The use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and Currency change/scarcity ensured that vote buying was non-existent, at least at best reduced to bearest minimal, if it exists at all, during, the 2023 presidential election.

We need to reiterate that you even lost in your state, Katsina, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also lost in his traditional base, Lagos State to pre-election ‘obscure’ Labour Party (LP).

Despite your sincerity and commitment to bequeath true democracy and democratic process, some bad losers are clamouring for Interim Government that is not known to the Nigerian Constitution.

These people suddenly wanted to ascribe Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) to a status greater than that of the states by saying it is mandatory, that to become a President-Elect, one must have 25% in FCT mandatorily and compulsorily, whereas the constitution expressly states/un-ambiguously that a candidate must secure 25% in two-thirds of the States and FCT apart from having the highest number of votes cast.

The conditions which the President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, has fulfilled. It’s baffling that the word ‘and’ preceding the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has become a brouhaha again. It’s not only clear that FCT has been given a ‘toga’ equivalent to a State in our constitution but not greater than other states. We have 36 States and one other state ‘FCT’ as recognized by the constitution, invariably 37 states, which simply means, a candidate must secure 25% in, two-thirds of the 37 States. The condition the President-Elect has satisfied.

You are clear in your mind that if anyone is not satisfied, the opportunity of the judiciary as an arm of government can be exploited. It’s honourable to go to court and argue the case.

Mr President Sir, a demonstration is permissible in any democratic dispensation as long as it is peaceful, but for these actors to be appealing to the military, what exactly do they want the military to do? To take over the government? This is treasonous and should be taken as such.

The ‘Apostles’ of anti-handing over must remember that an Interim Government was foisted on the nation by military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, in the year 1993 sequel to late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola’s victory, the rigmarole led to the coming to power of General Sani Abacha after Chief Ernest Shonekan was shoved aside, with its attendant hiccups for democracy in Nigeria. We must learn from history, otherwise history will keep repeating itself.

One might ignore the anti-handling  over agenda until further revelation by DSS, hence the realization that the issue is weightier than ordinary. This is a dangerous move by the powerful few.

You have demonstrated in clear terms that you are prepared to hand over, by setting up a ‘Handling-Over’ committee, the committee is committed to your directives and working day and night to ensure smooth handling over. Mr President Sir, I need to state that General Olusegun Obasanjo, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and former President Goodluck Jonathan, among others handed over power, history is on their side, your actions are paths to write another history for our nation.

Freedom is guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution but not freedom to commit treason against the Nigerian state.

Military and other security agents participated in the election in order to provide security for all the citizens of the country, so that nobody will be disenfranchised and freedom guaranteed.

The security apparatus in the country did creditably well. The people “patronizing” the military should be arrested immediately and tried in court.

Sir, May 29, 2023, is sacrosanct for handing over. Use the power at your disposal to ensure a smooth transition.

Your action on freedom of INEC and use of BVAS has put you in the hearts of millions of Nigerians, people now, know that the era of ballot snatching is over and any politician who wants people’s mandate must do the yearning of the people, power truly belongs to the people.

“Vox Dei, Vox Populi” (Voice of God is the voice of the people)

Winning an election and good governance are separate issues.

President-Elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu must not only assemble quality people who can help move the nation forward, but must also remember it’s “Slippery at the Top” may God grant him power and wisdom to stand well.

God help us as a nation as we are willing to help ourselves.

Professor Adeniyi Olowofela writes from Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Olowofela is the Commissioner representing Oyo State at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Abuja.

The post PMB, arrest, prosecute anti-handing over as Coupists now! | By Adeniyi Olowofela first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post PMB, arrest, prosecute anti-handing over as Coupists now! | By Adeniyi Olowofela appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

The suspect, Michael Adikwu, an ex-policeman, was said to have been dismissed in 2012 by the Kwara State Police Command for allegedly aiding the escape of some robbery suspects.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Adikwu, until his dismissal, was attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the state command.

Adikwu was said to have been arraigned in court and remanded in a prison, where he spent three years before he found his way out and formed a robbery gang with others.

He was reportedly arrested on Tuesday in a town in Kwara State by the DCP Abba Kyari-led IRT operatives, who acted on a tip-off from members of the public who saw Adikwu’s picture among those declared wanted.

A robbery gang had stormed some banks in Offa on April 5 and killed scores of people, including nine policemen.

They reportedly carted away millions of naira during the operation which lasted for about an hour.

Although the state Commissioner of Police, Ado Lawan, put the number of fatalities at 17, the Operations Commander, Vigilance Group of Nigeria, Offa, Kwara State chapter, Wasiu Adepoju, said his men counted 50 corpses.

Leaked Closed Circuit Television footage of the incident revealed when the robbers blew up a security post of one of the banks as they intermittently brought out bags suspected to be containing money out of the premises.

While about 20 suspects were said to have been arrested, the Kwara State Government placed a bounty of N5m on the other fleeing robbers.

In a statement on Friday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Jimoh Moshood, released the pictures of four members of the gang captured in the CCTV footage and declared them wanted.

Moshood stated that the assailants were being monitored by the International Police and would soon be apprehended.

A senior police officer disclosed to PUNCH Metro on Wednesday that one of the wanted robbers was tracked down on Tuesday.

The source said the arrested suspect, Odikwu, was a police corporal and was dismissed from the Force in 2012 after his alleged involvement in the escape of some robbery suspects.

The source said, “He (Adikwu) was a SARS operative at the Kwara State Police Command. He used to fraternise with robbers. There was a robbery that happened in Kwara State about six years ago. The robbers killed somebody and escaped. The police were able to arrest those robbers.

“He collected money from those robbery suspects and released them. Later, the robbers were rearrested and they confessed that he aided their escape. He was arrested, tried in an orderly room trial and dismissed.

“He was charged to court together with the robbery suspects and was in prison for three years. He and some of the robbers were able to manoeuvre their way out of the prison and formed a robbery gang.”

Another source said a team of detectives got a lead that Adikwu was staying in a hideout in the state and swooped on him.

“The lead was given to the police by an informant. His hideout was cordoned off and he was arrested. He was apprehended by the IRT operatives in a community in Kwara State,” the source added.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Kwara State Command, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, said arrests had been made, but he had yet to receive information on Adikwu’s arrest.

He said, “What I know is that the IRT team and the command are investigating the matter and have been making arrests. The Force PRO will come out with other information at the right time.”

The FPRO, Moshood, could not be reached for comment as calls to his line rang out.

He had also yet to reply to a text message sent to his telephone as of press time.

Offa bank robbery: Police provides clearer images of wanted persons, announces N5 million bounty [PHOTOS]

The post Police arrest dismissed cop declared wanted for Offa robbery first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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Nnamdi was arrested alongside three others for their alleged involvement in armed robbery in Iyi Oji area of Anambra on Wednesday.

The Police Commissioner in the state, Mr Garba Umar, presented the suspects to newsmen on Thursday at the police command headquarters in Amawbia, near Awka.

The police also arrested 22 suspected cult members who were allegedly conducting their initiation ceremony in a bush.

Umar said the police recovered 336 rounds of 7.22x39mm, AK-47 live ammunition from the alleged (IPOB) members and their trainer.

“Police equally recovered three empty AK-47 riffles with magazines, one locally made double barrel pistol with two live cartridges, (IPOB) wears, IPOB flags, muffler, criminal charms and ATM cards.

“The Army deserter was formally of the 20 Mechanised Battalion, Taraba, in 2014 before he disappeared,’’ Umar said.

The commissioner said Nnamdi became a member of a six-man gang responsible for the attacks and killings of policemen at nipping points, robberies at fuel stations including that of Bukachi filling station, Eziowelle, both in Onitsha on Aug. 31, 2017.

Others who were arrested alongside Nnamdi were 26-year-old Onyebuchi Peter Ali and Ugwuokpe Nnaemeka, he said.

Umar said their case was under investigation and that they would be charged to court after investigation.

He also said that two members of a four-man gang of kidnappers were arrested, while one was killed in a gun battle with members of the state anti robbery squad (SARS), while the victim was rescued.

H said the alleged kidnapers were said to have abducted one John Ifediorah of Umuganagu village to Iyi Oji shrine, where he was said to have been subjected to torture before the police swooped on them.

Those arrested during the raid, he said, were Chukwudi Nwabundo and Obiora Madubueze, while Chinaza Udeezue was killed during the gun battle in the Aguleri bush.

The commissioner further said that the 22 cultists were apprehended at their initiation centre at Nnewi when the police teams from the Special Anti-Cultism (SPAC) cordoned off the place.

Umar said the suspects were members of Junior Vikings confraternity (JVC), Ayees, Aro, 2-2, Bagger, Baby Ayees and black axe and were of between the ages of 16 and 25.

Some of the items recovered from them included one locally made revolver pistol with one live ammunition; one locally made pistol gun with three live cartridges; daggers; three short axes; three machetes; one black turban belonging to Aro; muffler and black berets.

“The Anambra State Police command has continued to deliver on its mandate of protecting the lives and property of the people of the State.

“The command has been achieving results in the fight against crime due to the cooperation of well meaning people in the state. We solicit that such synergy should be sustained.

“I wish to reiterate the readiness of the command to continue partnering with other security agencies and law abiding citizens of the state to eliminate all forms of crime and criminalities.

“I wish to advise parents to take care of their children/wards so as to reduce cult activities in the society,’’ Umar said.

The commissioner advised the people of the state to always report to the police or other security agencies any suspicious movement for urgent intervention.

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