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Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai last week sued the state House of Representatives following the lawmakers’ determination to investigate the alleged misuse of N432 billion ($1 billion) in public funds by his administration.
In the same week, former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the escalating political crisis in Rivers State.
These stories and three others we tracked dominated public discourse in the country during that period.
1. El-Rufai sues Kaduna House of Assembly
On June 26, the former governor sued the state House of Representatives following a decision by parliament to investigate the alleged misuse of N432 billion ($1 billion) in public funds by his administration.
Former governor aide Muyiwa Adekeye revealed this in a post on his X account.
Adekeye said: “His lawyer, AU Mustapha SAN, said that El-Rufai approached the court as a Nigerian citizen entitled to a fair trial before his rights can be determined by any quasi-judicial or investigative body or court in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”
Why this is important
The latest developments from Kaduna are an indication that the former governor is no longer in favor with the government of President Bola Tinubu and his party.
El-Rufai has been caught in a predicament since he was denied a ministerial post in August last year. His romantic relationships with opposition elements reportedly put him in the bad books of President Tinubu’s men in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In short, the House resolution addresses concerns raised by many parties regarding the management of state resources by governors, many of whom live in luxury while their people suffer under difficult conditions caused by unfavorable policies.
Indeed, this raises questions about accountability and whether public officials accused of blatant corruption are punished sufficiently as a deterrent to others.
2. Clark demands Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers crisis
Former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, on June 25 appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the escalating political crisis in Rivers State.
In the letter he signed, Clark urged the president to suspend the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara to govern the state without interference.
The letter read: “I wish to congratulate the President on the swift action taken to defuse the political tension in Rivers State. Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media to Mr. President expressed the President’s position during an interview on TVC on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
“And this statement has been warmly received by Nigerians, especially in Rivers State. This crisis will no doubt gradually subside if this statement is upheld by the President, and this will enable us to deal with security challenges in other parts of the country.”
Why this is important
The senior statesman’s latest call to Rivers suggests that the crisis in the oil-rich country requires a tougher approach, akin to an executive order to unite all warring forces.
Last week’s attempted bombing of the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt and similar incidents are signs that peace will likely never be achieved in the state unless the president orders those who are determined to destroy the country because of their greed and lust for power.
3. FG, ASUU agree to resolve crisis
The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on June 26 agreed to resolve all disputed issues amicably to prevent another strike in universities.
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The parties also agreed to begin a communication process to prevent any plans for a strike by the union.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, told journalists after the meeting that the negotiation process had begun and urged the federal government to follow through on the agreement between the two parties.
He said: “We have discussed all the issues and have assigned a number of people to review and agree on the next steps.
“What is important is that we have started the process and our prayer is that we can complete it for the sake of our youth and the interests of the nation.”
Why this is important
While the development may have allayed fears of another attack on the country’s ivory tower, the onus is on the government to honour the agreements freely signed with university teachers to avoid another disruption in the country’s education sector.
Knowing how the failure of successive governments to honour agreements with trade unions has cast doubt on the integrity of the Nigerian state, the Tinubu administration would do well to change the narrative and repair its fragile public standing.
4. MURIC on the plan to remove the Sultan
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on June 26 alleged a plot by the Sokoto State government to remove the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC claimed that the Sokoto State government was hatching a secret plan to overthrow the Sultan and warned of serious consequences of such an action.
The statement read: “Information circulating indicates that the governor may approach the Sultan of Sokoto any time from now using one of the lame excuses he used to depose the 15 traditional rulers he had previously removed.
“MURIC advises the governor to think before acting. The seat of the Sultan is not only traditional, but also religious. In the same context, his jurisdiction extends beyond Sokoto. His jurisdiction extends to the whole of Nigeria. He is the spiritual leader of all Nigerian Muslims.”
Why this is important
Recent events in Kano and other parts of the country have strengthened calls to amend the constitution to strip governors of their powers to appoint and dismiss traditional leaders.
Like Kano, Sokoto State is an important state in Northern Nigeria because of its position in the Muslim world and the government must take action to avoid a crisis that could ravage the region and the country as a whole.
5. Amnesty Int’l claims 2,600 people died in crisis in Benue
Amnesty International said on June 26 that at least 2,600 people, mostly women and children, had been killed in attacks on 50 communities in Benue State in the past year.
Amnesty International’s Programme Director, Ms Barbara Magaji, revealed this during a photo exhibition and press conference in Makurdi.
He said 18 of the state’s 23 local government areas were under constant security threats from armed attackers.
According to him, the attacks occurred between January 2023 and February this year.
Magaji said: “These attacks significantly affect food security and livelihoods because the affected communities are farmers and displacement makes it impossible for them to carry out any agricultural activities.
“These evictions have a significant and devastating impact on the right to livelihood, and deprive thousands of children of their right to education and development.”
Why this is important
The frequent attacks on soft targets by bandits and other criminals are yet another indication of the urgent need to rebuild Nigeria’s security architecture to perform effectively.
The attack shows that current military strategies are no longer suitable for the campaign against criminals who are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their war against the Nigerian state.
Therefore, this problem requires proactive action from the government to stop this country from falling into a failed state.
QuickRead post: El-Rufai sues Kaduna Assembly. Four other stories we track and why they matter first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.
