Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Honorable Yusuf Liman, has warned Bello El-Rufai, against threatening and intimidating the House over the probe of his father’s 8-year tenure in office.

Bello, a lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, is the first son of Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of the state.

Recall that the House of Assembly had on Tuesday set up a committee to investigate financial dealings, loans, grants, and project implementation from 2015-2023, during the administration of ex-governor El-Rufai.

However, the speaker alleged that Bello took to social media with two tweets, insinuating a call to “fight” and disrespecting all the members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

He further expressed concern that Bello, a member representing Kaduna North in the House of Representatives, sent insulting and subtly threatening messages to him.

The speaker in a statement by his Media Aide, Malam Suraj Bamalli said the screenshots of those tweets and messages have been widely circulated, causing concern among the citizens of Kaduna State.

“Shortly after the establishment of a committee to investigate financial dealings, loans, grants, and projects implementation from 2015-2023 in Kaduna State, Hon. Bello El-Rufai took to social media with two tweets, now deleted, insinuating a call to “fight” and disrespecting the entire legislative arm of government,” the statement reads.

“Additionally, he sent insulting and subtle threat messages to the Rt. Hon speaker of Kaduna state house of assembly, Hon Yusuf Liman via WhatsApp.

“The screenshots of these tweets and messages have been widely circulated, causing concern among the citizens of Kaduna state.”

Bamalli said “It is disheartening that a federal lawmaker, entrusted with representing the people, would resort to such behaviour, attempting to obstruct the lawful functions of the state Assembly’.

According to him, threats and intimidation from anyone, including federal lawmakers, would not deter the Assembly from its pursuit of justice and accountability, adding that the House remained resolute in its mandate to provide checks and balances and uphold the rule of law in Kaduna State.

He urged the people of the state to remain steadfast in their support for transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

He said the members of the Assembly took an oath to uphold the integrity of their office and ensure due diligence in their duties, regardless of any attempts at intimidation or threats.

A professor of political science from the University of Osun, UNIOSUN, Bolaji Omitola, has said Yoruba nation agitation had no traction among the people of the South-West.

His remarks came in response to the renewed push for Yoruba Nation independence, particularly at a time when Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, hails from the region.

JomogNews recalls that individuals wearing foreign military attire recently occupied the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, and declared the secession of the Yoruba people from Nigeria, effective April 12, 2024.

In an interview with newsmen, Omitola described the proponents of this agitation as mere impostors who stand in opposition to the traditional values of the Yoruba people since Nigeria’s independence.

He emphasized that the Yoruba community is primarily interested in decentralizing Nigeria to allow each region to progress independently.

Omitola posed important questions, “Do these agitators truly have the support of the Yoruba people to justify seceding from Nigeria? Is there widespread approval for their message in the South-West, where a majority of Yoruba population resides?”

He remarked, “The Yoruba Nation advocates are similar to advocacy groups and NGOs in the country, lacking the necessary backing from the Yoruba populace.”

Regarding the disparities between the South-East and South-West, Omitola noted, “While the South-East faces issues of perceived marginalization, the South-West, barring the June 12 activism for presidency in 1999, has not expressed intentions to secede from Nigeria.”

He continued, “The historical stance of the Yorubas has always been focused on a decentralized system for individual regional growth, in line with the principles of Awolowo and the advocacies by Afenifere.”

Omitola concluded, “The Yoruba Nation concept has not resonated significantly with the Yoruba people. As someone well-versed in Nigerian politics, I can affirm that the current agitation in the South-West lacks the fervor witnessed in the South-East.”

Summing up his view, he said, “To the average Yoruba, the Yoruba Nation agitation appears out of place; many perceive the proponents as insincere actors deserving little attention.”

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has sworn-in Omobayo Marvellous Godwins as the new deputy governor of the state.

Obaseki picked 37-year-old Omobayo Godwin as his new deputy. Omobayo replaced Philip Shaibu, who was earlier impeached by the State House of Assembly on Monday morning.

Shaibu was impeached by the House of Assembly after the adoption of the report of the Justice S. A. Omonua (rtd)-led impeachment panel.

The panel was set up by the Chief Judge of Edo State to investigate allegations of misconduct and perjury against Shaibu.

Eighteen out of the 20 lawmakers that attended the plenary on Monday, April 8, 2024 voted in favour of the impeachment while one voted against.

In the report, the seven-man panel found the former deputy governor guilty of leaking government official secrets. But he was not found guilty of the allegation of perjury.

Following the impeachment, Obaseki immediately swore-in Omobayo to replace Shaibu.

Omobayo hails from Akoko-Edo Local Government Area in the same Edo North Senatorial District, where the impeached deputy governor came from.

Born July 19, 1986, Omobayo is said to be a “seasoned engineer with a proven track record of progressive professional experience in the oil and gas sector”.

His profile showed that he has a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Msc in Public Administration from the University of Benin, UNIBEN.

He is a registered member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN.

He serves as a Senior Maintenance Engineer in Dresser Wayne West Africa Limited, cutting his professional teeth in the operations in the South South area.

The new deputy governor is said to be active in politics in his local government area.