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Monthly Allocation to FG, States Falls By N150bn

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Out of the N907.054 billion; the Federal Government received N345.564 billion, the State Government received N295.948 billion and the Local Government Councils received N218.064 billion. A total sum of N47.478 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13% derivation revenue.

Federal and state governments received less allocation from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, for the month of July, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance quoted by NAN, the two levels of government in the country shared N760.717 billion as federation allocation last month.

The amount is almost N150 billion short of the N907.054 billion shared by FAAC to the federal, state, and local governments in the previous month of June.

The statement signed by Oshundun Olajide, Deputy Director (Information) in the ministry said the federal government received the highest allocation from FAAC.

Giving the breakdown Olajide stated that out of the N760.717 billion shared, the Federal Government received N325.988 billion, the states received N224.929 billion while the Local Government Councils got N168.424 billion.

The total amount shared was inclusive of Value Added Tax, VAT, and Exchange Gain, the spokesman for the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the oil producing states received N41.376 billion as derivation (13 per cent of Mineral Revenue).

The communique issued by the committee indicated that the Gross Revenue available from the VAT for July was N151.134 billion as against N154.465 billion distributed in June.

This resulted in a decrease of N3.331 billion.

“The distribution is as follows; Federal Government got N21.083 billion, the States received N70.278 billion, Local Government Councils got N49.194 billion, Allocation To NEDC received N4.534 billion and Cost of collection/transfers/ refunds got N6.045 billion.

“The distributed Statutory Revenue of N601.095 billion received for the month was lower than the N812.409 billion received for the previous month by N211.314 billion, from which the Federal government received N303.765 billon, States got N154.074 billion, LGCs got N6118.785 billion, and Derivation (13 per cent Mineral Revenue) got N41.081 billion.”

The communique also revealed that Companies Income Tax (CIT), Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), and Oil and Gas Royalties recorded significant decreases, while Import and Excise Duty, VAT decreased marginally.

It, however, disclosed that total revenue distributable for the current month inclusive of Gross Statutory Revenue of N617.705 billion, VAT of N140.555 billion, and Exchange Gain of N2.457 billion, bringing the total distributable revenue to N760.717 billion.

Osun: Aregbesola Fights For Relevance

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A former governor of Osun state, Rauf Aregbesola, has set up a political group in the state known as “Omoluabi Caucus” to advance his interests.

Speaking at the launch of the group on Tuesday at Ilesa in Osun, Aregbesola said APC lost the last gubernatorial election in the state because of lack of focus.

The former state’s helmsman however debunked the suggestion that he’s trying to form a factional, in a statement signed by his media aide, Sola Fasure.

He said, “We are the genuine foundation members of the party and we have no intention of abandoning the ship of the party as it navigates the most turbulent waters.

“Emerging from the ashes of the near annihilation of our party in the governorship election of 2022 and the general election earlier this year, we should rise up and renew our strength and reclaim our place in the political firmament in Osun.

“Our party failed principally because of indiscipline and lack/loss of focus. This is manifested in the form of lack of character and incompetence.

“Character is the mental and moral qualities required in an individual to occupy a certain office or perform a certain task.”

The former governor has been struggling for relevance in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC over the role he played in ensuring that the party lost the governorship to the rival People’s Democratic Party, PDP, last year.

Before the historic election, Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister of the Interior was said to have directed his supporters to vote against Gboyega Oyetola, a former governor, and APC candidate for the election.

Oyetola lost the election to Ademola Adeleke, the PDP candidate whose victory, according to watchers of politics in the state would not have been possible without the infighting in the APC.

To compensate for his loss in the decisive election, Oyetola was last week appointed the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and has been sworn in on Monday alongside 44 cabinet ministers.

His appointment, according to analysts has ruffled feathers in Aregbesola’s camp which is now concerned that the former governor may use his position as a minister to further assert himself as the APC leader in the Sunshine State, as Osun is widely known.

“From the position of things today, Oyetola is the de facto APC leader in Osun state by virtue of being the highest political office holder as a Cabinet Minister and a former governor. These facts cannot be contested even by his political opponents,” a source in APC said on Wednesday.

Aregbesola is not happy that the former governor and ally has taken the shine from him, and is now looking for a way to bounce back to reckoning by asserting himself as the undisputed political leader in the state, according to those watching what is going on in the state.

“We are taking our position back. Aregbesola is still the leader of “Omoluabi”, the platform used by the former governor to get to political relevance. We are not fighting anybody. As you know politics is a game of numbers, and that’s what we intend to prove to those who think Aregbesola is no longer relevant in the politics of Osun state,” a close aide of the former minister who preferred anonymity told the magazine today.

Breaking: Alake ‘Sent Out’ Of Aso Rock To Satisfy Power Brokers

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Dele Alake, the recently appointed Minister of Solid Minerals is a victim of intense politicking in Aso Villa, Daniel Bwala, a spokesman of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate has said.

He claimed that Alake “was sent out of Aso Villa” to satisfy some powerful interests in the Presidency.

The PDP spokesman who was reacting to Alake’s appointment said the former commissioner of Information in Lagos state lost out in the power tussle among President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s men for control of the presidency.

Alake had earlier debunked the suggestion that he has fallen out with power brokers in the presidency, insisting that he specifically asked President Tinubu to assign him to the Ministry of Solid Minerals.

His appointment as the Minister of Solid Minerals has elicited divergent views among Nigerians, with some claiming that he has lost out favour among Aso Rock power brokers.

Not a few Nigerians had expected that President Tinubu will appoint Alake as the Minister of Information considering his pedigree in information management, also bearing in mind that he had earlier been appointed the Special Adviser to the President on Communication, Strategy, and Special projects as soon as Tinubu took power on May 29, 2023.

His failure to clinch the Information portfolio, therefore, shocked even some leaders of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

According to Bwala who spoke on Channels Television on Wednesday, Alake’s expectations to be appointed as the Minister of Information may have been dashed due to the fact that “he’s not able to manage the chief of staff” to the president, adding that “Since Alake left the performance of the president in terms of the media has been poor.”

The PDP spokesman further asserted that Alake is a victim of the power struggle between him and Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of Staff to the President.

Alake had earlier debunked the suggestion saying it’s his choice to be Minister of Solid Minerals because of the potentials in the sector that are yet to be tapped.

“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, as you know, is a sensitive position in this period of economic renewal. So, that position was one that I specifically asked Mr President to give me, and he obliged. The ministry is key to the administration, and the president wanted someone that he trusted and believed would deliver effectively,” Alake said.

“Avoid Arguments With Security Operatives”, Imo NUJ Tells Members; Warns “Fake Chairman”

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Ifeanyi Nwanguma

The Imo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has advised its members to avoid any kind of argument with Security Operatives.

The Union gave the advice in a communiqué issued at the end of its August Congress held at the NUJ Press Centre, New Owerri.

It advised members to report any kind of abuse or harassment by Security Operatives to the leadership of the Union.

In the communiqué signed by its Chairman, Ifeanyi Nwanguma, and Secretary Treasure Ihechi-Nwamah, members passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the Council, and resolved that “a Disciplinary Task Force should be set up to monitor the activities of unqualified persons parading as Journalists in tye State and any impostor of the Council Chairman be arrested.”

Following is the full text of the communique.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), IMO STATE COUNCIL AUGUST CONGRESS HELD AT NUJ PRESS CENTRE, NEW OWERRI

“Members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council assembled on Wednesday 9th August, 2023 for the month’s congress at NUJ Press Centre, New Owerri.

“The congress deliberated on a number of issues and resolved as follows:

“(1)  Congress mandated all members of the Council to submit their BioData and a recent passport photograph for a  new identity card.

“(2) Congress passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the Council, stressing that members have been given a new lease of life.

“(3)  Congress resolved that a disciplinary task force should be set up to monitor the activities of unqualified persons parading as Journalists in the state and any impostor of the Council Chairman be arrested immediately.

“(5) Congress observed that the state government is losing huge sum of internally generated revenue because of the activities of corrupt  Police Officers at check points. It stressed that motorists no longer renew their vehicle papers upon expiration. Congress therefore called on the government to call these Officers to order.

“(6)) On the November, 11th 2023,  governorship election in the state, Congress agreed that there will be a lecture in the next congress to educate journalists on how to go about their reportage in order not to go against the rules.

“(7) Members were advised to avoid any form of argument with security Men and always report  cases of harassment in the course of their duties to the leadership of the Council.”

“We’re Going On Strike” –  Medical, Dental Consultants  Issues 21-Ultimatum To Federal Government

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By Akinwale Kasali

The  newly appointed Federal Minister for Health and his Labour Counterpart are asuming duties facing a crisis-filled basket.

The Federal Government has been given a 21-Day ultimatum by the Medical And Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, to meet its demand or face industrial action.

In a communique issued Tuesday, August 22, 2023,  signed by its President, Victor Makanjuola and Secretary General, Yemi Raji, at the end of its extraordinary National Executive Council meeting which was held virtually, it said that it was dismayed by the non-implementation of the jointly agreed upward review of CONMESS and the introduction of Accoutrement allowance with the Nigerian Medical Association, as the released circular only captured the percentage increase on the basic salary, as against applying it to both the basic salaries and all allowances except hazard allowance.

The communique  reads:

“This error has resulted in the complete exclusion of the clinical lecturers (Honorary Consultants) from benefitting from the upward review. The commencement date for the new circular was agreed to be January 1, 2023, rather than June 1, 2023.

“We believe this error will be corrected without delay. The recent upward review of CONMESS did not take into consideration the consequences of the fuel subsidy removal and exponential inflation that has pervaded our socio-economic space in the past three months.

“Despite our association’s decision to keep faith with the engagement and negotiations with the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission for more than two years regarding the correction of the shortfalls in remuneration for Clinical Lecturers (Honorary Consultants), the issue is yet to be conclusively addressed by the Federal Government,” it noted.

The council said it observed the non-universal implementation of CONMESS for all medical and dental doctors irrespective of the agencies of the government they are working with.

The Council decried the failure of the government to appreciate the magnitude of the impacts of brain drain in the health sector, as exhibited by the refusal of the National Council on Establishment to approve the Federal Ministry of Health’s proposal on the upward review of the age of retirement for the Medical and Dental Consultants and other health workers.

The Council said the Government has failed to resolve the ongoing disputes with the National Association of Residents Doctors and its attendant impacts on access to health care by Nigerians, and the kidnapping of doctors in the country.

The Consultants are, however, demanding the immediate review of the newly revised CONMESS circular and issuance of a new circular that would reflect the agreed percentage on both the Basic Salary and other allowances, apart from hazard allowance.

According to them, the review will ensure that the clinical lecturers would benefit from the upward review.

Other demands include, “A call for the correction of the error of commencement of the implementation of the upward review of CONMESS from June 1, 2023, to January 1, 2023.

“The upward review of the CONMESS should take into consideration the impacts of the fuel subsidy removal and the high inflationary trend that is currently being experienced. A demand for the immediate implementation and circularisation of the agreed modalities for correcting the shortfalls in remunerations of Clinical Lecturers (Honorary Consultants). An appeal for the universal applicability of CONMESS to all medical and dental doctors, particularly those in public universities.

“The attention of the government is once again called to the impact of brain drain in the health sector, which is contributing to burnout among our members and inadequate healthcare workforce to cater to the health of Nigerians. We, therefore, demand the immediate implementation of the upward review of age retirement to 70 years for Consultants and 65 years for other Health workers, as an immediate measure to bridge the ongoing massive brain drain.

“We appeal to the government to as a matter of urgency resolve all the contending issues with NARD, to ensure that the government hospitals return to normal operation for optimal healthcare delivery immediately. We call on the government at all levels, as well as the security agencies to do all within their powers, to ensure the safety of our members and other Nigerians while effecting the immediate and safe release of those currently held captive by kidnappers.

“The NEC hopes that all these issues will be satisfactorily resolved within the next 21 days, failing which it can no longer guarantee the present relative industrial harmony within the government hospitals and our medical schools”, it said.

Imo Students Endorse Uzodimma For Second Term

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Hope Uzodimma

The National Association of Imo State Students (NAISS) has endorsed the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma for a second tenure, thanking him for all he has been doing for Imo people and Imo State Students in particular.

The endorsement was contained in the address they handed over to the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie when they came on a solidarity march to the Governor at the Government House, Owerri on Tuesday.

Receiving the Students, the Chief of Staff thanked them for taking the bold step of recognizing the efforts and achievements of the Governor in his short period in office and on his behalf promised the students that the Governor was poised to do more.

Anyaehie described Imo students as the best and brightest among the Nigerian students because “Imo Students set the pace and others follow.”

He appreciated the students for the show of solidarity and for identifying and putting down the various and verifiable achievements of the Governor which he made them to know are “just a tip of the iceberg.”

He told the students that though they have reeled out some modest achievements of the Governor “but there are other intangible achievements such as; payment of Salaries and Pension, approved promotion arrears for Civil Servants which in his estimate is more than what other past Governments did in their eight years of governance in Imo State.”

He reminded them of the Governor’s determination to achieve the dredging of Oguta Lake which will bring economic and social boom to the State, noting that “what the Governor is doing is to ensure that Imo citizens’ welfare is at its best and for Imo Students to be the best in the future.”

The Chief of Staff affirmed to the chorus of the students that the “Governor is ordained by God and anyone who is anointed/blessed by God no one will curse him.”

Concluding, he urged the students to continue doing what is right by giving attention to their academics, saying that “education makes a man.”

On behalf of the Governor, he informed the students that in the next few weeks Government will roll out empowerment packages for Imo Students.

In their address read by the President, National Association of Imo State Students (NAISS), Comrd. Umukoro Marvis Udechukwu, the students said they have come to register their satisfaction with the incredible administrative performance of the Shared Prosperity Government which has affected them positively.

They mentioned, among other things, the 35 kilometer dual carriage way Owerri/Orlu road, the 55 kilometers Owerri/Okigwe road that are completed and commissioned as well as the 46 kilometers Owerri/Mbaise/Umuahia road that is ongoing which Imo Students are benefiting from.

Secondly, they recalled the speedy intervention and rescue of Imo State Students trapped in 2021 University of Jos deadly crisis, the upgrading of ALVAN Ikoku Federal College of Education to ALVAN Ikoku Federal University of Education as well as the Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri.

They commended His Excellency’s fight against insecurity through a unique security architecture that is unprecedented.

The student who were excited reminded the audience that His Excellency attracted N3 Billion TETFund project to Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Umuagwo as well as helped Imo State University Teaching Hospital IMSUTH to graduate three batches of Medical Doctors within his tenure which was never possible in the previous administrations, in addition to the modernization and successful movement of Imo State Polytechnic from Umuagwo to Omuma in Oru East where it is better situated.

They expressed their gratitude to the Governor for the accreditation of School of Nursing and Midwifery Aboh Mbaise and Amaigbo and his constant attention to Umuguma Specialist Hospital.

“As though this is not enough His Excellency has gone ahead to establish three new International standard General Hospitals at Umuokanne in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Oguta in Oguta LGA and Omuma in Oru East LGA as a show of his good intentions and guaranty of adequate healthcare to Imo people.

The Students did not forget to recall the role the Governor played in initiating and getting the approval of the Federal Government towards the dredging of Oguta Lake to Orashi River to the Atlantic Ocean to enhance the proposed Imo State Free Trade Zone at Oguta and its environs.

Finally, they gave the Governor Kudos for the Skill-up Project designed to empower Imo people, the youths and students in particular technological through the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government in addition to the proposed N5 billion Agricultural empowerment for Imo farmers and Imo Students inclusive.

The Chief of Staff was assisted in receiving the Students by the Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Hon Barr. Emeka Agbo, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Hon Chief Chinasa Nwaneri.

The Students that came on the visit were made up of the leadership of all the Tertiary institutions in Imo State.

Se€ual Harassment: UNICAL  Rejects Dean’s Response To Query, Sets Up Probe Panel, Recalls  Law School List

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Prof Cyril Ndifon and UNICAL Female Law Students

By Adesina Soyooye

Professor Cyril Ndifon, the embattled, suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, (UNICAL), is in for more troubles and embarrassment.

The authorities of the University of Calabar  (UNICAL), has not only set up an investigation panel to  look into  sundry allegations, including se€ual  harassment, lack of accountability and abuse of office made against him by female Law Students, the list approved by him and sent to Law Schools is likely to be recalled for a review.

Professor Ndifon’s trouble started last week when the students, in an unprecedented action, embarked on a massive protest against him at the Vice Chancellor’s office, asking that the Professor leave them alone as the Faculty is not a brothel, and their bodies not meant for him.

The actions against Ndifon was made public by the Vice Chancellor  of the University, Professor Florence Obi, addressed newsmen in Calabar on Monday.

Professor Obi said the Panel  would be made up of a few members of staff of the University, but would include, mostly, representatives of interested bodies including  UNICAL Alumni, Federation of Female Lawyers and Federal Public Complaints Commission. She noted that their involvement “speaks volumes of the Management’s understanding and willingness to partner with them to get it right.

Her words:

“Management, after observing that the Dean of the Faculty was at the Centre of all the complaints and aberrations, issued the Dean with a 10-point query to be responded to within 24 hours.

“This was to give him a good opportunity to effectively refute the allegations or state why Management should not take the allegations of the students seriously.

“When he responded, his submissions in the eyes of Management were thoroughly weak and not convincing.

“Management was left with no other option than to set up a panel to conduct investigation. It is obvious that the Dean cannot be in office while the investigation is on, hence going by the Public Service Rules, he has been placed on suspension to allow a free investigation.”

Management, she also noted,  has decided with the staff “on the need for some basic changes to be effected, to avoid continuous overbearing influence and power of any Dean of Faculty of Law over the students.”

She listed the immediate actions taken so far as: “Setting up of a Committee to take charge of students’ mobilization to Law School.

“A review and possible recall of the students’ list sent to Law School. Removal from office of the two examination officers and the setting up of a ResultVetting Committee. Setting up Students’ Project Committee to assign Project supervisors to the undergraduates. Setting up of Admission Committee to review Direct Entry Admissions.

“Setting up of a Committee to update the existing Standard Operations Procedure(SOP) of the University to take care of the peculiarities of the Faculty of Law. Appointment of a new Sub-Dean. Appointment of a new interim Chairman of the Faculty’s Post Graduate School Board. Setting up a Committee to review and assign courses for the semester in compliancewith the University procedure on Quality Assurance.

“The Dean and the Sub-Dean were directed to submit all the result scripts, questions papers, marking guides and examination attendance lists for the past two sessions to the Director of Quality Assurance. The Dean (Ndifon) to refund all illegal monies extorted from the students under various sub-heads, among other decisions.”

“Where Is Our Palliative Package?” – Benue PDP Asks Gov Alia, Worries Over Gov Continued Silence

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By Ayodele Oni

Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), in Benue State has charged Governor Hyacinth Alia to disclose what accrued to the State from palliatives released by the Federal Government for hardship caused by Petrol subsidy removal.

PDP in a statement on Tuesday said  “in Benue State, PDP and indeed the people find as worrisome the continuing silence by Governor Hyacinth Alia over the package sent to the state.

“We understand the package consists in trucks of food items and N5 billion, same as was given to each of the 36 states of the federation.”

The statement, signed by Bemgba Iortyom, State Publicity Secretary, “commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the palliatives packages given by his government to states in the country to cushion the hardship resulting from the removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

“The palliatives, while not a long term solution to the issues of poverty and suffering occasioned on Nigerians by the subsidy removal and other related policies of the Tinubu administration, no doubt will provide short term succour to citizens, if handled sincerely and transparently by the various State Governments.

“It is a widely known fact that many other state governments across the country have since distributed the palliatives to their people, with some even augmenting the package from their own resources, yet in Benue State, Governor Alia has not uttered a word regarding the matter.

“This raises serious concerns for us as a party, moreso given the governor’s track record as a man most uncomfortable with the demands for transparency and accountability in the handling of public resources.

“Questions already agitating the populace in the state include:

Has Governor Alia received Benue’s share of the palliatives or not?

“If he has received the packages, how does he intend to share same out? Who are his target beneficiaries and what are they likely to get?

“PDP calls on Governor Hyacinth Alia to, without further waste of time, come out from his cocoon of silence and secrecy over the palliatives and shed light on the matter.

“Continued silence by the governor and the concomitant delay in the distribution of the palliatives amounts to aggravating the sufferings of the intended beneficiaries, in the reality that ‘Benefits delayed are benefits denied’.

“PDP further urges Governor Alia to resist any temptation or pressure from his cronies to play politics with the palliatives, and he should ensure in the most transparent manner that the packages reach the suffering and vulnerable people of Benue State for whom they are meant.”

How General Ahmadu Died During Physical Exercise

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Brigadier-General MI Ahmadu

By Gideon Njoku

The Nigeria Army has lost one of its senior officers during a routine fitness physical exercise.

Brigadier-General MI Ahmadu, sadly, died while running during the Second Annual Physical Training Test, 2023, on Monday.

According to reports, first broken by SaharaReporters, Ahmadu fell while running. He was rushed to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, he was declared dead.

Until his sudden death, Brigadier-General Ahmadu was serving at the Department of Special Services and Programmes, at the Army Headquarters. He was an Artillery Officer.

Bwala To Wike: “Abuja Not Rivers, You Are Bullish And Vindictive; Will Be Sacrificed By Tinubu”

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Daniel Bwala and Nyesom Wike

By Gideon Njoku

Daniel Bwala,  a Lawyer, and Spokesperson to Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has told Nyesom Wike, newly sworn-own Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, that he, Wike, probably needs a refresher course in his new office. He also reminded the Minister that Abuja is not Rivers State. Wike is the immediate past Governor of Rivers State.

Bwala’s advice followed Wike’s roaring first day in office immediately after he was sworn-in on Monday by President Bola Tinubu.

In his first press conference, he spit fire and brimstone while explaining what his focus would be as the FCT Minister.

He said he is on a demolition mission because he plans to restore the Abuja Masterplan to the letter. He said he would revoke Certificates of Occupancy, and issued a red card to herdsmen whose cows parade the Capital City. Motorcyclists and Tricyclists were not spared either. He will be a Nasir El-Rufai, a former FCT Minister who excelled in demolition, he proudly promised his shocked, amused and excited listeners.

But reacting to Wike’s threats, Bwala in a post, without mentioning Wike’s name told him that he needed a refresher course, and prophesised that President Tinubu would sacrifice him if he embarks on causing chaos and  making powerful enemies for him.

He reminded Wike that Abuja is different from Rivers State, a State where Wike bestrode like a colossus while in office as a Governor.

Instead of the threats  Bwala   reeled out what FCT residents and indigenes need from Wike – good healthcare facilities, good roads, street lights, security, educational facilities and more.

Bwala called Wike bullish, and accused him of coming into office with a vindictive spirit.

His post on his X account on his verified handle, @BwalaDaniel titled

“To whom it may concern,” reads:

“Hello sir, in case you need a refresher course, the basic needs of the residents of the FCT are: affordable healthcare facilities; access to good education facilities; clean sports and recreational centres; an affordable transport services system; efficient and workable street lighting in the city centre and the suburbs; and finally, security.

“You came with a bullish and vendetta spirit, venting fire and brimstone about demolition and revocation of titles. Abuja is not Port Harcourt.

“If you create chaos in the city, you will jeopardise your principal’s interests, and he will be forced to sacrifice your job. You will learn humility on the job.”