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Pro-Coup Rally In Niger After Military Leader Warns Against Foreign Intervention

Published

1 year ago

August 21, 2023

Pro-Coup Rally In Niger

Several thousand people demonstrated in the capital of Niger on Sunday in support of last month’s military coup, whose leader has warned against outside intervention and proposed a three-year transition of power.

The demonstrators chanted slogans hostile to former colonial power France and West African regional bloc ECOWAS, which is considering a potential military operation to reinstate elected president Mohamed Bazoum if ongoing negotiations with coup leaders fail.

The Sahel state’s new military leaders have officially banned demonstrations but in practice, those in support of the coup are allowed to go ahead.

The demonstrators waved placards saying “Stop the military intervention” and “No to sanctions”, in reference to the financial and trade restrictions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) four days after the coup on July 26.

Sunday’s pro-coup rally was accompanied by musicians praising the new military regime, AFP journalists reported.

The latest in a string of pro-coup rallies came a day after the new military ruler in Niamey warned that an attack on Niger would not be a “walk in the park”.

General Abdourahamane Tiani also said in a televised address on Saturday that he did not wish to “confiscate” power and a transition of power back to civilian rule would not go beyond three years.

Niger’s new leaders have accused France, a close Bazoum ally, of being behind the anti-coup stance taken by ECOWAS, which on Saturday made a fresh push for a diplomatic solution.

After ECOWAS chiefs of staff met in the Ghanaian capital Accra on Friday, the 17-nation bloc said it had agreed on a date for a potential intervention.

It nonetheless sent a diplomatic delegation to Niamey on Saturday, led by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Niger television showed delegation members shaking hands with Bazoum, who remains in detention.

It also broadcast footage of Abubakar speaking to Tiani but the content of the exchange has not been made public.

In his televised address on Saturday, Tiani alleged that ECOWAS was “getting ready to attack Niger by setting up an occupying army in collaboration with a foreign army”, without saying which country he meant.

But he added: “If an attack were to be undertaken against us, it will not be the walk in the park some people seem to think.”

Tiani also announced a 30-day period of “national dialogue” to draw up “concrete proposals” to lay the foundations of “a new constitutional life”.

ECOWAS leaders say they have to act now that Niger has become the fourth West African nation since 2020 to suffer a coup, following Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali.

The bloc has agreed to activate a “standby force” as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger.

The Sahel region is struggling with growing jihadist insurgencies linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Those behind the military takeovers have pointed to frustration over the violence to justify seizing power.

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Gov Sanwo-Olu Signs Lagos Electricity Bill Into Law

Published

2 hours ago

December 3, 2024

News Editor

Babajide-Sanwo-Olu

The Lagos State Electricity Law 2024 is a comprehensive plan of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s resolve to address longstanding challenges in the energy sector.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially signed the Lagos Electricity Bill into law.

The ceremony which was carried out at Lagos House Alausa Ikeja, had in attendance the state deputy governor Kadri Hamzat, members of the State assembly, as well as the state executive council members.

Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the state House of Assembly for ensuring the speedy passage of the bill, stressing that the bill will change the socio-economic value of citizens in Lagos State.

He stated that the electricity bill has been in the works for some years, and now that is finally achieved as Lagosians can be sure of a steady power supply.

On his part, the state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, said the electricity law signed will provide an additional grid for Lagos State, and also put an end to black out in the state.

“There will now be regular power supply. Host community development Trust fund, which will provide opportunities for communities to develop power plant,” he said.

Ogunleye noted that the step taken by the government stands as a beacon of progress, that will ensure uninterrupted power supply in Lagos State.

The Lagos State Electricity Law 2024 is a comprehensive plan of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s resolve to address longstanding challenges in the energy sector.

The law will lay a robust foundation for economic growth, fostering industrial growth, improved quality of life, energy equity, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability.

Among other things, the law seeks to establish a Lagos Electricity Market that is technically sound, financially viable, and well-regulated, ensure access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity for all citizens.

It also helps to promote diverse energy sources, including renewable energy, and encourage energy efficiency, foster investment, competition, and innovation in the electricity sector and electrify underserved areas, contributing to the sustainable development of Lagos State.

News

Tax Reform Bills: Northern Youths Stage Solidarity Rally For Barau In NASS

Published

3 hours ago

December 3, 2024

News Editor

Deputy President of the Senate Barau Jibrin

Thousands of youth from across the 19 Northern States of the country staged a solidarity rally at the entrance of the National Assembly today, in support of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, describing him as the “Sardauna of our era.”

According to them, the peaceful rally was organised to warn those attacking the Deputy President of the Senate over last Wednesday’s resolution of the Senate allowing tax reform experts access to the chamber of the Senate to make presentations during the plenary session on the Tax Reform Bills.

Barau had, during the plenary session, said that the experts, including the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Reform, Taiwo Oyedele, should be allowed to educate the Senators and Nigerians on the Tax Reform Bills.

Carrying banners with various inscriptions including: “Senator Barau: The Sardauna of our era”,” Senator Barau is the new leader of the North”, ” Stop attacking Senator Barau”, ” Leave Senator Barau alone”, ” Senator Barau: The pro-masses lawmaker,” they said Barau remains the best Senator in the North, given his sponsorship of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) bill.

A former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Tijjani Kabiru Mohammed, said the Deputy President of the Senate has neither supported nor kicked against the Tax Reform Bills; instead, he pushed for the sensitisation of Nigerians.

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Tinubu Greets Atiku Abubakar On 78th Birthday

Published

1 week ago

November 26, 2024

News Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

President Bola Tinubu extends his best wishes to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the occasion of his 78th birthday.

The former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election has been an active player in Nigeria’s democratic process since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

The President recalls many special moments shared with Wazirin Adamawa as founding members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), united in the mission to build a better future for Nigerians, as well as their engagement as political opponents in the last presidential election.

President Tinubu recognises Atiku’s commitment to public service and philanthropy, and prays Almighty Allah to continue to grant him health and happiness in the years ahead.