Group slams Tinubu administration for interference in NASS leadership election

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Oodua People’s Frontier (OPF) and the Yoruba Patriots Alliance (YPA) have frowned at the interference of the Bola Tinubu-led government in the election of principal officers of the National Assembly ahead of Tuesday’s inauguration.

The groups stated categorically that such actions are not only undemocratic, but also threaten the very foundations of our democracy.

The groups in a statement issued Monday by the Convener of OPF, Moses Odewale and National President of YPA, Anuoluwabamise

Adetutu, that it was disheartening to witness the relentless attempts by the government to utilize security agencies as tools of intimidation, coercing aspiring candidates into submission.

The groups stated categorically that such actions are not only undemocratic, but also threaten the very foundations of our democracy.

The groups also expressed dissatisfaction and concern over the flagrant disregard for democratic principles demonstrated by this administration.

The groups pointed out that it was shameful that the current government, barely at the outset of its tenure, was already exhibiting dictatorial tendencies.

They said: “Nigeria is not an ‘agberocracy’; we are a nation founded on democratic principles, where the separation of powers and the independence of the legislative and judicial arms are paramount.

“We vehemently repudiate any misguided parallel drawn between Nigeria and the confined realm of Lagos State, where agberos and touts reign supreme. We assert that Nigeria, as a whole, transcends the narrow scope of a single state and operates on an entirely different scale of governance.”

They noted that considering the use of court orders to impede eligible candidates from exercising their fundamental rights to contest for principal offices in the Senate was not only an affront to the country’s democracy but also a blatant violation of the principles of justice and fairness.

The groups added: “The Oodua People’s Frontier (OPF) and the Yoruba Patriots Alliance (YPA), stands firmly against any attempt by this administration to undermine our democratic systems.

“We refuse to be silent spectators as our democracy is eroded by the very government entrusted to uphold it. We will resist every

Speakership: Youth holds rally, drums support for Tajudeen Abass, Ben Kalu

By Abubakar Yunusa

Ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, a group, Youth Alliance for Renewed Hope, on Monday urged lawmakers in the House of Representatives to ensure the emergence of Tajudeen Abbas as Speaker of the House.

The spokesperson for the group, Dami Adeyi said this during a rally held in Abuja and noted that Abass possessed the right qualities to lead the house for remarkable impact.

He said, “We are standing in solidarity in struggle and in intellectual capacity for Honorable Tajudeen Abbas. Our organization has aligned with the leadership of this new administration and also realigned with the candidacy of Honorable Tajudeen Abbas as Speaker of the House of Representatives

Also speaking,Babatunde damilola (dambaba) said ,”Our organization, Youths alliance for renew hopes is here to reactivate that lost hope in to the realm of the new hope, and by doing so, we have aligned with the new leadership of this administration and also realigned with the speakership,

Honorable Tajudeen Abbas, by affirming our love, support and solidarity with him.

“We are also commending World Oil Industries Limited ,Dukiya properties limited and Sebastine foundation for burn victims for their unrelenting efforts, we are very grateful to them.

“We decided to back him because we have checked and seen the fact that his a youth oriented person and in this administration, we are looking for leaders that are youth oriented that will pass bills to accelerate youth involvement, youth participate and progress in Nigeria.

Peter Buraimoh Folajimi appealed with the members of house of assembly to give Abbas the opportunity to serve by massively voting for him.

He urged the youths in the grassroot to wakeup and work for the emergence of Abbas as the next speaker would be a renewed hope for Nigerian youths.

“We are here for Honorable Tajudeen Abbas, because we believe in his dream for Nigeria youth and there is know other man that is capable of this position. Honorable Tajudeen Abbas is the next speaker and and so shall it be as the APC members have said.

Also, Engr. Robert Ahen Change said Abbas is the right choice for the Speakership.”We are here today to identify with the incoming leadership of the national assembly. The encroachment on our democratic institutions with unwavering determination.

The groups added that the people of Nigeria deserve leaders who respect the tenets of democracy and uphold the principles of good governance.

“We demand that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government refrain from further interference in the electoral process and respect the rights of eligible candidates to contest for principal offices in the National Assembly.”

APC calls for democratic rebirth in Rivers

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

As Nigeria marks democracy day, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has called for a democratic rebirth in the state.

The party, in a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju said it believes the critical elements of democracy are, respect for the rule of law, political tolerance, transparency, accountability, participation of citizens and equality.

Nwauju advised stakeholders to practice the elements of democracy to deliver proper representation, which he claims is the missing link in governance in Rivers State.

The statement stressed that Nigerians must have freedom of expression, noting that participation is the foundation that makes democracy strong.

candidate of the right Honorable Tajudeen Abbas. We believe that the national APC committee has made the right choice.

*We are solidly behind Tajudeen Abbas because he has big dreams for Nigerian youths”.

He said the right to vote and hold peaceful protests cannot and should not be difficult in the state, to avoid the pitfalls of June 12, 1993.

Nwauju said all political parties, religions, ethnic groups and regions must be treated equally in a genuine democracy.