EFCC GOES COLD AS SUSPENDED MINISTER, BETTA EDU, STAGES COMEBACK
EFCC GOES COLD AS SUSPENDED MINISTER, BETTA EDU, STAGES COMEBACK The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may have gone cold six months after investigating embattled Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu on corruption allegations, as speculation emerges about her comeback. The embattled minister, who is officially suspended, appears to have been let off the hook by the anti-graft agency, as she, yesterday, wrote an official condolence message on the ministry’s letterhead over the recent Jos school building collapse. In a message on her X handle @edu_betta, Edu equally posted a screenshot of her condolence message on the website. In her message, Edu extended condolences to all those affected. The statement reads in part: “Our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the families, who have lost their loved ones and for the community enduring this devastating ordeal. “In times like this, we find ourselves united in our shared grief and determination to support one another through this tragedy.“May the souls of the departed rest in peace and may the injured receive swift and complete healing. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and all those affected during this incredibly difficult time.”
SUPREME COURT BLOCKS 462 LGCS IN 22 STATES FROM FEDERAL ALLOCATION
SUPREME COURT BLOCKS 462 LGCS IN 22 STATES FROM FEDERAL ALLOCATION In a historic decision, the Supreme Court has decided that 462 LGAs in 22 states will not be eligible to receive funds from the Federation Account until new leaders are elected. Among the states that will be profoundly impacted by this judgement are Rivers, Anambra, Imo, Kwara, Zamfara, Yobe, Ondo, Osun, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Benue, Bauchi, Plateau, Abia, Enugu, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, and Jigawa. News from Ripples Nigeria: Falana orders AGF to reveal monthly distribution to states and LGAs The appointment of caretaker committees to oversee the local government regions breaches Section 7 of the Constitution, which led to the judgement. The presence of duly elected authorities to oversee LGAs is required by this subsection. The goal of the court’s decision is to make sure that municipal governments are open and accountable. In order to govern the LGAs, the impacted states must quickly hold elections and install elected officials. Important funds for providing basic services and developing infrastructure are available through the Federation Account, which they will be able to access using this. The decision has ignited a discussion over the power of local governments and how resources are distributed. Opinions on the matter vary; some regard it as an attack on federalism, while others see it as an improvement in openness and responsibility. As a challenge to the current system, the federal government has been directed to fund local municipalities directly rather than via state governments. In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, Falana urges caution regarding local government funds (News Digest).A protracted political and judicial struggle is likely to ensue as a result of this judgement’s far-reaching ramifications. The end goal, though, is for local governments to be run constitutionally and for taxpayer money to be used wisely for the benefit of the people. Keeping a careful eye on developments and making sure the rule of law is respected are vital as the crisis evolves.
PDP OUT FOR MAKE OR MAR CONGRESSES
PDP OUT FOR MAKE OR MAR CONGRESSES Faced with a lingering state and national leadership crisis, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun the process of uniting its members nationwide to conduct successful state congresses on July 27, 2024. Findings show that there are only a few states of the federation where the centre still holds. In fact, some factions in the states are ready go into the contest with their separation preparations and delegates, while others have reached out to the opponents, accepting responsibility for the poor management of the party affairs that led to its dismal performance in both state and national elections in 2023. There is also a pervasive self-denial in some states, where the leaders carry on as if nothing had happened and boast of conducting successful congresses.In Kano State, for instance, the chairman of the PDP caretaker committee, Mai Adamu Mustapha, has said preparations for the congress have reached 95 percent success. In a recent telephone interview, he said the congress will hold in the 488 wards, 44 LGAs, and also at the state level. Mustapha said the party’s register has been updated and submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for scrutiny and authentication. “That was done successfully. The constitutional requirement is that once you have the two-thirds majority of the constituency, you are good to go, and we have gotten that 95 percent. So, we are ready,” he said.On the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which dealt the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC), a big blow in last year’s election, he stated “it is in a state of gradual collapse. The party is ruling only in Kano State and has no national outlook.” “NNPP is just replicating PDP. It is a stringent brother, and I know at the end of the day we shall come together, continue as a formidable party, carry on with our good work, and bring succour to the masses,” he added. On Senator Doguwa’s defection from APC to PDP, the chairman said his defection is more than a boost to the party in the state, a person with high political standing to join the party. He however expressed hope that, more of such defection will manifest just like the “tsunami happening in Edo State.”In Imo State, the exit of former governor Emeka Ihedioha and hundreds of his supporters has turned the party into a one-man show. Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the party’s national secretary, is in full charge. The director-general of Imo PDP New Media, Lancelot Obiaku, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the era of shortchanging and imposing people on the party was over. He said, “We are prioritising internal democracy, a system where no one is cheated, and all members who are qualified and are aspiring to serve the party in any capacity are given a level playground.He said the state caretaker committee chairman, Sir Chidi Dike, “inaugurated the congress committee for the 27 local government areas to supervise and play an advisory role where necessary while working with leaders and members of the party at various LGAs to ensure that the congresses are free, fair and democratic.” In Niger State, there are no camps in the leading opposition party, but those eyeing elective positions are scheming to gain control of the PDP during the Congress. A party stalwart who preferred anonymity told LEADERSHIP Sunday that members are aware of the antics of the party’s former governorship flag bearer and are ready to fight against his total control of the party. It was learnt that the plans of those who wanted a change in the party’s control are thickening, and they are ready to execute them during forthcoming congresses. While some local governments may settle for consensus, it was…
LG AUTONOMY: BATTLE NOT OVER, WILL FIGHT BACK – SENATOR
LG AUTONOMY: BATTLE NOT OVER, GOVS WILL FIGHT BACK – SENATOR Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, has said the battle for local government autonomy is not over, saying some governors will fight back. Addressing newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, the senator said the National Assembly will amend the constitution to address contentious issues including the conduct of local government elections. He said the National Assembly would do so to ensure that state governments strictly adhere to the judgement. The Supreme Court had ruled on Thursday that it was unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations. The court also granted autonomy to the local councils, following a suit filed by the federal government on the matter. Reacting to the judgement, the senator said, “These include grey areas like the transfer of the responsibility of the conduct of elections to the local councils from the various state electoral bodies to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).” “Some state governors will fight back. President Tinubu allowed the judiciary a free hand to operate in this particular instance, irrespective of the fact that he is but a first term President who may desire a comeback in 2027. “I thank Mr President for mustering the courage to do the right thing. Since 1999, the third tier of government literally speaking, has been nonexistent. State governments treated them as appendages of the state governments. No President, has been able to change that.”He said President Tinubu has made history following the “landmark judgement” on financial autonomy for local government areas.
LG AUTONOMY: BATTLE NOT OVER, GOVS WILL FIGHT BACK – SENATOR
LG AUTONOMY: BATTLE NOT OVER, GOVS WILL FIGHT BACK – SENATOR Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, has said the battle for local government autonomy is not over, saying some governors will fight back. Addressing newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, the senator said the National Assembly will amend the constitution to address contentious issues including the conduct of local government elections. He said the National Assembly would do so to ensure that state governments strictly adhere to the judgement. The Supreme Court had ruled on Thursday that it was unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations. The court also granted autonomy to the local councils, following a suit filed by the federal government on the matter. Reacting to the judgement, the senator said, “These include grey areas like the transfer of the responsibility of the conduct of elections to the local councils from the various state electoral bodies to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).” “Some state governors will fight back. President Tinubu allowed the judiciary a free hand to operate in this particular instance, irrespective of the fact that he is but a first term President who may desire a comeback in 2027. “I thank Mr President for mustering the courage to do the right thing. Since 1999, the third tier of government literally speaking, has been nonexistent. State governments treated them as appendages of the state governments. No President, has been able to change that.”He said President Tinubu has made history following the “landmark judgement” on financial autonomy for local government areas.
Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- July 15, 2024
- 109 views
DESPITE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, TRUMP VOWS TO ATTEND TODAY’S REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
DESPITE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, TRUMP VOWS TO ATTEND TODAY’S REPUBLICAN CONVENTION Former U.S. President and Republican Party’s presidential candidate, Donald Trump, on Saturday night, said he would attend the party’s nomination convention today in Milwaukee despite the assassination attempt on him. Donald dispelled insinuations that he might not attend the event after the murder attempt on his life at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he sustained an injury in his ears and two fatalities were recorded . The assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, who was shot dead by security operatives, had attempted to kill the former President a few minutes after he mounted the podium to address party members and supporters. FBI and other security agencies are still investigating the foiled assassination plot by Crooks, who was reported to have used a gun purchased by his father about six months ago. The Guardian learnt that the Secret Service would have at least two security perimetres around the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee and the city itself would be beefed up with more security operatives drafted from all levels. Public and political analysts mentioned that the convention would still host speeches throughout the week and the dozens of side events hosted by state Republican Parties and conservative organisations. They observed further that it would even have more colours and glamour than it was planned before the Saturday shooting, saying the failed attempt had changed the narratives and fortunes of the party ahead of the polls. Trump, who was declared safe by the Secret Service after stopping the murder attempt and whisked him out of the venue in Pennsylvania, would be formally nominated as the GOP’s presidential nominee on Thursday. Allaying the fears of his teeming political supporters after the attack on Saturday, Trump said he would attend the convention alongside party officials, assuring the people the four-day event would be hitch-free. Trump, on his social media page, yesterday morning, noted that he was still looking “forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”He said: “Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will fear not, but instead, remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of wickedness.”
- Foreign Affairs
- July 15, 2024
- 92 views
SOME TAKE-AWAYS FROM UK GENERAL ELECTION
SOME TAKE-AWAYS FROM UK GENERAL ELECTION Many Nigerians just love the parliamentary system of government without knowing it. That was my first take-away from the UK general election, which saw the Labour Party chase the Tories out of No 10 Downing Street in one of the most comprehensive defeats in the country’s history. Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, assumed power and named his cabinet less than 24 hours after his party won 411 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, leaving the Conservative Party with 121. For context, the Tories had 365 seats and Labour had 200 before the election. While Labour gained 211 seats to claim the majority (meaning they can pass several bills on their own), the Tories lost 251. Massive. After Starmer swiftly named his cabinet and met with his team a day following his appointment as prime minister by King Charles III, my WhatsApp started brimming with broadcasts comparing Nigeria with the UK. One reads: “The elections were held two days ago. Yesterday, the new Prime Minister has assumed office. The new cabinet is already in place. No transition committee.” There you go. In a parliamentary system of government, there is a governing party and an opposition party. The governing party is usually the one with the most seats in parliament, even if it takes a coalition to get the majority. The opposition party is usually the one with the second highest number of seats. For the benefit of those who may not know how it works, the opposition party always forms a “shadow” cabinet when a new parliament is in place. For every cabinet position filled by the governing party, the opposition has an equivalent. They shadow the ministers of the governing party and have access to official documents. This enables them to make meaningful contributions to parliamentary debates, provide their own views and propose alternative policies. In a parliamentary system, the executive and legislative arms of government are merged, so most ministers/secretaries are members of parliament. There is no separation of powers. It is only the judiciary that is apart. Therefore, naming a cabinet “within two days of winning an election” is not a big deal in a parliamentary system. The cabinet positions are shared before elections, with minor adjustments made where considered necessary. If a party does not win enough seats to form government and has to go into a coalition with another party, there could be a delay in naming the cabinet because of the horse trading. By the time a new parliament is proclaimed, however, the cabinet will be named. It would have been an anomaly if Starmer did not name his cabinet immediately. Rishi Sunak, as the new opposition leader, has already appointed a shadow cabinet. In a presidential system, the type Nigeria practises, the executive is separate from the legislature. The president cannot form a cabinet until he has sent the list of nominees to the senate for confirmation hearing. He can only nominate. As an independent arm of government, the legislature can decide when it wants to conduct the hearing and decide the nominees to accept or reject. It cannot be hurried up to screen the nominees or forced to confirm them. There was a time it took almost six months before ministers were appointed and this is totally unacceptable — but the president cannot realistically form a cabinet “within two days”. Nevertheless, our presidents can do better. If there is a sense of urgency to set the ball rolling and there is some regard for Nigerians, nominees can be swiftly named and confirmed. But everything is complicated in our dearly beloved country. One, security screening takes ages. Two, names are dropped and chopped per…
- Foreign Affairs
- July 14, 2024
- 110 views
WHO’S THOMAS MATTHEW CROOKS, THE MAN WHO WANTED TO KILL DONALD TRUMP?
WHO IS THOMAS MATTHEW CROOKS, THE MAN WHO WANTED TO KILL TRUMP A voter-registration record showed that he was registered as a Republican! So it’s looking like an in-house act. Thomas Matthew Crooks was the resident of Bethel Park in Pennsylvania. He appears to have graduated in 2022 from Bethel Park High School. He even received a $500 “star award” that year from the National Math and Science Initiative, according to The Tribune-Review in western Pennsylvania. Thomas Crooks was armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Multiple witnesses said they saw him before the shooting and alerted authorities.Crooks was positioned on the roof of a building about 130 yards away from the stage where Donald Trump was addressing the rally.Crooks was shot dead by the Secret Service officials after the attack on the 78-year-old former US President. Police said Crooks’ motive behind firing on the presumptive Republican presidential nominee is unclear.
WE DIDN’T APPEAL RIVERS COURT VERDICT – PDP
WE DIDN’T APPEAL RIVERS COURT VERDICT – PDP The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it’s not in Rivers state Appeal case. The party, which distanced itself from such case, also said that it didn’t authorize any external solicitor to file same on its behalf, as such cannot be listed as Appellant in the Appeal. PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Hon Debo Ologunagba, stated categorically that it did not file the said Appeal at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division challenging the Order of the Rivers State High Court restraining the Chief Judge of Rivers State and the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly from receiving or acting on any resolutions from certain individuals pending the determination of a case before it. The party said that its attention was drawn to a purported Appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division with respect to Suit No: PHC/2177/CS/2024 wherein the PDP is reportedly listed as Appellant. “For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP National Legal Adviser, Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN has ascertained that the Party did not file the said Appeal neither did it authorize any external solicitor to file same on its behalf. As such, the PDP cannot be listed as Appellant in the Appeal,” the party said. The PDP restated that only the National Legal Adviser of the Party has the exclusive responsibility of conducting the litigation, prosecution and defense of cases on behalf of the Party including its Organs, Chapters and Officials as expressly provided for in Section 42 of the PDP’s Constitution (as amended in 2017). “Our Party had in a Public Notice published on January 17, 2023 notified the public that nobody, Authority, Office or Organ other than the National Legal Adviser has the competence to file or engage external solicitors to file or handle cases on behalf of the Party, which engagement must also be in writing under the hand of the National Legal Adviser specifying amongst other things, the nature of the case and other terms and conditions of the engagement,” the party said.The PDP has, therefore, dissociated itself from the purported Appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division in connection with Suit No: PHC/2177/CS/2024.
AFENIFERE DISAGREES WITH SUPREME COURT VERDICT ON LOCAL GOVT AUTONOMY, SAYS IT’S SETBACK ON TRUE FEDERALISM
AFENIFERE DISAGREES WITH SUPREME COURT VERDICT ON LOCAL GOVT AUTONOMY, SAYS IT’S SETBACK ON TRUE FEDERALISM Afenifere, a Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, has criticized the Supreme Court judgement granting financial independence to local government areas, stating that it has dealt a severe setback to the principles of federalism. The group’s leaders, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Prince Justice Faloye, signed a statement saying the judgement has “done incalculable injury to the Nigerian state” and is a “judicial conspiracy” against the Nigerian state and its foundational principles of federalism. According to Tribune newspaper, Afenifere views the judgement as a retrogressive declaration that recognizes local governments as a third tier of government, contrary to the constitution’s recognition of a two-tier federal structure. The group emphasizes that Nigeria is a federation consisting of states and a federal capital territory, as affirmed by Section 2 (2) of the 1999 Constitution. The group condemns the subjugation of states and their constitutional roles, including the local government system, to the federal government’s whims. They argue that the 1999 constitution provides for the payment of allocations to local government councils through the state joint local government account, not directly to local governments.Afenifere insists that the way forward for Nigeria is holistic restructuring to re-enact the fundamental principles of true federalism, recognizing the local government system as an exclusive preserve of the states. They quote Section 162 of the Constitution, emphasizing that the Supreme Court’s interpretation has done incalculable injury to the Nigerian state.