MOLASH: THE APC’s BEST BET FOR SOBA’S PROSPERITY

By Usman Ya’u Yakasai

As the race for the Soba Local Government Chairmanship intensifies, one name stands out as the APC’s best bet for Soba’s prosperity: Mohamed Lawal Shehu, fondly known as Molash. With his impressive track record of leadership, vision, and dedication to the people, Molash is the ideal candidate to take Soba to unprecedented heights.

Molash’s leadership qualities, combined with his deep understanding of the local government’s needs, make him the perfect fit for the role. His commitment to transparency, accountability, and grassroots development is unwavering, and his passion for Soba’s progress is evident in everything he does. He has a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life, listening to their concerns and working tirelessly to address them.

Under Molash’s leadership, Soba can expect transformative initiatives that will boost economic growth, improve infrastructure, and enhance the quality of life for all citizens. His collaborative approach will foster unity and cooperation among stakeholders, ensuring that Soba’s prosperity is inclusive and sustainable. He will prioritize education, healthcare, and youth empowerment, creating opportunities for growth and development.

Molash’s experience in community development and his understanding of the local government’s intricacies make him well-equipped to tackle the challenges facing Soba. He will work closely with the state government, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to attract investments, improve security, and enhance the overall well-being of the people.

The APC has made an excellent choice in Molash, and the people of Soba have a unique opportunity to elect a leader who truly cares about their well-being. His leadership will bring a new era of progress and development to Soba, and his commitment to the people will never waver.

Let us rally behind Molash and give him the mandate to lead Soba to a brighter future. Together, we can build a prosperous, united, and thriving Soba that benefits all citizens. Molash is the leader Soba needs, and his election as Chairman will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the local government’s history.

Rescue Movement Asks Tinubu to Respect Citizens Right to Protest, Address Needs of Nigerians  

Group under umbrella of Rescue Movement has asked President Tinubu Respect the Rights of Citizens to Peaceful Protest and address the Needs of the People, Rather than Attempting to Suppress their Voices. 

At an emergency meeting of the Board of Trustees of Rescue Movement for New Nigeria aka Rescue the Vulnerable Initiative, we resolve to critically dissect the ongoing feud between the government and Nigerian citizens, especially the youths that are planning a peaceful nationwide  protest and resolved as follows:

1. That as the government of Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges facing our great nation, varying from hunger in the land, to highest unemployment the citizens of the country has ever experienced, insecurity ravaging the length and breath of the nation, kidnapping like the nation has ever known, currency free fall in world market amongst others; we urge the authorities to prioritize addressing the pressing needs of the people rather than trying every means to  suppress their fundamental rights to protest and express themselves.

2. That in a democratic setting like ours, the right to peaceful assembly and free speech is sacrosanct. However, recent events have shown a disturbing trend of intimidation, harassment, and seemingly suppression rights, especially from agencies of government. 

3. Therefore we call on the government as a matter of urgency to:

(A) Listen to the grievances of the people and address them through tangible actions.

(B) Respect and protect the rights of citizens to protest peacefully.

(C) Make a national broadcast to the people of Nigeria and give them a sense of belonging in an update of what your government is up to.

(D) Engage in inclusive and transparent dialogue to build trust and foster national unity. Instead of resulting to intimidation, using incentives like money to suppress  the people as this would not help the ongoing resolute by these Nigerians to demand for good governance. 

(E) Attempting to suppress the voices of the people will only exacerbate the problems we are facing. We must work together to build a Nigeria where every citizen’s rights are respected and their needs are met.

4. We call on Nigerians to peacefully engage in the upcoming protest and make their dissatisfaction known to the government without violence, looting or any act that can endanger life and properties in the country. It is a right of every Nigerian to  show their dissatisfaction but we must do this peacefully, knowing that destroying any life or properties would not just only worsen the already bad situation our country and economy and standard of life is, but it will make our development even slower.

5. In conclusion, we also call on law enforcement agencies in the country not to trigger any act that can lead to people responding in a violent act.

Nigeria is our country. We all must protect it, be it government officials and/or citizens.

May God bless the Rescue movement for new Nigeria

And May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

SIGNED

Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba,

National Media Director and Publicity,

Rescue Movement for New Nigeria aka

Rescue the Vulnerable Initiative.

Forum of  Ex Councillors Mobilises Against Planned Protest 

The National Forum Of Ex-Councilors Of Nigeria has resolved to mobilize against the propose national protest by some disgruntle people scheduled August 1, 2024 across the country.

The forum at a press conference in Kaduna through its national president Hon. Ambassador Awal Hassan Kasim observed with dismay and reservations that majority of those behind the national protest are enemies of democracy, who are being sponsored by those against fuel subsidy removal, promoters of insecurity in the country and anti-local government autonomy elements as well as losers in the last 2023 general elections.

He bemoaned unregulated national protests and likened as ill-winds that does not blow any good to any body 

Ambassador Awal Hassan Kasim who described the forum as the umbrella body of all elected former councilors commended   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for restoring local government autonomy to Nigeria.

He lauded the government for providing 150 day Tax free initiative for the importation of husked rice, beans, corn, wheat and millet in to Nigeria .

He opined that the gesture will drastically reduce the prices of food items across the country and reduce the numerous cases of insecurity in Nigeria because a hungry man is an angry man

Ambassador Awal Hassan Kasim implored all state governors to emulate the federal government and import their own quantum of basic food items like rice, bean, wheat, millet and flour into the country so as to enhance food availability in abundance.

On their methodology of truncating the nationwide protest, he said the forum as the touch bearers of grass root politics will engage critical stake holders and civil society organizations to prevent the protest and also engage the government on the need to embrace national dialogue by way of town hall meetings to for stall future agitations for distractive national . 

SDP Dissolves Delta State Chapter Working Committee, Sets Up 12-man Caretaker Committee

The leadership of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has dissolved the State Working Committee of the Delta State Chapter of the Party and constituted a Caretaker Committee in its stead.

This was contained in a letter dated Tuesday, 23rd July, 2024 and duly addressed to the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam (Makaman Tilde), the National Chairman of the Party and Dr. Olu Agunloye, the National Secretary.

The letter reads, “This is to officially inform your office that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party has received and considered reports on the activities and developments of the Delta State Chapter and has, accordingly, dissolved the Delta State Working Committee in line with the 2022 Constitution of the Party as amended.

“Consequently, the National Working Committee has therefore approved the constitution of a 12-man Caretaker Committee for the State Chapter.”

The appointment shall take immediate effect.

The National Chairman further charged the committee as follows:
To re-organize the party’s operations and activities in accordance with NWC guidelines;

To recruit fresh members especially youths and women across the state.
To ensure regular meetings and events to enhance party’s prospects in forthcoming elections.

The caretaker committee constitutes of Barr. Philip Adu-Odogwu, the Chairman of the Committee, and 11 others.

Economic Hardship: Coalition For Social Political Group Agrees To Denounce Planned Protest

Coalition for Social Political Groups in collaboration with, AREWA media practitioners, organised a  conference on Nationwide planned protest by aggrieved Nigerians against the government of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu over socio-economic hardship in the country.

The press conference took place at Arewa House kaduna on Wednesday.

The coordinator of the joint press conference Comrade Musa Mohammed said the youths from the 7 north-west states which includes Kaduna,Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto,and Zamfara states remain steadfast and committed to fostering entrepreneurship, advocating for youth development, and promoting peace and progress in Nigeria.

The groups expressed their dissent towards the national agitation for protests. Instead, they are urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the removal of fuel subsidy, which has led to an economic downturn in the country.

“It’s high time to the government to implemented  robust measures aimed at developing the knowledge and skills of the youth. It is essential for the government to prioritize youth development and empowerment as a matter of urgency, both at the national and sub-national levels.

They further urged the Federal Government to address the prevailing issues of banditry and insurgency effectively. By ensuring security and stability in the country.

The conference pointed out that the Federal Government’s palliative measures have not been realistic or effective in alleviating the economic challenges faced by the citizens. However, he made it clear that they do not support the protest at this time, citing concerns about the timing and the potential for the protest to be exploited by unruly elements, resulting in harm to innocent citizens.

They call on president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately implement policies such as massive employment opportunities and support for small-scale businesses, which will contribute to the improvement of our economy,” he added.

The group appealed to the Northern youth to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu some time to work on the policies he has already initiated, aimed at alleviating their suffering.

Nationwide Protest in Nigeria, Long overdue,says Fadojoe,Fmr. LP Presidential Aspirant 

A former presidential aspirant under Labour Party and the leader of Rescue Movement For New Nigeria aka Rescue The Vulnerable Initiative, Comrade Faduri Oluwadare Joseph popularly known as Fadojoe has expressed support for peaceful protest, urging members of Rescue Movement across Nigeria to join the protest. And appealing to the youths leading the protest to do their best not to allow sponsored thugs to highjack the protest to turn it violent. 

This he said through a broadcast on the official YouTube channel of Rescue TV, as he also calls on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lead federal government not to use uniform men to launch mayhem against the peaceful protesters.

“This protest being planned by Nigerians is long overdue. Protest is simply a way of expressing dissatisfaction with government anywhere in the world, even in America where we have better governance.

“When the government is on the wrong direction, the people have right to protest. When government policies are not favourable, in line and in tune with people’s values, citizens have the right to protest.

“All across the world; from America to Europe, protest is not to overthrow a government, but to express dissatisfaction when the people are suffering. The plan protest should not be tribalized or trivialized as politicians use to do when something doesn’t favour them.

“Democracy being the government of the people, by the people and for the people; means governance is for the masses. The pertinent question to Nigerians is that, irrespective of your tribe and religion, are you better off now than one year ago when president Tinubu took over power? The answer is capital NO! When a Yoruba man is in power and the masses are expressing dissatisfaction, in the desperate bid by politicians to silence them, they will say it’s either the Igbos or Hausas that are against the government”. 

Expressing his sadness that due to how desperate politicians can be to the extent of attempting to call the planned peaceful protest different name and even mobilize some youths to tag it Igbo or Hausa issue on social media. 

Adding that, “if we have an Hausa man as president and there is protest, the politicians will mobilize their boys to tag it Yoruba people protest. If we have an Igbo man as president they will call it Hausa or Yoruba protest. Now that we have a Yoruba man as president they are trying to tag it Hausa or Igbo people protest.

“But the question again is that, are the Yoruba people better off in terms of welfare than other tribe now a year after Tinubu took over? The answer again is a resounding NO! The hunger in the land doesn’t care about your ethnicity. Irrespective of your tribe we buy from the same market at unbearable outrageous high costs.

“In less than one year that President Tinubu took over, more than 700,000 Nigerians have lost their job, irrespective of their ethnicity. Newspaper may not report this, but it’s the fact.

“Microsoft and some international companies that have been in Nigeria many years ago, have now left Nigeria during the president Tinubu’s administration, due to bad policies, insecurity and the instability of our naira that has been nosediving. Of course no investor will stake his investment while the currency of the country is on a free fall everyday. 

“Obviously this government is going the wrong direction. And protest is a way the citizens can voice out. And peaceful protest is not a new thing under a democratic administration. For instance, despite the good governance in America, the citizens still protest over one government policy or another. Why then must Nigerian government be afraid of protest”? he asked.

Lamenting further that this is the government that asked people to sacrifice, but lavishing the national resources in wasteful avoidable extravaganza lifestyle. And since subsidy was removed, Nigerians have been hearing is huge mismanagement of funds, allocating huge sum to the lawmakers for exotic cars, buying of private jet, traveling with large number of people, outrageous amount allocated for renovations and other wasteful spending despite the hard time Nigerian are passing through.

Asserting that, “this protest is going to be spearheaded by the youths. Therefore I plead with the youths to ensure it remains peaceful. And to the youths the politicians may try to use to disrupt the protest in any form; including trying to create violence so as to discredit the good idea of the organizers. I call on such youths to have a rethink and not make themselves willing tool in the hand of politicians that have destroyed the entire system and still destroying the future of the same youths, while their children are abroad. Any politician that needs youths are thugs should be asked to call their children to Nigeria to do the dirty job.

“To the Nigerian Police and other uniform personnel, I call on you not to be used to shoot or even fire teargas as the protest will continue to be a peaceful expression by the suffering masses. No doubt that you are also cringing under the yoke of bad governance and your family members are also affected. You are supposed to be for maintenance of peace and order and not a mere tool in the hand of the government to turn the barrel of gun against your fellow citizens while they are exercising their right to speak out when the pains everyone is passing through has become unbearable, including you and your family. Can your salary put food on the table for your family conveniently and you still comfortably pay your children school fees? We all know the answer.

“And to president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I want to assume he may not use uniform men to launch mayhem on the peaceful protesters as he has been in forefront of many protests in Nigeria right from the days of the military to tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan, that he (Tinubu) was at the forefront of the protest against subsidy removal. 

“Therefore, I call on Mr. President to call on members of his team that are now using social media to propagate anomalies over this protest and trying to tag it TRIBALISM, to desist from such act as it’s not yielding positive response.

“I, Joseph Oluwadare Faduri aka Fadojoe, support this peaceful protest because protest is a way of expressing displeasure by the masses. And I call on members of our Rescue Movement For New Nigeria across the country to also be part of the peaceful protest. No doubt right now, things are going bad in the country and it just can’t continue this way.

“We can’t continue to run a country where law and order are being flaunted when it has to do with the elite. A nation where law is only for the poor. 

“I wish all Nigerians best of luck as we embark on this peaceful protest, believing it will lead to this President Tinubu lead administration to sit up and see to the untold hardship in the country. And let’s keep educating the people that protest is not a tribal issue, but a peaceful expression of displeasure over unfavorable government policies”. he concluded.

Dangote: Kano Emir,Sanusi Reacts, Says Need to Give Priority to  Refinery key 

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has reacted to the ongoing dispute between the Downstream Petroleum Authority and the Dangote Refinery.

Daily Post reported that Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria commented on the issue through SOP Chat Group.

Emir Muhammadu Sanusi said; “Aliko Dangote did not fix the price at which the CBN sold dollars. Everyone who got dollars from the CBN got dollars at the same rate if they bought on the same day. So we cannot blame him for buying dollars at a rate the CBN itself decided to sell to its customers.”

He added; “So the question for me is this. Let us forget the man Dangote. If the Central Bank were to prioritize a single enterprise for forex allocation, how many enterprises can we think of that are worthier than a refinery like this one?”

The former CBN Governor stated further; “By the way, how much forex did Dangote buy from the CBN at this subsidized rate? How much forex did NNPC take from the federation account in the same year in the name of running and turning around its dead refineries?”

He noted; “We hear about Dangote getting favourable taxation but no one has said what this tax is, if he got it alone or if it was offered to a sector or to pioneers, and if such a practice is in fact normal to encourage investment.”

The recent statement by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi which was shared by Daily Post has generated a lot of reactions from many Nigerians.

Nationwide Protest: Kaduna Non-Indegenes Withdraw, Say It’s Ploy to Loot their Shops, Market

Ahead of the planned nationwide protest against soaring cost of living and economic hardship in the country, Kaduna State Non Indegenes Forum(KSNIF) has raised alarm over possibility of hoodlums hiding under the protest to loot their shops;market and business premises across the State.

The non indegenes, especially the Igbo traders announced the decision not join the protest,because of past experiences,which have shown that once there is any protest action or crisis situation in Kaduna, the target is always their market stalls and business areas with extensive looting of food items; electronics and valuables .

The Kaduna Non-Indegenes Forum in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman ,Chief Emeke Emmanuel Okafor and Secretary,Mr Adewale Peter Adelanwa urged the citizens to shun the directive to embark on the planned protest, considering that fact the Police Command in State did recently banned all forms of unlawful protests. Stressing, ” It is our hope that citizens in the State will remain law abiding in this regard.”

The Statement further reads: We are therefore calling on the security agencies to tighten security within offices and business premises to avoid looting and breakdown of law and order should the citizens decide to embark on the protest.

“Kaduna is volatile State and has tasted its bit of bitter crises with the Igbos most hit and suffering huge loss of lives and property over the years. This time, we can’t afford to lose anyone and valuables to avoidable situations.

“It is our desire that considering the past crisis experiences and hundred percent chances of hoodlums hijacking the peaceful process, we strongly advise against any form of protest in Kaduna for now .

“We want to categorically state that we are part of people facing the economic hardship, but we cannot afford to lose our hard earned investments and properties at this critical period,when Nigerians currently are battling one of the country’s worst inflation and economic crisis sparked by the government’s twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows.

“There was a report where the United Nations (UN) department of safety and security warned that the planned protests in Nigeria may be hijacked by groups with ulterior motives,hence our decision to appeal to citizens against joining the protest action.

“There is no how the “10 days of rage,” starting from August I to 10 will address the country’s soaring cost of living and economic hardship,instead it will cause more hardship.”

While reiterating concerns about the possibility of violence, citing past instances where similar protests in the State had degenerated into escalated crisis, he called on state government to deploy security operatives to red zones or identified flash points should the protest take place .