Southern Nigeria – Advent Cable Network Nigeria

Restructure Now Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Warns, Else The Death Of Nigeria

ACNN ADMIN — Mon, 31 May 2021 09:37:44 +0000

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has told President Muhammadu Buhari to come out of his shell and address Nigerians on critical issues concerning the nation even as it warned that Nigeria will die unless it is restructured.

Setting the tone for the expanded meeting of the group in Abuja on Sunday, its leader, Chief Edwin Clark, said the president must be open to Nigerians.

He said: “The purpose of this meeting is very clear. Where are we going in Nigeria? Some are asking for secession, others for a breakup, others are running a unitary system of government etc.

“Time is moving fast and there is the need to state our position very clear to Nigerians.

“Mr President is not an emperor, he is not a king, he is not a monarch, he is a politician. He should come out and meet some of us who were here before he was an ordinary soldier. This country belongs to all of us, the north alone or the south alone cannot rule this country.”

He noted that Nigeria is presently running a unitary system of government, which he said is a hangover from the military.

The elder statesman added: “We want a brand new constitution. Any amendment of the constitution, I have no confidence in it. We are here for two things: Nigeria should be restructured. President Buhari said if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria. I said if we don’t restructure, Nigeria will die. Secession is not the answer.

“Secondly, we want the zoning to continue. It is constitutional.”

He stressed the need for the 2023 presidency to be zoned to the south since the north would have eight years at the end of Buhari’s tenure. According him, even though zoning is not constitutional, it is conventional and needed to keep the country together.

The communique issued at the end of the meeting read by Dr. Pogu Bitrus, Chairman of the Middle Belt Forum, emphasised the group’s position on restructuring and zoning while urging southern politicians to reject any party position apart from the presidency in 2023.

It also called on President Buhari to heed the calls for a national dialogue to thrash out contending issues facing the country. The group expressed opposition to the use of federal or state finances to fund private cattle business other than providing enabling environment for owners.

The group in the communiqué: “Urges the Federal Government to heed the genuine and reasonable nationwide calls for a transparent National Dialogue, and take urgent steps towards restructuring and birthing a new Constitution; to bring back equitable harmony to the Country; “Insists that it is imperative to immediately restructure the country considering the precarious prevailing atmosphere before any further elections.

“Reminds all leading political parties, especially the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties, that the basis of any viable democracy, especially in a diverse and complex country such as Nigeria, rests in fair and even sharing of power;

“Notes that the Northern part of the Country would have fully enjoyed the Office of the Presidency, for the full statutory period of 8 years by 2023, hence, should yield to the South.” The communique added that the group

“Unequivocally and in full resolve, calls on the APC and PDP and other political parties to zone the Presidency, in 2023 to the South; at the next election.

“Enjoins political stakeholders from the South not to be lured into the unpatriotic step of seeking such other positions as National Chairmen and Vice President of the main political parties, but join forces to demand and ensure that the Presidency moves to the South in 2023;

“Calls on the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on security and urgently come up with proactive strategies to restore peace and security to all parts of the country;

“Emphasizes that, if the security situation is not dealt with and banditry stopped or reduced to the barest minimum, it would not be feasible to have proper elections in 2023;

“Condemns the cavalier attitude of the federal government towards the resolutions of the Governors of Southern States at their Meeting, held in Asaba, Delta State on 11th May 2021;as it pertains to ban on open grazing and restructuring.

“Insists that cattle rearing is a generally, private business enterprise, as such, the Federal Government should avoid committing state resources to promote any particular business, beyond providing the enabling environment, in the performance of its regulatory roles.”

The group observed a minute silence for the former secretary of Afenifere and SMBLF and Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, the late Chief of Army Staff and 10 others who perished in a plane crash recently. In attendance at the meeting were leaders of Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo; PresidentGeneral of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozo; Air Commodore Dan Sulieman, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, Bitrus Pogu, Godknows Igali, among others. They were drawn from Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndi gbo, Pan Niger Delta Forum, and Middle Belt Forum. The communique was signed by Chief Clark (Leader), Chief Adebanjo, Leader, Afenifere; Professor George Obiozor, President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; Dr. Bitrus, National President, Middle Belt Forum; and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman PANDEF.
Source: Nigerian Tribune

IPOB Sit-At-Home Order Takes Effect, Brings Tension In South-East

ACNN ADMIN — Mon, 31 May 2021 09:25:40 +0000

TENSION is mounting in the five states of the South-East zone of the country as the sit-at-home order issued by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), a self-dermination group, takes effect today.

IPoB, led by Nnamdi Kanu, had issued the no-movement directive to mark what it termed the Biafra Day, a reference to May 30, 1967, the day the General Yakubu Gowon-led Federal Government declared a full-blown war with the then Eastern Regional Government headed by the late Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, for declaring the section of the country an independent nation to be known as the Republic of Biafra. Already, various state governments in the region have reacted to the directive by IPoB, with warnings to trouble-makers to stay off the zone.

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, for instance, had, in a statewide broadcast on Saturday threatened to seize any shop which owner refused to open today, in deference to the IPoB order, just as he ordered security agents to shoot at sight anyone trying to attack security personnel.

In Imo State, some 48 hours to the D-Day, commercial and social activities were paralysed on Saturday, as security personnel began to shoot indiscriminately as a show of strength, to warn IPoB members of the readiness of the government to protect the citizens.

IPoB had, however, insisted that though it shifted the day from May 30, being a Sunday, to allow Christians to worship in their churches, the Monday date for the sit-at-home order remains sacrosanct.

The group warned the people to stay in their homes to avoid being killed by stray bullets from security agents who have been deployed by the government in the states. From Enugu to Abakaliki, Umuahia to Awka, Owerri to Onitsha and Aba, the fear of the unknown has become thick as the hours for the execution of the IPoB order draws closer. Reports indicated that in virtually all the cities and towns in the zone, citizens had, as early as Thursday, last week, began to purchase necessities, mostly food stuffs, in anticipation of the no-movement order.

Meanwhile, Governor Umahi of Ebonyi State has rescinded his decision to seize shops from owners who refuse to open them in deference to the IPoB order.

Umahi, following the outcry that greeted his forfeiture threat, asked traders in the state to obey the sit-at-home order. Francis Nwanze, in a statement issued on Sunday evening, said the governor acceded to the pleas by the residents, who said they would like to use the IPOB sit-at-home day to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of their loved ones who died during the 30-month civil war.

“Following the foregoing, the governor, Engr David Nweze Umahi, who is highly in touch with the people, has directed that those who may wish to remain at home with their shop(s) locked should neither be penalised, nor their shop(s) seized as it is their constitutional right while the rights of those who may wish to go about their normal businesses should not be infringed upon as it is equally their constitutional right,” the statement read.

Some of the residents were reported to have commenced vigil ahead of today, while many of them engaged in panic buying, notwithstanding the sudden increase in prices of foodstuffs. Checks by the Nigerian Tribune showed that prices of food items like meat, tomatoes at Eke Awka, New Market, Enugu and the popular Ariaria market, Aba in Abia State, have gone up drastically.

‘Marginalisation, reason for spate of violence in S/East’ —NASS caucus

Federal lawmakers from the South-East zone have at- tributed the spate of violence in the region to what they called “the vexed issues of in- justice, inequity and obvious marginalisation of the region in governance structure.”

In a statement issued under the aegis of South-East caucus of the National Assembly and signed by certain lawmakers from the zone, they called on the Federal Government to give citizens of the region a genuine sense of belonging in the country. The lawmakers deplored the recourse to killings, burn- ing of public buildings, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices and police stations as means of ventilating genuine grievances. The caucus equally pleaded with security agencies to exercise restraint in the discharge of their constitutionally assigned duties to restore peace and safeguard lives.

Source: Nigerian Tribune

Kwara State Youths Stop’s Herdsmen Migration To Community

ACNN ADMIN — Fri, 28 May 2021 09:12:28 +0000

A group of angry youths in Ojoku and Offa communities in the Oyun and Offa Local Government Areas of Kwara State on Thursday stopped the entry of herdsmen who were migrating from a neighbouring South-West state into their towns.

From the information gathered, the herdsmen with thousands of cows were sighted by the youths, who mobilised and stopped them from entering the area.

It was said that the herdsmen were migrating from Iseyin in Oyo State to Lokoja in Kogi State when they were accosted.

Similarly, another group of herdsmen who said that they were passing through Ajase-Ipo en route Lokoja in Kogi State were also escorted out of Offa by security agent to prevent attack on them.

Babawale Afolabi, who is the Public Relations officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Kwara State Command,said the leader of the herders, who identified himself as Mohamadu, said they were migrating to Lokoja to join their families.

He said that efforts of men and officers of the NSCDC saved the breakdown of law and order in the two communities earlier in the day.

In a statement by Mr Afolabi he said that, “The NSCDC personnel (arms squad) from Offa accosted them at Igbawere (Offa Local Government Area) and interacted with the Bororo leader, Alhaji Muhammodu, who informed the personnel that they are heading to Lokoja via Ajase-lpo.

Southern Governors Did Not Provide Any Solution Presidency Speaks On Open Grazing Ban

ACNN ADMIN — Tue, 25 May 2021 08:50:25 +0000

A group photograph of state governors in southern Nigeria after a meeting in Asaba, Delta State on May 11, 2021.

The Presidency has faulted the recent resolutions of the Southern Governors, including the ban on open grazing in the entire southern part of the country.

In a statement on Monday, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, believes the Governors have failed to provide any solution to the lingering crisis between farmers and herders in the country.

“It is very clear that there was no solution offered from their (the Governors’) resolutions to the herder-farmer clashes that have been continuing in our country for generations,” he said.

Shehu added, “But the citizens of the Southern States – indeed citizens of all States of Nigeria – have a right to expect their elected leaders and representatives to find answers to challenges of governance and rights, and not to wash their hands off hard choices by, instead, issuing bans that say: “not in my State”.

State Governors in the South had resolved to ban open grazing and movement of cattle by foot in the region following a meeting held on May 11 in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

They had called for the restructuring of the country along with fiscal federalism, devolution of powers, and state policing, as well as asked President Muhammadu Buhari to convene a national dialogue to address the agitations by various groups in the region.

Reacting to the series of calls made by the Governors, Shehu explained that the President has expressed a strong resolve to address the conflicts of herders and farmers in a sustained and lasting manner.

He was hopeful that this would lead to the emergence of a permanent solution to the frequent clashes between both parties, as well as the associated problem of the gun-wielding killer herdsmen.

‘Worried More Than Any Other Citizen’

The President’s spokesman noted that his principal had approved a number of specific measures to bring a permanent end to the frequent skirmishes as recommended by the Minister of Agriculture, Sabo Nanono, in a report he submitted.

A file photo of Garba Shehu.

He stated that President Buhari signed off on the report in April, accusing the Southern Governors of acts of politicking intended to demonstrate their power by banning open grazing in their various States.

According to Shehu, the ban on open grazing is of questionable legality, given the constitutional right of all Nigerians to enjoy the same rights and freedoms within every one of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – regardless of the State of their birth or residence.

“Fortunately, this declaration has been pre-empted, for whatever it is intended to achieve, and Mr President, who has rightly been worried about these problems more than any other citizen in consultation with farmers and herders alike, commissioned and approved an actionable plan of rehabilitating grazing reserves in the States, starting with those that are truly committed to the solution and compliant with stated requirements.

“With veterinary clinics, water points for animals, and facilities for herders and their families, including schooling – through these rehabilitated reserves, the Federal Government is making far-reaching and practical changes allowing for different communities to co-exist side-by-side: supporting farmers to till their fields, herders to rear their livestock, and Nigerians everywhere to be safe,” he said.

The presidential spokesman said the entire country was aware of the strain the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on public finances – for both Federal and States.

He, however, noted that the federal funding for the project that has been delayed was being partly unlocked and actual work for the full actualization of the modern reserve system in a few of the consenting States would take off in June.

Source: Channels tv

Asaba Resolutions: CNG Lashes Out At South, Directs Herders To Relocate

ACNN ADMIN — Mon, 17 May 2021 10:28:52 +0000

ACNNtv
Updated May 17. 2021

The Coalition of Northern Groups, in a statement on Sunday, said the Southern governors unfairly profiled the entire business community of herders as the sole cause of the bulk of the security challenges in the region in their resolution in Asaba, Delta State.

It accused the governors of deliberately leaving out the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network among others in identifying causes of security challenges in their domains.

The CNG’s position was contained in a statement by its spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, titled ‘Response to the Asaba Declaration by Southern Nigerian governors.’

It added that the southern governors neglected to acknowledge that just as development and population growth had put pressure on available land and increased the prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local populations, so also had the mass movement of millions of people from the South into the vast interior of the North and the permanent nature of this movement.

It also accused the southern governors of failing to attribute the current national woes to the regime of the All Progressives Congress led by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

The statement read, “Against the backdrop of these observations, on grazing ban, the CNG emphatically repudiates the vilification and targeting of the entire pastoral community for vilification, systematic dehumanisation, profiling, alienation or any action that will render them objects of attack and persecution.

“The CNG categorically calls on all pastoralists and by extension, all northerners living as minorities in the South, whose lives and livelihoods stand threatened by this regime of hostile and damaging policies to be ratified by the southern governors, to immediately relocate with their livestock assets to the North.

“We demand absolute guarantee of protecting the lives and property of the pastoral communities as they relocate to the North, by ensuring their movement is not impeded by any legislation or obstacle imposed by a state or a community in the South.

“We demand the federal and northern states governments to immediately identify suitable lands across the region and create grazing reserves and cattle routes through resort to extant provisions of the Land Use Act and other related laws.”

PUNCH

Asaba Declaration And An Unyielding President

ACNN ADMIN — Fri, 14 May 2021 08:51:17 +0000

By: Prof. ‘Femi Olufunmilade

I was elated two days ago (Monday, 11 May 2021) when 17 southern governors were hosted in Asaba, Delta State’s capital, by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, whereupon some important decisions were taken.

The decision extracts read as follows: ban on open grazing, establishment of state police, convocation of a national dialogue, restructuring, observance of federal character in national appointments and recruitments – with emphasis on security agencies.

Of the five items above, only the ban on open grazing is clearly within the purview of the state governors to implement. In this regard, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has set the pace. He offers a ready template for emulation.

This ban, if effectively enforced, will put an end to at least 50 percent of the quantum of insecurity in southern Nigeria today.

It will end farmers-herdsmen conflicts and remove the cover under which terrorists on a campaign of terror across our farming communities hide to perpetrate crime.

It will bring a huge relief to farmers who have abandoned their farms for the cities to avoid being killed or incur further loss of their investments to the rampaging killer herdsmen operating with impunity to no consequence!

The other items in the Asaba Declaration, however, are not clearly within the governors’ purview to execute.

A national dialogue, for instance, will be truly national and will hold prospects of restoring trust and harmonious relations amongst Nigeria’s heterogeneous communities, if only it is convened with the imprimatur of the president.

Same goes for establishment of state police, restructuring, and inclusiveness in federal appointments.

On restructuring, we may recall it is the core element of the ruling All Peoples Congress’ manifesto, on the basis of which General Muhammadu Buhari had campaigned and got elected president.

The APC, under its then national chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, set up a committee led by the Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to tour the country, collate views on the subject, and produce a report.

Mallam El-Rufai, my Chairman of the Renewal Committee of defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), characteristically, did a good job of the party assignment. Unfortunately, President Buhari has refused to consider the APC Restructuring Committee Report.

What difference will the renewed call for restructuring by the 17 southern governors now make? Put differently, what can the governors do to push through their demand on restructuring if President Buhari, as often, fails to be the statesman he is expected to be in times such as we are in?

The same strand of questions apply to the demand for state police, convocation of a national dialogue, and inclusive federal appointments.

What can the governors do to give their demands a bite? This is the question begging for answer(s) urgently.

Olufunmilade is Director, Buratai Center for Contemporary Security Affairs , Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State.

Email: femiology@gmail.com

Open Grazing Banned By Southern Governors, Asks Buhari To Address Nigerians

ACNN ADMIN — Wed, 12 May 2021 10:38:13 +0000

Open Grazing Banned By Southern Governors, Ask Buhari To Address Nigerians

ACNNtv
Updated May 12, 2021

Governors of the South have banned open grazing of cattle across states in the region and insisted that the President addresses Nigerians on the state of insecurity in the nation.

The Governors have called for the restructuring of the nation to address increasing agitations in different parts of the nation, while resounding their commitment to the oneness of the nation.

The Governors made these known at the closing part of their meeting in Asaba, the Delta State Capital, on Tuesday.

Governors who were present were the ; Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; ; Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi; Ogun State governor, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Rivers State Governor, Nysome WikeDapo Abiodun; Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano and a few others.

Their host who was, Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa received them in peace.

A few of these states and sub-regions have banned open grazing in the past.

In February, the governors representing the 36 states said it had reached a satisfying agreement on the “need for the country to transition into modern systems of animal husbandry that will replace open, night, and underage grazing in the country.”

The ban on open grazing is influenced by the fact that the violence of herdsmen has continued to be reported across the nation.

Beyond the crisis of herdsmen, the nation has continued to suffer diverse security threats, including but not limited to an insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and secessionist agitations in the South-East and South-West.

Below is the full position of the Southern Governor’s after their meeting on Tuesday:

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEETING OF THE GOVERNORS OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ASABA, DELTA STATE, ON TUESDAY, 11TH MAY, 2021

At its meeting held today, 11th May, 2021, th e Southern Governors Forum reviewed the situation in the nation generally and focused on the current security situation, agitations/restructuring, prospect for inter-state collaboration and partnerships as well as on the incidence of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Rising from the meeting, the Forum: affirmed that the peoples of Southern Nigeria remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful co-existence between and among its peoples with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity; observed that the incursion of armed herders, criminals and bandits into the Southern part of the country has presented a severe security challenge such that citizens are not able to live their normal lives including pursuing various productive activities leading to a threat to food supply and general security.

Consequently, the meeting resolved that open grazing of cattle be banned across Southern Nigeria; noted that development and population growth has put pressure on available land and increased the prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local populations in the South. Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the South (including cattle movement to the South by foot); recommended that the Federal Government should support WILLING States to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems; agreed that the progress of the nation requires that urgent and bold steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian Federation leading to the evolution of state police, review of revenue allocation formula in favour of the sub-national governments and creation of other institutions which legitimately advance our commitment to and practice of true federalism; recommended that in view of widespread agitations among our various peoples for greater inclusiveness in existing governance arrangements, the Federal Government should convoke a national dialogue as a matter of urgency; recommended that in deference to the sensitivities of our various peoples, there is need to review appointments into Federal Government Agencies (including Security Agencies) to reflect federal character as Nigeria’s overall population is heterogenous; resolved to foster cooperation among the Southern States and the nation at large; expressed concern on the continued gridlock on the Oshodi – Apapa Expressway and the chokehold it has exerted on the nation’s economy being the sole outlet from Apapa Wharf.

The meeting therefore recommended the activation and establishment of ports in other States of the federation to create new jobs and promote socio-economic activities in the country; the meeting expressed concern on the economic implications of another lockdown on the country, and therefore suggested greater coordination and cooperation between Federal and State Governments in evolving strategies for dealing with the pandemic; expressed very grave concern on the security challenge currently plaguing the nation and strongly urged that Mr. President should address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity and restore the confidence of our people; and expressed gratitude to our host, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his generosity and hospitality.

Signed by:

Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN
Governor, Ondo State

His Excellency
Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu
Governor, Abia State Governor

His Excellency
Chief Emmanuel Udom
Akwa Ibom State

His Excellency
Willie Obiano
Governor, Anambra State

His Excellency
Senator Diri Duoye
Governor, Bayelsa State

His Excellency
Prof. Ben Ayade
Governor, Delta State

His Excellency
Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa
Governor, Cross Rivers State

His Excellency
Engr. Dave Umahi
Governor, Ebonyi State

His Excellency
Godwin Obaseki
Governor, Edo State

His Excellency
John Olukayode Fayemi
Governor, Ekiti State

His Excellency
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
Governor, Enugu State

His Excellency
Senator Hope Uzodimma
Governor, Imo State

His Excellency
Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Governor, Lagos State

His Excellency
Dapo Abiodun
Governor, Ogun State

His Excellency
Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola
Governor, Osun State

His Excellency
Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde
Oyo State Governor

His Excellency
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike Governor
Rivers State