Tag: Nigerians

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Nigerians react to FG’s hammer on Channels TV for IPOB interview

Nigerians have reacted to the fine of N5 million slammed on frontline TV station, Channels TV by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The interview in question was with Emma Powerful, the spokesman of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Channels TV was fined over a breach of the Broadcasting Code.

In a letter signed by its Acting Director-General, Armstrong Idachaba; the NBC complained about the Channels TV 7pm live broadcast programme of Sunday, April 25, 2021. The NBC DG told the Managing Director of Channels TV that the TV station erred by allowing a leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to make secessionist and also inciting declarations without caution.

The regulator accused the news channel of allowing the guest speaker to make derogatory, false; as well as misleading statements about the Nigerian Army, despite being proscribed by a court of law.

Emma Powerful had fielded a series of questions from his interviewer in which he addressed the recent killing of a commander of IPOB by security forces in Imo State. Emma Powerful had declared that the commander, known as Ikonson Commander, was set up.

Further, he had declared that the Nigerian Army lacked the capacity to invade the camps of IPOB; stating instead that the commander was ambushed after being lured out by some prominent politicians. In addition, Emma Powerful claimed that the deceased commander had rejected the offer of Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma to head the newly formed South East regional security outfit, Ebube Agu.

Meanwhile, the action of the Federal Government has drawn intense reactions from Nigerians. Consequently, a number of users have taken to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to react. Indeed, a school of thought had declared the fine on Channels TV as a case of hypocrisy and double standard; even as it accused the FG of not taking action when Channels TV aired some incendiary comments made by the Miyetti Allah.

Others also cited instances when the government failed to take action over statements capable of inciting unrest.

Equally important, 1st News has put together a few reactions below; including that of a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

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62 Nigerians to be held responsible for the current state of the nation – Nnamdi Kanu

The self-appointed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has fingered 62 prominent Nigerians for the current challenges bedeviling the nation.

The controversial IPOB leader made this disclosure in a post on his Facebook page.

Nnamdi Kanu revealed that the people in his list must be held responsible for the current state of the nation; even as he held that their roles in ensuring the ouster of former President Goodluck Jonathan; as well as the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the polls in 2015 made them culpable. He added that anyone whose villages, cities, or town is currently under siege by Fulani herdsmen should hold these people responsible.

Nnamdi Kanu accused the 62 Nigerians of misleading others in installing Buhari.

“These people went to school [they claim they are educated]. Many of them are professors. Some claimed to have direct access to God. Some are gifted with ‘prophesies.’ They read history. They understood international relations. And they understood how societies work or so we thought.

“They were more than 20 years old in 1983 when Buhari shot himself to power. They saw Buhari destroy the economy in 1983…If Buhari was not speaking and defending his Fulani heritage he would be fighting to defend his religious heritage.

“Never for once did he defend Nigeria or gave interview on how to rebuild the economy, education, power, health, etc. They saw everything this man did. They knew him too well to miss the little details of his violent life. But they were united in hatred.

“Hatred for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. One among the few Nigeria leaders that actually wanted Nigeria to work.’’

On the list generated by Nnamdi Kanu are Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministries, Enugu; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; a former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili; former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore; a former Presidential candidate, Fela Durotoye; former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; former CBN Governor, Professor Charles Soludo; Pastor Tunde Bakare and Pastor Sunday Adelaja.

Also on the list is Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, Prof. Tam David West; Prof. Wole Soyinka; renowned cleric, Rev. Chris Okotie; Prof. Pat Utomi and Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.

Others include a former Rivers State governorship aspirant, Dakuku Peterside; former Senator, Dino Melaye; Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha; former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi; a former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

On the list too is National Leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Lagos State Governor, Raji Fashola; Dr. Chris Ngige, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Ibikunle Amosun, Rauf Aregbesola, Kayode Fayemi, Sanusi Lamido; a Presidential aide, Femi Adesina; popular clerics, Pastor E.A Adeboye and Pastor W.F Kumuyi; Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Kenny Ogungbe, Dato Adeneye and Magnus Abbey.

Mentioned as well are Kenny St. Ogungbe Brown, Tunde Disu, John Momoh; as well as a trio of reporters who worked together at Channels TV: Maupe Ogun, Chamberlain Usoh and Suleiman Aleide; Monday Onyekachi Ubani, Iffy Ubani, Labourous Osuoma, Citizen Useni Jones (Radio Continental 102.3FM); Joe Igbokwe, Dele Momodu, Abike Dabiri, Prof. Attahiru Muhammadu Jega; Emeka Ojukwu Jnr., Timpre Silva; Victor Umeh, Wasiu Ayinde (Kwam 1), T.Y Danjuma, Lauretta Onochie and actor, Jide Kosoko.

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Police officer threatens to murder citizens amid #EndSARS protest

A Nigerian man who identifies as a police officer has published a video on social media where he was seen threatening to murder protesters.

He didn’t specify his location; however, the police officer revealed that he is prepared to terminate at least 29 citizens; adding that he has 30 bullets in his gun.

Speaking in both Yoruba and Pidgin English, the officer vowed that he will not take nonsense from anyone he encounters. He stated that he is prepared to take the lives of innocent citizens unapologetically. Also, he disclosed that he is prepared to end his own life with the remaining bullet, if need be.

His statement is coming amidst the heat for the abolishment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS. Youths on the micro-blogging site, Twitter and other social media platforms have urged the federal government to ban and eradicate the unit of the Nigerian Police Force with immediate effect.

The yet-to-be-identified Police officer also referenced the extrajudicial killing of an unarmed young man in Ughelli, Delta State. He ranted about not being involved in requesting bribes, even as he warned that he is ready to murder anyone who threatens to confront him.

Watch the video in link below.

https://twitter.com/instablog9ja/status/1314917032626974723

4wardwego had reported that hundreds of Nigerians took to the streets in a wave of protests against police violence that have left two dead.

It was garnered that a protester and a police officer were killed on Thursday; while another sustained life-threatening injuries; during a protest in Ughelli, Delta State.

On Friday, protesters gathered peacefully in Lagos; but in Abuja and Osun State there was violence.

The movement initially targeted FSARS, widely accused of unlawful arrests, torture; as well as murder; but has since broadened to include all police force.

The FSARS unit was earlier suspended on Sunday from routine patrols.

Several Nigerian celebrities have expressed support for the movement.

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Buhari warns Nigerians against vote-selling or risk relinquishing rights

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, October 1, warned that Nigerians to desist from the act of vote-buying in order not to mortgage their future.

Buhari made this appeal in his Independence Day speech.

The president revealed that he is a firm believer in transparent, free, fair, and credible elections; and that he has demonstrated this in the course of his administration.

According to Buhari, the process leading to the Edo election and its outcome should be an encouragement to Nigerians that he is committed to ensuring that the electorate’s votes count.

Noting that electoral problems are caused by desperation and personal interest, the president asked all citizens to support the rule of law by avoiding actions that compromise the judiciary.

“The recent build-up and eventual outcome of the Edo State elections should encourage Nigerians that it is my commitment to bequeath to this country processes and procedures that would guarantee that the people’s votes count,” he said.

“The problems with our electoral process are mainly human-induced as a desperate desire for power leads to desperate attempts to gain power and office.

“Democracy, the world over and as I am pursuing in Nigeria, recognizes the power of the people. However, if some constituencies choose to bargain off their power, they should be prepared for denial of their rights.

“This call is made more urgent if we realise that even after a transparent, free, fair, and credible election, desperation leads to compromising the judiciary to upturn legitimate decisions of the people.

“It is necessary to, therefore support the enthronement of the rule of law by avoiding actions which compromise the judiciary.

“Fellow Nigerians, our history has shown that we are a people that have the capacity to live peacefully with one another.

“As a government, we remain committed to our constitutional oath of securing the lives and properties of the citizenry. I, however, call on the citizenry to also support the government by providing the necessary community-level intelligence in addressing these challenges.”

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Osinbajo warns about potential break-up of country if Nigerians fail to work together

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has called for a rebirth of the nation that would foster development at all levels.

Osinbajo, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made this known at the Independence Day Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja on Sunday, September 27.

The vice president, who spoke on the theme: “Together, come let us rebuild,” urged Nigerians to contribute their quotas to national development through renewed vigour.

According to Osinbajo, the story of Nehemiah and his role in building the wall of Jerusalem should be a lesson to every Christian in Nigeria, who is desirous of building Nigeria.

”The concern of Nehemiah was borne out of the love he had for the nation that prompted him to seek permission to rebuild the walls.

”We need such love to rebuild the cracks that we have in our nation. Such Nehemiah will cry to God to use the opportunities in the country to address our challenges.

“Fortunately for us, our walls are not yet broken but have cracks that could break if not properly addressed.

”We need to seek the face of God to address the broken walls. The significance of wall signified purity, prosperity, peace, and contentment,” Osinbajo said.

He called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to provide leadership to its faithful in making Nigeria a great nation.

Ayokunle, who took the scriptures from the book of Mark 12: 28-31, said for Nigeria to attain greatness, there was a need to imbibe God’s kind of love that is eternal, sacrificial, and unconditional irrespective of ethnicity, region, and religion.

According to him, love will allow us to serve one another selflessly and build our nation.

”The love we need to embrace in Nigeria is God’s kind of love. The love that is eternal, sacrificial, unconditional irrespective of ethnicity, region, and religion.

”Our love for God is hypocritical, our religion appears to be empty, it has not reflected in our holiness at work or market place.

”We need true religion to reposition Nigeria,” he said.

The CAN president called on the leaders at all levels to use their positions to build the nation rather than causing disunity, while pleading with them to be change agents that would lead by example to ensure the progress of the nation.