Category: Politics

Bill

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja,June11,2024(NAN)The Senate on Tuesday at plenary,  passed the 2024 Federal Capital Territory (FCT),  Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N98.5 billion.

This, followed presentation and adoption of report of Committee on FCT by the Vice Chairman, Sen.Osita Ngwu (PDP-Enugu).

Ngwu in his presentation,  said in line with provisions of  the 1999 Nigeria Constitution as amended, the 2024 FCT statutory supplementary appropriation bill,was read the first time on May 15.

He said following conclusion of the second reading on June 6, the bill was referred to the committee on FCT for further legislative action.

Ngwu said in accordance with sections 62, 80 ,88,89 and 299 of the 1999 constitution as amended, the committee met with the FCT minister and other relevant officials of FCT administration and deliberated on modalities to process the budget.

Ngwu said the FCT administration proposed  N98.5 billion for the 2024 FCT statutory supplementary appropriation.

According to him, the proposed sum is to augment priority areas of the FCT statutory appropriation capital expenditure.

He said the committee recommended for approval of N98.5 billion for 2024 FCT statutory supplementary appropriation.

Ngwu said in considering the budget, the committee worked harmoniously with the  House of Representatives to present one version of the appropriation bill for consideration of senate.

“On behalf of the committee, I hereby present the recommendations for consideration and passage of the FCT statutory supplementary appropriation bill into law,”Ngwu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlight of the approved appropriation bill includes provision of N48.5 billion for local engineering services, education secretariat N18 billion, department of transportation N16 billion, while  N16 billion was earmarked for public building. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

KC/CHOM/SH

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Sadiya Hamza

Reps urge NASS to intervene in Plateau Assembly impasse

Members-elect
By Femi Ogunshola
Abuja, June 11, 2024(NAN) The House of Representatives has urged the Leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) to intervene in the crisis that has bedeviled the Plateau House of Assembly.

They also want NASS to ensure that the remaining members-elect of the Plateau House of Assembly were sworn-in for equity, fairness and justice.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Ahmed Wase (APC-Plateau) during plenary in Abuja on Tuesday.

Wase in the motion said that the Plateau State 2023 Election Tribunal took a decision which resulted in the nullification of Certificates of Return of 16 sitting members of the Plateau House of Assembly.

He said that the tribunal had ordered the issuance of new certificates of return to the new members by the Independent National Electoral appellate

He said that the members-elect of the Plateau house of assembly  met all the requirements of the law as contained in Section 94 (1) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 72 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Wase however regretted that some of the new members were selected and sworn-in by the Speaker, while the others were left out.

He added that some members-elect of the assembly were compelled to submit letters of resignation by the Speaker, with accompanying Court Affidavit.

“This move contradicts the principles of fairness and justice that the electoral laws sought to uphold.

“Failure to address the delays or biases in the swearing-in of these new members-elect is a total denial of the voices of other constituencies in Plateau.

“It also undermines commitment to justice, fairness, and the principles of democracy and poses a threat to security in the state,” he said.

Adopting the motion, the House urged the Leadership of the National Assembly to intervene and ensure that the remaining Members-Elect of the Plateau House of Assembly were sworn in. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ODF/CEO/SH

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Edited by Chidi Opara/Sadiya Hamza

Electricity subsidy drops from N3trn to N1trn -Minister

Subsidy

By Femi Ogunshola

Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Mr Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, said that the introduction of band A with a higher tariff has reduced electricity subsidy to N1 trillion from about N3trillion.

The minister said this at the public hearing on electricity tariffs in Abuja on Tuesday.

The hearing was organised by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Power, Commerce, National Planning, and Delegated Legislation.

Adelabu said that without an increase in electricity tariffs the expected subsidy would have been close to N3 trillion.

He said the Federal Government could not afford to pay N3 trillion in subsidies

The minister said that instead of piling up debt for the government, the ministry came up with the model for customers to pay for subsidies on band A.

According to him, this will compensate for the fuel and diesel that consumers are using.

He said that what consumers spend now is cheaper compared to fuel and diesel, even with the increase in electricity tariff.

“We are still about the cheapest, even in sub-Saharan, in spite of the tariff. Our neighboring countries pay higher. So the price isn’t comparable.

“Band A is cheaper compared to other sources of generating power. It is almost 50 per cent cheaper to connect to band A of the national grid than to run on fuel and diesel.

“So when we complain about the higher tariff, it is cheaper for any business to pay for a grid connection than to individually generate power,”he said.

He said President Bola Tinubu`s administration  meant well for  Nigerians, adding that he would not aggravate an already bad situation in the country.

“We are out to make things better for Nigeria and to create industrial development through our local manufacturing, and energy is needed to do this,”he said.

The minister said the increase in tariff was not targeted at making life difficult for Nigerians but to make life affordable for the people.

Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, said that the decision by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to increase electricity tariffs had sparked widespread discontent.

He said the justification provided for this tariff hike as outlined by NERC, was to address the industry’s mounting debt and ensure continued functioning of the power sector.

Kalu said  it was evident that the move had not been well-received by the citizenry, adding that the fears expressed by many were valid.

He added that such a sharp increase in electricity tariffs would only exacerbate the economic hardships already faced by our people.

“There are genuine concerns that higher utility bills resulting from this tariff hike can have ripple effects on operational costs for businesses, potentially leading to increased prices of goods and services,“he said.

Kalu said lawmakers are committed to work closely with the executive to transform the power sector into a model of efficiency, and sustainability as outlined in the legislative agenda.

“We are dedicated to providing legislative support to efforts of  the Tinubu’s administration in reforming the power sector by addressing all legal and legislative impediments,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ODF/CHOM/JPE

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Joseph Edeh

Defection

By Usman Aliyu

Benin, June, 11, 2024 (NAN) Mr Charles Idahosa, a former commissioner for Information in Edo, on Tuesday said that Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s disregard for leaders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) forced him out of the fold.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idahosa, who has moved to the APC, also resigned his membership of the PDP Board of Trustees.

Speaking with NAN in Benin, the former commissioner said he played a critical role for Obaseki to secure his second term ticket and his subsequent victory at the 2020 governorship election.

Idahosa had defected to APC from PDP in 2020 after claiming that he could not stand and watch Obaseki being oppressed and badly treated by APC leaders who had denied him a return ticket.

“I stood up against former governor Adams Oshomhole, who was then the APC national chairman. I had worked with him in various capacities before the 2016 governorship election.

“So, because I saw that Obaseki was being victimised, my supporters and I decided to move with him to the PDP where he eventually secured the ticket and returned as the governor for the second time.

“Unfortunately, when he came, he wasn’t fair to the people and party leaders that helped him to power.

“He keeps saying that people are angry with him because they wanted him to share state money with them and I have challenged him to mention names so that the whole world will know them.

“So, I just got frustrated and left the party because he has not been fair to party leaders and the people that stood for him in 2020 when he had problems in APC, ” Idahosa said.

The former PDP chieftain also added that besides the ill-treatment, the state had not experienced development in the last seven years.

He explained that the projects being counted as achievements were projects executed decades ago which he renovated.

“This government has not done well in all ramifications. The state Secretariat, Ogbe Stadium, which he counts as achievements, were built by Dr Samuel Ogbemudia of blessed memory; the structures were only renovated.

“All the promises he made in 2016, he has not fulfilled any. He promised Edo Galegale seaport, he promised to build 18 mini stadiums, Edo North international Airport and Benin-Auchi railway line and may more.

“All these promises have not been fulfilled. Only the civil servants have benefited from this government and I ask, what is the population of the civil servants in the state? very small,” he added.

According to him, the much talked-about EdoBEST is for selected schools.

“We contribute money to pay teachers in my local government, Uhunwode.”

“I totally disagree with the policies and programmes of this government, so I just left.

“But I have heard people complaining about my leaving the party and I wonder when it became an offense to leave a party.

“There is no law saying you should not move if you are not comfortable where you are. Defection also happens in advanced countries because there is freedom of movement and association.

“My movement will not affect anything because I am a founding member of the APC and the PDP, we just had to leave the party on various occasions we felt mistreated.

“I can tell you that this time, I am not leaving the APC for any other party again. I just feel that after 70 years of age, I need to retire.”

He said he would not contest for elective position because he had held many positions in and outside the state.

“So, I have no reason to be afraid to tell the truth ,” Idahosa said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

AUO/CHOM/JI

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Joe Idika

INEC warns personnel against unethical practices in Edo, Ondo

Warning

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Abuja, June 10, 2024(NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  has warned its personnel against unethical and corrupt practices in the upcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the warning on Monday  in Abuja at a  lecture in honour of late Abubakar Momoh, former Director-General of the Electoral Institute (TEI), from August 2013 to May 2017.

Yakubu, represented by the National Commissioner, and Chairman, Board of Electoral Institute, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, warned that any unethical practice before, during and after those elections would  incur severe punishments under the law.

The theme of the lecture was:  “Achieving Professionalism among Election Personnel through Effective Training in Preparation for the Edo and Ondo Governorship Elections.’’

Yakubu said the success of any election largely depended on the professionalism and competence of those responsible for conducting it.

He advised electoral officers to be guided by the following principles of integrity, impartiality, transparency, professionalism, gender and disability sensitive.

He said it was important for electoral personnel to be knowledgeable, skilled and well-equipped with relevant competencies to handle the complexities and challenges of the electoral process.

“Moreover, the crucial role election personnel play in upholding the integrity of our democratic processes cannot be overstressed.

“The manner, in which they discharge their duties and responsibilities, affects the degree of confidence voters will have in the electoral process which will impact on their participation and turn out,’’ he said.

Yakubu said that to ensure credibility and trustworthiness in elections and build trust among the electorate, INEC had always prioritised the professional development of its election personnel.

He said the commission identified effective and efficient electoral training as the key to unlocking professionalism among election personnel.

“The commission’s involvement in effective training programmes has empowered its staff to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, in order to strengthen our processes and procedures to serve the interests of all Nigerians,’’ he said.

He said that through training, INEC was able to deepen electoral knowledge and strengthen the skills and competences of personnel over time.

The TEI Director-General, Dr Sa’ad Idris in his remarks, said that INEC in pursuit of its mission and vision had prioritised professionalism toward achieving free, credible, transparent and inclusive elections.

“As we prepare for the 2024 Edo and Ondo  off cycle governorship elections, the commission is assured that the outcome of effective training of Election personnel will manifest in the high level of professionalism. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

OBE/CHOM/KUA
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Uche Anunne

Anniversary: Anambra Assembly passes 11 bills, 62 resolutions in 1yr – Speaker

Anniversary
By Chimezie Anaso
Awka, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Eighth Anambra House of Assembly says it passed 11 of the 21 bills, including three private member bills, brought before it since its inauguration on June 12, 2023.

The Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze, disclosed this at a news conference held on Monday in Awka to mark his first anniversary in office.

Udeze said that of the  21 bills brought to the House, 11 were executive bills, while 10 were from private members.

The list includes the “Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission Bill”, “Revenue Administration, Consolidation and Harmonisation Bill”, “Anambra State Touting Prohibition Bill”, “2024 Appropriation Bill”, Health Facilities Monitoring And Accreditation Agency Bill”.

Others are the “Anambra State Peace Building and Conflict Management Agency Bill”,  “Anambra State House of Assembly Service Commission Amendment Bill”, “Anambra State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission Bill” and “Trafficking in Persons Prohibition, Enforcement and Administration Bill”.

The speaker also listed “Secret Cultism and Similar Activities Prohibition Bill”, “Private Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery Bill” and “Anambra State Newspaper and Printing Corporation Repeal Bill”, as products of the Assembly.

He said the Assembly also considered 62 motions and made over 70 resolutions from reports of various committees.

“To date, we have passed 11 bills, including three member bills, while 10 are still being considered.

“When compared with previous assemblies, this is the highest we have had in one year,” he said.

Udeze further said that even though the 30-member House comprised three political parties, including APGA-17, PDP-2, YPP-3 and LP-8, “the relationship with the executive has been harmonious and progressive”.

He said that the vision of the eighth  Assembly was “to be the best legislature in Nigeria, championing the interest of the people of Anambra through effective and responsible representation”.

He said: “This eighth Assembly has been able to enact quality laws and passed numerous people-oriented resolutions emanating from motions.

“As the House celebrates its first anniversary, we are thankful to God who has led us thus far in our legislative engineering.

“We are equally commending Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for transforming the Assembly complex into a modern edifice with the massive reconstruction of the entire complex, offices and the ongoing landscaping of the premises.

“I express gratitude to Anambra people for appreciating the work and achievements of the House in the last one year,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

APC/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

Election

By Douglas Okoro

Abakaliki, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called for a credible, free, fair and transparent election in the forthcoming Local Government poll scheduled to hold in Ebonyi in July.

Mr Ernest Nwaze, Chairman of IPAC in Ebonyi, made the call on Monday while briefing newsmen in Abakaliki on the outcome of their meeting held on Monday.

Nwaze said that the group assessed the preparations of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) ahead of the chairmanship and councillorship polls and was satisfied with the level of preparation.

He said that statistics from EBSIEC showed that 16 out of the 17 registered political parties in Ebonyi would be participating in the July election.

“We have just ended our meeting which was to assess the performance of EBSIEC ahead of the July council polls in the state, and after our analysis, we came to the conclusion that the commission has performed above 80 per cent.

“We resolved that all the registered political parties in Ebonyi will participate in the election.

“We have also resolved that if EBSIEC continues to abide by the processes it has rolled out for the conduct of the election, then, IPAC will play according to the rules and participate fully.

“EBSIEC must ensure that the exercise is free, fair, transparent, and every political party should be treated equal by providing a level playing field,” Nwaze said.

He said that the recent comment by one Mr Splendor Oko-Eze, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) in Ebonyi, alleging that the party would not participate in the coming council poll should be disregarded and discountenanced.

He said: “In every political party, the chief spokesperson is the chairman of the party; that you were a candidate of a party in an election, does not confer leadership position on you.

‘Today, there is no faction in the Labour Party and the only chairman recognised by the law and the national leadership of LP is Mr Godwin Jioke and his led-executive.

“The party rolled out nomination forms for aspirants, and the party has indeed conducted its primaries and have submitted names of candidates for the election to EBSIEC.”

According to him, the only registered political party not participating in the election and which did not attend the meeting was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

He explained that the party was not invited to the meeting because of a subsisting circular from the national leadership of the party stating that the party was yet to resolve issues of leadership tussle in the state chapter of the party.

“So, we did not know who to invite in particular and that’s why we did not invite the PDP and that’s why the party won’t be participating in the forthcoming polls,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Sunday Nwambam, Special Assistant to Gov. Francis Nwifuru on Inter Party Affairs, applauded the state government for providing an enabling environment for opposition parties to thrive in the state.

He assured that the forthcoming council election would be free, fair, transparent, and would be conducted in line with best practices.

He commended the state electoral umpire for their level of preparedness, and enjoined the electoral body to stick by its rules, regulations and guidelines for the exercise.

“Government has already assured all the participating political parties and their candidates of a level playing field, and our governor is committed to deepening grassroots democratic governance,” Nwambam said.

NAN reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC), Zenith Labour Party, Accord Party, Action Alliance, All Progressives Grand Alliance among others, attended the meeting.

NAN further reports that IPAC is an umbrella body of all the registered political parties in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ODO/OJI/EMAF
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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka and Emmanuel Afonne

I’ve not touched LG funds since I became governor—Mutfwang

Money
By Patience Aliyu
Jos, June 10, 2024 (NAN), Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau says he has not touched or misused local government funds since he became the governor of the state.

Mutfwang said this on Monday in Jos at the swearing-in of the newly appointed chairman and members of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC).

The governor, a former chairman of Mangu Local Government, said he believed that the funds meant for local government councils should be used by that tier of government.

“It therefore pains some of us when they make generalisations that governors are stealing local government money.

“I think they should be specific rather than make generalization. Let me say that I am a firm believer in the effectiveness and efficacy of the local government system. I believe that government must come closer to the people.

“The only way we can get government and governance closer to the people is to allow the people themselves to elect those who they want to lead them,” he said.

Mutfwang said that the appointees were carefully selected to lead the commission and bring integrity to the organisation.

“It is unfortunate that when we came on board, we had to dissolve PLASIEC, and we did that based on sound legal truth.

“PLASIEC, as it was then, was improperly constituted by an illegal Speaker (of House of Assembly) and there was a court judgment to that effect.

“The speaker who confirmed their appointments was set aside by the court, so every action he took was against the law“, he said.

According to him, he believes that the people deserve to choose who will work for them, and that must be guaranteed.

He told members of PLASIEC that they were coming in at a time when the commission had a trust challenge.

He said that the people no longer believed that a state electoral commission should exist with even some people calling for it to be scrapped.

“I certainly don’t agree with that because we’re operating a federal system; ours is a federation, not a unitary government.

“If people are worried about allowing the local government system to work, they should also allow the state governments to function“, he said.

The new PLASIEC Chairman, Mr Plangji Chishak, thanked Mutfwang for the opportunity to serve the Plateau people.

Chishak, who until his appointment was a staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), assured the people of a credible and transparent election that would be acceptable to all. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

PAM/KUA

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Edited by Uche Anunne

Minimum Wage: Don’t violate human rights—PLAC tells FG, Labour

Collaboration
By Perpetua Onuegbu
Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO),  has urged organised labour and the Federal Government to respect human rights in their face off over a new minimum wage for workers.

Both parties are yet to agree on a new minimum wage with labour insisting on N250,000 while the federal government has offered to pay N62, 000.

The Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, said in Abuja on Monday during a Dialogue Session on Exploring Remedies for Human Rights Abuses that on no account should the face-off lead to human rights violation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, organised by PLAC, is in partnership with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

He said the course of negations and even in the face of an industrial action respect for the human rights should be uppermost in the minds of the leaders of both parties.

“There is a struggle about minimum wage, whether labour is getting government to pay about N200, 000 to the least person or not. “It’s going to be a turmoil and we must all prepare because it will come with challenges of human rights abuses.

“The struggle for human rights is an important struggle to entrench democracy. We have several instances today where people are detained without been tried’’, he said.

He urged security agencies to see human rights activists and CSOs as partners in progress rather than as detractors.

“It is important to understand that our work as human rights activists is we can use the agencies and NGOs we represent to advance the cause of human rights to better the conditions of living in the country,” he said.

Mr Simon Musa, who represented the Ministry of Police Affairs, said the police working to ensure that human rights violation by police personnel did not go unpunished.

He spoke as a panellist on `Assess to Recourse for Victims of Human Rights Violation`.

“Any member of the public who feels that a police personnel has violated his or her right can approach us. We have handled so many of those cases and come out with results,” he said.

Also, Mr Okoro Obioha, who represented National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said the commission was ready to provide assistance to those whose rights had been abused.

“If a person’s right is violated and you go to the police, if the state is not able to prosecute and the victim gets access to justice, the state is seen as the violator.

“If a matter comes to us for instance, and it has to do with criminal prosecutions.

“And the commission does not have power to prosecute, we ensure that such victim gets the needed service from the relevant agencies of government,” he said.

Mr Maurice Chukwu, of Amnesty International, said in many instance, some state security agency do not want to collaborate with the CSOs on matters of human rights abuse.

“The bottom line is that 90 per cent of the human rights abuses that we document are caused by the security agencies and the government and we ask them to be accountable”, Chukwu said.

(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
PUO/FAK/KUA
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Edited by Funmi Adeyemi/Uche Anunne