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Activist Tasks Youths On Active Participation In Politics
Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Against the backdrop of the noticeable flaws in the body politics, an international election monitor, Hamzat Lawal, has charged Nigerian youths to actively participate in electoral processes and structures in order to bring about positive change. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
Hamzat lawal, Chief Executive officer, Connect Development, an anti-corruption activist.co-founder of Follow The Money, gave the charge on Saturday on the sidelines of APC primary election for Kogi Central Senatorial District held in Okene, headquarters of Central District of the state.
Lawal who averred that, for the desired change to occur, the youth should change their attitudes from being passive in the democratic evolution to buy into the nitty gritty of electoral processes.
He urge them to first of all, register as a member of political parties, attend wards, local government, state and National meetings, stressing that standing on the edge would not bring meaningful governance.
According to him, remaining aloof will be antithetical to good governance, hence, they should be part of the structure and processes of their parties.
He added that, although, all the citizenry cannot be partisan, but they could be identified with political system in order to enthroned democratic dividends.
He said, although, the nation’s democracy is very young and evolving, he was pleased with its fast growth and its high level of progress.
He commended president Muhammadu Buhari for his courage to have signed into law the 2022 Electoral law as Amended, stressed the need for INEC to be properly funded to enable her to build human capacity to ensure seamless services to the Nation.
”Our Democracy is very young, and in as much as we want it to grow very fast, we need to put all hands on deck. For the process to remain seamless, INEC must be provided with resources, so that they could build human capacity in her processes and systems. We need to ensure adequate security to guarantee safety of personnel, Sensitive materials and indeed the electorate in order to instill confidence in them to exercise their franchise.
”For us to curtail voters’ apathy, security should be the first point of Government, as they owe us a duty as our constitutional rights” he demanded.
Lawal, who has monitored elections in Nigeria, United States, United Kingdom; Kenya and other parts of Africa, challenged politicians and lawmakers to put aside personal and selfish interests, insisting that ,even though the lawmakers are primarily concerned with law making, they should not be a judge and a jury at the same time.
He lamented at the scenario in which the lawmakers allegedly wanted to get at some categories of Nigerians through section 84 of the amended Acts, however, wanted themselves to be compulsive delegates.
He advised the party Executives to consider the nation first in their choices of delegates and Agents and to allow them to do their work.
While condemning the use of money to buy the consciences of the delegates and all those in the election Management chain ,urge them to ensure that only those with relevant democratic credentials are allowed to fly their flags at the general elections.
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Kogi Government Clarifies Arrest of Defamation Suspect, Insists On Due Process
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has dismissed reports alleging the unlawful detention of one Abdulhamid Deflowerboy, describing them as deliberate attempts to distort facts and incite public sentiment.
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In a press statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the government stated that Abdulhamid was lawfully invited by security agencies following a petition against a “clearly defamatory” publication authored by him against the State Government.
Fanwo emphasized that the suspect voluntarily honoured the police invitation, confessed to authoring the false publication, and was subsequently arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction which ordered his remand. He stressed that contrary to claims on social media, Abdulhamid is not being detained illegally but is facing prosecution in line with Nigeria’s laws on defamation.
“Defamation is a criminal offense in Nigeria, not an expression of free speech,” the statement read. “It has the potential to destroy reputations built over decades and plunge innocent individuals into disrepute. Sadly, Abdulhamid allowed himself to be used by disgruntled political elements who are yet to come to terms with the fact that the era of politics of patronage is over in Kogi State.”
The government accused unnamed political actors of sponsoring misinformation in a bid to undermine the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, whom it said has earned the people’s trust through “massive investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, power, and civil service welfare.”
While reiterating its commitment to youth empowerment through ICT, enterprise, and education, the government expressed disappointment that some young people still allow themselves to be exploited by desperate politicians.
The Commissioner drew comparisons with a previous case involving political activist Austin Okai, who was forgiven only after publicly apologizing for similar actions.
“Justice must never be based on ethnic considerations. To ask that Abdulhamid be released because he shares ethnic ties with the Governor is to insult the principles of fairness and equality before the law. What is good for the goose is good for the gander,” Fanwo stated.
He further noted that Abdulhamid’s case should serve as a lesson to other youths that those who incite wrongdoing rarely show up to defend their pawns when the law takes its course.
The government assured the public that the case will follow due process and urged the media to verify facts and avoid sensationalism in reporting issues that border on legal and reputational matters.
“We have chosen to speak out in order to clarify the facts and ensure that members of the public are not misled into defending wrongdoing out of ignorance or emotion. When you make wild allegations against the State Government, be prepared to defend them because others also have the right to defend their integrity,” he concluded.
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Good Governance: KONGONET Chairman Calls for Citizen Participation In Governance
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Chairman, Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina has called on government at all levels to embrace inclusivity in planning and service delivery to boost good governance.
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Ambassador Muraina also called on civil society organisations and development partners to work together in deepening citizen participation in ensuring that governance remains transparent, responsive and true reflective of people’s needs.
Ambassador Muraina made the call while speaking at the 2025 KONGONET Annual General Meeting held in Lokoja on Thursday.
He said that the annual general meeting with the THEME: Synergy for Socioeconomic Development: Uniting State And Non-State Actors for A Greater Impact In Kogi State, is targeted at ushering in quality service provision and positive engagement.
He maintained that together, “We can build more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous Kogi State for generations to come”
“I want to sincerely appreciate each and every one of you for your support in the last five years of my leadership. Your unwavering support, collaboration, and commitment have been instrumental in sharing the positive trajectory of our collective efforts in Kogi State.
“Over these years, our partnership has yielded remarkable achievements in bringing about impactful synergy between the state and Non-State Actors
“We have been able to strengthen relationships with government ministries, departments, and agencies which have translated into impactful programmes that benefit our citizens”
He solicited for extension of same cooperation to the incoming KONGONET executive.
The Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KSIEC), Nda Eri who also spoke at the event, commended KONGONET in its task to enhance good governance through engagement with relevant stakeholders.
He assured of more logistics support from the state government in promoting the mission and vision of KONGONET
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving MDAs in recognition of their roles in promoting good governance in Kogi.
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Kogi (PDCRC) Boss Lauds Governor Ododo’s Administration for GBV Initiative
By Our Reporter
The Director General of the Kogi State Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC), Hon Idris Onogo Esq, has praised Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration for its commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of women and children in the state.
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Hon. Idris made this commendation today while addressing Newsmen in Lokoja.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development under the leadership of the Commissioner, Hon (Haj) Fatimah Momoh, demonstrates Governor Ododo’s administration’s dedication to creating a safe and supportive environment for all citizens.
The committee’s mandate includes providing psycho-social support to survivors, ensuring that cases are handled with care and professionalism, and promoting a culture of respect and dignity for women and children.
Governor Ododo’s leadership has been marked by a series of initiatives aimed at promoting the welfare and well-being of Kogi State citizens. The GBV initiative is just one of the many efforts by his administration to address the social and economic challenges facing the state.
By establishing this committee, Governor Ododo’s administration has shown its commitment to upholding the rights of women and children and providing support to those affected by GBV.
Bar Idris’s praise highlights the significance of this initiative and reveals the administration’s efforts to create a more just and equitable society.
The Kogi State Public Defender’s Office and other stakeholders have expressed optimism that this initiative will yield positive results and contribute to a safer and more supportive environment for women and children in the state.
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