On Sunday, the Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, alleged an assassination attempt on him, but the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) denies that its officers are responsible for the attack.

According to a statement by the state Commissioner for information, Kingsley Fanwo, the attackers, dressed in military uniforms, ambushed the governor’s convoy and opened fire on his vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy.

However, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, the Director, Defence Information, Defence Headquarters, clarifies that the governor’s attackers were criminals wearing fake military uniforms. He emphasizes the need for the police to investigate the incident and bring the culprits to justice. He also emphasizes that military personnel would never attack the governor.

Gusau states, “The attack is unfortunate and we are not happy with what happened. However, the governor did not say it was the military that attacked him. Military personnel will never attack the governor. He said his attackers were in military uniforms. His attackers are criminals. We urged the police to investigate the matter and unravel the circumstances and those involved in the attack.”a

Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, dismissed reports of assassination attempt on his life.

Kingsley Fanwo, Information Commissioner, had raised the alarm that the governor’s convoy was attacked en route to Abuja, on Sunday evening.

But addressing reporters in Abuja, the governor said there was a minor convoy involving his convoy.

He clarified that there was a minor fracas between men of the Nigerian Police Force attached to his convoy and those of a military unit manning the highways; it was in the course of both units performing their lawful security duties that the incident happened.

The Governor commended the security agencies for their joint contributions to the improved security of lives and property, which he claimed has benefited the citizens of Kogi State immensely,

However, he called on the high command of the agencies involved to investigate overzealousness or unprofessional conduct by any of their men involved in the incident and apply the necessary sanctions”.

The Governor therefore urged the citizens of Kogi State to ignore any attempt by political profiteers to use the incident to unsettle the polity as the state’s 2023 governorship elections slated for November 11 draw nearer”.

He assured the state of both his safety and the adequacy of security arrangements to ensure that the elections are peaceful, free and fair.

With the resurgence of military incursions in politics and the concerning deconsolidation of Western-style democracy in Africa, Benin Republic’s Foreign Minister Olusegun Adjadi Bakari has lent his voice to calls on African countries to adopt effective governance systems consistent with the socio-cultural and ethnic diversities of their people.

“Western-type multiparty democracy is not working for Africa, so the countries must rethink their political framework putting into consideration Africa’s cultural and ethnic diversity,” Bakari told scholars, diplomats, and researchers on African affairs at the British policy Thank-tank, Chatham House, Lonon on 18 October.

In the last five years between April 2019 and August this year, there have been more than a dozen reported failed or successful military coups in African countries - Sudan, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea Bissau. There were also rumoured or unreported attempts.

Minus Guinea Bissau, the six listed countries plus Chad are now under military dictatorships, raising the question of whether the continent is sliding back to the dark era before the wave of multiparty democracy swept through Africa in the 1990s.

During the Chatham House interactions moderated by Dr Alex Vines, Director, Africa Programmes, Bakari, who was an advisor to President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo until 2021, and Benin Minister Advisor for Investments before assuming the Foreign Affairs portfolio in April 2022, said the multiplicity of political parties was unhelpful to electoral processes in Africa.

For instance, he said that 200 political parties and dozens of presidential candidates, with many of them scoring less than 1% vote in elections in a country such as Benin with 13 million population, was not his idea of a good governance system for Africa.

On Benin’s commitment to regional cooperation to tackle the rise in violent extremism in the Sahel and broader political instability in West Africa, Bakari, 44, said the country’s unsavoury experiences with military coups, with one to three putsches every year between independence in 1960 and 1972, necessitated some drastic political reforms.

“Our (Benin’s) strong position against the (July 2023) military coup in Niger is informed by our past experiences, and we stand with the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) on the need to restore constitutional order in that country through negotiations,” he said, adding that Africa must strengthen governance institutions through effective leadership.

“I am aware of constitutional and other types of coups (such as leaders altering constitutions to obtain or retain power), but military coup is the worst,” Bakari affirmed, stressing: “if there are differences or disagreements, we should discuss at the table, but not topple government through military coups.”

He said that key political reforms in Benin, included zero-tolerance for military governments in whatever guise, adding that military personnel interested in holding political offices must first resign from the military, while the constitution also has strict provisions limiting presidential term to two in the “lifetime” of any Benin citizen.

Bakari might have struck all the right notes on the need for critical interrogation and re-examination of the democratic practices in Africa, but his boss, President Patrice Talon, a cotton tycoon, has come under severe criticism for some of his political reforms, especially the crackdown on his opponents.

Talon swept to power as an independent candidate in 2016 and won re-election with 86% vote in the 2021 presidential election marred by violence and boycotted by much of the opposition parties.

Once praised as a vibrant multi-party democracy in a politically restive region, tagged the “coup zone,” Benin under Talon, is criticised for “slipping into authoritarianism,” and he is also accused of using a special economic crimes and terrorism court and electoral reforms as tools to sideline his opponents, with some serving jail terms, and others forced into exile abroad.

For instance, Ms Reckya Madougou, a former Justice Minister and presidential candidate in the controversial 2021 elections is serving a 20-year sentence for terrorism offences which her lawyer dismissed as a “political hit job,” while Mr Joel Aivo, another Talon rival is also sentenced to 10 years in prison for plotting against the State and money laundering.

Still fresh in the memories of many is the political crisis that followed a disputed parliamentary election in April 2019, due to a change to the electoral law rammed through that year, which requires presidential candidates to be sponsored by at least 16 deputies or mayors.

Tension erupted into mass street protests broken up forcefully by security forces resulting in several casualties with political parties allied to Talon winning all the legislative seats after opposition groups were effectively banned and only six of the 159 elected officials belonging to an opposition party.

Asked about Benin authorities’ apparent strong-arm tactic against political opponents, Bakari said he could not say much because the cases were before the judiciary. But he insisted that opposition politicians were not above the law and were expected to show examples.

If Bakari is coy in discussing authoritarian tendencies in Benin, President Talon makes no secret of his discomfiture with Western-type democracy.

In a speech on 30^th August 2022 to the French Business community at the Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF), an annual gathering in Paris, attended by President Emmanuel Macron, the Benin President was quoted as saying: “Democracy can lead to anarchy and paralyze government decisions… and I don’t intend to fully implement it”.

Of course, he is entitled to his opinion, but governance is a product of structured consultations and engagements among stakeholders, including the government, non-state actors, an independent parliament and judiciary, various interest groups, civil society, including the media, which should hold the government accountable to the governed.

Democracy might not be the best system of government, but of all the systems of government tried and tested over the centuries, it remains the preferred option, particularly because it affords the governed, the opportunity to change their leaders through periodic elections.

Also, since democracy is a dynamic process and not an event, its principles can be nuanced or adapted to local conditions or peculiarities, so long as the objectives, rights and responsibilities of government to the governed, with human rights and the rule of law spelt out, upheld and respected.

But is the system or type of government really the problem in Africa or the operators, particularly the politicians, through their dispositions, that have failed the system?

Any governance changes for positive transformation must begin with a solid foundation, a clearly defined constitution and grundnorms.

Even so, just like a good constitution does not necessarily equate to good government, Africa’s governance challenges do not necessarily derive from the name or typology, but the determination, sincerity and commitment of political actors and other stakeholders, including the governed.

An effective governance system is driven by the principles of separation of powers among the three arms of government - the executive, legislature, and the judiciary – which must be independent, such that no arm dominates or controls the other two and with the judiciary serving as the last hope of the common man, a bulwark against impunity and tyranny.

For instance, after 17 years of military rule along Marxist-Leninist lines, Benin was among the African states that initially opened up to multi-party democracy in 1990. Yet, its governance system, like many in others on the continent, is still work in progress and will continue to evolve.

However, a governance system decreed or imposed on the citizens through a process that stifles alternative views or shuts out political opposition is authoritarian/dictatorial, no matter how well-intentioned or benevolent.

The Western-style democracy is not an imposition on Africa, yet, unfortunately, Talon and his Benin examples only mirror experiences in much of Africa.

After more than 60 years of political independence, African countries should be well placed and at liberty to change, adapt or fashion out alternative and best-suited systems to deliver the benefits of good/effective governance to their people.

But this will depend largely on visionary and dynamic leadership with the capacity to leverage the advantages of pluralism, inclusivity, and the continent’s rich socio-cultural and ethnic diversity.

More importantly, caution must be exercised to avoid replacing an existing governance system with a flawed or worse alternative.

In the heat-up to the November 11 gubernatorial election in Kogi State, an alarming piece of news has just hit the stable of Daily Independent on an assassination attempt on Governor Yahaya Bello.

A swift press release signed by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications reads:

The Kogi State Government wishes to inform the general public that there was an assasination attempt on the Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, CON, a few kilometres away from Abuja, on his way to an official engagement from Lokoja.The attack occurred at about 4pm on Sunday, October 22, 2023.

The attackers who were dressed in military uniforms waylaid the Governor’s convoy and started shooting sporadically at his vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy. It took the swift intervention of the security personnel attached to the Governor to foil the satanic plans of the unknown soldiers.

The report of these strange attacks has been properly documented at security offices in the state and at the national level for prompt and thorough investigations to avert future occurrences.

We are not oblivious of the fact that certain elements are bent on painting Kogi unsafe ahead of the Governorship Poll slated for November 11, 2023. As an administration, we will spare nothing to ensure our citizens are not subjected to security threats by desperate politicians sponsoring violence and terrorism.

We call on the citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements in the domain to relevant security agencies. It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure security and we want to assure you that the peace we have enjoyed as a state in the last eight years won’t be lost on the altar of violent politics.

Details later...

[DailyIndependent]

Napoli Sporting Director, Mauro Meluso has revealed the club will hold new contract talks with Victor Osimhen in the next few weeks.

Osimhen looks a long way off agreeing a new contract with the Serie A champions after he was furious at the TikTok videos posted by the club.

Napoli were also unhappy after the Nigerian returned from international duty with an injury last week.

Meluso, however, stated that the Partenopei are planning a new round of talks with the 24-year-old’s representatives in the next couple of weeks.

“There will be a meeting between the President and Osimhen’s entourage over the next few weeks. It is part of the game and a little time is needed to think about it,” Meluso was quoted by Calciomercato.com.

The Nigeria international has less than two years on his contract with Napoli.

[nigerianeye]

THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos State to stop the House of Representatives from procuring and taking delivery of 360 sports utility vehicles amounting to the sum of N57.6 billion for its members, “pending the hearing and determination of the applications for injunction filed by the organisation.”

According to SERAP, its applications for “interim and interlocutory injunction” followed reports that the lawmakers are set to procure and take delivery of the SUVs.

The organisation stated that according to reports, “each of the SUVs would cost taxpayers at least N160 million.”

This was made known by the organisation’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, in a correspondence.

The statement stated, “In the applications filed last week, SERAP is seeking “an order of interim injunction restraining the National Assembly from procuring, taking delivery and distributing the SUVs to their members, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for an order of interlocutory injunction filed simultaneously in this suit.”

SERAP is also seeking “such further order(s) that the honourable court may deem fit to make in the circumstance of this suit.”

It stated, “It would be recalled that SERAP in August filed the suit number FHC/L/CS/1606/2023 before the Federal High Court challenging “the legality of the spending of billions of naira by the National Assembly to purchase exotic and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials.”

Oluwadaresaid the organisation sent an open letter to President Bola Tinubu urging him to “put pressure on the leadership of the House of Representatives” and stop its members from taking delivery of 360  SUVs, pending the court application for interim injunction.

He said, “In the letter dated 21 October 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation also urged the president to “put pressure on the leadership of the Senate and stop members from taking delivery of the planned procurement of bulletproof SUVs, pending the hearing and determination of the application for interim injunction filed before the Federal High Court.”

The letter, read in part: “Allowing the National Assembly to go ahead and purchase and take delivery of the SUVs would prejudice the outcome of the suit pending in court and make a mockery of the rule of law.

“Unless you exercise your executive powers and discharge your constitutional oath of office act as recommended, the lawmakers would go ahead to procure and take delivery of the N57.6 billion vehicles, and thereby present the court with a fait accompli.

“It would invariably hamstring the ability of the court to do justice in the pending suit and applications for an injunction.”

It stated further that stopping the leadership of the HOR from procuring and taking delivery of the SUVs pending the court order “would be entirely consistent with the notions of the rule of law, judicial independence and integrity and the public interest.”

[NaijaTimes]

Lionel Messi played the entire game on artificial turf in Inter Miami’s season finale early Sunday morning as Charlotte FC qualified for the MLS playoff with a 1-0 victory.

Messi, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, was the clear drawing card, and thousands in attendance were adorned in “Messi 10” jerseys.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner as the world’s top player went the distance in the meaningless game for Miami, which had already been eliminated from playoff contention. He finished with three shots and had two scoring chances. Messi’s apparent goal in the 49th minute was negated by an offside call, and his shot in the 62nd minute bounded off the crossbar.

[Leadership]

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has boldly expressed his lack of concern regarding the vocal outbursts of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi against the government.

This disclosure was unveiled through an audiotape that he chose to release on his official Facebook page, capturing the attention of the public on a consequential Sunday.

the former minister has made public an audiotape following a highly contentious sermon delivered by Gumi. During this sermon, Gumi referred to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, as a "satanic person." The remarks were made in connection to alleged plans for a collaborative effort between Wike and Israel, aimed at enhancing the security of the federal capital territory.

In a recent statement, Gumi expressed concern over potential repercussions for the Muslim community in the event of collabcoration between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Israel. In a notable statement, the individual in question emphasised the potential risks associated with assigning Nigeria's national security responsibilities solely to individuals of Christian faith and Southern origin.

Fani-Kayode dismissed the significance of the criticisms levelled against the government by referring to the individual in question as a "little monkey." He expressed his lack of concern, highlighting the presence of government officials whose responsibility it is to address such matters. He emphasised his own position outside of the government, implying that he is not directly involved in the response to these criticisms.

“However, I am concerned about his rantings against the Christian community and against what I believe to be southerners generally, both Christian and Muslim.”

• Two fleeing robbers shot dead, vehicles recovered
• Alia fumes, vows gunmen will be arrested; IGP says perpetrators have murdered sleep.

Benue State Police Command confirmed yesterday that two suspected members of the robbery gang that raided some commercial banks in Otukpo, Benue State on Friday have been killed.

The suspects, according to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Kate Aneene, a Superintendent of police (SP), were shot dead during a gun duel with a police team on Otukpo-Taraku Road in the state yesterday.

Aneene said the robbery suspects were trying to escape with their loot through the road when nemesis caught up with them.

She said a team of policemen engaged them in an exchange of gunfire, killing the two instantly while other members of the gang abandoned their vehicles and escaped into the forest.

Also confirming the death of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and three other policemen during the raid, Aneene said they were confirmed dead in the hospital.

Other persons who sustained injuries in the bank, she said, have since been moved to the hospital for treatment while investigation continues on the matter.

Aneene identified the banks raided by the robbers to include Access Bank, First Bank, Zenith International Bank, UBA and Stanbic Bank.

She said: “On 20/10/2023 at about 1615hrs, armed robbers invaded Access, First, Zenith, UBA and Stanbic bank Otukpo simultaneously.

“The Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, CSP John Adikwu and other police teams in the area engaged them in a gun duel but were unable to prevent the attacks on the banks.

“More police teams in collaboration with other security agents have been deployed to Otukpo to assist in stabilising the area and prevent these robbers from escaping.

“The robbers who were inter cepted along Otukpo-Taraku Road engaged officers in a gun duel and two of the robbers died in the process.

“Other gang members abandoned their vehicles and escaped into the forest area and are being chased by the police.

“The DPO who sustained a gunshot injury on his stomach and three other police officers have been confirmed dead at the hospital.

“Other persons who sustained injuries in the bank have been moved to the hospital for treatment.”

The casualties of the attacks include DPO John Adikwu of Otukpo Divisional Headquarters; Emmanuella Ankyov, a female police officer; Emmanuel Uche who concluded his mandatory National Youth Service scheme (NYSC) early in the year and recently secured a job with UBA and two others identified simply as Uloko and Desmond.

Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, yesterday condemned the attacks on some commercial banks in Otukpo town.

A statement issued by his spokesman, Tersoo Kula, described the robbery incident as an affront on the state, especially that it took place at the exact time the Security Council meeting was in progress at the Government House in Makurdi.

The governor sympathised with the families of those who were gruesomely murdered by the robbers during the robbery.

He said: “It is an unfortunate development that people who were on duty, especially police officers, were shot and killed in cold blood by those mindless robbers.

“But they cannot get away with this. Already, security agencies are on their trail and must apprehend and bring them to justice.”

Alia called on the people of the state to be vigilant and always endeavour to report suspicious movements around them all the time.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, condemned the robbery attacks in strong terms, describing it as an assault on the principles of peace, security, and justice which he said the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies work tirelessly to uphold.

A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the IGP extended his “heartfelt condolences” to the families and loved ones of the victims who were affected by “this senseless act of violence”.

He confirmed that two of the suspects were gunned down by operatives while attempting to escape, adding that the assailants “who orchestrated this brazen act of criminality have indeed murdered sleep”.

The statement added: “The IGP ordered the deployment of additional operational and investigative assets and resources to Otukpo, the Benue State Command and sur rounding states to assist in the swift apprehension of the other fleeing criminals responsible for this atrocity, as a follow-up to the gunning down of two of the armed robbers after a hot chase on Friday.

“In the same vein, going by this incident, the IGP has put all Commands and Formations on red alert to avert any further deadly attacks on our institutions and innocent citizens of Nigeria, more so that the Otukpo attack was an early warning sign of the Ember Month challenges which is often characterised by bank robbery and other related crimes.

“We therefore call upon the public to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities by providing any information that may aid in the investigation and pursuit of the suspects. Your assistance is invaluable in our mission to restore safety and security in the affected area and across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

“In the wake of this tragedy, the IGP reiterates the NPF’s commitment to the safety and security of the Nigerian people, standing united against acts of violence and criminality and vowing to work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for this reprehensible act are brought to justice.

[Nation]

Russian missile strikes have killed at least six postal workers while 17 others sustained injury on Saturday when they hit a mail depot in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, officials said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video on social media of what appeared to be a heavily damaged warehouse surrounded by rubble and a container with the logo of the Ukrainian postal operator Nova Poshta.

The six killed in the attack were all workers at the Nova Poshta depot, located in the village of Korotych on the outskirts of Kharkiv city, regional governor Oleg Sinegubov said.

“The victims, aged between 19 and 42, received shrapnel wounds and blast injuries,” he said.

Sinegubov said of the injured being treated in the hospital, seven were in serious condition, adding that “Doctors are fighting for their lives”.

The regional prosecutor’s office later updated the number of injured to 17.

Sergiy Nozhka, who works for Nova Poshta, described the condition of some of his colleagues as “mild to moderate severity”, adding that “there are some people in a very serious condition”.

He said that a rocket “flew into the neighbouring depot, but at ours too — the windows and shutters flew out. This is not the first time”.

According to the prosecutor’s office, Russian forces in the Belgorod region north of Kharkiv fired S-300 missiles, two of which hit the warehouse.

“Debris analysis continues at the site in order to establish the exact number of injured and dead,” office spokesman Dmytro Chubenko told Ukraine’s state broadcaster Suspilne.

Separate Russian attacks on villages near the war-battered Ukrainian city of Bakhmut killed at least two people on Sunday, officials said.

Both Kyiv and Moscow are preparing for a gruelling winter ahead, as Ukraine warns of renewed strikes on its energy infrastructure and Russia contends with a Ukrainian counteroffensive to regain territory.

AFP