Politics

Soludo forwards commissioners’ list to Anambra Assembly for approval

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Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, on Tuesday, forwarded a list of 20 commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for approval.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Uche Okafor, read the governor’s letter at the plenary in Akwa and urged the lawmakers to urgently consider the nominees.

Okafor, who also read another letter sent by the governor requesting the House confirmation of 15 nominees as Special Adviser, directed the House Committee on Screening to begin the screening of the commissioner nominees.

The nominees are – Prof. Ofonze Amucheazi, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh and Prof. Chika Ifemeje.

Others are – Ifeatu Chinedu, Ifeanyi Okoma, Chiamaka Nnake, Dr. Afam Obidike, Patrick Aghamba, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Obinabo, Dr. Obinna Ugonnadi and Julius Chukwuemeka.

The rest are – Paul Nwosu, Foster Ihejiofor, Patricia Igwebuike, Felix Odimegwu, Chikodi Anara, Collins Nwabunwanne, Donatus Onyeji, Anthony Ifeanya and Paulinus Onyeaka.

Politics

China missing from top spot, as data shows Nigeria’s major investors by country

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Nigeria in 2021 attracted $6.7 billion worth of investment from 52 countries around the world through various instruments which included, bonds, equity and trade.

Out of this amount, Mauritius, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Republic of South Africa, and Singapore were Nigeria’s top investors.

According to the Nigerian Capital Importation (Q4 2021) data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) investments from the aforementioned nations contributed more than 77% of the total.

United Kingdom led the table as investments from that country crossed over $2.28 billion.

South Africa came next with a $1.05 billion investment inflow to Nigeria, Mauritius with $690.91 million sits in third.

Netherlands and Singapore were fourth and fifth with $677.54 million and $464.40 million respectively.

China ranks 24th among the 52 countries as investments from the Asian country stood at $10.42 million.

Politics

Why I joined 2023 presidential race – Wike

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, said on Monday he would effectively tackle the country’s insecurity if elected as President in 2023.

The governor, who stated this when he featured in a Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today, said he would lead from the front and ensure that the military do their jobs by taking the fight to the criminals.

He also promised to end oil bunkering in the Southern part of the country.

Wike said: “The present government is not doing enough to tackle the insecurity, no commitment whatsoever. As a leader, you owe a duty to superintend, supervise what is happening.”

Let’s look at what happened two days ago when bandits tried to take over an international airport. It is no longer bandits kidnapping people in buses but now trying to take over an international airport in Kaduna.

What does that portend in our country? What does that tell investors? How did they come in? What happened? No intelligence.”

The governor declared his intention to vie for Nigeria’s highest political office on Sunday.

The development has swelled the number of politicians vying for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket after the trio of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, declared the presidential bid a few days ago.

Others individuals in eyeing the PDP ticket are the Publisher of the Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mazi Ohuabunwa and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim.

Politics

APC convention a victory over enemies —Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday slammed skeptics who were poised to celebrate the collapse of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after weeks of infighting in the ruling party.

The former Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Adamu, and several other persons were elected into the APC National Working Committee (NWC) at the party’s national convention held on Saturday in Abuja.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garuba Shehu, the President said the successful conduct of the convention put the party on a stronger footing ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He said: “The APC convention hosted this weekend sets the scene for an APC victory in the presidential and general elections next year. It is a victory over naysayers who believed that the party was divided but are now disappointed.”

Politics

Falana accuses Malami of manipulating court over rulings on Electoral Act

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The furore over the amendment of section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022 continued on Sunday after a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, accused the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami of manipulating the judiciary on the matter.

Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court, Umuahia, had on March 19 ordered the AGF to delete the contentious section which requires political appointees to resign from their positions at least three months before their parties’ primaries or conventions.

The ruling came a few days after the Federal High Court, Abuja, restrained the National Assembly from taking further action on the electoral law.

In a chat with journalists last week, Malami said the Federal Government had commenced steps on the removal of the section.

Falana, who reacted to the development in a statement, alleged that Malami manipulated the court to issue conflicting orders on the electoral law.

He said: “Malami, who is the defendant in both cases, did not draw the attention of the Ibadan and Umuahia judicial divisions of the federal high court to the fact that the Abuja division of the same court had on March 7, 2022, restrained the AGF, President Muhammadu Buhari, National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from refusing to implement the provisions of the section.

“Malami failed to disclose to the Umuahia judicial division of the federal high court that the Ibadan division had struck out a similar case for want of locus standi.

“In any case, since the case pending at the Ibadan judicial division of the federal high court was well reported in the print and electronic media, the judge sitting in the Umuahia judicial division ought to have struck out the fresh case before her as it constituted a gross abuse of court process.

“It is pertinent to note that while the AGF pretended not to know about the order of interim injunction granted by the Abuja judicial division of the federal high court, he has announced the plan of the federal government to comply with the judgment delivered in the Umuahia case as soon as possible.”

Politics

‘A dead political party incapable of mounting viable opposition in Edo,’ PDP mocks APC

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State on Sunday branded the All Progress Congress (APC) a “dead political party” over its inability to offer a viable opposition in the state.

In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary in the state, Dr. Patrick Ojebuoboh, the PDP said the APC only announced its presence via periodic press statements without making any meaningful impact on the residents.

The statement read: “The All Progressives Congress in the state has become a dead political party, with none of its organs functioning, hence its inability to provide the seriously needed perspective and constructive criticism that is expected of a viable opposition party.

With the spectacular failure that the APC has exhibited at the national level, the party has left the nation’s economy in shreds, setting bandits on the loose across the country and abandoning the people in unprecedented hardship with astronomical energy and food prices that are beyond the reach of the common man.

“It is easy to see why the Edo State APC has degenerated from a stage where it was just limping to its present condition of being completely comatose.

“Once in a while, a certain Assistant Publicity Secretary of the party dishes out lies and complete falsehood just to create the sense that the APC, which is now dead in Edo, may still have some life left.”

The party urged the APC to form a merger with smaller political parties in order to survive.

“The PDP, as well as the government and people of Edo State, is calling on the comatose party, to either put an end to the joke called the All Progressives Congress in Edo State and come over to the only party alive in the state, which is the PDP or merge with other small political parties in order to make a reasonable impact.”

Politics

Gbajabiamila charges Nigerians on nation-building, assures on gender bills

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The Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday charged Nigerians on nation-building, stressing that everyone has a role to play in making the country great.

The speaker, who made the call in his goodwill message at the just-concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention, urged Nigerians to unite in their struggle to take the country to enviable heights.

He said: “Nation-building is a joint task, we all have a role. Since its inception, thus certainty has been the motto and guiding light of the 9th House of Representatives. We have kept with the Nigerian people by enacting legislation to improve the way we live and work, to create opportunities for commerce and wealth creation, fix gaps in our electoral process and strengthen our democracy.

Legislation such as the Petroleum Industry Act, the Companies and Allied Matters Act, the Electoral Act and Police Reform Act, which for many years seemed impossible to achieve, have now become the law of the land.

We have passed most far-reaching amendments to our electoral system and delivered amendments to the constitution of our republic that have the potential to change our country for good and the next generation.”

Gbajabiamila also confirmed the intention of the House to revisit the gender bills in the coming days.

“All things being equal, we intend to revisit the issue of women inclusion in our constitution soonest. We must do this because our party is a party of inclusion,” the speaker added.

Politics

Successful conduct of APC convention will throw PDP into disarray – Lawan

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The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said on Sunday the successful conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention would throw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other rival parties into disarray.

Lawan stated this on his Facebook page while congratulating the new national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu, on his success at the convention.

The former Nasarawa State governor and 72 other persons were elected into various leadership positions at the APC national convention held at the Eagles Square, Abuja, on Saturday.

The Senate president wrote: “I heartily congratulate His Excellency, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, on his emergence as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the just-concluded National Convention of our great party.

The unanimous affirmation of Senator Adamu’s candidature at the convention is a testimony to the tremendous respect that he enjoys across the polity for his integrity, experience, and leadership capacity.

“I share this common belief in his suitability for piloting the affairs of our great party from this very important juncture.

I also congratulate other members of the newly inaugurated National Working Committee (NWC) and other zonal officers of our party on their elections.

“I urge them all to do their best to deliver their mandates and live up to the great expectations of the teeming members of our great party across and outside of Nigeria.

“The emergence of Senator Adamu and his great team from a rancour-free convention has drawn the envies of our rivals and sent jitters down their spines.

“That is unavoidable, given the status of the APC in the Nigerian polity and the warm place it has occupied in the hearts of Nigerians since its formation and assumption of national governance.

“I commend all the aspirants whose sacrifices, cooperation, and abiding love for the party provided the environment and impetus for the attainment of consensus in the leadership selection process at the convention. Posterity will recognise their great sacrifices.

“I also thank President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of our great party whose exemplary leadership and wise counsels led to the success of the convention.

“With the successful conclusion of the National Convention, our great party is good to go for our primaries within the timeframe prescribed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

Politics

‘Adamu has lot of baggage bordering on corruption allegations,’ PDP slams APC

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday mocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the emergence of former Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Adamu, as the party’s new national chairman.

Adamu and 72 other persons were elected into the APC National Working Committee (NWC) at the party’s national convention held on Saturday in Abuja.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, PDP challenged the former governor to defend himself on the allegations of financial impropriety hanging on his neck.

The party accused Adamu of mismanaging N15 billion belonging to the Nasarawa State government.

The statement was PDP reaction to the ex-governor’s remark on its 16-year rule in the country.

Adamu had in a chat with journalists before the APC convention claimed the opposition party destroyed the Nigerian economy throughout its years in power.

The statement read: “A bad workman complains of his tools and an irredeemably bad workman complains of others. Adamu does not deserve a response from the PDP. He has a lot of baggage bordering on corruption allegations. He should first and foremost tell Nigerians, particularly the people of Nasarawa State the whereabouts of that huge sum of money.

“A party that promised Nigerians change but brought them sorrow, pain and death should keep quiet at a time well-meaning Nigerians are exploring ways to get the country back on track.

“Instead of change, APC brought us chaos-chaos in national security, chaos in economy, chaos in education, and chaos across all sectors. There is no basis to compare the 16 glorious years of the PDP with the seven sorrowful years of the APC. Take to the streets and ask ordinary Nigerians to tell you the condition of their lives under APC and the PDP.

The Mala Buni caretaker committee that presided over the convention was illegal and something cannot stand on nothing. At the appropriate time, Adamu and co-travelers will have themselves to blame.

“At a time they were doing what they called a convention, terrorists wreaked havoc, seized the Kaduna airport, and prevented innocent Nigerians from flying. Adamu should brace up for what awaits him and his party. Nigerians have moved on.”

Politics

‘PDP is never an alternative in 2023,’ Fashola tells Nigerians

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The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, on Friday warned Nigerians against returning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to power in 2023.

Fashola, who made the call in a Channels Television programme, Politics Today, stressed that despite all the problems in Nigeria at the moment, PDP would never be an option for Nigerians.

He urged the citizens to make the right choices in next year’s elections.

The minister said: “Whatever problems the country has, the umbrella parish is never the solution because most of these problems were created by them.

“I think it is perhaps not helpful to publish that spreadsheet in isolation. What you should do is to compare it with the rest of the world. Tell me anywhere in the world where the cost of living is not rising, whether it is in the United Kingdom or the United States.

Just three days ago, CNN was showing footage of Americans stealing fuel and they would not be stealing it if it was cheap; these are very challenging times globally for the entire world. So this is not an isolated occurrence that affects Nigeria only.”

Fashola stressed that the Second Niger Bridge and other infrastructural projects undertaken by the Federal Government are for the benefit of Nigerians.

He added: “The Second Niger Bridge connects Nigerians from different angles. In terms of performance and execution, the completion will be done in April of this year.

“I need to say this. Opponents will embarrass themselves by saying infrastructure is nothing serious that the country needs.”

Politics

Shehu Sani decries worsening insecurity in Kaduna

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A former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, on Friday decried the worsening insecurity in Kaduna State.

Kaduna is currently mired in security crisis with bandits killing and terrorizing people across communities.

The criminals killed at least 34 people including two soldiers during attacks on four communities in two local government areas of the state.

Sani, who reacted to the latest attack by bandits on Twitter, said the terrorists were having a free day in the state and urged the government and the security agencies to show more commitment in the fight against the criminals.

He wrote: “Mass killing and destruction in Giwa Local Government of Kaduna State by terrorists today. A horrific and bloody act of evil in Central Kaduna.

“They kill and spare the lives of those they want, at the time they want.”

Politics

Soludo moves to end sit-at-home order in Anambra

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The Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has directed all markets in the state to stop observing the sit-at-home order currently in place in the South-East.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had in 2021 ordered markets and other business outlets in the South-East to stay at home every Monday in a bid to force the Federal Government to release its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Soludo, who issued the directive at a meeting with leaders of 91 markets and transport unions in the state, said a preliminary survey revealed that the state loses N19.6 billion every Monday due to the closure of businesses.

He stressed that the time has come for the people to stop observing the sit-at-home order because of its negative impacts on the economy in the state and South-East as a whole.

The governor said: “In the next three months, we will put in caretaker committees in markets with leadership problems, but in about one year, we will conduct fresh elections in all the markets.

“When the election will be held, we will adopt ‘option A4’ so that proper people will take up leadership positions.”

Politics

Court adjourns suit seeking to remove Cross River Gov, Ayade, for dumping PDP

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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has adjourned a suit seeking to remove the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, from office for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to April 6, for ruling.

When the case first came up for mention on Tuesday, the presiding judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, had adjourned till Friday, March 25, for hearing.

The case with the suit number, FHC/ABJ/CS/975/2021, was filed by the state chapter of the PDP against Ayade and his deputy, for defecting from the opposition party.

In its suit filed by counsel to the PDP, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), the party had sought an order sacking the governor and his deputy over their defection.

However, when the case came up on Friday morning, Justice Taiwo postponed it to April 6, saying the parties in the case were not ready.

Taiwo had, also on Tuesday, ordered two House of Representatives members representing the state and 18 lawmakers from the Cross River House of Assembly, to vacate their seats for defecting to the APC.

The judge gave the order following another suit filed on August 27, 2021, by the PDP to challenge the 20 lawmakers’ defection to APC, alongside the governor on May 20, 2021.

In delivering judgment, Taiwo dismissed the defence argument that the PDP (plaintiff) had no locus standi to institute the case.

He also dismissed other preliminary objections raised by the sacked lawmakers, ruling that the argument of the lawmakers that there was rancour in the PDP, which necessitated their defection to APC, was a ploy to mislead the court.

The judge, who granted all the reliefs sought by the PDP, held that it was disheartening that politicians in the country treat citizens as if they do not matter once they get into office.

A day must surely come when elected officials must either resign from their office or ask the people who voted for them before defecting to other political parties, instead of defecting to another party without recourse to the law and the citizens,” Justice Taiwo had said.

Politics

Supreme Court ratifies INEC’s deregistration of 22 political parties

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria, on Friday, ratified the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-register 22 political parties.

Justice Ejembi Eko delivered the judgment on Friday in Abuja.

He also voided and set aside a judgment of the Court of Appeal which had nullified the de-registration.

The parties were scrapped in the year 2020 by INEC following their dismal performances in the previous elections.

Justice Eko held that the Court of Appeal on its own (suo motu) raised the issue of lack of fair hearing.

This was in favour of the scrapped parties and arrived at a conclusion without hearing from other parties in the matter.

This appeal by INEC is meritorious and is hereby allowed. The decision of the court below is set aside,” it ruled.

The affected parties are: Advanced Congress of Democrats, ACD, Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party, ANDP, All Blending Party ABP, All Grand Alliance Party, AGAP, Alliance of Social Democrats, ACD, Change Advocacy Party, CAP, Democratic Peoples Congress, DPC, Green Party of Nigeria, GPN.

Others are Masse Movement of Nigeria, MMN, Mega Party of Nigeria, MPN, New Generation Party of Nigeria, NGP, Nigeria For Democracy, NFD, People Coalition Party PCP, Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, People For Democratic Change, PDC, and Young Democratic Party, YDP.

The rest are Re-build Nigeria Party, RBNP, Save Nigeria Congress, SNC, Socialist Party of Nigeria, SPN, United Democratic Party, UDP, United Patriots, UP, and We the People Nigeria, WTPN.

Politics

BE WARNED! Oyo NURTW sends note to Gov Makinde

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The Oyo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has threatened that there may be bloodshed in the state if Governor Seyi Makinde does not call members of the Park Management System (PMS) to order.

The NURTW in the state alleged that PMS members, led by Mukaila Lamidi, a.k.a Auxiliary were attacking its members and preventing them from collecting dues from commercial drivers.

The NURTW members issued the threat in a petition dated March 24 and signed by their counsel and a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr Michael Lana.

The NURTW argued that it was illegal for the state government or the PMS to collect union dues from commercial drivers because the NURTW was not proscribed and the matter was still pending before the court.

The petition reads, “Our clients are the owners of the building lying and situated at Plot 4 Aduloju Layout along Iwo-Road, Ibadan. Our clients alleged that while on the inspection of the said building by the executive and the members of our clients today, March 24, 2022, their members were accosted by the so-called Park Managers wearing Mukaila Lamidi aka auxiliary’s caps and T-shirts with picture of Governor Seyi Makinde.

These miscreants threatened to attack our clients should they come to their office again, boasting that they have the backing of the governor of the state and could not be arrested even if they kill any of our client’s members.

“The law is that when a matter is pending before the court, neither the parties can do anything thereon. Our client has been-law abiding since 2019 when your government handed over the parks to Mukaila Lamidi aka Auxiliary thereby leaving our clients jobless to wallop in abject poverty.

“To avoid bloodshed in the state, it is better to warn Mukaila Lamidi to reign in his thugs and make no attempt to disturb out client from occupying its office.

It will also be in the interest of peace if you also warn the park managers and the local government in charge of collecting union dues from commercial drivers. We believe that as a man of peace, you will heed to our request.”

“It is of note that in the above named suit, the governor of the state deposed that it did not proscribe our client’s union, therefore, there is no order or law preventing our client from using their property.

“Kindly be informed that under Section 43 of the Constitution of Nigeria, our client has the right to own the said property and no person has the right to own their property.

Also, it has been established that the state government is not a trade union, therefore, neither it nor or its agent have the right to collect the union’s dues from commercial drivers and this is the subject of the above named suit. However, our clients have copious evidence that the so-called managers are collecting the union dues from commercial drivers in the state.”

Politics

2023: PDP will not abandon zoning tradition – Ayu

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The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, said on Thursday the party would not abandon its tradition of zoning political offices in the 2023 general elections.

Ayu stated this when he inaugurated a 37-man zoning committee at the party national secretariat in Abuja.

The PDP constituted the zoning committee during its 95th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on March 16 to make recommendations for the zoning of various elective positions before the elections.

The committee was given is expected to submit its report to the party leadership on March 30.

The chairman said: “PDP has a history of rotating our offices. Anybody who doesn’t get it this time should wait after the tenure of whoever will be our next president.

“We believe PDP is going to produce the next President once we start this journey. This time, we will ensure it goes round. And it will go round with justice, fairness and the interests of Nigeria.

“You will recall that in the NEC meeting discussions, we had no rancour whatsoever. I implore all of you to continue in the same spirit. PDP has a reputation for discussing whatever issues that we have. We talk, we don’t fight, we resolve issues.”

Politics

EFCC releases ex-gov, Obiano, holds on to his passport

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Willie Obiano, the former Governor of Anambra State was on Wednesday night released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after spending six days in their custody.

The former governor had been picked up by the commission at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on his way to the United States.

This was shortly after the expiration of his tenure last week Thursday, in an apparent ploy to escape inquisition into his administration.

A source close to the matter stated that the EFCC however confiscated his international passport and other travel documents pending the completion of investigations as part of his bail conditions.

Other conditions for his bail, was that Obiano must produce sureties, who must be directors on grade level 17 in the Federal Civil service.

Another condition was for him to produce two senior citizens, who must be landlords in Maitama, Asokoro or Wuse district of Abuja.

Obiano was arrested for the alleged misappropriation of N42 billion belonging to Anambra State.

This was confirmed by Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity who said “Obiano was arrested for alleged misappropriation of public funds, including, N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote which was withdrawn in cash. Part of the funds was also allegedly diverted to finance political activities in the state.”

Also, Prof Charles Soludo, the recently-sworn-in Governor of Anambra State, in an interview, said Obiano left about N300 million in cash, and a debt profile in hundreds of billions of naira as of December 2021.

“In terms of debt I inherited, it runs into hundreds of billions of Naira. In that of cash, we met about 300 million Naira. In fact, let’s not talk about it. Our treasury is funny,” Soludo said.

Politics

Afegbua describes Atiku’s declaration as act of ‘political desperation’

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Former Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Kassim Afegbua, has described the presidential declaration of former vice president Atiku Abubakar as an act of desperation.

In a statement released yesterday, Afegbua hinted that PDP leadership had settled for the inauguration of the zoning committee, adding that Atiku went ahead to buy the nomination form and formally declared his intention to run without waiting for the decision of a zoning committee.

He said he was opposed to Atiku’s ambition to be president on the platform of the PDP because, according to him, the former vice president was supposed to have led peaceful protests condemning the poor state of affairs in the country.

He wrote: “Atiku ought to have mobilised and sensitised Nigerians against the misrule of the All Progressives Congress, instead of just waiting to throw his hat in the ring for methuselah contest in 2023.

His declaration is clearly an act of political desperation. The PDP leadership has set today for the inauguration of the zoning committee. Instead of waiting for the outcome of the zoning committee, he hurriedly bought the nomination form and formally declared his intention to run.

“Ask yourselves, have you heard his voice since 2019 against the mis-governance of the APC? Did you see him play the role of opposition? Did you see him visit Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna to share in their aspirations and reassure the people at times of crises and killings? Must it be all about your selfish aspirations and ambition?

If we had a true opposition figure in the person of Atiku, a former vice president, PDP’s candidate in the 2019 presidential contest, it would have been expected that he would, in all these years of decimation and destruction, engage the ruling party, rather he ran away to Dubai to await the next auspicious opportunity to play again.”

Politics

We must not allow PDP get its dirty hands on government again – Buhari to APC governors

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President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) to work towards retaining power come 2023.

He spoke during a meeting with APC governors at the State House on March 23, ahead of the party’s national convention.

According to The Punch, Buhari said it will be disastrous if the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) returns to power in 2023. The president specifically told the governors to put the interest of the APC ahead of theirs.

He said: “As I remarked when I met Your Excellencies on February 22, our aim must be to hand over to an APC government at the centre and the great majority of states.

We must not, by default, allow the PDP to get its dirty hands on the Government again and return us to the Stone Age.”

President Buhari who said the APC had done considerably well in the last seven years despite the economic challenges also called for unity among the governors.

He said: “It will be a very sad and regrettable development if these manifest gains are frittered away as a result of internal dissent and rivalry. We must avoid narrow focus and inordinate personal ambitions at the expense of our party’s common good.

We must stop frivolous and diversionary litigation when the party’s reconciliation processes are available for settling disputes.We must restore sanity and purpose in the affairs of our party and lead ourselves to victory and safety.”

Politics

YOU LIED! Kogi NLC responds to Gov Bello’s claim on payment of workers’ salaries

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The Kogi State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration of lying over the payment of the backlog of workers’ salaries.

The NLC was reacting to statements credited to the state government that its Chairman, Onuh Edoka, had confirmed that the Bello administration does not owe workers’ salaries.

The former Director-General of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Progressive Governor’s Forum (PGF), Salihu Lukman, in a statement last week, accused Bello of owing workers’ salaries running into several months.

But the state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, in its response, debunked the accusation, saying the state was up to date with salary payment, and claimed that Edoka had even confirmed that the government was up to date on salary payment.

But in a statement on Tuesday by the state NLC Secretary, Paul Omale, the Council accused the state government of a deliberate attempt to cause disunity within the state workers.

The attention of the leadership of the Organised Labour in Kogi State has been drawn to a story published in many national dailies alleging that the NLC chairman, Onuh Edoka, confirmed that no percentage salary was paid to Kogi state workers.

“The author (Kogi State Government) of the story was clearly on a mission to set the workers of the state against the leadership of the organised Labour. There was no such interview or press statement issued by the NLC chairman, Mr Onuh Edoka to any media house.

“We wish to call on the workers of the state to ignore the publication as it was done by mischief makers to cause disaffection between the workforce and the leadership of the organised labour in the state.

“Workers should be rest assured that their welfare at all times remain the topmost priority of the Labour leadership.

“The organised labour in the state is amazed on how some reputable media houses could be used to publish such an untrue and misleading story,” the statement reads.

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