Yoweri Museveni, president of Uganda, has appointed Muhoozi Kainerugaba, his son, as chief of the defence forces. Kainerugaba’s promotion was announced on Friday, raising concerns that Museveni is grooming his eldest child for the presidency. A defence ministry statement said Wilson Mbadi, who the general replaced, has been reassigned as a junior minister. With Museveni nearing four decades in power, speculation regarding a succession plan, widely dubbed “The Muhoozi Project”, has increased. The “Muhoozi Project” began to gain momentum after Kainerugaba’s rapid rise through the military ranks since he joined in the late 1990s. Despite denials by father and son regarding a deliberate plan for succession, Kainerugaba’s appointment to key military positions, especially in the wake of coups, and his involvement in political activities, have fuelled discussions about a hereditary rule in the East African country. As a high-ranking military official, Kainerugaba is barred from speaking publicly about political matters but has frequently found himself caught in controversial webs. While serving as commander of land forces, he “joked” that he would invade neighbouring Kenya. Museveni apologised to Kenya, and defended his son as a “very good general”. Kainerugaba was later sacked from the position. Last year, Kainerugaba said Uganda would “send soldiers to defend Moscow if it’s ever threatened by the Imperialists”, and called out Western nations for sharing “useless pro-Ukraine propaganda”. In March 2023, he said he intended to run for the presidency in the 2026 elections, but he has also denied claims he is eyeing his father’s seat.

  The Rivers State House of Assembly has again ruled against Governor Siminalayi Fubara to enact the Rivers State House of Assembly, RSHA Service Commission Law. This makes it the second time the Rivers Assembly will override the governor to pass a law this year. In January, the lawmakers voted to override the governor and pass four bills into law. This was contained in a statement issued by Martins Wachukwu, media aide to the speaker, and sent to newsmen. The statement said the lawmakers decided after the governor withheld his assent to the four Bills via letters to the House, which were read on the floor of the House; stating that such amendments would create confusion and breach constitutional provisions. Remarking on the Rivers State House of Assembly Fund Management Bill, which was represented by the Majority Leader, Major Jack, and debated by members, the speaker, Martin Amaewhule, cited Section 100(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered, which empowers the House to override the Governor, where the Governor withholds his assent. In like manner, the Rivers State Local Government Law (Amendment) Bill, the Rivers State Traditional Rulers’ Law (Amendment) Bill, and the Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State-owned Property Prohibition (Repeal) Bill were all represented, debated, and voted upon with a unanimous decision to override the governor’s assent.

  The Federal Government has demanded that Federal Civil Servants on study leave show evidence of approval obtained from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. This is as the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, noted that the Federal Government has now put in place a mechanism for routine verification of workers in the service in other to ascertain their “true” location. This was made known in a memo addressed to all permanent secretaries and made available to our correspondent in Abuja on Friday. The Federal Government had in August 2021 raised the alarm over civil servants applying for study leave with admission letters obtained from suspicious foreign universities. So This Happened (237) Let’s Provide You Detailed Overview Of The Significant Events… | Punch0.00 / 0.00 Similarly in 2022, the government ordered that such workers be made to sign bonds in a bid to curtail the “abuse” of study leave by civil servants. While addressing the new development alongside the need for physical verification, Yemi-Esan in the memo said, “As part of the efforts to sustain the gains of the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System , it has become imperative to emplace a mechanism for regular physical verification of officers in the service. “To this end, you are directed to carry out physical verification exercise of all staff in your ministry to ascertain the location of each officer. “Officers who may be on study leave must show evidence of the approval of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to embark on such leave. This should be indicated in the remark column. “The report of the exercise, to be signed by the permanent secretary, should be submitted to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service on or before 2nd April 2024.”

  The International Press Centre (IPC), based in Lagos, Nigeria, lead implementing partner of Component 4 (Support to Media) under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase 2 (EUSDGN II) project, announces its upcoming major forum. Scheduled for Monday, March 25, 2024, this event will convene about 100 electoral stakeholders to address the critical theme of “Rebuilding Trust in the Electoral Processes, Institutions and Elections.” Following the success of the inaugural session held in Abuja, this subsequent edition of the media and civil society-driven forum aims to further stimulate meaningful discussions on how to reinforce commitments and approaches to multi-stakeholder collaboration for enhancing confidence in electoral processes. The initiative is also being embarked upon ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States later this year and preparatory activities towards the 2027 general elections. The forum seeks to gather submissions and recommendations on how diverse stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Media, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Law Enforcement Agencies, Political Party Leaders, Youth, Women, and the Public, can effectively fulfill their roles and collaborate to enhance the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria. Prof. Isaac Albert of the University of Ibadan will present the lead paper at the event, which will be chaired by Prof. Okey Ibeanu, a former INEC National Commissioner. The event will receive special remarks from the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and EU Ambassador Samuela Isopi, among others. The event shall also be moderated by renowned broadcaster, Mr. Ambrose Somide of Raypower FM.   Mr. Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of IPC, in a statement emphasised the importance of transparent elections in bolstering citizens’ trust in the electoral system, particularly in developing democracies like Nigeria. He highlighted the correlation between encountering obstacles during elections and reduced confidence in elected officials, often leading to participation in activities opposing the ruling regime. In anticipation of the forthcoming collaboration with key election stakeholders, especially the media, Mr. Arogundade reiterated the commitment to engaging in proposals and contributions aimed at enhancing public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system. This collaboration seeks to foster constructive discussions, address challenges, and work towards improving the overall integrity and transparency of elections in Nigeria. Participation in the dialogue is also expected from various sectors, including the leadership of INEC, Political Parties represented by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), key institutions such as the National Orientation Agency and Security Agencies, as well as representatives from traditional and religious bodies, CSOs, the European Union (EU) Delegation, EUSDGN Partners, Labour Unions, and Community Leaders. This initiative is supported by the European Union.

A leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group, Bello Bodejo was on Friday, March 22, arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly establishing unlawfully an ethnic militia group – Kungiya Zaman Lafiya. Bodejo was arraigned on a three-count charge filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), in which he was accused of violating the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Bodejo pleaded not guilty when the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/141/2024 was read to him, following which the prosecuting lawyer, Mohammed Abubakar (the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, DPPF) sought a day for the commencement of trial. Abubakar told the court that the prosecution has two witnesses lined up, but could call more should the need arise. Defence lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff queried the competence of the charge on the grounds that it was an amended charge in respect of which the prosecution failed to seek the court’s leave to amend the charge earlier filed. Sheriff also complained that his client was sick and that his lawyers were not allowed access to him. Ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that the defendant be further remanded in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), from where he was brought to court. Justice Ekwo said should the defence wish to object to any steps taken by the prosecution, he can only do so at the end of the trial. The judge said the court would not allow the defendant’s supporters to besiege the court premises or around it and conduct themselves in a manner that disturbs the court’s business. Justice Ekwo said he would allow 10 members of the defendant’s family to attend court and witness proceedings any day the case comes up. Advertisement He ordered the Prosecution to accord the defendant the necessary medical attention. The judge then adjourned till May 27 for the commencement of trial. Security was fully mobilised for Friday’s appearance of Bodejo in court. Armed personnel, dawn from the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) took control of security in and around the court premises. All roads, leading to the court complex, were cordoned off, with access only accorded lawyers, court staff and journalists. The security measure, it was learnt, was to prevent the recurrence of the disturbance caused by some of Bodejo’s supporters on March 13 when the case last came up. Armed with placards and a huge banner, with his pictures and the message: “Free Bello Bodejo” boldly printed on it, the supporters positioned themselves right opposite the court’s main entrance, drumming and chant. The prosecution said, in a court document, that Bodejo was arrested on January 24, 2024, in Nasarawa State on alleged complicity with matters that are likely to threaten national security due to the activities of an ethnic militia group known as Kungiya Zaman Lafiya. “The defendant affirmed that he is the National President of Miyetti Allah Association of Nigeria (Kautur Hore) Association which is a Fulani socio-cultural group. “The defendant admitted that he incorporated a company known as Nomad Vigilante Nigeria Limited and was issued a certificate of incorporation dated 4th day of January 2024. “The defendant further admitted that he also launched an ethnic militia called Kungiya Zaman Lafiya in Lafia, Nasarawa State and recruited 1000 men into the ethnic militia group. “The defendant also confessed to have provided material assistance, logistics and transportation to the 1,000 men he recruited into the ethnic militia called Kungiya Zaman Lafiya.” Counts in the charge read: *That you Bello Bodejo A. male, 38 years old, of No 2 Bodejo Street, Tundun Wada, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State, sometime in January 2024 did commit an offence to wit: you established an ethnic militia known as Kungiya Zaman Laftya in Nasarawa State, without authorization. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 29 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. *That you Bello Bodejo A. male, 38 years old of NO 2 Bodejo Street, Tundun Wada, Karu LGA, Nasaraws State, sometime in January 2024 did commit an offence to wit: you managed and participated in activities which, in your knowledge, is connected with act prejudicial to national security and public safety. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2(3)(g)(xii) and Section 12(a) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. *That you, Bello Bodejo A. male, 38 years old of NO. 2 Bodejo Street, Tundun Wada, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State, sometime in January 2024 did commit an offence to wit: you provided material assistance logistics and transportation to 1,000 men which in your knowledge is connected with an act prejudicial to national security and public safety. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2 (3) (g) (xii) and Section 13 (2) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

  Israel reported Friday the seizure of 800 hectares (1,977 acres) of land in the occupied West Bank, which activists called the largest action of its kind in decades. Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared as “state lands” the area in the northern Jordan Valley, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel for Gaza war talks. Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now said the size of the seized area is the largest since 1993’s Oslo Accords, and that “2024 marks a peak in the extent of declarations of state land”. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. “While there are those in Israel and the world who seek to undermine our right over the Judea and Samaria area and the country in general, we are promoting settlement through hard work and in a strategic manner all over the country,” Smotrich said, using Israel’s term for the West Bank. Settlements in the Palestinian territories are illegal under international law. Smotrich, who heads the extreme-right Religious Zionism party, lives in a settlement. Despite opposition abroad, Israel has in recent decades built dozens of settlements across the West Bank. They are now home to more than 490,000 Israelis, who live alongside around three million Palestinians in the territory. The United Nations human rights chief has reported a drastic acceleration in illegal settlement building since Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza began months ago and said this risks eliminating any likelihood of a viable Palestinian state. Blinken has described settlement expansion as “counterproductive to reaching enduring peace” with the Palestinians.

  Alex Otti, governor of Abia, has signed the bill which repeals pension payments to former governors of the state and their deputies. On Tuesday, the Abia house of assembly passed the bill for a law to repeal ‘The Abia State Governors & Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001’. The law stipulated that former Abia governors and deputies are entitled to 100 percent of the annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy; their cooks, stewards, drivers, and gardeners are to be paid by the state; and are entitled to three police officers and two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). Orji Kalu, a former governor of Abia, who served from 1999 to 2007, approved the law in 2001. Speaking after the assent, Otti said the new law was designed to promote good governance and stewardship in the state. Otti said he believes that leadership should be about stewardship and not a means to embezzle public funds. The Abia governor commended the state house of assembly for expeditiously working on the executive bill, while expressing satisfaction in the relationship between the executive and legislature. Government is not about self interest, it is actually self interest that destroys government,” Otti said. The governor said priority should be accorded to public interest during the formulation of policies. He added that pensioners are the ones who need the funds the most and not former governors and deputies. ‘IT’S TRUE’ After the Abia assembly passed the bill revoking pension to former governors, some of the former governors denied benefiting from the old law. Reacting to the comments, Otti said the former governors have not been paid entitlements stipulated by the old law. “I have seen engagements where people said that they have not been collecting,” the governor added. “It is true because they have not been paid, and we don’t believe that those payments should be made. “One of the people that should be paid wrote to me about not being paid, I put a call across to him and explained why it should not be paid and he agreed with me. “I told him we have not paid anyone and he said that he wants to confirm that he was not being singled out. The point I am trying to make is that even the people that should receive it believe that repealing the law is the best.”