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2023: Governors Contributing To Political Violence – IGP

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Governors Contributing To Political Violence

Usman Baba, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has accused some state governors of contributing to the rise in political violence in the nation.

This was said by Mr. Baba on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with the heads of political parties and other stakeholders.

In a recent meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Electoral Security (ICCES), Babagana Monguno, the national security adviser, revealed that 52 instances of electoral violence had occurred in 22 states in the country during that month.

According to Mr. Monguno, President Muhammadu Buhari has authorized the security services to take decisive action against anyone or any organization attempting to thwart the peaceful conduct of the general election.

Mr. Baba stated on Thursday that the conference was held to educate the leadership of the political parties on the rising trend of political violence and to present a united front in tackling the concerns.

“We have been receiving reports of some state governors who encourage political thugs.

“They use sub-national security outfits under their control to disrupt seamless and statutorily guaranteed campaign activities of parties or candidates with whom they hold opposing political views.

“In so doing, they deploy their powers and influence to either prevent the mounting of campaign billboards or pull them down.

“They also deny political opponents of spaces to undertake their campaigns or peaceful political congregations in contravention of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (As amended),” he said.

The IGP attributed the majority of violent occurrences to political extremism, false information, intolerance, incorrect political orientation, hate speech, incitement, and strategic actors’ desperation.

He claims that these individuals typically mislead their party supporters, equip them, refocus them, and encourage them to use threats, violence, and other illegal tactics to thwart rival political parties.

According to him, political violence in any way, shape, or expression is illegal under the country’s current criminal legislation as well as the election act.

According to Mr. Baba, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies will continue to be required by law to take enforcement actions to re-establish order within the political and national security systems.

At political rallies or any other political engagement, he promised to take proactive measures to identify, isolate, apprehend, and bring any political actor and their thugs to justice.

“We have also resolved to emplace firm actions that will deter targeted attacks on INEC assets across the country.

“More than a stern warning, this is a clarion call for us all, both as security agencies and political actors to speak out with one voice in condemning political violence,” he said.

According to Mr. Baba, political party leaders play a crucial role in eradicating political intolerance, intimidation, violence, and other detrimental tendencies in democratic processes.

He claimed that this was so because they were the tactical gatekeepers of our democracy, whose actions or inactions had a ripple impact on others who followed them.

The IGP urged political party leaders to be resolute in displaying the proper leadership qualities and publicly separating themselves from acts of political brigandage and violence.

 

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Outrage as Police Officer Who Threatened Nigerians Over Recording Breaks Silence

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A Nigerian police officer identified as Newton Isokpehi has sparked widespread reactions online after publicly apologising for threatening Nigerians who film police officers while on duty.

The officer came under heavy criticism after a viral video showed him warning that he would “clear everybody down,” including bystanders near anyone recording him during official duty.

Following the backlash, Isokpehi released a video on Thursday pleading with Nigerians and rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu for forgiveness, saying his earlier comments were made out of anger and frustration.

SEE ALSO: Six Arrested as Police Expose Inside Network Behind Oyo School Abduction

“Please forgive me. If I offended you as a brother, forgive me. That statement was just out of annoyance because of the things that are happening,” he said.

Speaking in Pidgin English, the officer clarified that he was not against citizens filming police officers, noting that Nigerians have the right to record security personnel while carrying out their duties.

“Actually, you can video us. You are allowed to video a policeman. But it’s not right for just anybody to come from anywhere and start videoing officers on duty,” he stated.

Isokpehi, who disclosed that he hails from Edo State and was raised in a police barracks in Kaduna, described himself as a committed officer who has spent over 12 years serving in the Mobile Police unit.

The officer also displayed several scars and gunshot wounds on his body, claiming they were sustained during dangerous operations while serving the country.

“Out of 17 of us, only two survived that operation. We have suffered in this work,” he said emotionally.

Attempting to walk back his earlier remarks, Isokpehi insisted he never intended to harm civilians.

“How can I be saying I will kill my own people? We don’t do that. I spoke out of annoyance. That one was just verbal talk,” he added.

He further appealed directly to Gwamnishu and Nigerians, admitting that the controversy had escalated beyond what he expected.
“Harrison, forgive me. I beg the whole of Nigeria, please forgive me. This one has reached too far,” he pleaded.

The apology has continued to generate mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians condemning the officer’s initial comments while others expressed sympathy over the harsh conditions faced by security personnel.

 

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Cubana Chief Priest Explains Why He Dumped Peter Obi for Bola Ahmed Tinubu

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Nigerian socialite and businessman, Cubana Chief Priest, has explained why he shifted his political support from former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the 2023 general elections.

Speaking during a livestream session with popular streamer Peller, the celebrity businessman said his decision was motivated by a desire to avoid repeated political disappointment.

SEE ALSO: Plateau 2027: “I’m Not in the Race to Fill Numbers” — Bida Declares War on Mutfwang

He stated that he no longer wanted to back a candidate who might lose, saying he made the switch after the last election experience.
“Because I don’t want to lose again because they say first fool no be fool na the second fool be proper fool,” he said.

Cubana Chief Priest also claimed that President Tinubu remains cautious about him due to his past political alignment with Peter Obi and his ethnic background.

According to him, the President does not fully trust him because of his previous support for the opposition during the 2023 polls.

“President Bola Tinubu no really trust me as an Igbo man that I am. He look me with one eye because he believes that this one that worked for Peter Obi, before at the last election,” he added.

He further dismissed the chances of Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election, describing him as “not serious” and insisting that only “serious people” would emerge victorious.

The comments have since generated widespread reactions on social media, with critics accusing him of political opportunism, while others argue that his position reflects the realities of Nigeria’s winner-takes-all political system.

Cubana Chief Priest was a vocal supporter of Peter Obi and the Labour Party during the 2023 elections but later aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He currently serves as the Imo State Coordinator of the Pro-Tinubu City Boys Movement and has become more active within APC circles.

He had also obtained an APC House of Representatives nomination form but later withdrew from the primary election on the day of the exercise.

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Yobe Hospital Makes Medical History With First-Ever Lower Jaw Surgery

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The Yobe State Specialist Hospital has recorded a major medical breakthrough after successfully performing its first-ever lower jaw surgery, a development described as the first of its kind in North-Eastern Nigeria.

The complex procedure, known as a segmental mandibulectomy with reconstruction, was carried out on a 40-year-old female patient suffering from mandibular ameloblastoma, a tumour affecting the jawbone.

Speaking on the achievement, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Usman Abba Giedam, said the surgery marked a significant milestone in the state’s healthcare sector.

SEE MORE: Ex-IGP Usman Alkali Baba Joins Yobe Governorship Race, Vows to End Insurgency

According to him, the operation involved the removal of a diseased section of the patient’s lower jaw and a sophisticated reconstruction using reconstruction plates and an iliac crest bone graft.

The surgery was led by Dr. Muhammad Ayuba Fusami with support from Dr. Peter Umejiego.

Giedam revealed that the patient is currently recovering well and responding positively to treatment following the successful operation.

He noted that the achievement reflects the growing capacity of the hospital to handle highly specialized medical procedures that previously required referrals outside the state.

The CMD also credited the administration of Mai Mala Buni for investing in healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment, and skilled manpower development across the state.

He added that the hospital remains committed to advancing specialized healthcare services and improving access to quality medical care for residents of Yobe State and the North-East region.

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