Politics

Former Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Adamu Kicks Against Zoning, Anti-Open Grazing Laws

Published

4 years ago

September 14, 2021

News Editor

Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Former Governor Nasarawa State

*Blames Food Crisis on Insecurity

As various Political Parties continue to position them for the 2023 general election a federal lawmaker and former Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Adamu has described as “wishful thinking”, growing clamours for a zoning arrangement for all political positions including the Presidency in Nigeria.

Adamu who currently represents Nasarawa West on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) asked political parties in Nigeria to jettison zoning and allow merit to be their watchword as they present candidates for various political positions in the country.

Adamu stated this at a roundtable on the State of the Nation with Journalists at the National Assembly on Monday.

According to Adamu, zoning is alien to the Nigerian constitution and inimical to the principles of democracy where powers flow from the people and through the ballot box.

Adamu advised the promoters and advocates of zoning to first seek a review of the Nigerian constitution to include their zoning desires even as he questions the pattern such an arrangement will take.

Zoning” has remained quite controversial as “an unwritten gentleman agreement” at a time when Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999 and partly to calm frayed nerves in the Southwest of the country over the events of June 12, election and the eventual annulment of the exercise.

*Food Crisis/Insecurity*

Adamu who currently serves as Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture blames current food crisis on a number of factors especially insecurity which is not unconnected to frequent clashes between herders and farmers in the country.

But despite the threat of insecurity associated with the activities of itinerant herders
with southern governors banning opening grazing in their domains and a few of their northern counterparts echoing similar restrictions on cattle movements; Adamu holds firmly to his earlier position that herdsmen should be allowed to roam.

*Anti-Open Grazing Laws*

He said anti-open grazing laws and other forms of attempts to restrict the movement of herders is in violation of their fundamental human rights to freedom of movement to any part of the country; pointing out that without any support and assistance from government it has been extremely difficult for the herder to adjust the way he plies his trade in line with the dictates of modernization.

*Herders Need Help Not Attacks*

Adamu therefore called on government at all levels especially the state and local governments to work out schemes aimed at assisting herdsmen sustain do his business and reduce the frictions that exist between them and farmers in the country.

*North-South Dichotomy*

He said it is regrettable that the posture of some politicians over the issues of herdsmen/farmers clashes have continued to pitch the North against the South.

“It is a pity that there is such conflict between the North and the South. But such divide did not start with my generation of politicians.

According to Adamu, the mutual suspicion that exists between Northern politicians and their southern counterparts dates back to the pre- independence era when Northern politicians dared to reject the offer of independence in 1957 saying they were not ready at the time.

He said the mutual suspicion has grown ever since and become part of their “blood”.

Politics

Akpabio To Peter Obi: Resolve Crisis In LP Before Aspiring To Be President

Published

2 days ago

May 8, 2025

News Editor

Senate-President-Godswill-Akpabio

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has responded to Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), over his recent comments that the “labour of our heroes past is all in vain’.

Akpabio advised Obi to first resolve the internal issues in his “Labour party” before aiming for the presidency of Nigeria.

Akpabio’s remarks came on Thursday during the valedictory session in honor of the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

He stated that if Obi cannot address the ongoing crisis within the Labour Party, he lacks the moral authority to govern a larger, more complex country like Nigeria.

What Peter Obi said
Obi, in his tribute on Wednesday during the memorial lecture and day of tribute for Chief Clark in Abuja, had praised “Clark’s life of courage, sacrifice, and value”.

He also expressed concern about the current state of Nigeria, stating that the sacrifices of past leaders such as General Gowon and former President Jonathan were in vain.

Obi pointed out the absence of protests in response to the recent fuel price hikes, contrasting this with the widespread protests during Jonathan’s time over similar issues.

He also criticized the Nigerian government, claiming that there is no democracy and lamenting the accusation that his criticism of the government amounted to “demonizing” the country.

Akpabio’s response
In response, Akpabio remarked: “If you cannot resolve the crisis in your Labour Party, how can you solve the crisis of Boko Haram or other major national issues?

“I urge those aspiring to lead Nigeria to first address the issues within their own parties.”

He also took the opportunity to highlight his achievements as a former governor.

He said: “I can proudly speak about the dualized thoroughfares in my city, the international hospitals, and the digitalized governor’s offices.

“I also initiated free and compulsory education and worked towards religious unity by sponsoring over 5,800 Muslims and over 12,000 to 15,000 Christians on pilgrimages to Rome and Jerusalem.”

Akpabio concluded by saying that while social media can be a tool for communication, it is largely unregulated and often used to sow division.

He urged Obi and other presidential aspirants to first resolve their party issues before focusing on the national stage.

Politics

APGA Adopts Tinubu As Candidate For 2027 Presidential Election

Published

2 days ago

May 8, 2025

News Editor

President Bola Tinubu

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has officially adopted President Bola Tinubu as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State made the announcement on Thursday in Awka.

He claimed that APGA and the All Progressives Congress, APC would work together during the election, as both parties share a common belief in progressivism.

The announcement was made at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka during the President’s working visit to the state.

Soludo said, “Progressives are working together.”

Politics

Three Katsina PDP Reps Defect To APC

Published

2 days ago

May 8, 2025

News Editor

PDP and APC

Three members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have officially dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Speaker of the House, Rajudeen Abbas, announced this on the floor of the House during plenary on Thursday.

A letter from the defectors was read by the Speaker.

The defectors cited the lingering internal crisis and unresolved issues within the PDP as the major reasons behind their decision to leave the party.

They further stated that the instability within the PDP has made it difficult to effectively serve their constituents and align with progressive governance.

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, in a show of solidarity and support, was present in the chamber to witness the lawmakers’ formal defection to the APC.