Politics

Bauchi gov suspends children agency’s chief for alleged misconduct

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The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has approved the suspension of the Executive Chairperson of the state’s Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency (BASOVCA), Hassana Arkila, over alleged misconduct.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Bauchi.

He said the chairperson’s suspension which was to pave way for proper investigation into dealings at the BASOVCA took immediate effect.

The statement read: “The suspension order which is with immediate effect is to allow for proper investigation into the affairs of the agency following alleged misconduct.

“Consequently, she (Arkila) is directed to hand over the affairs of the agency to the most senior officer in the organization pending the outcome of an investigation that has been instituted by the government.”

Politics

Ortom asks Nigerian govt to declare herdsmen terrorists

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The Benue State Government, Samuel Ortom, on Monday urged the Federal Government to declare herdsmen killing and destroying property in the state as terrorists.

Ortom, who made the call during the commissioning of the Government Science Secondary School in Gbajimba, Guma local government area of the state, also asked the federal government to recruit more security personnel and inject more funds into security agencies to motivate them to protect Nigerians.

He said: “I will not keep quiet and allow some group of people chase my people away from their homes and continue to make them Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“Gbajimba has over 500,000 IDPs. I appeal to the Federal Government to stop these herdsmen and declare them a terrorist group.

They should stop the killings and destruction of our property. I will not engage any militia group but I will continue to seek justice for my people.

“Security is a mandatory responsibility of every government. I want to appreciate the recent effort made by the government in nipping insecurity in the bud especially in the state but it should be sustained.

“I also, appreciate the effort of security agencies who are sacrificing their lives to ensure peace in our state. The Federal Government should do massive recruitment and ensure adequate funding of security agencies so that they can put in their best in securing the lives of Nigerians.

Politics

APC will take over Benue in 2023 – Akume

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The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume, said on Sunday the All Progressives Congress (APC) will take over in Benue State in 2023.

Akume, who stated this at the end of the APC state congress held in Makurdi, said the successful conduct of the exercise was an indication that the party would legitimately take over power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in two years’ time.

At the congress, Austin Agada was elected the APC chairman in Benue.

The Chairman of the party’s Electoral Committee in the state, Abubakar Mohammed, who declared the result of the exercise in Makurdi, said Agada polled 1,385 votes to defeat his opponent, Mr. Omale Omale, who boycotted the election.

He said 1,500 delegates voted in the election, adding that other newly elected officials emerged unopposed.

Mohammed commended the APC leaders in Benue for the maturity they exhibited during the congress.

Politics

‘Make your findings on N20bn bailout public,’ Kogi dares EFCC

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The Kogi State government on Sunday dared the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to make public, the report of its investigations on the purported misappropriation of the N20 billion bailout secured from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The commission in August alleged that the loan which was domiciled in Sterling Bank had been partly misappropriated.

The loan was meant to augment the payment of workers’ salaries and the running costs of the government.

The Federal High Court, Lagos, on August 31 blocked the Kogi State government’s account in the bank.

Justice Tijjani Ringim granted the order following an ex parte application brought by EFCC pending the conclusion of the investigation or possible prosecution of the state government on the matter.

However, the commission withdrew the suit, seeking the forfeiture of the N20 billion bailout fund on Friday.

But in a statement in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, the government charged the EFCC to make its findings on the fund public.

He said despite the withdrawal, the commission should be able to provide facts of its investigations.

The commissioner also urged Nigerians to ask the EFCC in whose custody it found a part of the bailout fund said to have been dissipated.

Fanwo insisted that the alleged sum of N19.3 billion which Sterling Bank had undertaken with the EFCC to transfer to the CBN, does not belong to the Kogi government.

According to him, the state did not enter into any agreement either with Sterling Bank or the EFCC, to return any bailout fund to the CBN as claimed by the commission.

Fanwo said: “It is our belief that the withdrawal of the suit by the EFCC without informing the court of the facts, is a deliberate and face-saving effort by the commission, all in a bid to ‘nail’ at all cost, the Kogi government and tarnish its image.

“Nigerians should further ask the EFCC whether a commercial bank can simply undertake to transfer a customer’s money from the customers’ account without the order of any court mandating such transfer or a forfeiture?

Nigerians also deserve to know what becomes of the criminal allegation that the EFCC made when it informed the Federal High Court that the sum of N666,666,666.64 out of the N20 billion bailout loan had been dissipated and that same was being traced.

“Nigerians will want to know if the EFCC has found the money, if so, in whose custody was it found? Have charges been preferred against the custodian of the said funds. Or has the EFCC also abandoned that chase? Nigerians deserve to know the truth.

“We have as of October 2019, fully disbursed our bailout funds and are already religiously repaying the loan to Sterling Bank Plc.”

Politics

‘Harvest of confusion,’ PDP mocks APC over parallel congresses

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday mocked the All Progressive Congress (APC) over the crisis that trailed its state congresses in many parts of the country.

Crisis trailed the APC congresses in the 36 states across the country on Saturday with different factions conducting parallel exercises in defiance to the party’s directives to all aggrieved members to channel their complaints through appropriate platforms for resolution.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said the ruling party’s congresses were “a harvest of confusion with the leaders engaging in physical, verbal and emotional assault against one another.

According to the opposition party, a situation in which the APC members used their thugs to unleash mayhem on rivals and threatened them with charms and dangerous weapons was a pointer to the challenges facing the nation.

The statement read: “It is indeed despicable that a party that has the incumbent President of the country could not successfully conduct state congresses, as their leaders were seen behaving recklessly and investing heavily in violence; a development that speaks volumes on why our nation has been under the heavy yoke of violence, division, bloodletting and acts of terrorism under the APC watch.

“The outcome of APC congresses in many of the states has shown that it is a party that lacks leadership direction and internal cohesion; a party of unruly people, who are averse to peace, which explains why our country is reeling in crisis under the APC.

The APC cannot guarantee or give unity, tranquility and progress to our nation. Instead, it has continued to worsen the tension in the country. It has continued to show itself as a party that is troubled from within and only waiting to implode at any time.

Nigerians should be wary of the APC. If the APC congresses turned out this bad one can only imagine the type of mayhem that would characterize its primaries as well as their involvement in the general elections.

The APC state congresses present an unprecedented scenario in the history of our nation, where a party which produced the incumbent President, will have its ranks so torn down in shameful spectacle.

“Nigerians should make a correct interpretation of the signal sent out by APC congresses, which is that the ruling party is a mere contraption and an inchoate body of desperate elements. Such a party cannot organize for the genuine development of the country.

“Moreover, our party, the PDP is not however unaware of the efforts by the APC to inject crisis into our congresses but we commend the deft handling of issues in all our congresses to avert a crisis situation plotted by the APC.

The PDP hereby calls on Nigerians to reject this crisis-ridden, conflict-provoking, and troubled political special purpose vehicle called APC.

“It is clear that the APC cannot lead Nigeria to the promised land. It can only worsen the current uncertainty it has hitherto unleashed on Nigerians.

“The PDP remains the umbrella party that symbolizes the yearning of Nigerians for unity, development, and security. The PDP is refocused to rebuild our national fabrics, reunite our people and chart a way forward for sustainable development in our country.”

Politics

Anambra election will be ‘embarrassingly’ transparent – INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday assured Nigerians that the November 6 governorship election in Anambra would be “embarrassingly transparent.”

The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Nwachukwu Orji, stated this during a voter education and sensitisation programme for Persons With Disabilities and women groups in the state.

Orji, who was represented at the forum by INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Samuel Nimen, said all facilities had been put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the election.

He said: “The electoral materials that got burnt recently in an attack have been replaced. Non-sensitive materials have been distributed to all Local Government Areas and training of officials and ad-hoc staff is ongoing as I speak to you.

We have pasted and presented voters’ register to the political parties fielding candidates. We have published the final list of candidates and we have been engaging stakeholders to ensure security at polling units.

We have increased polling units to 5,720 to increase access to all voters and we are carrying out aggressive voter education and sensitisation, appealing to residents to exercise their civic responsibilities.

“With all facilities in place and with the electronic transmission of results, I tell you that Anambra election will be embarrassingly transparent. This will build confidence in our electoral system.

“PWDs are very important citizens, so we give them special attention by creating an inclusive environment.

“You need to participate fully in the electoral process because you are all citizens of Nigeria and have the right to vote and be voted for. I assure you that we are doing all we can to ensure your safety.”

Politics

Wike callous, inhuman for owing pensioners – Peterside

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The former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, on Saturday blasted the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for allegedly owing pensioners in the state.

Some retired public officers in Rivers recently protested the non-payment of their gratuities and pension arrears by the state government.

Peterside, who reacted to the development in a statement in Port Harcourt, said Wike should be ashamed of his administration’s inability to pay the pensioners in the state.

He described the non-payment of the pension arrears by the government as “callous and inhuman.”

He said: “Governor Wike should be ashamed that people who are old enough to be his father have been abandoned to their fate, with many already dead without getting their due benefits.

There is no greater wickedness than this, in fact, his action is callous and inhuman. Here is a man who has received hundreds of billions of naira in both federal allocation and internally generated revenue.

Since 2015, Wike has not promoted a single civil servant, neither has he employed anyone. A brick-and-mortar governor does not fit into proactive governance anchored on human capital development, which is the main driving force of economic wellbeing worldwide.

“Rivers youths have benefitted nothing under Wike. He prefers to hire them for political rallies rather than create platforms through which they can contribute to the economic prosperity of the state.”

Politics, World News

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said religion should not be a trigger for violent conflict in the state.

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The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said religion should not be a trigger for violent conflict in the state.

This is as he lamented that religion has been weaponised to the point that it has become a device used to question the right of some people to exist and practice their faith.

El-Rufai, however, said that the state’s Religious Preaching Edict of 1984, which his administration reviewed in 2016, will help stamp out the poison from the negative practise of religion.

The Governor said this at the inauguration of the Kaduna State Interfaith Preaching Regulatory Council, held at the Conference Room of the Governor’s Office, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Friday.

According to him, “Most of the residents of Kaduna State are very religious, like other Nigerians. But Kaduna State is, unfortunately, one of the states in the country with a sad history of religious clashes. The personal exercise of faith and the better conduct and character that spirituality promotes helps society to progress. But religion has unfortunately been weaponised so much that something that should bring God’s creatures closer together in a common awareness of mortal frailties has become a device to question the right of some of God’s creatures to even exist at all, let alone practise their faith or live wherever they wish.

“It was in 1984 that the government of Air Vice Marshall Usman Muazu enacted the Religious Preaching Edict to address this matter. Subsequent military governors amended the edict to vary the penalty imposed for violations of its provisions.

“This is a law that has always been in the statute book of Kaduna State but it has not been implemented faithfully. We decided in 2016 to review this edict and subject a revised law to the scrutiny of an elected legislature for the first time. We have now a religious preaching law, and we are determined to do our best to help stamp out the poison from the negative practice of religion. Religion is a relationship with God, not a bargaining tool for economic or political favours, and certainly not an excuse for murder, arson, destruction of property and other violent crimes against people who worship and pray differently.

“The pioneer members of this Interfaith Preaching Regulatory Council have an arduous but most important task of ensuring that those that are the leaders of faith, those that preach do not set our people against each other, and that faith is not practised in ways that deliberately and consistently inconvenience others.

“I wish you the best in helping our state to enter a new era where people can remain as religious as they choose to be, but with religion removed as a trigger for violent conflict.

“I want to assure members of this Council that the Kaduna State Government will do everything it can to support you to do your job and help our state, to determine those that are qualified by education and training to preach without causing any problems for our people and our communities.

“On this note, it is my distinct honour and privilege to inaugurate this Council. I wish you all the best and God’s guidance as you undertake this onerous assignment. Thank you and God bless.”

Politics

Kogi govt maintains innocence, even as Sterling bank returns N20bn bailout funds to CBN

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The Kogi State Government on Friday insisted that it is innocent of accusations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the wake of the resolution of the lawsuit on the alleged misappropriation of a N20 billion bailout fund.

It therefore demanded an apology from the anti-graft commission.

According to the Kogi State Government, it was ’embarrassing’ for the anti-graft agency to institute a lawsuit over the funds.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information in Kogi, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, who stated the government’s position at the presentation of awards to senior journalists who participated in the GYB Essay Competition for Nigeria’s Political and Crime Editors in Lagos.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the EFCC on Friday told the court that it was no longer pursuing the case, after Sterling Bank which was holding the funds gave its commitment to return the money to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The bank claimed it did not act on the directive of the Kogi State government when it kept the money in a mirror account.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke granted the order of withdrawal on Friday sequel to a motion filed and argued by EFCC counsel, Mr Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), leading Mr Rotimi Oyedepo.

Pinheiro listed six grounds upon which the judge granted the prayer, adding that “the EFCC is a responsible body”.

Nonetheless, Fanwo said it was unfortunate that the commission ignored thorough explanations by the state government on the matter, but chose to heed allegations from “hired guns.”

“It was unfortunate that the commission chose to believe allegations that it fixed N19 billion out of the amount in a new generation bank,” he stated.

He further implored the EFCC to always exhibit justice and professionalism during the discharge of its responsibilities while clarifying that the state government was yet to receive details of the judgement.

Fanwo declared that the state government would address the media after receiving the Certified True Copy of the judgment.

Politics

Soludo advocates dialogue between Nigerian govt, secessionists to curb violence, insecurity

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A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Prof Charles Soludo, has advocated the need for dialogue towards quelling secessionist agitations in the South-East region.

Soludo made this call on Friday during a consultation with Anambra indigenes in Lagos on Friday.

The former CBN official noted that the Igbos must unify in order to establish a platform that will catapult them to the front seat regarding the affairs of the country.

Soludo said, “Yes, there are agitations and I respect them. But dialogue is the answer. They must dialogue; Igbo and Nigeria. That will settle it once there’s an organised platform, where the Igbo will be in the front seat.

“Forget about the APC and PDP. For us to negotiate our way to the centre, we must come together and form a formidable force for doing this.

“I call on all Igbo to come together, step out and build our land into a liveable homeland.”

On the current insecurity in Anambra State, Soludo linked it to massive unemployment among the vibrant youth populace.

“Our answer to these unrests is prosperity and job creation. Once there are jobs everywhere, all of those people will come out of the bushes and do something productive with that lives.

Politics

EFCC withdraws case against Kogi govt seeking forfeiture of N20bn bailout fund

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn its suit seeking the forfeiture of N20 billion bailout funds granted to the Kogi State Government by a new generation bank.

The anti-graft agency had alleged that the money, meant for the payment of Kogi workers, was kept in an interest-yielding account with the bank by officials of the state government.

Ripples Nigeria reported that the EFCC had made an ex-parte application before the court, which according to the agency, was in line with section 44(2) of the Constitution and section 34(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act and under the court’s jurisdiction.

Following the ex-parte application, the state government threatened to take legal action against the EFCC, accusing the anti-graft agency of a deliberate attempt to malign the integrity of the state governor, Yahaya Bello.

In the latest development, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke granted the order of withdrawal on Friday sequel to a motion filed and argued by the EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.

Pinheiro listed six grounds upon which the judge granted the prayer, adding that “the EFCC is a responsible body”.

According to him, one of the grounds was that questions resulting in the commencement of the suit had been clarified, and an intention had been shown to return the sum of N19,333,333,333.36 to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Delivering his judgement, Justice Aneke held: “I have listened to the submission of the learned Silk for the application, Mr Kemi Pinheiro SAN vis-a-vis perused the motion to withdraw. My humble opinion is that application is meritorious and ought to be granted. Accordingly, the application is granted as prayed.”

Politics

Wait till 2031 for another shot at presidency,’ PANDEF tells Northern politicians

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The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Thursday told politicians from the Northern part of the country eyeing the Presidency in 2023 to wait for another eight years in the national interest.

The PANDEF National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said it is unthinkable that the North would contemplate retaining the presidency beyond 2023.

The quest for power shift has continued to dominate public discourse in Nigeria with just 18 months to the country’s next general elections.

President Muhammadu Buhari will complete his eight-year tenure in 2023.

Robinson said: “Everyone has the right to take part in the governance of his/her country; to vote and be voted for. But it is equally fundamental to uphold the indispensable principles of fairness, equity, and justice. Without these, there can be no overall peace and progress.

“PANDEF avers that it should be, therefore, unthinkable that the North should contemplate clutching onto the presidential seat in 2023 at the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s two tenures of eight years.

“Nature abhors injustice; the sun does not rise in the east and set in the east.

“We consider declarations by some individuals and groups, now, suddenly opposing the extant practice of rotational zoning of political offices, particularly that of the presidency, as unpatriotic and self-serving.

“Given the multi-faceted heterogeneity of our country, Nigerians should be critically concerned, not only about the credibility and competence of those aspiring to occupy the highest office, but also, where they come.

We must conscientiously ensure that zoning, especially for the office of President and Governors, is very well maintained.

“Besides, PANDEF firmly affirms that no zone of the country is in want of men and women of noble character, acumen, competence, and integrity, to lead Nigeria at this crucial time.

To say, suddenly, only in 2021, that the presidency should be open to all zones in 2023 amounts to moving the goalpost in the 87th of a 90-minute game, implying that somebody from Daura, Katsina State, can, again, become President of Nigeria in 2023, within the present mood of the country.

“The North would have completed the statutory eight years by 2023; it is, therefore, only reasonable and fair that power should rotate to the South, as has been the case for twenty-two years of the Third Republic!

“Whether the person would emerge from the South-South, South-East or South-West is a matter of different configurations entirely.

“Northerners who hunger to become President should wait till 2031.

Political stakeholders need to demonstrate pristine, honourable, and patriotic etiquette of civility to whittle down the thick tensions, arising from the all-around dissensions and alleviate the pain, suffering, and unpleasant conditions that the vast majority of citizens are facing.

“Reckless political machinations, to arrogate power to one part of the Country will only worsen the ensuing debilitating state of affairs.”

Politics

You lack power to ban #ENDSARS anniversary protests,’ Falana tells police

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A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, declared on Thursday that the Nigerian Police Force lacks the power to ban public protests in the country.

Falana’s declaration came a day after the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, warned that the police would not allow anyone to stage another #EndSARS rally to mark the first anniversary of the protests that rocked different parts of the country last year.

In a statement he personally signed, the lawyer dismissed the police threats on the protest as illegal and totally against the fundamental rights of the citizens to freedom of expression and association.

He urged the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to direct all Commissioners of Police across the country to give adequate security to people who may wish to embark on the protest.

The statement read: “In view of the threat of the police authorities to ban Nigerians from exercising their fundamental rights to assemble and hold peaceful rallies to mark the first year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, it has become pertinent to draw attention to the current state of the law on public meetings, rallies, and processions in the country.

“The threats against peaceful rallies oozing out of the Police Headquarters and State Commands are illegal as they constitute a gross infringement of the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly guaranteed by sections 38 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution as well as articles 9 and 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act.

In the case of the All Nigeria People’s Party v Inspector-General of Police (2006) the Honourable Justice Anwuri Chiyere declared that police permit as a precondition for holding rallies in Nigeria was illegal and unconstitutional. Consequently, her ladyship granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Inspector-General of Police and other police officers from preventing Nigerian citizens from convening and participating in rallies.

“The appeal of the police against the judgment was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in December 2007. In the unanimous decision of the court, their Lordships described police permit as ‘a relic of colonialism’ which is anomalous in a democratic society.

Based on the epochal judgment of the Court of Appeal the National Assembly amended the Electoral Act 2010 in March 2015 to impose a duty on the police to provide security for participants in public meetings and rallies. For the avoidance of doubt, section 94 (4) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides:

“Notwithstanding any provision in the Police Act, the Public Order Act and any regulation made thereunder or any other law to the contrary, the role of the Nigeria Police Force in political rallies, processions and meetings shall be limited to the provision of adequate security as provided in subsection (1) of this section.”

Furthermore, Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 provides as follows:

“Where a person or organization notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilize personnel to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession.”

Politics

INEC rules out engagements with IPOB, ESN ahead of Anambra election

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Thursday ruled out the possibility of engaging the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia arm, Eastern Security Network (ESN), ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the commission will not “go out of its way to engage with an organisation that had been declared as illegal by the Federal Government.

Okoye, who stated these when he featured in a programme on Arise TV, said INEC would only engage the political parties, people of the state, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and clerics on the election.

There have been growing concerns over the safety of voters as the election draws near.

The INEC spokesman said: “For the security agencies, we have had meetings with them at both the national level and also at the state and local government levels.

“We have also interacted and interfaced with the leadership of the various political parties and the consensus is that everything possible should be done to make sure that the elections are scheduled.

Constitutionally and legally, the mandate and remit of INEC are to organize, undertake, and supervise elections. The issue of national security is left for the security agencies and the Nigerian Police Force is the lead agency in terms of election security.

“We are engaging with all the critical stakeholders. We are engaging with civil society groups and organisations, and we are engaging with traditional rulers. Within the commission’s realm, we recognize the political parties, we recognize the people of Anambra State, we recognize civil society organizations, we recognize the traditional institutions and the clergy, so if they are part of civil society groups and organizations and they attend our program we will tell them.

“In terms of IPOB, the commission will not go out of its way to go and engage with an organisation that the Federal Government has declared as illegal so we won’t do that. But the civil society group and organizations that want to attend our programme, are welcome.”

Politics

Masari decries release of bandits, others by courts

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The Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, has faulted the release of suspected bandits, rapists, and other criminals by the courts.

Masari, who spoke during the swearing-in of three newly appointed High Court judges in Katsina, charged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to counsel its members who are in the habit of helping criminals to secure bail through the instrument of fundamental rights enforcement to be ethical and avoid comprise under cover.

He said: “We are in an unusual time of serious security challenges and must therefore put heads together to address these unusual challenges.

“We have had incidents where suspected bandits, terrorists, armed robbers, and rapists were released on bail only for them to commit the same offence.

Such ugly incidents could have been averted if bail was not granted at all.

“The overriding objective of every legal system, he said, is to deliver justice which is the best pivot and pillar that upholds the very best of decency and the best guarantee for peace, prosperity, and good governance.

“The age-long adage that justice delayed is justice denied, has been a thing of concern to the government.

“Thus there is the need to address the speed of justice among all stakeholders in the justice sector.

“It was in response to the Justice Sector Reform in the state that the state Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2019 and the state Penal Code Law, 2019 were repealed and replaced with the new laws of 2021.”

Politics

Nigerian govt sets aside N600bn for farmers

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President Muhammadu Buhari said on Wednesday the Federal Government has set aside a N600 billion support facility for 2.4 million farmers to boost agricultural production in the country.

He said the farmers can access the loan through the Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS).

The President disclosed this at the opening of the National Agricultural Show/Exhibition of the 2021 World Food Day in Abuja.

Buhari, who was represented at the forum by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar, said his administration was not resting on its oars in the efforts at addressing the challenges in the country’s agricultural sector.

He said: “The Federal Government, through the Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS), has set aside N600 billion as loan support to farmers across the country.

No fewer than 2.4 million farmers are expected to benefit from the loan which has zero interest.

“The gesture will support farmers in the country, to improve their productivity aimed at boosting the country’s food security, improving farmers’ production, and increasing exports.

“It is gratifying that the sector is being treated as a business, no longer as a development project, with massive distribution of high-quality farm inputs, dissemination of appropriate research results, and significant enhancement of the agricultural commodity value chains.

“I would wish to reiterate and it is clear that if the agricultural sector must be made more productive and food systems sustainable, we must all be prepared to invest massively in the sector and rise to the call against looming food crisis as predicted by the World Bank, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), African Development Bank (AfDB) and other key actors in food and agriculture.”

Politics

NLC charges Cross River govt to meet striking workers’ demands

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday urged the Cross Rivers State Governor, Ben Ayade, to meet the demands of the striking workers in the state.

The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, made the call in a letter dated October 7, 2021, and addressed to Ayade.

Workers in Cross River embarked on an indefinite strike on October 7 to protest the non-implementation of promotions to workers at both state and local government levels, non-payment of gratuities to both state and local government workers, and non-remittance of deductions from workers’ salaries, among others.

The statement read: “The Cross River State Council of Nigeria Labour Congress drew our attention to a Notice of Industrial Action against the Cross River State Government conveyed through a letter dated October 7, and addressed to Your Excellency.

We understand that the strike action had commenced on October 7. The decision to embark on industrial action as communicated in the strike notice was taken at a congress of all Cross River State workers.

“At the congress, Cross River workers decried the refusal of your government to address their pertinent concerns which include: non-implementation of promotions to workers at both State and Local Government levels.

“Non-payment of Gratuities to both State and Local Government workers; non-remittance of deductions from workers’ salaries; failure to fully implement the National Minimum Wage to both State and Local Government workers.”

Politics

Reps begin debate on 2022 budget, decry Nigeria’s debt profile

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The House of Representatives on Wednesday decried the country’s rising debt profile as worrisome.

The lawmaker, who spoke during the commencement of debate on the general principles of the 2022 budget proposal at the plenary, noted that the sum of N3.9 trillion was allocated for debt servicing in the budget.

A member of the House, Omofiok Luke, challenged the Federal Government to reduce its dependence on loans from multilateral lenders.

He said: “Another source of concern is that the proposal before us has a deficit of N6.2 trillion and the government is proposing new borrowings to finance this deficit.

“What this implies is that then total public debt of Nigeria is expected to rise to N5 trillion in 2022 fiscal year. This is worrisome not only for today but for generations unborn and the future of Nigeria.

Let us do what we can to try to reduce the deficit and how we can reduce borrowing. There is nothing wrong with borrowing provided we borrow and put it for production, not for consumption.

“So as we begin to look at it let us take the future generations of Nigeria into consideration while we get to borrow and make sure the borrowings are being put into productive ventures.”

President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2022 budget proposal of N16.3trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly on October 7.

Politics

IPOB’s sit-at-home order politicized – Uzodinma

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The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, said on Wednesday the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) directive in the South-East has been politicized and is no longer obeyed in the state.

He disclosed this to State House correspondent after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Uzodinma and the Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni, accompanied the Anambra State Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke, to the State House to meet the President.

Okeke formally completed his switch to the APC from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Wednesday.

Uzodinma affirmed that the security situation in Imo State was relatively good.

He, however, lamented that a large number of the state’s resources had been deployed into the provision of security in the state.

The governor said: “The sit-at-home order is also being politicised because those issuing the order are faceless. We have not seen either through newspapers or through broadcast order directing people to sit at home.

Rather, what we know that is happening is this paparazzi mentality of trying to put fear into our people and make innocent people vulnerable.

“As I speak to you, the sit-at-home order is not being obeyed in Imo state. So, I think we need to support the uninformed so that they don’t, out of fear, commit suicide.

“The truth of the matter is that we have security challenges. We had misunderstandings, disagreements, but we are able to also do a lot to bring these things to the barest minimum.

“So, the security situation in Imo State is relatively okay and people are going about their businesses.

“The only regret is that we have invested a lot of money trying to manage insecurity, which of course was not expected.

The management of crime can be likened to the relationship between husband and wife. It’s not everything they do to keep the peace that is discussed in the sitting room.

“Discussion in the bedroom produces a better result than the one in the living room.”

Politics

Uzodinma urges Nigerian govt to compensate South-East for civil war losses

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The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to compensate the people of the South-East for the losses recorded during the country’s civil war of more than 50 years ago.

The governor made the call during the public hearing on the review of the revenue allocation formula held in Owerri, the state capital.

He described the effect of the war as most “devastating,” and urged the federal government to establish a special fund that would address the complaints of people of the region.

According to him, the special fund will provide succour to those who lost their properties and family members during the civil war.

Uzodinma said: “I think the debacles of the civil war led the South-East into a deep poverty level; houses were burnt down and people were killed.

Only recently, a special law was enacted as the North-East Development Commission, arising from the disaster of Boko Haram incidents. But the 30-month civil war that ended in 1970 left the South-East in a state of penury.

“Today, as it stands, the federal government takes home 52.68 percent, state governments, 26.72 per cent, while the 774 local government areas take home 20.60 percent.

“It should not just be about multi-billion-dollar pipeline projects that siphon oil and gas from the state which results to youth restiveness, quantum violence and subsequent deaths.”

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