Tag: Politics

UK Backs ECOWAS Position on Niger Coup
Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Senegal

UK Backs ECOWAS Position on Niger Coup

The United Kingdom has declared its support for the position taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regarding the military coup in Niger Republic, which resulted in the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum. The coup plotters have been given a seven-day ultimatum by ECOWAS Heads of State to restore President Bazoum to power or face military action. UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, conveyed the UK's stance after an audience with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He commended ECOWAS' decisive action, strong commitment to democracy, and the unambiguous message that violence is not an acceptable means to bring about political change. Cleverly recognized President Bazoum as the legitimate leader and expressed the UK's unwavering commitment...
ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Convene Extraordinary Meeting to Address Niger Coup
Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Senegal, Sierra Leone

ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Convene Extraordinary Meeting to Address Niger Coup

The Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria, General Christopher Gwabim Musa, led his counterparts from 10 ECOWAS countries in an extraordinary meeting to address the recent coup d'état in the Republic of Niger. During the meeting, held in Abuja, General Musa emphasized the need for a united response from the military in the region to restore democratic governance in Niger. The coup, which took place on July 26, 2023, has raised serious concerns among ECOWAS member states, prompting an emergency session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government. The extraordinary meeting of defence chiefs was convened to strategize on the collective mission of restoring democracy in Niger and preserving humanitarian principles across the region. See Also: UK Backs ECOWAS Position on Niger Coup ...
Defence Chiefs from 5 ECOWAS Nations Absent at Abuja Meeting
Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Sierra Leone

Defence Chiefs from 5 ECOWAS Nations Absent at Abuja Meeting

A meeting of defence chiefs from ECOWAS nations held today at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, but the gathering is conspicuously missing the presence of some key countries. Defence Chiefs from Mali, Niger, Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso, and Guinea were noticeably absent from the meeting, while representatives from several other nations are in attendance. Present at the meeting are Defence Chiefs from Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, The Gambia, Cote D’Ivoire, and Cape Verde. The meeting is being presided over by General Christopher Musa, the Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff. The meeting has been convened in response to the recent military coup in Niger Republic, where the Commander of Niger's Presidential Guards, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, toppled the ...
Military Intervention in Niger, Declaration of War Against Us – Burkina Faso and Mali
Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Violence

Military Intervention in Niger, Declaration of War Against Us – Burkina Faso and Mali

The junta-led governments of Burkina Faso and Mali issued a joint warning on Monday, stating that any military intervention in Niger to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be regarded as a "declaration of war" against their two countries. This came in response to threats made by West African leaders, backed by Western partners, to use "force" to reinstate the democratically elected Bazoum and impose financial sanctions on the putschists. The governments of Burkina Faso and Mali emphasized the potential disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger, warning that such action could destabilize the entire region. They also rejected the application of "illegal, illegitimate, and inhumane sanctions" against the people and authorities of Niger. At an emergency summ...
National Assembly Salaries Can’t Meet Constituents’ Demands – Akpabio
Legislature, News, Nigeria

National Assembly Salaries Can’t Meet Constituents’ Demands – Akpabio

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Monday, expressed concerns about the inadequacy of salaries received by members of the National Assembly, stating that they are not enough to cater to the demands from their constituents. Akpabio made this statement during a debate on a motion sponsored by Abdulraman Kawu Suleiman, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) representing Kano South. The motion focused on the impending strike planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the need to avert it. Akpabio acknowledged the enormous hardships brought about by the removal of petroleum subsidy, but urged the people to exercise patience with the government as steps are being taken to alleviate their suffering. He emphasized that lawmakers' earnings are meager compared to the volu...
Tinubu’s Ministerial List Finally Presented to the Senate
Legislature, News, Nigeria

Tinubu’s Ministerial List Finally Presented to the Senate

After much anticipation, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, finally presented the ministerial list of former President Bola Tinubu before the Senate on Thursday. Gbajabiamila, the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, arrived at the Senate Chambers and presented the list to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at precisely 01:19 pm. Akpabio informed the senators that the list was dated July 27, 2023, and titled "Request For Confirmation Of Ministerial-Nominees." He further disclosed that additional nominations would be sent to the Senate in due course. Subsequently, Akpabio proceeded to read the ministerial list, which included a total of 28 nominees. Tinubu's nominations have been the subject of public interest, and the first set of names r...
National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Sacks Labour Party Representative
Elections, Judiciary, Legislature, News, Nigeria

National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Sacks Labour Party Representative

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Asaba, Delta State, has invalidated the election of Mr. Ngozi Okolie, the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Constituency at the House of Representatives. Okolie, who was declared the winner of the February 25 House of Representatives election in the federal constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been disqualified and removed from his position. The petition challenging Okolie's victory was filed by the immediate past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ndidi Elumelu. Elumelu contested the results, arguing that Okolie was not properly sponsored by the Labour Party and that he did not resign from his position as a public office holder, ...
Emefiele: Court Gives DSS 7 Days to Either Charge or Release Him
Judiciary, Justice, Law Enforcement, News, Nigeria

Emefiele: Court Gives DSS 7 Days to Either Charge or Release Him

In a significant development, the Abuja Federal High Court issued a one-week ultimatum to the Department of State Security Service (DSS) on Thursday, demanding that they either charge or release the detained suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. The order was delivered by Justice Hamza Muazu during a ruling on a fundamental human rights suit filed by Emefiele against the DSS and other parties. Justice Muazu acknowledged the constitutional authority of the DSS to make arrests, detain individuals, and combat internal crime. However, he emphasized that such actions must be carried out in accordance with the law. The arrest of Godwin Emefiele by the DSS took place on June 10, shortly after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from his position as the g...
NLC: Tinubu Has Declared War on the Masses with Anti-Poor Policies
Labour, News, Nigeria

NLC: Tinubu Has Declared War on the Masses with Anti-Poor Policies

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly denounced the recent surge in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, along with other policies that it perceives as detrimental to the impoverished population. In a compelling address during the opening ceremony of a four-day program for NLC state council leaders in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero declared that the Nigerian state had effectively declared war on the working class and the masses. Represented by Deputy President of Congress and President-General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Prince Adewale Adeyanju, Ajaero emphasized that trade union leaders must not abandon the Nigerian people and workers in the face of such challenges. The program, which was supported by the American Solidarit...
APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu Faces Battle to Retain Position
Elections, Legislature, News, Nigeria

APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu Faces Battle to Retain Position

There are indications that the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, is facing a battle to remain the party's chairman following his disapproval of the principal officers of the National Assembly announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas on Tuesday. Multiple sources have revealed that Adamu's disowning of the principal officers named by Akpabio and Abbas is among the factors that may lead to his ouster as chairman. It has been gathered that Adamu's position on the principal officers was seen as a defiance of President Bola Tinubu's wishes, as the National Assembly leadership reportedly had the support of the presidency before making the announcements. Senate President Akpabio ha...