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Supporters of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and those of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, clashed on Wednesday during a medical outreach in the Eliozu community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that trouble started when the state Ministry of Health officials were carrying out a medical outreach for women at the Eliozu Health Centre.
It was further gathered that no sooner had the programme started than some supporters allegedly loyal to a factional Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, arrived at the venue to find out the reason for the gathering.
The venue is said to be near the residence of Amaewhule, who is the leader of the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike.
But supporters of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in the state, Chijioke Ihunwo, loyal to Fubara, who were at the venue allegedly stopped them from assessing the venue, leading to a heated argument and subsequent clash.
Following the fisticuff, stones were pelted from several directions, as the medical outreach was disrupted abruptly.
A few minutes later, a team of riot policemen arrived at the scene, firing teargas to disperse the opposing groups and quell the situation from getting out of hand.
It was, however, gathered that a child who was said to have inhaled the substance from the teargas was rushed into the facility and later regained consciousness.
It was also gathered that the outreach was later moved to a state-owned medical facility at the Waterlines axis of Port Harcourt, the state capital where the programme was launched.
Reacting to the incident, Ihunwo accused Amaewhule of leading policemen to disrupt the outreach.
Ihunwo stated, “This morning, there was an incident at the Eliozu Health Centre where the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, led some security men to disrupt a programme by the Ministry of Health.
“A few minutes later, some policemen came and started beating up our women, shooting teargas at pregnant women who were at the health centre.
“We want to say that Obio/Akpor Local Government Area will not be under siege. We want to call on the President, Bola Tinubu that the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of the FCT are tarnishing the image of your government.
“We are calling on you to call them to order so that Rivers State can have peace. Let the FCT Minister concentrate on his job in Abuja and leave our dear Governor alone.”
When contacted, Martins Wachukwu, media aide to Amaewhule, said he would speak to our correspondent on Thursday morning.
Wachukwu stated tersely, “Please I will speak to you tomorrow morning.”
The spokesperson for the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.
Iringe-Koko, in a short message to our correspondent, said the police responded to a distress call over the scenario, adding that the investigation was ongoing.
She stated, “A distress call was received from the health centre in the Eliozu community today, July 24, 2024, where supporters of two separate political factions were engaged in a fight.
“The police responded by sending operatives to the scene to restore law and order.
“The police deployed anti-riot tactics, including the use of canisters, to disperse the crowds. An investigation into the matter has been initiated.”
Credit: Punch
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Thursday, cautioned President Bola Tinubu not to stop the upcoming August 1 protest against hardship in the country.
Primate Ayodele said Nigerians are very bitter and have formed hatred toward the present government due to the hardship in the country.
In a statement by his Media Aide, Oluwatosin Osho, Ayodele said the protest will hold but the government should work on mitigating the effects by reducing the prices of essential commodities like food, fuel, electricity, etc.
The clergy explained that the current hardship is affecting the poor and rich because many didn’t expect it to get to this level even though he warned them before voting in another APC government.
He urged the president to discard those deceiving him that the economic situation of the country is getting better.
According to Ayodele, ‘’People are very bitter and they have hatred towards this government. Some states will participate and some will not but definitely there will be protests. The government needs all it needs to do; crash the price of food, electricity, petroleum, find solutions to insecurity, regulate prices and others to mitigate the effect of the protest.
‘’People are in serious hardship but the government doesn’t understand, they need to do something fast because it will be more than an ordinary protest. Nigeria doesn’t need this protest now because there is ‘protest inside protest’ due to pains, hardship, and hunger.
‘’This government is just assumption-based; it is not a realistic one so it’s difficult to connect with people or understand their pains. The government must adjust, it’s very simple to stop this protest by doing all that is needed. It will be a protest of hunger, pains and reward.
‘’The government is affecting the rich and poor, there is hardship everywhere but people didn’t expect this. People who surround the government are deceiving him. They want the government to collapse. The government has not done anything so they should expect the protest, it will stand. ‘’
‘’Nigeria deserves better welfare despite the increment in minimum wage, it’s not an achievement but let this government go after a better achievement that the people will be grateful for.’’
The Bauchi State Government has warned any individual or group planning to organise any protest, saying there would be no protest taking place in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Kashim, while speaking against the backdrop of the planned nationwide protest, dismissed any speculation of protests occurring within the state’s borders.
“On the part of the government, we completely dissociate ourselves from any protest. We are not aware, we are not welcoming any protest, and it’s not going to happen in Bauchi State,” Kashim said.
While highlighting the state’s reputation for peace and tranquility, Kashim emphasized that the government is resolute in maintaining the atmosphere, cautioning the organizers to stage the protest elsewhere and not in Bauchi State.
The Operation Whirlwind arm of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has confiscated a total of 41,425 litres of petrol from smugglers operating mostly around international borderlines of Adamawa and neighbouring Cameroon Republic.
The Operation Whirlwind National Coordinator, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Yola on Wednesday, said nine vehicles that the smugglers used in conveying the contraband were also seized.
Ejibunu said the seizures were made between May this year and now.
Giving an update in seizures during the news briefing at the Adamawa/Taraba Zonal headquarters of the NCS in Yola, Ejibunu said, “Today, we have another seizure of 1,481 kegs (Jerry cans) and 20 drums, containing 25 litres each and 220 each litres respectively, which translate into 41,425 litres of PMS (petrol).”
He said the containers of petrol were seized with nine means of conveyance, being different brands of cars fitted with petrol carrying tankers hidden by thickly tinted windscreens.
Ejibunu explained that the seizures were of the cumulative duty value of N48,547,500.
“These interceptions were made on different dates and locations across Mubi-Sahuda road, Girei-Wuro Boki axis, Maiha road, Angwan Tana-Bajin Kogi axis and other places,” he said.
He added that Customs operatives working under the auspices of the Operation Whirlwind act in collaboration with NMDPRA in monitoring the supply and distribution chain from the depot of loading up to retail outlets, to ensure PMS reach designated destinations.
The prices of tomatoes, beans, garri rose above 200 percent in June 2024 from their previous prices in the corresponding period of 2023.
In its Selected Food Price Watch for June 2024, released yesterday, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, indicated that price of tomatoes (1kg) increased Year-on-Year (YoY) by 320.67 percent to N2,302.26 in June 2024 from N547.28 in June of last year (2023).
Similarly, the price of 1kg beans brown (sold loose) stood at N2,292.76 indicating a rise of 252.13 percent YoY from N651.12 recorded in June 2023.
The report also indicated that the price of 1kg Irish potatoes grew by 288.5 percent to N2,423.27 in June 2024 from N623.75 in June 2023.
NBS stated: “Selected Food Price Watch for June 2024 shows that the average price of 1kg beans brown (sold loose) stood at N2,292.76. This indicates a rise of 252.13 percent in price on a YoY basis from N651.12 recorded in June 2023 and a 14.11 percent rise in price on a month-on-month basis from N2,009.23 in May 2024. “Tomatoes (1kg) experienced significant price increases year on year by 320.67 percent from N547.28 in June of last year (2023) to N2,302.26 in June 2024. “On a month-on-month basis, the average price of this item rose by 55.59 percent from N 1,479.69 in May 2024.
“There was also a notable price increase of Irish potato by 288.5 percent on a year-on-year basis from N623.75 in June 2023 to N2,423.27 in June 2024.
“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 51.92 percent from N 1,595.07 in May 2024. Furthermore, the average price of 1kg Garri white sold loose went up by 181.66 percent on a year-on-year basis from N 403.15 in June 2023 to N1,135.51 in June 2024, while there was an increase of 1.86 percent on a month-on-month basis.
“Also, the average price of 1kg of Yam tuber increased by 295.79 percent on a year-on-year basis from N510.77 in June 2023 to N 2,021.55 in May 2024.
“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 52.87 percent from N 1,322.36 in May 2024 to N 2,021.55 in June 2024.”
The bureau noted that the highest average price of 1kg of Brown Beans (sold loose) was recorded in Kogi state at N 3,006.43 while the lowest was in Adamawa state at N1,336.11. The highest average price of 1kg of Tomato was recorded in Abuja at N 3,992.61 while the lowest was in Kebbi State at N1,200.00.
“Regarding the average price of 1kg of yam tuber, Lagos state recorded the highest price at N3,376.54, while Adamawa recorded the lowest price at N1100.00. “Gombe recorded the highest average price of 1kg Garri white sold loose at N1,619.27, while the lowest was reported in Taraba at N 900”, it added.
Meta, parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, says it has removed 63,000 accounts in Nigeria linked to sextortion scams.
In its report ‘Combating Financial Sextortion Scams From Nigeria’ released on Wednesday, Meta announced the network disruption of two sets of accounts in Nigeria affiliated with ‘yahoo boys’ and involved in financial sextortion scams.
“Following our recent Q1 2024 Adversarial Threat Report, today we are announcing the strategic network disruption of two sets of accounts in Nigeria that were affiliated with Yahoo Boys and were attempting to engage in financial sextortion scams,” Meta said.
“First, we removed around 63,000 accounts in Nigeria that attempted to directly engage in financial sextortion scams.
“These included a smaller coordinated network of around 2,500 accounts that we were able to link to a group of around 20 individuals. They targeted primarily adult men in the US and used fake accounts to mask their identities.
“We found the coordinated network of around 2,500 accounts through a combination of new technical signals we’ve developed to help identify sextorters and in-depth investigations by our expert teams.
“The majority of these accounts had already been detected and disabled by our enforcement systems, and this investigation allowed us to remove the remaining accounts and understand more about the techniques being used to improve our automated detection.”
The company said the investigation revealed that while the majority of these scam attempts were unsuccessful and focused on adults, some accounts targeted minors.
It, however, said these accounts were reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
“Since these criminals don’t limit themselves to any one platform, we also share relevant information with other tech companies through the Tech Coalition’s Lantern program, so they can take action too,” it added.
“Applying lessons learned from taking down terrorist groups and coordinated inauthentic behavior, we used our identification of this coordinated network to help us identify more accounts in Nigeria that were attempting to engage in similar sextortion scams, bringing the total to around 63,000 accounts removed.”
Meta said in addition to these accounts, 7,200 assets were removed including 1,300 Facebook accounts, 200 Facebook pages, and 5,700 Facebook groups.
It said these assets were found offering to sell scripts and guides to use when scamming people, and sharing links to collections of photos to use when populating fake accounts.
The company said following this disruption, its systems have been detecting and automatically blocking any attempts by these groups to return, and it is continually enhancing these systems to ensure their effectiveness.
‘META COMMITTED TO INVESTIGATING THESE CRIMES’
Meta reiterated its commitment to ongoing support for law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting these crimes by responding to legitimate legal information requests and notifying authorities if it identifies individuals at immediate risk, in line with its terms of service and relevant laws.
In efforts to prevent such scams, Meta said it has introduced stricter message settings for teens, developed new signals to detect potential sextortion accounts, and started testing an on-device nudity protection feature in Instagram direct messages (DMs), which blurs images with nudity detected as containing nudity and provides safety tips and resources.
Netflix, America’s streaming giant, has increased its subscription prices in Nigeria.
This is the second time in 2024 that the company is increasing its monthly subscription fees.
The company had hiked customers’ subscription rates in April.
According to the price update seen by TheCable on the company’s website on Wednesday, customers will now pay N7,000 monthly for the premium plan — up by 40 percent from N5,000.
Also, the streaming platform adjusted the subscription price for its standard plan, a popular option among Nigerian viewers, from N4,000 to N5,500, marking a 37.5 percent increase.
The firm implemented a 21 percent raise on its basic category, jacking up the subscription rate to N3,500 from N2,900.
The rate for the mobile plan — the lowest subscription category — was increased by 83 percent from N1,200 to N2,200.
Although Netflix did not give reasons for the hike, the development comes 17 months after the streaming giant reduced its subscription prices in more than 30 countries.
Some of the countries that benefitted from the gesture include Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Libya, Iran, Kenya, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Venezuela, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kenya, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Nigerians are currently battling a large-scale economic hardship worsened by the rising cost of living in the country. With the inflation rate rising to 34.18 percent in June, companies are being forced to adjust their processes to remain profitable.
In April, Multichoice Nigeria announced plans to increase the cost of subscriptions for its DStv and GOtv packages. The new rates took effect from May 1.
The pay-TV firm cited the rise in the cost of business operations as the rationale behind the price increase.
Renowned Ghanaian gospel powerhouse Diana Asamoah has made headlines with her steadfast vow to stay single until she receives a divine nod from God Himself.
During a captivating appearance on UTV’s “U-Cook,” hosted by the vibrant Empress Gifty, the 50-year-old artist laid bare her unwavering commitment to this spiritual journey.
In a bold and heartfelt declaration, Diana revealed that despite encountering men from all walks of life and receiving a flood of marriage proposals, she remains resolute in her decision to await heavenly approval before tying the knot.
Asamoah disclosed that her suitors include a range of influential men, some even being respected clerics, all vying for her hand in marriage. Yet, she claimed she has consistently turned them down, staying true to her belief that the right partner has yet to be appointed by God.
Speaking in her native language, she disclosed;
“I have met a lot of men, including men of God. While some of them came with genuine intentions, others were fake. Until I get an approval from God, I will never marry any of them. I will get married and have children at God’s appointed time.”
WATCH HER SPEAK BELOW
Media
The Kebbi High Court 7, sitting in Birnin Kebbi and presided over by Justice Shamsudeen Jafar, has sentenced three people to life imprisonment for raping an 18-year-old married deaf woman. The convicts are Amiru Sani, Aliyu Umar, and Bashar Dan-Inno of Wararin Zaromawa village.
The Prosecution Counsel, Faridah Muhammad, in her submission, said the convicts, who were facing two counts of criminal conspiracy and rape, perpetrated the acts at Wararin Zaromawa village in Gwandu Local Government Area of the state.
“The defendants broke into the victim’s house while she was asleep and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her. They choked her with a thick piece of cloth and tied her hands with a rope before having carnal knowledge of her one by one,” she said.
The counsel prayed the court to convict the defendants as charged because the law imposed a mandatory sentence. She said criminal conspiracy and rape were offenses punishable under sections 259 and 60 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.
The prosecution had earlier called three witnesses and tendered six exhibits, including both English and Hausa statements of the three prosecution witnesses, in support of her case.
The Defense Counsel, Ahmed Abubakar-Filgila, called the three convicts to give evidence and testify in their defense without tendering any documents or exhibits. The defense counsel prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.
In his judgment, Justice Jafar said the prosecution had established all the elements of carnal knowledge of the victim (name withheld). He said this was done through the corroborated statement of the victim and the first defendant, and found all their evidence uncontroverted by the defense.
“I am of the firm view that all the defendants conspired in perpetrating the act. Meanwhile, the convicts conspired and raped the victim, who is an 18-year-old deaf woman, at her husband’s residence. All ingredients needed to establish criminal conspiracy to commit rape were established beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution. The court has no option but to act upon the evidence before it,” he said.
The judge stated that the court holds the view that it has found the first, second, and third defendants guilty as charged.
“Having found you guilty of the charge, you Amiru Sani, Aliyu Umar, and Bashar Dan-Inno, are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment for finding all of you guilty under sections 259 and 60 of Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021,” he declared.
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Embattled American music mogul, Sean Combs, aka Diddy, has been implicated in the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur.
The Bad Boys Records boss is accused of paying $1 million for Shakur’s assassination by suspect Duane “Keefe D” Davis, who was arrested for the murder last year, in new court documents, according to the U.S. Sun.
In the papers filed on Thursday (July 18), Diddy is named 77 times by his various pseudonyms: Puffy, Puff Daddy, Puff and his government name, Sean Combs.
“Defendant [Keefe] has asserted publicly that he only told on himself and wasn’t trying to provide evidence against anyone else in his conversations with police. However, this statement belies this claim, as he suggested that Sean Combs paid Eric Von Martin a million dollars for the killings,” the documents read in part.
In one of the transcripts, Davis reportedly testified to Diddy’s involvement in 2Pac’s murder.
Police asked Davis, “Puffy Combs….Does he play a role in this thing?…” and Davis replied, “Yeah, I think he did.” Davis said Diddy told him and a group of about 45 people how he “would give anything” for Knight’s “head” because he was “scared” of him and also had a problem with Shakur after he had released a diss track about him.
Prosecutors filed the documents in a bid to oppose Davis’ latest bail request. His $112,500 bail bond was rejected last month over concerns about the source of the money.
However, it’s still unknown if Diddy will be subpoenaed or indicted as part of the case.
Popular singer and activist, Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, better known as Charly Boy, has urged Nigerian youths not to back down on the planned nationwide protests against bad governance.
Charly Boy said those in power should embrace scrutiny and protest, not suppress it, if they are confident in their integrity.
He made this known in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, while dismissing a report asking Lagos residents to ignore the protest as the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government is already doing enough for them.
However, Charly Boy countered the advice, saying they resort to silencing dissenting voices and avoiding accountability because they have secrets to hide.
He said: “A Season of Lies, Wayo, Deceit, Propaganda and the more you Look………..
“If those in power are confident in their integrity, they should embrace scrutiny and protest, not suppress it. But when they resort to silencing dissenting voices and avoiding accountability, it’s clear they have secrets to hide. The ‘skeletons/cemeteries in their cupboard’ are a testament to their corruption and abuse of power.
“In a true democracy, governments must be transparent and answerable to the people. They should welcome criticism and engage in open dialogue, even when it’s uncomfortable. By doing so, they can earn trust and demonstrate their commitment to serving the public interest. But when they try to hide behind secrecy and intimidation, it’s a clear sign of guilt and a betrayal of the people’s trust.
“Nigerian youths don’t ever back down. If dem no fear us, dey can never respect us.
Nonsense. Dia fathers.”
One Dasu Kassa, a Police Inspector, has committed suicide in Adamawa State.
Kassa was found dead at his residence in Anguwan Yungur, Girei Local Government Area, on Monday.
It is gathered that Kassa had reportedly come back from a hospital in Yola earlier that evening.
Family sources attributed his decision to take his own life to financial difficulties and medical expenses.
The Police are investigating the matter with a view to finding out the circumstances that led to Kassa’s demise, according to reports.
His death underscored the crippling hardship and suffering the majority of Nigerians are grappling with as it becomes extremely hard to afford basic needs.
To express their dissatisfaction with the state of the nation and prevailing economic realities, a nation protest has been fixed for August 1.
Leading opposition parties, some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other prominent Nigerians have rejected the Senate’s bill to repeal the National Identity Management Commission Act, 2017, to make provision for registration of not just Nigerians but all other persons resident in Nigeria.
The Senate passed the bill for a second reading on July 2, 2024, without a serious debate even though it seeks to broaden the eligibility criteria for registration to include those who are not citizens of Nigeria.
Daily Trust reports that the bill titled, ‘National Identity Management Commission (Repeal and enactment) Bill 2024 (SB. 472),” is sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin (Kano North).
The bill seeks to give persons resident in Nigeria the right to obtain and use National Identification Number (NIN) and utilise it as a recognised form of identification.
It also seeks to replace criminal penalties with administrative enforcement measures to encourage compliance with NIN usage requirements without imposing “undue legal consequences” on individuals.
A copy of the bill obtained by Daily Trust showed that apart from the controversial clause of inclusivity, universal coverage and broadening the eligibility criteria for registration, it also seeks the registration of registrable persons within Nigeria and at licensed centres outside Nigeria.
Part 1 (2) of the bill which is titled, ‘Application’, in subsection (1) says, “This Act shall apply to registration of registrable persons within Nigeria and at licensed centres outside Nigeria, and the management and operation of the National Identity Database and related matters.”
Subsection (2) says, “Without prejudice to (1), this Act shall apply whether or not an act qualifying as an offence or contravention of this Act is committed in Nigeria by any person, irrespective of nationality.”
Similarly, Part V1 (17) of the bill titled, ‘Registrable Persons’, says, “Every citizen and resident of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be entitled to obtain a National Identification Number by undergoing the process of enrolment in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”
Part V1 (18) titled, ‘Registration of Registrable Persons’ among other things provides that “The Commission shall take special measures to enrol, and issue National Identity Numbers to such persons who do not have any permanent place of residence and such other categories of individuals as may be specified by regulations.”
It also aims at establishing a National Identity Database and the National Identity Management Commission charged with the responsibilities of maintenance of the National Database, the registration of individuals, and the issuance of identity credentials, among others.
How it scaled second reading
Supporting the bill, Senator Cyril Fasuyi (Ekiti North) said it is aimed at enhancing the NIMC’s regulatory capacity for more effective oversight and regulation of the Nigeria ID System.
The lawmaker said, “The objectives of the bill are as follows: Expanding the scope of registrable persons by broadening the eligibility criteria for registration under the Nigeria ID System to ensure inclusivity and universal coverage.
“This allows all persons resident in Nigeria to obtain a National Identification Number (NIN) and utilise it as a recognised form of identification.
“Streamlining the sharing of personal data by incorporating robust data protection measures to not only safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of individuals’ data but also to foster trust among citizens in the landing of their information.
“Enhancing administrative enforcement powers. The efficiency and effectiveness of the NIMC’s enforcement powers will ensure timely and accurate compliance with ID registration requirements.’’
But opposition parties, CSOs and others who reacted in separate interviews told Daily Trust that the bill sponsored by a senator who is a member of the ruling party (APC) is suspicious, alleging it has a political undertone.
Move suspicious – PDP
The leading opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the bill saying it is suspicious and of no economic value, especially at a time Nigerians are going through economic hardship.
The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi Ibrahim, told Daily Trust that there are more important things the National Assembly can do to assuage the economic impasse facing the people than the issue of NIN.
“The Senate cannot think of people-oriented policies that will alleviate the suffering of the people, instead they are talking about things that are irrelevant at this point in time.
“Getting everyone including non-Nigerians to get NIN is suspicious. What is the motive? Why are they more concerned about this type of policy and giving it expeditious attention that it will even emanate from the Deputy Senate President? It leaves much to be desired.
“So as a party and people who are with the ordinary citizens and the voice of opposition, we are not in support; we do not see any sincerity in it,’’ he said.
It’s a wrong move – LP
Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) said the move by the Senate to amend the NIMC Act to ensure that all persons residing in Nigeria obtain a National Identification Number (NIN) should not be allowed to see the light of the day.
The Chief Spokesman of the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation in the 2023 general election, Dr Yunusa Tanko, told Daily Trust in a telephone interview that the bill must be thrashed.
“You cannot register those who are not Nigerians as if they are citizens of Nigeria; that will be wrong. This is an issue of serious concern. That is where it will create controversies.
“It will be wrong if they are trying to adulterate our database with the identities of non-Nigerians. Are all persons resident in Nigeria, Nigerian citizens? No.”
It has a political undertone – Hon. Mikko
A former member of the House of Representatives and ex-governorship aspirant in Rivers State, Bernard Mikko, told Daily Trust in a telephone chat that the bill has a political undertone.
Hon. Mikko said, “It is wrong. It should be a resident permit which is temporary; not NIN which is permanent. There should be a clear distinction between a resident and a citizen of Nigeria.
“A citizen has an obligation and duty of taxation, cultural identity and all that, while residents do not. A citizen can vote and be voted for. Is the bill trying to say that aliens can vote in our country? These are the issues.
“The issue of universal coverage in the bill, universal being global, which means everybody irrespective of whether you are from Togo, Niger, Cameroon, should be de-emphasised.
“Let them not put any political undertone to rig elections. We have to define who is a Nigerian citizen so that we don’t bring people through our porous borders into Nigeria to come and compromise our already dwindling, collapsing infrastructure for planning.”
It’s a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty – CSOs
Similarly, some CSOs have rejected the bill. The Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said the move is a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty, adding that the bill is a very sensitive issue that should be handled with utmost caution.
He warned the National Assembly not to hurriedly pass the bill without considering its larger implications.
“Taking a cue from what is obtainable in advanced countries of the world, Nigerians need to ask the proponents of the bill some critical questions before buying-in into the idea.
“First, does allowing foreigners the right to obtain the National Identification Number automatically confer on them full Nigerian citizenship, according to the proposed bill? If the answer is yes, then, we strongly believe that it is a step in the wrong direction.
“Because, no serious nation affords foreigners the privilege of just picking up its citizenship without going through some rigorous processes of due diligence.
“Second, the government needs to clearly spell out the procedures and requirements for obtaining the NIN by foreigners, and the limits of the rights and benefits accruing to foreigners who hold Nigeria’s National Identification Number.
“Third, before jumping into hasty passage of the law and its implementation, there is need for the government to tidy up its immigration policies, ensure that its land, air and sea borders are adequately policed and ensure that officers of the Nigerian immigration service and other relevant security agencies are fully alive to their responsibilities,” Zikirullahi said.
He said failure to put these measures in place before contemplating such a law will not only constitute a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty, but is a recipe for aggravating the already precarious level of insecurity in the country.
A Senior Communications Officer at Yiaga Africa, Mr Mark Amaza, said, “We don’t believe it necessarily means that it will enable them to vote considering the fact that the constitution is clear on who is qualified to vote in Nigeria.
“We have the opinion that the law should also be amended to allow other forms of identity to be used to access the polls, not necessarily the voter card, considering how that has been problematic in the election.
“Many citizens have been disenfranchised from voting for lack of having a voter’s card for no fault of theirs. So, it’s also good that as this law is being debated, that this is also kept or put into consideration.”
However, speaking on the development, Mr Tunde Salman, the Team Lead/Convener of Good Governance Team (GGT) Nigeria, said, “I don’t see any problem in it, especially as INEC voters register is not linked to it.
“Now, with many ongoing initiatives by the President Bola Tinubu administration, such as student loans, consumer credits, and grants that will require background checks, I think there’s a need to think through the proposal to address whatever gaps identified in the existing NIMC legislation.”
[DailyTrust]