Nigerian pop star, Tuface Idibia and other groups planning to hold rallies
\nfor or against the government in Lagos and other states have been asked to
\nshelve their plans by the Police.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Friday night by the Force Public Relations Officer,
\nJimoh Moshood, the Police Headquarters said it is in possession of
\ncredible intelligence reports that other interest groups were planning to
\nhold a counter protest on the same days at the same places as that of the
\nTuface Group.<\/p>\n
If the various planned protests are held as scheduled, the Police said
\nthere may be breakdown of law and order, with attendant loss of lives and
\nproperty.
\nThe statement reads: \u201cNigeria Police Force is deeply concerned with the
\nsecurity implications with regard to the planned protest\/demonstrations,
\nand as the lead security agency in the country, is fully aware and
\nrecognizes the constitutional rights of every citizen (including Tuface
\nand his group) to assemble and move freely in any part of the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this regard, the Force is also cognizant of its constitutional
\nresponsibilities of taking any proactive\/preventive security measures in
\nthe interest of public safety, public order, public morality or public
\nhealth and for the purposes of protecting lives and property, as well as
\nthe constitutional rights and freedom of other citizens.
\n\u201cThe Nigeria Police Force is currently in possession of credible
\nintelligence reports that other interest groups are equally planning to
\nhold a counter protest\/matches on the same days at the same places\/cities
\nas the Tuface Group.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf these various planned protests\/demonstrations are held as scheduled,
\nthat there may be breakdown of law and order, with attendant loss of lives
\nand property.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo this end, the Nigeria Police Force deems it imperative to issue this
\npress release that Innocent Idibia (a.k.a Tuface) and his group are hereby
\nadvised strongly to shelve their planned peaceful protest\/demonstration in
\nthe interest of peace and security.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat the other opposing groups are equally advised strongly to shelve its
\nplanned counter protest\/demonstration in the interest of peace and
\nsecurity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat the Nigeria Police Force is prepared to employ every possible legal
\nmeans for the maintenance of law and order; and for the protection of
\nlives and property.<\/p>\n
Buhari Not Dead, He Needs Our Prayers-Minister
\nThe Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, on Friday dismissed
\nspeculations on that President Muhammadu Buhari is dead.<\/p>\n
Shittu, who represented Buhari in Ilorin, at the formal opening of the
\n31st National Qur\u2019anic Recitation Competition, said: \u201cPresident Buhari is
\nnot dead.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The minister advised Nigerians to continue to continue to pray for the
\npresident.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is need to pray fervently for economic recovery. President
\nMuhammadu Buhari is not dead, he deserves prayers for sound health as well
\nas for the entire growth of the nation,\u201d Shittu said.<\/p>\n
The minister commended Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, for organising
\nthe event nationwide in the last 31 years.<\/p>\n
He noted that the competition would further boost the spiritual
\ninclination of the entire Muslim Ummah.<\/p>\n
Shittu also lauded the Kwara governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, for
\naccepting the hosting responsibilities for the 2017 edition of the
\ncompetition.<\/p>\n
In his address, the governor commended the organisers for granting the
\nhosting right of the event to the state.<\/p>\n
According to Ahmed, \u201cIt is pleasing to note that this year\u2019s National
\nQur\u2019anic Recitation Competition has brought together Muslim Ummah from far
\nand wide to demonstrate our reverence to the Almighty.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The Vice Chancellor of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof.
\nAbdullahi Zuru, enumerated some of the objectives of the competition to be
\n\u201ccontribution to the sustenance of the tried and trusted mechanism of
\npreservation of the glorious Qur\u2019an.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo select gifted and talented youths who will represent Nigeria at
\ninternational Qur\u2019anic recitation competition in 2017 as well as also
\ndiscover brilliant Muslim youths for possible scholarship awards by
\ngovernments and philanthropists\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the opening ceremony of the
\ncompetition was attended by the Emir of llorin, Alhaji lbrahim
\nSulu-Gambari, some first class traditional rulers in the state and people
\nfrom all walks of life. (NAN)<\/p>\n
Obasanjo To Nigerians: If You Don’t Like Buhari, Wait For Another Election
\nFormer President Olusegun Obasanjo, has described the persons behind the
\nrumoured death of President Muhammadu Buhari as \u201cwicked and callous.\u201d<\/p>\n
A statement issued on Friday in Abeokuta by Mr Kehinde Akinyemi,
\nObasanjo\u2019s\u00a0 Media Aide, quoted the former president as saying, \u201cPresident
\nBuhari needs our prayers rather than bad wishes.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said that prayers from well meaning persons, particularly, Nigerians
\nwould help Buhari to get well quickly and ginger his morale to return to
\nthe country stronger and better.<\/p>\n
Obasanjo, who warned Nigerians against \u201cpoliticisation of the president\u2019s
\nhealth,\u2019\u2019 recalled that he had also been a victim of such rumoured death
\nwhile he was President in 1999.<\/p>\n
Obasanjo said: \u201cNo normal human being will wish an elderly person dead
\nirrespective of their differences.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t like him, wait for another election and stop spreading
\nrumour that he is dead.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo matter what his health situation, maybe, we should pray for him to
\nrecover quick and come back stronger and better.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor anyone wishing him dead, such person or group of persons are callous,
\nwicked and treacherous.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was also rumored to have died almost 12 times.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what they derive from doing so, but, they should seek for
\nforgiveness.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if we know that the President is sick, he is in a better position to
\nknow what to say or what to do and not wishing him dead.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should just stop politicising everything, especially with the elderly
\nin the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that recently, there were
\nrumoured reports in the social media of Buhari\u2019s death at a London
\nhospital.<\/p>\n
The presidency however dismissed the reports saying Buhari was on a
\nten-day vacation leave and was not on admission at any hospital in London.<\/p>\n
Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President,
\nsaid the President intended to undergo routine medical check-up during his
\nvacation in London.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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