Politics

Nigeria’s ruling party, APC National Convention in disarray as thugs besiege venue

Published

3 years ago

March 26, 2022

The much anticipated National Convention of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), held at the Eagles Square in Abuja, the nation’s capital on March 26, was thrown into disarray and choas as political thugs loyal to different politicians, threw caution to the wind and besieged the venue.

They were ably aided by hoodlums of all shapes who took advantage of the slack security and unleashed mayhem on the party delegates and journalists, snatching phones, laptops, tablets, jewellery, handbags, wallets and whatever valuables they could lay their hands on.

Reminiscent of the choas that also characterized the party’s convention in 2018, eyewitnesses say the delegates who were attacked by the thugs, could not gain access into the venue through the main entrance as it was marked ‘out-of-bounds’ for non-VIP delegates, which forced some accredited but non-statutory delegates and journalists, as well as staff of the APC Convention Electoral Committee, to use other alternative entrances which made it possible for the thugs to have a field day.

The confusion, according to a journalist who witnessed the chaotic situation first hand, led to the metal barriers surrounding the alternative gate being brought down as the delegates tried to force their way into the venue.

“The tumultuous situation led to chaos and disorder which opened the door for the thugs and hoodlums, leading to many being robbed of their personal effects.

“It took some reinforcement from security operatives to regain control of the situation or it could have degenerated into something much worse,” the journalist said.

The police and other security operatives, however, worsened the already charged atmosphere when they dispensed canisters of teargas at the crowd in a bid to disperse them.

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Politics

Mali’s junta names spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga new Prime Minister

Published

8 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

A day after dismissing Choguel Maiga for criticising the government, Mali’s governing junta named its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as Prime Minister on Thursday, according to state broadcaster, ORTM.

A source close to Choguel Maiga told Reuters that the ruling generals were incensed by Maiga’s remarks over the weekend denouncing the junta’s inability to hold elections within the 24-month timeframe given for the return to democracy.

After promising to hold elections in February, the military authorities, who took control in two separate coups in 2020 and 2021, have put off the poll indefinitely, citing technological difficulties.

Choguel Maiga’s firing coincides with indications of growing discontent and disarray among Mali politicians, even those who first supported the coup and collaborated with the junta.

As the wait for elections continues, Choguel Maiga, a civilian prime minister who was installed by the military junta in 2021, is the most recent to lose support.

He was cited on Saturday as claiming he learnt of the junta’s decision via the media and that there had been no discussion regarding the delay of the elections inside the cabinet.

“It’s all happening in total secrecy, without the prime minister’s knowledge,” Choguel Maiga told reporters.

Before then, he had frequently stood up for Mali’s junta against criticism from foreign friends and neighbours in West Africa who denounced its repeated election delays and military collaboration with Russian mercenaries.

As government spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, the new prime minister, has also made strong public remarks against France, the previous colonial master. One such speech was demanding French President Emmanuel Macron to stop his “neocolonial” and “condescending” behaviour.

Abdoulaye Maiga and Assimi Goita, the leaders of the junta, announced they had kept all of the important cabinet ministers in their portfolios in the new administration in a statement that was broadcast on state television ORTM.

The announcement said that Abdoulaye Maiga will remain minister of territory administration.

Politics

Congo opposition mobilizes protests against constitution review

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In response to President Felix Tshisekedi’s intentions to amend the constitution, opposition lawmakers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have called for national protests on Wednesday.

Tshisekedi, who was sworn in for his second and last term in January, said that a panel would be formed in October to recommend possible constitutional amendments.

According to critics, it may be a ploy to lift term restrictions and give him another chance to run.

Tshisekedi said the current constitution, ratified by a referendum in 2005, needed to change because it did not align with the country’s current realities.

Opposition politicians, including former president Joseph Kabila and past presidential candidates Martin Fayulu and Moise Katumbi, issued a unified statement on Wednesday urging rallies to “block” Tshisekedi.

A request for a response from the Congo’s presidency was not answered.

Patrick Muyaya, the minister of communications, stated on Monday that discussions surrounding the constitutional revision should be de-politicized and that no one should doubt the president’s intentions.

“We’re at the beginning of our mandate… The President of the Republic still has four years to go, and we must avoid attributing intentions to him,” Muyaya told reporters.