The controversy trailing the All Progressives Congress (APC) zoning formula for the position of presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly is yet to abate, as youths drawn from the North Central have said the region would not settle for anything less.

The youths, under the aegis of the North Central Youths Stakeholders Forum and North Central Youths Stakeholders Forum and the Middle Belt Forum, specifically said the region would only accept the Senate Presidency and Speakership of the House of Representatives.

In a statement, the Leader of the NCYSF, Mohammed A Mohammed, said the groups were behind the decision reached at the recent meeting held by governors of the region and National Assembly members-elect, not to accept the decision of the party.

Mohammed contended that the APC zoning arrangement was a deliberate attempt to undermine the contributions of the North-Central to the survival of the party and its victory at the February 25th general elections and subsequent polls.

He said: “We find it unbecoming that other regions that performed abysmally at the polls are given preference in zoning arrangement of the APC NWC while relegating the North Central which contributed optimally to the victory of the APC and its Presidential Candidate would be literally denied any principal position in the coming National Assembly.

“It is all the more insulting that even to consider the North Central for the third position in the legislative houses is subject of debate and speculation.

“In the light of this, we wish to invite the intervention of all stakeholders in the APC to impress on the NWC of the party and all those behind this agenda to rescind, withdraw, review and reverse this unpopular decision and in the alternative, allow the elected federal legislators to form their leadership.”

He called on the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to stand on the side of truth and justice by supporting the North Central.

“We call on the incoming President to do all he could to reclaim his statesmanship by supporting what clearly is the popular will of the people against those who want to subvert it.

It does not gladden anyone to think that the relegation of the North Central after the central role it played in the emergence of the coming administration in spite of all the odds, is calculated to diminish the rising political relevance of the region.

“For the avoidance of doubt therefore, and for those who have ears to hear, the North Central would never settle for any other position lower than the Senate Presidency and Speakership of the House of Representatives,” he said

The leadership of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has issued a disclaimer on Hon. Abdullahi Maje and purported ALGON Interim Management Committee (IMC) whose existence has since been nullified by the courts.

In a statement jointly signed the Hon. Odunayo Ategbero and the National President of ALGON, who is also the Chairman of ALGON in Lagos State, Hon. Alabi Kolade David, the ALGON leaders disclosed that “it has come to the attention of the National Executive Council (NEC) and the Board of Trustees of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) that one Hon. Abdullahi S. Maje, who is not a member of ALGON NEC or the Chairman of Niger State Chapter of ALGON, but the Council Chairman of Suleja LGA, Niger State; in cohorts with some persons has continued to parade himself as the Chairman of a non-existent Interim Management Committee (“IMC”).”

The ALGON leaders disclosed that “Hon. Abdullahi Maje and his cohorts are currently plotting to conduct an illegitimate election for already extant National Executive offices of ALGON.”

They noted that “for clarification, ALGON as a responsible and responsive Association wishes the general public and Law Enforcement agencies to please note as follows:

“That Hon Alabi Kolade David Esq is the current National President of ALGON and also the Chairman of Lagos State Chapter of ALGON.

“That the Interim Management Committee (IMC) is not mentioned in and is completely alien to ALGON’s Constitution.

“That there is currently in existence a duly constituted ALGON National Executive Committee (Exco) and National Executive Council (NEC).

“That an FCT High Court Judgment of 29th March 2021 has nullified IMC and declared its membership null and void.

“That a Federal High Court Order of 20th December 2021 has thrown out a case filed by Abdullahi Maje to uphold the purported IMC.

“The general public is advised to beware of attempts by Abdullahi Maje to fraudulently obtain funds using ALGON’s name; as ALGON does not engage in soliciting funds for is programmes and activities.

“That ALGON is an Association of diverse political parties drawn from a broad spectrum but unified by a firm commitment to grassroots development” the ALGON leaders clarified.

The leadership of ALGON also clarified “That only ALGON NEC (meaning the 36 State Chapter Chairmen) or the National President (Hon. Alabi Kolade David) or 18 State Chapters of the Association, can summon an Emergency or Extraordinary meeting of the Association as provided in Article 9 of ALGON Constitution which states as follows:

“Emergency or Extraordinary meetings of the Association of which 1 month’s notice shall be given stating the purpose of such meeting can be called at any time by the Council or by the President or by resolutions from at least 18 chapters of the Association”.

ALGON therefore advised the general public “to please note that neither the ALGON NEC, nor the National President, nor 18 State Chapters of ALGON, have summoned any ALGON Emergency or Extra-Ordinary meeting for any purpose whatsoever.

“That the public is also advised to note that the only Organ of the Association that can summon the General Assembly is the NEC and NEC has not issued any notice of General Assembly; as there is an extant National Exco in place.

“That all communications and enquiries pertaining to ALGON and its activities should be directed to its National Secretariat (under the headship of ALGON Director General Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello) located at 6th Floor, WAEC Building, No. 10, Zambezi Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory – ALGON shall not accept responsibility otherwise”, the ALGON leaders further clarified.

…Seeks Continued Synergy With The Nigerian Police

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says community policing is a matter of priority to his administration in its drive to sustain the prevailing peace and security in the state.

He stated this while playing host to the newly posted Assistant Inspector General of Police for zone 12 in charge of Gombe and Bauchi States, AIG Audu Adamu Madaki during a familiarisation visit to the Governor in his office.

The Governor said to buttress the seriousness with which his administration views the issue of community policing, he created a ministry for internal security and ethical orientation with a view to having a more robust and constant engagement with the security agencies and relevant stakeholders.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the idea behind creating the State Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation was to get to the grassroot and to strengthen synergy with the traditional rulers so that security of lives and property can be guaranteed.

He said, “the issue of community policing which you mentioned is really a priority to us here in Gombe State and I know is a priority for the whole country too. So we must provide the framework for its success. The Commissioner for internal security is here and is only this time around that on coming to office we created that Ministry because that is the vision that we have to create a very robust, deep rooted and functional security architecture to ensure close monitoring by the government and major security agencies especially the police.

“Is not easy to implement because it has a lot of financial implications but I know with your support we can achieve the target of ensuring a functional security that is beneficial to our people”.

He explained that other challenges abound due to the centrality of the State at the midst of the north east, making it a preferred destination for IDPs owing to its peaceful atmosphere and easy access.

While describing peace, security and tranquillity as the bedrock of any meaningful development, the Governor assured that his administration will continue to priotise the safely and well being of the citizenry.

He noted that the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the State has accorded his administration the opportunity to provide services to the people spanning through social, economic and infrastructural development.

He described the relationship between the Gombe State Government and the Nigerian Police as symbiotic which presupposes that as the State provides support to the police, the force should on the other hand redouble its efforts towards the maintenance of peace and security.

Earlier speaking, AIG Audu Adamu Madaki described Gombe as a perfect State in terms of crime prevention, detection and prosecution. He commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for taking proactive measures in addressing security issues in Gombe State and for his support to the Nigerian police and its sister- agencies.

“By my personal assessment, Gombe is a quite State in the North East and not only in North Eastern states but in Northern Nigeria because there is a superb synergy among all the security agencies and of course a very superb support from the State Government and I believe if this synergy continues as the Governor is demomstrating, Gombe State will continue to be a safe haven in the north east and the entire nation”.