Politics

Anti-corruption activists ask Tinubu to sign RMAFC amendment bill

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The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has called on President Bola Tinubu to assent to Bill for an Act to Amend Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act, CAP. R7 LFN 2010.

A statement by Debo Adeniran, CACOL Chairman, on Sunday, said the bill, which the Ninth Assembly passed, was awaiting Mr Tinubu’s assent.

Mr Adeniran said assent to the bill would give the commission enforcement powers to monitor accruals to and disbursement of revenue from the federation account.

He further said it would bring the Act into conformity with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended).

“The bill, as passed by the National Assembly, prescribes that the commission shall be wholly funded by the three tiers of government being beneficiaries of the Federation Account. As one of the 14 executive bodies recognised by the Constitution, RMAFC is one of the most poorly funded agencies,” he explained.

The anti-graft group boss added, “It is poorly funded compared to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Population Commission(NPC), National Assembly and others that are heavily funded from the national purse.

It is (correct) to expect a poorly funded organisation with ill-motivated staff to perform.”

The CACOL chairman also said he was optimistic that the bill would remove financial, legal and regulatory obstacles that had made the commission a “toothless bulldog.”

Politics

Party members who worked against Tinubu, ex-Gov Oyetola will be punished- APC

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Tajudeen Lawal, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, says party members engaged in anti-party activities during the governorship and general elections in the state will not be spared.

Mr Lawal said this during a welcome home party organised by APC Reformation Forum in the Ijesa federal constituency for Ijesa sons, who served at the national and state assembly, as well as in the cabinet of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, on Sunday in Ilesa.

APC lost the July 16, 2022, governorship election to PDP due to a crisis within the party.

The party also lost all the national assembly seats to the PDP.

The chairman, however, urged “genuine members” of the party not to lose hope, adding that with hard work and commitment, the party would return to power in 2026.

“No member of the party involved in anti-party during the last governorship and general elections in the state will be spared. I want to appeal to genuine members of the party not to lose hope because come 2026, we shall return to power,” he explained.

Besides, Mr Lawal dismissed a statement credited to the elders’ caucus of the party that the immediate past interior minister Rauf Aregbesola should seek genuine forgiveness to return to the party.

“I read what the Igbimo Agba (elder caucus) of our party said, but they are in the advisory role of the party. The party in no distant time will state its position on it,” he added.

“Meanwhile, we must be clear about this. We are not restructuring the party. The party is intact in Osun under Baba Bisi Akande and Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.”

Timothy Owoeye, the immediate past speaker of the state’s house of assembly, urged members of the party to embrace peace and work in unionism.

Mr Owoeye, one of the awardees at the event, noted that with unity in the party, it would be easier for the party to return to power in 2026.

Also, Oluremi Omowaye, the ex-commissioner for works, said members of the party involved in anti-party activities must be sanctioned before allowing them back.

Mr Omowaye, another event awardee, said that though politics was a game of numbers, the party must not condone indiscipline.

“I am an advocate of the more, the merrier, but it is important we send a message to those involved in anti-party activities so that next time, another set of people won’t engage in such (an) act,” added Mr Omowaye.

The chairman of the planning committee of the occasion, Lukman Abubakre, said the event was organised to honour sons and daughters of Ijesa land for their commitment to the service of their fatherland.

Lifestyle, Politics

President Tinubu includes firefighting vehicle in motorcade

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The president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the inclusion of the Service Rapid Intervention Vehicle in his motorcade.

The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, disclosed this while receiving the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Oluwatoyin Akinlade, in his office on Thursday.

He said Tinubu will be the first president to have a firefighting vehicle in his convoy in the history of the country.

Abdulganiyu said;

“Mr President Bola Tinubu has given the approval to include the Service Rapid Intervention Vehicle in his motorcade. This is the first in the history of Nigeria.”

He added that the service had recently procured 15 of the vehicles, saying, “We have just procured 15 Ford-built Rapid Intervention Vehicles, already delivered to the service and awaiting commissioning and deployment. The Rapid Intervention Vehicle is ideal for combating fire during its initial stages.”

He, however, said the service lacked the “needed manpower to effectively carry out its mandates.”

Meanwhile, Akinlade promised that the “welfare of personnel in the service would be prioritised to keep their morale high.”

Lifestyle, Politics

Tinubu mourns victims of Kwara tragic boat accident, orders investigation

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President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday expressed sadness over the boat mishap, which occurred in Kwara State, claiming at least 100 lives.

He also directed the relevant authorities to “unravel the immediate and remote causes” of the accident and to provide immediate relief and assistance to the survivors and families of victims.

Tinubu’s condolence message is contained in a statement signed by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, titled ‘President Tinubu mourns victims of Kwara boat accident, orders a thorough investigation.’

The PUNCH reports that the boat accident killed over 100 persons who were wedding guests at Egbu village in Patigi Local Government Area of the state.

The President said;

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the tragic boat accident that claimed the lives of our people in Kwara State.“That the victims were guests at a wedding ceremony made the unfortunate accident more painful.

“My heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of victims of the tragic mishap.”

He also sympathised with the government and the people of Kwara State over the accident. Praying that their loved ones find comfort in these trying times.

While urging the Kwara State Government and relevant Federal Government agencies to look into the circumstances surrounding the boat accident, President Tinubu promised that his administration would look into the challenges of inland water transportation in the country to ensure the matter of safety and operational standards are strictly adhered to.

“The Kwara State Government and relevant federal agencies should work together to unravel the immediate and remote causes of this unfortunate accident.

“Immediate relief and necessary assistance should also be provided to the survivors and families of victims,” the President said.

Politics

Tinubu appointing Akume as SGF step toward unity, northern groups say

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Three groups, the Muryar Talaka, Arewa Youths Enlightenment Forum and Coalition of Anti-corruption groups, have lauded the appointment of George Akume as secretary to the government of the federation (SGF).

The groups praised the appointment in a joint statement issued on Sunday in Katsina by their leaders, Bishir Dauda, Khadija Yusuf and Jibo Yusuf, respectively.

“It is a significant step towards greater unity and inclusivity in the diverse Nigerian society. We hail President Tinubu for finding the former governor of Benue state good enough to be appointed as the SGF,” stated the groups.

“Tinubu is a man who is genuinely interested in upholding the tenets of federal character and inclusivity of the country, and we are proud that Akume’s exceptional leadership qualities are being appreciated at the highest level.”

Last week President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Akume alongside others.

The statement added,

“More importantly, we commend President Tinubu for maintaining his trademark commitment to meritocracy in making key appointments. The selection of Akume as SGF demonstrates a government that prioritises competence and qualifications above religion or tribal sentiments.”

Politics

Senator Bamidele urges Tinubu to facilitate Ekweremadu’s release

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The senator representing Ekiti Central, Opeyemi Bamidele, has urged President Bola Tinubu to deploy a diplomatic shuttle to ensure the release of Senator Ike Ekweremadu (PDP -Enugu) in the United Kingdom’s prison.

He made the call in his remarks at the valedictory session for the outgoing senators of the 9th Senate.

Mr Ekwremadu, a former deputy senate president, was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison for organ trafficking in May.

Mr Bamidele, also the chairman, senate committee on judiciary, human rights and legal matters, said what happened to Mr Ekweremadu could have happened to any parent.

“My heart goes to that gentleman distinguished Sen. Ike Ekweremadu,” he said.

He called on Tinubu to deploy all the necessary diplomatic means for the release of Mr Ekweremadu.

Mr Bamidele also mourned four senators who died while serving the people of their senatorial districts in the National Assembly.

They include Sen. Bayo Osinowo (Lagos East), Sen. Rose Oko (Cross River North), Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu (Imo North) and Sen. Ignatius Longjam (Plateau South).

He further appreciated the president of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, for the opportunity to serve as the committee chairman on the judiciary, human rights and legal matters.

Politics

SSS denies arresting Godwin Emefiele as removal as CBN governor

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The State Security Service on Saturday denied arresting former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele.

“Currently, Emefiele is not with the DSS,” the agency said on its Twitter handle Saturday morning.

Bayo Onanuga, the publisher of P.M. News and a media aide to President Bola Tinubu, shared a story of Mr Emefiele’s arrest reported by his newspaper on Friday night.

The domestic intelligence office had avoided directly answering Peoples Gazette about whether or not an arrest was made, which led this paper to publish the story citing P.M. News.

This comes after Mr Tinubu suspended Mr Emefiele, replacing him with Adebisi Sonubi, the deputy governor in charge of operations.

The statement announcing Mr Emefiele’s suspension said the CBN governor’s suspension was “sequel to ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.”

Mr Emefiele, 61, assumed office on June 4, 2014, following the controversial dismissal of his predecessor Lamido Sanusi by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr Emefiele’s tenure saw an unprecedented depletion of Nigeria’s vast foreign reserves, as well as excruciating inflation via currency devaluation.

He repeatedly defended his action as necessary to mitigate the country’s challenges, which became intense after fuel prices fell at the international markets and Nigeria’s production output reduced following incessant hostilities in the oil-rich Niger Delta and a coordinated exodus of foreign oil majors.

Politics

President Tinubu Meets APC Governors In Abuja

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President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, met with the members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

In attendance are Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule; Jigawa Governor, Umar Namadi; Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya; among others

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