Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Gagbemi, has said a major bottleneck in the functioning of the local government in the country is the State Electoral Commission (SECs), which he suggested should be scrapped if the LGAs will function properly.
SECs are responsible for the conduct of elections at the state level as well as the local government level.
Fagbemi who has begun a push to free the LGAs from the control of governors with an institution of a suit at the Supreme Court on behalf of the federal government argued that governors have abused their control of the third tier of government.
Speaking on Monday at a one-day ‘Discourse on National Nigeria’s Security Challenges and Good Governance At the Local Government Levels’, Fagbemi said governors have latched on to the inadequacies and lacunas in some sections of the 1999 Constitution to undermine and render local governments redundant.
He accused governors of exploiting the weaknesses of Section 7(1); Section 83(3); Section 7(5) and others to impose their will on the local governments in the country.
He noted that these inadequacies have allowed the governors to abuse the rights of local governments and in turn, deprive people at the grassroots to feel their presence.
He pointed out that the most prominent abuse of local government was the use of state electoral commissions to impose leaders at the local government levels through sham elections while most Governors only appoint caretaker leadership in their local governments.
Specifically, the Attorney General identified the abuse of State/ local governments’ joint accounts by state governors as imposing a fiscal emasculation thus rendering the local governments poor as the governors hold on to their federal allocations.
Consequently, he called for the scrapping of State Electoral Commissions to allow democracy to take its roots in the local governments.
He urged the organisers of the event, the House of Representatives, to engineer a robust constitutional amendment that will remove all encumbrances hindering the development of local governments and their ability to fulfil their constitutionally recognized functions.
“To achieve this, many experts have proposed that there is a need for the scrapping of the state independent electoral commission.
“Their functions and powers should be transferred to the independent national electoral commission because the state independent electoral commission remains an appendage to every incumbent governor.
“This is perceived as the root cause of the problem of local government administration in Nigeria,” Fagbemi said.
Terrorism: Court fixes date for trial of Miyetti Allah leader - dismisses application for bail
AFOLABI
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 29 to begin the trial of detained leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo,
The court fixed the date after dismissing the application for bail of the accused person.
At the last adjourned date, the bail application was fixed for ruling and commencement of trial of Bodejo but his absence in court stalled the trial from going ahead.
Shortly after the court fixed the date for trial, his counsel, Dr Ahmed Raji, SAN, expressed the readiness of his client to stand trial.
Kano Emirate Crisis: Deputy governor apologises to Ribadu, withdraws allegation
Raji said since the court has ordered expeditious hearing in the matter, there would be no need to appeal the ruling on his bail for now.
The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore leader was arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for allegedly establishing an ethnic militia group unlawfully.
The group, Kungiya Zaman Lafiya, the DIA alleged, was established to promote terrorism.
Bodejo has been in the custody of the Agency in Abuja from where he was arraigned in March on a three-count charge filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) with accusation of violating the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Miyetti Allah’s leader denied all the charges.
Before the court ruled on hos bail application, Dr Raji had pleaded with Justice Ekwo to admit his client to bail on various grounds ranging from ill-health to the enforcement of his fundamental rights.
The counsel also asked the court for “an order admitting the defendant to bail on liberal terms pending the hearing and determination of the charges preferred against him.”
The senior lawyer predicated the bail request on the ground that Bodejo “suffers from grave ill-health and that the offences are bailable.”
Citing Section 36 of the Nigerian constitution, Raji said his client is presumed innocent until proven guilty, adding that the charge against Bodejo did not disclose any crime against him.
Contrary to government assertions, Raji informed the court that launching of the group by his client was done in a public place with Police Commissioner and personnel of other security agencies as well as Nasarawa State government officials in attendance.
In an affidavit deposed to by one of his brothers, Mohammed Musa in support of the bail bid, he said the Miyetti Allah leader who was arrested by DIA personnel on 23 January has “been denied access to his lawyers, family members, friends and well wishers.”
Musa described Bodejo as a “patriotic Nigerian citizen who goes about his business within the ambit of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The deponent further said that Bodejo “neither established nor has any involvement with the ethnic militia group as alleged in the charge against him.”
He explained further that the essence of establishing the vigilante company was to provide security services to the members of the society and not to commit any act of terrorism as alleged.
However, the Federal Government, through its lawyer, Y.A Imana urged the court to reject Bodejo’s bail application on the ground that charges against the defendant borders on threat to national security.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled against a suit from the impeached former Edo Deputy Governor, Phillips Shaibu, who attempted to overturn the February 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Edo State, won by Asue Ighodalo.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that Shaibu lacked the locus standi to challenge the outcome of the primary, as he did not fully participate in it and was not present at the venue on the day it was held.
According to the Nation, Justice Omotosho stated that Shaibu’s case was deemed premature since he bypassed the party’s internal dispute resolution procedures before filing the lawsuit.
The judge emphasized that, as a PDP member, Shaibu was obligated to adhere to the party’s rules and regulations, which mandate that any disgruntled aspirant from a primary must first seek recourse through the party’s Appeal Committee before resorting to litigation.
The judge determined that there was ample evidence indicating that Ighodalo emerged as the rightful winner of the primary election.
Naija News recalls that the impeached deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, had expressed plans to reunite with the former Governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole.
Shaibu made this known in an interview with PUNCH, stating that he is not ready to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government has halted the Nigeria Airline project indefinitely.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, announced this development on Monday during the Ministerial briefing commemorating the first year of the Tinubu administration.
Keyamo emphasized that the airline was not truly Nigerian, but rather an effort to pass off a foreign airline as a national carrier.
How Buhari’s Minister, Sirika Was Arrested Over ₦8 Billion Nigeria Air Fraud
Last month, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over its ongoing probe into the botched Nigeria Air project.
Naija News understands that the former minister is being investigated for allegedly awarding fraudulent contracts to a company owned by his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika.
The contracts, worth over N8 billion, were awarded to Engirios Nigeria Limited for various aviation projects, including the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport and the procurement of aircraft and simulators for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology.
According to sources, Sirika was also being grilled over alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds to the tune of N80.06bn, and contract inflation when he held sway at the aviation ministry.
One of the sources told Daily Trust that the former minister was picked up at his Abuja residence by operatives of the anti-graft agency and interrogated at the Federal Capital Territory Command at about 12:55 pm on Tuesday.
The EFCC official source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said the EFCC operatives quietly went to Sirika’s residence when they were least expected.
“He was picked up at his Abuja residence by our operatives,” he said.
Another source said the minister was taken into custody and is meeting with EFCC investigators to explain how some funds were expended in his ministry during his time in office.
“Yes, he has been taken into custody and is meeting with our detectives to explain how some funds to the tune of N8, 069,176,864.00 were expended in his ministry when he was the minister.
“All necessary checks have been done before the invitation and he will be asked to explain the role he played in the (alleged) infractions.
“It is an ongoing thing, we will not relent,” the source said.
The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, located in Abuja, on Monday affirmed the election results that led to Governor Douye Diri’s victory.
Heading a three-man panel, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, rejected the petition brought forth by Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the party, deeming it lacking in merit.
The tribunal unanimously ruled that the petitioners did not provide substantial evidence to support their claims against Diri’s re-election win.
In April 2024, the Abuja Federal High Court threw out a case aiming to disqualify Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
The presiding court judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, ruled that the case lacked substance, as the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the allegations of certificate forgery against Ewhrudjakpo.
Nwite also ordered the plaintiff to pay a fine of ₦500,000 to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the 3rd defendant in the case.
It could be recalled that a new lawsuit was initiated by a Bayelsa resident named Mrs Blessing Clement Azibanagbal, just nine days before the November 11, 2023, Bayelsa governorship election. The case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1448/23, was filed by Mrs Azibanagbal’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Nsowu.
In the affidavit supporting the originating summons, Yenle Istifanus, a litigation secretary at Compendium Chambers, stated that she had factual knowledge that Azibanagbal, a Nigerian citizen from Bayelsa, had the legal right (locus standi) to initiate the legal action.
The originating summons was officially dated October 26, 2023, and filed on October 30, 2023.
Founder and Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Sam Adeyemi, has disclosed why he has relocated to the United States.
He mentioned this during a virtual interview with Seun Okinbaloye on the ‘Mic On’ podcast, during which they discussed Leadership Beyond Governance, Politics, and the Role of the younger generation in Nigeria.
The one-hour, thirty-minute, and forty-seven-second video was streamed on the Mic On YouTube channel on Sunday.
The gospel preacher and motivational speaker, who hails from Kogi State but was born in Niger State, disclosed that COVID-19, the EndSARS protests, and significantly troubling dreams about Nigeria, spurred the decision to relocate.
Adeyemi said, “When COVID-19 started, all our children were in the US, so everyone stayed with their families. We stayed with our children. The week services resumed was when EndSARS started, so we were preparing to return to Nigeria.
“When the EndSARS protests ended in violence, we stayed back a bit. When we were ready to return to Nigeria, a different experience altogether happened.
“My wife had a dream in which she travelled to Nigeria and returned to the US, which was a bad dream. I told her I wouldn’t say I liked this dream.
“Three days later, I had a dream. We both travelled to Nigeria in my dream, and I was in a big fight. I was being attacked violently, and I had to ask the Holy Spirit in my heart what to do.
“He said I should call the name of Jesus Christ. I shouted ‘in the name of Jesus Christ’ in the dream and didn’t realise I shouted out loud in real life.
“My wife woke me up at 2:00 a.m. by hitting me and asking what was going on. We decided to take it seriously, especially considering a dream we had three days earlier.
“We prayed fervently, sensing danger. Three hours later, I fell back asleep and had another dream. We were in Nigeria this time, and I was in a fight.”
The President of Success Power International, an NGO focused on leadership and motivational seminars, shared that repeated bad dreams and family concerns deterred him and his wife from returning to Nigeria.
Despite planning trips back, he experienced unsettling dreams, prompting him to consult family members who also felt uneasy about their return.
Deciding to pray and seek guidance, he informed the top leaders of Daystar Christian Centre via Zoom, who supported his decision to stay in the US.
After six months in the US, he realized the church was thriving due to its strong systems and training investments. His extended stay, initially planned to be brief, lasted almost three years until he felt the Holy Spirit’s guidance to return.
This period allowed him to shift his focus from pastoring a local church to embracing a global mission, using technology to maintain Daystar’s operations.
Daystar Christian Centre, based in Lagos State, was inaugurated on November 18, 1995, and now has branches across various states in Nigeria
Oworonshoki-Apapa Expressway: Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Umahi hail Dangote, HiTech for ‘excellent’ job’
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We’re privileged to partner with FG - Dangote
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, among others hailed President of the Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and HiTech Construction for their roles in the completion of the Oworonshoki-Apapa Expreswway.
President Tinubu, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, enthused that the 37 kilometres road, which commenced in 2018 by the former administration and completed in 2024, is a win for all Nigerians.
He explained that the importance of Lagos State to Nigeria makes it very vital and as such must work for the benefit of all.
“Lagos is home to all, I thank Mr Dangote for coming up with this initiative and in partnership with HiTech have delivered the Tenth Wonder of The World…Lagos is not the only state experiencing growth and development under the renewed hope agenda. I also congratulate the Minister of Works David Umahi for his passionate commitment to structural development across Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking on the “extremely poor” condition of the road before December 2018, Mr Dangote stressed that the road “severely hampered the evacuation of goods and restricted access to the markets, paralyzing the shipping and manufacturing industries and disrupting supply chains across the entire economic landscape.
“Before the completion of this road, it used to take two weeks before we get to the port and in about 18 months, we lost over N60bn in demurrage.
“The successful completion of this project is an example of the positive impact that can be achieved when the public sector collaborate with private sector.
“Utilising the visionary framework of Executive Order 007 in Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, the Dangote Group has been able to mobilise capital for complete refurbishment of the entire 37 kilometres length of Apapa-Isolo-Oworonshoki road and its expansion to 10 lanes.”
Dangote added that the Group was privileged to partner with the Federal Government in the transformative efforts, reaffirming its commitment to national development and prosperity.
He also stated that it is imperative that the scheme should be revisited to make it more viable for the private sector participants.
“In this case, we have so far recovered only 40 per cent of our investments and the balance is not due until 2027, we consider this project merely as Corporate Social Responsibility.
“We believe that a more commercial interest rate recovery should be allowed in view of the high cost of capital in the Nigerian fiscal environment,” he said.
In his remarks, Engr Umahi also commended the Dangote Group for delivering a well-executed project, adding that the quality of the Dangote Cement is a testament to the value seen on the road.
“I was once trapped for 8 hours on my way to the airport and so, I understand how terrible the road was. We are celebrating this project today because it was well done and a display of new technology. It is fully completed with solar-powered streetlights.
“In the same vein, the Third Mainland Bridge wasn’t just another rehabilitation work, a road that has been standing for about 40 years… in an effort to ensure that our bridges last longer, I’m happy to announce that Mr President has approved the ban on excavation of sands 10 kilometres from bridges across Nigeria.”
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat revealed that about 20 companies had relocated from the Apapa axis of the state owing to the condition of the road, “the state of the road is unimaginable. We are grateful to Aliko Dangote, HiTech for the excellent job they did. It used to take over seven hours to drive from one end of the road to the other, it now takes around an hour,” he said.
L--R, President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie, Senate president sen.
GodsWill Akpabio, Represent the President, Minister of Works Sen. David Nweze Umahi, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Represented the State Governor, at the Official Commissioning of Dangote Industries Ltd, Reconstructed Apapa -OWoronshoki - Ojota Expressway Lagos on Sunday 26th May, 2024.
L--R, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq,Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie, Minister of Works Sen. David Nweze Umahi, Senate President Sen. GodsWill Akpabio, Represent the President, President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, Imo State Governor, Hope Odidika Uzodinma,at the Official Commissioning of Dangote Industries Ltd, Reconstructed Apapa -OWoronshoki - Ojota Expressway Lagos on Sunday 26th May, 2024
L--R, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie, Minister of Works Sen. David Nweze Umahi,Senate president sen. GodsWill Akpabio, Represent the President, President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, Imo State Governor, Hope Odidika Uzodinma,at the Official Commissioning of Dangote Industries Ltd, Reconstructed Apapa -OWoronshoki - Ojota Expressway Lagos on Sunday 26th May, 2024
L--R,Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie, Minister of Works Sen. David Nweze Umahi,Senate president sen.GodsWill Akpabio, Represent the President, President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, Imo State Governor, Hope Odidika Uzodinma,at the Official Commissioning of Dangote Industries Ltd, Reconstructed Apapa -OWoronshoki - Ojota Expressway Lagos on Sunday 26th May, 2024
L--R, Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie, Minister of Works Sen. David Nweze Umahi,Senate president sen. GodsWill Akpabio, Represent the President, President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, Imo State Governor, Hope Adidaka Uzodinma, National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, At the Official Commissioning of Dangote Industries Ltd, Reconstructed Apapa -OWoronshoki - Ojota Expressway Lagos on Sunday 26th May, 2024
L--R, Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie, Minister of Works Sen. David Nweze Umahi,Senate president sen. GodsWill Akpabio, Represent the President, President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, Imo State Governor, Hope Adidaka Uzodinma,, At the Official Commissioning of Dangote Industries Ltd, Reconstructed Apapa -OWoronshoki - Ojota Expressway Lagos on Sunday 26th May, 2024
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in last year’s general elections, Peter Obi, last week paid a surprise visit to the headquarters of the party in Abuja on Tuesday.
However, the visit earlier perceived to be an endorsement of the national chairman, Julius Abure, outlived its glamour quite shortly, as suspension hammer descended on the embattled national chairman over the weekend.
Reports emerged on Saturday that Abure was suspended from the party in Ward 3 in Arue-Uromi, in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State for alleged high-handedness and anti-party activities.
A letter of suspension dated May 14, 2024, and another letter of ratification dated May 15, 2024, both of which were ratified at a meeting of the state executive committee on Friday night in Benin, stated that the suspension is with immediate effect.
It advised Abure to stop holding out or parading himself as a member of the party.
The letter of suspension was signed by the Ward Chairman, Thompson Ehiguese, and Ward Secretary, Stanley Usiomoh.
DAILY POST reports that the embattled national chairman of the party has been caught in the web of several allegations ranging from financial misappropriation to anti-party activities. However, he has continued to deny any wrongdoing.
Obi had addressed his supporters on X space in March after the party’s controversial national convention.
He said he missed the convention because the party leadership, led by Abure, failed to consult widely with important party stakeholders before holding the convention.
The former Anambra State governor also said he was more committed to creating a new Nigeria than a new Labour Party.
But in what seemed like a change of heart, Obi visited the LP office, urging aggrieved party members to put the survival of Nigerians and Nigeria first above all other interests.
He said he was at the national secretariat for a visit to the chairman and that he would continue to work to bring all warring parties over the crisis in the party to become united.
“For now let us talk about how we are going to survive till then because we politicians always focus on the next election and not about human beings.
“Let us focus on Nigeria, and see that Nigeria works, if Nigeria is working, the Labour Party will work,” Obi said.
As expected, Abure seized the opportunity and swiftly urged varying groups of dissent voices over the controversial Nnewi convention to come together.
Abure said they should set their personal interests aside and work for a party that would make a good show in the next election season.
“I want to say this very clearly, the convention has come and gone, all those who are still angry with us over the Nnewi convention, we want to appeal to them and that they should all come together to work with us to build the party for a new Nigeria that has a vision.
“I believe very strongly that personal interest should be put aside and pursue a new Nigeria that will work for all,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that the visit stirred further trouble for Abure, leading to his suspension from the party.
The Edo State chairman of the party, Hon Kelly Ogbaloi, in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, said there were heavy allegations against Abure.
He stated that the party’s EXCO in Ward 3 in Arue-Uromi and the Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State presented a document containing various allegations leveled against the embattled national chairman to the state executive committee, leading to the endorsement of his suspension.
He said, “the Ward and Local Government EXCOs submitted some documents carrying various degrees of allegations of wrong doings.
“The state council looked at the matter and considered that there was sufficient weight in the allegation and that was why we endorsed the suspension.
“When there are such allegations, what we do is to put such a person in suspension in order to allow for a thorough investigation and that is what we did.
“He (Abure) was suspended in personal capacity not as National Chairman but just as a party member.
“We are setting up a committee to look into the allegations so that if at the end of the day, the National Chairman is not found guilty, the suspension can be vacated and he will return as a member of the party”.
Asked to explain the anti-party activities Abure was accused of, Ogbaloi said, “anti-party here doesn’t mean he has a strong affair with the opposition.
“If there is anything that is likely to bring the party into dispute, or attitudes that do not follow the objective of the party, we can term it as anti-party”.
On how the current leadership crisis in the Labour Party may affect the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state, he said, “Although we are not clearly separated from challenges as you can see, we are doing our best. We are not losing focus due to the challenges we have at hand.
“We are keeping our parts right and making sure that all the required strategies that can lead us to winning this election are doubled up.
“I can assure Nigerians, especially party supporters, that we are not losing sleep in spite of the hard times we are currently facing.
“We will get there and compete appropriately like any other political party, we are going there to win the election and nothing else.”
Allegations of embezzlement
It could be recalled that Obi in February 2024 called for a thorough and forensic investigation into an embezzlement allegation against the embattled chairman.
The call by the former Anambra Governor was in response to allegations earlier made by Oluchi Oparah, the national treasurer of the party, accusing Abure of allegedly misappropriating N3.5 billion.
Oparah also alleged that the Abure-led National Working Committee, NWC, was working hand-in-hand with the Edo State Government and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of the September 2024 governorship polls.
Abure’s face-off with NLC
The Abure-led NWC of the party was recently under attack by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, over allegations of maladministration and fraud.
NLC and some stakeholders of the party accused Abure of running the party as a “sole administrator”, leading to the picketing of the party’s national secretariat.
The Deputy President of the NLC Political Commission, Dr Theophilus Ndubuaku, who spoke when the workers occupied the Labour Party headquarters in Abuja, said the decision to picket the party’s national secretariat was taken to express workers’ grievances against Abure’s style of leadership.
He said, “now, it is in the hands of this usurper, he is looking for N30 million, N40 million, and so on to buy forms, excluding the people who founded the party. Enough is enough, Abure must go,” said the acting General Secretary of NLC, Comrade Bello Ismail on the cost of governorship interest and nomination forms.
Similarly, in a letter issued by Comrades TItus Amba and Chris Uyot, the chairman and the secretary of NLC Political Commission, respectively, the union also knocked Abure for not being committed to the ideology of the Labour Party.
Controversial national convention
The Abure-led NWC held a controversial national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, on March 27 despite opposition from several stakeholders.
Many stakeholders fell out with Abure after the notice of the convention was issued to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on March 13.
The move was rejected by critical stakeholders, such as the House of Reps Caucus and the NLC.
Both Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State did not attend the convention.
Recall that prior to the exercise, the NLC Political Commission, in an open letter dated March 15, condemned the convention, saying that critical stakeholders were not carried along.
While demanding for the immediate resignation of Abure, the commission described the convention as illegal, noting that it would not allow any form of illegality in the affairs of the party to stand.
But despite the controversy, the convention was held on March 27, with Abure and seven other National Working Committee members of the party reelected.
Obi’s romance with Abure divides Obidients
Although Obi had assured Nigerians that the outcome of the investigation into the allegations against Abure would be made public, he is yet to speak on the matter.
Speculation about Obi’s romance with the party chairman was further escalated on Tuesday after his visit to Abure’s office at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Some stakeholders of the party who were not comfortable with the development, had distanced themselves from Abure and Obi.
A chieftain of the Labour Party and director of Mobilisation and Contact in Diaspora, Chief Patrick Eholor, at the weekend, expressed dismay over the inability of Obi to resolve the intractable leadership crisis that has continued to plague the party.
According to him, the lack of interest to call a spade a spade, especially in the face of the allegations against Abure speaks volume, wondering why Obi had not waded into the crisis to save the party.
Eholor said, “Peter Obi has his own tricks on his sleeves, that’s why he is afraid to either condemn Abure or address the matter because of his 2027 ambition. I say that categorically without apologies.
“Labour Party, LP, has its own peculiar problem. Its problem has to do with the leadership. The likes of Peter Obi got the party ticket on a platter of gold.
“If you can’t fix your political party and you continue to sleep with Abure on the same bed with all the allegations within and outside your party, how can we now trust you that you will be able to manage the affairs of Nigeria? If you can’t trust a messenger, how do you now trust his message?
“I sacrificed a lot for Peter Obi and Ahmed Datti. I know my contribution financially and emotionally. I also know the risk that I have taken so far to ensure that Peter Obi becomes the president of this country. Unfortunately, we were ‘rigged out’.”
Similarly, a chieftain of the party in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Peters Olaigama told DAILY POST that Obi is “no longer interested in the party”.
According to him, “the body language of Peter Obi says it all. He is obviously not interested in the party anymore. And you just can’t blame him.
“A party that came into the limelight just recently is having a crisis everywhere, this is not what will actualize his dream so I strongly believe that his love for the party has died.
“And trust me, the moment Obi leaves this party, nobody may hear of it again and all the crisis will end. All these problems here and there have been sponsored by those intimidated by his moves. They know very well that if the party is united, it will win any election in Nigeria.
“But then, I blame Obi for not speaking up against those bringing the party down. Somebody’s name has been stained and you still want him to lead the party? That’s not correct.
“It should not be what he feels but what party members feel. Stakeholders are no longer comfortable with Abure so why is he still heading the part? As a person who is planning to rule a country like Nigeria, you can’t settle an issue in your party? That is not correct”.
However, Dr Yunusa Salisu Tanko, the chief spokesperson for the defunct 2023 Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, while speaking with DAILY POST on Saturday, insisted that Obi’s visit to Abure’s office had nothing to do with endorsement.
He said, “His Excellency visited Abure’s office on reconciliation moves and not for the endorsement of anybody.
“He is only trying to reconcile everybody so that all of us can work as a single body”.
Reacting to reports of those threatening to dump Obi over his ties with Abure, Tanko said, “Peter Obi is a brand of his own. He is an independent brand. It was his popularity that brought him into the Labour Party.
“Remember that we are the one who organized and mobilized the third force leadership led by Professor Pat Utomi and we announced the incoming of our movement into the Labour Party before Peter Obi joined the party.
“So it is not a sole right of a single person to lay claim to the success of the party. The success of the party is a conglomerate of everyone that loves Peter Obi.
“We are hardened supporters of Peter Obi and we will continue to do so until by the grace of God, we win the election”.
On his part, one of the spokespersons for the LP Presidential Campaign Organization, Kenneth Okonkwo, said he was distancing himself from the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party, LP.
Okonkwo said he couldn’t continue with a corrupt and incompetent NWC led by Abure.
In a post on his X handle, the Nollywood veteran expressed strong condemnation of the national convention organised by Abure, saying it was rife with criminality and corruption.
“I am suspending my relationship in all ramifications with the purported Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party.
“For me, it’s either a new Nigeria or nothing. I prefer to lose doing the right thing to winning doing the wrong thing.
“Nothing can wash out the criminality, corruption, and incompetence with which the purported National Convention was purportedly organised by Abure.
“I did not leave the comfort of a ruling party, APC, because I believe that they are incompetent and dishonest, only to come and join another incompetent and corrupt association, which is the current Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party.”
Also, another supporter of Obi, identified as Dr A.I., in a post on his X handle asked the presidential candidate to clarify if he endorsed the Abure-led NWC of the Labour Party.
He wrote: “Dear @PeterObi
Did you endorse the Abure -Led NWC of the Labour Party? Was your visit hinged on endorsing the controversial NWC led by Abure? Accept our highest assurances as we await your kind response. A new Nigeria is possible! Thanks. Yours Sincerely, Dr. A.I”
While another supporter, Mallam Jabir wrote on X: “Peter Obi shouldn’t have honoured Abure’s invitation to the secretariat since it was not on his schedule.
“Look at what his good heart is causing the whole Obidients and stakeholders now.
“It’s not politically sagacious to allow a cheap ambush like this.
“Peter Obi should be seen to distance himself from Abure since Abure is no longer being recognised by virtue of his tenure expiration and the illegal convention at Awka.”
Jack the Builder also wrote on X: “Endorsing Abure is like Endorsing Yakubu Mahmoud or Bola Tinubu.
“If I see any evidence of him endorsing Abure, I will personally denounce him publicly and stop posting anything about him. It is an insult to soldiers like me that risked my life greatly in 2023. You can’t do that!”
The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the postponement of the inauguration and retreat for pro-chancellors, chairmen and members of Governing councils of federal tertiary institutions, earlier scheduled for Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31, 2024.
This was contained in a statement, signed by the ministry’s Director of Press, Folasade Biriowo.
Biriowo said the postponement was to ensure a comprehensive review of the list as directed by the Presidency.
“This is as a result of the presidential directive, as conveyed by the State House press release dated May 23, 2024, for a comprehensive review of the membership of the governing councils of federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“We regret any inconveniences this may cause.
“Further updates will be communicated in due course,” the statement said.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had ordered a total and comprehensive review of the recently announced governing boards of tertiary institutions.
A statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga disclosed that the review will be effected before the inauguration and retreat being planned for the nominees.
The ministry had released names of nominees for chairmen, Pro-Chancellors, and members of the boards and councils of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education following threats by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embark on strike over the alleged delays in constituting councils.
However, ASUU had refused to accept the newly constituted council, urging for the return of the disbanded council.
The Union alleged that the tenure of the former councils had not elapsed before they were removed from office adding that the action of the government was illegal.
There was also an outcry from the public that the nominations did not reflect the Federal Character principle.
Onanuga in the statement concurred that the reaction from the public showed that the nomination did not reflect the federal character of the country as some states got just one nomination while some others got many.
He further stated that the President acknowledged the feedback across the country and is committed to ensuring strict compliance with the principle of Federal Character as entrenched in the Constitution.
“The review will also take into consideration national spread and ensure every part of the country is adequately represented,” he had said.
The Deputy Governor of Kano State, Malam Aminu Gwarzo, on Monday, tendered an unreserved apology to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gwarzo, in a brief video interview at the Emir’s palace in Gidan Rumfa on Saturday, accused the NSA of arranging the return of the deposed 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, to Kano.
Gwarzo made the apology while addressing newsmen at the Government House in Kano on Monday morning.
The deputy governor acknowledged that he was misled into making the allegation and expressed regrets for any embarrassment or inconvenience caused to the NSA and his office.
”We were shocked to hear the NSA’s name mentioned in the plot to impose a deposed Emir in Kano, knowing his integrity and pedigree.
“We are human and can err at any time,” the deputy governor said.
“On behalf of myself and the Governor of Kano State, I assure the NSA of our continued support and cooperation in discharging his duties.”
The deputy governor called on President Bola Tinubu to conduct a thorough investigation into the happenings in Kano to ensure peace and stability in the state.
NAN reports that the NSA had threatened to take legal action against Gwarzo, for defamation in the ongoing Emirship dispute in Kano.“The National Security Adviser provided two jets to bring the dethroned emir to Kano and to take him to the palace. We have not understood their intention,” Gwarzo said.
In spite of denying the allegation through his spokesperson on Saturday, the NSA, in a letter by his lawyers, Aliyu & Musa Chambers, demanded an apology from Gwarzo.
The lawyers said that Ribadu had been inundated with “a barrage of telephone calls both within and outside Nigeria” over the “false accusation.”
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The bill seeking to raise the retirement age of members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Tuesday, passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, and Abubakar Yalleman from Jigawa, sponsored the bill which proposes to raise the retirement age of members of the NPF from 60 to 65, and from 35 to 40 years in service.
The bill proposes to amend section 18 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020.
It also seeks to review the service years of police personnel in order to “improve the experience and expertise of the police workforce to retain experienced personnel, and reduce the cost of training and recruiting new officers, improve the morale performance and job satisfaction, and to address the shortage of experienced police personnel”.
In his lead debate during plenary on Tuesday, May 21, Yalleman, who chairs the house committee on police, said the amendment is needed to retain the experience of officers “who have been trained and have served for considerable years”.
“This experience is needed especially in this time of insecurity when experienced police officers are needed to help tackle insecurity in the country,” he said.
First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu has assured Nigerians, particularly the youth, to keep believing in the country, saying that Nigeria will witness the rebirth of a new nation that would take its rightful place among the comity of Nations.
She gave this assurance at an event tagged, “Honouring the Youth of Our Nation,” with the theme: “Becoming: Pathway to Success,” in commemoration of the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, held at the State House Conference Center, Abuja.
The First Lady said that the government will continue to do its best to provide an enabling environment to foster and support the young ones as active participants in national development and in re-writing Nigeria’s story for good.
She said purpose, passion, determination and resilience are necessary for achieving success in life.
The First Lady, who emphasized the importance of education to attain great heights, assured that her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, is geared towards complementing the efforts of President Tinubu, in the areas of education, agriculture, social investment and economic empowerment.
She said, “Stay in school, finish school because we are a developing country. When you stay and finish your education, you will have more options.
“We will continue to do our best to provide an enabling environment to foster and support you as active participants in national development and in re-writing Nigeria’s story for good.
“I urge us to keep believing in Nigeria, by the special grace of God, we will witness the rebirth of a new nation that will take its rightful place among the comity of Nations.“
...Says Unity Must Serve Greater Good Of Nigeria
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has given conditions that would make him accept any merger between his party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to a statement by the presidential candidate of the PDP and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, on the likelihood of a merger between both parties, the former Anambra State governor said during an interview with NoireTV at the weekend, that he would enter into a merger agreement with any party or individual only if it serves the greater good of Nigeria.
He commended Atiku’s willingness to support him if it benefits the southeastern region of the country and emphasised the need for any merger or alliance to be focused on improving governance and helping the poor, not just winning elections or for state capture.
“I commend Atiku for his statement especially where he said he will support me if it goes to the South East. On the issue of a merger and the coming together of parties, I have always said that as long as any merger or any coming together is to better Nigeria and for governing properly, I am for it. If it is just a merger for election or state capture, I’m not for it. I am not desperate to be president, I am desperate to see Nigeria work, especially for the poor, because we have a lot of potential.
“So, if the merger is to be able to govern Nigeria properly on all those things that will make Nigeria a better place, I am for it. If the merger is to be able to govern Nigeria properly and work for all those things that would make Nigeria become a better place, I am for it. It might be at the party level, it might be at the individual level or at any level, we must come together to be able to build a better Nigeria.”
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Atiku has been engaging Obi to discuss the possibility of a merger and that he would support anyone chosen to represent the PDP in 2027 — even if the candidate is from the south-east.
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, says Nigeria must embark on aggressive and swift implementation of policies and development plans that will hasten the total eradication of illiteracy in couple of decades.
He warned the refusal to prioritise education for all citizens portends danger for the country.
Obasanjo opined that Nigeria will produce more drug abusers, terrorists, bandits, and other social misfits if the disturbing number of out-of-school children is not addressed.
Obasanjo, lamenting that the country has over 20 million out-of-school children, asserted that the children if not educated, empowered, or given necessary skills, would become nuisance in the society.
The former president assertions are contained in a statement by his special assistant on media, Kehinde Akinyemi on Sunday.
He explained that to prevent such, a 25-year socio-economic development agenda is needed to prioritize education, and technology among others.
According to him, the development agenda will make it compulsory for be educated up to secondary school level.
” A 25-year socio-economic development agenda that will be generally agreed to, by the nation of all political parties and passed into law by the National Assembly with State Assembly aspects also passed into law by the State Houses of Assembly. We take up the implementation on a five-year basis. In reality, that plan will have the effect of almost a constitution. The first priority in the implementation will be education for all.
“ There should be no Nigerian without being in school compulsorily for eleven years – secondary education level.
“ Five years must be set out to ensure that every Nigerian child that is not in school is in school and no one is left out of popular education. Adult education should be embarked upon to give every Nigerian basic education equivalent to six years of formal education.
“ We should give ourselves ten years to rid Nigeria of illiteracy. No matter what we do, if we do not find a way of educating, giving skills, and empowerment, over 20 million Nigerian children that are out of school today will end up being rich recruitment centers for drug addicts, Boko Haram, bandits, and other social misfits”
He also urged the Federal Government to provide a conducive environment where businesses can thrive.
“ The second should be food and nutrition security through agribusiness. The third should be energy for all. The fourth should be industrialization and manufacturing. And the fifth should be science, technology, innovation, and Artificial Intelligence, AI.
“ In all these, the government should provide a conducive environment for the private sector to operate and thrive. And where the government will be involved at all, other than as policymaker and enabler, it should be based on private-public partnership with government as a junior partner,” the statement added.