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OPINION: Critics Of Bauchi Speaker’s Support For Governor Lack Substance

Published

1 year ago

June 9, 2024

By Patrick Ochoga

As a concerned ardent follower of political development of Bauchi State, I am compelled to respond to the unfounded criticisms leveled against the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Suleiman.

The Speaker’s recent Facebook post, expressing his unwavering support and loyalty to the Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, has been met with baseless accusations from certain individuals, particularly from the opposition party.

The Speaker’s statement, which translates to “the man in this picture is my boss, my leader, and my direction. We will follow whatever you say, knowing fully that you will never lead us to harm, my followers and I, Allah willing,” is a testament to his genuine admiration for the Governor’s leadership and his commitment to the development of Bauchi State.

It is important to note that the Speaker’s words do not compromise his constitutional duties or the independence of the legislative arm of government. The Speaker is entitled to his personal opinion and the right to express it, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Let us look at some achievements of the PDP Administration to date. The PDP administration, under the leadership of Governor Bala Muhammad, has achieved remarkable success in various sectors, including the execution of projects that were neglected by the previous APC government.

One such project is the dualisation of the access road in Ningi, the Speaker’s local government area, from GSS Ningi to Gudduba. This long-awaited project was approved due to the harmonious relationship between the Executive and Legislative branches, demonstrating the positive impact of their collaboration.

In what specific ways has the Speaker failed to discharge his duties?
The Speaker has consistently fulfilled his constitutional duties and has not been found wanting in his responsibilities.
What are the explicit duties of the Speaker and the members of the State Assembly?
The duties of the Speaker and members of the State Assembly include, but are not limited to, making laws for the peace, order, and good government of the state, overseeing the activities of the executive arm, and ensuring the welfare and security of the people.

What is inherently wrong with the Speaker’s words of praise for the Governor?

There is nothing inherently wrong with the Speaker’s words of praise for the Governor. As a citizen, the Speaker has the right to express his opinion and support for the Governor’s leadership.

In conclusion, the Speaker’s loyalty to the Governor does not impede his ability to perform his constitutional duties. Instead, it demonstrates the harmonious relationship between the Executive and Legislative branches, which has led to the successful implementation of projects that benefit the people of Bauchi State.

Patrick Ochoga writes from Abuja

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42 Killed In Israeli Attacks, Says Gaza’s Civil Defense

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Gaza’s civil defence agency reported at least 42 people killed in Israeli attacks on Sunday, as the Israeli army prepared for a new assault on the Palestinian territory’s largest city.

Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said there had been several air strikes around Gaza City — which the military is gearing up to capture — including one in the Al-Sabra neighbourhood that killed eight people.

Attacks were also reported elsewhere across the territory, he said, with the “total tally currently rising to 42 dead”.

The army did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the figure.

“The situation is extremely dangerous… Each day, each minute, there are bombings, martyrs, death and blood — we can’t take it anymore,” Al-Sabra resident Ibrahim Al-Shurafa told AFP, explaining strikes and shelling were ongoing.

“We don’t know where to go. Death follows us everywhere,” he added.

Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency or the Israeli military.

The October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Israel’s offensive has killed at least 62,686 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the United Nations considers reliable.

AFP

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Venezuela Frees Eight Opposition Leaders

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Venezuelan authorities released eight opposition leaders from jail early Sunday, including a former congressman and two Italian citizens, and granted house arrest to five others, an opposition politician said.

Most of those released had been charged with corruption in opposition-run mayoral offices.

Also set free was Congressman, Amirico de Grazia, detained amid protests that erupted during President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection in 2024.

“Today, several families are once again embracing their loved ones. We know there are many left, and we have not forgotten them; we continue to fight for everyone,” two-time former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles said on X.

Opposition leaders Victor Jurado, Simon Vargas, Arelis Ojeda Escalante, Mayra Castro, Diana Berrio, Gorka Carnevalli, as well as Italian nationals Margarita Assenzo and de Grazia were released, Capriles said.

Nabil Maalouf, Valentin Gutierrez Pineda, Rafael Ramirez, Pedro Guanipa, and David Barroso were placed under house arrest.

The Italian government confirmed the release of de Grazia and Assenzo, who must appear in court to clarify the conditions of their release. It also vowed to continue working on securing the release of other detained Italians.

“We have always said, and we maintain it: we will talk to whomever we need to talk to so that there is not a single political prisoner in our Venezuela!” Capriles added.

AFP

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Russia, Ukraine Exchange Prisoners Of War, Civilians

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Russia and Ukraine each sent back more prisoners of war on Sunday in the latest in a series of exchanges that have seen hundreds of POWs released this year, the two sides said.

Large-scale prisoner exchanges were the only tangible result of three rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul between May and July.

They remain one of the few areas of cooperation between the two countries since Russia’s offensive began in 2022.

“On August 24, 146 Russian servicemen were returned from the territory controlled” by Kyiv, the Russian defence ministry said on Telegram.

“In exchange, 146 prisoners of war of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were transferred” to Ukraine, it added. Ukraine did not confirm any figures for the release.

Russia also said that “eight citizens of the Russian Federation—residents of the Kursk region, illegally detained” by Kyiv were also returned.

Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in August last year, seizing hundreds of square kilometres (miles) of territory in a major setback for the Kremlin.

Russia deployed thousands of troops from its ally North Korea as part of a counterattack but did not fully reclaim the region until April.

Among the Ukrainians released on Sunday was journalist Dmytro Khyliuk, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Khyliuk was kidnapped in the Kyiv region in March 2022. He is finally home in Ukraine,” Zelensky said on social media.

Also freed was former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolayenko, “who spent more than three years in captivity,” Zelensky’s aide Andriy Yermak wrote on X.

“In 2022, he was on the list for return, but Volodymyr voluntarily refused to be exchanged in favour of a seriously ill prisoner with whom he was sharing a cell in a Russian prison,” Yermak said.

AFP