Herders attack six Benue communities

Six communities in the local government areas of Kwande, Agatu, Gwer-West, Guma, Makurdi, and Logo have reportedly been attacked by alleged herders in the state, according to Mike Uba, chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria in Benue State.

In a press conference with media in Makurdi, Uba stated that the attacks took place concurrently over the course of the previous two weeks and that they began soon after the presidential and National Assembly elections.

He observed that some towns had been abandoned and were now inhabited by herdsmen.

He declared, “Six local governments are being attacked at the same time for the first time in the state’s history of herder assaults and terrorist strikes.

They include Guma, Makurdi, Gwer-West, Kwande, Agatu, and a few ventures into the Logo. Attacks in the past would be divided into two or three groups: Guma, Gwer-West, and Agatu.

“The additional dimension says a lot about command room strategy and coordination. This is a calculated effort intended to coincide with election season.

Uba, who serves as the head of the Guma Local Government Area, pleaded with President Major-General Muhammad Buhari (ret.) to safeguard the safety of people and property in the state.

Gov El-Rufai Suspends Village Head, Threatens Zazzau Emirate Traditional Titleholders, Others For Missing APC Campaign Meeting

The Kaduna State government is threatening traditional titleholders of Zazzau Emirate with suspension for not attending a campaign meeting.

SaharaReporters learnt that Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s government has already suspended a village head, identified as Sarkin Kwangila, under Sabon Gari Local GA, for not attending the meeting the governor organised on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Kongo Conference Hotel in Zaria.

A letter from the Zazzau Emirate Council inviting District Heads to Wednesday’s meeting was obtained by Saharareporters.com.

The letter is titled, ‘Invitation to a meeting with the Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Nasil Ahmed El-Rufai at Congo Conference Hotel, Zaria’.

The letter signed by Ahmed D. Abdullahi, Shugaban Ma’aikata, reads, “Greetings and well wishes to you all. I’m directed to inform all District Heads under the Zazzau emirate that the governor of Kaduna state, His Excellency Malam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai will have a meeting with them at Congo Conference Hotel as follows:

“Wednesday, March 8, 2023; by 11:am; Venue: A. B.U Hotel (Congo Conference Hotel) Gyallesu, Zaria.

It was learnt that El-Rufai and the APC governorship candidate in the state, Uba Sani had compelled the titleholders to campaign for the party in the upcoming elections.

Uba Sani is contesting under a Muslim-Muslim ticket against Isa Ashiru Kudan, a traditional titleholder (Sarkin Bai Zazzau) under the Zazzau Emirate.

One of the titleholders who refused to attend is Madakin Zazzau, Alhaji Munir Jafaru.

SaharaReporters learnt that he has been resolute that he would not sell the APC to the people as they blame the party and the government for their poor living standards.

The protesting titleholders are against the Muslim-Muslim ticket because they feel Isa Ashiru is also a Muslim and a traditional titleholder under the Zazzau Emirate.

It was learnt that they supported the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari, who had a pastor as his running mate, Yemi Osinbajo.

The APC government has sacked over 313 district heads and 4,453 village heads in Kaduna since El-Rufai became Governor in 2015, it was further learnt.

Saharareporters

Breaking: INEC postpones governorship election by one week

The Independent National Electoral Commission has postponed the governorship and state assembly elections scheduled to hold on March 11 by one week.

The elections will now hold on March 18, 2023.

A Residential Electoral Commissioner who spoke to punch correspondent on the condition of anonymity confirmed the decision.

Developing story……..

Punch

Resign Now for Failing Nigerians – Middle Belt Forum Tells INEC Chairman

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), has called on the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to honourably resign his position before the next election for frittering away billions of Naira on a technology that he did not intend to use in the 2023 general elections.

The MBF National President, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, in a statement, advised Judges to remain on the side of justice and ensure the wheel of justice is not compromised as political parties and candidates head to the Election Petition Tribunal.

He said, “We call on the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu to toe the honourable path by resigning his position before the next election. His frittering away of tens of billions of Naira on a technology that he did not intend to use makes him unfit to continue to maintain his position.”

In the event, Professor Yakubu fails to tender his resignation, the group asked President Muhammadu Buhari to summarily dismiss him, saying that the inaction by Mr President and the Presidency will be seen as complicity in the subversion of the will of Nigerians in the electoral heist of 25th February 2023.

Dr Pogu reiterated, “On the basis of fairness and inclusivity, it was imperative for the South East to produce the next president of Nigeria from Southern Nigeria. This conviction was why the Middle Belt was the first to hold a rally in support of Mr. Obi in Jos, Plateau State, in 2022.”

He added that the Middle Belt was in the trenches, shoulder to shoulder, with all lovers of justice, and equity on the 25th February 2023, saying that the Middle Belters, irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political persuasions, spoke with one loud voice in support of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate and, despite the open brigandage under the watch of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in cahoots with the All Progressives Congress (APC). Plateau State, Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were impregnable fortresses against these anti-democratic forces, evil merchants of divisiveness who did all in their powers to undermine the will of the people.

Despite the commitment of Nigerians, particularly youths, to register and vote for a president of their choice, INEC, in collaboration with anti-democratic forces, brazenly subverted the will of the people, the action was orchestrated by the Electoral Commission in 2022, the statement alleged.

The forum lamented that the refusal by INEC to transmit results electronically is unconstitutional and illegal.

The forum also called on all Nigerians, particularly the peoples of the Middle Belt region, to once again come out en masse to vote in candidates who are pro-Middle Belt Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections this Saturday 11th March 2023.

DailyPost

Fulani Terrorists Resume Attacks, Kill Over 50 In Benue Communities As Nigerian Police Dispute Casualty Figures

Less than a week to the governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday, March 11, Fulani herdsmen have invaded six communities in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, North Central Nigeria and killed no less than 50 persons.
Although the police in Benue State said the casualty figure was not up to 50, it could not provide counter details.
The affected communities in the four-day attack are Adam, Iyarinwa, Abamde Ityuluv, Waya Boagundu, Agura Ayaga and Azege areas in Turan Council Ward, Kwande LGA.
The former chairman of the Council Tertsua Yarkbewan, who confirmed the casualty figures while addressing journalists, on Monday, said the death toll could be more.

Lamenting the constant invasion and killing of his people by herdsmen, Yarkbewan said, “My people are being massacred like goats. What we have been hearing is that there are Fulani attacks, especially in Turan in the Kwande axis. Even places where there were no attacks before are witnessing attacks.

“Now, every day you hear that five or four people were killed, you cannot have the exact number of those that have been killed because some corpses are still in the bush and yet to be recovered. But looking at the number of people being killed in the past few days, I think the casualty figures should be over 50.”

Reacting to the incident, the Police Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, confirmed the attack but said the normalcy have returned to the affected communities.
Anene, however, insisted that casualty figure wasn’t correct.
“They have not given me the report but it is not up to 50; the initial report they gave me there was a change of leadership of the division. The new DPO just reported last Friday and when I asked him to give me a situation report he said the area is calm now,” she said.

Saharareporters

50 killed as suspected herdsmen continue attack in Benue villages 

During a four-day assault by alleged herdsmen who invaded various communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, at least 50 people are presumed dead.

Adam, Iyarinwa, Abamde Ityuluv, Waya Boagundu, Agura Ayaga, and Azege villages in Turan Council Ward, Kwande LGA, are among the impacted communities

Tertsua Yarkbewan, the immediate past chairman of the LGA, told journalists on Monday that about 50 people were massacred during the attacks by alleged herdsmen.

He said, “My people are being massacred like goats. What we have been hearing is that there are Fulani attacks, especially in Turan in the Kwande axis. Even places where there were no attacks before are witnessing attacks.

“Now, every day you hear that five or four people were killed, you cannot have the exact number of those that have been killed because some corpses are still in the bush and yet to be recovered. But looking at the number of people being killed in the past few days, I think the casualty figures should be over 50.”

Group Wants Yahaya Bello’s Successor To Be Produced From Kogi West

Kogi Justice Forum, a socio-political organization, has joined forces with other organizations and notable locals to demand equity, justice, and fairness by allowing Kogi West produce the future governor of Kogi State.

Speaking to reporters over the weekend in Lokoja, the forum, which is made up of notable figures from the state’s three senatorial districts, claimed that the Kogi West senatorial district has never had a taste of the governorship position since the state’s formation more than 32 years ago.

Igala, Ebira, and Yoruba-Okun people make up the state’s three main tribal groups, according to the group’s spokesperson, Alhaji Hassan Ojochene, an Igala man. The central senatorial district also produced the current governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, whose second term will conclude in January 2024. The Igala in the eastern senatorial district has produced three governors at various times, including Prince Abubaker Audu, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, and Capt. Idris Wada.

The group’s representative claimed that since the state’s founding, the Eastern and Central senators’ respective roles in managing and overseeing its resources have been fairly balanced.

According to the political arrangement, Kogi West must now produce the next governor, and he claimed it would be more just if Kabba, the senatorial capital of Kogi West, were given the chance to experience the lofty position first.

The organization said that the selection of Kabba was made due to the town’s population and the fact that it has a long history, dating back to the Kabba Province, which the group claimed served as the backbone of Northern Nigeria’s civil service.

In addition, the group claimed that Kabba, a cosmopolitan town, should receive compensation by allowing residents to be considered for the coveted position regardless of political affiliation because the town narrowly missed being designated as the state capital in August 1991 when General Ibrahim Babangida established the state.

Labour Party adopts Seyi Makinde as governorship candidate in Oyo

Gov. Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been chosen as the Labour Party (LP) in Oyo State’s nominee for the March 11 governorship election on Sunday in Ibadan.

At a press conference, LP Chairman Sadiq Atayese stated that the party’s state working committee supported Makinde’s candidacy as a person of character, ability, and capacity who would represent the interests of the people.

He then advised the electorate to support LP candidates in the state assembly elections.

According to the outcomes of the presidential election on February 25 and the political landscape in our state, it is evident that no one party can win the upcoming governor election by themselves.

Making sure that citizens win by electing a candidate who best represents their shared interests should be the top concern.

In light of this, the time has come for political parties and their candidates to team up with other candidates who share their ideologies, he said.

Mr. Atayese claims that the LP had therefore chosen to support the candidate whose ideologies align with its own in terms of safety of lives and property, development of infrastructure, food security, education, and the development of human capital.

It is noteworthy that the current PDP administration, led by Governor Makinde, has provided security and others with a scorecard from the health sector that includes the establishment of Primary Healthcare Centers in every ward.

He became a leader with exceptional innovation because to his governance ideas in the creation of the Park Management System, which other governments now imitate.

“From our assessment as a party, Makinde has done well, and we know that stability in government is a function of continual development of a state,” he said.

Mr. Atayese emphasized that Oyo State has undergone significant change over the previous four years, thus it only made sense that the good work should continue.

“As citizens, we must uphold the dignity of our heritage in order to fulfill our obligation to do so.

“We thoroughly analyzed the character, competency, capacity, and compassion for the people of the numerous governorship candidates for the March 11 election.

“Gov. Makinde outperformed the competition, thus the LP in Oyo state has resolved to use its structure throughout the 33 local government areas to back his re-election for another four years of enormous progress,” Mr. Atayese emphasized.

Plateau APC Guber Candidate Denies Being Agent Of Hausa-Fulani Caliphate

Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, the All Progressive Congress’ candidate for governor on the Plateau in strong terms through the “All Progressive Congress Dr Nentawe Yilwatda Generation Next Campaign Council” has called the claim that APC governorship candidate Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda is a stooge of the Fulani caliphate on the Plateau wicked and ridiculous.

In a statement released on Sunday in Jos and provided to the Middle Belt Times, the spokesman Shittu Bamaiyi noted that it is rather unfortunate and narrow-minded of the opposition parties to descend to such low levels and make such venomous accusations in an effort to poison the minds of the unsuspecting electorate on the plateau.

The opposition, specifically the PDP and the Labour party, have resorted to falsely accusing Nentawe of being a tool of the Hausa-Fulani in the governorship contest in Plateau state, according to the campaign council’s spokesman.

The second finest ICT engineer in the nation at the time, according to Shittu, Nentawe meritoriously rose to become a consultant for the African Union, UNICEF, and the United Nations in the field of software application.

He added that Nentawe’s unparalleled skill in designing and overseeing the ICT system within the company had left an enduring impression on INEC.

Shittu argued that since this is the case, it is not unexpected that numerous private companies and state governments have turned to Nentawe for knowledgeable guidance on ICT.

Regarding the claim that Nentawe carried out the Hausa-Fulani agenda in Benue state while serving as an INEC commissioner, Shittu revealed that it was during his time in office that the APC lost control of the state to the point where Senator George Akume, the current minister of special duties, lost his seat in the Senate.

Shittu added that the APC campaign council does not view the party’s governorship primary as a controversial affair and will not be distracted by it, especially if it comes from the opposition.

Shittu, the spokesperson for the campaign council, said it is not surprise that the opposition would start smearing or using Nentawe as a political pawn because they always view him as their worst nightmare.

According to Shittu, Nentawe’s qualifications in terms of pedigree, knowledge, exposure, and foresight for a better Plateau are comparable to those of no other governorship candidate in the state.

Suspected Fulani herdsmen killed pastor and two sons in Plateau

Around 11 p.m. on Saturday, the gunmen burst into the community and began firing to split the populace before attacking the pastor’s home.

Reverend Musa Hyok, a pastor with the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), and his two sons, Emmanuel Musa and Mang Musa, were killed in the night attack in the Ganawuri town of the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State by suspected Fulani herders.

According to a source from the neigbourhood, the gunmen, who reportedly numbered around twenty, broke into the neighborhood at around 11:00 p.m. on March 4, 2023, and went on a shooting rampage to disperse the populace before attacking the pastor’s home.

According to a source from the neighborhood, the gunmen were carrying out a retaliation strike after three Fulani youths were killed nearby a few days prior.

According to Song Mura, a young leader in the neighborhood, the problem began when some suspected Fulani kidnappers were detained last Wednesday during market day but later escaped into the hands of Fulani vigilante, who were to hold them until the arrival of security personnel.

Muru claims that despite numerous discussions and pleas for calm, the event turned into a fight, then a crisis, which resulted in the deaths of three adolescents.

Police in the state’s spokesperson, DSP Alfred Alabo, who verified the event, said the command has launched an inquiry to identify those responsible.