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Rivers: Speaker Ehie Declares 27 Seats Of Wike’s Loyalists Vacant, Govt. Begins Demolition Of Assembly Complex

December 13, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

The crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly worsened on Wednesday when Court-recognized Speaker, Edison Ehie, declared the seats of the 27 Lawmakers loyal to Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike vacant. They defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, vacant on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

Ehie declared the seats vacant at the Government House venue of the Plenary.

The five remaining members of the 32-member Assembly, moved their sitting to Government House just as the Government began a demolition of the State Assembly Complex.

The demolition is a consequence of the razing, by political thugs, of some parts of the Complex in the wake of the failed attempt to impeach the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Speaker Ehie, who was elected in the wake of the crisis, and given a legal backing by a Rivers State High Court on Tuesday, said the decision became necessary following the defection of the 27 members from the PDP to the APC.

Ehie stressed that the Assembly will officially communicate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on the vacant seats of the State Constituencies and the need to conduct fresh elections to fill the vacant seats.

It would be recalled that the National Leadership of the PDP had called on the electoral umpire to declare their seats vacant.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said that by leaving the PDP, on which platform they were elected, their seats had become vacant.

He said this was by virtue of the provision of Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The statement issued in Abuja by the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba reads : “For the avoidance of doubt, Section 109 (1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that “a member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if …

“(g) being a person whose election to the House of Assembly was sponsored by a political Party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected…”

“By reason of the above Constitutional provision and its clear interpretation by the Supreme Court, the 27 defected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have vacated.

“They have lost their seats, rights, privileges, recognition and obligations accruable to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“The PDP therefore demands that the Speaker of the Rivers State House Assembly immediately comply with the provision of the Constitution by declaring the seats of the 27 former lawmakers vacant.”

“In view of the vacancy now exiting in the 27 State Constituencies in Rivers State, the PDP demands that INEC should within the stipulated period under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) conduct fresh election to fill the vacancies.”

Commotion In Senate As Minister Demands N1bn For Foreign Trip

James Orji

December 13, 2023

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Doris Nkiruka-Anite Uzoka, caused a commotion on Tuesday while defending the ministry 2024 Budget before the Senate Committee on Finance.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had last month presented a N27.5 trillion before the joint session of the National Assembly.

The Appropriation Bill has passed the second reading at the Senate and House of Representatives.

The Budget is now at the committee state where all the ministries and parastatals are expected to appear before the committees to defend their budget for next year.

While defending the Budget for her ministry on Tuesday before the Senate Committee on Finance, the minister said the ministry requires N1 billion for a trip to Geneva, Switzerland.

The request did not go down well with the senators who described it as humongous and a waste of public funds.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo state grilled the minister on the request.

Oshiomhole said: “I see that you intend to travel to Geneva next year and you have budgeted over one billion Naira for that. We can’t keep going on with over bloated teams on abroad trips. Use the experts we have in your offices in those country to save cost.”

Oshiomhole also accused the Minister of always abandoning her desk and on permanent visit to the Bank of Industry.

He said: “Madam, sit in your office and work for Nigerians. I have gone there twice. You are always in the BOI. If you preferred BOI, you should have declined the President’s nomination to be Minister.

The former President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, also picked holes in Nigeria’s balance of trade with other countries.

“What is our balance of trade? Especially with China. Those countries importing things to Nigeria are expected to build factories in Nigeria. We have to take advantage of our population to grow our industries.”

She could however not give a convincing narrative as she said that her Ministry has no record of balance of trade with other nations.

“Sir, I regret to say that we seem to have no record of our balance of trade.

“Or at least, it doesn’t exist in the Ministry and that is why we initiated a new unit called trade intelligence Unit to ensure that such data are generated and stored.”

Oshiomhole insisted that there was data at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other agencies, which the Ministry has failed to access.

“No, Madam, I don’t agree that there is no data. Such data exists with the CBN, Customs and other agencies.”

Earlier in her presentation, the Minister told the lawmakers that her Ministry “remains committed to achieving its vision of promoting economic growth, creating jobs and generating wealth as well as formulating and implementing policies and programmes that attract foreign direct investments, boost industrialization, increase trade and exports as well as encourage the development of enterprises.”

She further disclosed that the “Ministry is currently implementing strategic policies, plans and programmes targeted towards economic recovery and growth for employment generation and wealth creation for the generality of Nigerians.

“Some of these plans, programmes and policies are the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP), the Trade Policy of Nigeria (2023-2027) and the Nigerian Investment Policy (2023-2027). In addition, the Ministry has continued to play a vital role in facilitating the Ease of Doing Business which has led to a substantial increase in investments in the local economy and enhanced the industrialization efforts of government.

UK $15m Investment In Nigeria’s Agric Sector To Create 2,800 Jobs

James Orji

December 13, 2023

The United Kingdom Development Finance Institution, British International Investment, BII has disclosed that it will invest $15 million in the agricultural sector in Nigeria.

The investment would be made in equity into a Singaporean-headquartered agricultural trading house, Valency International, the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the transaction is subject to regulatory approval, and will take effect in the first quarter of next year.

BII said the investment is expected to create at least 2, 800 jobs for low income workers across the country, apart from market access for 60,000 farmers.

The statement said, “The support will create up to 2,800 jobs for low-income workers across the country. It will also provide market access indirectly to a further 60,000 smallholder farmers and boost agricultural output and export. The new Valency facilities, funded by BII will strengthen partnerships with local farmers and processing centers to maximize their output and provide a more stable supply of premium-quality products.”

“Crop production is the largest segment within agriculture and it accounts for about 87.6 percent of the sector’s total output. BII, as the first institutional investor in Valency, will provide value-added support to the company in developing best practices in business integrity and Environmental and Social Management Systems. Both parties will work closely to improve job quality and gender inclusion and enhance value creation.”

TUC To FG: No Excuse, Pay Workers N35,000 Provisional Wage

James Orji

December 13, 2023

President of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Fstus Usifo has demanded the immediate payment of the N35,000 provisional wage promised civil servants by the federal government.

He said the workers could no longer wait for the wage to be paid because things are very hard in the country.

Osifo spoke on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the end of the congress’ emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting, saying TUC members have not received the wage since October.

Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had made the promise to pay federal government workers the wage as part of his government’s efforts to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.

The promise was also made after the workers said they would embark on strike to press home their demands for the government to intervene vis a vis the economic hardship resulting from the removal of petrol subsidy in May this year.

The TUC President however said his members have not been paid the wage since October, stressing that the government should not no longer delay the payment.

All the modalities to pay the wage must be put in place immediately, he said.

According to him, “We learned that they are currently putting some things in place to pay this money. But people are not ready to listen to excuses. All we want is that this money be paid into the accounts of our members until the new minimum wage is put in place.

He said, “We want the government to tighten their belts, governments at all levels, the Federal Government, the state, and local governments because a situation where they are asking Nigerians to keep tightening their belts and they (government officials) are living in affluence is not acceptable.”

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Ekpo U. O. Nta said in a memo two months ago that President Tinubu has approved N35, 000 provisional wage for federal civil servants, with effect from September 1, 2023.

The memo reads; “I refer to the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Monday, 2 October 2023 as a result of the dispute arising from withdrawal of subsidy on the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) and hereby convey the approval of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the grant of a wage award of N35,000:00 (thirty-five thousand Naira) only per month to all Federal Government workers with effect from 1 September 2023 pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law.”

The federal government said the payment will last for six months.

Kaduna Bombing: Obi Visits Victims, Demands Probe, Tasks FG On Security, Citizens’ Welfare

The Source

December 12, 2023

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25th election, Peter Obi on Tuesday visited Kaduna state to commiserate with them on the error Bombing of the Nigeria Army that claimed about 100 persons with many still receiving treatment in the hospital.

Obi who visited Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital where the bomb victims are receiving treatment commended the Kaduna State Government for their efforts to bring succor to the victims.

While noting the gallantry of the nation’s military, Obi advised them to be more cautious and professional to avoid recurring accidents like this that have claimed many innocent lives.

The LP Standard bearer, however, used the visits to express worry at the glaring misplacement of priorities by the federal Government pointing out that attention is being paid to non-essential issues while critical areas like security are suffering.

He expressed shock at the remarks made by the Chief of Defence state, General Christopher Musa that budgetary allocations to the military are not being fully released as and when due and wondered why that should be when funds are released for luxury items like buying expensive cars, and needless and nonessential trips.

In a release on his X handle after the visits, Obi said “l call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure that the rhetorics of support to security agencies now transcend mere words and letters to deliverable actions.

“The recent remark by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa, that not all their statutory allocations are released to them as and when due, must be looked into. We cannot, as a country, continue to release funds for the purchase of SUVs for politicians, renovations of buildings, unnecessary travels, parties, and conferences, while depriving resources to areas of top priority and great importance, like security, which if handled properly, will immensely contribute to turn around the sufferings of Nigerians, including farmers going back to their farms to tackle one big challenge fuelling inflation in Nigeria today – the cost of food items.

“Today, I visited Kaduna state to commiserate with the grieving good people of the state on the unfortunate accidental bombing by the Nigeria Army at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government of the State.

“While in Kaduna I took time also to visit the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, where those wounded in the ugly incident are receiving treatment.

“May Almighty God forgive the sins of those that died grant them eternal rest, and grant their families the fortitude to bear their irreplaceable losses. And for those receiving treatment in the hospital, I pray to God Almighty to grant them quick recovery.

“I thank the government of Kaduna State for their kind and caring intervention for the affected victims. I urge governments at all levels, and the good people of Nigeria to help in setting up a foundation for compensation of families affected in this particular incident and similar incidents in the past, and most importantly, in educating the young children orphaned in this incident.

“Furthermore, while thanking our gallant soldiers and other security agencies for the great work they are doing in securing Nigeria, especially at this challenging time, there is now a need for extra caution in their operations, because the occurrence of 16 mishaps which have claimed about 485 lives, since 2009 when we started the war against insurgency, is quite worrisome. We need to take every necessary precaution to avoid future occurrences while remaining focused on securing Nigeria.

Obi finally reiterated his earlier call saying “Again, I maintain that we need to get our priorities right in our nation and channel our resources to more critical and productive areas that will be beneficial to Nigerians, and engender development in our nation. I remain committed to this Nigeria, the New Nigeria of our dreams.

“Prepare For New Taxes In 2024”, Governor Oyebanji Tells Ekiti People

Ayodele Oni

December 12, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has declared that new taxes are imperative in the state in the new year to enable government to meet its commitments.

Oyebanji explained that in order to fast-track the state’s development index and shore up Internally Generated Revenue, his government will introduce Land Use Charge in January, 2024 for all developers.

The additional revenue, he said would help government undertake more projects across all sectors.

Expatiating further on the proposed Land Use Charge, Oyebanji, promised that the impending tax would be made affordable to all citizens, and not one that will be considered outrageous and jaw breaking.

“We are going to make it affordable. And I want to assure you that we will use the money for development and when we do this, I know that our people will be motivated to pay.”

The governor however assured that his administration is irrevocably committed to fulfilling all electoral promises to pensioners, who had expended their energies serving the state during their productive years.

Oyebanji spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, during a special prayer organized by the State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), at Jibowu Hall, Government House grounds.

The prayer session was attended by the Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habitat Adubiaro and members of the State Executive Council.

Describing pensioners as central to the progress of the state, having served zealously in the past, Oyebanji said: “I will be a bastard if I fail to protect your interest as Governor of the State. As long as we have the resources, all your issues and welfare will be at the front burner.

“How could someone work for that number of years and now can’t afford what to eat? This is not good enough. We will continue to attend to your welfare to make lives easier for you”.

Governor Oyebanji said he was already working with the Head of Service to ensure a more regular payment of gratuity.

“By January, 2024, we will dedicate a fix amount for the payment of your gratuity monthly at both state and local governments.

“The labour is agitating for wage increase for workers, they also have the right. We will look for ways to balance the two. We have to balance the everything and make sure everybody is happy.

“I appeal to my people in government to be selfless, we need to be sacrificial, because election has an expiry date. We will still go back to the people, what are we going to tell them if we fail them?”

Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Ekiti chapter, Mr. Joel Akinola, described the prayer session as the first of its kind that would be organized for a sitting Governor. He described it as another remarkable step in their relationship with Governor Oyebanji.

Akinola, who stated that Governor Oyebanji’s government has been a “God- sent” to Ekiti, described the Governor as a man of integrity, who values pensioners and always keep all his promises.

“Governor Oyebanji is a politician but he is not behaving like a typical Nigerian politician who always deceive people.

“We are not here to praise him, but we want to appreciate the grace of God in his life. The pensioners are happy with you and we will always stand with you”.

Akinola appealed to Governor Oyebanji to pay part of the pension and check- off dues arrears to further cushion the effect of the current economic situation on pensioners and to also make name as a governor who values the lives of retirees.

Rivers Court Stops Lawmakers Loyal To Wike From Sitting

Ayodele Oni

December 12, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

A Rivers State High Court has restrained the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly from using armed thugs and police personnel, to gain access to the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The faction led by Speaker, Mr. Martin Amaewhule, and other 26 members of the House of Assembly are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike.

They had, on Monday, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Amaewhule-led Assembly had accused the governor of withholding funds for the management of the Assembly.

The suit was brought by the factional State House of Assembly Speaker, Edison Ogerenye Ehie, as claimants/applicants, against Martin Chike Amaewhule and Dumle Maolas as defendants following the fire incident that engulfed the Assembly complex on October 29, 2023.

Following this, Governor Sim Fubara has ordered the relocation of the Assembly’s sitting to a secure venue during the building’s renovation.

Ruling on the motion ex parte in Suit No. PHC/3030/C5/2023, upon hearing the motion, Justice M. W. Danagogo granted the interim orders sought by the claimants/applicants to wit:

“An order restraining the defendants and the claimants from using armed thugs, accompanied by police personnel, to gain access to the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“An order preventing the defendants from disrupting the smooth operation of the claimants and interfering with their legislative duties during the renovation period.

“The second claimant is obligated to pay N50 Million in damages if the application is deemed frivolous.

CNPP Urges Defecting 27 Rivers Lawmakers To Vacate Seat, Calls For Bye-election

The Source

December 12, 2023

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has reacted to the political development in Rivers State where 27 lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the state House of Assembly reportedly defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, the CNPP urged the defecting legislators to immediately vacate their seats, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye-election in the affected state constituencies “for the people to choose their representatives.”

The CNPP noted that “it is both immoral and illegal for a lawmaker elected on one political party platform to defect to another and still retain his or her legislative seat.

“In 2022, as has been cited by many, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had sacked 16 Ebonyi House of Assembly members for defection based on Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution, just as 18 members of Cross River House of Assembly and two House of Representatives members as well as the a House of Representatives member on the platform of the Labour Party in Ondo State were sacked under the same constitutional provisions.

“In the case of the Labour Party, the member representing Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency who defected to another party was ordered by the Supreme Court to vacate his seat.

“We recall that the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had on several occasions described a situation where politicians would defect to other political parties with the mandate of another party as unconstitutional.

“As a matter of fact, the former Rivers State governor fought up to the Supreme Court in the governorship case between Rotimi Amaechi and Celestine Omeha and the apex court in its landmark judgment ruled unambiguously that votes cast in elections belong to political parties, not the individual candidates.

“Therefore, if indeed the 27 lawmakers are loyal to the Minister of FCT, as being speculated, it will be a political disaster waiting to happen to see the same personality, who stood for rule of law, now undermining the same. And that’s why we don’t want to believe that former Governor Nyesom Wike is behind the lawmakers until proven otherwise.

“We, therefore, urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT Minister to intervene in the current twist in the Rivers State political crisis to forestall breakdown of law and order in the state.

“We also call on all political parties, the civil society and all lovers of democracy to pressure the Rivers State Speaker to declare the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant if they indeed defected to another political party to enable INEC to conduct fresh polls in the affected state legislative constituencies.

“If a political party accepts the trampling of democracy today, it could be at the receiving end someday. In justice to one should be injustice to all if our democracy and the society can survive”, the CNPP said.

“Understand My Ways, Tolerate My Shortcomings, I Appreciate You” – Governor Uzodimma To Imolites

The Source

December 12, 2023

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed gladness over the outpour of prayers and good wishes by the people of Imo State on the occasion of his 65th birthday, assuring them that he will not disappoint their expectations.

He spoke on Tuesday at the Government House Chapel Owerri in a brief remark he gave after the Thanksgiving Mass to mark his birthday.

Governor Uzodimma said he appreciates the love and support Imo people have shown him and his family and more importantly, for believing in him, and promised not to let them down.

However, the Governor who requested Imo people to “understand his ways” and “tolerate” his “short comings” described the day of his birth as ‘’a day of joy in which all will continue to be glad and rejoice.’’

He said it was a delight to worship with the congregation who came for the Mass “in the spirit of God and victory” reminding them that it is the first Service since he received his Certificate of Return for a second term in office after winning in the 27 Local Governments of the State.

Governor Uzodimma who said he observed the spirit of enthusiasm and joy on the faces of the people thanked God for his infinite mercies and kindness to him these past years and used the opportunity to welcome all and sundry to his phased birthday celebrations.

He did not end his remarks without admonishing the congregation and all Imo people to continue to live their lives as Christians they prophessed, doing the things expected of them and repenting of their sins so as to make heaven at last.

Governor Hope Uzodimma’s 65th birthday Celebration

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Stanley Onyeagba of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish Awommama thanked God for the life of the Governor and his family as a rare gift to the people of Imo State in particular and Nigeria in general.

He however urged the Governor to be wary of sycophants who may want to derail his good plans and programmes for Imo people in the second term of his administration.

The Eucharistic Service was presided over by the Cathedral Administrator of Okigwe Catholic Diocese, Rev. Monsignor John Iwe assisted by the representatives of the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri and that of Orlu Diocese.

The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Imo State, Bishop Eches Divine Eches and other men of God were also in attendance.

Highlights of the celebration were the presentation of birthday gifts and cakes to the Governor.

The Anglican Bishop of Egbu Diocese, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Enyinnaya Okorafor, the APC Executives in Imo State led by their Chairman, Dr. Macdonald Ebere, the Choir master, Government House Chapel and the Government House Management and staff led by the Principal Secretary, Dr. Mrs. Irene Chima and the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie led in the presentations.

Present at the Mass Thanksgiving were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku and his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Bola, the Deputy Governor-elect, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru and her husband, Barr. Chukwuma Ekomaru SAN, Federal House members, members of the Imo State House of Assembly, members of the Imo State Expanded Executive Council, top Civil Servants among others.

Osun: 18 Pupils Hospitalised After School Meal, Governor Adeleke Calls For Immediate Probe

Akinwale Kasali

December 12, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has called for the immediate probe of what led to the hospitalization of 18 Pupils of St. James Primary School, Owoope, Ayetori, Osogbo, after a meal in the school. The pupils were rushed to different hospitals around Ayetoro on Monday after eating the suspected contaminated meal.

The meal – rice and egg – was served to them by Government approved vendors of the state free school meal, tagged O’Meals, during the break period.

After eating the meal, it was gathered that pupils were began to defecate continuously, and were rushed to the hospital around the community, where it was discovered that they suffered from food poisoning.

Parents of the affected pupils, who got to the hospital at different times, quickly raised the alarm that the affected pupils were affected by the meal they ate in school.

Reacting to this development, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said in a statement that Governor Adeleke has ordered a full investigation into the matter.

While disclosing that the State Government will foot the hospital bills of the affected pupils, it added that food supply to the school has been put on hold, and a meeting of the affected cooks has also been summoned immediately.

“The Governor has subsequently directed the stoppage of further food cooking at the affected school pending the outcome of the investigations into the circumstances of the incident.

“The affected cooks in the said schools alongside the Planning officer for the O-Meal programme have also been summoned to a meeting by Tuesday morning.

“Additionally , the Governor has directed enforcement of food standard and control as well as the auditing of the O-Meal structure to forestall future occurrence”, it reads partly.

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