Dons EzeWHY I FLED NIGERIA DURING #ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTEST – SOWORE
WHY I FLED NIGERIA DURING #ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTEST – SOWORE Nigerian Human Rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has revealed why he was not physically present during the just concluded protests against economic hardship, bad governance and hunger. The former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate was one of the key organizers of the demonstrations, Dockaysworld reports. However many questioned why he was not in the country to lead the protests but was promoting the movement via social media. Speaking on Monday in an interview on Nigeria Info FM’s Morning Crossfire programme, the activist said he did not need to be physically present before making a difference. “Being part of a protests most times has nothing to do with physical presence. Since the protests started, I participated fully. I have been away from my family for five years. I had other obligations, that is why I was not on ground. I’m not saying those things are more important than the protests. “Effective teamwork is what matters. We have organizations running this. In the 2019 protests, I was also not physically present. Circumstances didn’t make it possible for me. But I participated fully even if I was in detention. “The nature of these demonstrations has changed to accommodate technological interventions. It has made it possible for people like me to be ten thousand miles away and impact greatly on demonstrations like this via social media. “When it’s convenient for me, I’ll be on ground again. I have done 200 protests in my life time. I was not physically present for all but I participated fully”, he stated. He also revealed that the protest will resume on October 1 if their demands are not fully addressed. Some of the demands include return of fuel subsidy, investments in education through students grants not loan, crash in food prices and scrapping of the 1999 constitution to be replaced with a people-driven constitution. Other demands are a minimum wage of N250,000 monthly, the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) and demilitarization of the Southeast.
DSS, IMMIGRATION PLACE EX-EL-RUFAI ADVISER ON WATCH-LIST OVER N11BN PROJECT SCANDAL
DSS, IMMIGRATION PLACE EX-EL-RUFAI ADVISER ON WATCH-LIST OVER N11BN PROJECT SCANDAL The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has summoned a former Special Adviser to Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Jimi Lawal, over an alleged phoney Light Rail Project valued at N11 billion. Lawal was invited for questioning but failed to appear, prompting the ICPC to request the Department of State Service (DSS) and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to place him on a watch-list at airports, seaports, and land borders. A copy of the letter to DSS and NIS reads: “The above mentioned person (Lawal Shakiru Olujimi Adebisi), who hails from Ogun State and speaks Yoruba and English fluently, is being investigated for the offence of criminal conspiracy. “Credible information at the commission’s disposal suggests that the suspect, who is under investigation, is most likely to flee the country to evade being prosecuted. “You are therefore, kindly requested to place him on the watch-list and arrest him if seen in any of the airports, seaports or land border and inform this commission accordingly.” The ICPC is investigating Lawal for alleged criminal conspiracy and loans obtained without due process. The commission discovered N144 million in his bank account from four private companies. Twenty top officials and a company’s Managing Director have also been invited for questioning over $350 million loans meant for school rehabilitation and infrastructure projects. The ICPC’s probe is part of an ongoing investigation into the administration of El-Rufai. Recall that the Kaduna House of Assembly’s ad-Hoc Committee in June alleged that N423 billion was siphoned from the state government’s coffers between 2015 and 2023, and $1.4 million was withdrawn from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account. El-Rufai has denied all allegations, claiming he was not given a fair hearing by the House of Assembly.
IMPLEMENTATION OF LG AUTONOMY PUT ON HOLD, FG, GOVERNORS REACH AGREEMENT
t The Federal Government and state governors have agreed to delay the implementation of financial autonomy for Local Governments until October. This decision was made due to concerns about salary payments and the overall functioning of these local councils. However, as of July 2024, Local Governments were still not receiving their funds directly. At a meeting of the Federation Allocation Account Committee (FAAC), where funds were distributed to all levels of government, the Local Governments’ share of N337.019 billion was not paid into their accounts as directed by the Supreme Court. In reaction, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) expressed frustration over the delay. They accused state finance commissioners of working with governors to block the direct payment of funds to Local Governments. The body also threatened legal action against these commissioners if they failed to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling. On July 25, the Federal Government eventually confirmed that the direct payment of funds to Local Governments had not yet started. The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, explained that there were still “practical impediments” to implementing the Supreme Court’s order. He mentioned that a committee had been formed to study the ruling and find a way to put it into practice The implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment on Local Government autonomy is being hindered by logistical obstacles, The Punch reports. Specifically, the Federal Government is said to be encountering difficulties in enforcing the ruling due to concerns about its potential effects on salary disbursements and the operational sustainability of Local Governments. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State had earlier voiced concerns about the judgment and urged for a homegrown approach to safeguard the welfare of the people. “The law is the law and when there is a conflict, yes, we should go to the court. But it behoves us to look for our own homegrown solutions that can ensure that we have transparency and that our people do not suffer. This is because when two elephants are fighting, it is the grass that will suffer,” Makinde said. According to multiple sources close to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Federal Government, the Federal Government is currently facing a dilemma over how to move forward with enforcing the court ruling granting financial autonomy to Local Government Areas. “From what I know from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Federal Government and the states are looking for a political solution to manage the fallout of the Supreme Court judgment. “The first step is the three-month moratorium on the judgment. For the next three months, the LG allocation will still be paid into the joint account with the respective states, while a permanent solution that will serve the objectives of financial autonomy as envisaged by the Supreme Court judgment is worked out,” one of the sources said. He added, “The governors are happy that the judgment came eventually, as it would relieve them of the burden of having to augment monthly FAAC allocation of the LGs to be able to pay local government staff, primary school teachers, and primary health workers, among others. “However, they are apprehensive that we may go back to the early 1990 era when primary school teachers and other local government members of staff were owed salaries for an average of 12 to 24 months.” The source added, “The issue of financial autonomy per the Supreme Court judgment is not as rosy as it looks. Only a few local governments in Lagos, Rivers, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory can comfortably cover their expenses using only monthly FAAC allocations and their IGR. “For other states, governors augment their allocation with state funds to be able to pay salaries. That is why the salary of primary school teachers…
EDO GOVT FUMES AFTER SHAIBU RESUMES AS DEPUTY GOVERNOR
EDO GOVT FUMES AFTER SHAIBU RESUMES AS DEPUTY GOVERNOR The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has resumed duty after the Federal High Court judgement which nullified his impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly. Shaibu in a video posted on his X handle on Monday also directed his staff yet to resume work since his reinstatement to do so or face the consequences. He also warned banks carrying out transactions with the Office of the Deputy Governor without his consent, describing such transactions as illegal. Shaibu said his resumption was in adherence to the constitution. “In adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, I announce my official resumption to office,” he added in the video. He said the judgement of the Federal High Court which reinstated him indicated that his office had never been vacant. Shortly after the broadcast, Governor Godwin Obaseki, said Shaibu was impersonating Deputy Governor and should be disregarded. “It has come to the attention of the Edo State Government that the former Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has been carrying out correspondence with different institutions and organisations both within and outside the State in a clear case of impersonation,” he said. The state government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said, “in the interest of the safety of these organizations, we want to restate that Shaibu is not the Deputy Governor of Edo State and every correspondence from him in that regard should be disregarded and considered a forgery.” He said the issue of his purported reinstatement is still active in court and the next hearing for the two separate motions filed by the state government and the Edo House of Assembly challenging his purported reinstatement by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court is fixed for September 24 , 2024. He said the status quo is that Omobayo Marvelous Godwins remains the deputy governor of Edo State and any correspondence carried out by any other person, including Philip Shaibu is an act of impersonation. “Security agencies are, by this notice, alerted to the potential breach of peace and are urged to hold Philip Shaibu responsible for any security breach in the State arising from his ignoble actions,” he added. Responding to the governor through his media office, Shaibu noted that the issue of the purported impeachment had since been laid to rest by the court. He said the court declared that the Office of the Deputy Governor was never vacant, as the actions of the State House of Assembly and state government were illegal, null, and void. “To be clear, the court judgment that reinstated Comrade Shaibu as Deputy Governor was declarative and must be abided by (obey before complain). The judgment perpetually restrained the state government and its agents from preventing His Excellency from performing his duties as the only Deputy Governor of the state. “As it stands, Mr. Marvellous Omobayo Godwins is the impersonator here and liable to contempt of the court order. Besides, the judgement had barred even the governor from interfering with his duties as Deputy Governor,” he said. He however advised Nehikhare and agents of the state government to wait for “their purported request” for a stay of execution to be heard by the court on September 24, 2024.
NO TO PALLIATIVE GOVERNANCE – VANGUARD EDITORIAL
NO TO PALLIATIVE GOVERNANCE – VANGUARD EDITORIAL There is a Chinese proverb which is very popular among contemporary economists and leaders: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for life”. The path a government chooses in its economic policy making and implementation tells much about its intentions towards the people. Good governance creates economic policies that increase opportunities for self-fulfillment among the generality of the populace through bailouts, subsidies and critical financing for productive activities. When the government of General Sani Abacha increased the price of petrol in October 1995, he created the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, and appointed retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari as its Executive Chairman. The Fund was charged with the responsibility of using the difference between the old and new pump prices of fuel to rebuild the nation’s broken infrastructure. It did not exactly teach Nigerians how to fish, but it offered them genuine socio-economic cushions. PTF effectively intervened in reconstructing federal roads, re-equipping public hospitals and rebuilding schools. It was so effective that some called it an “alternative” government. PTF was only criticised for being partial to the North, and the large-scale corruption that was later unearthed. Ironically, it was when Buhari came back in 2015 as president of Nigeria that government palliatives were bastardised and reduced to outlets for corruption. They introduced what they called “School Feeding”, “Trader Money” and “Conditional Cash Transfers” even while battling economic recessions. They ignored all calls to put the money into the productive sectors of the economy. His successor, President Bola Tinubu, has continued in the same direction, offering palliatives that go to a few privileged and connected people after taking away petrol subsidy, electricity subsidy and floating the Naira. The promised Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, mass transit buses are nowhere to be found. The grains allegedly released from the national reserves have made no impact, while many are yet to see the trucks of rice sent through the State Governments for people to buy at N40,000 per bag. We reiterate, for the umpteenth time, that palliatives are only to be applied as short-term emergency measures as we did during the COVID-19 lock-downs. People needed to be given fish because they were forcefully locked down to tackle the pandemic emergency. Economic reform measures like petrol subsidy removal and Naira floating require government heavy reinvestment in the productive sectors to boost production. Our economic reforms must be aimed at boosting productivity and self-reliance. They must target employment and wealth creation. Sending rice to the people 15 months after ending petrol subsidy amounts to giving them fish. We do not need government feeding bottle. Sharing of rice, cash and other corruption-laden inducements is weaponisation of hunger and hardship. Nigerians are being reduced to mendicants. It is unacceptable!
NOTHING TO SHOW TINUBU IS READY FOR GOVERNANCE – ATIKU
NOTHING TO SHOW TINUBU IS READY TO FOR GOVERNANCE – ATIKU Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said if by now, the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration hasn’t realised the enormity of the sufferings of Nigerians it means it wasn’t ready for governance from the start. Atiku who spoke through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe , explained that it was disappointing that the administration had to wait for Nigerians to take to the streets to draw its attention to what has become the desperate times we’ve been forced to live in. He said, “There were certainly challenges before now, that’s why you were given the mandate. We know so many things were done wrong under Buhari. “The economy went into recession twice under the last APC administration because it knows nothing about economics, nopotism , corruption were at a high. “Whatever Buhari did wrong we are seeing a higher dimension under Tinubu. What we are worness today is Buhari pro-max. Divisions under Buhari have become craters under this government. “How can the cost of basic food items come down when farmers can still no go back to their farms due to insecurity? “Look at all the drama over the Dangote Refinery, this is one refinery that the last administration inspite of its failings invested $20bn tax payers money in. We had thought by now our domestic needs will be met and exports will generate the much needed foreign exchange for our development but here we are asking questions. “What is going on? Did this administration enter into any partnership with foreign interests to ruin this investment? “Sadly, there is nothing in the horizon to show that this government is ready to solve our nation’s problems. “
EXPLOSION ROCKS ACTION PEOPLE’S PARTY HQ IN RIVERS STATE AMID FUBARA’S RUMOURED DEFECTION
EXPLOSION ROCKS ACTION PEOPLE’S PARTY HQ IN RIVERS STATE AMID FUBARA’S RUMOURED DEFECTION A dynamite explosion has rocked the secretariat of the Action People’s Party (APP) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The incident occurred on Monday morning around 1 am and has reportedly caused damage to the building and its contents. According to eyewitnesses, unknown assailants hurled dynamite-like substances into the building, shattering windows and doors, as well as destroying party property. The explosion comes amid rumours that Governor Siminalayi Fubara plans to defect to the APP with his supporters, following allegations that his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has taken control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. A party official, who wished to remain anonymous, described the attack as politically motivated. “Yes, I’m a member of the APP. I was informed of the attack at about 3 am today. This is politically motivated, and there’s no doubt about it. They know that the APP is a fast-growing political party in the state. We call on the police to investigate this and arrest the culprits.” The police command in the state said it is currently unaware of the incident.
YOUR ALLEGATIONS BASELESS, WE DIDN’T FIX OUR SALARIES, ALLOWANCES – SENATE TELLS OBASANJO
YOUR ALLEGATION IS BASELESS; WE DIDN’T FIX OUR SALARIES, ALLOWANCES – SENATE TELLS OBASANJO The Nigerian Senate has strongly refuted recent allegations suggesting that it determines its own salaries or receives special financial packages from the Presidency. The claims, which emerged during a visit by members of the House of Representatives to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, have ignited public concern. In a statement issued by Senate Spokesman Yemi Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South, the Senate labeled the allegations as an attempt to “crucify the legislature by the centurions of political hypocrisy.” Senator Adaramodu clarified that no Senator has received any financial patronage from the Presidency. He explained that the constituency projects often associated with the legislature were suggested and nominated by Senators, consistent with practices in other democratic nations. The chamber challenged anyone with credible evidence to present alternative facts, dismissing suggestions that the National Assembly fixes its own salaries as “uncharitable and satanic.” Furthermore, the Senate clarified that the Executive arm of government, through its various Ministries and agencies, is responsible for awarding contracts for constituency projects. Adaramodu reassured the public of the 10th Assembly’s commitment to being a “responsible and responsive chamber.” The Senate reaffirmed its dedication to upholding Nigeria’s economic and developmental goals, insisting that it adheres to constitutional allocations and does not seek additional perks from other branches of government.
SOUTH EAST APC REPORTS JUDGE TO NJC
SOUTH EAST APC REPORTS JUDGE TO NJC The All Progressives Congress (APC), South East zone, at the weekend, said that it had reported Justice C. V. C Ezeugwu of Enugu State High Court to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for issuing an exparte order barring its Enugu State Chairman, Ugochukwu Agballah, and 10 others from parading themselves as officers of the party. In a statement, the National Vice Chairman of the party (South East region), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, noted that the party cited “an exparte order made on August 7, 2024, in Suit NO. E/ 548M / 2024: Nwafor Alphonsus Onyeachonam & 4 ORS. VS. Ugochukwu Agballah & 10 ORS, being circulated in the social media.” The Zonal Vice Chairman stated that APC, as a political party in Nigeria, was not a party to the said suit and was not in any way joined in the suit, adding that no such interim exparte order had been served on the party. He also observed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also not joined in the suit contrary to the Electoral Act 2022. “APC hereby informs unauthorised persons to desist from tampering, interfering or accessing or meddling with the properties, offices, and assets of the party,” APC warned. Arodiogbu declared that the Constitution of the APC prohibits officials or members of the party from instituting court cases against the party without exhausting internal dispute resolution mechanisms. “Some of the parties and official positions stated in the media-advertised interim order are completely unknown to the party and its Constitution as amended. “And that is why the party insists that an opposition political party in Enugu State is involved in the media-orchestrated crisis in our party. He added that the party has also petitioned the NJC against Justice CVC Ezeugwu for giving an exparte order to persons and offices unknown to the APC in a matter where the APC is not a legal party without putting the party on notice as required by the rules of court, and as directed by the NJC.
ANXIETY OVER ORONSAYE REPORT; ENDLESS WAIT FOR GOVT TO DELIVER PROMISE
Six months after the Federal Executive Council under President Bola Tinubu resolved to implement the report of the Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government parastatals, commissions and agencies popularly known as the Oronsaye Committee Report, Nigerians are still waiting for the government to deliver what it promised. Abandoned by previous administrations, the 800-page report contains a list of over 500 federal agencies that are to be restructured. The committee was set up in 2012 by President Goodluck Jonathan as part of the public service reform agenda of his administration, to streamline service delivery, reduce the cost of governance and improve efficiency. The committee report was hailed by Nigerians as a positive step to return the country on the pathway of efficiency and effective resource management. Two inter-ministerial committees were established previously by the Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari administrations on implementation modalities, without any result. President Jonathan failed to act on the 2012 White Paper submitted by the inter-ministerial committee, obviously due to political expediency, ahead of the 2015 election. The Buhari administration also failed to implement the report after spending eight years in office, despite setting up an inter-ministerial committee to review the report. There are concerns that the Tinubu administration may be acting slowly on implementation of the report due to political exigencies, even as the country continues to bleed, with many agencies being funded while virtually performing same or similar tasks. Bold attempt to public service reforms The renewed interest by President Bola Tinubu administration on February 25, 2024, via the resolution of the Federal Executive Council, rekindled hope of the citizens that perhaps the report would come to fruition. The 12 years of indecision has had its impact on the country given the lost opportunities from implementing the report. Citizens are disillusioned that nothing is being done to reduce the cost of governance, despite assurances. Briefing State House Correspondents, after the FEC meeting, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on February 27th disclosed the resolution of FEC to set-up a ten-member inter-ministerial committee headed by George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to work out implementation modalities for the Oronsaye Report. The committee had a 12-week deadline to ensure that the necessary legislative amendments and administrative restructuring needed to implement the reforms were effected in an efficient manner. The deadline elapsed in the fourth week of May. Akume’s committee members Apart from Akume, other key members of the committee include, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Folashade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Dasuki Arabi, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reform. Others are Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju, Senior Special Assistant to the President on the National Assembly (House of Representatives), Hakeem Muri Okunola, Principal Secretary to the President, and Richard P. Pheelangwah, the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office. Nigerians are concerned about the delay in the implementation given the clamour for pragmatic approach to governance and public service delivery in the face of scarce resources, frugality and aligning of development objectives by the government. Analysts have wondered why the Oronsaye Report has remained jinxed for over a decade, beginning from the initiator, President Jonathan who shied away from implementing his signature reform programme. Bottlenecks to reforms It’s almost six months since the committee was handed the assignment but it’s been all quiet from the office of the SGF. A source in the know simply told Saturday Sun, that “all I know is that…