News
Edo 2020: Contestants Sign Peace Accord As Abdulsalam Urges Them To Commit To The Spirit
Edo State governor and People’s Democratic Party governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, his main challenger, Osagie Ize-iyamu of the All Progressives Congress, and other candidates on Tuesday pledged to embrace peace, irrespective of the outcome of the election.
The signing of the peace accord which was organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) took place at the Oba Akenzua Cultural center in Benin City.
Addressing contestants, the chairman of the NPC, Abdulsalam Abubakar, urged all stakeholders to commit to the spirit of the accord.
The former Head of State who urged the candidates to use the Edo election as a test for future election in the country, called on electorate to cast their votes in the September 19 governorship election, without fear of intimidation or coercion.
READ ALSO: Edo 2020: Abdulsalami Abubakar, Oba of Benin To Lead Peace Accord Signing
He explained that those who signed the peace accord have committed themselves to ensuring peace in the state and Nigeria at large before, during, and after the election.
“The tension and anxiety associated with election necessitated the set up of the National Peace Committee who is to support peaceful election process and enthrone culture of peace.
“In 2014, the committee conveyed efforts to support peaceful election as well as ensuring peaceful transition.The intervention of the Committee contributed inmensely to the success of 2015 election. The NPC has since successfully intervened in the general election to ensure peaceful outcome to the 2019 general election.
“The governorship election in Edo State is only a few days away and we want peace during and after the election. We want to see Nigeria as a place where people come out peacefully and vote during election without deprivation and Edo State deserves this.
READ ALSO: Edo 2020: APC, PDP In A Row Over N300m Allegedly Earmarked By Tinubu, Others For Vote Buying
“As you are aware, the election will not come without peaceful atmosphere, and most importantly disharmony among political parties hinders developmental efforts.
“As we go into the election, we have been given assurance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that they will conduct free, fair and credible election. The rest is left for the voters to do what is right.
“We therefore call on everyone to work towards peaceful election, to ensure peace reign during and after the election,” he said.
In his remarks, Godwin Obaseki appealed to the Committee to extend the accord to other actors who have influence in the political space so as to ensure that the exercise is complete.
READ ALSO: Edo Guber: PDP, APC Exchange Words Over Alleged Importation Of Armed Thugs
Obaseki who restated his commitment to ensuring peaceful poll, added that he would lead by example.
“I am grateful to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Police and the Oba of Benin.
“Today, we agree that a unique type of history has been made in Edo State where all contestants sign the peace accord for a violence-free election. As the Chief Security Officer, I have no choice than to ensure peace reign”, he said.
On his part, Osagie Ize-iyamu, promised to talk to his supporters to conduct themselves in a bid to achieving peaceful poll.
He said, “We are grateful to the peace Committee, INEC and the Police. We are also grateful to the Oba of Benin because what we are witnessing today was actually initiated few weeks ago.
READ ALSO: Edo Guber: Violence Will Escalate COVID-19, INEC Warns
Earlier, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the assistance in ensuring peaceful poll in Edo.
The Oba of Benin who was represented by the Esogban of Benin, David Edebiri, appealed to Edo sons to shun violence, noting that when two people contest, only one emerges as winner.
News
Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt
Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.
Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.
Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.
He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.
READ ALSO:US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria
According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.
Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.
He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.
READ ALSO:Trump To Attend FIFA World Cup Finals Draw On Friday
The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.
“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.
“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.
“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.
News
Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria
Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.
Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.
READ ALSO:US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria
He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.
Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.
He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: US Forces Bomb Terrorists Camps In Nigeria
“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.
“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”
News
UKWU! Timaya Falls On Stage While Trying To Lift Plus-sized Woman During Performance [VIDEO]
Nigerian singer, Timaya fell on stage while trying to lift a plus-sized lady during performance.
The incident occurred during his ‘Ukwu’ performance at the Gbaramatu Christmas Carnival in Delta State.
READ ALSO:Saboteurs Against Presidential Amnesty Reforms – General Ndiomu
Timaya in a now trending video on social media collapsed after the plus-sized woman jumped on him midday into his performance.
The singer later got up and continued his performance amid cheers from the crowd.
Watch video here
https://x.com/hypetribeng/status/2004263337572684157?s=20
News4 days agoPHOTOS: New Era In Furupagha-Ebijaw As Okpururu 1 Receives Staff Of Office
- News3 days ago
UBTH CMD Marks 120 Days In Office, Expresses Commitment To Providing Conducive Working Environment
- News3 days ago
FIRS Confirms NIN As Tax ID
- News4 days ago
OPINION: Gumi And His Terrorists
- News4 days ago
FG Declares Public Holidays For Christmas, New Year Celebrations
- Metro3 days ago
Fintiri Pardons Man Sentenced To Death For ‘Killing Herdsman In Self-defence’, Others
- News4 days ago
OPINION: Christmas And A Motherless Child
News3 days agoOPINION: My Man Of The Season
- News2 days ago
JUST IN: Kano Lawmaker, Sarki Aliyu Daneji, Dies Hours After Colleague’s Passing
- News3 days ago
KWAM 1 Withdraws From Awujale Race, Ends Court Challenge
