David Mark mourns Gen Diya, says he was an officer and gentleman

By Musa Baba Adamu

Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has expressed sadness over the death of former Chief of General Staff, (CGS) Lt, General Donaldson Oladipo Diya.

Paying glowing tribute to General Diya following the news of his demise, Senator Mark noted that the fallen General was one of shinning lights of the Nigerian Army and by extension the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic.

Senator Mark recalled that General Diya was in the forefront for the promotion of professionalism and intellectualism in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“He (Diya) was an intellectual and a professional soldier who paid attention to details “, the former Senate helmsman and a former Army General stated.

Senator Mark noted that General Diya was a distinguished Officer who believed and worked for the peace and unity of Nigeria adding “he unarguably worked for the indivisibility of Nigeria”.

He pointed out that In all the formations including as Military Governor of old Ogun state , General Officer Commanding (GOC) as well as Chief of General

Staff (equivalent to today’s Vice President), General Diya gave a good account of himself.

He added that history will be kind to General Diya for his immense contributions to the peace, unity and development of Nigeria.

Senator Mark prayed that God grant him eternal rest just as he prayed that the Almighty give the immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss.

By Musa Baba Adamu

Conferencee Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and all relevant security agencies to immediately investigate and make public their findings the rumoured visit of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola to the United Kingdom for medical reasons and the allegation that it was in disguise to meet with President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu in London.

The CNPP, in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Willy Ezugwu, said this has become necessary to preserve the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola was reported to have been sighted in London, United Kingdom, pretending to be a physically-challenged old man, for a secret meeting with the President-elect.

According to an online news medium, Supreme Court sources said Ariwoola’s disguising was a clandestine preparation for a meeting with Tinubu.

The CNPP noted that despite the denials of the plans to hold such meetings by the two personalities, “the integrity of both the chief judicial personality in Nigeria and that of the President-Elect have been called to question, especially in view of the widespread criticisms of the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s rulings on political matters since the 2023 general elections.

“The Supreme Court under the current leadership has given several verdicts on political litigations in recent times which put the integrity of the apex court to question before this very damaging report by an online news portal on the alleged planned meeting between the CJN and the President-elect in London.

“Allowing the matter to slide without a public inquiry will be a recipe for breach of national security in the event that the Supreme Court rulings fail to favour some parties in election