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  • Joe Biden takes office as America’s President, calls for end to ‘Uncivil War’

    Joe Biden takes office as America’s President, calls for end to ‘Uncivil War’

    Joe Biden has been sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. At the inauguration ceremony Wednesday in Washington, D.C., it was a celebration of the return of the Obama administration and the Democratic Party. With the absence of outgoing President Donald Trump, the image of the Republican Party at the end of Mr Trump’s turbulent tenure was one of a contemptible lack of graciousness in the loss.

    In his inaugural address, President Biden called for an end to the “uncivil war,” addressing the toxic politics of the past four years, even as the Senate prepares to try his predecessor in the coming weeks following a second successful impeachment trial by the House of Representatives. Mr Biden asked for a “lower[ing] of the temperature” but took a swipe at the Trump administration and the falsehoods that ensued after the elections, which MrTrump still refuses to concede.

    Read Also: US Poll: Republicans ask Supreme Court to halt Pennsylvania count

    “We must reject the culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured,” the new president said.

    The unprecedented global health crisis, and the usually high number of casualties in the U.S., currently over 400,000, was already going to affect the layout of the inauguration. But the bitter contention between the two political parties, especially in the period following the November 4 elections have further heightened the contention in Washington, D.C., and culminated in the attack on the Capitol on January 6 by Trump supporters. As a consequence, the inauguration was conducted amidst a lockdown in the nation’s capital city. Entire sections of the city have been shut to the public and a wide perimeter created around the Capitol Hill to prevent a repeat of the brazen attack of two weeks prior. The inauguration committee made a decision to plant flags throughout the lawn in the National Mall, where attendees would ordinarily have occupied. The city has also been besieged by the presence of about 25,000 National Guardsmen, an overwhelming security move to quell any prospects of violent protest. One thing is certain, there will be no contest of crowd numbers regarding the 2021 Inauguration.

    Yet, the tensions did not mask the palpable sense of victory for Democrats who turned out in their numbers, within the constraints of the COVID-19 protocols. Notably, former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who lost the last election to Mr Trump in 2016, appeared to revel in being instrumental in thwarting the 2nd term ambitions of President Trump.

    Read Also: Trump joins ranks of one-term US presidents: Who are they?

    Amy Klobuchar, a sitting senator and former presidential hopeful who was once tipped to be Mr Biden’s running mate, opened the event and welcomed the ‘bunch of Bidens,’ mirroring the warmer, less contentious atmosphere that is expected to replace the fraught Trump Administration. Ms Klobuchar also celebrated the glass-ceiling breaking achievement of the incoming Vice-President Kamala Harris, who is the first woman to attain these heights in the history of the US.

    The orders for the new president are tall. Mr Biden will fall in headlong into a global health crisis that has had devastating effects on the U.S. health sector and the US economy at large. President Biden has lain out plans to carry out a series of Executive Orders this week, including rejoining the World Health Organization (WHO). He is also expected to expedite the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks

  • Jigawa Gov sacks political aide

    Jigawa Gov sacks political aide

    The Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Mohammad Badaru Abubakar has sacked his Special Assistant on the environment, Mr. Hamza Aliyu Kantoga.

    This was contained in a press statement issued signed and made available to our reporter in Dutse the state capital.

    The statement said the dismissal was signed by the Secretary to the Government of Jigawa State, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Fanini.

    READ ALSO: Jigawa man on the run after allegedly stabbing another to death over suspicion of dating ex-wife

    According to the statement “with this development all rights and privileges attached to his office as Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment II, have been withdrawn.”

    The statement further directed the former Special Assistant to immediately hand over all government property in his possession to the office of the Secretary to the Government of Jigawa State.

    The reason for the sack of the governor’s aide was not disclosed.

    READ ALSO: Tension In Immigration, NSCDC, NCS Over Buhari’s Plan To Again Elongate CEOs’ Tenures

    Mr. Hamza Aliyu Kantoga was the permanent member at the Jigawa state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and last week changed his appointment to special assessment to the governor on the environment and now dismissed.

  • Boko Haram collectedtaxes from Borno people before 2015 –DHQ

    Boko Haram collectedtaxes from Borno people before 2015 –DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters, on Friday, said terror group, Boko Haram, has been ‘weakened’ in Borno State and other parts of Nigeria.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, John Enenche, said terrorists no longer have stronghold or ‘constituted authority’ over the North-East like it was the situation before May 2015 when the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) came into office.

    He said gone were the days when insurgents collected levies and taxes from the people of the North-East, noting that the Buhari regime recaptured all insurgents’ hotbeds within a year in power.

    ALSO READ: Boko Haram: Police announces release of burial expenses for Elaine’s officers in Yobe

    Enenche spoke on the occasion of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day while featuring on  Politics 

    He said, “The Commander-In-Chief is right that we now have a weaker Boko Haram. Why is it so? As at 2015 before he came on board, we had a very terrible situation in the North-East whereby between 17 and 21 local governments were under the full authority of the insurgents, that is the Boko Haram group.

    READ ALSO: NIN staff involved in extortion at NIMC enrolment centres have been suspended : Pantami

    “What does that translate to? It translates to the fact that they had constituted authority, local administration, even up to judiciary and they were even collecting levies which we can term taxes. The people were subject to them, they sacked traditional rulers and most of them went into exile

  • FROM MEGA, TO SMART CITY

    FROM MEGA, TO SMART CITY

    Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of the nation and the economic pride of Nigeria remains the pillar for economic sustainability of the country. A melting pot for all tribes and faith and land of opportunities for all sundry.

    This smallest geographic space in Nigeria ironically accounts for over 70 per cent of its economic activities. It’s unarguably the powerhouse of Nigeria’s economy. When Lagos sneezes every state including Abuja, the federal capital, catches cold.

    The state’s Gross Domestic Product and other economic indices also dwarf the economic outputs of some nations in the West Africa corridor. Ghana is no match for Lagos. The volume of trade and economic activities, a burgeoning population grossing over 20 million people and other peculiarities are both blessings and burdens. The chief executive of a state like Lagos must be above board all the time and must be vastly innovative to survive. A mediocre can hardly last a week on the seat.

    READ ALSO: Ekiti Oba threatens to curse people placing fetish objects on economic projects

    From 1999 when the builder of modern Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu assumed office, his successors had consciously demonstrated fidelity to the trajectory of development espoused by the leader. From almost a ruined city, Lagos progressively witnessed developments in all aspects and morphed into a megacity and ultimately a Smart City.

    According to CityPopulation.de, at least, 37 cities are identified as megacities in the world: Lagos and Cairo, capital of Egypt, top the chart in Africa. Yet experts agree that there are challenges like slums, traffic snarls, crimes, gentrification, urban sprawls, homelessness and air pollution, among others. In other climes, the national governments intervene to lessen the burden on megacities. But Lagos through innovative governance and deft of resources management substantially bears the burden and succeeding too.

    The calls for special status for Lagos have not been heeded. Multi-million dollar light rail project connecting Okokomaiko to Marina/CMS is being constructed on the balance sheet of the state, making Lagos the only sub-national entity in the world to single-handedly embark on such a massive project without a dime from the central government.

    READ ALSO: Tambuwal calls Lawyers to action, says Africa has continued to wallow in economic underdevelopment

    The incumbent governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the tradition of excellence in governance is relighting Lagos in a most energy conserving manner. The governor has concluded plans to retrofit the existing street lighting systems with more efficient LED lighting. The new lighting system will give better illumination with minimal energy usage. The latest lighting technology also proves to be more durable reducing cost of maintenance significantly.

    The plan of accelerating the 24-hour economy for Lagos will be greatly hampered without lighting up the city. When there is illumination, crime rate drops as men of the underworld can’t hide under the cover of darkness to unleash terror on residents and businesses.

    The initiative is a great enable which will strengthen the THEMES agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration which are Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century State and Security and Governance.

    The Streetlight Retrofit Project was unanimously approved by the Executive Council as part of the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda of Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu-led-administration, which will make the state a 21st-century economy as it leverages on private sector partnerships to accelerate infrastructure interventions.

    READ ALSO: Unchecked population growth, poverty causes of insecurity – Okowa

    Speaking on the project, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Olalere Odusote, who represented Lagos State Governor, Mr Sanwo Olu disclosed that the state has executed a streetlight infrastructure agreement with LEDCO Limited for the retrofit of existing conventional high-pressure sodium (HPS) streetlight installations across the state to Smart Light Emitting Diode (“Smart LED”) lights (the “Streetlight Retrofit Project”).

    On why the retrofitting is expedient, the commissioner explained that one of the features of the LED lighting system is the use of significantly lower energy to produce the same amount of luminosity, explaining that in the pilot phase of the project, it was determined that LED lighting resulted in a reduction of up to 60 per cent of the operations and maintenance costs of streetlight infrastructure.

    “As Lagos State evolves to a Smart City, the utilisation of smart and energy-efficient streetlights is vital in ensuring improved government service delivery in areas of security of lives and property of Lagosians and environmental sustainability (reduction in Co2 emissions from reduced energy consumption of energy-efficient luminaires) whilst also improving socio-economic activities in the state by enabling a functional 24-hour economy”, he explained.

    READ ALSO: COVID-19: Lagosians appeal to state govt to enforce safety protocols in public transport

    Governor Sanwo-Olu has continued to demonstrate dexterity in governance since 2019 when he assumed office. From roads, health, education and transport, he has been setting the pace. He inherited a state filled with filth caused by the disastrous experimentation of the VisionScape project by the previous government. He mobilized and energized the wearied local waste operators and pronto sanity began to return. Heaps of refuse that littered street corners were cleared and Lagosians can once breath fresh air and savour splendor of the aquatic city.

    Terrific gridlocks on the roads were also visited. A twin approach of enforcement and re-engineering of conflict points worked wonders. Erring motorists especially the recalcitrant commercial bus drivers were whipped into line. One-way offenders on ‘mission suicide’ forfeited their vehicles and faced the law.

    READ ALSO: Massive destruction: Sanwo-Olu signs executive order to rebuild Lagos

    The officers of the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service that were hitherto reined in by the previous government were directed to return back to the roads with a caveat to shun their excesses or face stricter sanctions. The officers helped in ensuring roadworthy vehicles ply Lagos Trunk A and B roads. Incessant breakdown of vehicles reduced and Lagos was moving.

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officers also moved in to ease pressure on the roads. Areas where gridlocks were not man-made where redesigned. Popular Allen Avenue roundabout was shrunk to give wider access for vehicles converging at the confluence.

    Similar interventions were made in other locations across the state. The Sanwo-Olu administration also shows commitment to mass transit in the transport. The Oshodi/Abule-Egba BRT corridor was completed and commissioned. Thousands of residents in Alimosho, Ota and environs now enjoy the same mass transit luxury of their counterparts in Ikorodu.

    The perennial road collapse between Mile 12 and Ojota both inward and outward is getting concrete treatment. Asphalt appears not strong enough to withstand the vehicle pressure and heavy-duty that ply the axis. Sanwo-Olu is building the road to last. Reinforced with a 20mm-size iron rod weaved together like a basket with extra-pure granite and cement mixture of about 12 inches thickness. That is Sanwo’s standard!

     

  • Ekiti employs new teachers, releases list

    Ekiti employs new teachers, releases list

    Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board has released the names of 600 newly-recruited primary school teachers.

    Director of Social Mobilization and Media, Ekiti SUBEB, Ado-Ekiti, Tope Babalola, made this known on Tuesday, titled, ‘Ekiti SUBEB releases a list of the first batch of newly-recruited teachers on state website’.

    The statement quoted SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Femi Akinwumi, as saying that “the newly engaged teachers are the first batch to be employed from successful applicants in the recruitment exercise and documentation process carried out by SUBEB recently”.

    READ ALSO: OGUN: Gov Abiodun appoints SUBEB, OOUTH Boards

    Akinwumi advised applicants to check the list by logging on to the Ekiti State Website.

    He said the 600 successful applicants, as well as the already notified 100 newly-recruited teachers under the Federal Teachers Scheme, would undergo a four-day induction training workshop from the Monday, January 18, 2021.

    Akinwumi added that the venues for the induction training and other relevant information would be made available to the successful candidates in due course.

    Stressing that the recruitment exercise was devoid of political, religious, ethnic or gender bias, he said that the exercise was “strictly based on merit”.

    Akinwumi, however, charged the newly recruited teachers to see their employment as “a call to duty”, stressing that they should “judiciously utilise the opportunity given to them by being diligent, loyal and dedicated to their duties”.

    The SUBEB boss also assured that the exercise was continuous as “more successful applicants would still be employed in due course”.

  • Secondus to Makinde, Fayose: take your problems to Saraki

    Secondus to Makinde, Fayose: take your problems to Saraki

    he National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde and former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose to table their differences before the party’s National Peace and Reconciliation Committee, chaired by former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

    Makinde and Fayose have in the past few months, locked horns in what party sources described as a supremacy battle over control of the PDP machinery in the Southwest geopolitical zone.

    The clash of the duo has fractured the PDP in the zone into two factions with one faction supporting the governor while the other has lined up behind the former governor.

    READ ALSO:Incitement: Lagos PDP gives Fayose 7 days to apologise to party elders

     

    Governor Makinde had, a few weeks ago, set up a reconciliation committee with a view to resolving the leadership crisis in the zone. The committee is chaired by a former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

    But Fayose had disagreed with the composition of the committee, saying that Oyinlola and other members of the said committee were merely handpicked by the governor and as such could not be disinterested in their approach to the assignment.

    The former Ekiti governor had set up a parallel committee as a counterforce to the one led by Oyinlola.

    As the media war between the two factions continued to rage, a former Special Duties Minister, Elder Wole Oyelese, had blamed Secondus for the festering crisis between the two camps.

    Oyelese was quoted as saying that the party chairman had been obsessed with his alleged tenure extension scheming to the point of playing divisive roles in the crisis.

    READ ALSO: Ekiti PDP faction tackles Makinde for mocking Fayose

    Secondus, however, repudiated the accusation, saying that the crisis in the Southwest PDP is as old as the PDP itself.

    In a WhatsApp message by his media adviser, Ike Abonyi on Tuesday, the party chairman advised the two factions to approach the Saraki committee with their differences for resolution.

    “The crisis Southwest PDP is as old as the PDP itself whereas Secondus became National Chairman in December 2017.

    “Let them channel their problems to the Bukola Saraki led the Peace and Reconciliation Committee set up by the same Secondus. If you put your house in order, outsiders can do nothing to its foundation,” the chairman said.

  • Comparing Fayose’s govt to Fayemi’s is like Satan and Jesus – APC

    Comparing Fayose’s govt to Fayemi’s is like Satan and Jesus – APC

    The All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Ekiti State has urged residents of the state to go about their normal activities without any fear of threat to their lives or property.

    Reacting to a statement credited to the opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) that people are no longer safe in the state under the present administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi, the APC in a statement signed and released by its Public Relations Officer, Hon. Ade Ajayi pointed out that insecurity is a national malaise and not peculiar to the state alone.

    “It is like comparing Satan with Jesus when the situation under which PDP governed this state is compared to the present situation under the APC government.

    READ ALSO: Rivers APC disaster: No one has monopoly of violence, Abe’s faction warns

    “There are several unresolved daylight assassinations and clear cases of robberies which happened during the immediate past government and are yet to be resolved till date due to the personalities involved.

    “Residents of the state should ignore the statement. Ekiti is more secured under Fayemi unlike when Fayose and PDP were in the saddle. There was a lot of state-sponsored assassinations then.

    “None investigated, none solved. Insecurity is a national malaise and the establishment of the Ekiti branch of the Amotekun security outfit which is highly equipped and motivated by the state government is a pointer to the seriousness of the administration to safe guard lives and properties in the state.

    READ ALSO: Lere Federal Constituency: Arewa youths want PDP mandate protected

    “The opposition is so idle and mischievous, so much that members are daily deserting the party and defecting to our party daily and in drove, while they are too neck-deep in matters that do not concern them.

    ”The umbrella is torn and their party is going to perpetual extinction.

    ”The APC is confident that security agents in the state are capable of dealing with any unfortunate incident, and they have already swung into action in the case of the Oil magnate who was kidnapped on Monday and very soon, they shall bring succor to the family of the victim, just like they did during the Yuletide period when a travelling businessman was rescued by the Amotekun outfit in cooperation with other security outfits in the state.

    READ ALSO: We’re devising new state-led security scheme to curb insecurity, safeguard Edo people – Obaseki

    “There have been so many success stories that can be attributed to the Dr Fayemi Government since its inception about two years ago, but these have been ignored by the opposition.

    “They are those referred to by one of America’s former Vice President, Spino Agnew as the “nattering nabobs of negativism.

    “They would always prefer to serve in hell, rather than be partners in heaven”.

  • Boko Haram: Police announces release of burial expenses for Elaine’s officers in Yobe

    Boko Haram: Police announces release of burial expenses for Elaine’s officers in Yobe

    The Yobe State Police Command has announced that family members of Elaine’s police officers who died during the battle with Boko Haram between 2013 and 2014 should come for the payment of deceased burial expenses which was released today by the police authorities.

    A statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Dungus, on Tuesday said, the affected families are to report to the Mechanized Salary Section (MSS) Damaturu, for verification and payment while next of kin are to come along with all relevant documents.

    READ ALSO: Black Thursday: Soldier fighting Boko Haram in Yobe, kills self, leaves note for wife

    The statement also said the command regrets the delay and enjoins the families to be understanding.

    Recall that the war against insurgency has led to several deaths including police officers and soldiers.

    Boko Haram had equally claimed the abduction of many in the North East, including the Chibok schoolgirls.

  • Soldiers Kill Polytechnic Student, Shoot Three Others Going For Wedding

    Soldiers Kill Polytechnic Student, Shoot Three Others Going For Wedding

    Soldiers attached to Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State went wild on Saturday in Dengi in the Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, shooting dead a polytechnic student, Muhammed Mado, and injuring three other relatives heading for a wedding.

    It was learnt that the soldiers placed an illegal checkpoint at Kyamsagi village and when Mado, a student of Abubakar Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi State, and other wedding attendants got to the location on motorcycles, the soldiers opened fire on them.

    It was gathered that some of the young men were going for their elder sister’s wedding in Jarmai village in Wase, the Kanam LGA when they encountered the military checkpoint.

    READ ALSO: Peter Obi Mourns Domkat Bali, Condoles With Plateau Government And Individuals

    According to eyewitnesses, the soldiers did not allow the wedding attendants to identify themselves before shooting at them on the premonition that they were bandits or kidnappers.

    A witness, Suleiman Abba, said, “Mado was going for the wedding with his brothers and friends of their sister in Jarmai village of the Kanam LGA. Immediately after Ishaa prayers, they left Wase town where their sister was getting married.

    “Not long after they left Dengi, the headquarters of Kanam, and were approaching Kyamsagi village, the eight of them, on motorcycles, were greeted by gunshots. It was a group of gun-wielding men on the lonely road, whose identities were difficult to make out.

    “Afraid that it could be kidnappers or armed robbers, the men quickly rushed back. The next thing they heard was bullets being rained on them. Four of them were felled by the bullets while the rest managed to flee along with the nearby bush.

    READ ALSO: Plateau govt proposes N133 billion budget for 2021

    “Mado was initially in the leg and fell on the road. To our dismay, the STF men came closer to him and instead of helping him to a hospital; they shot him again, in the chest.”

    An elder in the Kanam area, Tan Al-Gambari, demanded that justice be served in the matter and the soldiers are brought to book.

    He said, “Wase youths have been known to be hard-working, peaceful and without any stain of criminality or disobedience to constituted authorities.

    READ ALSO: Plateau researchers make progress on drugs for Covid-19

    “It is the reason why we are calling the attention of human rights organisations, and governments at all levels to urgently intervene, investigate and bring this trigger-happy STF personnel to justice. The family of the late Mado should be adequately compensated, while the medical bills of the three others that sustained various degrees of injury receiving treatment at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi and Wase General Hospital be paid by the government.

    “It is disheartening that the STF personnel have done nothing to stop the incessant kidnappings and armed robberies that have become a daily occurrence in Kanam and its environs have resorted to killing innocent citizens for no justifiable reason.”

  • Gunmen kill councillorship candidate kidnap two others in Delta

    Gunmen kill councillorship candidate kidnap two others in Delta

    Gunmen have shot dead a councillorship candidate in the forthcoming local government elections, in Delta State, Mr. Elliot Offa.

    The gunmen also abducted two others who were with the deceased at the time of the incident.

    The incident occurred along the Jesse/Oben road, a boundary between Delta and Edo States, It was announced.

    It was learnt that the deceased and the two others were returning from the Office of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, Asaba when the gunmen ambushed, shot sporadically and killed the deceased.

    READ ALSO: Gunmen abduct Kaduna PFN chairman, wife at prayer camp on Christmas day

    The deceased was the immediate past Supervisory Councillor on Environment of Ethiope-West Local Government Council.

    When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya confirmed the report saying,” They said it happened in Edo State, not Delta State.”

  • COVID-19: Oyo Justice Commissioner leaves Isolation Centre

    COVID-19: Oyo Justice Commissioner leaves Isolation Centre

    he Oyo State Commissioners for Justice and Attorney General, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo has been discharged from the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) Isolation Center at Yaba Lagos.

    He is currently at home, observing treatment in isolation for the next fourteen days.

    Making the disclosure in a statement, Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun on Tuesday recounted that Oyelowo was rushed to Lagoon Hospital on January 2nd, 2021 after an ailment that showed symptoms of Covid-19.

    READ ALSO: Buhari seeks confirmation of nominees as Justices of Supreme Court, others

     

    According to Olatubosun, a chest CT scan done on Oyelowo revealed the possibility of the presence of the Covid-19 virus in his system which led to his immediate transfer to the Infectious Diseases Hospital Isolation Center in Lagos for treatment.

    He said, “On January 2, 2021, the Honorable Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General was rushed to Lagoon Hospital, Lagos, at 10 pm and underwent a chest CT scan that disclosed the possibility of the presence of COVID-19 Virus in his system, he was immediately transferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) Isolation Center, Yaba, for further investigation.

    “On the 3rd January 2021, a positive test result was entered and the medical team of doctors and nurses admitted him into the IDH facility for immediate and prompt medical treatment, which continued from 3rd January 2021 till 10th January 2021, when he was discharged from the IDH Isolation Center and released to go home and continue isolation and treatment for another 14 days in Lagos.

    READ ALSO: Large Crowds Defy COVID-19 Protocols, Storm NIMC Abuja, Lagos Offices For NIN Registration

    “The Ministry of Justice wishes to appreciate the people of Oyo State for their prayers during this period and to thank the medical personnel of the IDH Yaba, Lagos for the care and treatment of the Attorney-General.”

    Olatunbosun expressed optimism that the Commissioner would continue to recuperate from home.

    He urged the people of the state to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and to observe all necessary COVID-19 protocols at all time.

  • Sustainable Electrical energy In Nigeria: Half Measures Will Not Cut It, By Bámidélé Adémólá-Olátéjú

    Sustainable Electrical energy In Nigeria: Half Measures Will Not Cut It, By Bámidélé Adémólá-Olátéjú

    The framework of electricity generation, transmission and distribution reflects the subordination of the superstructure of the state to cronyism/state capitalism… The best solution is to take electricity off the exclusive into the residual list and let a thousand flowers blossom. Break up the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and the national grid into eight to 10 independent zonal grids. Half measures will not cut it.

    Given Nigeria’s prostrate fiscal state, the removal of subsidies on petroleum, electricity and the abrogation of the corrupt multiple exchange rate regime is an existential imperative. Now that the government is out of denial on the need to pick our poison, how can these actions be taken in a politically sensitive and sustainable manner? As always, the government has managed the phased withdrawal of electricity subsidy poorly. The increase and reversal loops are indicative of shoddy processes, while the back and forth negotiations with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) shows that the consultation framework involved is not proactive.

    READ ALSO: Nigeria records highest power transmission of 5,459.50MW

    Here is Nigeria’s scorecard on power consumption and access. According to the World Bank, Nigeria has the largest number of people without access to electricity globally. 43 per cent of Nigerians (85 million people) are not connected to the national grid. This makes Nigeria the global leader in energy access deficit. For the poorest 40 per cent of the population, access to grid electricity is even lower at about 31 per cent nationwide. The average annual per capita electricity consumption of Nigeria is 147 kWh, which is a fifth of the average consumption in low middle-income countries. Of the households connected to grid electricity, most experience blackouts daily, as well as frequent voltage fluctuations.

    READ ALSO: BREAKING NEWS: FG orders suspension of adjusted electricity tariff

    For those with access to electricity, 22 per cent rely on non-grid sources such as a generators, solar power, solar lantern/lighting systems, rechargeable battery power, etc. Nigerian are good and understanding people, despite the buffeting economic winds. They will understand if the government is sincere and willing to make the case and explain how subsidies causes the overuse of electricity, underinvestment in capacity and theft. There are indications that the withdrawal is already moderating consumption.

    For a battered people, the cynicism and skepticism towards government actions and policies are justified. The truth is that Nigerians must be ready to face the long rough road ahead. The government must shed the legacy of military fiat and learn to take its case to the Nigerian people with humility and tact. Let the people know that the well off among them are the major beneficiaries of subsidies. In the case of electricity, the more affluent get more for two reasons. One, the correlation between electricity consumption and welfare is weak because affluent households have low measured consumption.

    READ ALSO: We’re ending estimated electricity billing with mass metering initiative — Buhari

    Two, subsidy per unit goes down as electricity consumption rises. What this means is that the subsidy received by a household increases until its consumption exceeds about 300kWh per month. At the time of writing this, that is less than twenty thousand naira (N20, 000). The majority of households consume far less than 300kWh/month. Since the rich consume more than the poor on the average, they get more subsidy. What this means is that many homes in the city will not be impacted much by the withdrawal of electricity subsidy. Most rural homes which do not have electric appliances will not be significantly affected. Did the power distribution companies, DisCos and government negotiators present this data to the NLC?

    Nigerians are suspicious of the government and DisCos, and justifiably so. Why should we pay more for electricity, with frequent power cuts, over inflated bills and unaccountable customer service by the DisCos? Nigerian are good and understanding people, despite the buffeting economic winds. They will understand if the government is sincere and willing to make the case and explain how subsidies causes the overuse of electricity, underinvestment in capacity and theft. There are indications that the withdrawal is already moderating consumption.The withdrawal of subsidy in the electricity sector is not a cure all. It is much more than that. There are deep-seated corporate governance issues involved. If consumers must make sacrifices, how do we ensure consumer protection from price gaging and exploitation?

    READ ALSO: Arewa Students Forum, WASU, NANS, CONYO, ABYCN recognize Farida Princess Ahmed’s philanthropic works

    The withdrawal of subsidy in the electricity sector is not a cure all. It is much more than that. There are deep-seated corporate governance issues involved. If consumers must make sacrifices, how do we ensure consumer protection from price gaging and exploitation? According a World Bank report, “Audited financial statements of the DISCOs indicate that the distribution sector is insolvent but the removal of tariff shortfalls will temporarily restore solvency to most DISCOs. At the end of 2018, sector assets totaled ₦1.29 trillion (US$3.34 billion) with liabilities of ₦2.14 trillion (US$5.54 billion), resulting in a negative net equity position of ₦-0.85 trillion (US$-2.20 billion). ₦1.67 trillion (US$4.33 billion) of the liabilities result from tariff shortfalls accrued by DISCOs. FGN has accepted responsibility for the accrued tariff shortfalls on DISCOs books and so these liabilities will eventually be moved off DISCOs’ balance sheets once an appropriate mechanism is established and agreed.

    READ ALSO: Falana led-Coalition lists 12 demands, writes Buhari to implement them or ….

    FGN has so far funded part of these shortfalls through loans from the CBN while leaving a quarter of it unfunded and hence, owed to the GENCOs and their gas suppliers. According to the PSRP Financing Plan, which is based on the Federal Government Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, new tariff shortfalls will not accumulate beyond 2021. The repayment of outstanding shortfalls as well the debt servicing of the CBN loans are planned to be completed by 2027. Therefore, it is important for the government that scheduled tariff reviews are not disrupted so as to ensure a return to a fiscally sustainable situation during PSRP implementation. Removing shortfalls alone, however, will not be enough to complete DISCOs’ turn-around as this positive equity position will not last while DISCOs continue to deliver electricity at a cost higher than the allowed tariff”. How then do we situate the $350,000 being paid to Mr. Sunday Ayeni monthly, as revealed in the court filing by his lawyers?

    The framework of electricity generation, transmission and distribution reflects the subordination of the superstructure of the state to cronyism/state capitalism. With the current framework, Nigeria’s manufacturing will be slaughtered by the Africa free trade agreement. Nigeria cannot compete against Togo, let alone South Africa or Egypt. The best solution is to take electricity off the exclusive into the residual list and let a thousand flowers blossom. Break up the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and the national grid into eight to 10 independent zonal grids. Half measures will not cut it.

  • Our chairman not sacked by Buhari – NDLEA

    Our chairman not sacked by Buhari – NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has denied reports that its Chairman, retired Col. Muhammad Abdallah has been sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Mr Jonah Achema, the spokesperson for NDLEA, made the clarifications during an interview with newsmen on Tuesday, in Abuja, I was stated.

    Achema, a Deputy Commander of Narcotics (DCN), said, however, that the tenure of Abdallah who was appointed on Jan. 12, 2016, expired on Jan.11.

    READ ALSO: Insurgents in North East funded from illicit drug trade ― NDLEA Chairman

    “The chairman was not sacked as reported by some media organizations.

    “However, his five-year tenure elapsed on Jan. 11,’’ he said.

    Recall that the Agency on Monday announced the suspension of the ongoing screening of applicants for recruitment.

    This followed a directive issued by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, ordering the agency to put screening of the 5,000 new recruits on hold.

    This he said, was due to the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

  • I was under spell, says suspect arrested for ritual mutilation of minor’s genitals

    I was under spell, says suspect arrested for ritual mutilation of minor’s genitals

    ONE of the suspects who allegedly took part in the cutting of the private parts of a six-year old girl for suspected ritual purposes in Bauchi State has said that he was charmed by his friend who is now at large to take part in the dastardly act.

    The incident was said to have occurred at about 7.20 pm on December 30, 2020.

    The suspect, Adamu Ra’uf (20), an indigene of Gandu Jama’are Local Government Area, who was arrested by the state’s police command, confessed upon interrogation that he conspired with one Abdulkadir Haladu of Chikamidari in the area to perpetrate the crime.

    READ Also:‘Money-Woman’: C’River community stops practice, other barbaric culture against girl-child

    Narrating his role in the incident to newsmen at the headquarters of the Bauchi State Police Command yesterday, Rauf said: ”My friend Haladu and I took the victim to an uncompleted building where her private parts were mutilated on the instruction of a native doctor who said he would use it to make money for us.

    ”My friend used charm to lure the girl to the uncompleted building. Then he brought out a knife and asked me to hold her skirt.

    I was not aware that he had cut off her private part. What I know is that he later came into a house where we hid and showed me the part he had cut off.

    ”I told him to count me out of what had happened, but he warned that he would kill me if I told anybody about it.”

    READ Also: Federal Government opens talks with China to have access to COVID-19 vaccines for Nigeria

    Explaining how he was arrested, the suspect said ”someone came to tell me that he heard that the police wanted to see me at the station. I was standing by the road side, so I climbed an okada (commercial motorcycle) to honour their invitation.”

    Asked whether he was rewarded by Haladu after carrying out the act, he said he (Haladu) did not promise him anything.

    “The only thing he did was to charm me. As a result, I saw myself obeying all his instructions. And he has been dragging me to so many places with the charm. I really regret my action,” he said.

    The sister to the victim’s father, Maryam Mohammed, who spoke to newsmen in Jama’re, said the victim was put in her care because her brother and the girl’s mother had separated.

    Maryam said she was not at home when the incident occurred, adding that the victim went to the house of another brother of hers to play.

    She said it was on her way that the victim met the suspects who sent her on an errand, adding that while she was returning, they lured her into the uncompleted building.

    ”From there, we didn’t know what happened. We only saw her coming back with bloodstains and crying. We don’t know how she managed to come back home.”

    Maryam recalled that it was one of their neighbours, a woman, who alerted them.

    She said: ”A neighbour called us that we should come and see our daughter; that something had wounded her.

    READ Also: Rivers APC disaster: No one has monopoly of violence, Abe’s faction warns

    “Some people said she was raped. But when she was taken to the hospital, they referred her to Azare medical centre.

    “While we were crying, somebody who went to the hospital told us that it was not rape; that her entire private part was mutilated.”

    Maryam, who noted that such a thing had never happened in the entire Jama’are area, stated that they were planning to enroll the victim into school this year before the ugly incident occurred.

    “We have never witnessed or heard of this kind heinous act in this community. She has a sibling who is also under my care. She is the first child of her mother,” Maryam said.

    She pleaded with the authorities to ensure that justice was done in the matter to serve as a deterrent to others.

    READ Also: BREAKING: Riot in Ogun as customs allegedly kill another youth on New Year’s eve [VIDEO]

    She also expressed gratitude to the government for quick intervention in the matter.

    It will be recalled that the spokesman of the Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakil, in a statement made available to journalists in Bauchi, said that immediately the police received the complaint from the victim’s aunt, they swung into action and arrested one of the suspects while his accomplice was still at large.

    He recalled that when the police rushed the victim to the hospital, a medical doctor confirmed that her private part had been removed.

    He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Lawan Jimeta, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.

  • Anxiety mounts in Edo, over today’s judgment, on Obaseki’s alleged perjury, forgery case

    Anxiety mounts in Edo, over today’s judgment, on Obaseki’s alleged perjury, forgery case

    Today’s expected judgment of Abuja Federal High Court on alleged forgery and perjury case brought against Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State by the APC and a member of the party, William Edobor, has thrown the camps of the governor ‎and his party, the PDP as well as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the September 19, 2020 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, into anxiety.

    Recall that after legal arguments  on the pre-election matter, the parties on Thursday adopted their written addresses and the presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Muhammed, fixed today for judgment.

    READ ALSO: Obaseki to open defence in alleged certificate forgery case January 5

    Yesterday in Benin, a member of the PDP and an associate of Obaseki, said “everybody is waiting for today. Some of us are restless but we are confident because our legal team did a good job and from my view, they could not prove any case of forgery so we expect a favourable ruling”.

    On the other hand, a supporter of the APC governorship candidate in the election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and member of the party, said “With what we have presented before the court, we are 99 per cent sure of victory”.

    In a related development, Pastor Ize-Iyamu, has appealed against the judgment of the Edo State High Court nullifying his candidacy over alleged false information presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by his running mate, Hon. Gani Audu.

    READ ALSO: Tenure Extension: Withdraw allegations in 24hrs or face disciplinary action, APC warns Ogenyi

    Justice Helen Courage-Ogbebor of Edo State High had in a judgment he delivered in Benin City last Wednesday in a suit filed by Sunday Kadiri from Ogbona ward, in Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state, voided the candidacy the APC governorship candidate and his running mate.

    But in Ize-Iyamu in a 13-grounds notice of Appeal  marked B/358/2020 through his counsel, prayed the Appeal Court to set aside the judgment of the Edo State High Court, pointing‎ out

    that the suit filed by Kadiri is statute-barred, academic, and of no utilitarian value to him. Citing relevant constitutional provisions, including precedents set by the Supreme Court in previous similar cases, he argued that “a pre-election suit becomes academic where the Defendants lost the election and fail to challenge the outcome thereof in an Election Tribunal”.

    Besides, he contended even though the case was statute-barred, the claimant also failed to prove his case beyond doubt and should be dismissed.

     

  • BREAKING NEWS: FG orders suspension of adjusted electricity tariff

    BREAKING NEWS: FG orders suspension of adjusted electricity tariff

    The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Fee to droop the not too long ago adjusted electricity tariff.

    The Minister of Energy, Sale Mamman, made the announcement in an announcement on Thursday.

    He mentioned a committee has been set as much as work on the brand new electricity tariffs and ought to be allowed to finish its work earlier than any changes.

    Recall that NERC had on Tuesday increased the electricity tariff payable by power shoppers throughout the nation.

    Read also: Hike in electricity tariff insensitive – PDP

    The fee additionally blamed the N2 to N4 adjustment in tariff on inflation and motion in international change charges.

    Nevertheless, Mamman mentioned he directed NERC to droop the implementation of the duly carried out minor overview to permit the conclusion of dialogue with Labour facilities.

    “The general public is conscious that the Federal Government and the Labour Facilities have been engaged in optimistic discussions in regards to the electrical energy sector.

    ”A number of the achievements of this deliberation with Labour are the accelerated rollout of the Nationwide Mass Metering Plan, clampdowns on estimated billing, and the discount in tariff charges.‌

    Read also: We’re ending estimated electricity billing with mass metering initiative — Buhari

    “It needs to be clear to all that the regulator should be allowed to carry out its operate.

    “The position of the Authorities is to not set tariffs, but in addition to supply coverage steering, shield customers and for buyers to have interaction instantly with shoppers.

    ”To advertise a constructive conclusion of the dialogue with the Labour Facilities, I’ve directed NERC to droop the implementation of the duly carried out minor evaluate (which adjusted tariffs between N2 per kWh and N4 per kWh) till the conclusion of the Joint Advert Hoc Committee’s work on the finish of January 2021.

    “I want to state once more that this Administration is dedicated to making a sustainable, electrical energy marketplace for the advantage of all Nigerians,” the assertion stated.

    Read also: EEDC migrates customers to improve electricity service from Nov 1

  • NSE appoints new CEOs as exchange splits into 3 new entities

    NSE appoints new CEOs as exchange splits into 3 new entities

    The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will have its three surviving entities, birthed by the just-completed demutualisation exercise, headed by individual chief executive officers, the national council of the exchange said in a website note on Wednesday.

    The decision followed approval by members of the NSE in November of the proposal to demutualise, enabling the Nigerian bourse to transform from a member-owned organisation to a quoted company where the public can own shares.

    That move will also break the exchange into three independent units for a more efficient running.

    READ ALSO: We’re devising new state-led security scheme to curb insecurity, safeguard Edo people – Obaseki

    “Under the demutualisation plan, a new non-operating holding company, the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) has been created,” the council said.

    “The Group will have three operating subsidiaries – Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), the operating exchange; NGX Regulation Limited (NGX REGCO), the independent regulatory arm; and NGX Real Estate Limited (NGX RELCO), the real estate company – forming the group. All the entities have been duly registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission (“CAC”).”

    Oscar Onyema, currently the chief executive of the NSE, will lead the succeeding entity, Nigerian Exchange Group Plcas the Group Chief Executive Officer.

    READ ALSO: 55 commodity associations demand unfettered access to foreign exchange

    Temi Popoola, managing director of Renaissance Capital, is now the CEO of NGX while Tinuade Awe, who is the executive director of Regulation at the NSE, will be the CEO of NGX REGCO.

    The appointments are to be endorsed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the NSE statement stated.

  • PDP accuses Gov Umahi of running Ebonyi govt like his private business concern

    PDP accuses Gov Umahi of running Ebonyi govt like his private business concern

    The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the governor of the State, David Umahi of running the state government like his private business concern.

    The accusation was made on Wednesday by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the PDP in Ebonyi State, Elder Fred Udeogu, who said that the State University had collapsed due to the lack of funding by Governor Umahi.

    Udeogu who made the comments in his New Year message to the people of the state, in Abakaliki, added that nobody who contributed to David Umahi becoming governor is still with him.

    He further stated in his New Year message that If not for the maturity of the people of Ebonyi, there would have been unimaginable hostility in the state, but the people are very docile.

    Udeogu said; “The Government of Ebonyi State is run as a private business of one man and his immediate family. If you look at what is happening in the State today, you will see that nobody who contributed to David Umahi, becoming governor is still with him.

    “If Ebonyi was to be another State, Umahi’s style of governance would have plunged it into an irredeemable crisis.

    “I commend Ebonyians for their ability to condone Umahi’s high handedness and repressive governance

    “I appreciate our people for condoning all the things happening in Ebonyi State. If not for the maturity of our people, there would have been unimaginable hostility in the State, but our people are very docile. If not so, the system is terrible, and the government is something else.”

    “If you look at the entire State, you see that people who are coming from other states will think that work is ongoing, but I tell you, nothing is happening. The projects he is doing have nothing to do with the blueprint designed by those who contributed to the creation of Ebonyi State,” he concluded.

  • Barack Obama Accuses Donald Trump Of Inciting Violence At US Capitol

    Barack Obama Accuses Donald Trump Of Inciting Violence At US Capitol

    Former United States President Barack Obama has accused President Donald Trump of inciting his supporters, who stormed the US Capitol and violently clashed with police in an attempt to stop President-elect Joe Biden’s certification on Wednesday, January 6.

    “History will rightly remember today’s violence at the Capitol, incited by a sitting president who has continued to baselessly lie about the outcome of a lawful election, as a moment of great dishonour and shame for our nation. But we’d be kidding ourselves if we treated it as a total surprise,” he stated.

    n the statement he issued via his Twitter page, Obama also slammed Trump and his supporters’ baseless claims of election fraud.

    READ ALSO: Chimamanda’s review of Obama’s upcoming memoir hailed as “best book review”

    He stated, “For two months now, a political party and its accompanying media ecosystem has too often been unwilling to tell their followers the truth — that this was not a particularly close election and that President-Elect Biden will be inaugurated on January 20.

    “Their fantasy narrative has spiralled further and further from reality, and it builds upon years of sown resentments. Now we’re seeing the consequences, whipped up into a violent crescendo.”

    Obama added that it was striking to see some of the President’s own party members speaking against his actions.

    READ ALSO: More African leaders congratulate US President-elect Joe Biden, VP-elect Kamala Harris

    “Right now, Republican leaders have a choice made clear in the desecrated chambers of democracy. They can continue down this road and keep stoking the rage fires, or they can choose reality and take the first steps toward extinguishing the flames. They can choose America.

    “I’ve been heartened to see so many members of the president’s party speak up forcefully today. Their voices add to the examples of Republican state and local officials in states like Georgia who’ve refused to be intimidated and have discharged their duties honorably. We need more leaders like these – right now and in the days, weeks and months ahead as President-elect Biden works to restore a common purpose to our politics. It’s up to all of us as Americans, regardless of party, to support him in that goal,” the former President stated.

  • World leaders react to U.S. political unrest

    World leaders react to U.S. political unrest

    World leaders expressed shock at political unrest in the United States (U.S.) Wednesday which saw supporters of President Donald Trump storm the Capitol building in Washington DC.

    Nonetheless, many also said they had faith in the resilience of the nation’s democratic institutions.

    European Parliament President David Sassoli spoke of “deeply concerning scenes from the U.S. Capitol tonight.”

    “Democratic voters must be respected,” Sassoli wrote in a tweet, adding: “We are certain the U.S. will ensure that the rules of democracy are protected.”

    EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called the violence in Washington an assault on American democracy.

    “In the eyes of the world, American democracy tonight appears under siege. This is an unseen assault on U.S. democracy, its institutions and the rule of law,” he wrote on Twitter.

    “This is not America. The election results of Nov. 3 must be fully respected.”

    Calling Wednesday’s scenes in Washington “a shock,” European Council chief Charles Michel also said that “we trust the U.S. to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to JoeBiden.”

    READ ALSO: Ireland, Canada, Britain other world leaders congratulate Biden

    Canadians are “deeply disturbed and saddened” by the events in Washington DC, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, calling the storming of the Capitol an “attack on democracy in the United States.

    “Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people,” Trudeau tweeted on Wednesday evening.

    In the U.S., Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned the “unacceptable” storming of the Capitol. “Lawlessness and rioting — here or around the world — is always unacceptable.”

    Former U.S. President George W Bush spoke of watching “scenes of mayhem” in disbelief and dismay.

    “It is a sickening and heartbreaking sight. This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic – not our democratic republic.

    READ ALSO: American Presidents have always accepted defeat – Hillary Clinton

    “I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement,” he said in a statement tweeted by The Bush Center.

    Mr Bush’s predecessor Bill Clinton said that the Wednesday’s assault “was fueled by more than four years of poison politics spreading deliberate misinformation, sowing distrust in our system, and pitting Americans against one another.

    “The match was lit by Donald Trump and his most ardent enablers, including many in Congress, to overturn the results of an election he lost.”

    Fellow Democratic former president Barack Obama called the Wednesday violence “incited” by Trump “a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation.”

    READ ALSO: I won this election by a lot, Donald Trump insists

    He told Republican leaders they had a choice: “They can continue down this road and keep stoking the raging fires. Or they can choose reality and take the first steps toward extinguishing the flames.”

    Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the scenes unfolding in Washington were shocking. “The outcome of this democratic election must be respected,” he wrote on Twitter.

    He told Republican leaders they had a choice: “They can continue down this road and keep stoking the raging fires. Or they can choose reality and take the first steps toward extinguishing the flames.”

    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke of “disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress.” In a tweet, he pointed out that “the United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.”

    READ ALSO: Democrats gain control of U.S. Senate after key Georgia wins

    Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, called the events “utterly horrifying.”

    “The Irish people have a deep connection with the United States of America, built up over many generations.

    “I know that many, like me, will be watching the scenes unfolding in Washington DC with great concern and dismay,” Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin wrote.

    Nordic leaders condemned the violent scenes. “Every moment now brings a new impossible from Washington: there is an incredible nightmare of democracy going on.

    “It is encouraging that there are those who show responsibility beyond party lines,” Finnish President Sauli Niinisto tweeted.

    Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg tweeted: “Unbelievable scenes from Washington D.C. This is a totally unacceptable attack on democracy.”

    Austria’s federal president, Alexander Van der Bellen, was one of several European officials to express their concern at the violence.

    READ ALSO: US election results on knife-edge: Biden maintains lead as Trump unleashes legal battle

    “It is with deep concern that I watch the populist, anti-democratic attack on the Capitol in Washington, the heart of U.S. democracy,” Van der Bellen tweeted

    In a tweet, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian wrote: “Violence against American institutions is a serious attack on democracy. I condemn it. The will and vote of the American people must be respected.”

    Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said: “I am following with great concern what is happening in #Washington. Violence is incompatible with the exercise of political rights and democratic freedoms. I trust in the solidity and strength of the institutions of the United States. CapitolHill”

    Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted that he was “extremely troubled by the violence and horrible events taking place in Washington D.C.” But he also sounded an optimistic note: “American democracy is resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis.”

    READ ALSO: US Election 2020: The fierce battle for the soul of America

    In a Twitter post, Polish President Andrzej Duda meanwhile said that violent protests are an “internal affair” of the U.S. But he added: “Poland believes in the strength of the American democracy.”

    Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne was “concerned” by scenes at the U.S. Congress.

    “I condemn any violence to interfere with democratic processes. This will not impede the transfer of power,

    “U.S. institutions are robust & its democratic strength resides in the full breadth of its people who are no part of this violence,” she tweeted.