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Atiku Slams Full Military Honours Accorded President’s Son, Calls for Probe

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*Says its desecration of highly revered regimented age-long military tradition

Atiku Abubakar , former Vice President of Nigeria and the nation’s leading opposition figure, has strongly condemned the recent military parade involving Seyi Tinubu, the son of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu .

He has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident, labelling it a gross violation of military tradition.

In a statement released by his media office on Sunday, signed by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku expressed outrage over the event, calling it an aberration for any branch of the Armed Forces to organize a formal parade for a non-designated public figure.

“It is with utter dismay and concern that Nigerians were subjected to a nauseating video circulating online, where a group of young men, armed and in full military procession, bestowed upon the President’s son unwarranted military honours,” the statement read.

Atiku further questioned the legitimacy of the military-like outfit involved, stating that the so-called group, the “Nigeria Cadet Network,” is not a recognized entity within the Nigerian Armed Forces. He emphasized the disturbing fact that the name “Cadet,” associated with young, formally trained military personnel, was exploited by civilians to tarnish the esteemed traditions of the military.

“In an effort to uncover the truth behind this shameless procession, we instructed our legal team and military experts to investigate the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network.’ To no one’s surprise, it was revealed that the group is not a legally registered entity,” Atiku noted. “What is even more alarming is the brazen use of firearms by civilians in this so-called parade — at a time when illegal arms proliferation is at a dangerous high in our country.”

Atiku has now called for an urgent investigation by all relevant security agencies to address the following critical concerns:

1. The legitimacy of the “Nigeria Cadet Network” and its use of the title “Cadet” when it is not a registered entity.

2. The origin and legality of the firearms displayed by members of the “Nigeria Cadet Network.”

3. The propriety of the military honours granted to the President’s son by non-commissioned civilians under the protection of security personnel.

The former Vice President stressed that preserving the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces is paramount. “If it is determined that any legal violations were committed by the President’s son or members of the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network,’ it is the constitutional duty of Nigerian security agencies to ensure that the law takes its course and those responsible are held accountable,” Atiku said.

Signed:
Paul Ibe
Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar
Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007) and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (2023)
Abuja
29 December, 2024.

 

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Politics

Judge sets Trump’s sentencing date in hush money case but signals no jail time

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January 4, 2025

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A judge has ordered that Donald Trump will be sentenced on 10 January in his hush-money case in New York – less than two weeks before he is set to be sworn in as president.

New York Justice Juan Merchan signalled he would not sentence Trump to jail time, probation or a fine, but instead give him an “unconditional discharge”, and wrote in his order that the president-elect could appear in person or virtually for the hearing.

Trump had attempted to use his presidential election victory to have the case against him dismissed.

The president-elect has posted on social mediadismissing the judge’s order as an “illegitimate political attack” and calling the case “nothing but a rigged charade”.

Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 (£105,000) payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels.

The charges related to attempts to cover up reimbursements to his ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, who in the final days of the 2016 election campaign paid off the adult-film star to remain silent about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.

The president-elect has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty, arguing the case was an attempt to harm his 2024 presidential campaign.

In the post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday Trump said the judge’s sentencing order “goes against our Constitution and, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Presidency as we know it”.

Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung earlier called the order part of a “witch hunt”.

“President Trump must be allowed to continue the presidential transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the witch hunts,” Cheung said.

“There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.”

In his latest motion against the case, Trump had argued the case would hang over him during his presidency and impede his ability to govern.

Justice Merchan said he had been advised of several measures he could employ that could assuage Trump’s concerns about being distracted by a criminal case while serving as president that fell short of the “extreme remedy” of overturning the jury’s verdict.

His options included delaying the sentencing until Trump, 78, leaves the White House in 2029, or guaranteeing a sentence that would not involve prison time.

Trump had initially, and unsuccessfully, argued the case against him ran afoul of a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.

In July, the country’s top court ruled that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for “official actions” they take while in office.

However, last month Justice Merchan ruled Trump’s hush money conviction was valid.

Trump is currently set to be the first convicted felon to serve in the White House.

He may attempt to appeal against the conviction after the sentencing.

While falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years in prison in the US, there is no minimum sentence and incarceration is not required.

Even before his election victory, legal experts thought it was unlikely Trump would face jail time given his age and his legal record.

Trump has also been charged in three other state and federal criminal cases: one involving classified documents and two relating to his alleged efforts to overturn his loss in the election of 2020.

The president-elect was initially scheduled to be sentenced on 26 November, but Justice Merchan pushed the date back after Trump won the presidential election.

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Politics

Nigerian governor announces Return of petrol Subsidy

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January 4, 2025

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Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced the return of petrol subsidies to support farmers in insurgency-affected communities.

Speaking in Bama town on Friday, he revealed that irrigation farmers would now purchase petrol at N600 per litre, compared to the N1,000 to N1,200 price in Maiduguri.

This initiative seeks to alleviate the financial strain on farmers and revitalize agriculture in areas disrupted by Boko Haram activities.

Alongside the subsidy, Zulum distributed farming tools and materials, including fertilisers, water pumps, sprayers, and pesticides, to over 5,000 farmers.

Additionally, the government has constructed over 100 tube wells for irrigation and approved 250 more to enhance farming efforts.

The move builds on last year’s intervention in Damasak, which reportedly improved food production and livelihoods.

“One of the major challenges that are facing the farming communities here as regards irrigation farming is the increasing cost of fuel, as a result, I want to announce to the general public that the government will procure petroleum products and sell them to the farmers at a subsided rate, a litre of petrol is being sold in Maiduguri at the cost of about N1,200 but in sha Allah, henceforth for irrigation farmers this season a litre of petrol will be sold at the rate of N600,” Zulum said.

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Politics

Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Presidential Battles: Candidates Must Come From Igbo Speaking Parts of Rivers State-IPEC

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January 4, 2025

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As the battle for who wears the crown of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo president,IPEC has warn that the candidature of Okiro(Formal IGP) does not follow the Constitution of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo since he hails from imo State.

The Igbo Province Executive council passes vote of no confidence on the coming Ohaneze election; advices Rivers contestant to reconsider their candidacy.

The council maintains that featuring a candidate from the south East in an election whose slot is for Rivers state damages the founding principle of Ohaneze aimed at equity and curbing over politicking hence the rotational presidency.

The council noted that while by Nigerian constitution, it may be considerate for citizenship to be affiliated to the mother’s state, however in Igboland, citizenship is patrilineal (attached to the father) and Ohaneze is going the part that will put many unique aspect of Igbo culture to a test.

The Okpara concept is strong in Igboland. It is only in few Igbo communities that a man is allowed to take up the citizenship of the mother’s community and that is usually when the bride price of the mother is not paid and even at that the said son can’t aspire for certain position in the mother’s community. Again, a candidate with strong ties with the south East will definitely have an upper hand in an election where southeast is responsible for over 80% of the voters.

The council also recognizes the right of full rivers contestants to go ahead with the election if they so desires but noted that they stand no chance against a veteran like former ISP of Nigerian police from Imo state irrespective of how one chose to look at it.

The council cautioned Ohaneze’s Ime Obi to go back to the drawing board and consult elders of AlaIgbo before taking a step that may undermine the very fabric of our culture and threaten the integrity of the institution (Oheneze) due to politics.

The institution also advised against inflammatory statements as the fragile peace in AlaIgbo needs to be preserved. For those who prefer to continue with the contest, best wishes, those who feel aggrieved may use appropriate channels to seek redress.

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