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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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Trump Birthright Citizenship Order Halted In Class-action Suit

Published

1 day ago

July 10, 2025

Editor

A federal judge on Thursday halted President Donald Trump’s order restricting birthright citizenship, as opponents of the policy pursue a new legal avenue following the US Supreme Court’s overturning of a previous block.

The high court’s conservative majority delivered a landmark decision in late June that limits the ability of individual judges to issue nationwide injunctions against presidents’ policies.

Several such judges had in fact blocked Trump’s attempt to end the longstanding rule, guaranteed in the US Constitution, that anyone born on US soil is automatically an American citizen.

However, the Supreme Court left open the possibility that orders could be blocked via broad class-action suits against the government.

Trump’s opponents quickly filed new class-action suits seeking to block again the executive order.

On Thursday, Judge Joseph Laplante of the US District of New Hampshire granted class-action status to any child who would potentially be denied citizenship under Trump’s order. The judge ordered a preliminary halt to it as legal proceedings carry on.

The judge delayed his ruling for seven days to permit the Trump administration to appeal.

Cody Wofsy, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) who argued the case, called the ruling a “huge victory” that “will help protect the citizenship of all children born in the United States, as the Constitution intended.”

Trump’s executive order decrees that children born to parents in the United States illegally or on temporary visas would not automatically become citizens — a radical reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.

His administration has argued that the 14th Amendment, passed in the wake of the Civil War, addresses the rights of former slaves and not the children of undocumented migrants or temporary US visitors.

The Supreme Court rejected such a narrow definition in a landmark 1898 case.

The current high court, with a 6-3 conservative majority, avoided ruling last month on the constitutionality of Trump’s executive order and only addressed the issue of nationwide injunctions.

It nonetheless permitted the order to go ahead but delayed its ruling from taking effect until late July to allow for new court challenges.

Several lower courts, in issuing their previous injunctions, had ruled that the executive order violated the Constitution.

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PICTORIAL: Two Undocumented Nigerians Arrested For Drug Trafficking In Libya

Published

1 day ago

July 10, 2025

Editor

Libya’s Counter-Terrorism Forces have arrested two undocumented Nigerians over alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

According to a statement shared by Migrant Rescue Watch on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, the suspects were caught with quantities of hashish and hallucinogenic pills, including Tramadol and Lyrica.

Authorities also recovered a large sum of cash suspected to be proceeds from drug sales during the operation.

Following their arrest, the two Nigerians have been handed over to the appropriate legal authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The statement said, “Counter-Terrorism Forces arrested 2 undocumented #migrants of Nigerian nationality for drug trafficking. The individuals were found in possession of hashish, hallucinogenic pills “Tramadol” & “Lyrica” as well as cash from proceeds.

“Both individuals were referred to competent authorities for legal action.”

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31 Workers Escape Death As Tunnel Collapses In Los Angeles

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2025

Editor

All 31 workers escaped without injuries from a collapsed industrial tunnel in Los Angeles’ Wilmington area, after scrambling over a tall pile of loose underground soil, city officials said late on Wednesday.

The trapped workers were shuttled back to the tunnel’s entry point, more than 5 miles (8 km) away from the affected area, after they escaped the collapsed section and met several coworkers in the unaffected part of the tunnel, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement.

The tunnel, which had a diameter of 18 ft (5.5 m), trapped 27 individuals, while four workers entered the damaged section to assist with rescue, LA Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva told reporters in a media briefing.

“The workers had to climb through debris. They had to make themselves out through,” before they were assisted out, Villanueva said.

Robert Ferrante, chief engineer and general manager of Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, told the briefing that a section of the already built part of the tunnel experienced squeezing ground conditions and partially collapsed.

“LAFD has just reported that all workers who were trapped in the tunnel in Wilmington are now out and accounted for. I just spoke with many of the workers who were trapped. Thank you to all of our brave first responders who acted immediately,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a post on X.

The collapsed section was a part of the Los Angeles County’s Clearwater Project, where the new 7-mile tunnel is being built to upgrade the region’s sewer system, officials added.

(Reuters)