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Southern Leaders Attack Northern Govs Over Benue

Published

8 years ago

January 22, 2018

An attack on Southern and Middle Belt leaders at the weekend, by the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, has elicited a prompt rebuke from the leaders.
Shettima, who led a delegation of some northern governors to Benue State over recent killings by Fulani herdsmen in the state, described Southern and Middle Belt leaders as “political dinosaurs” with nothing more to contribute to national development.
The leaders, in their response, described the statement as rude and uncouth, saying “no well raised” person would address elderly persons as the northern governors did.
Leaders of the pan-Yoruba political organisation, Afenifere, Ohanaeze and Middle Belt Forum, had, last Wednesday visited the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, to commiserate with him over the recent killings and mass burial of 73 people in the state. They called for a restructuring of the country.
But on Friday, leading Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau), Malam el-Rufai (Kaduna), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Mohammad Abubakar (Jigawa), Shettima described the southern leaders as old men who were living in the past with “nothing to give Nigeria again.”
The deputy governor of Osun State, Chief (Mrs) Titilayo Tomori, also joined the team to represent her governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola.
The governor, who used the visit to lash at leaders of the Joint South and Middle Belt Forum, expressed disgust that people were trying to make politics out of the crisis, stating that “none of those people could say they know problems of this state than the governor.”
Shettima, who refused to condemn the activities of the herdsmen throughout his speech and during interaction with newsmen, said problems were created by men and only men could find solution to the problems.
According to him, “sensationalism cannot advance the cause of the issue. We should have generosity of spirit to embrace each other.”
While saying, unlike the old generations of southern leaders that do not have anything to give to Nigeria again, the governor said, “we are the new generation of Nigerian leaders, not for some political dinosaurs from Abuja or any other part of the country to cause unnecessary issues.
“All of us here are members of this generation. The future belongs to us,” he said, while adding that leaders born a few years after the amalgamation of Nigeria are “living in the past and are political dinosaurs.”
Reacting, however, the joint secretary of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, Mr Yinka Odumakin, said the statement by Governor Shettima was a clear manifestation of somebody who lacked good moral standing and manners, but gained prominence in a country like Nigeria which he said had lost its soul.
“Shettima’s remarks are crude, rude, uncouth and acultural. No well-raised person would address a 90-year old man in such a mannerless fashion.
“And it is a country that has lost its soul that would make men in their advanced age to be travelling thousands of kilometres to commiserate over wanton killings of citizens by deranged elements, that could boast of such as a governor.
“We waited to hear him (Shettima) condemn the killers, but he did not. It is mourners he is now running his mouth against. Didn’t former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff tell us a few things recently about him?
“It is a shame and tragedy of monumental proportion that in the midst of death and wailings, some insensitive souls will go and march on the graves of the murdered and be politicking with unreasonable comments.
“The odd member of that delegation is the deputy governor of Osun State, Mrs Titilayo Tomori, who appeared like a sheep in the midst of dogs. These fellows are afraid of their shadows and, instead of addressing the wanton killing of innocent people by their sacred cows, are running about like beheaded chickens.
“The genie is out of the bottle and never again shall their wards kill without consequences. We shall continue to use our moral authority to make this land uncomfortable for killers and their patrons,” he said.
Reacting to the issue,Chief Ikedife said that “the way that the Federal Government is handling this matter falls short of expectation. It looks like the beginning of something that has been planned for a long time. Government’s seeming silence is suspicious. The way something like this has happened and nobody is taking responsibility leaves one wondering whether we have a government. These herdsmen use guns to sack villages and destroy farmlands.
They sack towns and are killing people on a daily basis, yet the government has not called them terrorists. But they were in a hurry to call the IPOB a terrorist group even when they have no weapons and have not killed anybody before. On top of that, we have a bill on grazing reserves and cattle colony. Where on earth do we have that kind of thing in the 21st century? Cattle rearing should not be in the wilderness,” Ikedife told newsmen
He continued: “What is happening is fanning the embers of disunity and threatening the wellbeing of the country and the government is keeping quiet and seems unconcerned. It does not show that government is being responsible and sensitive enough; it falls short of expectations. The president says it takes time for him to make up his mind on something, but he cannot be silent when the house is on fire. You cannot be playing hide and seek when there are things destabilising the country.”
On Buhari’s failure to visit Benue State in the wake of the killing of over 73 since January 1st, he said: “He does not need to visit but he can do something from where he is because of his security and age, which must be put into consideration. Let him stay there and give instructions and those affected will carry it out.”
He stated that with the level of displacement and hunger being caused by the development, it would be impossible for the people to participate in the 2019 general election.
Ikedife suggested that “government must take a stand and say something. We must say that what is happening is bad, and put in motion plans to stop them. The government has to wake up. A government that regularly organises Operation Python Dance, Operation Crocodile Smile among others is now watching its citizens being massacred in their homes. This leaves much to be desired. It means that something is wrong somewhere and we are watching and waiting as the music is being played by the Buhari administration.”
Chief Uwazuruike, who is thoroughly appalled at the Federal Government’s reaction to the continuous killings expressed shock that “two mobile policemen were killed when these people attacked their station, but the Inspector General of Police and the Federal Government have swept the matter under the carpet. It is the height of insult to the Nigerian people. The same people are claiming ownership of an entire state and nobody is holding them accountable. This is to say the least inhuman.
“Till today, the Federal Government has not sent any delegation to Benue State and did not attend the burial of the victims killed by the herdsmen. This is an indication that the Federal Government is partisan, compromised and insensitive to the plight of certain ethnic region. To add salt to injury, the Minister of Agriculture, who of course is an indigene of Benue State is talking about cattle colonies. What in the world gave him that kind of idea? We have an insensitive Federal Government that has refused to take the blame for the loss of lives and property of the people that voted it into power in 2015.
“The day President Buhari flew to Kaduna State, it would have taken him few minutes to look in at Benue and empathise with the people, but he did not. This means that there are people he is meant to protect and care for, not the Benue people.
“When the IPOB without arms was canvassing a referendum, the Federal Government sent soldiers to march throughout the streets of Abia State, massacred IPOB members and silenced their voices, but even with the scale of human loss in Benue, government says it is a communal clash. On the one hand, those who bear no arms are branded terrorists, on the other hand, those who kill with AK47 are protected. As a lawyer, I know what murder is and we know that this one is pogrom and genocide.
They were killed because they were farmers; they were killed because they were Christians, and they were killed because they are of a certain ethnic group. Let the Federal Government do what is required under the constitution and protect the people. Let the government fish out the killers.
More killings are going on within border communities of Benue and Taraba states on a daily basis. Government visited South East with Operation Python Dance and branded IPOB a terrorist organisation, why is the same government complacent with people that are killing others daily? It is the height of insensitivity.”
Rev. Chukwuma is of the firm view that “the government has shown that it is not there to protect the interest of all Nigerians.He therefore warned that, “the people are being provoked into taking up arms to defend themselves. When this is done, then it will result in full- blown war.”
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, while receiving Shettima and his colleagues, declared that the state, in spite of assurances of security by the Federal Government, is still under the siege of Fulani herdsmen.
He said there were still pockets of challenges in the state which needed to be nipped in the bud, even as he called for the arrest and prosecution of the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) which members were alleged to be behind the recent killings in the state.
The governor further said people of the state still lived in fear, following the persistent threats by the herdsmen who he said were insisting on claiming land to allow for open grazing in the state.
“We thank God that peace is gradually returning to the state, but there are still pockets of challenges here. We know the challenges will soon be over because our people are always at alert to give useful information to security operatives around.
“Let me tell you that our people are still living in fear and under siege; living in fear because of the series of threats by Kautal Hore which started the threat since seven months ago. They are not mere threats.
“We have evidence against them. What we are saying is that the Federal Government should arrest the leadership of Kautal Hore”, he said.
The governor, however, restated the commitment of his administration to ensuring peace in the state and enjoined Nigerian leaders to always be sincere and truthful, noting that doing this would make Nigeria take its rightful position as the giant of Africa.
The southern leaders’ delegation, led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, had, on Wednesday, taken a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari, saying Nigerians were warned against the Buhari presidency, adding that the president had made the presidency a northern agenda.
While insisting on the restructuring of the country which he said would give equal right to everyone, Chief Adebanjo had admonished Nigerians not to go into the 2019 elections until the country was restructured.
Adebanjo, who condoled with the people and government of the state, said, “If Buhari and the All progressives Congress (APC) are interested in keeping this country, they must go and resolve herdsmen issue
“To Benue, you are too educated, too civilised and matured for people who do not know how to read and write to come and intimidate you in your own land. No one should dominate the other.”

News

Fubara Vows Full Support For Independent, Effective Judiciary

Published

2 days ago

October 24, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged necessary support to ensure the Judiciary operates as a truly independent and effective justice system. Governor Fubara gave the assurance while formally declaring open the 2025/2026 Legal Year at a special Court Session at the State High Court Complex in Port Harcourt, recently.

He expressed satisfaction not only with the event’s success but also with the Bar and Bench’s commitment to advancing the integrity of the judicial system.

The Governor said that the Rivers State Judiciary ranks among the best in Nigeria, adding that it features some of the brightest judicial minds who courageously interpret and apply the law with a high sense of justice.

He reminded the lawyers, that as ministers in the temple of justice, they are under oath to conduct themselves honestly in their practice of the law before the courts, to uphold the rule of law and advance the course of justice at all times.

“Similarly, every judge is under a judicial oath to provide equal justice to all persons according to law to the best of their knowledge and ability without fear, favour, or affection”, he said.

He stressed that the judicial oath is not composed of mere words but demands that judges act with moral courage to resist pressure, and ensure that both friends and foes have access to equal and impartial justice.

He, therefore, requested that all courts, inferior or superior, should perform their duties with courage, adjudicate and interpret the laws and cases in ways that promote substantial justice, democracy, and citizens’ fundamental rights.

The Governor, however, declared that the political crisis is now over, with all parties fully reconciled, and his administration back on its feet, affirming that he holds no grudges or ill feelings toward anyone.

He stated that the administration is now re-energised and has resumed the implementation of people-centric policies, programmes, and projects with greater determination to achieve the developmental milestones set to enhance the well-being of the people of Rivers State.Governor Fubara reiterated his commitment to work with the State House of Assembly, the Judiciary, and other stakeholders to recover lost ground, sustain peace and accelerate development of the state.

He also appreciated the Chief Judge for providing functional, effective leadership, exceptional courage, and an unwavering determination to ensure justice is served to all who seek the aid of the courts.

Speaking earlier during the thanksgiving service at the Corpus Christi Catholic Cathedral, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara called on the Judiciary to remain steadfast as a “true temple of justice”, urging the courts not to let the innocent suffer unjustly. In his remarks, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, highlighted the absence of a Committee on Prerogative of Mercy in the state, which, he said has contributed significantly to congestion in custodial centres. He noted that the non-reduction of sentences for inmates, including 493 male and 15 female death-row prisoners, is beyond the Chief Judge’s powers, and called for government intervention.

He thanked the Governor for the support given to the Judiciary so far, and solicited for more encouragement to reduce the pressures judicial officers face in the performance of their duties. Also speaking, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, Mrs. Cordelia Eke, said the 2024–2025 legal year began with optimism but was soon overshadowed by political and institutional turbulence.

She noted that the state of emergency and suspension of key elected officials disrupted democratic governance and tested the resilience of the justice system. “The absence of an Attorney General caused serious delays in justice delivery, unprocessed legal applications, and financial losses,” Eke stated.According to her, the situation underscored the urgent need to fortify laws that protect institutions and ensure that the justice system continues to function even in difficult times.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN), expressed concern over the battered image of the Judiciary, lamenting that many Nigerians have lost faith in the courts due to inconsistent judgments and prolonged case delays.He urged judges to resist personal interests that could influence their professional conduct, calling for renewed integrity and faster dispensation of justice.

Earlier in his homily during the thanksgiving service, Apostolic Administrator, Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, Right Reverend Patrick S. Eluke, urged members of the legal profession to uphold moral and spiritual integrity in their practice, reminding them of their “sacred duty” to ensure that justice reflects honesty, compassion, and fairness.

He cautioned against hypocrisy, rivalry, and unhealthy competition within the legal profession, stressing that true justice must protect the vulnerable and remain unswayed by material or political influence.

He further called on elected leaders to demonstrate patriotism and accountability to the people who entrusted them with power, noting that democracy and justice thrive only where integrity and fairness prevail.

The Governor read the First Reading from 2 Chronicles 19: 5-9; while the Chief Judge took the 2nd Reading from Psalm 100: 1-5. Highlights of the event were presentation of gifts to the Governor, his Deputy, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule, and the Chief Judge as well as prayers for the Government, the Judiciary, the State and the Country.

News

NLNG, NCDMB Unveil ICT Centre In P’Harcourt To Boost Tech Skills

Published

2 days ago

October 24, 2025

The Tide

The NLNG and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board have restated their shared commitment to human capital development and technological inclusion through the completion of two key capacity-building projects in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The events featured the commissioning of a remodelled and fully equipped ICT Centre at the Baptist High School, Port Harcourt, and the close-out ceremony of the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme, a year-long initiative designed to enhance employability and industry skills among young Nigerians.

This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday by the NLNG Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, and sent to newsmen.

The NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Ogbe described the ICT Centre as a “gateway to knowledge, innovation, and future opportunities.”

Represented by the General Manager, Institutional Strengthening, Mr Olugbenga Sheba, he noted that the project reflects both organisations’ shared vision to equip young Nigerians with digital skills and prepare them for a technology-driven world.

“The remodelled ICT Centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the world.

“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs,” he said.

Omatsola commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the Board and its steadfast commitment to Nigerian Content goals.

He stressed that the partnership demonstrates what can be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, adding that such investments build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.

NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and to improving lives sustainably. She stated that the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.

“The upgrade executed at Baptist High School, apart from complying with extant regulations under NCDMB’s guidance, is an investment that gives students a modern learning environment and provides teachers with better tools to deliver quality education.

“This aligns with our long-term commitment to human capital development,” she said.

The intervention at Baptist High School included the delivery of a 40-seater ICT Centre, a 20KVA solar and inverter system, renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, and the provision of digital smart boards and modern learning tools.

At the close-out ceremony of the HCD Basic Training Programme, 30 trainees received international certifications in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Entrepreneurship, and other vital skills for the oil and gas industry.

The ceremonies underscored the joint mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.

News

New INEC Chair Pledges Free, Fair, Credible Polls

Published

2 days ago

October 24, 2025

The Tide

The newly sworn-in Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has vowed to restore credibility and public confidence in the country’s electoral system, declaring his appointment as a “divine” call to serve the nation.

Speaking shortly after his inauguration by the President at the State House yesterday, Amupitan declared that his mission was clear — to deliver free, fair, and credible elections while deepening democratic values across the nation.

During his first official meeting with the commission’s directors, he stressed that achieving INEC’s mandate would hinge on teamwork, discipline, and integrity within the institution.

“Our mandate is clear, and what is it? To deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people. To achieve this, we must work together as a team,” he stated.

Addressing INEC staff and directors, the don pledged to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

“As we mark the beginning of the new chapter, I want to assure you of my commitment to upholding the highest standard of integrity, transparency, and discipline in all our operations,” he said.

Turning his attention to the upcoming Anambra State governorship election, the INEC chairman described it as a defining moment for the commission.

“The upcoming Anambra state governorship election is not just another electoral exercise. It represents a pivot opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to free, fair, and credible elections,” he declared.

“The eyes of the nation are upon us, and it is our duty to rise to that occasion.

“Credibility in our election is paramount, and we must ensure that every voter feels confident that their vote will count. Because that is a constitutional task. And let’s restore back the confidence of every voter that whenever there is an election, their vote will count,” Amupitan added.

The don also made staff welfare a central part of his agenda, acknowledging that the commission’s workforce plays a vital role in ensuring credible elections.

“For me, staff welfare is going to be my priority. We are going to be expecting so much from you, so your welfare is going to be a priority.

“We’ll work assiduously and tirelessly to ensure that our working conditions are conducive and that our staff are equipped with the necessary resources to excel,” the INEC chairman assured.

The chairman, accompanied by his wife, children, and senior officials from the University of Jos, expressed gratitude to his academic colleagues who celebrated his appointment.

“I was told that the whole university got shut down out of excitement. One of theirs is now given this very heckling and important responsibility of heading this commission at this time,” he said.

Despite the weight of his new responsibilities, he said he was ready for the challenge.

“The places I’ve gone to, including some national commissioners, they were saying, I don’t envy you. But let me say that I am excited about the journey ahead.

“Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of our elections,” the don said.

He concluded his remarks on a reflective note, describing his appointment as part of a divine plan.

“Maybe if I had a choice, I would say I would not come here. But from all the indications, I could see that God is moving in this country, and my coming is divine.

“If God says go, who are you to say I’m not going? I’m here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is born. And of course, you know, INEC has a very, very important role to play in this quest.

“God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.