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North Is Not Justified To Remain In Power After 2023- El Rufai

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The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has insisted that the North has no justification to remain in power after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second tenure.

El-Rufai maintained that the Presidency should rightly return to the Southern part of Nigeria.

He said though the constitution of the All Progressives Congress, APC, does not make provision for rotation but in the interest of justice, equity and fair play, Presidency should go to other regions of the country.

Vanguard quoted him as saying: “The general political consensus in Nigeria is that the Presidency should rotate between the North and the South. It is not written but everyone understands it.

“In some of the parties, like the PDP, it is even written down in their constitution but it was breached in 2015. I think that every politician of honour should understand and abide by that consensus except there is an extenuating circumstance compelling it to be set aside. What could this be?

“President Yar’Adua died in office and it was compulsory for Jonathan to continue but when 2011 election came, there were many people who insisted that Jonathan should step aside for a northerner to complete the tenure of Yar’Adua but I opposed it because I didn’t think it was proper for an incumbent that got there not by his own design should be stopped from contesting when the constitution has not barred him from running.

“In the APC, we deliberately omitted rotational Presidency in our constitution and the emergence of a presidential candidate does not take into account zoning and that was why in 2015, Rochas Okorocha from the East contested, Sam Nda-Isaiah contested, Buhari, Kwankwaso and others contested.”

El-Rufai a chieftain of APC, added that presidential candidates are chosen on the basis of merit and general acceptance.

“I can say that as distinct from the PDP, APC has no rotational Presidency but candidates are selected strictly on the basis of political merit and the general acceptability of the candidate.

“I want to say that those of us from Northern Nigeria honour agreements. We do not violate unwritten political agreements and I will be the last person to lead in violating that agreement. I may have a personal view but that should be the basis. I don’t care where you come from but I look for merit.

“But as a group, the Northern APC will have to sit down and endorse someone, most likely someone from the South, because after eight years of Buhari, I don’t think the Presidency should remain in the north unless there is some extenuating circumstances. But all things being equal, we will honour our agreement and we keep our words,” he said.

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Ribadu Hands Over Doctor, Nephew Relased After Ten Months In Kidnapers Den To NMA

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The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has handed over Dr Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola, a Nigerian doctor abducted in Kaduna State ten months ago, to her family.

Ribadu also reunited Abdulmugniy Folaranmi, a 16-year-old 100-level student of the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, with his family.

According to DAILY POST reports, Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola, a Nigerian Air Force officer, his wife, Dr. Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola, and her nephew, Abdulmugniy Folaranmi, were abducted on December 27, 2023.

They were kidnapped from their residence at the National Eye Centre Quarters in Mando, Kaduna.

The trio are indigenes of Iseyin in the Oke Ogun geopolitical zone of Oyo State.

Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola was released in March this year after spending ten weeks in captivity.

JomogNews learned that Dr. Ganiyat Olawale-Popoola and Abdulmugniy Folaranmi were eventually released by their captors on Wednesday, following ten months in captivity. They have now been handed over to their family by Ribadu.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Mannir Bature, confirmed the development in a statement obtained by newsmen on Saturday.

In the statement, Bature noted that the duo were handed over to their family in the presence of NMA President, Dr. Bala Audu, for rehabilitation and reintegration.

He added that representatives from the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Health, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) were present at the event.

Dr Audu expressed gratitude to the security agencies under Ribadu’s leadership, stating, “Following a comprehensive security debriefing, the National Security Adviser, Mal. Nuhu Ribadu, today handed over Dr. Ganiyat Popoola and her nephew to her family in the presence of NMA President, Dr. Bala Audu, for rehabilitation and reintegration.

“The handover ceremony, which included representatives from the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Health, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), provided an opportunity for security personnel to highlight the efforts made to secure Dr Ganiyat’s release. They also discussed related operations, including the recent rescue of abducted medical students.

“In his remarks, Dr Audu expressed his gratitude to the security agencies under the leadership of the NSA for their efforts, while urging them to intensify actions to ensure the rescue of other Nigerians, including medical doctors, who remain in captivity.

“The family extended their appreciation to the Federal Government, NMA, NARD, and all Nigerian doctors for their unwavering support during this challenging time.”

 

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Troops Arrest Wanted Bandit, Habu Dogo, 7 IPOB/ESN Terrorists

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The Defence Headquarters on Saturday said the Nigerian troops have, in the last one week, apprehended a notorious terrorist leader, Abubakar Ibrahim (AKA) Habu Dogo in Sokoto and seven IPOB/ESN commanders in South-East.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement said that Habu Dogo was apprehended at Rumji Village in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to him, Habu Dogo is a wanted terrorist on the watch list of security agencies both in Nigeria and in the Niger Republic because of the cross border nature of his terrorist activities.

He said the IPOB/ ESN terror operatives apprehended include Dr Nnamdi Chukwudoze and Chigozie Ezetoha (AKA Chapet) who were nabbed in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.

“Others are Mrs Ngozi Chukwuka and Mr Oyekachi Ohia, who were arrested in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia,” he said.

He said others are, Mr Ifeanyi Eze, Mr Augustine Udemba and Mr Onyedikachi Udemba were arrested in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia while, Elijah Mmaduipeya Obumneke was arrested in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo.

“The ongoing counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations have continued to degrade the combat capacity of terrorists across the country,’’ he said.

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JUST IN: TCN Restores Power Supply To Damaturu, Maiduguri

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The Transmission Company of Nigeria has announced another significant milestone in its efforts to restore electricity back to the Northern region of the country.

In a new statement signed by the company’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, on Friday, full power supply has been restored to Damaturu in Yobe and Maiduguri in Borno State.

This development followed repair of the 330kV Gombe-Damaturu- Maiduguri transmission line.

It further explained that electricity was restored to the Gombe – Damaturu line about 7:25 pm, on Wednesday, October 30.

While partial supply was experienced on the Damaturu – Maiduguri (Molai) on Thursday, October 31, 2024, around 2:01pm.

Recall that tower 372, along the 330kV transmission line, was vandalised on September 22, 2024.

The Statement read, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria has restored full power supply through the Gombe-Damaturu- Maiduguri 330kV transmission line.

“Power supply was fully restored on Gombe – Damaturu line about 7:25 pm, on the 30th, and on the Damaturu – Maiduguri (Molai) part of the line, supply was restored yesterday, October 31, 2024, around 2:01 pm.

“The vandalised tower was rebuilt, and the stringing of the line was completed on the 23rd of October 2024, at about 12:48 pm.

“TCN was, however, unable to immediately restore bulk power supply through the line due to the vandalism of the Ugwuaji-Apir transmission line.

“Power supply has, however, been fully restored along the Gombe – Damaturu – Maiduguri 330kV transmission line,” it added.

The company further sought the help of Nigerians to stop vandalism of electricity infrastructure for the greater economic good.

“TCN is again calling on the public to join in the fight against power installation vandalism to safeguard the future of electricity in Nigeria.

“Please report suspicious activities around transmission installations to security operatives or TCN offices nationwide.”

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