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Category: Politics

  • Edo Assembly recalls suspended lawmaker, Iyamu

    Recall
    By Nefishetu Yakubu
    Benin, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Edo House of Assembly on Monday announced the recall of one of the three suspended lawmakers, Mr Bright Iyamu.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Iyamu (PDP-Orhionmwon South) was suspended on May 6, alongside two others over alleged plot to impeach the speaker and other principal officers of the assembly.
    The two lawmakers, who are still on suspension, are Donald Okogbe (PDP-Akoko-Edo II) and Adeh Isibor (APC-Esan North-East I).
    Announcing the lifting of the suspension during plenary in Benin, the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, said that the house had found Iyamu to be remorseful.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that shortly after Iyamu’s recall, other lawmakers took turns to appeal to the speaker to consider lifting the suspension of the two remaining lawmakers.
    The speaker, in his reaction, however, said that Isibor had taken the matter to court.
    One of the lawmakers, Nicholas Asonsere (PDP-Ikpoba-Okha), thereafter, passed a vote of confidence in the speaker and an unalloyed support of the assembly to him. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    NY/CEO/WAS
    Edited by Chidi Opara and ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • LP chieftain tasks N/Assembly on electoral reform

    Dr Ayo Olorunfemi

    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

  • Nigeria needs decentralisation not “turn-by-turn” presidency — Don

    Nigeria needs decentralisation not “turn-by-turn” presidency — Don
    Decentralisation
    By Adekunle Williams
    Lagos, June 23, 2024 (NAN) A Professor of Strategy and Development, Prof. Anthony Kila ,says most of Nigeria’s problems will be surmounted if power devolves  from the centre to the states or regions.
    Kila, Director-General/Founder, Commonwealth Institute for Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS),said this   an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.
    According to him ,power decentralisation will promote the country’s development and not the proposed  rotational presidency or “turn -by- turn” presidency.
    He said every region ,and even state, is desperate  to produce the president because the centre is too strong and attractive.
    The don said decentralisation would discourage agitations by regions to produce the president as it would empower units, such as states and regions, to deliver development.
    Kila said rotational presidency could  lead to what he called generational apathy and that it would not promote nation-building.
    “What we need to develop  is stronger states of the regions .When the states  of the regions are strong and the centre is weak,people will not think of that centre anymore.
    “The other thing we need to do is to diversify our aspirations. We need to let children grow up, not everyone wants to be a politician. Let us have journalists, judges, painters, teachers and manufacturers that are as important as the president.
    “Let us pursue other aspirations that  will earn  us enough money and enough authority , so that the push and attraction to become a politician or the president  will be less. Nobody talks about the rotational presidency of a company because it is  purely based on  merit.
    “Those who care about Nigeria need to work towards nation -building based on fairness, diversity of aspirations and decentralisation of power.
    “So rotational presidency is a good intention, but it is a dangerous consequence. It is also moved by good intention, but it can also lead to generational apathy,” he said.
    Kila noted that those calling for rotational presidency had ,sadly,come to the conclusion that  it was impossible to have a nation where everyone is one, regardless of tribe or ethnic background.
    The don said the proponents of the idea erroneously believed that the problems of the country could solved by “turn-by-turn” presidency.
    He said it was unfortunate that the political class had not been able to properly build a nation decades since 1960, adding rotational presidency would promote the triumph of ethnicity competence.
    “Nigeria has  six zones and and if each zone should have a single term of six-years, which is the proposal,  imagine children born on the same day and they grow up in life, only one would grow up to become the president of Nigeria.
    “The next one will have to wait for 36 years because of the rotational presidency. You see, people don’t think that way and that is why democracy tries to make everybody equal.
    “So ,someone from my region has gone for presidency, then my generation has lost it. I have to wait for another 36 years and people are not seeing that side.
    “That is why equality, merit and fairness are very crucial in democracy. Once you turn democracy into ethnicity and religion, you  have killed the essence of democracy itself in which anybody can strive for anything at anytime”,he said.
    NAN reports that a bill seeking a single term of six years for the President and state governors was brought up recently by 35 members of the House of Representatives.

    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. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    WAC/BHB
    Edited by Buhari Bolaji

  • Ebonyi: Journalist’s LG Chairmanship bid gets massive boost

    Candidacy
    By Chukwuemeka Opara
    Abakaliki, June 22, 2024 (NAN) The ambition of Mr Timothy Nwachi, former Director-General of Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation, to take the Afikpo North Local Government Chairmanship seat, got a massive boost on Saturday.
    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that Nwachi’s bid got off to a good start with the area’s Diaspora group endorsing his candidature.
    The group, while identifying with the media guru, thanked the All Progressives Congress(APC) for ensuring a transparent process that led to his emergence.
    Its President-General, Chief Oko Enyim, told NAN that the group would support Nwachi’s bid to lead  Afikpo North Local Government Council.
    “The party has identified with Gov. Francis Nwifuru’s mantra of transparency in ensuring fairness and credibility in all facets of the state.
    “This is a testament of the governor’s unwavering commitment towards enthroning genuine democracy in the state starting, from the local government level,” he said.
    Enyim described Nwachi as “a square peg in a square hole”, noting that he is “grass-rooted and well-equipped to deliver the goods”.
    “We, the natives of Afikpo, attest to the fact that Nwachi possesses the qualities to replicate the governor’s democratic and human-uplifting ideals in the council.
    “Nwachi’s eventual emergence as chairman will usher in the needed peace and tranquility in the area under a leadership of transparency, accessibility, among other virtues.
    “The people are expecting real progress and development in the area and the group will contribute all within its reach, to ensure his success at the polls,” he said.
    He further described Nwachi as a humble and responsible administrator whose vast experience in the public service will be key in providing quality leadership to the people.
    “Nwachi excelled as the Director-General of the Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation and the immediate past Deputy Chief of Staff to the state Governor, among other top positions.
    “His pedigree, especially in the media industry, stands him out as a tool of re-integration and beacon of hope for the people,” he said.
    Enyim said that the group is solidly behind the state government in achieving its goals as contained in its people’s charter of needs mantra.
    “The surge of eminent personalities and political heavyweights into the APC signifies the party ‘s total acceptance in the state.
    “Afiikpo North will demonstrate such acceptance at the polls,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    RCO/ETS
    ========

  • Congresses’ ll resolve internal crises in Katsina PDP — Atiku

    Congresses’ ll resolve internal crises in Katsina PDP–Atiku
    Congresses
    By Zubairu Idris
    Katsina, June 22, 2024 (NAN) The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, says the forthcoming party congresses will resolve the lingering internal crises in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State.
    Fielding questions from newsmen on Saturday in Katsina, Abubakar said that he was in the state to condole with the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji abdulmumini Kabir-Usman, over the death of his son, Abdullah Abdulmumini.
    “I also condoled with the family of the former Governor of the defunct Kaduna State, late Alhaji Lawal Kaita, over the death of his widow, Hajiya Yelwa Lawal-kaita,” he said.
    Atiku also visited the former President Muhammadu Buhari in his Daura country home, after which he condoled with the family of late Alhaji Sade, father to the Managing Director, NNPC Trading Limited, Lawal Dade.
    He then visited the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouq and condoled with him over  Sade’s demise.
    On the internal crises that had divided the party into two factions, Atiku said: “There will soon be congresses, so, people will elect whom they want to be their party leaders.”
    NAN recalls that a group called ‘PDP major stakeholders’ and the state caretaker committee are at loggerhead over the sales of congress forms.
    While the group claimed that they were denied purchase of the forms, the state caretaker committee has remained silent on the issue in spite of several efforts to get their reaction to the  allegation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    ZI/BRM
    ===========
    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Sokoto: PDP loyalists seek neutrality, urge leaders to resist impositions

    Sokoto: PDP loyalists seek neutrality, urge leaders to resist impositions
    Neutrality
    By Habibu Harisu
    Sokoto, June 22, 2024 (NAN) A group of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyalists in Sokoto State has urged its leaders in the state to be neutral on all issues and resist all forms of impositions.
    The group named ‘Concerned PDP Members’, made the charge at a press briefing on Saturday in Sokoto.
    Speaking on behalf of the group, Prof. Hamza Maishanu, criticized the state party Chairman, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, over some comments during a recent stakeholders’ meeting.
    Maishanu alleged that Goronyo said some party members were contracted to destroy the party in the state.
    He said the statements were capable of creating disunity among the party members as he could not categorically mention the persons concerned or the specific anti-party activities.
    Maishanu, who was a gubernatorial aspirant in the 2019 general elections explained that its disturbing scenario on the heels of efforts being put by the party to wrest power from the ruling APC in the state come 2027.
    He said the group comprised representatives of party executives from the 23 Local Government Areas in the state and some national and state executive party officials in the northwest.
    ” We are concerned members of PDP in Sokoto State, believe in democratic principles and want democracy to thrive in the party.
    “We want the chairman to tell us who are those contracted?; who contracted them and how much was paid or promised?
    ” And we will not accept appointments of crownies, or to satisfy primordial and selfish interests of few,” he said.
    According to him, efforts were made to contact Goronyo for explanations as the issue is within ‘party internal wranglings’, however, not fruitful.
    He added that the group was still examining the situation and would come out with bold steps. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    HMH/BRM
    =============
    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mnai

  • Alia attributes success in Benue to Tinubu

    Tinubu
    By Emmanuel Antswen
    Makurdi, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue, has attributed all his achievements in office in the last one year to President Bola Tinubu.
    Alia disclosed this on Friday during his thank you tour to Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency held in Makurdi the state capital.
    He said every achievement he recorded was the handiwork of President Tinubu.
    He said both the construction of roads, underpass, payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, remodeling of Assembly Complex, State Secretariat, were possible because of the support of the President.
    He said the President had given him unimaginable support and urged the people of the state to be patient with him as the President had “very good intentions for the citizenry”.
    He also promised to renovate and upgrade the Ibrahim Badamosi  Babangida (IBB) Square in Makurdi to international standard.
    He said the facilities at the over 30- year old square constructed during the military era were outdated and needed urgent attention.
    He said his administration, which had constructed 16 township roads within the state was also constructing an underpass in Makurdi and Gboko.
    According to him, more roads in the constituency would soon be awarded.
    Gov. Alia further disclosed  that going forward payment of salaries and pensions would start from the 22nd of every month.
    Earlier, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, Chairman Benue APC Elder’s Forum, said Gov. Alia’s coming as governor was  divine.
    Gemade said that Alia’s administration had employed thousands into the state civil service and was paying regularly, adding that previous governors failed to pay with even smaller workforce.
    Mr Benjamin Omakolo, Benue APC Acting Chairman, who received not less than 4000 persons who defected from other political parties into the APC within the constituency assured them of equal treatment.
    The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Yanmar Ortese, commended the governor for the numerous infrastructure constructed within the federal constituency.
    Ortese assured that all appointees from the constituency would continue to give their best for the administration to succeed.
    Earlier, Terver Gbenda, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Organisation and Illegal Levies, said the youths would remain committed to the governor because of his achievements.
    Gbenda said come 2027, the youths would still support his second term re-election.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    AEB/IFY
    =======
    Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

  • Imo: NYCN hails appointment of  “youth-friendly” Ukaegbu as commissioner

    New Imo Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Dr Mandela  Ukaegbu.

    Appointment
    By Victor Nwachukwu
    Owerri, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has lauded Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo for appointing Mr Mandela Ukaegbu as a commissioner in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ukaegbu, widely known for being youth-friendly, was appointed the Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt.

    The commendation is contained in a statement signed by the group’s South East Organising Secretary, Mr Izunna Agwuncha, and made available to newsmen in Owerri, on Friday.

    He was one of the five new commissioners inaugurated on Wednesday by the governor.

    Others were Mr Rex Anunobi, Dr Henry Okafor, Prof. Victor Nwachukwu and Prof. Michael Ubaka.

    Agwuncha described Ukaegbu’s appointment as the pioneer commissioner for the expanded ministry “as one of the best decisions of the governor, which would uplift the young people of the state “.

    He also described the commissioner as a passionate young leader with clear vision, especially in human capital development.

    “We have no doubt that he will inject his transformational leadership skills to recover, redefine and reposition Imo youths.

    “The entire youth constituency is happy with the governor and pray for God’s wisdom and guidance on the commissioner,” Agwuncha stated. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    VIN/OJI/USO
    Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Sam Oditah

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Group, CSOs demand for more female representation in Kwara politics

    Politics
    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

    Ilorin, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Women political aspirants in Kwara and civil society groups on Friday in Ilorin called for the implementation of 35 per cent affirmative action for female politicians in Nigeria.

    The group, under the auspices of Women Political Participation (WPP) programme, spoke at a one-day workshop on Strategic Advocacy for Increased Women Participation in Politics (SURGE-UP).

    The workshop was organised by the Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative (WOYODEV) with support from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and funded by the USAID and UKAID.

    While speaking during the event, Mrs Tosin Apiriola-Ajayi, the Executive Director of WOYODEV, emphasised on the need for women to be elected into political and appointive public service positions in Nigeria.

    She said this was as contained in the extant National Gender Policy (NGP).

    The Executive Director observed that Nigeria does not have a specific quota system for women in politics in terms of programmes and policies.

    Apiriola-Ajayi stated that women make up a significant portion of the electorate in Nigeria, adding that the country’s political landscape has historically been male-dominated.

    “For instance, no female Governors were elected in the2023 elections, a pattern that has remained constant since the return to democracy in 1999”, she said.

    She pointed out that the SURGE-UP project thus aimed to reignite gender-responsive policies and programmes in Kwara.

    ”This is with the goal of achieving a strong gender quota legislation for
    women in parliamentary elections and other local elections in the
    state.

    “Also, it aims to increase women’s participation and representation in
    politics in Kwara through high level advocacy for gender-responsive policies and programmes towards the 2027 elections”.

    Apiriola-Ajayi said the project aimed to achieve this by building strong partnership with female and male parliamentarians, party leaders and community gatekeepers.

    ”This will be with the use of strategic awareness-raising, editorials and public campaigns as veritable tools.”

    She also said the objectives include reigniting the political will of parliamentarians in Kwara to sponsor and facilitate bills and legislations.

    ”This will enable them to advocate a strong quota for women in coming elections at national and state levels.”

    The Executive Director said the group expected such results as “bills that seek strong quota for women in political offices initiated in state and national assemblies.

    “Bills promoting women’s participation in politics and specific financial cap for local and national elections progressed”.

    She also called for increased skills and knowledge of aspiring women politicians, leading to increased participation of women in politics and a higher number of women seeking public office.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum agreed that the upcoming Local Government elections is an opportunity to ensure women emerge through party primaries in Kwara.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FATY/OLAL
    ==========
    (Edited by Olawale Alabi)

     

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

     

    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