Politics
PDP Guber Candidate accuses Gombe State Govt of Victimisation over Attack, Campaign office Demolition
PDP Guber Candidate accuses Gombe State Govt of Victimisation over Attack, Campaign office Demolition
…Barde escapes attack by whiskers, seeks prosecution of involved Police attaches
The gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe, Muhammad Jibrin Barde has accused the State Government of victimisation and executive high-handedness, following a recent attack and the latest demolition of his campaign office in the state capital by the Gombe State Urban Planning Development Authority (GOSUPDA).
Barde, in a chat with the media displayed some bullet casings and tear gas canisters which were reportedly expended by the police task force team who escorted the GOSUPDA during the attack, narrated how he escaped the attack by whiskers and accused the state government of disruption of peace in the state. He decried the thuggish attack and latest demolition, which was the second time his campaign office would be hit by government forces, following a recent vandalisation of the same structure.
A petition written by Barde’s lawyers said the attack was spearheaded by the ruling APC State Government, and accused some government officials of leading some police personnel in the raid and demolition exercise. Among those identified as the ringleaders of the attack were Abubakar Kari, Chief of Staff to Governor; Executive Chairman of GOSUPDA, Grp. Captain Peter Bilal (Rtd); Sani PA, Personal Assistant to the Governor; and Garba Sale, PA to the Chief of Staff to the Governor.
The petition identified the police team as led by SP Zulaidaini Abba – AP/NO.118814 and SP Sani Adamu Bajoga – AP/NO.57675, the respective ADC and CSO to the Governor of Gombe State, while the other Police Officers are: OC SWAT – SP Hassan; Abubakar Muazu – SN.518483; Simon Isah – SN.249683; Philip Musa – SN.931462; Lucky Solomon – SN.484355; Nambu Sini – SN.528337; Abubakar Sani – SN.394172; Shamsuddeen Usman – SN.984136; Imrana Sani – SN.883042; Sulaiman Musa – SN.310892; Yusuf Lemoson – SN.724811; Safiyanu Sufi – SN.427813; and Abdulrazak Ibrahim.
In the petition, which was made available to newsmen, it stated that, “The Police Officers, the Governor’s appointees and other dangerous arms wielding thugs engaged in the indiscriminate firing of gunshots, with the approval of the state commissioner of police, which led to hospitalisation of 26 people from the neighbouring houses; the attempted assassination of Muhammad Jibrin Barde, the gubernatorial candidate of PDP in the forthcoming general elections, as well as the demolition of the campaign office, including 6 vehicles that were totally destroyed, with the potential for total breakdown of law and order in Gombe State.
“The Police Officers along with the officers of Gombe State Urban & Property Development Agency (GOSUPDA) invaded the Barde campaign office located by Liberty Junction, GRA in Gombe, under the guise of executing a purported court order, and during the attack, they demolished the office building, without any justification for their unprovoked actions. In the course of the attack, the Police Officers shot teargas and caused grave bodily harm to neighbours. Muhammad Jibrin Barde, the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP, escaped death by whiskers from a gun with live ammunition shot at him. The picture of the canisters are attached for ease of reference.”
According to the petition, “The Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Police Officers and the Governor’s Appointees who continue to terrorise and intimidate the residents and good people of Gombe do not only threaten their victims’ constitutionally guaranteed rights to life, with the attempted assassination of Muhammad Jibrin Barde the PDP gubernatorial candidate. These assailants continue to breach the rights to life; dignity of human person and freedom of movement of their victims as if there is no government in the State.
“Also, the roles of the Police Officers and the Governor’s Appointees as well as the presence of the vehicles from the said Government House at the scenes of the unwarranted attack, points in the direction of possible state sponsored assassination of perceived opponents in the State. This fear is strengthened by the deafening silence of the State Governor and the absence of Press Releases condemning the attacks”, it added.
The lawyers, in the petition, requested the immediate provision of additional security officers for the protection of Muhammad Jibrin Barde, the PDP Gubernatorial candidate attacked by Police Officers attached to the Governor of Gombe State as well as his Political Appointees; and the immediate suspension of the above listed Police Officers in order to carry full scale investigation into the unfortunate assassination attempt against above listed victims as well as the unlawful killings of nine people by them and the thugs they deployed.
They also sought the summary dismissal and prosecution of the above listed Police Officers that attempted to assassinate Barde, if found culpable at the end of the investigation; and the immediate removal, investigation, dismissal and prosecution of the Gombe state Commissioner of Police, the Police Officers and the Governor’s Appointees listed above.
Barde, in a statement, said the state development agency had flouted a subsisting order of court following an earlier injunction he brought before the High Court in Gombe, wherein he sought the protection of court against any action against the campaign office.
To buttress his accusation, he noted that a building approval was granted in December 30, 2021 to complete the building at the gate and erect a billboard. He said, “The GOSUPDA wrote a quit notice on the building in early March 2022. Consequent upon this, we obtained a court injunction on 18/3/2020 and duly served it on Government. They disregarded and violated the court order and demolished the building on 21/3/2022.
“We erected barriers to secure the demolished building and protect people from it. We sent several letters and correspondence to the state Commissioner of Police and the State Director of SSS. The GOSUPDA now are hiding behind an order of the court, setting aside the March 18 injunction (which they already violated and is in effect not in force), and came to demolish yesterday”, the PDP guber candidate added.
According to him, “I visited the Commissioner of Police who said that he had the court order. In any event, it (court order) was dated 28/7/2022 and setting aside an order which had already been violated and taken over by the demolition of 21/3/2022 (2 months ago) and the subsequent contempt proceedings. I asked the CP that, given my position as a candidate of the PDP and since he is in possession of our most recent petition, he ought to have drawn my attention and enquire from me if we have been served with the purported court order.”
However, the GOSUPDA, in response to Barde’s accusation said “the demolition of an illegal structure belonging to Gombe Good Leadership Association was carried out in the spirit of the ongoing reclamation of the development masterplan and maintaining the prevailing peace and tranquility the State enjoys.”
Some stakeholders have said the demolition exercise may not be unconnected with the running battle that Barde has been having with the Gombe state government. Recently, the PDP Guber candidate had gone on live television (ARISE TV news) where he levelled accusations of poor leadership and economic mis-governance against Governor Inuwa Yahaya, which he said has denied the indigenes of the state true gains of democracy and development.
Governor Dauda Lawal Named Part of Presidential Delegation for Historic UK State Visit
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been named as a member of the presidential entourage that will accompany President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on a historic two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from the Zamfara State Government House on Monday, the Governor will depart Abuja for the UK on Tuesday for the visit, which is scheduled to take place on March 18 and 19 at the invitation of the British Royal Family.
During the visit, King Charles III will host President Tinubu, the First Lady, and the Nigerian delegation at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria. The Royal Family will also host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests on the evening of Wednesday, March 18.
The presidency has outlined that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. President Tinubu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which are expected to lead to expanded bilateral discussions and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also serve as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which showcases contemporary art and culture, and will participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
The Zamfara State Government expressed confidence that Governor Lawal’s participation in the high-level delegation will provide valuable networking opportunities, opening significant prospects for investment and economic benefits for Zamfara State. The visit will also see Governor Lawal display his repertoire of knowledge on global policy and corporate governance and also pitch the Mineral and Farming rich state to potential investors during the bilateral meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
Politics
LPDC Verdict: CRG Hails Decision Clearing Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Condemns Political Witch-Hunt
LPDC Verdict: CRG Hails Decision Clearing Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Condemns Political Witch-Hunt
The Centre for Responsible Governance (CRG) has welcomed the decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) dismissing the complaint filed against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, describing the ruling as a clear affirmation of due process and institutional integrity.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the spokesman of the Centre, Obande George, said the verdict of the disciplinary body has once again vindicated the Deputy Speaker and reaffirmed the position earlier taken by CRG that the allegations against him lacked merit.
The LPDC, in its ruling referenced BB/LPDC/1954/2026, held that no prima facie case had been established against the Deputy Speaker and dismissed the complaint in its entirety.
According to George, the decision demonstrates the importance of allowing competent institutions to examine allegations objectively rather than rushing to judgment in the court of public opinion.
“From the onset, the Centre for Responsible Governance maintained that justice must take its course. We insisted that competent institutions should be allowed to examine the issues without political pressure or sensationalism. The LPDC’s ruling has now clearly shown that the allegations had no foundation,” he said.
The CRG spokesman further stated that the decision reinforces the sterling reputation of the Deputy Speaker, who has over the years built a distinguished profile both as a legal practitioner and as a legislator.
“Honourable Benjamin Kalu is a respected member of the Nigerian Bar and an accomplished lawmaker. Attempts by some individuals to impugn his reputation through unfounded allegations were unfortunate and unnecessary.”
CRG also condemned the actions of certain civil society groups that were quick to demand that the Deputy Speaker step aside from office even before any formal determination had been made by the relevant authorities.
George described such calls as premature and irresponsible, noting that they contributed to the politicisation of a matter that required sober institutional review.
“It is disappointing that some civil society organisations rushed to demand that the Deputy Speaker step aside without allowing due process to run its course. Advocacy for accountability must be guided by facts and fairness, not by sensational pressure.”
The organisation also criticised what it described as the role played by some political actors from the South East who allegedly sought to exploit the controversy for narrow political interests.
According to CRG, it is troubling that certain politicians would attempt to undermine one of their own for short-term political advantage.
“It is even more disturbing that some political actors from the South East appeared eager to weaponise this matter in an attempt to bring down one of their own for cheap political gain. Such actions weaken collective political progress and erode the spirit of solidarity required for national development.”
CRG therefore called on Nigerians to learn from the episode and reaffirm respect for institutional processes and the rule of law.
The organisation stressed that public discourse must be guided by evidence, fairness and responsible engagement rather than rumours or politically motivated campaigns.
“The lesson here is simple: allegations must be tested by competent institutions before conclusions are drawn. Nigeria’s democracy will only grow stronger when due process is respected and reputations are not casually destroyed.”
CRG concluded by congratulating the Deputy Speaker for maintaining calm and dignity throughout the controversy, noting that his composure reflected confidence in the justice system.
@The Centre for Responsible Governance, Email: [email protected], Instagram: crgngo6, Twitter: crgng06, Threads: crgngo6
Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been appointed as a Sub-National Representative to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Executive Committee.
The announcement was formally conveyed through a letter from the CPA Africa Region, which was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, on Tuesday, March 10. The appointment confirms Speaker Obasa’s three-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2029.
Lawmakers took turns to congratulate Speaker Obasa, praising his devotion to parliamentary service and his consistent efforts to strengthen legislative practice. They described his appointment as a recognition of his hard work and a reflection of Lagos State’s growing influence within the Commonwealth. Members noted that his achievements continue to bring pride not only to Lagos but to Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks, Speaker Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support, urging them to remain steadfast in prioritizing the progress of the Assembly and to continue working collectively to advance the legislature. He further directed the Clerk to send a formal letter of appreciation to the CPA African Region for the honour bestowed upon him. “Let us always put the House of Assembly first and never relent in our efforts to move the legislature forward, ” Obasa concluded.
The CPA African Region plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of African parliaments within the Commonwealth. It is widely recognized for promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, respect for human rights, democracy, and good governance across member nations.
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