Author: Adeleye Adeyemi

Security: Each region deserves its own military — Okupe

Military
By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Doyin Okupe, says the creation of state police will help address the security challenges facing the country.

Okupe, gave the view in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

He was reacting to calls by some stakeholders for the adoption of state police, to address the security challenges in the country.

The constitution only empowers the Nigeria Police Force(NPF) ,a federal police,to be in charge of policing in all the states of the federation.

Prof. Pat Utomi ,a political economist,is one of  the stakeholders calling for adoption of state police.

Okupe, former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) , said a central police had failed and that states should be empowered constitutionally to take care of their security.

According to him, the excuse that governors will abuse state police is not a justification for not having the policing system, that can guarantee security of lives and property.

“We only need to find a constitutional way to stop abuse by the state governors.

“We cannot build and encourage what is  wrong and not working, just because we fear certain things. Policing should be totally and completely decentralised,” he said.

Okupe also canvassed that each of the zones in the  country should have its own military ,with its own chief of army staff, to strengthen  security .

“Each of the zone can have their own army and we have a central command somewhere, where each zonal chief of army staff links up.

“In this situation, the issue of coup does not arise again.

“If there is a war, all the zones will contribute soldiers to prosecute the war and after that everybody goes back to their zones.These are the things we need,” Okupe  said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AYO/BHB

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

LG autonomy :FG erred dragging  states to court– Okupe

Autonomy

By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council , Dr Doyin Okupe, has faulted  Federal Government’s on its suit against states  over  local government autonomy.

Okupe, a former Presidential spokesperson ,expressed the position  in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos

Okupe, former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), described the Federal Government’s legal battle against the states  for autonomy as needless and unfortunate.

According to him, in a true federal system, there are only two component units- the federal and the states.

“We should run a true federal system in which there are two bodies coming together for a union: the Federal Government and sub-nationalities.

“The local governments are principally and completely issues of the state, it absolutely has nothing to do with the federal government and it (the idea of LG as a third tier)should be expunged from the constitution.

“Let the nation’s money be shared between the Federal government and the states. The Federal government asking for local government autonomy in a  federal system is an aberration.

“I t is becoming so sad that we seem not to know what is right and what is wrong in the country

“Then, the state government can decide to have as many local governments as it desires for grassroots development and fund it as they like,” Okupe said.

NAN recalls that the Federal Government has instituted a legal action against the governors of the 36 states of the federation at the Supreme Court over what it calls their interference in the  administration of local councils in their respective states.

The suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, is seeking full autonomy for all local government areas in the country.

In suit, the Federal Government specifically prayed the court to issue an order, prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.

The suit is also asking for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them from the federation account in line with the provisions of the constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.

FG also prayed the Supreme Court for an order stopping governors from further constituting caretaker committees to run the affairs of local governments as against the constitutionally recognized and guaranteed democratic system.

It equally applied for an order of injunction restraining the governors, their agents and privies from receiving, spending or tampering with funds released from the federation account for the benefits of local governments when no democratically elected local government system is put in place in the states. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/BHB

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

We need more people with disabilities in Lagos politics– Centre

Disabilities
By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 29, 2024( NAN) The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and other stakeholders have advocated the active involvement of individuals with special needs in political activities in Lagos State.

They made the call at a “Stakeholders Dialogue on Way Forward in Enhancing the Participation of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs)in Political and Electoral Process in Lagos State”, calling for inclusive political participation focusing on disability rights and policy changes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised by CCD with support from Voice Nigeria.

They emphasised the importance of inclusive political participation and highlighted the need to remove barriers, such as societal norms and perceptions, to ensure equal political representation.

Mrs Florence Chima-Austin,  Head of Finance and Administrative, CCD, outlined some challenges faced by persons with disabilities in participating in politics, including the need to review political party policies and sensitise members of political parties and the general public on the rights of PWDs.

She also emphasised the need for inclusive policy for communities in different parties to be involved, sensitising people on their rights.

Ms Christiana Njoku, Programme Manager, CCD, explained that the project was targeted at engaging stakeholders and advocating political participation as in the Disability Act.

According to her, the project focuses on enhancing access to justice, political participation, and democratic governance for youths, elderly women and PWDs.

She said that so far, key achievements recorded in engagements included establishing contacts within the Nigerian Police Force,  NSCDC  and others, to address disability rights issues among others.

She emphasised the importance of political participation and encouraged the audience to join a political party to get involved in governance.

Speaking on the theme, Mr Kayode Afolabi, the Chairman, Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), Alimosho Chapter, in his presentation, educated aspiring politicians with disabilities about the procedures involved in the political system and how to go about it.

Highlighting types of disabilities to include physical, sensory, mental health and learning difficulties, Afolabi affirmed that PWDs faced a lot of challenges.

According to him, general challenges facing the PWDs include societal and structural barriers, physical barriers communication barriers, attitudinal barriers, legal and policy barriers.

He listed other challenges to also include stigma and discrimination, saying “negative attitudes lead to social exclusion”.

Speaking on accessibility issues, the chairman said that inadequate infrastructure always limits mobility of PWDs.

On economic barriers, Afolabi said that limited access to education and jobs increase poverty rates among PWDs.

He also said that PWDs had challenges with health care accessibility as well as in political participation.

On political participation of PWDs, Afolabi said: “Inaccessible polling stations and party offices prevents full participation.

“Lack of accessible information formats (braille, sign language) excludes many PWDs.

“Lack of awareness and sensitivity among political parties and the public marginalises.

“Outdated or poorly enforced laws fail to protect political rights,” he said.

On way forward to enhance political participation of PWDs in Nigeria, especially in Lagos State, Afolabi advocated improving accessibility to ensure all public buildings, including polling stations were fully accessible to them.

Calling for inclusive communication, the chairman urged the political stakeholders to always provide political information in multiple accessible formats.

On education and sensitisation, Afolabi said there was the need to raise awareness about the rights and capabilities of PWDs.

Speaking on strengthening legal frameworks, he called for an update and enforce laws protecting political rights.

Afolabi called for an enhanced access to education and employment for PWDs for the economic empowerment of the special people.

“Addressing the challenges faced by PWDs in political and electoral processes is vital for creating an inclusive society.

“By breaking down barriers and promoting accessibility, we can ensure that the voices of PWDs are heard and valued in our democratic systems.

“This dialogue is a significant step towards achieving these goals, and I look forward to our discussions today.

Various speakers advised PWDs on how to get involved in politics whenever they choose to do so.

Hon. Richard Echiabu, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Surulere, said the importance of political organisation membership could not be overemphasised.

He said that transparency and accountability,  inclusivity and diversity, should be key drivers in political parties.

“There is  the need for a balance between transparency and inclusivity in political organisations to ensure their effectiveness and legitimacy”.

Hon. Temitope Agbabiaka, (APC) , Councilor representing Apena Ward, Isolo LCDA, shared their personal experience of near  assassination and joining a political party.

Also a PWD, he emphasised the importance of aligning with a party that supports disability rights and the significance of embracing a political party that aligned with one’s values and goals.

Adeola Adeyemi of Action Peoples Party (APP) highlighted the party’s potential to bring about positive change in Nigeria.

The Lagos State Chairman of Zenith Labour Party emphasised the importance of the party’s ideology and the welfare of all Nigerians.

He highlighted the need for disability insurance and stressed the need for inclusivity and the importance of addressing the needs of marginalised groups, including PWDs.

PWDs in attendance were given opportunity to register in some available political parties present at the programmes to foster their effective participation political practices. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/VIV

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

2027: Support group wants Atiku to contest again

Election
By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Youths For Atiku (NYFA), a support group of  former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has urged him to give the presidency another shot in 2027 .

The President of NYFA, Prof. Gold Emmanuel, in a statement on Wednesday by the group’s Director of Publicity, Mr Dare Dada, said that the support group arrived at the call at  its annual convention in Lagos.

Emmanuel said that NYFA remained a leading support group for Abubakar with solid grassroots bases across the 36 states in Nigeria.

According to her, the national leadership of the group has highlighted some of the key personal achievements of the former vice president and found him worthy to lead the country.

She said that these achievements included the fact that Abubakar had been running one of Nigeria’s  international universities  successfully  and other businesses successfully.

The president said: “We are of the opinion that anyone seeking public office must first of all be successful in private business.

“Atiku will  bring his experience in private business to fore in the running of the economy of the country.

“He will correct the current economic distortions brought about by bad policies of APC led government, a man with vast experience both in private and public enterprise needs to be in the saddle come 2027.”she said.

Emmanuel further said Abubakar’s philanthropic  gestures were a remarkable trait of a great leader.

“His desire to see to the education of some of the Chibok girls ,who were rescued years back without making it a publicity item is commendable,” she said.

On the current economic hardship being faced by Nigerians, the president  assured that Atiku was capable of navigating Nigeria in the right economic direction, if given the opportunity to run the affairs of the country.

She emphasised the need for  a passionate Nigerian President, who  understands the economic and the political dynamics of the country.

“Alhaji Atiku paraded the best economic blueprint during the 2023 Presidential campaign,” she said.

Emmanuel said that ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)” had stolen “many of Atiku’s  programmes, some of which, they claimed,  were being implemented wrongly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abubakar has been running for the office of the president unsuccessfully each election year under different political platforms after serving as vice president between 1999 and 2007.

He contested the 2023 general elections under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ,in which  he came second, losing to the incumbent President Bola Tinubu. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AYO/BHB
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Edited by Buhari Bolaji

Protest: Lagos APC youths condemn attack on  party chairman

Condemnation

By Adeyemi Adeleye

Lagos, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Youth Wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Badagry Division, Lagos State, has condemned Monday’s  attack on the State Party Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, during a protest at the party secretariat in Ikeja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some members  of the party in  Alimosho  had,during the protest,attempted to  manhandle and  beat him before the intervention of security agents.

The protesters were allegedly angry that members of the caucus they belong were not recognised at a  meeting ,convened  by Ojelabi  to reconcile disagreeing groups in  the local government area.

Mr Moses Aina,  Public Relations Officer of  APC Youths, Badagry Division and  Legislative House Leader , Oto Awori Local Council Development Area, in a statement on Tuesday,said  the attack on the chairman was unacceptable.

“It has come to our attention that some members of APC from Alimosho recently carried out an attack on the State Chairman of our great party, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.

“This act is both condemnable and unacceptable.

“As APC youths from Badagry Division, we strongly condemn this act of violence and call on the leadership of our party to investigate the matter.

“We urge the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the party to take swift action against those that would be found to be culpable in this uncivilised act,” Aina said.

According to him, if anybody or group within the party has any problem with  the leadership of the party, such should follow due process by bringing the matter to the knowledge of the party for amicable resolution.

“Resorting to jungle justice such as launching an attack on the state chairman of our great party leaves much to be desired and can never help in solving misunderstanding,” he added.

Aina said that the APC, under the leadership of Ojelabi, had a reputation for hard work and adding value .

“We will not allow an ugly and unholy behaviour from some disgruntled elements to tarnish the image and reputation of our ever-performing party.

“We will not tolerate any form of violence or intimidation within our party.

“We must uphold the principles of our party and ensure that those who violate them are held accountable,” he said.

The councilor, representing Ward D in the LCDA, said Badagry Division would continue to stand in solidarity with Ojelabi and the leadership of the APC in Lagos.

He called on all members of the party to remain peaceful and refrain from any form of violence.

“Let us work together to build a stronger and better APC for the good of Lagos State and our great nation.

“Let us all stand together and work as a team towards a better future for ourselves and generations to come,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/BHB

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

Protest at Lagos  APC secretariat exaggerated– Spokesman

Protest

By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State says the protest by some party members at its secretariat on Monday was exaggerated by some media platforms.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a section of the media had reported that some angry APC members from Alimosho Local Government Area on Monday protested at the party secretariat  and nearly beat up the State Party Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.

Reacting, the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr Seye Oladejo described what happened as mere tempest in a teacup.

Oladejo said: “Our attention has been drawn to the news going round about a purported protest rocking Lagos APC.

“As much as this sensational piece of news might throw the opposition camp into premature celebration, the incident was a storm in a tea cup.”

According to him, since  assumption of office ,the State Chairman Ojelabi, has continuously sought peaceful co-existence of all party members in all parts of the state.

He added: “It is on record that he has , at various times, been able to successfully reconcile warring party members across board to ensure cohesion.

“The incident today was about a meeting conveyed to reconcile the different factions of the party in Alimosho Local Government Area, which was unfortunately infiltrated by uninvited thugs with ulterior motives.”

The party’s spokesman, however,said security agencies  promptly brought  the situation under control.

He said that the victory of the progressives in the state since the inception of the present dispensation had been due to life-changing policies by various responsive and responsible governments and strict compliance with party discipline.

“Lagos State APC has a time- tested mechanism for settling disputes and will not hesitate to wield the big stick if need be.

“The sacrifices of the founding fathers of the party to engender democracy cannot be sacrificed on the altar of indiscipline and intolerance.

“We acknowledge protests as an integral part of democracy, but it has to be within acceptable norms without infringing on the rights of others,” Oladejo said.

Speaking with NAN on the protest, Mrs Omotayo Oduntan, who represented Alimosho Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly for three tenures, described the protest as unfortunate.

Commending Ojelabi for his peace moves, Oduntan said that the protest was instigated by  some leaders from The Mandate Movement ,who felt their people were not recognised at the reconciliation meeting initiated by the state party chairman on Monday.

Oduntan, a former Deputy Chief Whip, who was also at the secretariat for the meeting, said the Mandate Group and the Justice Forum were the two major groups within APC in Alimosho LGA.

According to her, some leaders and members of  Mandate Group (led by Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo) moved out of the group  to form the Mandate Movement (TMM).

She said Ojelabi invited  three people from each of the two major groups (Justice Forum and Mandate group)  to the Monday meeting with  some party officials  and council chairmen in local government area.

Oduntan alleged  that some leaders in Mandate Group felt they were not recognised and mobilised thugs to protest and disrupt the meeting.

*It is not we in Justice Forum that have issues. It is the Mandate;It is Mandate versus Mandate now.

“The people that instigated the protest were people who  left Enilolobo’s Mandate Group ,they were the people fighting   among themselves”,she said.

Oduntan said that the group should have  resolved the issues amicably among  themselves instead of using  violence and protest to vent their grievances.

“They should allow peace to reign. Nobody can be in government forever, Some will go and another set will come in. I don’t think that should bring a problem.

“If the party asked you to go and sit down after you have benefitted many times  from the party, let us try to sit down.

“Another  thing will come to you. There are thousands of people outside there who haven’t benefitted anything.

“We don’t want our people to suffer, because at the end of the day ,it is the people that will suffer. We should allow peace to reign,” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/BHB

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

Obasanjo’s “third -term agenda” ,a misinterpretation-LP chieftain

Election
By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 23, 2024 (NAN) The Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria says prompt overhaul of electoral system that will guarantee credible elections nationwide remains a major task before the 10th National Assembly.

The LP Deputy National Chairman, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi made this remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

He was reacting to a bill seeking a single term of six years for the President and state governors, brought up recently by 35 members of the House of Representatives.

NAN reports that the bill also canvasses the rotation of the presidency among the six geo-political zones of the country.

The 35 legislators, under the auspices of Reformed-minded Legislators, said both proposals would lead to reduction in the cost of governance.

The spokesman for the group, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, added that the move would unite the country and ensure seamless power transition and promote the development of the country.

Reacting, Olorunfemi said that though the six-year single tenure for the  President and governor remained laudable, the priority should be on reformation of electoral laws and guidelines.

According to him, this is much more needed no than the proposed single- tenure rotational presidency.

“Our problem now is how to completely overhaul our electoral system through electronic voting and transmission of result real-time online,” he said.

Olorunfemi said that the single term of years presidency was proposed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, but was misinterpreted as third term agenda.

“That was what Obasanjo wanted to do and some people with bad intentions turned that to a third term agenda,” Olorunfemi added.

He urged the National Assembly to look into the process of appointment of judges and the chairman of the electoral commission.

The LP boss said that such appointments should be through a competitive selection process  by professionals rather than  by the President.

He said that National Assembly should,at all times ,pursue  efforts  towards deepening  democracy . (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/BHB

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

Lagos PDP crisis: Adewale’s ward counter’s SEC ,denies suspending  him

Suspension
By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The PDP leadership at Ward M1, Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos says the party’s former State Chairman, Otunba Segun Adewale (aka Aeroland) remains a bonafide PDP member at the ward.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Adewale, whose political base is Alimosho ,was suspended by the LGA exco for allegedly causing disaffection in the party and tarnishing the party’s image.

Adewale’s suspension was announced by Alhaji Isiaka Shodiya, the PDP Chairman in Alimosho LGA , at a news conference on June 11 in Lagos.

Similarly, the Lagos State PDP Executive Committee on Friday ratified the indefinite suspension of Adewale, acting on  petitions from the LGA executive against the party chieftain.

In a letter signed by Mr Soji Orioye,the State Secretary, the PDP Executive Committee(SEC) also said Adewale’s ward had notified it about his suspension, via a letter.

However, Mr Kenneth Nwaeze, the PDP Chairman, Ward M1, in Alimosho LGA, said the party chieftain was never suspended at the ward.

In a communique issued after the ward executive meeting on Friday, Nwaeze said  Adewale remained a bonafide member of the party  and  should be accorded due respect as a party member.

Describing Adewale as major party financier at the ward, Nwaeze said that his purported suspension by the LGA and State Executive Committee  was illegal.

The chairman said: “We are pleased to inform the general public and PDP stakeholders nationwide that the ward M1 executive dissociates Itself from the purported suspension of Otunba Segun Adewale (Aeroland) from our party.

“We have not ,for once, have any reason ,whatsoever, to set up a disciplinary committee against Adewale, whom we hold in high esteem and had recently passed a vote-of-confidence in him as a law abiding, loyal, committed and major financier of our great party at the ward, LGA and state level.”he said.

He said that the news of the ratification of Adewale’s suspension by the state executive committee  came to the ward leaders as a surprise .

“We are bold to inform the party leadership nationwide that we didn’t carry out any disciplinary procedure against Otunba Segun Adewale and were not consulted either by the LGA or state before any disciplinary action was unconstitutionally taken,” he said.

He called on the PDP State Secretary, Mr Soji Orioye, to kindly remove the part where he stated that the suspension of Adewale was carried out by the ward.

“This is a malicious fabrication capable of instigating disunity among the peace-loving and long-suffering members of our ward, who have sacrificed for the party in the past. This is an act of incrimination on our part.

“While we continue to show maximum respect for the higher level of our great party, we expected that for the state to ratify an ill-fated suspension of a prominent financier of the party in the state, the state executive or perhaps the State Secretary or Legal Adviser would exercise  due diligence.

“The party leaders should have constituted a fact-finding committee to get to the root of the matter at the ward level before taking any  action,” Nwaeze said.

He said that the ward leaders believed that the state executive must have been misinformed that the suspension was carried out by the ward as evident in the ratification letter.

“We also wish to state clearly that the LGA can not usurp or override the legitimate and constitutional authorities and procedures vested in the ward executive by our party constitution.

“The purported suspension of Aeroland by the LGA was carried out in bad faith and in total disregard of the constitution of our party which empowers the ward executive to carry out the suspension of a member of our party.

“The disciplinary procedures against erring members as clearly stated in our party Constitution section (57) 1 to 7 is unambiguous.

“The body of the purported suspension letter written by the LGA executive and the procedure was not in anyway in conformity with the party Constitution as stated above,” he added.

He said that the state executive acted without consultation and investigation before taking action,saying at no time was the party chieftain questioned over any act of misconduct at the ward.

“Segun Adewale at the moment remains the most popular figure in Lagos PDP as evident in the result of 2023 general election ,where he garnered the highest votes for our party as Lagos West senatorial candidate.

“Adewale deserves utmost respect and appreciationfrom all levels and organs of the party for his moral and financial contributions to the growth and electoral performance of our party in Lagos State.

“He remains a prominent and one of the topmost financiers of our party in the state,” Nwaeze said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/BHB

Edited by Buhari Bolaji