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Governor Alia Urges Senate To Rescind Its Decision On Withholding LG Allocation, Says Lawmakers Shouldn’t Be Misled

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Following the decision of the Senate to withhold the Local Government Allocations of non-Democratically Elected Local Government in Nigeria, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has asked the Legislative body to rescind its decision.

Senator Abba Moro, the Minority Leader, had during Plenary  last Friday called on the Senate to withhold the statutory allocations for non-democratically elected Local Government Councils across the country. This prompted Governor Alia to cautoon Moro, a Senator from his State,  not to mislead the Senate on the statusof Local Government  in the State.

At a Press Statement addressed by Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary,  held in Makurdi Saturday night, he said there was no time the Governor dissolved the democratically elected Local Government Leadership in the State.

He stressed that the State House of Assembly, vested with the constitutional powers to legislate over the third tier of Government, dissolved the Council members, citing sections 7 and 8 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The Governor said he only appointed Caretaker Committees to avoid lacuna that would have been created following the recommendations of the Benue State House of Assembly which investigated, indicted, and sacked the 23 elected Chairmen who were found to have perpetrated monumental fraud in their Councils in active connivance with various Councilors.

The Governor said that contrary to the impression given by Moro – the Senate Minority leader – that his administration did not appeal the earlier Court judgment, Benue state Government appealed the judgment of the Industrial Court.

“The appeal was filed on the 24th November 2023, and numbered, Appeal No. CA/MKD/155/2023

“We are calling on the Nigeria senate to always properly scrutinize their motion papers to avoid a repeat of what Senator Moro led them into.

“It will be a gross disservice for our distinguished senators to allow some selfish ones amongst them to drag them to becoming a laughing stock,” he said.

Group Writes Senate, Calls for Forensic Audit of National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Staff of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, have lamented the alleged double taxation and illicit deductions from their salaries. This has  prompted a Civil Society Organization Group, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), to formally write to the Senate to wade into the issue.

HEDA submitted a formal request to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, and urged the Senate to commission a forensic audit of the NILDS with immediate effect.

In a letter signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, addressed to the Senate President, the civil society group highlighted the concerns raised by some staff members of NILDS regarding double taxation and deductions from their salaries.

It was alleged that the Director-General of NILDS imposed these deductions to offset the Institutes supposed indebtedness to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, for personnel income tax.

“The impact of these double deductions on the financial well-being of the affected staff has been severe, leading to difficulties in meeting their family’s financial needs”, the letter said.

Furthermore, “the letter brings attention to the Director-General’s questionable expenditures, including the purchase of new vehicles, which drew scrutiny from the Auditor-General of the Federation.

In the statement, Suraju said that “as the Chairman of the Governing Council of NILDS, the Senate President is uniquely positioned to address these issues and has the authority to commission a forensic audit of the institute.

“HEDA respectfully requests the constitution of an independent Panel of External Auditors and Lawyers known for their incorruptible reputation to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of NILDS”.

The letter reads further, “HEDA  has received numerous complaints from concerned staff members through its whistleblower toll-free lines. These whistleblowers have expressed their willingness to provide both oral and documentary evidence but emphasize the need for the establishment of an independent and external forensic panel.”

The documentary evidence that the concerned staff intends to submit is expected to shed light on various issues, including the query against NILDS as outlined in the 2019-2022 Reports of the Auditor-General of the Federation. Additionally, the evidence is expected to reveal non-compliance with labour laws, financial regulations, and public service rules, as well as instances of gross mismanagement and diversion of funds within the institute.

HEDA’s request for a forensic audit also extends to the Director-General’s alleged non-compliance with standards set by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the Masters programs of the University of Benin/NILDS, resulting in a high failure rate among students.

The call for a forensic audit is grounded in the organization’s dedication to upholding principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance. HEDA awaits a prompt response from the Senate President to address these serious allegations and ensure a thorough investigation into the affairs of NILDS.

Obi: “Nigeria Delegation To  Dubai wasteful”, Presidency Clarifies Number Of Delegates Under Nigeria

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi has joined other Nigerians to condemn the large contingent that accompanied President Bola Tinubu to the 2023 UN Climate Conference (COP28 in Dubai, United Arabs Emirate describing it as a waste.

A whopping 1411 people travelled with President Tinubu to the ongoing 2023 UN Climate Change Conference. Nigeria’s delegation was the largest in Africa, and third in the World.

Obi noted that the Nigeria’s huge contingent was out at public expense at a time when most Nigerians can hardly afford food and basic needs as a result of economic hardship. Outrage has since greeted the large delegation.

But in reaction to the outrage, the Presidency explained that the number of people who went on the ticket of the Federal Government is small.

In a statement by Presidential Aide,  Dada Olusegun, the Presidency explained that even though the 1411 people are under the collective name of Nigeria, most of that number, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, and some from NGOs and other bodies, were invited and sponsored by the United Nations, the World Bank, the European Union and Bodies. Their bills were not picked by the Nigerian Government.

The statement reads in part: “The United Nations sent a request to several of these bodies to send a list of their delegates, with most of them to be sponsored by the World Bank, European Union and others.

“The request was, also, extended to several private sector members, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu and many others.

“The list, even before now, has always been made up of a tiny fraction of Nigerian Government officials, as many other interests have to be represented as requested by the organizers.

“Nigeria’s delegation list is unified, including both Government and non- Government representatives.  This means every name under Nigeria is categorized as ‘Nigeria’s Delegation’ whether from a Ministry, NGO, Private Sector, Parastatals, or part of the President’s delegation.

“Individuals of the same Nationality (Nigeria), can be sponsored by foreign organizations as NGOs will also take on their expenses.”

But Obi,  criticizing the large number of people under Nigeria, pointed out that Nigeria must stop waste as a tradition of our government and nation, stressing that we urgently need to cut the cost of governance and invest in production.

In a  post on his official X account, Mr Peter Obi congratulated the President Tinubu-led Nigeria government for competing favourably with China on the number of delegates at Conference.

However, according to him, it was worrisome that Nigeria that which should be competing with China in productivity, chose instead to compete in spending on frivolities.

In his words; “A New Nigeria is possible. We only need to do the reasonable and the necessary.

“In a twist of sad irony, let me congratulate the giant of Africa, Nigeria, for matching the great China, with the same number of contingents at the ongoing COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“Nigeria’s contingent to COP28 totalled 1411, is the same number as the Chinese contingents.

“While China’s budget for 2024 is about $4 trillion, about $2,860 per head; Nigeria’s budget is about $33 billion, about $165 per head.

“China has a high Human Development Index, HDI, with a ranking of 79 out of 191 countries measured, and Nigeria has a low HDI, with a ranking of 163 out of 191 countries measured.

“Nigeria has more people living in ‘Multi-Dimensional’ poverty than China, despite China having seven times our population.

“Most importantly, the vast majority of those in the Nigerian delegation to COP28 are either non relevant civil servants or relations, friends and hangers-on of high government officials.

“Most of them hardly understand or have anything to do with Climate Change.

“I pray earnestly that a day will come soon enough when we can focus on competing with China on productivity and the miracle of migrating the highest number of its citizens out of poverty over a relatively short time.

“We need to de-emphasize unnecessary ceremony and showmanship as a mode of government behaviour. We need to tie spending to necessity and national Priority.”

COP28: “Compete With China On Production, Stop The Wastes,  Obi Urges Nigeria”

By
The Source
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0

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Election, Peter Obi, has admonished Nigeria to strive to compete with China in the area of production and not on the size of delegations to a specialized conference of experts.

Obi in a series of tweets in his X handle on Sunday in reaction to the trending large number of Nigeria delegations to the United Nations, COP28  in Dubai, United Arab Emirates decried the waste and wrong imitation of a country dutifully pulling their people out of poverty.

Reports from Dubai show that Nigeria equals China with 1411 contingents to the conference, the highest in the global event aside from the host UAE.

But in a satirical response to the size of Nigeria’s contingent Obi said “In a twist of sad irony, let me congratulate the giant of Africa, Nigeria, for matching the great China, with the same number of contingents at the ongoing COP28  in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Nigeria’s contingent to COP28 totaled 1411, the same number as the Chinese contingents.

The LP standard bearer noted that While China’s budget for 2024 is about $4 trillion, about $2,860 per head; Nigeria’s budget is about $33 billion, about $165 per head. China has a high Human Development Index, HDI, with a ranking of 79 out of 191 countries measured, and Nigeria has a low HDI, with a ranking of 163 out of 191 countries measured. Nigeria has more people living in ‘Multi-Dimensional’ poverty than China, despite China having seven times our population.

“Most importantly, the vast majority of those in the Nigerian delegation to COP28 are either non-relevant civil servants or relations, friends, and hangers-on of high government officials. Most of them hardly understand or have anything to do with Climate Change.

“This huge contingent is at public expense and at a time when most Nigerians can hardly afford food and basic needs as a result of economic hardship. I pray earnestly that a day will come soon enough when we can focus on competing with China on productivity and the miracle of migrating the highest number of its citizens out of poverty over a relatively short time.

“As we have kept emphasizing, we must stop waste as an addition to our government and nation. We urgently need to cut the cost of governance and invest in production.

Obi finally stated that “we need to de-emphasize unnecessary ceremony and showmanship as a mode of government behaviour.We need to tie spending to necessity and national Priority pointing out that a New Nigeria is possible but we only need to do the reasonable and the necessary.”

Imo: Mbaise Cancels Cultural Festival Over Murder Of Traditional Ruler

By
The Source
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0

By Charles Igbo

Communities which make up the Ezinihitte Local Government Area, Mbaise, Imo State, have cancelled all preparations to hold its high profile cultural festival – Oji Ezinihitte.

Preparations had been in top gear for the annual celebration. The people home and abroad were looking forward to it. Then tragedy struck.

One of the Traditional Rulers   of one of the Communities which make up Ezinihitte Local Government Area, Mbaise, was murdered in a gruesome manner.

His Royal Highness, Eze Joe-Benz Ochulor, the Olu 1 of Otulu, Amumara, was abducted from his Palace  on Saturday, November 25, 2023. Report said he was abducted by gunmen while he was eating.

The shocked family and Community were waiting for a call from his abductors to ask for ransom money. They thought it was the usual kidnap-for-money which has become the norm in the South-east Zone. But that never happened. This abduction was for a more sinister purpose. For, hours later, same day he was abducted, the Traditional Ruler’s body was found, dumped along the Mbutu-Chokoneze Road. He had been murdered in a gruesome manner. One of his legs was severed from his body.

No arrests have been made. When the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, and Heads of other Security Agencies went to the area for an on the spot assessment, two Police Officers, a Divisional Police Officer, DPO, and an Inspector, who were among those waiting along the road to escort them to the murdered Eze’s Palace and the spot where his body was found, were mowed down by gunmen when the detachment was attacked. Others were injured.

The Mbaise Nation, the Ezinihitte LGA, and the Amumara Community in particular are mourning. They are in pains.

In the past two weeks, blood has been flowing like a river in Mbaise. At least, five high profile murders have been recorded. The people are worried.

In a statement a couple of days ago, the Ezuruezu Mbaise lamented the tragic situation, and warned of  the consequences of reducing Mbaise to a killing field.

It is to honour the memory of the murdered Traditional Ruler, and to allow for a respectable period for mourning, that the Communities which make up Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA, cancelled the 2024 Oji Ezinihitte.

A statement signed by the Chairman, Ezinihitte Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, Eze Ositadinma Nwokocha, Umara 111 of Adakam Amumara, regretted the tragic situation the people have found themselves, and the sudden suspension of all preparations for the 2024 Oji Ezinihitte.

The statement reads in full:

FROM THE PALACE OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, EZE OSITADINMA B. NWOKOCHA, UMARA III OF ADAKAM AMUMARA

“My dear good people of Amumara, it is an understatement that we were shocked not only by the transition of my brother King, but also by the barbaric and heartless manner in which he was murdered. It is difficult to think about any reason why HRH Eze Joe-Benz Ochulor who was one of the most peace-loving Ezes in Imo State should suffer such fate. It is unbelievable and still seems like a dream.

“For Amumara people globally, it is deeply disheartening especially when preparations for Oji Ezinihitte to be hosted by our communities were progressing effectively. We had proposed to take the Oji ceremony to a new height. But who are we to question God.

“Consequently, I have consulted widely with other Ezes in Ezinihithe and the SOLAD and have come to the conclusion that the 2024 Oji Ezinihitte ceremony be suspended. Discussions on the hosting of the Oji are suspended for now and will be revisited at the appropriate time.

“I  am aware of the efforts that have already gone into preparations and the financial costs (air fares and others) among individuals and groups by this decision. However, we cannot call the whole world to celebrate our rich culture when we are this devastated.

“Investigations are ongoing and we hope that the perpetrators of this heinous crime against God and humanity will be brought to book soon.

“I commiserate with the Ochulor extended family on the demise of their noble father,  the good people of Otulu Amumara on the sudden transition of their great and peaceful king, the entire Amumara communities, Ezinihitte, the Mbaise Nation and Imo State at large.

“I  encourage every son and daughter of Amumara to pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of our brother, the king, Olu1 of Otulu Amumara, the wife and children as we continue to mourn his most unexpected transition.

“May the Almighty continue to protect our communities and grant  us His peace and guidance now and always.

HRH, Eze Ositadinma B. Nwokocha, Umara III  of Adakam Amumara and the Chairman, Ezinihitte Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers.

Jackson Ude, A Certified Liar – DSS, Says “DG To Take Legal Action”

By
The Source
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0
Yusuf Magaji Bichi - DSS DG

The Department of State Services has dismissed as absolute nonsense and bundle of lies, the allegations being bandied against its Director General, Alhaji Yusuf Bichi, by Jackson Ude.

Using his X verified handle, Ude, a former Media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, and an alleged Media Consultant to the office of the then National Security Adviser, has been making consistent and unproven allegations against Bichi.

Bichi has, also, consistently ignored the allegations but is said to be angry with Ude’s latest outing because it touched on staff welfare which most personnel of the Service, vouch the DG takes very seriously.

The DG, according to a statement issued by Peter Afunanya, PhD, Director of Information, DSS, is set to take a legal action against Ude as he regards the current allegations as atrocious.

In his latest outing, Ude alleged that the DG has refused to pay personnel their approved allowances, and instead, not only “looted” same, but has increased his “Goodbye Allowance” from N100m to N200m. There is nothing like “Goodbye Allowance” in the system Afunanya emphasized.

Following is the reaction by the DSS as issued by Afunanya.

“The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to some spurious publications by one Jackson Ude on his twitter handle @jacksonpnb, against the person and office of the DGSS, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, CFR, fwc.

“The Service hereby states that the allegations are entirely false. It wishes to clarify that neither the DG nor anyone acting on his directive has looted staff subsidy grant. No such grant has been made available to the Service and once that is allocated, staff will, as usual, receive what is due them. Mr Bichi has, in all ramifications, evidently catered for the welfare of active and retired personnel. This is common knowledge and can be verified by Ude.

“Similarly, the so called “goodbye allowance” which Ude accused the DG of granting himself is non-existent. It is only an imagination of the writer and his sponsors. But assuming the DG is paid any severance package at the end of his tenure, how is that unethical and outside established public service rule?

“While Ude is at his mischief once again and has continued to smear the image of Mr Bichi as well as present him as corrupt, facts at the DSS show otherwise. Recalled from retirement in 2018 and appointed the DGSS, Bichi is seen as spartan, accountable, transparent and indeed, incorruptible. He has remained resolute in running the Service and shown uncommon commitment in the management of its affairs. His top priorities are staff welfare and judicious application of human and material resources. Any misleading narratives to the contrary are therefore unacceptable.

“Notably, the Service is aware of the desperation and antics of Ude and his other hirelings to associate it with unnecessary controversies either during the 2023 Presidential election or the subsequent litigations following it. The recent campaign of calumny is one of such. But as always, the DGSS is unperturbed. The Service under him will continue to chart a professional course aimed at internal security of the country.

“In view of the foregoing, the public is urged to disregard the falsehood being peddled by this known fake news merchant whose only stock in trade is to misinform as well as use his platforms to create division and violence. Meanwhile, the DGSS will take appropriate legal steps to seek redress.”

“Igboho Released To Start His Madness” – Miyetti Allah”, Says Constitution Empowers Nigerians To Live Anywhere

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The National President of Miyetti Allah, Kautal Hore, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo has said Yoruba militant leader, Sunday Igboho, has no power to determine where fulanis will settle in the country.

Reacting to the notice issued by Sunday Igboho to Fulani herders to quit Yoruba land on his release from Republic of Benin custody, Bodejo stated that the Nigerian constitution has given all citizens the right to live in any part of the country and pursue their legitimate endeavours.

He added that “So, Sunday Igboho was released to come and start his madness again, and start giving some people quit notice; it seems that some people are trying to use him.

The Miyetti Allah leader said that some people were trying to use Igboho to heat up the situation.

According to him: “Nigeria has a constitution, which gives every citizen the right to live in any part of the country to pursue his or her legitimate endeavours.

“If he were from another country, he could have been ignored, but since he is a Nigerian, he is supposed to know that Nigeria has a constitution that says everybody has the right to stay anywhere in the country.

“However, if that person commits any crime, the security agencies are supposed to arrest and charge him to court.

“I don’t know the reason Sunday Ighoho is acting like this, he wants to be a Yoruba hero. He should realize that the current President is a Yoruba man. Yoruba have very intelligent elders and they would not act the way Igboho is acting.

“I call on the President to use the security agencies to call Ighoho to order. Fulani have lost so many lives and property in that area.”

At 54, Gov Obaseki Appreciates Deputy’s Support As Speaker Acknowledges Contributions To Edo

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Philip Shuaibu and Godwin Obaseki

By Ayodele Oni

In a surprise move and/or political masterstroke, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has acknowledged the support of his Deputy, Philip Shaibu to the administration.

Both men have had less than a cordial relationship, even some embarrassing moments, over Deputy Governor Shaibu’s ambition to contest the Governorship Election and succeed Obaseki as the Governor after the Governor’s eight-year tenure.

But as Shaibu turned 54 years, Obaseki surprised him with a congratulatory letter where he acknowledged his Deputy’s contribution to the success of his Government. He also addressed Shaibu as “my brother”. He also acknowledged him as an exemplary husband, father and great family man.

Governor Obaseki stated:

“I congratulate my brother, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, on his 54th birthday.

“I thank him immensely for his support in the course of our drive for the development of our State in the last seven years.

“I also acknowledge the energy and vigour he has brought to bear as this administration embarked on the onerous task of bringing transformational change and development to Edo State.

“Alongside making these contributions to this administration, he has remained an exemplary husband, father and a great family man.

“I celebrate him today and wish him many more years in good health and sound mind.”

Also, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing  Agbebaku, congratulated the Deputy Governor, on his 54th Birthday describing him as a man of great intellectual capacity.

In a special message to the Deputy Governor, the Speaker  thanked God for his blessings upon him as he celebrates another year of great hope, joy and happiness .

“Mr Speaker eulogized the celebrant as one who has contributed immensely to the development of the state from his days as a student Unionist, to the days as a State and Federal Legislator before becoming the Deputy Governor of Edo state.”

He prayed for his continued good health, happiness and prosperity as he Celebrates.

Agbebaku added that Shaibu is a great asset to the state, a loving husband, father and friend.

Edo: PDP Insists On Membership Registration Before Governorship Primary

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

To avoid picking any non- member as Governorship Candidate during the forthcoming election in Edo State and the hijack of party primary, the Secretary of State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hilarious Otsu, has insisted that registration of party members must be done in line with the directives handed down by National Working Committee (NWC).

Otsu’s insistence is coming on the heels of alleged plot by some forces within the party to hijack the process, in a bid to assume total control of the structure that will produce the delegates who will elect the party’s gubernatorial standard bearer for next year’s election.

In a statement, Otsu  restated the procedures already announced by the NWC for the registration.

The statement reads: “For all intents and purposes, all Edo PDP members and faithful should kindly note the following: The registration exercise, as directed by the National Working Committee, is one that must be carried out by the Ward Chairman and Secretary at the Ward Secretariat, and not by a “Committee” of individuals appointed by Government.

“The Party is supreme and this is not the responsibility of Government to dictate to our Great Party on issues such as membership. Therefore, all tenets of our Party constitution wil be followed to the letter.

“The State Organizing Secretary has his job well cut out and as stated by the Chairman, in Section 39 (Section 1a, d), to “initiate programs for mobilisation” but does not include Administration of the Party.

“This means administrative duties, including but not limited to dealing with correspondences, accounting and registers, etc, are all vested in the office of the Secretary.

“For the avoidance of doubt, relevant sections of our constitution describe the duties of every Working Committee member from National to Ward, mutatis mutandis.

“All intending registrants should proceed to their Ward secretariats to exercise their rights to register as members of our great Party, without fear or favour, and to disregard any instructions by disgruntled Party leaders or government officials, aimed at illegal duplication of our registers.

“The party has valid existing registers. Members should please note that we have not officially requested for new registers

“On my honour, I swore to uphold the constitution of our Party on March 15th 2020, and no amount of subterfuge will lead me to abandon the teeming and loyal members of Edo State PDP. I will not perpetrate any acts that can/ will cause confusion in our Party.

“It is common knowledge that the actions and inactions of the hitherto suspended State Chairman have misguided the State Government in taking regrettable decisions over the years.”

Fmr Benue Gov Ortom Backs Senate On Sack Of Elected LG Officials

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

In what looks like a vindication of his stand on dissolution of Local Government Councils in Benue State, immediate past Governor of the state, Samuel Ortom, has commended the Senate for taking a firm resolution on the issue.

The Senate on Friday urged the Federal Government to halt statutory allocation to Local Government Area Councils without democratically elected chairmen and councillors.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the Senator representing the Benue South, Abah Moro which he titled, “Urgent Need to Halt the Erosion of Democracy: The Dissolution of Elected Councils in Benue State.”

Ortom, who was reacting to the development in a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Terver Akase, said the intervention of the Senate was a significant move.

The former governor said the move reflected a commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring the autonomy of local government administration across the country.

“The unanimous resolution by the upper chamber of the National Assembly also represents a crucial step in safeguarding the democratic process at the grassroots level.

“The Senate’s decision is a proactive measure which also has the potency to deter any act that undermines the democratic rights of citizens and the principles of good governance.

“By calling for the withholding of statutory allocations to non-democratically elected local government councils, the Senate has demonstrated a firm stance against dictatorial tendencies.

“I commend Senator Abba Moro for his proactive motion which drew urgent attention to the issue of the unconstitutionally sacked local government councils in Benue State”

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