The state of security in Nigeria has been a source of concern to both the government and the governed. The unfortunate situation has left the citizens looking up to the security organizations in the country to nip the escalating levels of violence, criminality, and killings happening across the nation in the bud. But what happens when those charged with the task of protecting and defending the country and its citizens are now under attack themselves?
This has been the question on the minds of so many Nigerians as they waited for the reaction of the Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Mohammadu Buhari, who has since responded to the attack by the so-called ‘bandits’ on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Afaka, Kaduna State through a spokesperson.
On Tuesday, August 24, 2021, news about an attack on military property in Kaduna State broke and it seemed like a rumor until major media houses started reporting it. It was reported the armed bandits stormed the NDA premises in Afaka in the early hours of the morning – around 2 am to be precise.
Having breached the security and the gate and gained entrance, the brutes wounded and killed some military personnel while abducting others. The Nigerian Army, later that day, confirmed the fears of millions of Nigerians as they corroborated the story, revealing that two of its officers were killed and one senior officer was kidnapped from the Defence Academy.
The Presidency also responded to the NDA Kaduna attack, calling it was a ploy to discourage, distract, and dampen the morale of the officers with regards to the fight to curb the insecurity challenges in the country. He vowed not to give in to their ploy as he said instead of giving up the fight, the unfortunate incident has further strengthened his resolve to ‘uproot of evil in the polity’. The President also commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones as he prayed for God to give them the strength to bear their loss.
Here is the statement from the Presidency:
“The attack launched on the facility of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Tuesday, rather than throw a dampener into the morale of our Armed Forces as it is intended to, will buoy their determination to make a decisive end of criminality in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.
“Noting that the attack, which led to the loss of lives, came at a time that the military had put insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other types of criminals on the retreat, the President says the heinous action would accelerate the total uprooting of evil in the polity, which members of the Armed Forces are solidly resolved to accomplish in the shortest possible time.
“Commiserating with the families who lost their loved ones, and praying God to comfort them, President Buhari vowed that the deceased would not die in vain, as the degenerate act would have consequences that will eventually clean the country of vermin, and emancipate the polity from deliberate, targeted and contrived atrocious acts.
“The President thanks all Nigerians who value and appreciate the efforts of our military, and urges those playing hateful politics with the dastardly act to desist, noting that rather than recriminations, this is the time for all patriots and people of goodwill to support and encourage those who are in the vanguard of the battle against wickedness in the land.”
INEC declares incumbent Oyebanji winner of Ekiti State governorship election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, June 19th, declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Biodun Oyebanji, as the winner of the governorship election held in Ekiti State on Saturday
According to Adenike Oladiji, INEC’s Chief Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Oyebanji polled a total of 319,224 votes from the 16 local government areas of the State to emerge the winner of the Ekiti governorship election for a second term.
Oyebanji defeated his closest rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Wole Oluyede, who scored 40,543 votes.
Oladiji announced the result on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, adding that Oyebanji satisfied all the requirements in the election and was declared elected.
Reacting, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji said his re-election for a second term is a renewed call to serve.
The governor, who spoke shortly after he was declared the winner of Saturday’s governorship election, thanked the people of the state for trusting his administration, adding that winning the election means he now has even greater responsibilities.
Oyebanji said he understands the expectations that come with his new mandate and assured residents that his administration will stay committed to good governance and the welfare of the people.
He said, “I have a proper understanding of the responsibility that this victory has placed on my shoulders. It is a responsibility of service, service to the people of Ekiti State.
“I want to assure our people that we will continue to serve them with courage, compassion, humility and the fear of God.”
Regarding his plans for a second term, Oyebanji said his administration would continue implementing the state’s development agenda.
We have a development guide, and we will continue to faithfully implement that plan. At the same time, if there are new issues or areas that require attention, we will review them and ensure they are accommodated. Our focus remains the comprehensive implementation of our development agenda for the benefit of all Ekiti people.”
I was sacked as APC national chairman via zoom – Adams Oshiomhole
Adams Oshiomhole has revealed that he was removed as APC national chairman through a Zoom-held NEC meeting, claiming court actions and internal party politics were used to force him out after leading the party to electoral victories.
Speaking during an interview on AIT, the senator representing Edo North said his exit from the party’s top position came after he had helped stabilize the APC and contributed significantly to the party’s electoral successes.
Oshiomhole, who served as APC national chairman from 2018 until his removal in June 2020, said he played a major role in helping the party secure victory in the 2019 general elections under then-President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I led my party to victory under Buhari. With my colleague in the National Working Committee, NWC, we were able to fix the leadership tussle of the National Assembly, both the Senate and the House Representatives effortlessly,” he said.
“Our president didn’t have to run around the country to talk to people. We did the marketing, explanation, persuasion and all the tools available to manage democracy.”
The former Edo State governor said events took a different turn after the party became more stable, alleging that efforts were made to remove him from office.
“Once the system got stabilized, I was sacked through a Zoom, and when people couldn’t get me removed democratically, they claimed that eight members of my Ward signed a petition that they passed a vote of no confidence on me.
“And on that basis they took the matter to the court, which granted their interim order. I appealed the order. The Court of Appeal quashed it. Three weeks later, the Court of Appeal called us back and restated the order. A few days later, I saw for the first time a National Executive Council, NEC, held by Zoom in the villa,” he said.
Oshiomhole’s removal as APC chairman followed a prolonged internal crisis within the ruling party. At the time, the party’s National Executive Committee dissolved the National Working Committee and approved the formation of a Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee to oversee party affairs.
Court orders INEC to deregister ADC, four other political parties
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties over their poor electoral performance.
The affected parties are the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and the ADC.
The ruling followed a suit filed by a group of former lawmakers who asked the court to determine whether INEC is constitutionally obligated to remove political parties that fail to meet the requirements outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to the plaintiffs, the five parties failed to satisfy the constitutional conditions required to retain their registration. These include securing at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election, winning a seat in the National Assembly, a state House of Assembly, a local government chairmanship position, or a councillorship seat.
The group argued that the parties failed to meet these benchmarks during the 2023 general election and in subsequent by-elections conducted by INEC.
They further contended that allowing political parties with little or no electoral support to remain on the register undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system and goes against constitutional provisions.
The plaintiffs urged the court to compel INEC to deregister the parties before preparations for the 2027 general election gather pace.
They also sought an order restraining the affected parties from taking part in elections, conducting party primaries, organising political rallies, or carrying out other political activities pending compliance with constitutional requirements.
Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu agreed with the arguments presented by the plaintiffs and ordered INEC to deregister the five political parties.
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