Headline

Niger Crisis: PDP Govs Knock Tinubu; Reject Military Option

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2023

…knock Tinubu over a number of ministers, seek a reduction

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have advised President Bola Tinubu against going to war with the Niger Republic over the military coup which ended civil rule in the country.

Chairman of the forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said this while reading the communique of a meeting held between members of the PDP Governors Forum, the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and other stakeholders.

He said, “The meeting advised the President, Commander in Chief and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to go into any form of war with the Republic of Niger over the recent military coup in the country, rather all tools of dialogue and diplomacy should be further employed.”

On other issues discussed during the meeting, Governor Mohammed explained that those at the meeting emphasised the need for party discipline and re-iterated zero tolerance for anti-party activities and sabotage.

Stating that, “No individual or group of individuals will be allowed to undermine the unity of the party and its processes.”

He equally stated that the party leaders reiterated their commitmsng to repositioning and stabilizing the party.

Towards this end, he announced that the healing and reconciliation process are in progress and yielding results.

The meeting, he posited was a clear signal that unity and loyalty are still core values of the PDP and would be rewarded.

The communique read further, “All the Governors and organs of the party solidly support the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON, and the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, to rescue the stolen mandate in the tribunal and would do everything lawful towards achieving this.

“The Governors will work in partnership with the party at the states and national level to ensure good governance, transparency and accountability.

“The meeting congratulated the party for empanelling the Campaign Councils for the off-session elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States and urged the Campaign Councils to ensure victory for the party in the three States.

“The meeting counselled the Federal Government to show leadership in curtailing the cost of Governance.

“48 Ministers and several Special Advisers and Assistants should be reduced to ensure the health of our economy.”

Also speaking to newsmen shortly after the meeting, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke explained why he supported the nomination of his predecessor, Adeboyega Oyetola.

The governor cited his commitment to the overall interest of Osun State and all indigenes irrespective of political affiliations as his guiding principle in his service to the people of the state.

According to the Governor, the election process has since ended and that was time for all Osun people to join hands for the development of the State.

The Deputy Senate Minority leader, Senator Lere Oyewumi had announced the unanimous support of the Osun senators for Mr Oyetola, citing a directive of the state Governor.

Adeleke said, “I told our Senators to support Mr Oyetola. There is no need to embarrass him by withdrawing the support of the three PDP senators. We have a state to develop and my focus on that goal is total.

“Political maturity is needed to build the Osun of our dreams. Poverty knows no party difference. So we must support each other at all levels as long as Osun’s interest is at the center stage”, the Osun Governor told the journalists.

On his plans for Osun state, he said, “Our administration is working hard to develop the state business sector. So we need new partnerships with several federal and international agencies.

” I have the sense of urgency to change this label of civil service state. We want our industrial sector to grow. So we have to develop the abandoned free zone.

“This will drive inflow of investment. We hope to get the SME industrial clusters off the ground. We need mini-industrial parks all over the Senatorial district. We are reviewing the Omoluabi economic zone to make it truly functional.

”With the state cabinet in place, I seek to quicken the pace of our delivery.That is why we are hosting several delegations locally and internationally. That is why we are targetting national and global agencies’ ‘, he told media men at the event.

Those who attended the meeting included: the party’s Predidrntial Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, Ifianyi Okowa. Others include: the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, the National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Dan Orbih, National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.

Governors who attended the meeting include: Gov. Bala Mohammed, CON -Bauchi State -Chairman, Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri-Adamawa State, Gov. Sen. Douye Diri-Bayelsa State, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori-Delta State, Gov. Peter Mbah-Enugu State, and Gov. Ademola Adeleke-Osun State.

Others are: Gov. Godwin Obaseki-Edo State, Gov. Kefas Agbu-Taraba State and
Gov. Dauda Lawal-Zamfara State.

Other party chieftains at the meeting included: Hon. Kingsley Chinda -House Minority Leader and the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba among others.
VANGUARD

Headline

Coup: Guinea-Bissau Junta Releases Six Held Opposition Politicians

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Guinea-Bissau’s ruling junta on Tuesday released six members of the political opposition who had been detained since a coup last month.

The six freed opposition members are said to be close associates of Domingos Simoes Pereira, head of the PAIGC party that led the country to independence in 1974.

Pereira has been in custody since the coup.

In a statement by the High Military Command, the junta’s governing body, the releases are described as a sign of good faith and a step towards the return to constitutional normality and respect for international rights.

The army seized power on 26 November after ousting outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in the wake of a presidential vote.

After taking over, the military suspended the electoral process and announced it would take control of the West African country for a period of one year.

Recall that another opposition candidate, Fernando Dias, took refuge in Nigeria’s embassy, which granted him asylum, while Embalo fled the country after being briefly detained by the military at the time of the coup.

Meanwhile, Senegal’s Foreign Minister, Cheikh Niang, led a delegation to Guinea-Bissau, where he met with detained opponents and requested their release.

Headline

7 Territories Still Under Colonial Rule

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Even though most nations became independent in the last century, some territories are still ruled by other nations.

Contents
1. Western Sahara
2. Guam
3. American Samoa
4. United States Virgin Islands
5. Falkland Islands / Malvinas
6. Gibraltar
7. Bermuda

Many of them remain on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories, meaning they have not completed the process of decolonization. These places usually depend on bigger countries for laws, passports, defence, or political control.

In this article, Nigerian Tribune highlights 7 territories still under colonial rule:

1. Western Sahara

Western Sahara remains one of the world’s biggest unresolved colonial issues. Morocco controls most of the territory, but the Polisario Front wants independence for the Sahrawi people. The UN is still trying to help both sides agree on a peaceful solution.

2. Guam

Guam is an important US territory in the Pacific, used heavily for American military operations. The US oversees its defence and foreign relations.

People living there are US citizens, but they cannot vote in presidential elections and do not have full representation in Congress.

3. American Samoa

American Samoa has more local control than Guam, but the United States still decides immigration, defence, and foreign affairs.

Residents are considered US nationals and must apply if they want full citizenship.

4. United States Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands have their own legislature, but the United States makes major constitutional and political decisions. The territory depends heavily on US federal support.

5. Falkland Islands / Malvinas

The Falkland Islands remain controlled by the United Kingdom (UK), but Argentina has long disputed this claim, having been in control of the Islands for a few years before 1833.

The people living there voted strongly to stay British, yet the sovereignty dispute continues to appear in the UN.

6. Gibraltar

Gibraltar sits at the Southern tip of Spain. The United Kingdom controls it, but Spain insists the territory belongs to them.

Gibraltarians have repeatedly voted in favour of remaining British, but the dispute is still discussed within the UN Decolonisation Committee.

7. Bermuda

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory situated in the North Atlantic Ocean. Although it manages most of its own internal affairs and enjoys a strong economy with modern facilities, the United Kingdom still handles its defence and represents it in global matters.

Headline

Russia-Ukraine War: Pope Leo Calls For Global Christmas Truce

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday renewed his call for a global truce on Christmas Day, saying he felt “great sadness” after Russia “apparently rejected a request” for a pause in fighting.

Speaking to reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, the Pope urged all sides involved in conflict to observe at least one day of peace.

“I am renewing my request to all people of goodwill to respect a day of peace — at least on the feast of the birth of our Saviour,” Leo said.

Recall that Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has repeatedly turned down calls for a ceasefire, arguing that any pause would give Ukraine a military advantage.

“Among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia has apparently rejected a request for a truce,” the pope said.

Referring to conflicts worldwide, Leo added, “I hope they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world.”

The appeal came as fighting continued in eastern Ukraine. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces withdrew from a town after heavy battles with Russian troops. Russian strikes killed three civilians and left thousands without power during winter temperatures.

There was no indication of progress toward ending the war after separate meetings last weekend in Miami between the United States officials and negotiators from Russia and Ukraine. The conflict is nearing four years with no settlement in sight.

Earlier this month, Pope Leo met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. When asked whether he would accept Zelensky’s invitation to visit Ukraine, the pope said, “I hope so,” while noting that it was not possible to say when such a visit could happen.

Leo also warned that efforts to secure peace without European diplomatic involvement were “unrealistic”, expressing optimism that President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan could bring a “huge change” to the transatlantic alliance.