Connect with us

News

Yobe: Two Questions with Former Deputy Governor Aliyu Bagare

Published

on

Yobe: Two Questions with Former Deputy Governor Aliyu Bagare

By: Yahaya Wakili

Alhaji Aliyu Saleh Bagare Turakin Tikau Emirate Council in Yobe State Former Deputy Governor during the Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim regime. Aliyu Saleh Bagare spoke to NEWSng on the credibility of appointing Senator Ibrahim Geidam as the Minister of Police Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

NEWSng: How will you describe the appointment of Senator Ibrahim Geidam as a minister of police affairs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCON?

Bagare: This is a very welcome development because Ibrahim Geidam has been one of the outstanding governors in Nigeria who really performed, and during his tenure, subjects in Yobe State really enjoyed his tenure. People enjoyed his promotion of salary payment, gratitude payment, pension and salary payment throughout his tenure. There are no arrears on pensions; when you are due for retirement, parting with your salary means you are getting your pension.

So he really showed the people that he was a vebtrant civil servant to the core; he programmed his program such that his subject never suffered; adequate supply of fertilizer to the farmers; adequate supply of farm implements; I think he is an every-round governor; he performed in all aspects of development. You go to the hospital side, and you must credit this gentleman because he performed wonderfully there. He built an outstanding teaching hospital, and today the teaching hospital in Yobe is modernized and moderly equipped, even that of the teaching hospital in Maiduguri that has been around for many years. Senator Ibrahim Geidam deserved to be a minister in all capacities because if performance is rewarded, Ibrahim Geidam deserves every reward from the federal government.

Right from day one, when I contacted him, among the presidential aspirants who we follow, he told me that Baba Turaki today our merger survived because of Tinubu and that he really performed more than 80% of the merger requirement; he provided the money; he provided the state logistics. So he did everything possible to see that in 2015 Buhari emerged, and that is why Buhari emerged as president. Therefore, we have no person to push for the presidential seat apart from Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and you know we had a common tenure with Tinubu as governors, so I know his performance, his ability, and he is a wonderful person. That is why if you have good intentions, God will be with you.

Senator Ibrahim Geidam becoming a minister does not surprise me, as I am told, because I know he is active, because I know he can deliver, and because he has performed in Yobe, so I am sure the police will witness and witness developments that they have never witnessed in their lives, because I know he is the one who, when he promised, never broke his promise. That is one thing you will reward Geidam for everything; he is always standing by his words; he never changes; he will not tell you to do this and go and do that; that is never in his character. I have the privilege to work with him as my permanent secretary. He never betrays me; he is the type of person who calls them Ba Kona. So everything he will tell you is the truth, and such people are very nice to work with.

NEWSng: Finally, do you have something to add to what I asked you before?

Bagare: What I expect Mr. President to do is give Senator Ibrahim Geidam a chance to work. I know he will work differently; he will reorganize the police, and I am sure he will take them to greater heights. Therefore, let him have a chance to work; I know he will work.

Yobe: Two Questions with Former Deputy Governor Aliyu Bagare

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Woman Accuses Police of Shielding Officers in Husband’s Disappearance, Seeks Justice Through Courts

Published

on

Woman Accuses Police of Shielding Officers in Husband’s Disappearance, Seeks Justice Through Courts

By: Michael Mike

Allegations of institutional cover-up have again put the Nigeria Police under scrutiny following claims by Mrs. Nnenna John-Anozie that senior police authorities are deliberately protecting officers linked to the abduction and disappearance of her husband, Mr. John Chukwuemeka Anozie.

Mrs. John-Anozie, at the weekend in Abuja accused the police of ignoring valid court orders and the outcomes of formal investigations, insisting that the actions of the Nigeria Police point to an internal network operating above the law.

According to her, the continued protection of the officers involved has not only obstructed justice but has also eroded public confidence in the institution constitutionally empowered to protect lives and liberties.

She described the police response to her case as a consistent and deliberate failure rather than an administrative lapse. “This is not just negligence; it is a betrayal of public trust,” she said, adding that the law is being openly disregarded by those sworn to uphold it. She maintained that the police authorities are fully aware of the circumstances surrounding her husband’s disappearance but have chosen not to act.

Mrs. John-Anozie further stated that contrary to public perception, the judiciary has not hindered her quest for justice. She explained that the court had ruled in her favour, but enforcement of the judgment has been frustrated by the police’s refusal to comply with binding orders. She warned that such disobedience undermines the authority of the courts and weakens the rule of law.

Her legal counsel, Mr. Vincent Adodo, has since approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, filing a contempt application against the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun. The application seeks an order compelling the police to produce for prosecution officers allegedly connected to the case — identified as Sunday Okpe, Anthony Obiozor Ikechukwu, Emeana Uzochukwu, John Eze, and an officer known as Oriole (also called Tboy) — as well as to release investigation records relating to the matter.

The contempt proceedings are scheduled to be heard on February 9, a date Mrs. John-Anozie describes as crucial not only for her family but also for accountability within law enforcement. She argues that the absence of effective mechanisms to enforce compliance with court orders has prolonged her ordeal and cast doubt on the integrity of the justice system.

Mrs. John-Anozie lamented that efforts to seek justice through the National Human Rights Commission and the EndSARS Judicial Panel seems to have failed as police officers ignored several summons and orders.

She said despite the lengthy process, she is determined to pursue justice through lawful means, stressing that only strict adherence to the rule of law can guarantee accountability, protect citizens’ rights, and restore confidence in public institutions.

Woman Accuses Police of Shielding Officers in Husband’s Disappearance, Seeks Justice Through Courts

Continue Reading

News

Legacy Support Group Defends Tinubu’s Reforms, Faults Opposition Over “Misinformation”

Published

on

Legacy Support Group Defends Tinubu’s Reforms, Faults Opposition Over “Misinformation”

By: Michael Mike

A pro-government group, the Legacy Support Group for President Bola Tinubu, has pushed back against criticisms of the Federal Government’s policies, accusing opposition figures and “disgruntled political actors” of spreading misinformation to undermine the administration’s reform agenda.

Speaking at the inauguration of the group in Abuja at the weekend, its National Coordinator, Ezinna Chima Duru, said the attacks on President Tinubu were not based on constructive criticism but on “campaigns of calumny” driven by political frustration and personal interests.

Duru said while democratic governance allows for criticism, such engagements must be grounded in facts and aimed at strengthening the system, not destabilising it. He described recent narratives around fuel subsidy removal, economic hardship and insecurity as “deliberately exaggerated” to mislead the public.

Addressing the removal of fuel subsidy, the group argued that the policy was necessary to end what it described as years of large-scale corruption in the petroleum sector. According to Duru, previous administrations failed to dismantle subsidy-related cartels due to their influence, leaving the economy burdened by debt and fiscal pressure.

He said President Tinubu took a “difficult but courageous” decision to eliminate the subsidy, adding that the administration was conscious of the short-term impact on citizens and therefore introduced measures to cushion the effects. Among these, he highlighted the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for transportation as a strategy to reduce fuel costs and support cleaner energy use.

The group also claimed that increased revenue from subsidy savings has improved allocations to states and local governments, enabling them to fund infrastructure projects, pay salaries and support local councils more effectively.

On security, the Legacy Support Group said the current administration inherited complex challenges linked to cross-border terrorism and insurgency, stressing that recent strategic adjustments within the security architecture were beginning to yield positive results.

Commenting on the economy, the group credited the Tinubu administration with assembling what it described as a competent economic team, asserting that economic indicators were showing signs of recovery. It also cited reductions in food prices and improvements in power generation capacity as evidence of progress under the Renewed Hope agenda.

The group further praised government initiatives in youth empowerment and education, including student loan schemes and programmes aimed at supporting National Youth Service Corps members and young entrepreneurs.

In its resolution, the Legacy Support Group urged Nigerians across ethnic, religious and political lines to support the Tinubu administration, saying continuity beyond 2027 would help consolidate ongoing reforms.

“The achievements recorded so far show a clear commitment to national development,” Duru said. “We call on Nigerians to remain united and support policies that secure a better future for the country.”

The group reaffirmed its support for President Tinubu’s leadership and the Renewed Hope vision for Nigeria’s long-term growth.

Legacy Support Group Defends Tinubu’s Reforms, Faults Opposition Over “Misinformation”

Continue Reading

News

West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference

Published

on

West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference

By: Michael Mike

Leaders from several West African countries have agreed to pursue a new, structured approach to regional cooperation aimed at tackling terrorism, cross-border crime, and deepening insecurity across the sub-region.

The commitment was reached at the end of a two-day High-Level Consultative Conference on Regional Cooperation and Security held in Accra from January 29 to 30, 2026.

The meeting was chaired by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, with Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Joseph Boakai of Liberia leading their respective delegations.

Representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo also participated.

Discussions at the conference focused on the worsening security situation in West Africa, which leaders described as facing an alarming rise in terrorism and violent extremism. Participants noted that the frequency of attacks and loss of civilian lives now pose a serious threat to regional stability, economic activity, and social cohesion, making coordinated action unavoidable.

The conference followed earlier technical sessions involving Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Security, as well as intelligence chiefs from participating states. Development partners, including the African Union Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), alongside civil society organisations, contributed to the deliberations.

Leaders agreed that existing responses to insecurity have been too fragmented and largely reactive. As a result, the conference resolved to work toward a permanent framework for cooperation that would strengthen collective responses, improve information sharing, and address the structural drivers of insecurity across borders.

A key outcome of the meeting was a renewed emphasis on a human security approach, recognising that military measures alone cannot deliver lasting peace.

The leaders pledged to prioritise governance reforms, job creation, access to education and healthcare, and community-based peacebuilding as part of national and regional security strategies.

On counterterrorism, the conference agreed to enhance intelligence and information sharing, harmonise legal frameworks to support cross-border prosecution of terrorism-related crimes, and expand deradicalisation programmes while upholding human rights standards. Measures to combat trafficking in arms, narcotics, and persons were also highlighted.

To strengthen border security, participants committed to exploring joint operational measures, including possible “hot-pursuit” arrangements through bilateral or multilateral agreements. They further agreed to develop a foundational Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation and security within six months, with Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs tasked with leading the drafting process.

The conference also addressed humanitarian and climate-related challenges, recognising climate change as a factor that intensifies conflict and displacement. Leaders agreed to integrate climate and food security into regional peace planning and to work toward a shared disaster preparedness and humanitarian response framework.

At the close of the meeting, participants agreed to institutionalise the consultative conference as a bi-annual platform and to establish a mechanism for tracking and monitoring the implementation of agreed decisions.

The conference ended with a renewed pledge by regional leaders to translate commitments into concrete actions that safeguard lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen stability across West Africa.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu led the country’s delegation to the meeting.

West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights