Sources said though Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State had also indicated interest in the job, he would be asked to withdraw in favour of Yuguda at the end of the day.

It was also gathered that the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and his Anambra State counterpart, Mr Peter Obi, have also endorsed the choice of Yuguda.

Further details, however, emerged on Thursday as to the reasons behind the decision of Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) to reject the position of the NGF on the declaration of state of emergency in parts of the North.

It was also revealed that the same reasons had been adduced by members of the NGSF for their decision to withdraw their backing for the outgoing chairman of the NGF, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, in his bid to secure a second term in office.

It was gathered in Abuja, on Thursday, that the statement issued by the NGF warning against the declaration of state of emergency by the Federal Government was without the input of the NSGF members and that many of them were angered by the development.

Some of the governors, especially from the North, felt that they were not consulted before the statement was issued and they were angry that their name was being dragged into an unnecessary war.

According to another source, the NSGF members felt that the statement on such a critical issue as security should have taken into account their direct inputs, since the formation of NGF did not mean that each governor had lost his independence.

Sources close to the NGF also told the Nigerian Tribune that the NSGF decided to show its anger at the earlier statement by the NGF, by issuing another statement last week, welcoming the state of emergency.

“Members of the NSGF issued that statement welcoming the declaration of a state of emergency in the three states to show their anger at the statement by the NGF, which incidentally coincides with the opinion of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on the matter.

“They felt they were not carried along and that it could be a sign of more things to come,” a source said.

The source further stated that the statement by NGF was the main issue that drove northern governors away from Amaechi’s second term ambition as NGF chairman.
-Tribune

They include former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) , Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, former Governor of Kano state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Senator George Akume, Senator Mohammed Saleh and former EFCC boss, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.

Also expected were former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and Governor Abdulazeez of Zamfara state.

Speaking to newsmen, Secretary of Conference of Opposition Political Parties in Kaduna state, Mr Francis Kozah said the rally would mark a significant shift and higher attainment in their search for alternative leadership in Kaduna state.

“ We have been looking for ways and means for alternative government in this state since the last two years. The idea of the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is what we the opposition in Kaduna state strongly indentify with. We believe that tomorrow’s rally will give our people the strong sense of our commitment for a new government come 2015, with the calibre of people that will be coming to address them,” he said.

According to him, “we have done what is expected. We have written the Commissioner of Police and all the Divisional Police Officers in Southern Kaduna with their counterparts in the SSS, asking for security during the rally. We are very sure they will comply, because this is a constitutional right.

“We heard from many people that the PDP in the state is very jittery. We are told, but we cannot confirm it independently, that all the local government chairmen of the PDP in Southern Kaduna have contributed money to the police to influence them to stop the rally, based on perceived insecurity.

“But, even from the words of the state government, Kaduna state is secure and peaceful. So there will be no basis for that,” he said.

However, Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olufemi Adenaike, in a text message denied that the Conference of Opposition Political Parties in Kaduna State wrote to ask for security.
-Tribune

Police sources confirmed that the partners-in-crime were in detention, after the victim cried out for justice through a petition she sent to the command, registering her dissatisfaction over the manner the case was being handled by Enerhen police station.

In the petition, dated May 20, 2013 and addressed to the area commander, Husseini Rabiu, the victim alleged that the “prophet,” who claimed to be a co-worker in the church of the bishop, was rounded up in her school premises, when he said he wanted to deliver a message, but with the intention to abduct her and a pupil.

According to the petition, “on May 15, 2013 at bout 9.45 a.m, one man came to our client’s school and introduced himself to one of the administrative staffers as a man of God and requested to see the victim, but the administrative staff said she was not around.

“When the victim returned at about 11.00 a.m, the whole episode was narrated to her and she opted for the phone number and got in touch with Joseph (prophet), who eventually agreed to return from Port Harcourt, since he was already there, with the understanding that the victim would foot the bill.”

Joseph, it was reported, allegedly arrived about one hour after the last conversation with him, while he told the victim that he was at Enerhen Junction, asking her to come to see him privately with a little child.

“The victim came out and saw a Toyota Camry car facing Udu Road with a driver on the seat and another occupant but when she became uneasy, she raised the alarm and the waiting car sped off.

“After the incident, the prophet agreed to confess, saying it was a bishop, whose church is on DSC expressway that sent him to come and kidnap her,” it added.

It was gathered that after the arrest, the police in Enerhen station released Joseph on the grounds of mental imbalance, before the area commander ordered the re-arrest on Wednesday evening.
-Tribune

The plight of the families were expressed on Thursday, in Kano, when the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, led by Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Taminu Turaki, paid a visit to Bompai police command headquarters.

He, however, said that “no responsible government will sit down and allow a group of individuals to threaten lives and properties. The issue is that those who want to take the option of dialogue will have it; and those who want to continue to fight will continue to fight.”

Authorities of Kano police command said families of the slain officers had not received any form of support from the government since the ugly incident of January 20, 2012.

However, the committee was informed that the command lost 40 officers in that single attack, while a total of 192 persons were killed, including security personnel from the Department of State Security Services (DSSS), Immigration and Customs.

He also cleared the air on the insinuation that the emergency rule in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states would jeopardise the activities of the committee, pointing out that “there is no contradiction between the emergency rule and the committee. Nigeria is not at war. Even in countries where there is war, dialogue is also applied.”

The authorities equally told the committee that over 6,000 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were intercepted by the command’s Bomb Disposal Unit, most of which were detonated.

The visitors were taken round the police headquarters where they inspected assorted explosives seized from suspected militants of the Islamic sect.

The head of the committee told the bereaved families that “you are not going to be abandoned. You are not going to be rejected. We will take your case to the Federal Government and through our recommendations, Mr President will surely attend to your needs and support you.”
-Tribune

This is coming as the governors of 19 northern states were unable to take a decision on who they should support among those jostling for the position.

The inability of the governors to reach a compromise was said to have been responsible for the failure of the northern governors, under the aegis of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, to meet in Abuja on Thursday.

Our correspondent learnt that the governors would now meet on Friday before the election to see if they would be able to find some common ground.

While some were said to be rooting for the incumbent, who is also the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, some others were said to be supporting the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, or the latest entrant to the race, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State.

It was however learnt that the governors from the zone who do not belong to the Peoples Democratic Party were said to have made their position known that they would support Amaechi for the job.

A northern governor, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “We are at a crossroads. This is a trying period for us in the region.

“Some of our colleagues are saying we should not allow anyone to dictate to us while the others are saying we should support one of our own for the job.

“Those in the opposition parties are saying that the Forum does not belong to the Peoples Democratic Party alone.

“Even in the PDP, we could not agree on who to support. That was why we did not meet, but we hope to meet on Friday.”

The governor said a majority of his colleagues from the region believed that both Shema and Yuguda were being foisted on the Forum by external forces.

In the meantime, investigations by our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday indicated that there might be more chairmanship aspirants than expected.

Sources at the secretariat of the Forum said there might be more aspirants for the position of the chairman.

A source said that some governors had called to say that they were on their way to file their nomination papers for the office.

The source said, “The race for the chairmanship of the Forum is interesting, because this is the first time the office is attracting so much attention.

“Already, both Amaechi and Shema have filed their papers, and some have called to say that they are on their way. We are waiting for them.

“Before now, there was no much publicity and acrimony on who would lead the Forum. But now that has changed.”

The source, who declined to name those “on their way” to file nomination forms, however said there would be no rancour after the election.

It was not clear if the Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji, was able to file his papers.

Orji was a candidate in the earlier botched attempt to elect Amaechi’s successor.

The coming to the race by Yuguda was said to have been at the instance of President Goodluck Jonathan who was said to have been shocked that Shema was not too keen about the position.

Shema’s opponents, it was learnt, were said to be spreading the information that the governor was being used by the Presidency to fight Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

They alleged that Shema might be used to replace the Vice-President in the 2015 election as Jonathan’s running mate.

Also, the anti-Amaechi group was said to be meeting at an undisclosed venue in Abuja on Thursday night.

Sources close to the group said members were planning to either boycott the election or call for its postponement if it was clear that the election would not go in their favour.

If this plan fails, it was learnt that they might as well ask that a caretaker committee be put in place to conduct the election.

“But if that is done, it would fail because there is no such provision in the Forum’s constitution,” another source in the NGF secretariat told our correspondent.

Meanwhile, a petition has been written to the Chairman of Northern States Governors Forum, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, by the Northern Reconnaissance Group.

In the petition, which was signed by its President, Alhaji Idris Ahmed, the group asked the governors to follow their conscience while electing the chairman of the NGF.

The letter reads, “A majority of you have become victims of a vested interest and manipulative forces within the Presidency.

“You all have a choice to be your own men like you have always been in the North or you become puppets and little dumb kids like the lamb meant for the slaughter.

“In fact, retaining Amaechi is the only way our northern governors can retain their credibility as voting for Jonathan’s candidate will amount to a precipitous descent down the grease pole into the lonely crowd of yesterday’s men – in case you do not know.

“When we reach a sticky point such as this, it makes a strong case for the persistent calls for true federalism in which the centre does not wield overbearing power over the federating units.

“Would President Barak Obama of the United States interfere with the election of a forum like this in America?

“Even as the most powerful man on earth today, he cannot dream of doing anything remotely close to it. He and his aides know his limits and the laws do not allow him to overstep them.”

Ahmed said the alleged directive asking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to go after any of the governors that would vote for Amaechi as chairman was in bad faith.

He said, “President Goodluck Jonathan is exerting absolute power by allegedly directing the EFCC to intimidate any member of the governors’ forum that does not vote against Governor Amaechi in the forum election.

“On this, we strongly believe that in a democratic society, people should be allowed to vote according to their conscience and freely.

“Not necessarily as they are instructed by the President because they are under a seeming oath of loyalty or fear of the EFCC. Indeed, these acts provide solid grounds for the public outcry about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.”
-Punch

Jonathan made the promise at the church service held for Achebe at Ogidi.

However, the promise fell short of expectations from Achebe’s admirers that expected Jonathan to rename a public institution or a monument after the renowned author.

The literary icon died in Boston, United States last March 21 at the age of 82.

Jonathan, who recalled that Achebe’s first book, Things Fall Apart, written before the country’s Independence in 1960 was prophetic, said his last book, There was a Country was full of lamentations.

The President promised to lead a political and social revolution that would prompt Achebe’s grandson and namesake to write another book that would be entitled, There is a Country.

Describing Achebe as a philosopher, the President said, “He used literature, a subject he loved and knew very well, to philosophise. All of us must work hard to change this country so that Achebe’s grandson will write, There is a Country.

Jonathan also did not make pronouncements as to special projects in Achebe’s geo-political constituency as requested by the Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo.

The church service had President John Mahama of Ghana, six governors, ministers and National Assembly members in attendance.
-Punch

Various speakers, including Mahama and the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on the occasion eulogised Achebe and his ingenuity as a literary legend and social crusader.

Mahama said though Achebe was a writer, “he was much more than that”, noting that the professor of Literature was active in social crusade, education and other areas of life.

“It is my greatest regret that I met Achebe at the sunset of his life,” Mahama said, and promised to honour Achebe by delivering a lecture at Achebe’s last institution, Brown’s University, Rhode Island in the US.

The Ghanaian president added that his admiration for Achebe was without comparison.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha said Achebe ranked only second to Nelson Mandela in Africa, while the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Viola Onwuliri, said the author of Things Fall Apart boosted the image of Nigeria abroad despite not being a professional diplomat.

The Anglican Archbishop of Aba, Most Rev. Ikechi Nwosu, who stood in for the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, said Achebe was a parable for Nigeria.

He said Achebe’s decision to turn down national honours twice was not an indication that he hated Nigeria, but rather a pointer to the fact that he wanted things done properly in his country.

Nwokolo thanked Jonathan for awarding contracts for the construction of the Second Niger Bridge but called for the construction of a third bridge that would link Enugu and the northern parts of the country.

The source said that militants, who were dislodged from Sambisa Game Reserve and other camps in Borno, had sought refuge in the Adamawa forests, especially in the Zumo area of Song Local Government Area.

He also said that the sect members had been sighted in the forests of Maiha and Fufore local government areas of the state.

“Most of the Boko Haram members who are running away from the military operations in Borno are moving into Adamawa State. They are regrouping in Zumo area of Song Local Government Area. Some are in Fufore and Maha local government areas. This particular area has a combination of mountains, rocks and bushes that extend to Cameroon,” he said.

Our correspondents learnt that the sect members mingled with civilians when they were escaping from Borno to Adamawa State.

Adamawa has a complex topography comprising mountains, rocks and thick forests that extend into the nation’s border with Cameroon.

It is a mountainous land crossed by the large river valleys – Benue, Gongola and Yedsarem. The valleys of Cameroon, Mandara and Adamawa mountains form part of the landscape.

The source, who spoke with The PUNCH, on condition that he would not be named, said that the focus of the Defence authorities that are coordinating the fight against the militants would change in the next few days from Northern Borno to Adamawa State.

He further stated that the influx of suspected insurgents into Adamawa explained the decision of the Defence Headquarters to deploy additional 1,000 troops in the state in preparation for a similar military operation in the area.

The source said, “This might be the reason behind the decision of the Defence Headquarters to deploy additional 1,000 soldiers in the state.

“The attention of the Defence authorities and the Special Forces deployed to flush out suspected Islamic militants in the North- Eastern part of the country may shift from Borno where some of the earliest battles have been fought to Adamawa State.”

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters on Monday said that 120 terrorists were arrested in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, during the burial of a commander of the insurgents.

The military spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said the sect commander died during an encounter with the Special Task Forces.

“In Maiduguri, about 120 terrorists were arrested as they organised the burial of one of their commanders who died in an encounter with the Special Forces the previous day. The arrested insurgents are in custody of the Joint Task Force where they are being interrogated,” Olukolade said.

He said the Special Forces had secured the environs of New Marte, Hausari, Krenoa, Wulgo and ChikunNgulalo in Borno State after destroying all the terrorists’ camps in the areas.

He said, “The troops are already interacting with locals and citizens, assuring them of their safety and freedom from the activities of insurgents.

“Terrorists fleeing towards Chad and Niger Republic are being contained as they have had encounters with Multi-National Joint Task Force in various locations towards the border.

“Advancing troops also observed a few shallow graves believed to be those of hurriedly buried members of the terrorist group.”

Olukolade also said that Defence Headquarters had observed the use of photographs purportedly taken in the areas covered by the operations.

The defence spokesman said the photographs were questionable as they did not reflect any related reality of the social or geographical environment.

He added, “This also makes the story they claim to depict of Nigerians fleeing to Niger Republic and other countries doubtful. The media are advised to always strive to associate stories with accurate pictures in order to avoid misleading the public.”

Also on Monday, the Defence Headquarters assured civilians of cordial relationship in its ongoing war against terrorism.

Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, assured civilians of cordial relationship during a three-day seminar organised in conjunction with the United States.

The seminar was meant to compose a strategy for strengthening civil-military relations and counter-terror strategy.

On his part, the Director of Civil-Military Relations, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim, said, “There were a lot of misconceptions on military operations. We are going to clear the misconceptions and assure people that the military is theirs and working to protect them.”

At the Monday ceremony, the Director General of National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri, said that recent events in the country showed the need for increasing civil-military relations in combating threats to the country’s territorial integrity.

“As profound and skilful as our military intelligence is, it could be greatly impaired if the civilian populace do not cooperate with it,” he said.

Omeri also urged the directorate of civil-military relations to set up a centre for proactive management of information specific to Joint Task Force operations around the country.

-Punch

The source said that militants, who were dislodged from Sambisa Game Reserve and other camps in Borno, had sought refuge in the Adamawa forests, especially in the Zumo area of Song Local Government Area.

He also said that the sect members had been sighted in the forests of Maiha and Fufore local government areas of the state.

“Most of the Boko Haram members who are running away from the military operations in Borno are moving into Adamawa State. They are regrouping in Zumo area of Song Local Government Area. Some are in Fufore and Maha local government areas. This particular area has a combination of mountains, rocks and bushes that extend to Cameroon,” he said.

Our correspondents learnt that the sect members mingled with civilians when they were escaping from Borno to Adamawa State.

Adamawa has a complex topography comprising mountains, rocks and thick forests that extend into the nation’s border with Cameroon.

It is a mountainous land crossed by the large river valleys – Benue, Gongola and Yedsarem. The valleys of Cameroon, Mandara and Adamawa mountains form part of the landscape.

The source, who spoke with The PUNCH, on condition that he would not be named, said that the focus of the Defence authorities that are coordinating the fight against the militants would change in the next few days from Northern Borno to Adamawa State.

He further stated that the influx of suspected insurgents into Adamawa explained the decision of the Defence Headquarters to deploy additional 1,000 troops in the state in preparation for a similar military operation in the area.

The source said, “This might be the reason behind the decision of the Defence Headquarters to deploy additional 1,000 soldiers in the state.

“The attention of the Defence authorities and the Special Forces deployed to flush out suspected Islamic militants in the North- Eastern part of the country may shift from Borno where some of the earliest battles have been fought to Adamawa State.”

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters on Monday said that 120 terrorists were arrested in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, during the burial of a commander of the insurgents.

The military spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said the sect commander died during an encounter with the Special Task Forces.

“In Maiduguri, about 120 terrorists were arrested as they organised the burial of one of their commanders who died in an encounter with the Special Forces the previous day. The arrested insurgents are in custody of the Joint Task Force where they are being interrogated,” Olukolade said.

He said the Special Forces had secured the environs of New Marte, Hausari, Krenoa, Wulgo and ChikunNgulalo in Borno State after destroying all the terrorists’ camps in the areas.

He said, “The troops are already interacting with locals and citizens, assuring them of their safety and freedom from the activities of insurgents.

“Terrorists fleeing towards Chad and Niger Republic are being contained as they have had encounters with Multi-National Joint Task Force in various locations towards the border.

“Advancing troops also observed a few shallow graves believed to be those of hurriedly buried members of the terrorist group.”

Olukolade also said that Defence Headquarters had observed the use of photographs purportedly taken in the areas covered by the operations.

The defence spokesman said the photographs were questionable as they did not reflect any related reality of the social or geographical environment.

He added, “This also makes the story they claim to depict of Nigerians fleeing to Niger Republic and other countries doubtful. The media are advised to always strive to associate stories with accurate pictures in order to avoid misleading the public.”

Also on Monday, the Defence Headquarters assured civilians of cordial relationship in its ongoing war against terrorism.

Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, assured civilians of cordial relationship during a three-day seminar organised in conjunction with the United States.

The seminar was meant to compose a strategy for strengthening civil-military relations and counter-terror strategy.

On his part, the Director of Civil-Military Relations, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim, said, “There were a lot of misconceptions on military operations. We are going to clear the misconceptions and assure people that the military is theirs and working to protect them.”

At the Monday ceremony, the Director General of National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri, said that recent events in the country showed the need for increasing civil-military relations in combating threats to the country’s territorial integrity.

“As profound and skilful as our military intelligence is, it could be greatly impaired if the civilian populace do not cooperate with it,” he said.

Omeri also urged the directorate of civil-military relations to set up a centre for proactive management of information specific to Joint Task Force operations around the country.

-Punch

It said rather, the issue was still being looked into with a view to taking a stand on it.

In a statement on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, the government said it was still making wide consultations on the issue.

Ibirogba added that the government would come up with a position after exhausting all the avenues that would allow for a peaceful resolution of the matter.

He said, “To avoid a needless heightening of tension, Lagosians, particularly the Muslim faithful, are advised not to allow people with diabolic intentions to trivialise the issue of sustaining the peaceful coexistence among diverse groups in the state.

“Contrary to reports, government was still meeting with the stakeholders on the issue as explained by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, and has, thus, not banned or disallowed Hijab in public schools.

“What Olayinka explained at the briefing was that the government had held meetings with some key stakeholders and would still consult widely before taking a position.”

-Punch