A Frontline group made up.of over 100 youth groups, Northern Youths Leaders Forum (NYLF) has described as laughable, claims by former Aviation Minister, Chief Fami Fani-Kayode that he would Influence Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed and two other People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors to dump their party as lame and laughable.

NYLF President, Comrade Elliot Afiyo expressed this at a world press conference in Yola on Friday September 17, 2021.

“We observed the defection by Chief Femi Fani Kayode (FFK) from PDP to APC yesterday with little or no surprise.

“We strongly believed that this is the time and season for defections. It is our belief that whenever someone defects, it is obvious that he or she is pursuing something or something is pursuing him or her.

“However, we are surprised and astonished with the reason and claims of Chief Femi Fani Kayode (FFK) for his defection, how he influenced the defection, of three PDP’s Governors to APC and his lame claim that he is in the process of influencing the defection of another three PDP’s Governors to APC,” Afiyo said.

NYLF said that while they remain aloof, tacit and obstetric to his claims that God told him to defect to APC and how he influenced Governors Umahi, Ayade and Matawalle’s defection, they take seriously with unassuming exception, his claim that Governors Ifeanyi Unwuanyi, Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde are on their way to APC through his influence.

“We are odiously convinced that FFK has the right to use his only and available political weapon and value which is his tongue, we make bold to say that FFK as we know him, has made a lunatic and vain claim to placate and please his Taskmasters and Paymasters.

“We are not surprised with this claim because former President Obasanjo said it on the 30th of August, 2018 when we visited him and I quote ‘”Fani Kayode is my boy, give him food, he will praise and sing for you. (Check Punch Newspaper 31st August 2018).

“We sincerely believed and truly too, that this is part of his praise singing which he is known for,” he said.

The group stated categorically that Governor Bala Mohammed will never dump the PDP for APC.

“WR want to state clearly without mincing words that Senator Bala Mohammed has not and will never defect to APC and also, he has never at anytime discussed the issue of defection with FFK.

“Senator Bala Mohammed is a Nationalist who always places the National interest above his personal interest.

“He has and still passing through persecutions, humiliations, prosecutions, character assignations, campaigns of calumny, frustrations, insults and even spiritual attacks.

“In all these, God has given him the grace to remain steadfast, focused and committed to his ideals which he always defines.

“Therefore, there is no number of forces which he has not encountered that are pursuing him which would make him to defect to APC,” NYLF stressed.

The group said that it is a general and public knowledge that the nation is sinking and there is every need for patriots and advanced citizens to come together to rescue Nigeria.

“Bala Mohammed by acts of commission or omission, has proved to us that he will be part and parcel of the Rescue Mission.

“No doubt with people like Bala Mohamed in the boat, Nigeria and Nigerians will be rescued in 2023 from the National conspiracy by the few elites which FFK is a prominent member by his actions,” they added.

On the Southern Governors’ demand for a Southern President, NYLF described it as a good development, however, warning that it does not reflect realities on ground.

“It is a good political development that the Southern Governors are now speaking collectively irrespective of political leanings.

“The call by these Governors is a
welcome development but it does not reflect the reality on ground.
Nigeria presently is facing an uncommon and unconventional situation which requires uncommon and unconventional solution by uncommon and unconventional President.

” It would be recalled that former President Jonathan was sincerely committed to dealing with the security challenges between 2010 and 2011 but was frustrated by some Northern elites who brainwashed the Northerners especially the rural North into believing that Jonathan was killing Northerners.

“Jonathan was completely blocked by the same Northern elites from purchasing arms to fight insurgency.

“It is our strong belief and candid opinion that Nigeria needs a bold and courageous Northerner who will take the bull by the horn and tackle the security challenges which is our major national challenge for now even if it means killing the trouble makers if possible, so as to bring desired peace,” they advised.

The group further at the briefing, pointed out that they are impressed by the massive infrastructural development in Adamawa State, endorsing him for another term in 2023.

“We are highly impressed by the infrastructural developments in Adamawa State.

“We observed with great disbelief that such a feat could be achieved in just two years in Adamawa State that is not part of the oil producing States. We sincerely commend
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and his team.

“In view of this thereof, we want to assure him that NYLF will do whatever is possible
within the confines and ambit of the law, to ensure that he comes back in 2023 to continue with his good works.

“To this end, we wish to appeal to other parties in Adamawa State to collapse their structures, support and vote for Fintiri during the Gubernatorial elections come 2023,” they said.

NYLF assured Nigerians that come 2023, “we will have a President that will be referred to as Nigeria’s President of Nigeria’s extraction not Northern or Southern extraction.

“We should not be distracted, discouraged or despair because of people that are identifying with or Conspirators because of a pot of porridge,” they said.

Troops of the Nigerian (NA) Army have been commended for the successes so far recorded in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the country. The Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume gave the commendation when he led members of the Senate Committee on Army on a working visit to the Chief of Army Staff ( COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya at  the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu and made available to the press on 16 September 2021
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume while  expressing appreciation to the NA for the feat achieved in recent times against BHT/ISWAP insurgency, banditry and other criminalities said the NA under the current leadership has shown commitment and determination to end security challenges bedeviling the country. He added that the NA has recorded tremendous success in all its operations which according to him has led to total disarray of  bandits in North West and North East Nigeria.He  therefore urged the NA not to rest on their oars until the country is free from the grips of insecurity. He assured the NA of the senate’s support in all its operations. 
Senator Ali Ndume  also called on Nigerians to give the NA the desired support needed in their operations by sharing actionable information that will aid their operations.
Responding, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya expressed gratitude to the committee  for the visit  to  Army Headquarters, which he said will encourage officers and soldiers of the NA.  He assured the Senate Committee of the support of the NA in providing adequate security for the Committee’s tour to various  NA units and formations to assess ongoing NA operations and also obtain firsthand information.
In attendance were Principal Staff Officers and other senior officers of the Army Headquarters.

Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) today Thursday 16 September 2021 intercepted 2 suspects with 370 rounds of ammunition. The ammunition was concealed in a Toyota Pathfinder car with registration number Plateau LGT 772 JN.  This was contained in a statement signed by the military information officer Major  Ishaku Takwa and made available to the press on 16 September 2021

Luck ran out of the suspect when the driver of the car attempted to maneuvre the military check point located at Werreng along road Barkin Ladi – Jos in Plateau state. Unfortunately for the suspects, their car hit the barricade at the check point which resulted in the death of one of the suspects.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects Sergeant Azi Jonathan, a 30-year old serving police traffic warden drove the vehicle and Mr Nengak Daniel, a 60 year old  were intercepted by the troops during stop and search operation at a checkpoint. The body of the deceased suspect have been handed over to the Police Divisional Headquarters at Barkin Ladi while the other suspect is  undergoing further interrogation. 
Other items recovered from the suspects include a Toyota Pathfinder car, a cash sum of Two Hundred and Five Thousand, Seventy Naira (N205, 070.00) only, one empty case of ammunition, one Dagger, a torchlight and 3 Techno phones. Others are;  national identity card, 3 wraps of a substance suspected to be cannabis and a bag containing clothing materials.  
The Commander OPSH, Major General Ibrahim Ali while commending the troops for their vigilance has reiterated the determination of his command to flush out criminal elements on the Plateau and environs. He urged law abiding citizens to continue with their normal daily activities as troops are working round the clock to ensure crime free society. The Commander further enjoined members of the public not to relent in supporting security agencies with credible information to stem criminal activities in the state. 
You are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public through your medium. Thank you for your usual cooperation.

The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) has described as unfortunate and disappointing comment credited to the state governor David Nweze Umahi wherein he prayed and expressed a wish for God to give Nigeria another President like Muhammadu Buhari as his successor in 2023.

The group demanded that the governor should apologise to Nigerians.

In a statement signed Monday by its President, Amb. Paschal Oluchukwu, said from indication the governor made the statement out of sycophancy and bootlicking.

Umahi was reported to have made the statement while addressing State House Correspondents after an official visit to the President at the Presidential villa, Abuja recently.

The Ebonyi indigenes, however said: “It was not surprising to us and the rest of reasonable Ebonyians that the said comments and wish attracted the kinds of umbrage of negative reactions from various segments of the Nigerian public who have worn the Buhari shoe in the last six years and therefore know where it truly pinches them. Any wonder many have attributed the sad comments as one coming from a leader seeking political survival.

“First is that we may even wish to clarify that Umahi is rather seeking for political protection from the centre having lost touch with realities and his people. We have been drumming it that in the first instance, Umahi’s uncontrollable greed with it’s attendant primitive acquisition of wealth mainly by deliberate amassing of public funds led him to join the ruling party in order to avoid being harassed or threatened by the party which has severally been accused of using anti-graft agencies to intimidate and harass opposition leaders.

“The welter of reactions and condemnations that has so far greeted Umahi’s weird desire for another President like Buhari- a man who has pillaged the Nigerian economy to almost beyond redemption, promoted ethnicity and hatred, perculiarly for the Igbos whom Umahi pretends to lead as the Chairman of the South East Governors Forum amidst the worrisome insecurity, fears and unbridled apprehensions Nigerians have been daily made to live in by a Buhari Government that had vowed to end Boko Haram in just a matter of months upon ascension to power in 2015 proves the unpopularity of both the government and it’s fading bootlIckers cum sycophantic obsequious conformists which has become an art for Umahi and his few co-travellers.

“It is utterly saddening but not very surprising that the comment is coming from the Governor of a State like Ebonyi whose sad economic realities shows it has remained the poorest in every indices of human capital development in the entire Southern Nigeria.

“Yet, Umahi in his customary effing is desperately busy ass-licking the North with a vague promise that he would be made to occupy Nigeria’s seat of power in 2023. Ironically, this sad comment, which we believe is not really borne out of Umahi’s lack of understanding of the realities of the pains of the Nigerian masses but rather buttresses how sycophantic Umahi is as a leader, preferring to live consistently in a fool’s paradise just to curry favour and continue in his blind pursuit of ambition.

With his shocking excellent assessment of Buhari’s government, Nigerians can now see that Umahi cannot really be any better than the man he idolises amidst the lack and endemic cum anthropogeni poverty that both the government at the centre and in Ebonyi has created. This alone should bring to an end his jamboree pursuit (on behalf of Igbos as he often feigns) of a Presidential ambition.

While expressing disappointment and demanding retraction by the governor, the group said Ebonyians can no longer stomach the shame of such “unguarded comments.”

“We at AESID which has remained a frontline advocacy group just like the rest of reasonable Ebonyians are ashamed of the Governor’s weird comments and hereby demands he withdraws same with profuse apologies; first to Ebonyians and then, the generality of Nigerians within 48 hours. Else, we don’t see how he can be exonerated from the plights the Buhari government has made our Igbo brothers and sisters suffer, including the security threats, harassments and intimidations which our South East Region has suffered under Buhari’s administration.”

“We conclude by reiterating our belief that this should happen first and foremost before he proceeds for a psychiatric evaluation as rightly recommended by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.”

El-Rufai condoles family and Church over murder of cleric in Zangon Kataf LGA.

• Appeals for calm after cruel and horrifying killing.

Security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government the killing of Reverend Silas Yakubu Ali, Pastor of ECWA Church, Kibori-Asha Awuce, in Zangon Kataf LGA, by unknown assailants.

The report stated that Reverend Ali departed for Kafanchan on Saturday, and was not heard from until his corpse was found by a search party early on Sunday at Kibori community, near Asha-Awuce, where he was apparently attacked and macheted to death.

The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai expressed deep sadness at the report of the killing, which he described as horrifying and cruel. The Governor offered prayers for the repose of the soul of the cleric.

Going further, Governor El-Rufai sent his condolences to the family of Reverend Silas Yakubu Ali, and to the ECWA Church in Kibori-Asha Awuce, as he prayed for God to grant them fortitude and comfort over this sudden and painful loss.

The Governor urged security agencies to intensify efforts towards apprehending the perpetrators of the heinous killing, while appealing to members of the community to maintain calm.

Security agencies are conducting investigations in the general area.

Signed

Samuel Aruwan

Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State.