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Benue state governor, Hyacinth Alia, said he has not borrowed any any money since he was inuagurated on May 29, 2023.
Reacting to a newspaper report which alleged that 13 new state governors, including Benue, collectively borrowed N226.8bn from both domestic and external financiers, between the period of June and December, 2023.
Governor Alia, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Kulas Tersoo, said: “We want to state emphatically that, the government of Rev.Fr. Alia has not borrowed any money from either Domestic or External sources.
“All debts mentioned in the said report were incurred before May 29, 2023, and not after Governor Hyacinth Alia led administration took over office.
“Let it be known that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia is skeptical of borrowings, and will only do so when and if it becomes necessary and it is in the interest of the Benue people, especially to fund critical projects.
“We challenge the newspaper reporter to be more investigative in his reports, providing accurate facts, which is a key component of journalism practice.”
[PRESS RELEASE] Commissioner for Justice Clarifies Misrepresentation and Calls for Integrity in Political Discourse
AdminWhen I convened my inaugural meeting with the lawyers at the Ministry of Justice after my inauguration, I passionately discussed numerous visionary ideas, including a reformative agenda to propel the ministry forward.
One of the proposals I ardently advocated for was the mandatory court appearance of all lawyers who have been called to the bar, regardless of their department. It came to my attention that while all lawyers in the ministry received an allowance for their legal robes, only those in the Department of Civil Litigation and the Department of Public Prosecutions were actively involved in courtroom proceedings. I emphasized that this innovative approach would effectively equip lawyers for courtroom practice at all times.
Furthermore, I expressed my sincere preference for the esteemed title of "State Attorney" over the more commonly used designation of "State Counsel." I proposed that we embrace the title of "State Attorney" to better align with my personal inclination, stemming from my career's start as a Federal Attorney at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja under Chief Bola Ige, SAN, former Attorney General of the Federation.
During the weekend, I came across a photograph capturing a moment when I warmly shook hands with one of the Chief Campaigners of His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. Notably, the background of the photo featured a banner extending congratulations to me as the newly appointed Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State.
Regrettably, an error was made in the caption, mistakenly referring to me as "Anthony General" instead of "Attorney General."
The misguided use of the name "Anthony" on the banner sparked discussions regarding the photo. However, it is important for me to clarify that at the time the picture was taken, I commended the individual presenting the banner, the Convener of Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers, Hon. Dipo Okeyomi, also known as Carry-Go, in the presence of other party stalwarts for accurately capturing the title. This is significant, as many individuals often mistakenly refer to the title as "Commissioner of Justice" rather than "Commissioner for Justice." Additionally, I took the opportunity to highlight that apart from being a Commissioner for Justice, I hold the honourable position of Attorney General, which unfortunately was not mentioned on the banner.
Consequently, I am now concerned about the existence of another version of the picture circulating, where the name "Anthony General" in black colour has been added to generate content and create a dramatic impact.
While it is commonly said that all is fair in politics, I firmly believe that this particular game has been taken too far. Such insinuations should not be made, as they are detrimental in every aspect.
Beyond the aforementioned incident, I have recently observed with deep regret how political rivalries have driven many individuals to engage in various acts with potential criminal liabilities. I earnestly pray that such actions cease immediately.
- Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, OON, SAN
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has urged Christians to see the Easter victory of Jesus Christ over death as a huge motivation that a new Nigeria is possible.
Obi said that it is also a strong indication that Nigerians will surmount the existing hardship and sing the great alleluia in the end.
Writing on his X handle, the former Anambra state Governor of Anambra state said, "I join the global community of Christians, especially Christians in Nigeria, in celebrating Easter - the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"This great occasion brings to an end, the Christian Lenten season of fasting, prayers, and almsgiving, and ushers us into the season of glory and victory over death.
"For us in Nigeria, this very significant celebration holds vital promises of victory over our present myriads of challenges, if we do not despair.
"Our dear nation has continued to stagger under the heavy weight of high insecurity, soaring hunger and poverty, ballooning debts, galloping inflation, and mindless corruption that has pervaded every part of our national existence.
"Just as Our Lord Jesus, who made very painful sacrifices for the salvation of the world, which today we celebrate His glorious resurrection, we all must continue to labour, in unity, for the good of our nation, knowing that our labours will not be in vain.
"I, therefore, call on all Christians, in the spirit of Easter, to continue to pray for God's intervention in our dear nation, so that even as we labour, as humans, for the sake of our nation, God will crown our efforts with success, and make the New Nigeria even more possible, beyond our human efforts.
"I wish everyone a very Happy Easter celebration.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has alleged that Obidents, the supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate at the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, desperately want the government of President Bola Tinubu to fail.
Making this allegation during a podcast session with renowned broadcaster Seun Okinbaloye, the presidential spokesman further detailed that Obidients were happy when the country’s currency crashed against the dollar.
Naija News reports that Onanuga wondered why supporters of Peter Obi were suggesting that he won the presidential election after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revealed that the Labour Party candidate emerged in third place at the poll behind Tinubu and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.
He said, “Of course, it is very clear unless people are not acceptive, up till now, some are still writing that Bola Tinubu stole the presidency, and some people are saying that the man who came third actually won the election, and they are very unapologetic about that.
“How could somebody who came third how could he have won that election? You can even see when they were talking about the naira, some people were just happy that the naira was going downhill, and you can trace them, people who are saying so are members of the Obidient movement,”
When asked if he believed the Obidient movement wanted the Tinubu government to fail, Onanuga said, “Of course, it is clear.”
Foundation member of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has dismissed the recent calls for merger to oust the All Progressives Congress (APC), which was hyped recently by Dr Pat Utomi and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who commented on the recent presidential election in Senegal as lacking in proper contextual foundation.
Recall that there has been strident calls for merger, by Dr Pat Utomi and host of others which was hyped by the former vice president, while congratulating Bassirou Faye, Senegalese President-elect, he noted that “last Saturday’s election in Senegal follows the trend of that in Nigeria in 2015 that the opposition can indeed be victorious in an election conducted by the ruling party.
“And for the opposition parties, the lessons are in agreement with my persistent call for our opposition parties to forge a coalition that is formidable enough to oust the ruling party if the salvaging of Nigeria is to stand any chance.”
But, Okechukwu, who was a member of the merger committee that midwifed APC into a formidable opposition, said there are many reasons to outrightly dismiss these calls and the erroneous premises on which they were anchored.
“First of all, on the possibility that the persistent call for opposition political parties to forge a formidable coalition to oust the APC like the PDP was defeated in 2015, Okechukwu said circumstances on the ground differ remarkably.
“Secondly, dethroning an incumbent President should not be a political pastime, but as a practical political consciousness to remove an underperforming administration. Tinubu sure, steady and more allocations to state governments.” Okechukwu stated.
He explained that the difference in socio-economic situation of Nigeria between 2015 and 2024 is clear, stressing that while in 2015, Nigeria lost focus, today, in spite of the socio-economic hardship, both the international and local communities agree that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has courage, vision and focus.
Okechukwu stated: “Yes, my understanding is that Atiku was referring to the current socio-economic hardship, but the truth is that whether you like it or not President Tinubu has focus. In 2015, under President Goodluck Jonathan, there was little or no hope.
“Luckily, Mr President has with his economic reforms, won the confidence of the international community. All he needs is to domesticate his economic programme to benefit the greatest number of Nigerians.”
On the possibility that the persistent calls for merger hyped by Atiku for opposition political parties to forge a formidable coalition to oust the APC like the PDP was defeated in 2015, Okechukwu said circumstances on the ground make that a hectic tall order.
He noted that although as a political scientist, he believes that formidable opposition coalition is healthy tonic for Nigeria’s democracy, however it is incumbent on Atiku, Utomi and co-travellers to convince Nigerians on which economic philosophy the coalition would be anchored upon.
“Nigerians know that all the leading presidential candidates in 2023 were all neo-liberals. For instance, like Tinubu, Atiku and Obi agreed to remove fuel subsidy and to harmonise the foreign exchange rate. “Since they all belong to the neo-liberal school of thought and are capitalists, they better support Mr President, because the success of Tinubu’s economic reforms is better for such students more than those of us who subscribe to the belief that government has business in our welfare.”
Okechukwu however contended that in the face of the current excruciating economic hardship driving majority of Nigerians into abject poverty, even Mr President appreciates the suffering, but assured that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
He remarked: “There are two things going positively for President Tinubu. One is that the buy-in of the international community is high, which means that foreign direct investment which propels prosperity is guaranteed in the course of time.
“Secondly, unlike President Muhammadu Buhari, whose rising tide of expectations was high at inception on issues like anti-graft war and economic empowerment, that of Tinubu is starkly low. This is to say that not much was expected from President Tinubu from the onset. The bottom-line is that he will garner local buy-in with time instead of declining expectations.”
Okechukwu reminded merger canvassers to study the large-hearted political engineering that enabled opposition to take over in Senegal, recalling how in 2014, Ousmane Sonko invited his friend and fellow tax collector, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and other emergent political actors to form a political party, PASTEF (African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity).
Okechukwu noted that PASTEF or Patriots of Senegal, which was led by Sonko was dominated by young Senegalese with Faye serving as the Secretary General while Sonko was the leader.
He stated: “I want to inform the former Vice President that in 2017, although PASTEF only secured only one seat out of 165 in the Legislative election, in 2019, Sonko contested as the Presidential candidate, while Faye was his campaign manager.
“Then, three years later, PASTEF garnered 56 out of the 165 seats contested at the National Assembly election. The 2022 election showed that Sonko has emerged as a strong contender for the 2024 Presidential poll.
“Sonko and Faye were jailed and released by President Macky Sall less than 12 days to the election, Sanko endorsed Faye as his presidential candidate and Senegalese people joined to elect him as President.”
Okechukwu said he decided to tell the long story so as to convince Atiku, Utomi and Co, who were with us during the APC’s merger in 2013 that the formation of broad-based political coalition is not a hundred metres dash neither can it be pulled off by leaders that insist on being on the ballot.
“Finally, unlike Sonko, who yielded space for Faye to take the Presidential ticket, Atiku’s breach of the rotation convention and blatant refusal to back either younger Peter Obi or Nyesom Wike; hence contested against the Southern Presidential aspirants in the 2023 poll showed that he cannot walk the talk of building strong coalition.
A former Deputy National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena, has alleged that the ruling party has failed Nigerians.
In an interview with Sunday Sun, Nabena lamented that the APC failed in its promises to Nigerians when it sought to take over power from the People’s Democratic Party in 2015.
According to Nabena, the current exchange rate under the administration of President Bola Tinubu confirms that the ruling party has failed.
The APC chieftain, reacting to the state of things under his party’s leadership, said, “Sincerely speaking, and if I should tell you the truth, based on the propaganda and the tension we gave the PDP, I thought that all our promises were supposed to have come to reality.
“If we base our judgment on the promises we gave Nigerians, I will say that we have really failed the country. We didn’t keep any part of the promises. For example, even the incumbent was part of the promise we gave to Nigerians in 2015 that we would make the exchange rate one dollar to one naira. The current exchange rate confirms that we have failed the country.
“Based on other indices and campaign promises we have failed to keep, I will admit that we have failed Nigerians, just like the PDP failed for the 16 years it was in charge, starting from 1999 to 2015. There is no difference between PDP and APC in terms of failing Nigeria.
“Yes, the current administration is still less than one year old, but we may have to wait to see if they can perform magic. My concern is that the same strong forces and elements against the government are all still there. They are the same people that feel that the government belongs to them. They are the same strong and greedy elements that feel that they must always be in the corridors of power.”
A Senior Nigerian advocate, Itse Sagay, recently spoke on the policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu, which have seen Nigerians experience hardship.
According to Sagay, the decision of the President to remove the oil subsidy without planning for local replacement of petrol or local production of fuel was a wrong step.
Speaking in an interview with Sunday Sun, he noted that President Tinubu should have waited a little for the Dangote refinery and Port Harcourt refinery to be functioning before acting
Sagay, while listing the President’s mistakes, said, “I think this government has good reforms that can transform this country. We have the competence and the manpower that can make life easy for Nigerians and our economy will improve. But as I have always stated the mistake that President Tinubu made was removing oil subsidy without planning for local replacement of petrol or local production of fuel.
“That has always been my advocacy. What is the cause of the high cost of petrol? Transport abroad to and fro, port charges, various taxes at the port etc, those are the things. But if we produce locally, all those things are gone and so the price will remain the same or even go down. My argument has always been; once local production starts, the issue of subsidy removal will be tackled. For me, that is the mistake of this government.
“They could have waited a bit. The production from Port Harcourt refinery which I think should be at the end of this month and the Dangote refinery with its millions of crude already stored… if they had waited for this refineries to start production, we will not notice the removal of subsidy because as one goes, the other one automatically replaces it. So, local production is the answer because once we start local production, the price of petrol will come down and all our suffering will reduce and will also come down.”
[NaijaNews]
The name of Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, was missing as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, displayed the list of candidates of the 17 political parties that would participate in the September 21 governorship election in the state.
The list was displayed at the state office of the Commission in Benin City notice board and in all INEC offices across the 18 local government areas.
Ighodalo Asuerinme of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Okpebholo Monday of All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, LP, made the list.
Others are Boot Party (BP), Osirame Edeipo; Accord party (AP), Enabulele Bright; African Democratic Congress (ADC), Obazele Paul Agbone, People Redemption Party (PRP), Key Ndidi and Young Progressive Party (YPP),Okungbowa Paul Ovbokhan.
The list also showed that Mr Uwaifo Osaro is the governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA) while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had Aner Abdullai Aliu. New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) had Azena Azemhe Friday and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) had Osifo Isiah as its candidate.
Others are the All People Movement (APM), Ugiagbe Odaro Syvelster; All Peoples Party (APP), Areleogbe Amos Osalumese; Action Democratic Party (ADP), Akhime kingson Afere; African Action Congress (AAC) Udoh Obersifo David and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena.
The state INEC head of voters education and publicity, Timidi Wariowei, said that the pasting of the particulars was in line with the electoral law, noting that parties and the public can now view the particulars of the candidates and their running mates.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday displayed the list of governorship candidates of the 17 political parties contesting the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
The Edo INEC office led by the its resident electoral commissioner (REC), Dr Anugbum Onuoha displayed the list on its notice board and in all INEC offices across the 18 local government areas.
In the displayed list, Mr Uwaifo Osaro is the governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Aner Abdullai Aliu, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Azena Azemhe Friday and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Osifo Isiah.
Others are All Peoples Movement (APM) Ugiagbe Odaro Syvelster, Areleogbe Amos Osalumese All Peoples Party (APP), Akhime Kingson Afere Action Democratic Party (ADP), African Action Congress (AAC) Udoh Obersifo David and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is Ighodalo Asuerinme, Boot Party (BP) Osirame Edeipo and Accord party (AP) has Iyere Kennedy as its governorship candidate.
African Democratic Congress (ADC) has Obazele Paul Agbone, Labour Party (LP) Olumide Akpata Anthony, All Progressives Congress (APC) Okpebholo Monday, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Key Patience Ndidi and Young Progressives Party (YPP) Okungbowa Paul Ovbokhan.
Meanwhile, the INEC headquarters had said that the commission shall publish the personal particulars of the governorship candidates and their deputies by displaying copies of Form EC9 along with all academic credentials and other documents submitted by each candidate at the state headquarters and the 18 local government offices across Edo State.
The commission in a statement by the national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, charged Nigerians to scrutinise the documents.
‘”Any aspirant who participated in his/her party primaries with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by the candidate is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022,” the commission said.
[Leadership]
The Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, says his administration is unable to pay workers’ salaries because of the huge debts inherited from the government of his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Addressing a town hall meeting in Kaduna Saturday, Sani said his administration inherited a huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion and 115 contractual liabilities from his predecessor.
The governor said N7 billion out of the N10 billion federal allocation for Kaduna in March was deducted to service the state’s debt.
He said the N3 billion, which the state was left with, was not enough to pay salaries as the state’s monthly salary bill stood at N5.2 billion.
According to him, owing to the rise in exchange rate, the state is now paying back almost triple of what was borrowed by the previous administration.
He, however, noted that despite the debt inherited, his administration had not borrowed a single kobo in the last 9 months.
“Despite the huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion and 115 contractual liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development.
“We have conducted a thorough assessment of our situation and are sharpening our focus accordingly.
“It gladdens my heart to inform you that despite the huge inherited debt on the state, till date, we have not borrowed a single kobo,” he said.
Sani listed the key priority areas of his government to include safety and security, housing, education and health care, as well as support for micro, small and medium enterprises.
The governor said his government would also prioritise inclusive development by investing in human capital, stimulating the economy and providing affordable housing.
In his remarks, a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (retd), urged efforts towards addressing the security challenges facing the state, noting that without peace and security, no meaningful development could be achieved.
He commended Governor Sani for cutting the cost of governance, asking residents of the state to support the government in overcoming the debt challenge.
The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamali, expressed optimism that the state would overcome its challenges. He said the governor had the capability to turn the economy of the state around for effective development.
The emir pledged the support of all the traditional rulers in the state to the government.
You’re trying to cover your incompetence–Ex-gov’s son
In a veiled reference to the governor’s claims, a son of El-Rufai, Bashir, in a post on his X handle yesterday, said the governor was only trying to cover his administration’s incompetence.
He alleged that Governor Sani had “deflected” from his responsibilities and abandoned his duty as governor.
“These guys have realised that they are wholly incompetent and the only way to mask the nonsense is to deflect. From a Governor who is always sleeping in Abuja to a litany of incompetent aides who were only rewarded for foolish political reasons,” he said.
[DailyTrust]
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He Continues To Violate Laws
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is facing a fresh impeachment threat from the majority members of the State House of Assembly who claimed yesterday that the governor has not relented in breaching critical provisions of the constitution.
The 27 lawmakers are supporters of Fubara’s immediate predecessor, Nyesom Wike, and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the heat of the first round of hostilities between the governor and Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The legislators, in a communique issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, accused Fubara of jettisoning the terms of the agreement he signed with Wike last December following the peace talks brokered by President Bola Tinubu.
This, they said, includes the non re-presentation of the state budget to the assembly for deliberation.
The lawmakers also took a dig at a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, Dr. Abiye Sekibo and others who, under the auspices of the Former Rivers State PDP Presidential Campaign Council, recently attacked Wike.
The lawmakers said it was laughable that the Secondus group, who worked against the victory of President Tinubu and Fubara in the last elections, could now come out to declare support for the two men and tried to despise and lie against Wike who made the victories possible.
The lawmakers said: “These new arrivals have just landed like hawks. They now want to grab what they spat on but need to be careful of their ranting and utterances against the institution of the legislature and the FCT Minister as they can derail the existing peace in the state.
“The FCT Minister is doing fabulously well in Abuja and should be commended. Rather than looking for advice for Mr. President who we believe knows them very well, should they not be calling on the Governor to learn to abide by the laws of Rivers State and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
“Should these new self-acclaimed advisers also not be advising the Governor to do the needful so that there can be a smooth transition from the current democratically elected Councils in the State to the next democratically elected Councils and avoid the challenges of attempting the opposite?
“What about advising the Governor to heed to the Peace Agreement he begged for, willingly signed, and has chosen not to abide by some of the terms?
“It is worthy of note that the notice of impeachment of the Governor was quickly withdrawn by members of the House in fulfillment of the terms of the agreement and out of immense respect for the person and office of the President of the Federal Republic and believing that there would be a u-turn in terms of unlawful actions of the Governor.
“The reverse is now the case as we see from the day to day activities of the State Governor being conducted outside the laws of Rivers State and the Constitution.
“To this day, Rivers State remains the only state without an Appropriation Law and the Governor recklessly abandons laws of the state. These new hawks in the scene and all those who are quick to refer to the Governor as ‘Mr. Innocent’ will not go and advise him.
“They prefer to hold talk shows, organize rallies, hold press conferences and announce that the House commenced impeachment proceedings against the Governor for no just cause but fail to ask the Governor if he has not been informed of the particulars of gross misconduct leveled against him or at least read them when they were filed in Court in response to his petition.
“They must not forget that the Rivers State House of Assembly has the mandate of the people and that we swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution to do the needful including the Impeachment of the Governor as a last resort.
“So, if it becomes a last resort, in accordance with the law, we will not hesitate to do so, because no individual is bigger than Rivers State, including the Governor.
“We assure the good people of Rivers State that we remain undeterred in our service to our fatherland and no number of threats including those of violence against us just like they attacked the Speaker’s residence will make us abandon our constitutional mandate to make laws for the good governance of our dear State.
“Efforts to utilize misguided individuals and attack dogs to spew lies against the House or misinform the populace with the intention of bringing the House to disrepute has only succeeded in strengthening our resolve to represent our people even better by focusing on our job and ignoring their distractions.”
The lawmakers recalled how they survived sponsored attacks on the House from persons they described as enemies of the people and those who could not withstand the principles of the rule of law “as well as checks and balances in our nascent democracy”.
They said such democratic forces out of their frustration started with the burning and later demolition of the Hallowed Chamber insisting that their plot was to eliminate the legislature for pushing for the independence granted her by the Constitution.
The lawmakers said: “We survived these attacks. Their new strategy is to use another arm of government, lobbyists, attack dogs and the mainstream and social media to bring the House to disrepute and consummate their agenda. In this regard, various individuals, groups, media mercenaries have been recruited to actualize their objectives”
The lawmakers described the Secondus group under the auspices of Former Rivers State Presidential Campaign Council as the latest of the new groups recruited against the 10th Assembly.
They said: “In a press conference on the 26th of March 2024 signed by Dr. Abiye Sekibo, this group inferred that the House is an illegal and unconstitutional Assembly. Others in this group are the likes of Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Senator Lee Maeba and Prince Uche Secondus. Hon. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, Sir Celestine Omehia, amongst others.
“They are among these desperate politicians who left their houses and gathered under a canopy with H.E. Atiku Abubakar and H.E. Ifeanyi Okowa’s pictures on a banner behind them professing their new support for Mr. President and the Rivers State Governor.
“On the other hand, they derided the 10th Assembly who they are unhappy with for joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) which incidentally is the President’s political party. Worse still, they lied against and attacked the FCT Minister who worked tirelessly for the victory of the President and the Governor in Rivers State.
“In other words, they are against those who defeated them and put them to shame by ensuring the victory of the President and Governor in the State, but they now “subscribe” to the President and Governor. What a weak strategy from a group who think they are smart!
“The good people of Rivers State know who they truly are. Our constituents will not forget in a hurry how they fought against the candidature of the current Governor and Mr. President during the elections. We are not surprised that they are no more saying all the unprintable things against the President and the Governor because this is who they are.
“They now want to advise the President and use unprintable words against the former Governor of Rivers State- His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON. GSSRS. Life Bencher who God used to unite and transform Rivers State to enviable heights.
“Their new game plan is to blackmail Mr. President with “oil production and OPEC Quota”. This is the end game for them. What a shame!
“They said in their statement that they now support the Renewed Hope Agenda and we are not against it. However, can they be trusted going by their past actions? Is it not a ploy to deceive the President, gain rewards and milestones as usual and later fight back after discrediting their old benefactor – the FCT Minister?
“Time will tell, but we must keep in mind that they vowed ‘never to serve master and later boy’ and campaigned that the President was unqualified, not healthy enough and unfit for the job.
“We were inundated by the sad commentaries and speeches of their spokesperson in the media against the President, Governor, and those of us who stood by the President and Governor”.
The lawmakers vowed to make a positive difference in legislation, oversight functions and effective representation.
“Several Bills that are in the interest of the State have succeeded so far and resolutions passed with the objective of making things better. As we push to meet or surpass the yearnings and aspirations of our constituents, we are focused on our avowed goal of legislative oversight for the betterment of the good people of Rivers State”, they said.
They asked the President to ignore the group which they branded as hawks, saying in due time, such individuals would reveal their true intentions.
They said: “We remain very prayerful and ever supportive of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President’s government. We toiled day and night while these hawks called us names as we canvassed for votes for Mr. President from unit to unit, ward to ward and LGA to LGA.
“Today, we have happily joined our progressive party with the intention of supporting Mr. President and further protecting what we worked for- his mandate.
“No amount of blackmail would derail the resolve of this 10th Assembly to support Mr. President, his government and especially the son of Rivers State that is making us proud as the FCT-Minister- His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
“We also call on Nigerians to give Mr President’s efforts at economic recovery and improved life all the support that it deserves.
“Finally, we assure the good people of Rivers State of our commitment to stand up for them and urge them to remain prayerful against tyranny and dictatorship in the state because we believe that as agents of positive change, things can be better in the State if the rule of law prevails and there is mutual respect for and from all arms of government and institutions”.
The 27 lawmakers, who signed the document are Martin Amaewhule, Dumle Mail, Jack Major, Somiari-Stewart Linda, Franklin Nwabochi, Ofiks, Kabang Christopher, Azeru Okpara, Opuende Isaiah, Tekenari Granville, Adoki Smart, Wami Solomon, Enemi Alabo, Igwe Aforji, Prince Nyeche, Emilia Amadi and Enyinna Sylvanus.
Others are Ezekwe Ijeoma, Abbey Peter, Arnold Davis, Barile Nwakoh, Onwuka Obenachi, Arnold Davids, Gerald Oforji, Ngbar Bernard, Emeji Mgbechukwu, John Iderema, Tony-Wiliams Uwuma and Chimezie Nwankwo.
Councillor, SDP candidate declare support for Fubara in Rivers
The Leader of Ahoada East Legislative Assembly, Bernard ThankGod Unwhe, has declared support for Governor Fubara in the face off with Wike.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the 2023 election for Ahoada East Constituency in the State House of Assembly, MacSunday Ugwu, has also dumped his party to identify with the governor.
Unwhe and Ugwu revealed their new camps during a meeting presided over by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Edison Ehie, at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The two leaders in the area were accompanied to the meeting by the former councillor representing Ahoada East Ward 11, Daniel Igbudu.
A statement signed by Fubara’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said the Managing Director, Rivers State Signage and Advertising Agency (RISAA), Aye Pepple, was also present at the meeting.
Pepple was also a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2015 and represented Bonny State Constituency.
Fubara, in a broadcast last December had pledged his commitment to implementing the eight -point peace agreement.
He said the implementation would be done without compromising the collective interest of the people and democratic values.
He said as a principal participant in the saga, he had taken some time to study the terms of the proclamation and had come to the conclusion that the peace pact was not as bad as it might be portrayed by those opposed to it.
Fubara said the peace accord “is not a death sentence”, but an opportunity to achieve the needed stability in the state, adding that both sides of the divide have so far demonstrated some goodwill towards the implementation of the agreement.
He said while the Martin Amaewhule led Assembly which is loyal to Wike had withdrawn the impeachment notice, his government had also released the withheld allowance of the State House of Assembly.
However, signs that renewed hostilities might break out between the governor’s camp and that of Wike reared their heads recently when the State Assembly passed into law the repealed House of Assembly Service Commission Bill, overriding the power of the governor
The law as repealed took away the power to appoint the chairman and members of the State House of Assembly Service Commission from the governor and vested it in the Assembly.
Fubara’s Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, criticized the assembly for the action and said it lacked power to do what it did.
- Accuse governor of constitutional breaches •Lambast Secondus, Sekibo, others for attacking Wike, working against Tinubu
- Legislative Assembly leader, SDP candidate back gov
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is facing a fresh impeachment threat from the majority members of the State House of Assembly who claimed yesterday that the governor has not relented in breaching critical provisions of the constitution.
The 27 lawmakers are supporters of Fubara’s immediate predecessor, Nyesom Wike, and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the heat of the first round of hostilities between the governor and Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The legislators, in a communique issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, accused Fubara of jettisoning the terms of the agreement he signed with Wike last December following the peace talks brokered by President Bola Tinubu.
This, they said, includes the non re-presentation of the state budget to the assembly for deliberation.
The lawmakers also took a dig at a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, Dr. Abiye Sekibo and others who, under the auspices of the Former Rivers State PDP Presidential Campaign Council, recently attacked Wike.
The lawmakers said it was laughable that the Secondus group, who worked against the victory of President Tinubu and Fubara in the last elections, could now come out to declare support for the two men and tried to despise and lie against Wike who made the victories possible.
The lawmakers said: “These new arrivals have just landed like hawks. They now want to grab what they spat on but need to be careful of their ranting and utterances against the institution of the legislature and the FCT Minister as they can derail the existing peace in the state.
“The FCT Minister is doing fabulously well in Abuja and should be commended. Rather than looking for advice for Mr. President who we believe knows them very well, should they not be calling on the Governor to learn to abide by the laws of Rivers State and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
“Should these new self-acclaimed advisers also not be advising the Governor to do the needful so that there can be a smooth transition from the current democratically elected Councils in the State to the next democratically elected Councils and avoid the challenges of attempting the opposite?
“What about advising the Governor to heed to the Peace Agreement he begged for, willingly signed, and has chosen not to abide by some of the terms?
“It is worthy of note that the notice of impeachment of the Governor was quickly withdrawn by members of the House in fulfillment of the terms of the agreement and out of immense respect for the person and office of the President of the Federal Republic and believing that there would be a u-turn in terms of unlawful actions of the Governor.
“The reverse is now the case as we see from the day to day activities of the State Governor being conducted outside the laws of Rivers State and the Constitution.
“To this day, Rivers State remains the only state without an Appropriation Law and the Governor recklessly abandons laws of the state. These new hawks in the scene and all those who are quick to refer to the Governor as ‘Mr. Innocent’ will not go and advise him.
“They prefer to hold talk shows, organize rallies, hold press conferences and announce that the House commenced impeachment proceedings against the Governor for no just cause but fail to ask the Governor if he has not been informed of the particulars of gross misconduct leveled against him or at least read them when they were filed in Court in response to his petition.
“They must not forget that the Rivers State House of Assembly has the mandate of the people and that we swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution to do the needful including the Impeachment of the Governor as a last resort.
“So, if it becomes a last resort, in accordance with the law, we will not hesitate to do so, because no individual is bigger than Rivers State, including the Governor.
“We assure the good people of Rivers State that we remain undeterred in our service to our fatherland and no number of threats including those of violence against us just like they attacked the Speaker’s residence will make us abandon our constitutional mandate to make laws for the good governance of our dear State.
“Efforts to utilize misguided individuals and attack dogs to spew lies against the House or misinform the populace with the intention of bringing the House to disrepute has only succeeded in strengthening our resolve to represent our people even better by focusing on our job and ignoring their distractions.”
The lawmakers recalled how they survived sponsored attacks on the House from persons they described as enemies of the people and those who could not withstand the principles of the rule of law “as well as checks and balances in our nascent democracy”.
They said such democratic forces out of their frustration started with the burning and later demolition of the Hallowed Chamber insisting that their plot was to eliminate the legislature for pushing for the independence granted her by the Constitution.
The lawmakers said: “We survived these attacks. Their new strategy is to use another arm of government, lobbyists, attack dogs and the mainstream and social media to bring the House to disrepute and consummate their agenda. In this regard, various individuals, groups, media mercenaries have been recruited to actualize their objectives”
The lawmakers described the Secondus group under the auspices of Former Rivers State Presidential Campaign Council as the latest of the new groups recruited against the 10th Assembly.
They said: “In a press conference on the 26th of March 2024 signed by Dr. Abiye Sekibo, this group inferred that the House is an illegal and unconstitutional Assembly. Others in this group are the likes of Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Senator Lee Maeba and Prince Uche Secondus. Hon. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, Sir Celestine Omehia, amongst others.
“They are among these desperate politicians who left their houses and gathered under a canopy with H.E. Atiku Abubakar and H.E. Ifeanyi Okowa’s pictures on a banner behind them professing their new support for Mr. President and the Rivers State Governor.
“On the other hand, they derided the 10th Assembly who they are unhappy with for joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) which incidentally is the President’s political party. Worse still, they lied against and attacked the FCT Minister who worked tirelessly for the victory of the President and the Governor in Rivers State.
“In other words, they are against those who defeated them and put them to shame by ensuring the victory of the President and Governor in the State, but they now “subscribe” to the President and Governor. What a weak strategy from a group who think they are smart!
“The good people of Rivers State know who they truly are. Our constituents will not forget in a hurry how they fought against the candidature of the current Governor and Mr. President during the elections. We are not surprised that they are no more saying all the unprintable things against the President and the Governor because this is who they are.
“They now want to advise the President and use unprintable words against the former Governor of Rivers State- His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON. GSSRS. Life Bencher who God used to unite and transform Rivers State to enviable heights.
“Their new game plan is to blackmail Mr. President with “oil production and OPEC Quota”. This is the end game for them. What a shame!
“They said in their statement that they now support the Renewed Hope Agenda and we are not against it. However, can they be trusted going by their past actions? Is it not a ploy to deceive the President, gain rewards and milestones as usual and later fight back after discrediting their old benefactor – the FCT Minister?
“Time will tell, but we must keep in mind that they vowed ‘never to serve master and later boy’ and campaigned that the President was unqualified, not healthy enough and unfit for the job.
“We were inundated by the sad commentaries and speeches of their spokesperson in the media against the President, Governor, and those of us who stood by the President and Governor”.
The lawmakers vowed to make a positive difference in legislation, oversight functions and effective representation.
“Several Bills that are in the interest of the State have succeeded so far and resolutions passed with the objective of making things better. As we push to meet or surpass the yearnings and aspirations of our constituents, we are focused on our avowed goal of legislative oversight for the betterment of the good people of Rivers State”, they said.
They asked the President to ignore the group which they branded as hawks, saying in due time, such individuals would reveal their true intentions.
They said: “We remain very prayerful and ever supportive of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President’s government. We toiled day and night while these hawks called us names as we canvassed for votes for Mr. President from unit to unit, ward to ward and LGA to LGA.
“Today, we have happily joined our progressive party with the intention of supporting Mr. President and further protecting what we worked for- his mandate.
“No amount of blackmail would derail the resolve of this 10th Assembly to support Mr. President, his government and especially the son of Rivers State that is making us proud as the FCT-Minister- His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
“We also call on Nigerians to give Mr President’s efforts at economic recovery and improved life all the support that it deserves.
“Finally, we assure the good people of Rivers State of our commitment to stand up for them and urge them to remain prayerful against tyranny and dictatorship in the state because we believe that as agents of positive change, things can be better in the State if the rule of law prevails and there is mutual respect for and from all arms of government and institutions”.
The 27 lawmakers, who signed the document are Martin Amaewhule, Dumle Mail, Jack Major, Somiari-Stewart Linda, Franklin Nwabochi, Ofiks, Kabang Christopher, Azeru Okpara, Opuende Isaiah, Tekenari Granville, Adoki Smart, Wami Solomon, Enemi Alabo, Igwe Aforji, Prince Nyeche, Emilia Amadi and Enyinna Sylvanus.
Others are Ezekwe Ijeoma, Abbey Peter, Arnold Davis, Barile Nwakoh, Onwuka Obenachi, Arnold Davids, Gerald Oforji, Ngbar Bernard, Emeji Mgbechukwu, John Iderema, Tony-Wiliams Uwuma and Chimezie Nwankwo.
Councillor, SDP candidate declare support for Fubara in Rivers
The Leader of Ahoada East Legislative Assembly, Bernard ThankGod Unwhe, has declared support for Governor Fubara in the face off with Wike.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the 2023 election for Ahoada East Constituency in the State House of Assembly, MacSunday Ugwu, has also dumped his party to identify with the governor.
Unwhe and Ugwu revealed their new camps during a meeting presided over by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Edison Ehie, at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The two leaders in the area were accompanied to the meeting by the former councillor representing Ahoada East Ward 11, Daniel Igbudu.
A statement signed by Fubara’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, said the Managing Director, Rivers State Signage and Advertising Agency (RISAA), Aye Pepple, was also present at the meeting.
Pepple was also a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2015 and represented Bonny State Constituency.
Fubara, in a broadcast last December had pledged his commitment to implementing the eight -point peace agreement.
He said the implementation would be done without compromising the collective interest of the people and democratic values.
He said as a principal participant in the saga, he had taken some time to study the terms of the proclamation and had come to the conclusion that the peace pact was not as bad as it might be portrayed by those opposed to it.
Fubara said the peace accord “is not a death sentence”, but an opportunity to achieve the needed stability in the state, adding that both sides of the divide have so far demonstrated some goodwill towards the implementation of the agreement.
He said while the Martin Amaewhule led Assembly which is loyal to Wike had withdrawn the impeachment notice, his government had also released the withheld allowance of the State House of Assembly.
However, signs that renewed hostilities might break out between the governor’s camp and that of Wike reared their heads recently when the State Assembly passed into law the repealed House of Assembly Service Commission Bill, overriding the power of the governor
The law as repealed took away the power to appoint the chairman and members of the State House of Assembly Service Commission from the governor and vested it in the Assembly.
Fubara’s Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, criticized the assembly for the action and said it lacked power to do what it did.
[TheNation]
Foreign airlines operating in Nigeria have begun to unblock their low-priced fares on Nigerian routes as the Central Bank of Nigeria completes the payment of about $7bn backlog, which includes over $700m unremitted ticket revenue.
The CBN had about two weeks ago announced the completion of payment of $7bn legacy debt, which included FX forward contracts among foreign exchange-denominated debts.
The CBN, however, declared about $2.4bn of the $7bn debt invalid, saying it could not be verified due to improper documentation among other infractions.
The International Air Transport Association, the trade body representing foreign airlines, has yet to verify the clearance of the entire $700m but findings showed on Saturday that the foreign carriers had begun to unblock their low-priced tickets.
To maximise their yields, foreign carriers had over 24 months ago blocked their low-priced tickets on Nigerian routes after ticket revenue running to hundreds of millions of dollars became trapped in Nigeria.
The development led to a sharp increase in fares on the Nigeria routes and was exacerbated by the sharp depreciation of the naira against the United States dollar, with economy fares on popular destinations such as the Lagos-London-Lagos route going for over N3m.
The CBN began the gradual clearance of the debt but the new administration of the apex bank later fast-tracked the payment, leading to clearance of major parts of the debt between late last year and so far this year.
Following the CBN announcement of the clearance of the $7bn, findings revealed that most of the airlines had released their low-priced fares.
The development was confirmed by the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, Susan Akporiaye.
She, however, revealed that virtually all the foreign carriers opened their low fares before the CBN announcement of the payment of the $7bn about two weeks ago, adding that low fares were opened about two weeks before the apex bank announcement.
Akporiaye said, “All of them (foreign airlines) have opened up all the inventories before the final backlog of forex was cleared. It is not now that it was cleared. It was cleared earlier in March.
“It is the only airline that has not done that. All of them have opened up all the inventories before the final forex backlog was cleared.
“We had a few that had issues – the unverified ones. There were some transactions for which some documents were not available. They were unverified. And those that were not cleared in February because they were unverified are those that have just been cleared.”
The NANTA chairman pointed out that one foreign airline had yet to open up its low-priced tickets, saying, “Before this final clearance, the airlines had already reduced inventories, except for one airline, which I won’t mention due to privacy, and I’m sure that the reason why they haven’t complied is a management thing.”
She emphasised that the airlines had been cooperative, but challenges such as unverified transactions caused delays.
“The money the airlines are saying that they are still owed is money with the commercial banks and not with the government, because commercial banks are private. They are not government entities,” Akporiaye added.
Findings by Sunday PUNCH showed that commercial banks were still reconciling with the foreign airlines with a view to clearing the final payment following the announcement of the clearance of the final backlog by the CBN two weeks ago.
“At times, the commercial banks are slower than the communication from the CBN. We will ask the airlines to contact their banks and we will have a clearer position. Then we will be able to respond to your inquiry based on verified data,” an IATA official told one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorised to speak on the matter.
An IATA spokesperson confirmed the development, noting that the body would come with its position on the matter soon.
“IATA is engaging with its members on the situation regarding blocked funds in Nigeria,” a spokesperson for the global body in Geneva said when an update was sought following the CBN announcement.
However, findings showed that the airfares on the Nigerian route recorded a drop despite the opening of low inventories by foreign carriers.
This was confirmed by the NANTA chairman, Akporiaye.
“The release of lower inventories will not necessarily make airfares low because of the rate of exchange,” she noted.
Our correspondents discovered a notable difference in the costs of air tickets sold on March 4, 2024, compared to those on Saturday.
As of Saturday, the round-trip economy class ticket from Lagos to London varied in cost among different airlines.
RwandAir Express offered it at N1,102,563; Royal Air Maroc at N1,628,675; and Ethiopian Airlines at N1,641,249
However, on March 4, 2024, a round-trip economy class ticket from Lagos to London attracted significantly higher prices. Air France priced it at N2,482,138, while Lufthansa offered it at N1,966,165. Qatar Airways provided the same ticket for N2,016,824, and KLM priced it at N2,448,740.
The average fare for flights on March 30 amounted to approximately N1,457,495.67, reflecting a decrease from the prices observed on March 4, which averaged approximately N2,478,466.75
This price drop represents a 41.19 per cent decrease in the cost of round-trip economy class tickets from Lagos to London.
A trip from Lagos to New York also recorded a drop in fare in the same period.
For the Lagos to New York route on Qatar Airways, the ticket was sold for N2,982,049 as of March 4. However, as of Saturday, it was sold for N1,989,098.
KLM charged N3,158,314; Air France priced it at N3,148,308; United Airlines listed it at N3,193,185, and Delta Air Lines offered the ticket for N3,310,097, on March 4, 2024.
Agents speak
A travel agent with Fadpaulo Travel and Tours Limited, Fadeyi Paul, expressed concerns about the actual impact of the low inventory fares on consumers, saying, “It is still on the high side; there are no low inventories yet. Like Lufthansa.
“But the European airline that I worked with a few days ago has low fares.”
He noted that despite the appearance of low fares, taxes attached to the fares often inflate the final cost for travellers.
Paul stated, “Moreover, the ones which have low inventories, the taxes attached to them are high? They find a way around it and make you still pay one way or the other. If you see a fare that costs $211, you will still end up paying N1.4m.
“So some of them have released low inventories but still make taxes high. So they have a way of working around it to get their money back.”
Another travel agent, Enebeli Alloy, acknowledged that airlines were indeed releasing cheaper fares but noted that the rates were still relatively high.
“The airlines are complying. They are releasing some cheap classes on the system now. The only complaint now is that the rate at which they are selling is still high. But I believe it will reduce gradually. It won’t be done overnight.”
Adewale Adediran of Untamed Travels and Tours echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The inventories have been released although not all, but it is better than what we were experiencing before now.”
Adediran raised concerns about the significant fare differences between travelling from Nigeria compared to neighbouring countries on similar routes.
“The fares are on the high side compared to our neighbouring countries. For example, if one is travelling from Lagos to London and Cotonou to London with the same airline and at the same hour, what they are charging there is lower than what they are charging here. They need to work on that situation,” he added.
Sanction threats
The Federal Government had earlier this month issued a warning to foreign airlines regarding the release of low inventory tickets, threatening sanctions for non-compliance.
During a meeting with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and aviation stakeholders, foreign airlines pledged to enhance transparency by making low-inventory tickets more accessible to the Nigerian middle class.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Michael Achimugu, told The PUNCH that the meeting had in attendance representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies.
While some airlines claimed to have opened low inventory tickets, NANTA confirmed discrepancies, leading to instructions for all airlines to comply.
“A majority of them are reported to have complied by opening low inventory tickets. For those who have yet to do so, we have given them a week or so,” stated Achimugu.
He also mentioned that sanctions would apply to airlines failing to comply, pending confirmation of the exact deadline.
The government had recently disbursed part of the $700m trapped air ticket funds to foreign airlines, signalling ongoing efforts to address aviation industry challenges.
State Police appears to be on the way to becoming a reality after President Bola Tinubu and state governors agreed to work on the modalities to establish it.
But the clearest indication yet that the quest may translate into reality is a ‘Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Provide for the Establishment of State Police, and Related Matters’ currently in the works in the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, the Bill is stoking controversy even as insecurity across the country continues to worsen.
No fewer than 500 people including schoolchildren were abducted in Borno, Kaduna and Sokoto states over the past three weeks but some of them have been freed and reunited with their families.
Only last week, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State lamented that his state was under siege and solicited President Bola Tinubu’s assistance.
Lawal spoke during a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Whereas the Bill gives sweeping powers to the President to direct the Inspector General of the Federal Police in enforcing security, in what amounts to a bombshell, governors won’t have such sweeping powers over State Police if the Bill passes the Senate hurdle and becomes law after the President’s assent.
The Bill provides that the Commissioner of Police of a state, notwithstanding that he is the appointee of the state governor, may refuse to carry out the governor’s order if he deems the order to be unlawful.
In such circumstances, however, the Bill provides for intervention by the State Police Service Commission whose position shall be final.
The decision of the President and governors in favour of State Police was in response to the increasing wave of insecurity in Nigeria occasioned by the activities of kidnappers, bandits and terrorists.
Promoters of State Police believe that putting the police under governors’ control in their respective states would give them the leeway to stem insecurity.
Anarchy
But critics say that may be the road to anarchy as partisan governors could turn the police under their control into a political machine and use them against their opponents.
There is, however, a counter position: A partisan President too under the current dispensation can politically deploy the police and use them against his opponents; so if that is the case, analysts argue, there is nothing wrong in having State Police so long as insecurity is gone.
Under the 1999 Constitution (as Amended), the police are on the Exclusive List, that is, only under the control of the Federal Government.
Analysts say the central control of the police from Abuja impinges security in so far as the Commissioner of Police takes directives from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in Abuja and not the Governor of his state.
In essence, they want the police in the Concurrent List.
Discussion
Information Minister and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who disclosed Tinubu and the governors’ favourable disposition to State Police after their meeting in Abuja, late last month, said they considered “the possibility of setting up State Police.”
“Now, there is also a discussion around the issue of State Police. The federal and state governments are mulling the possibility of setting up State Police,” Idris said.
According to him, attendees at the meeting agreed on the need for State Police but more discussions are still needed on how to implement it”.
The ‘Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Provide for the Establishment of State Police, and for Related Matters’ recently passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
The Bill, sponsored by Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu and first introduced in the House on November 7, 2023, is co-sponsored by 13 other lawmakers spread across the nation’s six geo-political zones.
The co-sponsors are Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, Hon. Onanuga A. Oriyomi, Hon. Joseph Bassey, Hon. Ibe Olwara-Osonwa, Hon. Thaddeus Attah, Hon. Joshua Audu Gan, Hon. Hassan B. Shinlmfi, Hon. Chinwe Clara Nnabuife, Hon. Obed Paul Shehu, Hon. Fatima Taiba, Hon. Tolani Shagaya, Hon. Abubakar H. Nalaraba and Hon. Blessing Onuh.
Clause 13
Clause 13 of the Bill provides that Section 215 of the 1999 Constitution as amended be altered to give the President the power to appoint the Inspector General of the Federal Police on the advice of the National Police Council from among serving members of the Federal Police, subject to confirmation by the Senate, while State Police shall be headed by a Commissioner of Police who shall be appointed by the Governor of the State on the advice of the Federal Police Service Commission from among serving members of the State Police subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.
But while giving sweeping powers to the President to direct the Inspector General of the Federal Police without question, it provides that where the Commissioner of Police of a state has reason to question the legality of any directive by his governor, the State Police Service Commission shall intervene and its position shall be final.
Clause 13 of the Bill reads: “Section 215 of the Principal Act (1999 Constitution as Amended) is amended by deleting the existing provisions and inserting the following instead thereof as the new:
“Appointment of Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police of a State:
“215. (1) The Federal Police shall be headed by an Inspector-General of Police who shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the National Police Council from among serving members of the Federal Police, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
“(2) The Federal Police shall be under the command of the Inspector General of Police, including contingents of the Federal Police stationed in a State.
“(3) The President or such other Minister of the Government of the Federation as he may authorise on that behalf may give to the Inspector-General of Po1ice such lawful directions concerning the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order as he may consider necessary, and the Inspector-General of Police shall comply with those directions or cause them to be complied with.
“(4) A State Police shall be headed by a Commissioner of Police who shall be appointed by the Governor of the State on the advice of the Federal Police Service Commission from among serving members of the State Police subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.
“(5) The Governor or such other Commissioner of the Government of the State, as he may authorise on that behalf, may give to the Commissioner of Police such lawful directions concerning the maintenance and securing of public safety and order as he may consider necessary, and the Commissioner of Police shall comply with those directions or cause them to be complied with Provided that where the Commissioner of Police feels that the direction given under this subsection is unlawful or contradicts general policing standards or practice, he may request that the matter be referred to the State Police Service Commission for review and decision of the State Police Service Commission shall be final”.
Clause 12: Creation
The major highlight of the Bill in Clause 12 is the amendment of Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) to create a State Police and give it roles separate from the Federal Police.
The Clause reads: “Section 214 of the Principal Act (Constitution) is amended by deleting the existing provisions and inserting the following instead thereof as the new: Section 214 – ‘Establishment of Federal and State Police’.
“214. (I) The following bodies are established:
(a) The Federal Police; and
(b) State Police.
(2) The National Assembly shall by an Act prescribe for the structure, organisation, administration, and powers of the Federal Police and provide the framework and guidelines for the establishment of State Police.
(3) The Federal Police shall –
(a) Be responsible for the maintenance of public security, preservation of public order and security of persons and property throughout the Federation to the extent provided for under this Constitution or by an Act of the National Assembly; and
(b) Be responsible for the maintenance of public security, preservation of public order and security of persons and property within a State to the extent that the State has power to make laws under this Constitution.
(4) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Federal Police shall not interface with the operations of any State Police of the internal security affairs of a State except-
(a) To contain serious threats to public order where it is shown that there is a complete breakdown of law and order within a State and the State Police is unable to contain the threat;
(b) Where the Governor of a State requests the intervention of the Federal Police to prevent or contain a breakdown of law and order in the State; and
(c) Where a State Police is unable to function owing to administrative, financial or other problems which render it inoperative at a given time: Provided that any intervention under this subsection shall only be made after approval by two-thirds majority of the Senate”.
Removal from office
Clause 14 of the Bill also proposes the amendment of Section 216 of the Constitution to outline the process through which the Inspector-General of the Federal Police and the Commissioner of State Police can be removed from office.
It says: “Section 216 of the Principal Act is amended by –
(a) Deleting the existing provisions and inserting the following instead thereof as the new Section 216 –
‘Removal of Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police of a State”
“216 (1) An Inspector-General of Police shall only be removed by the President upon the recommendation of the National Police Council praying that he be so removed on any of the following grounds –
(a) Misconduct in the discharge of his official duties;
(b) Breach of Police Act, Regulation, Code and Code of Conduct;
(c) Conviction of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty by a court of law or tribunal;
(d) Bankruptcy; or
(e) Mental incapacity.
(2) The removal under Subsection (1) of this Section shall be subject to approval by a resolution of a two third majority of the Senate.
(3) A Commissioner of Police of a State shall only be removed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Federal Police Service Commission praying that he be so removed on any of the following grounds-
(a) Misconduct in the performance of his official duties;
(b) Breach of policing standards, law, Regulation, Code and Code of Conduct;
(c) Conviction of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty by a court of law or tribunal;
(d) Bankruptcy; or
(e) Mental incapacity.
(4) The removal under Subsection (3) of this Section shall be subject to approval by two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly of the State.”
Challenged police
In his introductory remarks to the Bill, the sponsor, Hon Kalu, had said: “In recent times, our collective security has been greatly challenged.
“Nigeria, a federation of 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, with 774 LGAs, over 250 ethnic nationalities, more than 200 million citizens and a vast terrain spanning over 920,000 square kilometres, still sadly operates a single, centralised police system that employs less than 400,000 police officers and men.
“There is no gainsaying that the nation’s security architecture is under immense pressure and always overwhelmed.
“We must acknowledge the fact that the fabric of any democracy is woven with the threads of constant adaptation to the evolving needs of its society.
“At this point in our nationhood, State Policing is not only inevitable but urgently desired to tackle the mounting challenges of insecurity.
“This Bill emerges as a necessary response to several calls for a decentralized and community-oriented approach to law enforcement.
“It seeks to navigate the complex landscape of security challenges by empowering our states with the means to address issues unique to their localities.
“This proposed alteration represents not just a legal adjustment to our ground norm, but a visionary leap towards a safer, more secure, and harmonious Nigeria.
Key provisions
“The Bill, which comprises 18 clauses, seeks to alter Sections 34, 35, 39, 42, 84, 89 and 129 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Altered).
“It also seeks to alter Sections 153, 197, 214, 215 and 216 of the Constitution. Furthermore, the Bill seeks to alter Chapter VI Part III, Second Schedule, Part II of the Third Schedule and Part Ill o f the Third Schedule of the Constitution as well.
“Among others, some of the key innovations of this proposed alteration include –
(a) The transfer of ‘Police’ from the ‘Exclusive Legislative List’ to the ‘Concurrent Legislative List”, a move that effectively empowers States to have State controlled policing;
(b) The introduction of a comprehensive framework to ensure cohesion as well as accountability and uniform standards between the Federal Police and State Police;
(c) The provision of prescribed rigorous safeguards preventing unwarranted interference by the Federal Police in State Police affairs, emphasising collaboration and intervention only under well-defined circumstances;
(d) The establishment of State Police Service Commissions as distinct from the Federal Police Service Commission with clearly defined roles and jurisdictions;
(e) A re-calibration of the National Police Council to include the Chairmen of the State Police Service Commissions, emphasising the collaborative and consultative nature of policing in our federal system;
(f) A recognition of the possible financial challenges which may be faced by States Police, by empowering the Federal Government to provide grants or aids subject to the approval of the National Assembly, thus ensuring adequate resources for effective policing, etc”.
QUOTE: Provided that where the Commissioner of Police feels that the direction given under this subsection is unlawful or contradicts general policing standards or practice, he may request that the matter be referred to the State Police Service Commission for review and decision of the State Police Service Commission shall be final
[Vanguard]