Cat Race: Gov. Bello Wishes "Operation Apatuma" Continues Indefinitely

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Cat Race: Gov. Bello Wishes "Operation Apatuma" Continues Indefinitely

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has commended troops of “Operation Ayam apatuma” (cat race) for their excellent job that has brought down the act of criminality in the state,.

Bello who was speaking on Tuesday when he paid a visit to members of the Armed forces taking part in the Operation Ayam apatuma at Irepeni village along Okene/Lokoja road said he wished to have them throughout his administration as governor of Kogi State.

According to him, the rising cases of crimes and criminality in Benue, Kogi, Kaduna , Taraba and Nasarawa state made President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Chief of Army staff to deploy troops to those states to carry out military operation.

He said that the exercise had helped to complement the state government’s efforts to further made the state safer.

“In the wisdom of Mr President, he directed the Chief of Army staff to deploy troops to carry out some operations in some areas where criminals are disturbing the citizens.

“The operations started in Benue state and it is also taking place in Kogi state. I am here today to visit the troops who are on the field and whose performances has impressed me so much. I met them in high morale and wish to have them in the state through out my duration as governor of Kogi,” the governor said.

The Governor also warned armed robbers and kidnappers to leave the state or face the full wrath of the law.

In his remark, the leader of the troops, Major General Felix Agugo disclosed that the operation will last till the end of March, adding that they were in the state to fight every form of criminality.

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Labour Group Slams Ekweremadu Of Insinuating Military Take Over

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Labour Group Slams Ekweremadu Of Insinuating Military Take Over

The organised labour has warned against insinuations of military takeover in the country.

It said irrespective of several challenges the country was going through, it would resist any illegal and undemocratic takeover of government.

It said it was disturbed by some subtle call from some quarters that the military would venture into the politics of the country.

Organised labour, through the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, cautioned individuals secretly making such moves to desist from throwing Nigeria into anarchy.

ASCSN was reacting to commentscredited to the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwueremadu, during a debate on the floor of the Senate, where he had stated, “who says that the army cannot take over in Nigeria. It is possible.”

ASCSN President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, and the Secretary-General, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, in a statement on Sunday, contended that any takeover of government by military again would take the country 50 years backward.

The statement reads, “It is common knowledge that since the military toppled the democratically elected government of Sir Tafawa Balewa in 1966, suspended the 1963 Federal Constitution and imposed a unitary system of government, the country’s growth has been stunted.

“We are also aware that all democracies in the world including that of the United States of America, Canada, Europe, etc, are not perfect but are still evolving and being improved upon.

“The shortcomings being experienced in building democratic institutions in Nigeria were not peculiar and that with time, some of the flaws would be rectified.

“Thus, under no circumstances should individuals, no matter how highly placed, should begin to hint of military takeover of government in Nigeria.

“This is because most of the social dislocations we experience today, such as corruption, deterioration of power supply, collapse of railway, basterdization of the education system, destruction of the Civil Service, etc, were exacerbated by military dictators.”

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Military Reacts To Ekweremadu's Comment On Army Taking Over Power In Nigeria

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Military Reacts To Ekweremadu's Comment On Army Taking Over Power In Nigeria

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has responded to a comment by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu on the Nigerian Military, while contributing to a debate on a motion sponsored by Senator Ahmed Ogembe, representing Kogi Central.

Ekweremadu had stated that “The problem in Nigeria is that our democracy is receding. Who says army cannot take over, let us not joke with our democracy that is the issue”.

Brigadier General A Agim, Acting Director Defence Information, in a statement on Thursday said while the statement appear cautionary and sincere in the atmosphere of discourse, it is derogatory to the Army used in the expression and by extension to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

He said: “The statement in the true sense has the capacity to denigrate the Nigerian Military in every ramification including its loyalty to the President Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the confidence of the general public to defend Nigeria’s democracy.

“In the light of this, the Defence Headquarters wish to state clearly that the Nigerian Military has come of age and is in tune with best international military practices of complete and total subordination to democratic governance.

“In this regard, it is worthy to remind the general public about some key measures among others that guaranteed the present sustainable status of politically unambitious members of the Armed Forces:

“Shortly, after the transition from a military to a democratically elected government in 1999, officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, who were quasi-political, were honourably eased out of service. This was done to avoid indoctrination of other officers in the Military in order to enable the democratic government commence a re-professionalisation process of the Armed Forces.

“The process commenced in collaboration with international organisations such as the United States Armed Forces and the British Military. By 2009, from the basic military training institutions through units and formation reorientation programmes to top management workshops and seminars for the military, it became clear that the Armed Forces of Nigeria has been re-professionalised to be totally subordinate to political leadership and democracy in the Country.

“In addition, the Nigerian Military began to take the lead at ensuring that the West African Sub Region is stable democratically through military diplomacy and physical actions where it is highly desirable and supported by ECOWAS.

“The case of the Gambia last year is still fresh in our memories, where democracy was enforced by an ECOWAS Military Coalition led by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, under the focused and abled leadership of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General AG Olonisakin (NAM).

“Furthermore, the present crop of personnel in the Armed Forces of Nigeria right from the Service Chiefs to the men; are made up of the balance of re-professionalised officers and fresh intakes from 1999, who do not nurse political ambitions. They are fully committed to their oaths of allegiance to serve their fatherland Nigeria, with total submission to our democratic government.

“Defence Headquarters hereby assures the international community, Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the general public, of its unalloyed loyalty to the President Commander in Chief, provision of all necessary support for the sustenance of our democracy and carrying out our constitutional roles.

“Therefore, the apprehension by the Deputy President of the Senate should be totally disregarded.”

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Who Say Army Can't Take Over Power In Nigeria? Ekweremadu

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Who Say Army Can't Take Over Power In Nigeria? Ekweremadu

Chief Ike Ekeweremadu, deputy Senate President on Wednesday said the possibility of the military taking over power in Nigeria cannot be totally ruled out.

Contributing to a debate on a motion sponsored by Ahmed Ogembe, senator representing Kogi central during plenary, Ekweremadu said Nigeria’s democracy was receding.

In his motion, Ogembe had alleged that Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello sponsored thugs to disrupt an empowerment programme he organised for members of his constituents.

Reacting, Ekweremadu said such incident indicated that efforts must be made to protect Nigeria’s democracy.

He also warned Bello that “the road he is travelling will not lead him anywhere”.

According to the deputy senate President, “You will recall that sometime last year when they wanted to recall Dino I advised the governor that they are wasting the resources of that state, that it is mission impossible.

“They took three pages in the newspaper abusing me. Are we still hearing the recall today? Money has been wasted. Money that has been used to pay salaries of people in Kogi state was used to mobilise people to recall senator Dino yet those people have not been paid and Dino is still here.

“So today I am advising the governor again, that road he is travelling will not lead him to anywhere. Ultimately, these people he is seeing here will be back here and he will leave office.

“If he doesn’t stop, there is no how he will come back in 2019, never, no he will not. God will show him that he is a God of justice and this is a message to all those people who have caused all kinds of problem in Nigeria at different level. The problem in Nigeria is that our democracy is receding. Who says army cannot take over, let us not joke with our democracy that is the issue.

“The house of a senator was destroyed in Kaduna state, we are talking about Kwankwaso who was stopped from going to his state where he ruled for eight years. In Kaduna, Shehu Sani cannot organise a meeting and we are about a democracy? The international community needs to know this because they helped us install democracy.”

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Gov. Bello Lashes At Nigerian Senate For Calling Him Little Hitler

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Gov. Bello Lashes At Nigerian Senate For Calling Him Little Hitler

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has slammed the Nigerian Senate for describing him as a little Hitler and a threat to the nation’s democracy.

He also told the senators to be careful in making derogatory statements when sensitive matters were brought before them.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe,Chairman of South East Senate caucus, had said the Kogi State Governor, “YahayaBello behaves like little Hitler.”

Bello, who spoke yesterday through his Director General, Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo, was reacting to Wednesday’s plenary of the senate where he came under barrage of condemnations for his alleged involvement in the recent political violence unleashed on Senator Ahmed Ogembe and his supporters in Okene.

“I think it is high time the senate discovered that they are the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not the senate of the senators.

“They should protect every Nigerian; including the Governor of Kogi State or Kaduna State or whichever state where they think their people are at loggerheads with their chief executives.

“They should be very careful in making sweeping statements. What happened in Kogi State was condemned. The Governor of Kogi State has invested billions of Naira to ensure there is peace and security in the state.

“They should wait for police investigation. When that of Dino Melaye happened, the senators used all forms of language on their floor to condemn the governor and used derogatory statements against the people and the Government of Kogi State; only for investigations to now find out that the whole thing was concocted.

“Now, the same senator has been charged to court for misleading the police. If Dino Melaye could do that, who says that Ogembe cannot organise his own event and also sponsor thugs to cause crisis there so that they can finger the governor and position Kogi as an unsafe place?” Fanwo asked.

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Gov. Bello, A Little Hitler - Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe

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Gov. Bello, A Little Hitler - Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman of South East Senate caucus, has said the Kogi State Governor, “Yahaya Bello behaves like little Hitler.”

The lawmaker stated this while lambasting Bello over his alleged high handedness in handling the issue of security in the state.

Speaking during plenary yesterday, the lawmaker expressed worry that things may get worse if Bello gains control of the police in the state.

Abaribe maintained that Bello was bad example of youths in leadership.

According to Abaribe, “Why would a member of this Hallowed Chamber not be left to do what he has to do for his constituents? It may be him today but it will be another person tomorrow.

“That means if the governor doesn’t like what you are doing, he will send the Police after you. How can we live in this country and have an avowed war hero who told us that ‘once I step into office, I will take care of security’? Yet, things are worse than ever.

“We shouldn’t put this under the table. It was Dino, now Ogembe. Tomorrow it may be Aidoko, all in the same Kogi state.

“People have been running around and saying that we need youths in government. The man in Kogi is a youth but how come this youth does not know what he is doing? There is so much insecurity in this particular place.

“That does not give credence that this country should be handed over to a youth. If we hand over this country to him, what will now happen? This country will be thrown to the dogs. It is not youth but the ideas that you have.

“I want you to even go for that his seat because if that is what is making him feel so big, let someone else challenge him. We cannot continue this way where Senators will be afraid to go home because somebody is sitting down there, deciding that he will be a little Hitler.”

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