Power Shift, Igala, Okun and the Ebira
By Joshua Ocheja
The phrase Power shift might sound a bit unpleasant especially as it relates to the political atmosphere in Kogi state, but it is yet the indispensable drumbeat of change whose rhythm will open the dance floor to endless expression of intent for sound minds, regardless of tribe, religion or location. This dance floor will serve as the catalyst for the much awaited Kogi Renaissance.
This piece is a child of necessity that has been in the womb, incubating and gathering momentum, principally to highlight the need for why tribal differences should be ignored in totality as regards governance in Kogi state. But rather individuals, content of character, blueprint for development, sense of judgment, experience, exposure, track record and intellectual ability should be encouraged regardless of sentiments along the line of majority and minority tribes.
The state also referred to as the confluence state, is blessed with abundance of resources, and a host of others that beats our imagination on how we have failed to effectively utilize them. That we are where we are today is a product of deep rooted ethnicity, tribalism and selfish motives exhibited by a cabal that views the citizenry from a disdainful perspective.
It gets more depressing, when the list of prominent names is reeled out. These names have distinguished themselves in the scheme of affairs in the country. Names like Sunday Awoniyi, Francis Idachaba, Eyitayo Lambo, M.M Wokili, Isah Ocheja, Julius Sunday Oshanupin, Aliyu Atta, Olushola Akanmode, Bayo Ojo, Smart Adeyemi, Abdulahi Ibrahim (SAN) Ibrahim Ogohi, Kola Jamodu, David Jemibewon Jide Omokore, J.E Ataguba, Yakubu Mohammad, Salihu Atawodi, Eugenia Abu, Professor Oyibo and a host of others.
The dynamic nature of the state makes the strengths and weakness of the various zones very visible. The Igala’s are known to be the major ethnic tribe, parading an intimidating list of uniform men, business men and politicians.
The Ebira’s are placed second in the political hierarchy with successful business men and politicians, while the Okun’s parades intelligentsias and technocrats, a place generally regarded as the fountain of knowledge in Kogi state.
In life, knowledge is open to all that embraces it and leadership abilities are not determined by tribe or religion. I say this with all conviction that the state remains an illusion, considering the class and caliber of persons wearing the badge of Kogi state.
Igala is the language spoken by the people located within the triangle formed by the confluence of the rivers Niger and Benue in Kogi State. 'The Igala people are found east of the confluence of these rivers. It is 120 kilometers wide and 160 kilometers long and covers an area of about 13,665 square kilometers. The Igala people are evenly distributed all over the land but with Anyigba, Ankpa and Idah more densely populated.
The Okun dialects which comprise Owé, Ìyàgbà, Ìjùmú, Bùnú and Ọ̀wọ́rọ̀ are spoken in the southern axis of Kogi State. The dialects are distinguishable as individual dialects but they are mutually intelligible to an extent. Owé, Ìyàgbà, Ìjùmú, Bùnú and Ọ̀wọ́rọ̀ people are referred to as the Okun people.
The Ebira’s occupies the western axis of Kogi state, with a population that is a little over a million. Predominantly farmers, and crafts men with lots of ingenuity in the area of skilled handcrafts. The word Ebira translates to manners or characters, which has defined their identity till date. They are said to be hostile and aggressive, which is more of perception rather than reality.
In that mood of reflection, I also tried to trace the origin of the politics of governance in Nigeria that has degenerated to a level that smacks a mockery of the type of democracy we are practicing.
Democracy is not a sharply defined form of government that would need to be implemented in just one and no other way. Both in theory and in practice there are as many systems of democracy than democratic countries. In a Democracy, people are supposed to be free to speak, to read and to choose what they want to buy, sell & own, without such freedom the word has no meaning.
Some of us still harbor illusions that Nigeria is a democracy just because we elect our government. However, for a democratic setup like ours, we do seem to have some pretty odd ways of demonstrating our commitment to the democratic ideals of freedom, justice & equality.
The political structure in Kogi state is the case study. The Igala’s have been at the helms of affairs while other zones in the state have been confined to play the second fiddle role in governance, which has not gone down considerably well.
The situation is not peculiar to Kogi state alone, as it is evident across the federation, which might force a discerning mind to interpret our kind of democracy as dictatorial in nature.
The rapid decline both in human capital and infrastructures is left to be imagined. The Igala’s though wielding supremacy on the lines of the dominant ethnic tribe constitutes the major architect of the shambles experienced in Kogi state and this I say without fear or favor and in fairness to good governance, which is ironically the bitter truth.
Yours sincerely, is Igala and one that is conversant with the intrigues playing out in the state. Where we are today, were brought about by a ruling class that refused to rise above ethnic sentiments, a ruling class that is highly dependent on the dictates of age long doctrines that has no relevance in the present dispensation, which has further set us backwards rather than propel us into greatness.
This situation has progressed into a state of delusion, propelled by the sheer polarization of the inalienable right of fair and equal representation. This mindset that is the norm has also proven an encumbrance that will further encourage decadence and disillusionment in the present and the future of Kogites.
The critics of a level playing ground for all, regardless of ethnic and religious affiliations in Kogi state does display an idiosyncratic belief that is not in tandem with a generally accepted reality, a reality that emphasizes that all humans are equal and leadership is not the exclusive preserve of a certain tribe.
I stand to be corrected, a trip round the eastern axis of Kogi state, that houses the Igala’s, reveals tales of abject poverty, and this feat is equally replicated in other zones in the state. This smacks a mockery of who we are as a people and as a state.
As it stands today, a level playing ground for all regardless, has no twin name. It is a child of necessity that must be delivered, if we must unclench our fist from the claws of despondency, into claiming our rightful place in the country. The argument remains that the Igala’s have been at the helms of affairs since the creation of the state and there is little or nothing to show for it.
The list of intelligentsia and technocrats are intimidating, yet we wallow in the breeze of despair. We are celebrated outside, yet we are cursed inside, we are brilliant outside and yet we are fools inside. Who are we deceiving?
These and many more are the direct consequence of hinging the right of governance on a particular ethnic tribe, vaguely viewed as the dominant tribe. The present realities as evident in the Obama Presidency in the United States of America represents the new order that must be embraced in Kogi state and Nigeria in general.
The issue of majority and minority should be relegated to the background, but the issue that should be embraced is the collective development of the state.
At this point, though a full blooded Igala, but in fairness, devoid of ethnic sentiments and selfish reasons, I root for the Okun’s as producing the next governor of Kogi state, and I strongly encourage my fellow brothers to see light in my position.
This position of mine is not borne out of selfish reasons, but an interest that originated from deep thoughts about my dear state. We ought to move forward, we should give them a chance to prove that their knowledge base can be beneficial for the overall interest of Kogi state.
jocheja@aol.com
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Another crisis averted in Jos
Another crisis averted in Jos
Our correspondent in JOS
An attempt by a group of people to intern their dead ones at a cemetery along Zaria road in Jos on Tuesday almost resulted in another break down of law and order in Jos but for the timely intervention of the security agency posted to the state capital who brought the situation under control.
According to information gathered, the people who went to Rusau burial ground were attacked by some youths living in the area; telling them to leave the area if they value their lives and in the skirmish that followed, few people were wounded.
One of the persons who went to the burial ground, Mallam Bello Yusuf disclosed that on Tuesday morning when they were in the process of digging the grave, some armed youths including elders came around and said that we should stop the burial or else they would deal with us in the presence of the mobile police.
The police fired a shot to the air and those that went with the corpse dropped it and ran from the scene but ‘before I could run they held me and started beating me and with a sharp object one of them was carrying, I was injured in the hands and on my head”
We gathered that the problem had been lingering for about three days. It was learnt that on Monday when the same group went with the corpse to the cemetery some hoodlums who went with them started howling stones on the villagers and this made the villagers to give them warning to stop coming to the burial ground as they are no longer interested in selling the land to the people to use as cemetery.
One of the villagers told Daily Sun that because of the Jos crisis the people in the area no longer want any dealing with the Hausas who have abused the hospitality extended to them by the indigenous people.
Another person who said he witnessed the first incident three days ago however said trouble, started on Monday afternoon when he went to Rusau, he saw that a group of people in the area had barricaded the road leading to the burial ground, among them there are youths and elders he knows very well and when he approached them he discovered that they were not ready to talk to him so he just left.
Alhaji Bawa Muhammed Rusau said he was living there before the last crisis which forced him to relocate to Yelwa Zango, another village close by.
However, the Chairman of the Council of Ulama, Plateau state, Sheikh Balarabe Daud has appealed to the federal and state government, Commissioner of Police, Director of State Security Services (SSS) and the General Officer Commanding (G.O.C.) to intensify efforts and strengthening the security apparatus in the state to avoid another serious crisis again.
The chairman made the call in an emergency meeting held by the Council of Ulama on the recent happenings
“We have written letters informing the security operatives that include, the Commissioner of Police, Director of SSS and the GOC, yet nothing has been done to avert this ugly situation.
“So, we do not want a situation where our youths will get fed up with these problems and decide to defend them selves; pointing out that this has continued for good three days at Rusau, Bukuru and Sabon Layi, we reported nothing has been done”
There was pandemonium in places around Farin Gada, Students Village and around Angwan Rimi and part of Angwan Rogo because of Tuesday’s incident forcing many people to return home even before the start of the curfew at 6.00 pm.
Already security operatives including the soldiers had already condoned the entire environment, and calm has been restored.
In related development, security operatives in the state now wear new special uniform that looks like that of United Nations Peace Keepers. It was learnt that the uniform was change in order to avoid fake security operatives from getting in and causing havoc in some parts of the state.
Our correspondent in JOS
An attempt by a group of people to intern their dead ones at a cemetery along Zaria road in Jos on Tuesday almost resulted in another break down of law and order in Jos but for the timely intervention of the security agency posted to the state capital who brought the situation under control.
According to information gathered, the people who went to Rusau burial ground were attacked by some youths living in the area; telling them to leave the area if they value their lives and in the skirmish that followed, few people were wounded.
One of the persons who went to the burial ground, Mallam Bello Yusuf disclosed that on Tuesday morning when they were in the process of digging the grave, some armed youths including elders came around and said that we should stop the burial or else they would deal with us in the presence of the mobile police.
The police fired a shot to the air and those that went with the corpse dropped it and ran from the scene but ‘before I could run they held me and started beating me and with a sharp object one of them was carrying, I was injured in the hands and on my head”
We gathered that the problem had been lingering for about three days. It was learnt that on Monday when the same group went with the corpse to the cemetery some hoodlums who went with them started howling stones on the villagers and this made the villagers to give them warning to stop coming to the burial ground as they are no longer interested in selling the land to the people to use as cemetery.
One of the villagers told Daily Sun that because of the Jos crisis the people in the area no longer want any dealing with the Hausas who have abused the hospitality extended to them by the indigenous people.
Another person who said he witnessed the first incident three days ago however said trouble, started on Monday afternoon when he went to Rusau, he saw that a group of people in the area had barricaded the road leading to the burial ground, among them there are youths and elders he knows very well and when he approached them he discovered that they were not ready to talk to him so he just left.
Alhaji Bawa Muhammed Rusau said he was living there before the last crisis which forced him to relocate to Yelwa Zango, another village close by.
However, the Chairman of the Council of Ulama, Plateau state, Sheikh Balarabe Daud has appealed to the federal and state government, Commissioner of Police, Director of State Security Services (SSS) and the General Officer Commanding (G.O.C.) to intensify efforts and strengthening the security apparatus in the state to avoid another serious crisis again.
The chairman made the call in an emergency meeting held by the Council of Ulama on the recent happenings
“We have written letters informing the security operatives that include, the Commissioner of Police, Director of SSS and the GOC, yet nothing has been done to avert this ugly situation.
“So, we do not want a situation where our youths will get fed up with these problems and decide to defend them selves; pointing out that this has continued for good three days at Rusau, Bukuru and Sabon Layi, we reported nothing has been done”
There was pandemonium in places around Farin Gada, Students Village and around Angwan Rimi and part of Angwan Rogo because of Tuesday’s incident forcing many people to return home even before the start of the curfew at 6.00 pm.
Already security operatives including the soldiers had already condoned the entire environment, and calm has been restored.
In related development, security operatives in the state now wear new special uniform that looks like that of United Nations Peace Keepers. It was learnt that the uniform was change in order to avoid fake security operatives from getting in and causing havoc in some parts of the state.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
VALUE OF TIME
Dear Reader,
Have you heard the joke about the patient who visits his
doctor for a routine checkup? "I'm sorry to tell you," the
doctor says, "but you are dying from a very rare terminal
illness." After taking a moment to regain his composure,
the patient asks nervously: "How long do I have, doc?"
"10." the doctor begins. "Ten WHAT?" the patient interrupts
to ask. "Ten years, ten months, ten weeks?" In response the
doctor simply continues: "9...8...7..."
At least to some degree, I think we all can relate to that
poor patient; so much to do and so little time. 18th
century British statesman and diplomat Lord Chesterfield
nailed it on the head when he said, "Know the true value of
time; snatch, seize and enjoy every moment of it. No
idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off
till tomorrow what you can do today."
Have you heard the joke about the patient who visits his
doctor for a routine checkup? "I'm sorry to tell you," the
doctor says, "but you are dying from a very rare terminal
illness." After taking a moment to regain his composure,
the patient asks nervously: "How long do I have, doc?"
"10." the doctor begins. "Ten WHAT?" the patient interrupts
to ask. "Ten years, ten months, ten weeks?" In response the
doctor simply continues: "9...8...7..."
At least to some degree, I think we all can relate to that
poor patient; so much to do and so little time. 18th
century British statesman and diplomat Lord Chesterfield
nailed it on the head when he said, "Know the true value of
time; snatch, seize and enjoy every moment of it. No
idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off
till tomorrow what you can do today."
JOS CRISIS: COCIN CHURCH TAKES STOCK
JOS CRISIS:
From our correspondent, in Jos.
The Church of Christ in Nigeria, COCIN, headquarters, Jos, Plateau state has taken stock of its casualties during the January 17 civil unrest in the parts of the state, lamenting that over 689 families have been displaced in its Rural Church Council, RCC, Jos even as it says that the crisis is yet from being over.
Briefing the press at the headquarters of the church, the Vice President, Rev.( DR) Soja Bewarang, said security agents, particularly soldiers drafted in to quell the riots did not help matters are they clearly took side while the crisis lasted.
The church expressed worry over comments credited to a group identifying as “Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which has offered to assist Nigerian Muslims with training and weapons” stating as a dangerous development which if left unchecked poses grave dangers to the corporate existence of the country.
It then warned inhabitants of the state that the “matter is not about David Jang or the Berom Nation. Yesterday it was Chibi Joshua Dariye. Tomorrow, who knows? As long as it is a Christian and not a Hausa Muslim!
According to the church, the perpetrators of these acts always run out of the state anytime they maim, killed ,loot and burn, because they have a home to run to; but for a citizen of the state where does he or she runs to, “when chased out of his\her ancestral home.
It then recommended that the true ownership of Jos, with the mechanism governing the operations of traditional institutions that have not been in used should be looked into, while reports of past judicial and other commissions of inquiries be implemented without delay.
Also, the availability of weapons in the hands of unauthorized persons must be investigated by the authority while in particular; the actions of the Chief of Army Staff and the General Officer Commanding, GOC, third Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army should be thoroughly investigated and tried if guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction.
JOS CRISIS: PLSG OBJECTED TO TRIALS BY FG
JOS CRISIS: PLSG OBJECTED TO TRIALS BY FG
From our correspondent in Jos.
The Plateau state government has seriously objected to trials of suspects, arrested in the civil unrest in the state by the federal government in an Abuja High Court, which, according to it, was in contravention of the body of Attorneys-General meeting which agreed that such suspects should be tried where the offences was committee
Briefing the press in his office, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Edward Pwajok, said the government has consistently appealed to the federal authorities to return suspects arrested in the wake of the 2008 and 2010 civil crises in the state was becoming frustrating, because these request always falls on deaf ears.
He said the state is now handicapped over the fate of suspects arrested within the state in the heat of the crises, saying, the police, Army, State service, SSS, and others whose duties are to keep the suspects in their custody, have refused to cooperate with the state which is ready at anytime to ensure the prosecution of the suspects.
According to him, “no suspect of the November 2008 or January 2010 is in the custody of the Plat eau state government. The Police and security agencies that arrested them are federal government agencies”
“I am also worried that the police have wittingly or unwittingly contradicted and undermined the efforts of the federal government to delist Nigeria from the American terrorist watch list. The suspects are being charged under section 15 of the EFCC Act, which is on terrorism”, he added.
He queried that since the federal government was trying the suspects fro terrorism under the Nigeria’s laws, how then can the country justify it self to the outside world that it has no terrorist.
The commissioner stressed that he was “worried that the hon. Attorney General of the Federation may have encouraged the police to use the EFCC Act because he briefed us on that possibility during the meeting (Body of Attorneys-general) of the 26th January 2010 to that effect”
He further asked that are some “persons in the federal government so desperate to avoid due process by trying the suspects in Plateau state that they are willing to take a route that will give the international Community the irrefutable proof we are a terrorist country?
In that vein, he warned that without cooperation and collaboration between the federal and state governments on issues relating to these, then the problems are far from being addressed, even as he emphasized that “the characteristic silence of the office of the Inspector general of Police and the Honorable Attorney-general of the federation in this regard will definitely in the circumstance not be golden”
From our correspondent in Jos.
The Plateau state government has seriously objected to trials of suspects, arrested in the civil unrest in the state by the federal government in an Abuja High Court, which, according to it, was in contravention of the body of Attorneys-General meeting which agreed that such suspects should be tried where the offences was committee
Briefing the press in his office, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Edward Pwajok, said the government has consistently appealed to the federal authorities to return suspects arrested in the wake of the 2008 and 2010 civil crises in the state was becoming frustrating, because these request always falls on deaf ears.
He said the state is now handicapped over the fate of suspects arrested within the state in the heat of the crises, saying, the police, Army, State service, SSS, and others whose duties are to keep the suspects in their custody, have refused to cooperate with the state which is ready at anytime to ensure the prosecution of the suspects.
According to him, “no suspect of the November 2008 or January 2010 is in the custody of the Plat eau state government. The Police and security agencies that arrested them are federal government agencies”
“I am also worried that the police have wittingly or unwittingly contradicted and undermined the efforts of the federal government to delist Nigeria from the American terrorist watch list. The suspects are being charged under section 15 of the EFCC Act, which is on terrorism”, he added.
He queried that since the federal government was trying the suspects fro terrorism under the Nigeria’s laws, how then can the country justify it self to the outside world that it has no terrorist.
The commissioner stressed that he was “worried that the hon. Attorney General of the Federation may have encouraged the police to use the EFCC Act because he briefed us on that possibility during the meeting (Body of Attorneys-general) of the 26th January 2010 to that effect”
He further asked that are some “persons in the federal government so desperate to avoid due process by trying the suspects in Plateau state that they are willing to take a route that will give the international Community the irrefutable proof we are a terrorist country?
In that vein, he warned that without cooperation and collaboration between the federal and state governments on issues relating to these, then the problems are far from being addressed, even as he emphasized that “the characteristic silence of the office of the Inspector general of Police and the Honorable Attorney-general of the federation in this regard will definitely in the circumstance not be golden”
Monday, 1 February 2010
Obasanjo lacks honour to ask Yar’Adua to resign – Shehu Sani
Obasanjo lacks honour to ask Yar’Adua to resign – Shehu Sani
From Buhari B. Bello Jos
Human Rights Activist, Mallam Shehu Sani, has joined in the growing number of Nigerians who had castigated the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s advice to his successor, Alhaji Umar Yar’Adua to take the path of honour and resign.
He said that Obasanjo lacked the moral right to give such and advice to Yar’Adua as it was utterly “mischievous, ridiculous and irresponsible”.
Sani, who spoke to newsmen in Jos recently, said that what Obasanjo and some elements of his past administration wanted to do is to use the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan to re-launch themselves into power.
He asked Obasanjo to rather apologize to Nigerians for the pains his administration inflicted on Nigerians.
The human rights activist said that if the country’s democracy must move forward, Nigerians should avoid anything that could bring the former president in to relevance again.
He accused Obasanjo of being behind the country’s present woes by presiding over a corrupt and inept leadership.
Recalling Obasanjo’s many failures in the power sector, roads, health care development, he accused the former president of using the instruments of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to hound other political opponents and presidential candidates, except Yar’Adua.
Sani said that people must not confuse Obasanjo’s statement with the constitutional requirements of Yar’Adua handing over to Jonathan.
He said, “And people must not confuse the call for Yar’Adua to hand over to Goodluck Jonathan and make mistake of allowing Obasanjo to re-launch himself into power. And we must be careful about some elements of Obasanjo’s former regime who wants Yar’Adua out of the way in order to have a puppet in the name of Goodluck Jonathan. Obasanjo represent danger to our democracy. Our democracy cannot move forward without an end to Obasanjo’s legacy.
Sani added, “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s call for President Umar Musa Yar’Adua to toe the path of honour and resign is mischievous, ridiculous and irresponsible.
“Obasanjo lacks the modicum of honour to counsel others on honour. He is a man without honour. He does not have the moral right and honour to counsel Yar’Adua to resign. He is part and parcel of the problems that we are in today. He is in fact the architect of the problems we have in Nigeria.
“If he has honour, he would not have rigged the 2003 and 2007 elections;, if he has honour he would not have spent over $20 million in power sector that has not translated into light; If he has honour, he would not have spent trillions of naira in road maintenance and construction that delivered no road;
“If he has honour, he would not have spent hundreds of billions of naira in a primary health care that ended up in a cesspit of corruption; if he has honour, he could not have used the instruments of EFCC to impeach governors and intimidate political opponents and critics of his administration; If he has honour, he could not have attempted to elongate his stay in power in the name of third term;
“If he has honour, he could not have as the president of the country undermined the judiciary, abuse the fundamental rights of citizens and abuse his own power and privileges as president. If he has honour, he could not have engaged in the scam that is called TRANSCORP. If such a man has honour, he could have shame for himself and shut up and that is why we are saying that Obasanjo should simply shut up and apologize to Nigerians for what he has done, if he has honour, he could not have intimidated other presidential candidates, except Yar’Adua.
From Buhari B. Bello Jos
Human Rights Activist, Mallam Shehu Sani, has joined in the growing number of Nigerians who had castigated the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s advice to his successor, Alhaji Umar Yar’Adua to take the path of honour and resign.
He said that Obasanjo lacked the moral right to give such and advice to Yar’Adua as it was utterly “mischievous, ridiculous and irresponsible”.
Sani, who spoke to newsmen in Jos recently, said that what Obasanjo and some elements of his past administration wanted to do is to use the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan to re-launch themselves into power.
He asked Obasanjo to rather apologize to Nigerians for the pains his administration inflicted on Nigerians.
The human rights activist said that if the country’s democracy must move forward, Nigerians should avoid anything that could bring the former president in to relevance again.
He accused Obasanjo of being behind the country’s present woes by presiding over a corrupt and inept leadership.
Recalling Obasanjo’s many failures in the power sector, roads, health care development, he accused the former president of using the instruments of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to hound other political opponents and presidential candidates, except Yar’Adua.
Sani said that people must not confuse Obasanjo’s statement with the constitutional requirements of Yar’Adua handing over to Jonathan.
He said, “And people must not confuse the call for Yar’Adua to hand over to Goodluck Jonathan and make mistake of allowing Obasanjo to re-launch himself into power. And we must be careful about some elements of Obasanjo’s former regime who wants Yar’Adua out of the way in order to have a puppet in the name of Goodluck Jonathan. Obasanjo represent danger to our democracy. Our democracy cannot move forward without an end to Obasanjo’s legacy.
Sani added, “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s call for President Umar Musa Yar’Adua to toe the path of honour and resign is mischievous, ridiculous and irresponsible.
“Obasanjo lacks the modicum of honour to counsel others on honour. He is a man without honour. He does not have the moral right and honour to counsel Yar’Adua to resign. He is part and parcel of the problems that we are in today. He is in fact the architect of the problems we have in Nigeria.
“If he has honour, he would not have rigged the 2003 and 2007 elections;, if he has honour he would not have spent over $20 million in power sector that has not translated into light; If he has honour, he would not have spent trillions of naira in road maintenance and construction that delivered no road;
“If he has honour, he would not have spent hundreds of billions of naira in a primary health care that ended up in a cesspit of corruption; if he has honour, he could not have used the instruments of EFCC to impeach governors and intimidate political opponents and critics of his administration; If he has honour, he could not have attempted to elongate his stay in power in the name of third term;
“If he has honour, he could not have as the president of the country undermined the judiciary, abuse the fundamental rights of citizens and abuse his own power and privileges as president. If he has honour, he could not have engaged in the scam that is called TRANSCORP. If such a man has honour, he could have shame for himself and shut up and that is why we are saying that Obasanjo should simply shut up and apologize to Nigerians for what he has done, if he has honour, he could not have intimidated other presidential candidates, except Yar’Adua.
JOS CRISIS; MUSLIMS BLAMED PLATEAU ASSEMBLY, STATE GOVRNMENT
JOS CRISIS; MUSLIMS BLAMED PLATEAU ASSEMBLY, STATE GOVRNMENT
From our reporter.
The Ulama Elders Council in Jos has called on the Plateau State House of Assemble to trend with caution on its pronouncement on the on going crises in the state even as the state Government is further accused of deliberate policies aimed at marginalizing the Hausa/Fulani in the state.
The Council condemns the recent advertorial in some National daily’s by the Plateau State House of Assemble which it says is thinking along the same line with the Plateau State Government and call on them to note that Plateau State is not an island of itself.
Addressing a press conference in Jos yesterday, the spokesman of the Council Barrister Muhammad Lawal Ishaq notes with great concern fresh moves by the Plateau state Government to again over-heat the already heated situation in Jos Metropolis aimed at increasing hardship to the Muslim Ummah.
The Council also calls on the acting Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Ike Aduba to guide his utterances on the crises and further disagree with him on the death toll in Kuru Karama saying that he never invited the Muslims to summit the evidence in there disposal as regards to the killings that took place
“The Council of Ulama blames no person other than Governor Jang who, as the Chief Security Officer of the State, refused to act to stop the crisis. With due investigations, we will not be surprised if his direct complicity is established with facts and figures. Jang is no harbinger of Peace. He never hid his psychotic obsession to annihilate Muslims and the Hausas in Jos.
Jang has consistently displayed his bad leadership skill by refusing to cooperate with any attempts to find a lasting solution to this crisis. His flagrant confrontation against the Federal Government by refusing to accept the panel set up by the House of Representatives and the Abisoye Panel clearly shows him for whom he is. It is for this same reason that long before now, the Council of Ulama concluded that Jang is not capable of being an unbiased umpire. For the crisis in Jos to be resolve therefore, a neutral body interested in resolving conflict must get involved. Failure to do so, as it happened in the past, matters in Jos will keep going from bad to worse.”,
However the Council calls on the Federal Government not to relent on its effort in fishing out those who perpetrated the killings including innocent women and children who were previously untouched by the crisis but where encircled and mercilessly attacked.
Barrister Ishaq further alleged that through investigation conducted by the council “we discovered that the renovation of the Muslim house which was burnt during the previous crisis was used as a smokescreen, it was a trigger to a planned attack on unsuspecting Muslims” stressing that “this renew attack was well announced by its planners”.
He explains that “The presenters of memos before the (Abisoye) panel such as one Toma Jang Davou of Berom Parliament, one professor Nenfort Gomwalk of Plateau Indigenes Development Association (PIDAN), and one Adamu Bala who is the Plateau state CAN youth leader all declared that the crisis is not over yet and they are ready for war as long as the Hausa man continues to lay claim on Jos North, just before the crisis happened”.
The press conference which witnessed the attendance of Chief Imam of Jos Sheikh Balarabe Dawud, Sheikh Alhassan Sa’id, Deputy Chairman of council of Ulama JIBWIS, Sheikh Sa’idu Hassan Jingir, Chief Imam of Fibre Mosque Sheikh Kahlid Aliyu Abubakar and Chief Imam of Nuruddeen Abdurrahman Sunusi among others also decried the comments of Acting Commissioner of police who earlier stated that the death toll of Kuru Karama was 30 describing the statement as unfortunate.
Barrister Ishaq also added that the Acting CP should have contacted the council since they are stakeholders in the matter adding that “we here by take exception to his surprise denial of the death toll in Kuru, when he never invited us to submit evidences at our disposal of the killing over there. We feel that we should have been contacted since our doors are always open”.
“The irony in all these attacks on the outskirt of Jos is that the casualties are not the Hausas claiming ownership in Jos. They are not the people renovating their homes at Dutse Uku, they are innocent Muslims killed because of their faith”.
He therefore called on human rights groups and the International Criminal Court to set in motion an investigation machinery into the genocide in such places with the aim of bringing perpetrators of this dastardly acts to book adding that” for this crisis to be resolved a neutral body interested in resolving conflict must get involved, as it happened in the past, matters in Jos will keep going from bad to worse”.
From our reporter.
The Ulama Elders Council in Jos has called on the Plateau State House of Assemble to trend with caution on its pronouncement on the on going crises in the state even as the state Government is further accused of deliberate policies aimed at marginalizing the Hausa/Fulani in the state.
The Council condemns the recent advertorial in some National daily’s by the Plateau State House of Assemble which it says is thinking along the same line with the Plateau State Government and call on them to note that Plateau State is not an island of itself.
Addressing a press conference in Jos yesterday, the spokesman of the Council Barrister Muhammad Lawal Ishaq notes with great concern fresh moves by the Plateau state Government to again over-heat the already heated situation in Jos Metropolis aimed at increasing hardship to the Muslim Ummah.
The Council also calls on the acting Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Ike Aduba to guide his utterances on the crises and further disagree with him on the death toll in Kuru Karama saying that he never invited the Muslims to summit the evidence in there disposal as regards to the killings that took place
“The Council of Ulama blames no person other than Governor Jang who, as the Chief Security Officer of the State, refused to act to stop the crisis. With due investigations, we will not be surprised if his direct complicity is established with facts and figures. Jang is no harbinger of Peace. He never hid his psychotic obsession to annihilate Muslims and the Hausas in Jos.
Jang has consistently displayed his bad leadership skill by refusing to cooperate with any attempts to find a lasting solution to this crisis. His flagrant confrontation against the Federal Government by refusing to accept the panel set up by the House of Representatives and the Abisoye Panel clearly shows him for whom he is. It is for this same reason that long before now, the Council of Ulama concluded that Jang is not capable of being an unbiased umpire. For the crisis in Jos to be resolve therefore, a neutral body interested in resolving conflict must get involved. Failure to do so, as it happened in the past, matters in Jos will keep going from bad to worse.”,
However the Council calls on the Federal Government not to relent on its effort in fishing out those who perpetrated the killings including innocent women and children who were previously untouched by the crisis but where encircled and mercilessly attacked.
Barrister Ishaq further alleged that through investigation conducted by the council “we discovered that the renovation of the Muslim house which was burnt during the previous crisis was used as a smokescreen, it was a trigger to a planned attack on unsuspecting Muslims” stressing that “this renew attack was well announced by its planners”.
He explains that “The presenters of memos before the (Abisoye) panel such as one Toma Jang Davou of Berom Parliament, one professor Nenfort Gomwalk of Plateau Indigenes Development Association (PIDAN), and one Adamu Bala who is the Plateau state CAN youth leader all declared that the crisis is not over yet and they are ready for war as long as the Hausa man continues to lay claim on Jos North, just before the crisis happened”.
The press conference which witnessed the attendance of Chief Imam of Jos Sheikh Balarabe Dawud, Sheikh Alhassan Sa’id, Deputy Chairman of council of Ulama JIBWIS, Sheikh Sa’idu Hassan Jingir, Chief Imam of Fibre Mosque Sheikh Kahlid Aliyu Abubakar and Chief Imam of Nuruddeen Abdurrahman Sunusi among others also decried the comments of Acting Commissioner of police who earlier stated that the death toll of Kuru Karama was 30 describing the statement as unfortunate.
Barrister Ishaq also added that the Acting CP should have contacted the council since they are stakeholders in the matter adding that “we here by take exception to his surprise denial of the death toll in Kuru, when he never invited us to submit evidences at our disposal of the killing over there. We feel that we should have been contacted since our doors are always open”.
“The irony in all these attacks on the outskirt of Jos is that the casualties are not the Hausas claiming ownership in Jos. They are not the people renovating their homes at Dutse Uku, they are innocent Muslims killed because of their faith”.
He therefore called on human rights groups and the International Criminal Court to set in motion an investigation machinery into the genocide in such places with the aim of bringing perpetrators of this dastardly acts to book adding that” for this crisis to be resolved a neutral body interested in resolving conflict must get involved, as it happened in the past, matters in Jos will keep going from bad to worse”.
FG calls to intervene in the Jos crisis
FG calls to intervene in the Jos crisis
From: our reporter, Jos.
A human right organization, based in Jos wants federal government’s quick intervention into the crisis that erupted in the capital city of plateau state which it described as madness.
Acting director of the organization, Gad Peters says the call has become necessary in view of the fact that the soldiers on the street are not helping matters with their reckless and indiscriminate shootings.
According to him, “it is on record that a number of persons have been killed from the bullets of Nigerian Soldiers. To make matters worse, I strongly think that our security agents have been overwhelmed by the current situation on the plateau”.
He said there has been report of a lot of fake soldiers in town therefore making it difficult to ascertain who the real people killing innocent citizens are.
He was of the opinion that, if the federal government had punished or prosecuted the perpetrators of the previous crises in the state, we wouldn't have been going through what we are going through now.
We strongly put the blame of the Sunday morning attack on Churches, on the security agencies, state and the federal government. We demand for the prosecution of all those alleged hoodlums and their faceless sponsors of this very crisis and previous once.
From: our reporter, Jos.
A human right organization, based in Jos wants federal government’s quick intervention into the crisis that erupted in the capital city of plateau state which it described as madness.
Acting director of the organization, Gad Peters says the call has become necessary in view of the fact that the soldiers on the street are not helping matters with their reckless and indiscriminate shootings.
According to him, “it is on record that a number of persons have been killed from the bullets of Nigerian Soldiers. To make matters worse, I strongly think that our security agents have been overwhelmed by the current situation on the plateau”.
He said there has been report of a lot of fake soldiers in town therefore making it difficult to ascertain who the real people killing innocent citizens are.
He was of the opinion that, if the federal government had punished or prosecuted the perpetrators of the previous crises in the state, we wouldn't have been going through what we are going through now.
We strongly put the blame of the Sunday morning attack on Churches, on the security agencies, state and the federal government. We demand for the prosecution of all those alleged hoodlums and their faceless sponsors of this very crisis and previous once.
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