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Fmr Ekiti Gov Fayemi To Commissioners: “You Are Not Party Leaders, Focus On Governance”

August 11, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has urged newly inaugurated commissioners and special advisers to focus on excellent service delivery in order to bring additional value to the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

Dr Fayemi gave the advice in his remarks at the ongoing retreat for members of Ekiti State Executive Council and accounting officers in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.

The former Governor, who was a special guest at the retreat, said Governor Oyebanji was already doing well, making giant strides in the areas of development and inclusivity.

He added that commissioners should see themselves as privileged to be among the team that will assist the Governor achieve more urging them to stay clear of actions capable of making them become cog in the wheel of progress.

Dr Fayemi said he is impressed that the Oyebanji administration has become a reference point for continuity in governance, adding that the main task before the new commissioners should be how to add value to the administration.

“When I was asked by an interviewer to describe the quality of my would be successor, I remember saying that I would want a successor that can perform excellently well, relate well with the people, be sociable and one that possesses street credibility.

“I am happy to say that Governor Oyebanji is doing all of that. He is doing a great job, the evidence is all over the place. He is also out there relating well with the people regardless of their political leaning. He has been able to broaden the base and bring more admiration for government.

“Governor Oyebanji has almost turned the state into a one party state- the Ekiti Party. The issue here is we should not become internal enemy to ourselves. As commissioners, don’t become poison in the system.

“You should count yourselves privileged to be appointed Exco members. Focus on service. And service is all about sacrifice, not self – seeking.”

Dr Fayemi urged the new appointees to familiarize themselves with the state’s 30 years master plan and the six pillar development agenda of the Oyebanji administration and translate them into action in their respective MDAs, adding that that is one of the ways to add value to the administration.

Advising them to avoid political pitfalls, the former Governor counseled the newly inaugurated cabinet members not to arrogate to themselves the leadership of the party in their respective local government areas.

He charged them to accord respect to the established leaders and elders of the party and channel their energy on their primary assignment in government.

Governor Oyebanji thanked former Governor Fayemi for making out time for the retreat despite the shortness of the notice.

Ondo: Creation Of New LCDAs Has Been Politicized – Akure Community, Rejects New Four Councils

Ayodele Oni

August 11, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Akure community in Ondo state, made up Akure north and Akure south has rejected creation of additional Local Council Development Areas, (LCDA) from the existing two councils, if the state government cannot implement memorandum sent to it on the issue.

Akure Youth Coalition, (AYC) said the proposed four new LCDAs from the two local council of Akure north and south will divide rather than unite the communities.

In a joint statement issued on Friday the coalition described as “unjust and unfair treatment of Akure in the ongoing process of creation of new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAS) by the Ondo State Government.

“After series of stakeholders meetings and consultations, we the sons and daughters of Akure have resolved to reject the lopsided spread of the new LCDAS in the State, especially the decision to create only three LCDAs from the current Akure South local government area and only one LCDA from the current Akure North local government area. This, to us, is a political exercise aimed at short-changing the people of Akure.

“What logical explanation can the government give for creating more LCDAs from a smaller local government than Akure South local government, the state capital?

“With the proposal of the government, the current Akure South/Akure North federal constituency will now have six LGA/LCDAS another federal constituency will have eight LGA/LCDAS. How logical is this?

“In every State of the country where LCDAs have been created, including our neighbouring Ekiti, the state capital gets more than any other local government.

“Why is that of Ondo State different? Who are those pushing this satanic agenda in the government of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who has been absent from office in recent months? What offence has Akure committed to deserve this kind of insulting treatment from the government?

“We the people of Akure therefore reject in its totality any LCDA creation that will shortchange our people. We are peace loving people and we therefore urge the government not to carry out any exercise that will threaten the peace we have been enjoying in our communities with a politically motivated exercise.”

The statement, signed on behalf of the coalition by Adekambi Daniel

President; and Adeyeye Micheal,

General Secretary, maintained that

“The LCDAs as created did not take into consideration the memoranda submitted to the government Committee by Akure Kingdom, which requested for the creation of EIGHT (8) LCDAS from Akure South.

“Creating three LCDAs from Akure South and one from Akure North grossly under represents us in terms of human population, voting population, land mass, housing units, utilities and public facilities.

“Akure North with one of the biggest land mass and Akure South with the biggest population and largest contribution to the economy of the state deserve more LCDAs as both LGs are crucial to the development of the State.

“If the aim of the creation of the LCDAs is to bring development closer to the grassroots, then citing the headquarters of the new LCDA from Akure North in Oba-Ile, which an urban area, defeats such aim when there are less developed communities like Ilu-Abo, Igbatoro, Igoba, etc.

“The map of the State has been balkanized to cede various parts of Akure to other communities and this will not be accepted.

“The idea of equalling the unequals by creating same number of LCDAs in the three senatorial districts of the State without taking into consideration the various factors listed in above is against the rule of fairness and equity.

“Akure, the State capital, should therefore be granted a Special Status and given the number of LCDAs as recommended to the government committee by the community.

“It is therefore imperative that we urge the government that the relative peace of Akure, the state capital, should not be threatened in any way, as this exercise, as it currently is, is capable of creating restiveness in the system.

“Akure community has been a good host to this government and the people of Ondo State. It therefore should be given its dues.”

Edo Implements 1979 LG Law Which Makes Benin Monarch Permanent Chairman Of Traditional Council

Ayodele Oni

August 11, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Executive Council has approved the implementation of a 1979 Law on local council administration, which translates to a new regime where all traditional rulers in the 18 local government areas of the state will receive monthly allowances to administer their domains.

In a statement in Benin, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, said the decision was reached at the Executive Council meeting, held at the Government House, Benin City.

Ogie noted, “The Council resolved that there would be a traditional council in each local government area across the state’s 18 local councils.

“In the law, the Oba of Benin remains the permanent chairman of the Edo State Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs and also the permanent chairman of the Benin Traditional Council.

“The Benin Traditional Council is the umbrella body of Edo South Traditional Council.

“The allowance will enable the traditional rulers in the 18 LGAs to perform their statutory roles, such as ensuring social cohesion and peace, traditional vigilance and harmonious living across various communities.

“The Edo EXCO re-emphasised that the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, remains the permanent chairman of the Edo State Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs as well as permanent chairman of the umbrella council in Edo South Senatorial District.

“It also stressed that the budget and funding of the Benin Traditional Council will be completely independent of the financing which goes to all other traditional council of the various local government areas in the State.

“The Executive Council noted that with the development, the various traditional rulers across the local government areas will now be able to optimally perform their roles within their domains, working with other relevant stakeholders to maintain peace and order and accelerate grassroots development.

“The new structure will also help to deepen governance in the grassroots, enable government connect more with the people, get feedback on their needs and also identify and support the poorest of the poor in local and hard-to-reach communities across the State.”

Ministers: Ohanaeze Says Tinubu Short-changed Southeast; 5 Slots Not Enough

James Orji

August 11, 2023

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, says the south east has been further marginalised in the ministerial appointment.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently sent 46 ministerial nominees to the Senate out the of which 43 has now be cleared, to be designated to various ministries.

The nomination has been widely criticized, particularly by leaders in the south east for being lopsided in favour of some parts of the country.

Reacting, Ohanaeze said it’s we Ng that only the region has five nominees while other regions have at least six ministers.

A statement signed by its president, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu on Thursday said the south east will not be sufficiently represented in Tinubu’s cabinet, saying the development has placed Ndigbo in a very difficult situation as far as representation and Shar Ng of the nation’s political and economic power is concerned.

The statement said from the appointment, “the south-east was shortchanged with five (5) states while other zones have a minimum of six (6) states

. This situation has placed the south-east in a very difficult position, politically, economically, and socially.

“Our political power has been reduced as we have a few senators and also in the House of Representatives; governors, house of assembly and local governments.

“In federal revenue allocation, the south-east is denied the revenue that comes on the basis of states. In federal board appointments and other resource distributions, we are strategically shortchanged.”

Other prominent Igbo leaders have equally criticized the president for short-changing the region, urging him to remedy the situation in the overall interest of the country.

PEPT: Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, Prepare for Re-run

The Source

August 11, 2023

Bola Tinubu-Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar

By Akinjide Aina, Abuja

The three main gladiators in the disputed February 25th, 2023 Presidential election – former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP and former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC and their parties- are secretly mobilizing their supporters for a re-run, this Magazine can authoritatively report.

Tinubu was, on March 1st, 2023, declared the winner of the election by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC triggering petitions from Atiku and Obi who alleged the election was rigged.

They are Avoiding Another Election Frenzy

Impeccable sources privy to the secret mobilizations told the Magazine that “the three main candidates and their parties are convinced that the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, PEPT, is not likely to affirm any of them the actual winner of the election hence they are mobilizing for votes afresh albeit secretly to avoid throwing the nation into another election frenzy… I think they are doing it secretly in order not to jump the gun and overheat the polity”

We Will not be Caught Off Guard

The meeting of PDP stakeholders in Abuja last week which Atiku attended, sources told the magazine, was part of the mobilization effort.

It was gathered that few trusted allies of the former VP in the party had, a few hours before the stakeholders meeting, met with him behind closed doors. Deliberations centered on the party’s petition at the tribunal and after reviewing the case, it was concluded that the PDP put before the tribunal rock-solid evidence and cogent reasons to show that Tinubu was invalidly elected and that the former VP scored the majority of lawful votes and ought to have been declared winner.

However, in a worst-case scenario, it was further concluded, a re-run of the Presidential election will be ordered by the Court hence it was resolved that preparation and muted mobilization of supporters nationwide should immediately commence.

After the meeting, a chieftain of the party told our source that “we have to start early; this way we will not be caught off guard when the tribunal finally gives its judgment”

We Won and We are Prepared to Repeat the Feat

Sources close to LP have told this magazine that the party and its candidate are prepared to participate in a re-run presidential election, should the presidential election tribunal fail to outrightly declare him (Obi) the rightful winner.

Said an LP source: “We are prepared, we are ready, should the tribunal order a rerun. Our candidate, His Excellency, Peter Obi, won the presidential election but was rigged out, we expect the tribunal to declare him the rightful winner but should it in its wisdom order a re-run, I want to assure you that we are ready, we won in February and we are prepared to repeat the feat”

PBAT Won, There Will Be no Re-run

Meanwhile, APC supporters and Tinubu sympathizers are emphatic that there will be no rerun.

According to an APC chieftain, Adeoye Adejobi, “PBAT ( President Bola Ahmed Tinubu) won the February presidential election and I believe the tribunal will accordingly reaffirm his victory, there will be no need for a rerun and there will be no rerun”

This optimism, however, runs counter to APC/ Tinubu’s lawyers’ plea at the tribunal, in their final written addresses, that should a re-run be ordered, Obi/ LP should be excluded.

Meanwhile, The Source has been informed that just like the PDP and LP, the APC is mobilizing for a possible re-run.

Said an APC insider: “We are ready, our supporters and members are ready; we will not be taken unawares, however, we are not praying for a rerun because if a re-a run is ordered and we have to embark on a fresh campaign, given the removal of subsidy on fuel, high cost of goods and the excruciating hardship in the country, what will be our Unique Selling Proposition, USP? What will we be telling the electorates? What reason or reasons are we going to give them to win their hearts and votes?

Re-run: Who will Participate in it?

In concert with the constitution, should the tribunal cancel the February 25th presidential election and orders a rerun, the contest ought to be between Tinubu and Atiku who came first and second respectively as announced by INEC but the Obi and Atiku camps think otherwise.

The camps of the two Presidential candidates are envisaging the disqualification of Tinubu by the tribunal from participating in the rerun on account of his alleged perjury, forgery, and his US drug-related forfeiture.

Diran Onifade, spokesman of the Obi-Datti campaign organization in a recent release argued that if the tribunal deducted votes from the states Obi was allegedly rigged out and added the same to his already declared votes, he will come first.

Should this happen and the tribunal goes ahead to disqualify Tinubu and still orders a rerun, according to analysts, the contest will be between Obi and Atiku.

Similarly, Atiku’s camp, believes that the former VP won the majority of lawful votes and that if the tribunal orders a return, it will exclude Tinubu from it.

However, Tinubu’s lawyers argue that a rerun, should it be ordered, will exclude Obi given that, according to the results declared by INEC, he came third; this they pleaded at the tribunal in their final submission.

How we Got Here

Atiku and Obi who came second and third respectively in the election, dissatisfied with INEC’s declaration of Tinubu as winner, had dragged INEC, Timubu, and the APC to the tribunal praying it to declare the APC candidate invalidly elected and either declare them a rightful winner or order a rerun without Tinubu/ APC’s participation.

The petitioners and respondents have closed their cases and given their final written addresses while the tribunal has reserved its judgment.

Southeast: Ekwunife Commends Govs For Unity, Commitment To Region’s Challenges

James Orji

August 11, 2023

The Director General of Southeast Governors Forum (SEGF), Iyom Senator Uche Ekwunife has commended the five Governors of the Southeast region for their unity and commitment towards solving the challenges facing the region.

Iyom Senator Ekwunife spoke to the media at the end of the meeting of the forum which held in Enugu on Thursday, 10th August, 2023.

According to her, “I must commend our five governors of the Southeast. There is renewed sense of urgency and commitment in tackling many of the challenges facing the region. It is also noteworthy that despite their very hectic schedules, the five Governors personally attended today’s meeting of the Southeast Governors Forum and participated actively, with far reaching decisions made as was read out in the communique”.

Continuing, the DG of SEGF thanked Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Governor of Imo state and Chairman of Southeast Governors Forum for his leadership of the forum. “From what we have witnessed so far, the SEGF under the Chairmanship of Senator Hope Uzodinma will signal a step-change in the socio-economic fortunes of the Southeast. He is a man of ideas, courage and teamwork. All the 5 governors are working together to find lasting solutions to the security and economic problems of the region. Our people say that ‘Igwebuike’, and ‘Njikoka’. The Governors can only solve the problems of the region if they work together and that they are already doing. This is in the overall interest of the people of our region”, Iyom Senator Ekwunife concluded.

Imo Bans All Non Authorised Levy Collection Taskforces

The Source

August 11, 2023

All persons or groups involved in the reckless collection of levies in Imo State without the strict authorisation of the governor have been asked to desist forthwith or have themselves to blame.

Governor Hope Uzodimma said the consequences that await the refusal of those involved in such acts are huge because his government is no longer prepared to tolerate acts that smear her image.

Governor Uzodimma is particularly concerned about reports of individuals, groups and even political appointees, who harass members of the public under the guise of taskforces and use same to collect levies and impose penalties that are both illegal and criminal.

The Governor insists that the only authorised body in Imo State charged with the responsibility of collecting levies, penalties and other revenues for the government remains the Imo State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS).

He has, therefore, warned that anyone caught in the web of further illegal collections, including political appointees, will face the music squarely, regardless of who the person is.

The areas where the madness over collection of levies, penalties and other fees has taken a worrisome dimension and have caught the attention of the Governor are in the haulage/ truck collections (both day and night) businesses, the municipal daily ticketing in the parks and markets, those going after transportation traffic offenders, among others.

While the ministries and agencies involved in the act have been directed to desist from further collection of such levies, penalties and fees, Governor Uzodimma said anyone

(political appointees inclusive) or group that decides to taste his will on such illegalities by way of ignoring his directive may have to face consequences.

Insecurity In South East: Perpetrators, Sponsors Are Criminals, Not Agitators – Governors; Vow To Fight It With FG

The Source

August 11, 2023

Governors from the South Eastern part of Nigeria rose from their meeting on Thursday in Enugu and resolved to collaborate with the Federal Government to tackle the menace of insecurity threatening the socio-economic life of the people of the region.

The Governors met under the auspices of South East Governors Forum.

They said those behind the insecurity as it is perceived in the South East – both the perpetrators and sponsors – are simply criminals and must be treated as such when arrested in accordance with the law and not be seen as legitimate agitators they claim to be.

The meeting which lasted for several hours at the Enugu State Government House was attended by all the South East Governors – Sen. Hope Uzodimma of Imo State (Chairman of the Forum), Dr. Alex Oti (Abia), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra), Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) and Dr. Peter MBA of Enugu, as the host.

In a communique read after the meeting by the Chairman of the Forum, Senator Uzodimma, flanked by his brother colleagues, the Governors also commended the Security Agencies for their cooperation and achievements in the zone so far and encouraged them not to relent.

The communique reads in full:

“The Forum firmly resolved to fight insecurity decisively in the region, individually and collectively, in partnership with the federal government of Nigeria and other stakeholders.

“We commend the Security Agencies for their cooperation and achievements thus far and encourage them not to relent.

“We wish to categorically state that the perpetrators of the insecurity and their sponsors in our region are criminals and should not be seen as legitimate agitators.

“Therefore, upon arrest, they should be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.

“The Forum resolved to hold the security and economic Summit for the South East region on a date to be announced soon.”

Meanwhile, fielding questions on the perception that the detention of Nnamdi Kalu was fueling insecurity in the South East, Governor Uzodimma said: “I don’t know how you want to relate the name Nnamdi Kalu to the kidnappings, the beheading of human beings, the burning down of homes and palaces of traditional rulers to Nnamdi Kalu. But if you have evidence you may wish to approach us after this session.”

On what the Governors are doing to bring him out of detention and possibly relaunch Ebubeagu, the Chairman of the South East Governors Forum said: “That has to do with the details of the programmes of the Forum of Governors, working in partnership with the Federal Government to deal with insecurity in the region. When the details are out, we will let you know.”

Activist Urges Lawmakers To Return “Enjoyment Allowance”; Challenges Asks Them To Publish Account Statements

Akinwale Kasali

August 11, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Thursday, called on Senators and House of Representatives members to urgently return the money they have illegally collected from the National Assembly as “enjoyment” and “vacation” allowances.

Frank who made this call in a statement in Abuja, insisted that the primary role of the Legislature is to make laws for the order, security and good governance of the country and not to plunder the till.

He wondered why the lawmakers have not deemed it necessary to review the nation’s minimum wage which will benefit the masses in the face of skyrocketing inflation but rather have resorted to helping themselves with funds from taxpayers’ money to catch vacation cruise.

He described the attitude of members of the 10th National Assembly as the worst ever to happen to the country saying they appear to be far removed from the harsh economic realities inflicting excruciating pains on the average Nigerian who elected them into office.

Akpabio had, on Monday night, told Senators that the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Magaji Tambawal, had sent a “token” (money) into their individual bank accounts to “enjoy” their annual “vacation.”

Frank said: “I have been reliably informed that what Akpabio termed token is actually in millions of Naira which belongs to taxpayers.

“According to a Senator from the Northwest geopolitical zone who confided in me, ‘each Senator received N35million while principal officers got N50million each.’

“He equally told me that each House of Representatives member got N30million while their principal officers received N45million each.

“The Senator said he has rejected his own largesse saying: ‘Allah will not forgive me if I collect such an amount for vacation enjoyment while my constituents are suffering hardships. I will spend my vacation with my constituents in the village. I am not traveling to any other place so I don’t need the money.’

“I know Akpabio and his cohorts will rush to deny this but let them do so with evidence by publishing their bank statements for Nigerians to verify for the sake of transparency. I also dare the Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Tambawal, to publish the vouchers with which he paid these slush funds into the accounts of legislators.”

Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, however flayed Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) for claiming he only received N2million for vacation enjoyment even as he challenged him to publish his bank statement for Nigerians to confirm whether he told the truth or not.

He reiterated his call on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio to resign his position for illegally and boldly distributing the nation’s commonwealth to legislators on national television and for painting the legislature as the most corrupt arm of government in the country.

He equally called on Nigerians to rise up and demand Akpabio’s resignation should the President or Akpabio’s colleagues fail to rise up to the occasion.

He lamented that while the Federal Government has been complaining of lean financial resources and begging Nigerians to be “patient” and “wait” for things to improve, Akpabio could afford to dole out money for enjoyment without any thought about workers who have been crying that their minimum wage should be increased.

“They cannot pay common living wage to Nigerian workers but Akpabio’s Freudian slip is a wake up call for Nigerians to urgently mobilize and take back their country, if the Nigeria Labour Congress fails to take action to protect and defend now impoverished Nigerian workers.

He called on the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other affiliate unions to rise up and genuinely fight for a living wage for Nigerian workers.

“If Akpabio can fight for senators and Members of the House of Representatives to get so much for enjoyment, we expect the organized labour leadership to fight for improved salaries, wages and welfare packages for Nigerian workers devoid of the types of compromise associated with past workers agitations,” he said.

PSC Says Promotion Of Police Officers With Record Of Human Rights Abuses Will Be Withheld

Ayodele Oni

August 11, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Chairman of the Police Service Commission, (PSC) Solomon Araze has revealed effort of the commission to put an end to abuse of human rights of the citizens by the police.

He was receiving two delegations from the United States of America, (USA) and the United Kingdom, that (UK) were at the Corporate Headquarters of the PSC in Abuja on Thursday.

The delegations also visited the Commission’s newly established Compliance Monitoring Unit (CMU), a tracking platform on public complaints against serving Nigeria Police Officers, and promised to assist the Commission drastically to reduce human rights abuses by the Police.

This was contained in a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations of the Commission.

The United States Delegation was led by Jason A. Smith, Director International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, while Chris Grimson of the National Agency on Anti- Kidnap and Extortion Unit, (AKEU) visited on behalf of the United Kingdom.

The Commission Chairman told the Visitors that what Nigerians want is a responsible Police Force that would respect the human rights of the citizenry.

Dr. Arase said the Commission decided to set up the Compliance Monitoring Unit to ensure that the rights of the citizens are protected and offending Police Officers sanctioned for misconduct.

He told his visitors that the leadership of the Commission and the Police are united in the fight to stamp out human rights abuses in the Country.

The PSC Chairman assured his visitors that there would be no conflict between the Commission and the Police Management on the operations of the Compliance Monitoring Unit.

He, however, frowned at pre-trial detentions by the Police, noting that the Commission will no longer tolerate detentions beyond what the law provides for.

He declared that the Commission wants to track complaints against Police, stressing that any Officer who has pending human rights cases will not be cleared for promotions or postings.

“Any Officer who has human rights issues not conclusively investigated by the Police Complaints Unit will be stepped down from promotion and postings.”

He called for assistance in the provision of more systems for the CMU as the Commission anticipates several complaints against the Police as the Unit takes shape.

Dr. Smith, leader of the US delegation said they are in Nigeria to assist strengthen the rule of law and especially the Police.

He noted that PSC is a key stakeholder in their project to strengthen the rule of law in Nigeria and promised to work with the Commission to achieve this .

Mr. Grimson of the National Crime Agency of the British High Commission promised to partner with the Commission in the training of the personnel of the Nigeria Police.

He spoke on intelligence sharing, proper investigation so as to break down barriers between the Police and other security agencies in the country.

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