Coalition Threaten To Sue Sahara Reporters For Defaming Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed

The Justice and Equity Coalition, a coalition of over 15 Anti-corruption organizations has called on Nigerians to ignore the fictitious and blackmail published by an online media; Sahara Reporters, titled: “EXCLUSIVE: How Senator Gabriel Suswam Bribed Federal High Court Judge To Quash Pending EFCC Fraud Case”.

In a press release on Friday in Abuja, the Convener of the group Kelvin Adegbenga said that the whole publication was full of false information aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the highly respected Federal High Court Judge, Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed as well as thwarting the Judgement of the Federal High Court.

“We can say authoritatively that Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed has never met with the former Governor of Benue State and serving Senator, Gabriel Suswam, as claimed by Sahara Reporters, Adegbenga said.

He further said that it sound absurd, illogical, untenable, implausible and unimaginable to say a respected Justice in the person of Ahmed R. Mohammed would stoop so low to receive ‘the equivalent of N500 million (in foreign currency) on the second week of June at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja’. 

“The sparkling record of Justice Mohammed right from his Private Legal Practice with Ahmed Al-Mustapha & Partners; Principal Partners with Ahmed Mohammed & Company; Law Lecturer II, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic to Judge, Federal High Court, Abuja are there for all to verify, Adegbenga said.

“It is on record that Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed has withdrawn from the case of Gabriel Suswam but the two prosecuting and the defendant counsels had to prevail on the former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta to plead with Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed to continue with the case. 

“We can say vividly that Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed has never turned down any evidence brought forward by the prosecuting counsels and all his decision has always been against Gabriel Suswam.

Adegbenga further reiterated that the coalition is not surprised at Sahara Reporters allegations as this is not the first time they have wrongly accused the respected Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed without concrete evidence.

“We won’t be surprised if Sahara Reporters is not acting the script of some sponsored elements who wants Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed to step down from the case so as to bring on board another Judge that will give Gabriel Suswam victory over the allegations against him. 

“We challenge Sahara Reporters to show concrete evidence of the receipt of N500million or we might be forced to take a legal action against the online media a responsible media is expected to maintain high ethical standards instead of blackmailing and tarnishing the reputation of a highly respected Justice of the Federal High Court in the person of Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed, the statement concluded.

Anti-corruption Group To Emir Sanusi II; You Are Yet To Discountenance The Allegations By The Kano Anti-Graft Agency

A Civil Society Organisation; Global Centre For Conscious Living Against Corruption has called on Emir of Kano, HRH Sanusi II, as an international financial officer and a responsible Nigerian to submit himself to the due process of law and the Kano anti-graft agency.

While addressing the media on Monday 24th June, 2019 in Abuja, the Director General of Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, said that Emir Sanusi II is yet to discountenance the allegations by the Kano Anti-Graft Agency report on alleged misappropriation and questionable expenditures amounting to N3.4Billion.

While commending the Kano State Government as the only State in Nigeria that has a state owned anti-graft agency, the organization called on Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to ensure proper funding of the Commission as well as facilitating the commission's financial autonomy to ensure maximum efficiency in the discharge of its duties.

Excerpt is the full text of the press conference:

GLOBAL CENTRE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING AGAINST CORRUPTION (GLOCCOLAC)                                                              

Gentlemen of the fourth realm, good morning and welcome to this all important briefing.

This centre has been observing with keen interest, the recent happenings in Kano State as regards to the investigation of the Kano Emirate Council over an alleged misappropriation of 3.4 Billion Naira under the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II.

 The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission in its preliminary investigation report dated 31 May, 2019 addressed to the Secretary to the Kano State Government accused the Emir of spending the Kano Emirate Council’s funds indiscriminately without regards to due process and the rule of law.

 Based on this development, the Kano State Government issued a query to the Emir to respond to the allegations which he did. A publication of This Day Newspaper titled “Sanusi Tackles Kano Anti-graft Agency over Fraud Allegations” had succinctly provided the Emir’s position in the matter which raised our curiosity to organize this press conference.

 Earlier on, the Kano anti-graft agency sent another report which is an addendum to what they have earlier submitted. In comparison to the 3 documents scrutinized by this Centre we come up with the following:-

The response of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi that he inherited 1.9 billion as against the claims of the anti-corruption Commission is not quite satisfactory. The Commission made its position very clear that its investigation is on alleged misappropriation and questionable expenditures but not on the funds left behind by the Late Emir of Kano Alh. Ado Bayero. The Commission still maintains its stance. It is therefore our view that the Emir is yet to discountenance the allegations. 

 The claim of the Emir that he is not the Chief Accounting Officer of the Emirate and yet approves its expenditure is nothing but shying away from responsibility and further creates more suspicion on his role in the alleged misappropriation.

The issue of budget and auditing of the account, where the anti-graft agency all provided evidence to support their claim that the Emir, being an international financial expert failed to act in accordance with such standard is equally yet to be discountenanced.

The anti-corruption agency in its report cited the Financial Controller to have admitted that they approved their budget and corroborated it with the letter from the Kano State Ministry of Planning and Budget as well as from the Local Government Audit all pointed out that the Emirate Council failed in making the budgetary provisions and the auditing of the Council’s account. But the Emir’s response that they sent their budget to Kano State Ministry for Local Government can never stand in the face of those glaring pieces of evidence provided by the anti-graft agency.

The Emir also tried to justify the 1.4 Billion Naira spent on hotels and airline tickets as well as the 29 Million Naira for airtime in 2 years from the funds of the Emirate Council. These are public funds belonging to the State that accommodates the larger percentage of people living below the poverty line in the country.

The issue of transfer of funds to companies not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission is not also being addressed as the reply only stopped at the registration but not the alleged transfers. The ties of the said companies with some of the influential people in the Emirate were also not addressed.

We also observed that the issue of the CCTV Cameras was the claim of the petitioners as contained in the report but not the findings of the anti-corruption Commission.

Another concern which requires thorough investigation is the fact that the Emir appears to justify a transfer of about one hundred and five million naira into individual account of the Emirate staff, a technical staff. The Emir in his answer to the allegations failed to mention the purpose of such transfer from public funds to a staff individual account. No serious investigator will take this lightly especially with the Emir's excuse that it is meant for direct labour, but failed to supply the particulars of the alleged direct labour expenditure.

The Anti-Corruption Agency also claimed that one Rufa’I Buhari usually change dollars to Naira on behalf of the Emir through the Bureau de Change belonging to one Jazuli Sani (who was said to have died). The said Rufa’I makes cash withdrawals and makes direct transfer to Jazuli’s Bureau de Change.  The Emir is still silent on that.

On the issue of alleged obstruction of investigation, the Emir seems to be comfortable, despite his stance against corruption, when his aides are avoiding anti-corruption investigation. What is the offence of the Commission in inviting whosoever is necessary in the course of its investigation? It got to the extent that the Commission had to withdraw its invitation with regards to certain individuals. This had further substantiated their claim of obstruction especially on its claim against the posting of its invitation letters on social media just to blackmail its integrity.

Consequent to the present administration's stand against corruption, it becomes pertinent that Emir Sanusi as an international financial officer and a responsible Nigerian we believe he is, submits himself to the due process of law and the Kano anti-graft agency.

It is worthy of note to mention here that of the 36 states of the Federation, Kano is the only state in Nigeria that has a state owned anti-graft agency. It becomes imperative therefore that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje should ensure proper funding of the commission as well as facilitating the commission's financial autonomy to ensure maximum efficiency in the discharge of its duties.

Thank you.

Signed:

Dr. Nwambu Gabriel,

Director General,

Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption.

Swearing-in/Inauguration: Dr. Fatima Abdulrahman Congratulates Buhari, Osinbajo

Dr. Fatima Abdulrahman 

An administrator, a technocrat, a mother, professional teacher and eloquent leader, erudite mentor, the immediate past National President of ANCOPSS, Dr. Fatima Abdulrahman has congratulated President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo on the occasion of their swearing-in for second term in office.

In a press release made available to the media on Tuesday in Abuja,  Dr. Abdulrahman congratulated President Muhammad Buhari and and Vice President Osinbajo while commending their bold steps in fighting corruption that has being a bane to the underdevelopment of the country.

Dr. Fatima Abdulrahman said, “Under this present administration the lost glory of the nation has be restored and soonest Nigeria shall sing a new song of good things and many developments under the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari.

She further reiterated  “Your re-election is a testimony to the level of confidence that you enjoy among the people, attributable to your wisdom, experience in politics, sense of engagement and devotion to the service and the protection of the interests of the country especially as they relate to the prosperity, well-being and security of your people.”

“Mr. President needs our support, co-operation and fervent prayers. Nigeria shall be great again. Let Change Begin with you and I, (Dr.) Mrs. Abdulrahman said.

Kogi 2019: Usman Jibrin To Rescue The State From Shackles Of Poverty

Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin (Rtd) 

Leaders instill in their people a hope for success and a belief in themselves. Positive leaders empower people to accomplish their goals.

Vice Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin (Rtd) was born on 16 September 1959 in Okura Olafia, a town in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He attended the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 24th Regular Combatant Course where he graduated as the Best Naval Cadet Officer and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant of the Nigerian Navy on 1 January 1982.

He began his Naval career as a wWatch Keeping Officer on Board NNS Damisa and NNS Aradu immediately after he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant. He served in this capacity for 2 years (January 1982 – January 1984). He later served as Base Intelligence Officer, NNS UMALOKUN for approximately 3 years (July 1984 – 1987) He also served as a Flag Lieutenant to the Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency and to the Command Officer of the Nigerian Navy Intelligence School, Apapa, Lagos State, Nigeria, before he became an Instructor at Navigation and Direction School, Nigerian Navy Ship Quorra.

He served in that capacity for 2 years (1989–1991). In 1994, he was appointed as a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, a tenure that elapsed in 1996 and after his tenure in 1996, he was appointed as the executive officer, NNS Enyimiri.

Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin (Rtd). In 1997, he became the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship Ofiom, and in 1998 he commanded the ship NNS Ambe in Operation Liberty (ECOMOG), where he obtained the Command at Sea Badge. In 2001, he became the Deputy Director Attaché Management, Defence Intelligence Agency and the Naval Provost Marshal, Naval Headquarters.

In 2002, he was appointed as the Defence Adviser to the Nigerian Embassy Cameroun. He served in this capacity for 4 years until the end of his tenure in 2006. In December 2006, he was appointed as Chief Staff Officer at the Sea Training Command, and later became the Commanding Officer of the Defence Intelligence School (DIS) Abuja on June 2007. Thereafter, he was appointed as Nigerian Navy secretary and while serving in this capacity, he was promoted to Rear Admiral. In 2010 he became the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, coordinating a joint operation involving the 3 services around the Gulf of Guinea, NEMO.

He also, coordinated a combined Exercise, called OBANGAME EXPRESS 2012, involving 11 countries including Germany and United Kingdom. In January 2014, he took over from Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba as the Chief of Naval Staff, and on 5 February 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral by Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the former President of Nigeria.

Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin (rtd) is a man with many accomplishments and achievements. There really comes a time in a man’s life when his achievements are written in the stars and that time is now. Usman Jibrin is a man of prospects, whose leadership qualities in our country’s defence sector are acclaimed globally. The former Chief of Naval Staff, whose leadership qualities have translated in the Nigerian Navy being accorded the accolade as one of the best naval forces in the Africa and the world in general. Usman Jibrin has always come across as a professional who gave his all to achieve his vision for the country’s Navy.

Usman Jibrin’s leadership acumen and achievements are pointers that in a world where the status quo has seemingly immovable inertia, change could happen and in a world that often times seems to be spinning out of control, he has the courage to embrace the audacity of hope. He is an ardent believer in the change mantra and the possibilities that it presents for our state of Kogi and its people. The message of possibility and personal empowerment from the stories of his achievements in life moved so many people and caused an unstoppable groundswell of support for his call and eventual entrance into the political space of Kogi state. His political beliefs tally with the wishes and aspirations of the Kogi masses, that, today he is regarded as the best among the gladiators ready to contest for the seat of the Governor of Kogi State in the November 16, 2019 Gubernatorial election in the State. This simple same message of change and the change that the people can see has propelled the people to laud him over and over again.

Today, it is a fact that the problem with our state is that of leadership. Consequently, our people are clamouring for a leader that deals in hope; and the hope they see is retired Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin. Our people, having swallowed the bitter pills in the past to make our state great without results, this time around want to show that they have matured democratically. Our people now know good a leader when they see one and the saying that a golden fish has no hiding place is true. They have seen that the leadership qualities of Usman Jibrin are translucent and the leader they want for our dear state is Usman Jibrin.

The greatest leadership quality of Usman Jibrin is his inspiring charisma. His life and words inspired people of previously uninvolved interest to enter into our development space and stand for what they believe in: the happiness of all Kogites. To complement his inspiring charisma is his ability to inform and transform. He has been known to often give the people the tools and information they need to focus and develop.

Some of the leadership traits inherent in Usman Jibrin that make him the candidate to beat any day and bring the needed change we can see for developments are: conviction and perseverance; change; we-not-I-attitude; Taking risk; the art of communication; turning endings to a new beginnings.

Throughout his time as Chief of Naval Staff of the country, he has shown positive traits. For example, he re-made the image and operations of the Nigeria Navy – an attribute that he is positively coming into politics with. Jibrin has the attribute of remaking the image of his party and in the process attracting the average voters and the middle class to the party.

Usman Jibrin’s style is classified as dedicated to making progress, optimism and confidence. He has always declared that Kogi can only make progress when people have a chance of living their dream and he is committed to just that. He is proving that he shall make Kogi State the best and greatest it has the potential to be. He has a lot of personal organisation, personal charm and self-criticism, qualities that are absent in many leaders today. I assure you Kogites that Usman Jibrin shall affect positively Kogi State in ways that no leader has ever done.

To him, leadership means bringing people together in pursuits of a common goal, developing a plan to achieve it, and staying with it until the goal is achieved. He has a vision and plan of the goals he wants to achieve for Kogi State and has developed a realistic blueprint of how he wants to get there, attract talented committed Kogites with a wide variety of knowledge, perspective and skills to get the work done. He believes in the new Kogi State he seeks to build, lasting positive results are achievable if leaders practice inclusion and co-operation rather than unilateral authoritarianism. He shall belong to all Kogites, irrespective of class, gender, tribe or religion.

If Kogi State needs a leader with the attributes of steadfastness in pursuit of goals, flexibility in determining how best to achieve it, the courage to make a hard decision and the confidence to stay with it and explain it; the common sense to listen to others and involve them; then it is Usman Jibrin. A leader that will admit when a mistake is made and when a given policy is not working, a leader that will trust others, trust his instincts as well as his intellect. A leader that if the objective is to get things done on a matter that is important as well as controversial, he will be able to compromise and knows the line he can’t cross. That leader is Usman Jibrin.

Jibrin learnt when he was very young to respect the human dignity of everyone he met, to observe them closely and listen to them carefully. From the adults in his family he learnt that everyone has a story but not everyone can tell it. Most of our problems are self-inflicted and leaders must solve them; Usman Jibrin shall solve them.

Speakership Race: Akeredolu, Fayemi, Sanwo-Olu, Other S/W APC Govs Rally Support For Gbajabiamila

...Southwest Reps-elect, returning-Reps across parties endorse candidature

....as Gbajabiamila hails endorsement

As the race for the Speakership of the Ninth National Assembly hots up, the State governors in the Southwest Zone  under the All Progressives Congress, APC, have endorsed the Majority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Fagbabiamila for the post

It gathered that endorsement took place in Abuja on Tuesday night at a  reception organized by the Ekiti State governor, Dr John Kayode Fayemi for both returning and new members of the House of Representatives from the six States in the zone across parties which  more than 90 percent of  all the law makers from the region were in attendance

Besides the host, Fayemi, other governors present at the occasion include Rotimi Akeredolu  (Ondo), Gboyega Oyetota (Osun), and Abiola Ajimobi  (Oyo), who was represented by Senator Teslim Folarin.

In addition, both the Lagos  and Ogun states Governors-elect, Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun respectively were also present at the 

According to a source close the meeting, the governors resolved to work in unionism and speak with one voice in ensuring victory for Gbajabiamila, describing the struggle for the Speakership race as a project for the region

"Governor Fayemi did not mince words telling the members-elect   and the returning members that Gbajabiamila's candidacy is not for himself but for the Southwest and as such should try their best by reaching out to their colleagues from other geo political zones in the country to rally support for him

"He told them that it was a national project that must be accomplished with a sincerity of purpose that would portray APC as a strong and cohesive party, with totally loyal members ," our source declared

Speaking  on the development, Hon Yemi Adaramodu , member elect from Ekiti State who is also the Spokesman of the Femi Gbajabiamila Campaign Organization disclosed that the meeting was a masterstroke that would not only convince members of the House but also change the course of the contest in favour of the choice of the party. 

On his own, the Coordinator for the Campaign Organization for Southwest, Hon Akeem Adeyemi disclosed that the main contender from the region, Hon Segun Odebunmi (Oyo) has finally aligned himself with the position of the party on the issue.

Hon Adeyemi, representing Afijo/Atiba/Oyo East & Oyo West Federal Constituency of Oyo State  also said the support for Gbajabiamila cuts across  the six geo political zones of the country considering the declaration of support from different state governors and other stakeholders. 

According to him, "as you can see, the presence of the entire governors and governors-elect from the region at this forum speaks volume, you can see members-elect on the platform of other political parties, that's a sign of good omen

"Their involvement is all about rallying us that Gbajabiamila's candidacy is not only on merit but the wisest political choice which we from the zone should support and as well lobby our colleagues from other zones to embrace

"Even one of us from the zone, Honourable  Segun Odebunmi, I can tell you that he has finally aligned himself with the position of the party, he is on the same page with us as confirmed by himself at the meeting, so, there is nothing to fear about again because we are now going to the battle field well prepared

Speaking with news men shortly after the endorsement, Hon Gbajabiamila hailed the initiatives of the Southwest governors and his colleagues from the zone for coming up with the idea and expressed optimism that it would now clear to the whole nation that the zero actually meant business.

He promised to leave to expectations and be a rallying point for both the legislative and executive arms of government in the next political dispensation in line with the APC campaign promises to Nigerian

We Shall All Surrender To The Party's Pathways And Directives - Femi Gbajabiamila

The Femi Gbajabiamila Campaign Organisation has said that they shall all surrender to the party's pathways and directives.

This was contained in a press release signed Hon Yemi Adaramodu for Hon Femi Gbajabiamila Campaign Organisation, in reaction to the abhorrent reference to Hon Nabena's orchestrated statement on zoning which the organization see as a  futile attempt to pull wool in the face of the unsuspecting public.

"The said Hon Nabena is not a member of the National Working Committee, and so could not have authoritatively volunteered the NWC decision, while recent and current events show that the party leadership has spoken and we have all heard and heeded.

Excerpt is the full text of the press release:

It's not a fashionable pastime of the Hon Femi Gbajabiamila's Campaign Organisation to join issues with colleagues or whoever, in the noble and selfless quest to seek for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

However, if the ornamented fabrications of the "No retreat, no surrender" diatribe against the parley of April 16,2019, between Mr President, National Working Committee of our party, the All Progressives Congress and the APC House of Representatives Members-Elect are not dilated, exposed and incinerated, the success and gains may be vitiated.

The historic get-together was among other things, to strengthen the political bond between elected members and the leadership of the party, this surely should be a routine engagement of a serious and winning party like the APC.

It amounts to perfidy and egregious chicanery for anyone, who bears the badge of All Progressives Congress to twist the content and outcome of such fraternal assemblage for unbridled self conceited ambition.

It was a notorious fact that Mr President's both spoken and unspoken words did not scold the party Chairman, rather he praised the Chairman for his foresight and ebullient leadership.

Mr President also prayed for a committed, consistent, tested, trusted and God fairing leaders for the National Assembly. So, inventing words and ascribing same to the President is spurious, hollow and uncharitable.

The theme and setting of the press release shows an anticlimax of political paranoia in hibernation. It's a resurgence of the old and perfidious collaborative order.

It's a morbid humour, to demand for how the national Chairman obtained the concurrence of the critical stakeholders on the legislative zoning preferences. The positive and lively reactions of the stakeholders to the zoning pronouncements by the Chairman showed an endorsement of same, an exhibition of a joint decision and the needed unimpeachable testimony that all the strata of the party leadership are properly carried along.

We believe it's a mere accidental spontaneity of the author to struggle with an unnecessary nuances of South West, not being only Lagos or Ogun. He should allow the concerned react. There is no need for mercenaries.

The abhorrent reference to Hon Nabena's orchestrated statement on zoning is a futile attempt to pull wool in the face of the unsuspecting public, the said Hon Nabena is not a member of the National Working Committee, and so could not have authoritatively volunteered the NWC decision, while recent and current events show that the party leadership has spoken and we have all heard and heeded.

Hon Femi Gbajabiamila is actually a candidate for all the zones. His is a JOINT TASK.

We respect Hon Bago, a respected Honourable colleague, whose banner the author of the put-away press release used. We are convinced that the said author acted alone, as we believe Hon Bago is a faithful party man, who is also a good student of history. The sordid experience of 2015 was enough lesson for us, including him to listen to the voice of reason and wisdom from the party leadership.

There could be no retreat, no surrender in our war against corruption and bandits and not against our party and ourselves.

We shall all surrender to the party's pathways and directives. And together we shall take Nigeria, jointly to lofty heights.

Hon Yemi Adaramodu.

For Hon Femi Gbajabiamila Campaign Organisation.

Zamfara Killings: Coalition Calls On The Media To Suspend All Activities With Kadaria Ahmed

The Coalition of National Democratic Watchdog of Nigeria has called on Channels TV, NTA and all television stations collaborating with Kadaria Ahmed to immediately suspend her and desist from using an individual who has thrown investigation, equity and justice to the wind just because of the money released by her sponsors.

In a press release on Sunday signed on behalf of the Coalition, Innusa Tijani, said that for Kadaria Ahmed, a Journalist to have led this lopsided demonstration without doing due diligence in line with the profession's ethics of investigative journalism is indeed an embarrassment not only to Journalists but to all democrats en route balanced reportage with facts.

Excerpt is the full text of the press release:

COALITION NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC WATCHDOG OF NIGERIA

A REVIEW ON ZAMFARA KILLINGS KIDNAPPING AND BANDITRY

We bring you this statement consequent to the protest led by broadcast journalist Kadaria Ahmed who addressed the governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari , describing him as the most useless Governor in the history of Nigeria.

Now, looking security hierarchy in Nigeria, Governors are the chief security officers in their respective states, but do not have any control over the military, police nor any security agency at that. The police commissioner takes orders from the IGP in Abuja and not from the Governor of any respective state. The fact remains that the constitution has not defined authority of power of control by the Governor, rather, it is the President who is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and as such can issue orders and can appoint or sack erring officers accordingly.

While it is evident that the primary responsibility of government is to protect the lives and property of her citizens, the real power to control the security agencies of government does not reside with the Governors but rather with the President who is the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.

Again, it is pertinent to remind Kadaria, her sponsors and her cohorts that Governor Yari has in the full glare of Zamfara people and the security agencies expended billions of naira in the purchase of vehicles, communication gadgets, logistics, etc to enhance the optimal performance of all security agents in Zamfara.

It is saddening to note that the Minister of Defence is from Zamfara state and this reoccurring decimal of kidnappings, cattle- rustling, banditry, etc still persist in Zamfara state. Difference in political interest or ideological variation should not be politicized nor undermine the collective security of the lives and property of the Zamfara people. It is pertinent that citizens in Government should learn to obey the constitution for which they swore to uphold.

Some indigenes of Zamfara who act as informants to the bandits are also contributory to this problem Governor Yari has on several occasions suspended even the traditional chiefs who collude with criminal elements in providing information and protection for bandits.

The porous nature of the Zamfara border is also a major source of concern here. Criminal migrants move in and out of the state unchecked. This is further made worse with the proliferation of small and light weapons across Africa. This has frustrated the sincere and genuine efforts of the Yari administration.

For Kadaria Ahmed, a Journalist to have led this lopsided demonstration without doing due diligence in line with the profession's ethics of investigative journalism is indeed an embarrassment not only to Journalists but to all democrats en route balanced reportage with facts.

Finally, by this medium, we call on CHANNELS TV, NTA and all television stations collaborating with Kadaria Ahmed to immediately suspend her and desist from using an individual who has thrown investigation, equity and justice to the wind just because of the money released by her sponsors.

Thank you.

Signed

INNUSA TIJANI
for the coalition.