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Nigeria sinking in deep hole under Tinubu – PDP *Corruption now official anthem
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, accused President Bola Tinubu of fiddling with irrelevant and personal issues that have nothing to do with the welfare of Nigeria – the major reason it is currently sinking deeper into bottomless pit.
Rising from its 99th National Executive (NEC) meeting the party specifically accused the President of being the cause of the increasing banditry, kidnapping and other acts of terrorism in parts of the country apart from the faltering economy due to his clueless and nonchalant attitude to national affairs.
Iliya Damagum, Acting National Chairman, who presented the position of the party after the meeting, while bemoaning what he called the sorry and melancholic state of affairs of the country, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) government Tinubu is currently leading of irredeemably exploitative, insensitive and anti-people.
Condemning the government for the worsening insecurity, the wanton killings and the violence against the people, he said: “NEC abhors the banditry, kidnapping, marauding of communities and other acts of terrorism in various parts of our country emboldened by President Tinubu’s apparent negligence and abdication of his constitutional duties to ensure safety and security of his citizens.
‘’NEC also laments the worsening economic hardship and extreme poverty in the country occasioned by the ill-advised and ill-implemented policies of the Tinubu administration hike in fuel price wanton increase in electricity tariff multiple taxes and unexplained charges on services resulting in collapse of productive sector closure of millions of businesses massive loss of jobs rise in criminality and general sense of misery across the country
‘’NEC also condemns the policy inconsistency wholesale corruption massive treasury looting budget padding and diversion of public funds that forbid the administration resulting in infrastructure retrogression and loss of investors’ confidence in our system.
“NEC restates the PDP demand that this administration should rescind all its anti-people policies and take practical steps to address the insecurity and economic recession in the country.
“Furthermore, NEC stands in firm resistance to the sinister plot by the Tinubu-led APC to turn Nigeria into a one-party totalitarian state as evident in the desperate attempts to strip and annihilate opposition parties through open-stitch threats and intimidation of opposition figures and institutions of democracy in Nigeria. It is clear that this plot is born out of APC’s mortal fear of inevitable defeat in 2027 due to its dismal failure in government.”
Regarding the state of the party, Damagun said: “NEC restates our party’s belief in democracy, the rule of law and the supremacy of the will of the people as expressed through their free and unhindered democratic participation into multi-party politics and governance.
‘’The successful convening of the 99th NEC meeting clearly communicates our party’s unity and focus despite challenges. NEC also received and ratified the composition of the committee on the zoning of national offices ahead of the national convention.
“The members of these zoning committees are Governor Duoye Diri, Chairman Governor Dauda Lawal, Vice-Chairman and Kaleb Mutfwang, Secretary. That is the zoning committee. The members of the National Convention Committee are Governor Amadu Fintiri, Chairman, Governor Ademola Adeleke, Vice-Chairman and Governor Peter Mbah, Secretary.
“NEC also received the resolution of the South-East General Executive with regard to the issue of the National Secretary, and to be considered and deliberated upon in the next NEC which is slated for June 30
“NEC reassures Nigerians that PDP remains strong resilient united and determined now more than ever before in leading the charge to rescue our nation from the vicious grip of APC administration.”
Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), while extolling members for the success of the meeting, said: “The journey of our party has been long, sometimes turbulent, but always deeply rooted in our collective aspirations for a united, democratic and prosperous Nigeria.
‘’While we have faced internal and external challenges, and in most cases self-inflicted challenges, we have also witnessed our enduring strength, the strength of our ideals, the resilience of our supporters, and the loyalty of millions of Nigerians as we also see today in the PDP as the most credible platform for national transformation.”
Bala Mohammed, Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, while speaking on their behalf, stated: “As governors, we have gone through a lot. This dispensation is a different one under the present administration. There are so many booby traps, innuendos, political movements that have been done.
‘’Today, we have been bombarded by the issue of coalition, defection, a gale of defection that is even affecting some of our members. Our members are standing strong and resolute. There is no intimidation that we are not going through. There is no caressing or cajoling that members and elected governors are not going through if you ask anyone of them. But certainly, we are resolute. We will not abandon the mandate. And that is why you can see us here together.
Yes, we wish well for those who have left. But we believe this is not the first time people left PDP and came back. I’m sure they will come back.”
Though some prominent leaders of the party like former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and David Mark were absent, the party however recorded huge attendance with Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Ahmed Fintri (Adamawa States), while Peter Mbah of Enugu was represented by his Deputy.
Others were former Governors Mohammed Ahmed Maikarfi (Kaduna), Dr Achijke Udenwa (Imo), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and Senator Gabriel Suswam (Benue) and Dr Samuel Ortom (Benue), Bukola Saraki and Senator Adolphus Wabara, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by Damagum, Jerry Gana, Olabode George, Tom Ikimi, Eddy Olafeso and immediate past National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondinya.
Equally present were Uche Secondus, former National Chairman of PDP, Chief Emma Ogidi, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Chief Mike Oghiadome, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, High Chief Ben Obi, Barrister Emmanuel Eno Iden, Mr Philip Salau, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, Prof Wale Oladipo, and Chief Alli Odefa.
Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman (South), Senator Zainab Kure, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, Amb Aminu Wali, Senator Abdul Ningi and Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, SAN among others.
It was another day of misery in Kwara State, when daredevil terrorists reportedly stormed Yashikira Community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, and as has been the case in many of the attacks, abducting scores of residents including women and children.
But, apparently to register their authority, the gunmen, who were said to have operated for hours without challenge from the security operatives, were said to have torched the palace of the Emir.
The attackers, which reportedly occurred late Sunday night were said to have announced their presence through heavy firing and after storming the palace of the monarch during the period, set it on fire before whisking away their victims, but a similar attempt at the police station in the community, was repelled.
While some of the residents, narrated how the spent hours without resistance, leaving behind destruction and fear in the border community, another account said the villagers were caught unawares as the gunmen invaded the town under the cover of darkness.
However operatives made up of the police and military personnel, were said to have launched a manhunt immediately for the immediate rescue of the victims, including throwing a cordon in the area as part of the mission.
“The suspect offered ₦500 million to the SPU commander in an attempt to make the team stand down and allow him to contact his associates to move the consignment elsewhere. The offer was rejected immediately and properly documented for further investigation.”
These were the exact words of Olohundare Jimoh Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), with which he detailed how operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) scoffed at a N500million bribe to turn their eyes off the importation of a huge consignment of drugs imported into the country.
This was part of the details of a major breakthrough by the operatives after bursting a major drug trafficking syndicate in Lagos, which led to the seizure of suspected illicit drugs estimated at ₦7.8 billion and arresting several suspects, including the alleged kingpin.
In the operation, reportedly carried out by officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) in collaboration with divisional police detectives, the operatives, were said to have stormed a house in Mende, Maryland area of Lagos, following months of surveillance and intelligence gathering coordinated by the Zone 2 Headquarters.
The recovered drugs consisted of hundreds of bags of suspected Canadian Loud, allegedly stored in the residence of the prime suspect, Jimoh, said disclosing that the suspect was apprehended on May 19 after weeks of strategic monitoring by operatives.
Offering further details, he said the operation was executed with technical support and guidance from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, alongside coordinated efforts between the SPU and divisional police teams.
Jimoh revealed that during the operation, the suspect allegedly attempted to bribe the SPU commander with ₦500 million to compromise the mission and allow the movement of the drug consignment.
The AIG described the development as a reflection of the renewed professionalism and operational discipline being entrenched in the Force under the current policing strategy.
He noted that the success of the operation underscored the importance of deploying specialized police units alongside conventional divisional teams in tackling organized crime.
According to him, the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of rapid containment strategies, intelligence-led policing, and professional conduct among the operatives involved in the raid.
“Rapid containment was achieved as the Special Protection Unit worked with divisional teams to secure the perimeter and prevent escape or interference with evidence.
“The operation was intelligence-driven, following months of surveillance and technical monitoring before the raid was carried out.
“The immediate rejection and documentation of the bribe attempt also reflect the standard expected from redeployed personnel at the divisional level,” Jimoh added.
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, commended the operatives for their professionalism, saying the success of the operation validated the ongoing redeployment of personnel to divisions and units across Lagos and Ogun states.
The IGP noted: “Policing must be close to the people, and our specialized units must work side by side with divisional teams on the ground.
“The professionalism shown by the SPU commander in rejecting a ₦500 million bribe and following due procedure is the standard we expect. It shows that when you put your best foot forward at the grassroots, you get results and restore public trust.”
Disu further assured that the Force leadership would continue to reward integrity while holding officers accountable to the highest ethical standards.
Police authorities said exhibits recovered during the operation have been properly documented and will be tendered in court. The suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue to track down other members of the drug trafficking network.
Slavery is a wound on the memory of the Universal Church, Pope Leo XIV, said on Monday, as he issued a fresh apology over the participation of the the Catholic Church in the centuries-long delay in condemning slavery.
The pontiff stressed the position of the church after his predecessors had offered similar apologies, said: “For this, in the name of the Church, I sincerely ask for pardon.”
Writing in a major text that warned about “new forms of slavery” behind the digital economy, the joined John Paul II, who denounced slave trade in 1992 before issuing a sweeping request for forgiveness for historical injustices in 2000 and Pope Francis who also repeatedly denounced contemporary forms of slavery.
In his own vein, Pope Leo, pointed out that the Church owned slaves until the Middle Ages and it also advised European sovereigns on how to justify the enslavement of “infidels.”
He stressed in “Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humanity), a document focused primarily on the rise of artificial intelligence, that it was only in the 19th century that “a formal, absolute and universal condemnation of slavery was clearly articulated.”
Hear him: “It is true that past events cannot be judged anachronistically, as though the moral criteria that matured over time had always been available. Yet neither can we deny or diminish the delay with which both society and the Church came to denounce the scourge of slavery. This constitutes a wound in Christian memory, one from which we cannot consider ourselves detached.”
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