and recovered a mini truck, sapper cables, and a vehicle battery believed to have been used for the illegal operations.
However, tension reportedly rose while the suspects and recovered items were being conveyed to the base, as some youths from Iheteu community allegedly obstructed the troops and attempted to resist the operation by throwing stones in support of the suspects.
In response, the troops fired two warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd and restore order.
Security sources said calm was later restored and the situation brought under control without further escalation.
The suspects remain in custody for profiling and further investigation, while the recovered items have been secured for additional action.
Authorities said operations against illegal mining and other criminal activities would continue across affected communities in Ebonyi State.
Troops Disrupt Illegal Mining Activity, Fire Warning Shots in Ebonyi
Troops Foil Protest Over Election Result Dispute in Kaduna
Troops Rescue Suspect from Mob Action Over Alleged Attempted Rape in Plateau
Troops Foil Kidnapping Attempt, Rescue Injured Victim in Kaduna
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