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WHY MR. PRESIDENT, NIGERIA GOVERNORS’ FORUM (NGF) AND THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM (PDP-GF), INTERVENED IN THE BUDDING RIVERS STATE CRISES.

PRESS STATEMENT
WHY MR. PRESIDENT, NIGERIA GOVERNORS’ FORUM (NGF) AND THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM (PDP-GF), INTERVENED IN THE BUDDING RIVERS STATE CRISES.
The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, PDP-GF, under the leadership of its Chairman and Governor of Bauchi State, H.E. Senator Bala Mohammed, CON, is moved to respond to the vicious, speculative media reports alleging that our Chairman, H.E Senator Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State, was leading the opposition into oblivion by his recent courtesies to the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on his interventions in the recent Rivers State crisis and non-interference in the proceedings of the Tribunals and the Judiciary as a whole in its rulings.
For the avoidance of doubts and to clarify the sequence of events, it was in fact the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), HE. Governor Malam Abdul-Rahwan Abdul-Razaq of Kwara State, an APC Governor, that took leadership in intimating Mr. President of the situation in Rivers State.
All the Governors of 36 States supported the move. In particular, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, H.E Bala Mohammed, lent his weight and support to the move. It should be noted that Gov. Siminalayi Fubara is a member of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Vice-Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. The President, H.E Bola Tinubu, GCON, agreed to intervene as requested.
It is most disingenuous for certain persons to lampoon the courtesies extended to Mr. President for his intervention. It should be noted that the events that played out in Rivers State had national security implications; it had the potential to lead to a breakdown of law and order. Indeed, the Rivers State Police Command acknowledged as much in its statement issued on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
Mr. President as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and effectively the Chief Security Officer of the nation, had to intervene to nip the crises in the bud. Indeed, Nigeria’s history is replete with instances where a development in one state could snowball and affect the whole country. Rivers State is one of the major oil producing States in Nigeria. A breach of peace in Rivers State, considering its strategic value and importance, no doubt, could affect other States of the federation.
Indeed, it is a sign of good leadership and a high sense of duty that Gov. Bala Mohammed summoned and held an emergency meeting of the Forum immediately the Rivers State matter came up. We think that he deserves credit for this. In a communiqué issued by the PDP-GF at the end of its meeting on 31st October, 2023, the PDP Governors said “The PDP Governors were alarmed at the recent developments in Rivers State and welcomes the intervention of Mr. President to bring the crises to an end. The meeting urged all parties to the Rivers State crises to sheath their sword and resort to peaceful means of resolution. The Forum further offers its platform for a quick and just containment of the issues involved.”
There is no way Governor Bala Mohammed, being a lover of peace in all parts of the country could fold his hands and fail to act or appreciate the good efforts of the President in finding solution to the crisis. This further explains the shuttle diplomacy employed by the PDP Governors’ Forum led by Gov. Bala Mohammed in visiting and counseling the dramatis personae in the crises.
Those castigating the Chairman and other members of the PDP Governors’ Forum seem to have forgotten that the unity, peace and tranquility of the country transcend politics and political leanings.
The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum has not in any way done anything wrong by thanking the efforts of the President to resolve the crisis in Rivers State.
Senator Bala Mohammed is not trying and will not do anything to hand over the PDP, a leading and formidable opposition party to the President, who was elected on the platform of another party.
The situation in Rivers State on 30th October, 2023 was not just a PDP affair. No.
Hon. C.I. D. Maduabum, LL.M
Director-General
PDP Governors’ Forum
WHY MR. PRESIDENT, NIGERIA GOVERNORS’ FORUM (NGF) AND THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM (PDP-GF), INTERVENED IN THE BUDDING RIVERS STATE CRISES.
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FG Reaffirms Commitment to Uphold Rights of Inmates
FG Reaffirms Commitment to Uphold Rights of Inmates
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the rights and dignity of all persons in held behind bars.
The commitment was made on Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during the Commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day 2025 and the presentation of the audit report of six custodial centres across the North-East.
The Minister, who was represented at the event sponsored by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by the Director, Joint Services, Federal Ministry of Interior, Nasiru Usman, said holding discussion on prison reforms on Nelson Mandela Day is profoundly symbolic as late South African President’s legacy reminds us that justice, dignity, and humanity must remain central to how we treat even those behind bars.
He said: “Let me reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all persons in custody, in line with the Nigerian Constitution and our international obligations. The Nelson Mandela Rules which is the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners remains a central reference point for our correctional policies and reforms.”
He noted: “Today’s presentation of the prison audit report marks a critical milestone. Evidence-based assessments such as this are essential for shaping effective and humane correctional reforms. The audit of six custodial centres across the North-East provides a clear picture of the current realities within our facilities and will serve as a vital tool in informing policy, guiding resource allocation, and strengthening future collaborations.
He said: “We commend UNODC’s broader interventions in our correctional system, including the training of correctional officers and support for non-custodial measures and legal aid. These efforts contribute meaningfully to the professionalization and humanization of our correctional system.
“Particularly commendable is the initiative to establish inmate product display shops in select custodial centres. This innovative project aligns with our goal of equipping inmates with vocational skills, fostering economic empowerment, and changing public perceptions of incarcerated individuals. It is a vital step forward in enabling successful reintegration.”
He said: “As we move forward, I urge sustained multi-sectoral collaboration. Correctional reform cannot be achieved by government alone. It requires coordinated action across civil society, the private sector, and legal institutions. We must invest more in rehabilitation programmes, community-based alternatives to incarceration, and reintegration support.
“The Ministry remains fully committed to enhancing custodial conditions, promoting data-driven decision-making, digitizing inmate records, and ensuring proper classification and case management, especially for vulnerable groups such as women, juveniles, and persons with mental health challenges.”
The Minister called on all stakeholders present to continue working together to transform our correctional system into one that reflects the values of justice and humanity, streaking that: “Let us treat every inmate not as a burden or statistic, but as a human being capable of reform and reintegration.
“Let this Mandela Day renew our collective resolve to build a correctional system that protects society, respects human rights, and gives every individual a chance at redemption.”
In her welcome address, United Nations Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and Designated Official a.i, Ms. Elsie Attafuah said: “We stand here today, united on Nelson Mandela International Day, a day that ignites our shared vow to justice, dignity, and human rights, especially in the shadows of prisons. At its core shines the Nelson Mandela Rules, forged in 2015 as the renewed United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. These aren’t mere words: they forge a bold, rights-driven blueprint for corrections everywhere, rooting every moment of imprisonment in respect, responsibility, renewal, and return to society. Demanding openness, unbiased watchdogs, and safeguards for the fragile, the Mandela Rules echo the United Nations Common Position on Incarceration: liberty’s loss must forever be our absolute last choice.”
She noted that at the core of the audit are identifying areas for immediate improvement in custodial conditions and recommending actionable steps to protect inmate welfare; Generating data to inform targeted justice sector reforms, including profiling pretrial detainees and mapping gaps in legal representation, and ensuring systematic alignment of Nigerian correctional practices with the Mandela Rules to drive progressive compliance with global human rights standards.”
She disclosed that the findings of the audit which will be discussed today presents clear evidence of both progress and remaining challenges. As of July 2025, Nigeria’s custodial centres hold 81,686 inmates, with 66 percent (53,713 inmates) still awaiting trial. This figure reflects a meaningful decline from 70 percent in July 2024, underscoring the impact of enhanced legal aid, the expanded use of non-custodial options, and improvements in case management.
She however added that: “As we dive into these truths, remember: rebuilding lives and weaving them back into society isn’t just the warden’s burden, it’s our collective call to rally businesses, schools, and neighborhoods. Together, we carve jobs and futures, arming the released with tools to reinsert himself to society as a law abiding citizen. Let’s weave a web of welcome that shatters prison walls, nurturing forgiveness for those chasing second chances.”
End
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Gunmen abduct four family members in Niger community

Gunmen abduct four family members in Niger community
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men have reportedly abducted four members of a family in Tungan-Mangoro village, located in the Nasko axis of Niger State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on July 14 when the assailants stormed the residence of a community elder, Alhaji Danlami, and took away four of his relatives at gunpoint.
The victims have been identified as Abbas Danlami, Jamila Dan’asibi (female); Samaila Dan’asibi, and Naja.
Sources in the area said the attackers arrived in large numbers and operated for several minutes, causing panic among residents.
Security forces have since launched a search operation in nearby forests to locate the abductors and rescue the victims.
Gunmen abduct four family members in Niger community
Uncategorized
Gunmen abduct four family members in Niger community

Gunmen abduct four family members in Niger community
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men have reportedly abducted four members of a family in Tungan-Mangoro village, located in the Nasko axis of Niger State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on July 14 when the assailants stormed the residence of a community elder, Alhaji Danlami, and took away four of his relatives at gunpoint.
The victims have been identified as Abbas Danlami, Jamila Dan’asibi (female); Samaila Dan’asibi, and Naja.
Sources in the area said the attackers arrived in large numbers and operated for several minutes, causing panic among residents.
Security forces have since launched a search operation in nearby forests to locate the abductors and rescue the victims.
End
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