2027: PDP GOVERNORS TURN AGAINST ATIKU
Dons Eze
- October 21, 2024
GOVERNOR SUSPENDS AID FOR ANNOYING N70,OOO MINIMUM WAGE
GOVERNOR SUSPENDS AID FOR ANNOUNCING N70,000 MINIMUM WAGE The Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, has suspended his Special Adviser on Salary and Pensions, Bashir Ado, over a statement on the ₦70,000 minimum wage.Naija News understands that a statement circulating in various sections of the media alleged that the governor had approved ₦70,000 as a new minimum wage for workers in the state. However, speaking in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Bala Ibrahim, in Dutse, on Saturday, the governor explained that the committee set up by the government to advise on the appropriate wage is yet to complete its assignment. “This sounds embarrassing and premature as the committee headed by the Head of the State Civil Service, set up by the government to advise on the appropriate wage is yet to complete its assignment and submit a report,” the statement read. Ibrahim explained that as a result of the development, the governor has approved the immediate suspension of Ado, pending findings of a committee set up under the chairmanship of the State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Bello Abdulkadir. The SSG added that the committee, given two weeks to submit its report, is to investigate the source, the actual content of the alleged statement, and the motive behind it. Ibrahim named Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Sagir Musa; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdullahi Muhammmad, and Permanent Secretary of Establishment and Service Matters, Office of the SSG, Muhammad Hahaha, as members of the committee.
NINE PDP GOVERNORS ENDORSE DAMAGUM’S REMOVAL AS NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
NINE PDP GOVERNORS ENDORSE DAMAGUM’S REMOVAL AS NATIONAL CHAIRMAN Nine state governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have unanimously approved Iliya Damagum’s removal from his position as Acting National Chairman, a significant step toward strengthening internal unity within the party. The governors overwhelmingly endorsed the choice of Alhaji Ahmed Alaghi, the incumbent PDP National Treasurer, as the new Acting National Chairman during a virtual meeting yesterday. An adviser to one of the governors stated that the action is meant to guarantee rigorous adherence to the party’s constitution and to fortify party unity. Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori of Delta State, Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, and Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State were among the governors present. The meeting’s main decisions were the unanimous acceptance of Alhaji Ahmed Alaghi’s appointment as the new Acting National Chairman and the suspension of Iliya Damagum. The governors emphasized their commitment to the party’s advancement and reiterated their pledge to respect the PDP’s constitution and settle internal disputes through official party channels. The governors reiterate their dedication to forging a more cohesive and powerful PDP, putting the party’s interests ahead of their own personal ambitions,” the statement said. Damagum’s suspension is anticipated to go into effect right away, and ongoing communication between all parties involved will be necessary to guarantee a seamless transition.
BETWEEN SENATOR SHEHU SANI AND EX-GOV EL RUFAI’S WIFE
BETWEEN SENATOR SHEHU SANI AND EX-GOV EL RUFAI’S WIFE Shehu Sani, a one-term senator who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, took to his X to share his observation about the President’s trips abroad and inflation in Nigeria. In the post, he opined that Tinubu’s travelling out of the country has a way of shooting up prices of taxes and commodities. ‘’New law of economics; When the President travels out, Taxes and Prices goes up,” Sani wrote. Reacting, El-Rufai, fondly called the English teacher on X for her penchant for correcting grammatical errors on the platform, spotted the post and corrected the former lawmaker. Quoting Sani’s post, the former Kaduna First Lady pointed out that it should have read ‘’go up” and not ‘’goes up.” Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai. [X:@hadizel] Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai. [X:@hadizel] Following the development, some Nigerians besieged the comment section of El-Rifai’s post to share their thoughts. Below are some of the reactions; @Aprilkekule: “Whether “goes up” or “go up”, the message is clear……” @Northerner∅ said: “El-Rufai family and Shehu Sani tussle is unmatched. Astaghfurullah!🤭” @belloinuwa wrote: “This could literally start a war 😂😂😂.” @imustaphaa: “This one is the same generation thing. I can not comment on it. I come in peace.” @CroBender wrote: “English not his mother tongue 😂😂” During his stint in the Senate, Sani had a disagreement with Hadiza’s husband who was also Kaduna’s Governor at the time. Though belonging to the same party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the duo had an irreconcilable rift, which led to the eventual defection of the lawmaker from the party. Sani later joined the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) under whose platform he contested the 2019 election but lost to APC candidate, Uba Sani, incumbent governor of Kaduna and former ally of El-Rufai.
YOU’RE BEREFT OF IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO TACKLE ECONOMIC CRISIS, BEG JONATHAN FOR HELP – NNPP TELLS TINUBU
YOU’RE BEREFT OF IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO TACKLE FUEL CRISIS, BEG JONATHAN FOR HELP – NNPC TELLS TINUBU The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has advised President Bola Tinubu to seek help from former President, Goodluck Jonathan, on the economic crisis plaguing the country. There has been outrage in the country following the fuel price increase. The retail stations of NNPC raised the price of petrol to ₦1,030 from ₦897/litre in Abuja and from ₦868/litre to ₦998/litre in Lagos. Other locations witnessed similar price hikes. Reacting to the development during an interview, the National Secretary of the NNPP, Dipo Olaoyoku, said the current administration has shown that it does not have what it takes to save Nigeria. He said, “As far as Nigeria is concerned, nothing shocks us anymore. This present government has no iota of solution to the problem of this country. When there is a crisis in the country, and you have a government that only looks for the easy way out, it means that Nigeria is on a long journey. “How can a president announce the removal of subsidy on his first day on the job without ascertaining the extent of the subsidy and the people receiving it? Within the same week, you announced the floating of the naira. At that time, Nigeria was solely dependent on imported fuel, with the prices being determined by the naira “This government is bereft of ideas. Unfortunately, if you look at the people he has appointed into offices, you cannot identify a competent one among them. I just pity Nigerians. After surviving the hurricane of Buhari, see what Nigeria has been reduced to. It is catastrophic. This government has no compassion for any Nigerian.” The NNPP scribe also decried that rather than recruit technocrats from different walks of life, the President surrounded himself with his political friends and associates. Olaoyoku suggested that unless Tinubu sought the help of experienced political administrators like Jonathan, the masses would continue to wallow under the yoke of hardship. “Again, they can beg Dr Goodluck Jonathan for help on how he was able to retain the rate of the naira to the dollar at ₦200 before the APC came on board. Let them go and beg him” he added.
WHY MORTUARY TAX WAS INTRODUCED – ENUGU GOVT
WHY MORTUARY TAX WAS INTRODUCED – ENUGU GOVT The Enugu State Government says the Enugu Mortuary Tax is not meant to generate revenue but to discourage people from taking their dead ones to mortuary. The Executive Chairman, Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), Mr Emmanuel Nnamani, said this while reacting to Mortuary Tax circular addressed to all the Mortuary Attendants in the state trending online. According to the circular, ESIRS in line with the provisions of section 34 of the Birth, Deaths and Burials Law Cap 15 Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004, hereby approves the implementation of Mortuary tax. “The sum of N40.00 only is to be paid by owners of a corpse once it was not buried within twenty four hours. The amount continues to count on daily basis. “Kindly ensure that owners of corpses make the payments before collection of corpses for burial and then remit same to the ESIRS in any commercial bank under mortuary tax in Enugu State IGR Account,” the circular said. Reacting to concerns raised, Nnamani explained that the tax was not new to the state, adding that it was within the Enugu State Mortuary Tax Law which had been in existence for years He also alleged that some social media users changed the date on the circular to make it look like a new thing, clarifying that the amount to pay was only N40, not N40,000. “It is an indirect tax paid by mortuary owners not deceased family and it is just N40, not N40,000. Since its introduction nobody has been denied burying their dead ones. “It means that if corpse stays in mortuary for 100 days, the mortuary is expected to pay to the state the sum of N4000. “The tax is not meant to generate revenue but to discourage people from taking their dead ones to mortuary all the time,” Nnamani stressed.
NIGERIA FACING WORSENING FOOD CRISIS LIKE YEMEN, ETHIOPIA – WORLD BANK REPORT
NIGERIA FACING WORSENING FOOD CRISIS LIKE YEMEN, ETHIOPIA – WORLD BANK REPORT The World Bank has stated that Nigeria is facing a worsening food security crisis, with over one million additional people experiencing severe food insecurity in 2024 compared to the previous year. This was contained in the World Bank’s Food Security Update Report released recently while highlighting that countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia and Yemen have seen a significant rise in the number of people facing acute food shortages. “Conversely, some countries saw improvements. Nations such as Afghanistan, Guatemala, and Kenya reported declines in food insecurity, with more than one million fewer people facing acute food crises, although these countries remained in significant food crisis situations. “On the other hand, 18 countries experienced worsening situations due to factors including intensified conflict and climate-related shocks, such as droughts. Notable examples include Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Yemen, each witnessing an increase of more than one million people facing high levels of food insecurity from the previous year,” the report read. Nigeria’s growing crisis is said to be a combination of climate-induced issues and socio-political instability in various regions, the report noted. “In Nigeria, an estimated 1.6 million hectares of land have been inundated, including 342,650 hectares of cropland, affecting 685,770 vulnerable individuals. In Mali, 344,000 people were affected and 1.6 million hectares of land flooded, including nearly 500,000 hectares of cultivated landland. “Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo have also faced flooding, and northern and northeastern Nigeria and Ghana are experiencing dry spells, with adverse effects on crop production and thus food insecurity. “In total, floods and droughts have affected approximately 3.5 million people, who require emergency support. It is estimated that $50m is needed to help 760,200 communities meet their basic food needs.” According to the report, domestic food price inflation in Nigeria remains among the highest globally, with food prices increasing by 37.5% year-on-year as of August 2024. This price surge has strained household incomes, making it increasingly difficult for low-income families to afford basic food items. Meanwhile, the World Bank called for urgent intervention to address the immediate food needs of affected populations while also focusing on long-term solutions to improve resilience against climate shocks.
FLASHBACK: HOW TINUBU CRITICISED JONATHAN OVER PETROL SUBSIDY REMOVAL
FLASHBACK: HOW TINUBU CRITICISED JONATHAN OVER PETROL SUBSIDY REMOVAL During his inaugural address at Eagle Square, Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu exclaimed “Subsidy is gone”, resulting in an instant increase in fuel price from N198 per litre to N540. According to the president, fuel subsidy had become a clog in the wheel of progress and needed to give way for the country to survive. Tinubu, who said subsidy was fueling corruption, vowed to pump the money saved from it into others aspects of the economy. “You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not every day is Christmas? The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. “A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have potential to encourage ourselves. I think we did the right thing,” Tinubu had told some monarchs who visited him at Aso Rock a month after subsidy removal. Interestingly, Tinubu, as the national leader of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), condemned the removal of petrol subsidy by the administration of Goodluck Jonathan in January 2012. He called it “Jonathan tax” and accused the then president of breaching his social contract with the people. In a piece titled, ‘Removal of oil subsidy: President Jonathan breaks social contract with the people’, he noted that with the subsidy removal, the people would become “enslaved to greater misery.” The piece read partly: “By taking this step, the government has tossed the people into the depths of the midnight sea. Government demands the people swim to safety under their own power, claiming the attendant hardship will build character and add efficiency to the national economy. “It is easy to make these claims when one is dry and on shore. Government would have us believe that every hardship it manufactures for the people to endure is a good thing. This is a lie. The hardships they thrust upon the poor often bear no other purpose than to keep them poor. This is such a time. “I am not calling President Jonathan an evil man. I do not believe he is perverse. However, the economic ideas controlling him are so misguided that they have a perverse impact. Because he is slave to wrong-headed economics, the people will become enslaved to greater misery. This crisis will bear his name and will be his legacy. “The people now pay a steep tax for voting him into office. The removal of the subsidy is the ‘Jonathan tax.’ This situation shows that ideas count more than personalities. People may occupy office but how that person performs depends on the ideas that occupy his mind.”
INSIDE STORY OF ONGOING CRISIS IN PDP
INSIDE STORY OF ONGOING CRISIS IN PDP The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s leading opposition party, is arguably going through its most challenging moments ever.It is currently enmeshed in very critical internal crisis which may determine whether it sinks or swims ahead of the 2027 general elections.The latest crisis has exposed how polarized the leadership of the party has become in recent time and this development has also exposed how forces outside the party’s national secretariat are controlling the party.The National Working Committee (NWC) suspected to be controlled by external forces on Friday showed it’s true colour when factions in the body clashed and issued retaliatory suspensions against each other.While the faction aligned with the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, suspended the Acting National Chairman, Amb Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, the faction aligned with the National Chairman, in a statement by the National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, suspended Ologunagba and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN.Ologunagba statement read: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu particularly with regard to the letter addressed by them to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/PH/307/2024 against the party’s position in the case involving the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who vacated their seats upon decamping from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).“The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.“Consequently, the NWC, pursuant to Sections 57, 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution, has suspended Amb. Illiya Damagum and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party respectively and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.“In the meantime, the two officials are suspended from all meetings, activities and programs of the NWC pending the conclusion of an investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.”The statement by Chinwe Nnorom, suspending Ologunagba and Ajibade read: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) arising from its 593rd Meeting today, Thurday, October 10, 2024, has directed the National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Hon Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser (NLA), Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, to step aside..“As a result, the NWC constituted a committee to be chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South) H.E. Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the issues raised against the officers in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Party.“Following the NWC’s Decision, it directed their respective deputies (DNPS and DNLA) to assume office in acting capacity with effect from Friday, October 11, 2014, pending the conclusion of investigation by the Committee. The officers are:“Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, Acting National Publicity Secretary and . Okechukwu Osuoha, Acting National Legal Adviser“The NWC enjoins all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great Party to remain focused and committed as it pilots the day-to-day affairs of the PDP for its greater good.”Before the crisis escalated to the level of suspension, some political analysts had noted that the forces undermining the nation’s biggest opposition party are internal but fueled by external forces, this is even as some party members pointed out that the architect of PDP crisis are members with selfish interests. BLAMING ATIKU’S DISAPPEARING ACTA key member of the party blamed the former Vice President and presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, for the crisis rocking the party.The key member also exonerated the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom…
HOUSE OF REPS PASSES BILL TO ESTABLISH BOLA AHMED TINUBU UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIAN LANGUAGES
HOUSE OF REPS PASSES BILL TO ESTABLISH BOLA AHMED TINUBU UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIAN LANGUAGES The House of Representatives has passed a bill to establish the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages. The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, and eight others, is aimed at establishing a university for the promotion of the learning of Nigerian languages. Section II part I of the bill, provides that the university when established shall, “Encourage the advancement of learning and to hold out to all persons without distinction of race, creed, sex or political conviction, the opportunity of acquiring a higher education in Nigerian languages and cultures.” It also aims to “Develop and offer academic and professional programmes leading to the award of diplomas, first degrees, postgraduate research and higher degrees with emphasis on planning, adaptive, developmental and productive skills in the field of Nigerian languages and cultures. This is aimed at, “Producing socially mature persons with capacity to communicate, understand and use Nigerian languages for national development.” The federal institution, when established would also “Act as agents and catalysts, through postgraduate training, research and innovation for the effective and economic utilization, exploitation and conservation of Nigeria’s natural, economic and human resources. “Establish appropriate relationships with other national institutions involved in training, research and development of Nigerian languages and cultures. “Provide and promote sound basic training as a foundation for the development of Nigerian languages as well promote and emphasise teaching and research activities around Nigerian languages, including outreach programmes, in-service training, continuing education, and adaptive research,” among others. The mandate of the university as spelt out in Section 1(2) includes “To teach and train high calibre Nigerian languages professionals. “Conduct research and participate in outreach and community services and facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and skills in different Nigerian languages.” The President who is the visitor to the university, in Section 14 (2), is required to “As often as the circumstances may require, not being less than once every five years, conduct a visitation of the university or direct that such a visitation be conducted by such person or persons as the visitor may deem fit and in respect of any of the affairs of the university.” Sub-section 3 provides that “It shall be the duty of the bodies and persons comprising the university to make available to the visitor and to any other person conducting a visitation in pursuance of this section, such facilities and assistance as he or they may reasonably require for the purposes of a visitation.” The Visitor (President) is also vested with the powers to remove from office council members apart from the pro-chancellor and the vice-chancellor of the university. Section 15 (1) reads, “If it appears to the council that a member of the council (other than the pro-chancellor or the vice-chancellor) should be removed from office on the ground of misconduct or inability to perform the functions of his office or employment, the council shall make a recommendation to that effect through the Minister to the President after making such enquiry, if any, as may be considered appropriate. “If the President approves the recommendation, he may direct the removal of the person in question from office.” The bill is expected to be listed for a second reading in the weeks ahead in preparation for a public hearing to garner stakeholders’ input.
RIVERS CRISIS: I DO NOT SEE THE POSSIBILITY OF APPEAL COURT JUDGEMENT BEING UPTURNED – SAN
RIVERS CRISIS: I DO NOT SEE THE POSSIBLITY OF APPEAL COURT DECISION BEING UPTURNED – SAN A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN Kunle Adegoke, has alleged that it is unlikely for the Supreme Court to overturn the appeal court’s decision, given the fundamental issues considered by the Appeal Court panel. He stated that the appellants’ role in the high court proceedings was taken into account, and that if the Governor Fubara faction had claimed not to have been served with the processes, the outcome might have been different. He further suggested that it would be prudent to acknowledge the court of appeal’s pronouncement. He stated that the parties involved should converge and accept the decision, allowing the House of Assembly to continue its operations while the court determines the validity of the decamped members’ membership. He said in an interview with Arise TV, ‘This issue is simply a matter of ego and political interest. The individuals involved are dictating everything that is happening, and that is why it would be better at this stage to let us take it that the court of appeal has pronounced. Why would it not be possible for parties to come together and say, ‘At this stage, let us follow the decision of the court of appeal’? Let us allow the House of Assembly, as it was initially composed, to continue its operations while the issue of whether those who have decamped are still valid members of the House of Assembly is determined by the court. I mean, this is yet to be determined by the court before which the matter is pending. But I do not see the possibility of the appeal court decision being upturned by the Supreme Court, especially considering the fundamental issues considered by the sound panel that delivered that decision. They took into consideration what role the appellants played at the level of the high court when the matter came up. Assuming the appellants could claim that they were not served with the processes that originated the case, it would have been a different thing.”