June 12: Nigerians Challenge Tinubu To Tackle Insecurity As President Promises Delivery Of Democratic Dividends

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June 12, 2023

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will fulfill electoral promises made to them.

The president spoke on the occasion to mark Democracy Day, in remembrance of the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election won by late Chief Moshood Kashimaro Abiola.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, on July 6, 2018, approved June 12 as a national holiday in appreciation of the sacrifice made by the late business mogul and other democracy activists who died under the repressive regime of military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha.

President Tinubu made the assurance a few days after he took over power as the nation’s leader on May 29, from Muhammadu Buhari.

His election is still being contested by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP.

The duo has approached the Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that Tinubu won the keenly contested election.

“On this year’s Democracy Day, I enjoin us all to rededicate ourselves to strengthening this form of government of free peoples that has been our guiding light these past 24 years. In particular, those of us who have been privileged to be elected into public offices at various levels in both the executive and legislative arms of government must recommit ourselves to offering selfless service to the people, and delivering concrete democracy dividends in accordance with our electoral promises,” Tinubu said on Monday.

Meanwhile, some Nigerians in their reactions to the president’s speech have urged him to deal with the problem of insecurity across the country without further delay.

For instance, they cited the gruesome killing of people in Plateau state by foreigners in the last few days.

Speaking about the killing in the state, a member of the House of Representatives from the state, Solomon Marren, claimed that close to 200 people have been killed so far.

Marren, who is representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency, called for the quick government intervention.

He said , “I find it expedient at this time to intimate the world on the unfortunate happenings in my constituency, Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency, Plateau state, in the last two days, where over 100 persons, most of them women and children, have been massacred and butchered in cold blood by terrorist during an overnight unprovoked attack, and their houses burnt down, including food stuffs, food barns and seedlings.

“These killings are one among many in the constituency, where over 200 persons have been killed in the last four months before this one.

“The government may claim to be doing its best but its best is not good enough, since it is not able to stop the killings in years. However, I commend the few gallant officers working without sufficient arms, yet gave themselves to save lives.

“The responsibilities lies in the President to first condemn the dastard act, which we expect him to do so, and immediately go ahead to protect lives and properties which is the primary responsibility of the government. Therefore, I urge the President to order the security agencies to move into the area with immediate effect to curb the killings.”

10th NASS: ‘Abbas, Kalu’s emergence As speaker, Deputy, Fait accompli’ – Greater Majority Spokesman And LP Caucus Leader, Ogene

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James Orji

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June 12, 2023

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Afam Victor Ogene is the Leader of the Labour Party caucus for the incoming House of Representatives and Spokesman of the minority caucus otherwise called “Greater Majority”.

In this brief interview, he said that the duo of Honourables Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu, both of whom were endorsed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for Speaker and deputy speaker of the 10th House, have shown reasons to earn their votes.

Honourable, for sometime now, nothing has been heard about your group, the Greater Majority. Have you caved in?

No, no no, nothing of the sort has happened. Instead, what you see at play is the full unraveling of what a democratic process should be: aspiration, fierce contestation, consensus building, and ultimately, the free expression of choice, which is at the core of any democratic process. In the instant scenario, several persons put themselves forward with a desire to superintendent over their colleagues as Presiding Officers and what followed was fierce struggle by each and every contestant to reach the ultimate goal.
This state of affairs was later to trigger attempts at consensus building, leading to an expected expression of individual choices, when Members-Elect converge on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 to elect its leaders.

But we remember having the minority caucuses gear up towards presenting one of its own as Speakership candidate; whatever happened to that quest?

Although the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unambiguously directed, in Section 50(1)(b) that “Members of the House of Representatives shall elect a Speaker and deputy Speaker from among themselves,” I suspect that most members of the Greater Majority, simply decided to adorn the toga of statesmen and women, by deciding not to put forward candidates for the Speaker and deputy Speaker positions.
This stance, I envisage, was taken to prevent the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC from having a ready-made excuse in the event of the administration not leaving up to expectations. So, essentially, it wasn’t a case of abandoning an opportunity to present a Speaker, but rather a patriotic decision, by the Greater Majority, to allow the incoming Government take off on a smooth sail.

So, in effect, could it be said that you have endorsed the candidature of Honourables Tajudeen Abass and Benjamin Kalu preferred by the APC, as Speaker and deputy Speaker?

Beyond mere endorsement, I think that the emergence of both men as leaders of the emergent 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives is already a fait accompli. Why? In spite of the wave of condemnations that attended their ‘adoption’, they remained focussed, and kept their eyes on the ball. In fact, I can say, with every emphasis at my disposal, that both men ran the most pragmatic campaigns, in terms of engagement with Members-Elect. They were neither laid-back nor sat in any comfort zone as anointed candidates. Besides the Rt.Hon. Aliyu Muktar Betara, whose aspiration attracted the most support from both returning and new members because of his own parsonage, the duo of T.J Abass and Benjamin Kalu, eventually earned their own stripes.

So, are you saying that Members-Elect would be going for both men willingly, and not because of imposition?

Let me reiterate, I had earlier explained the raison d’etre for the opposition to their candidature in the early days of their adoption by the APC. But rather than relax and bask in the euphoria of the adoption, they rather stepped up consultations amongst Members-Elect, showcasing in the process what the famed novelist, Chinua Achebe, described as “solid personal achievements.” For an Abass, who in one legislative cycle of four years, sponsored a total of 74 Bills – 22 of which received Presidential assent – and Kalu, with over 40 Bills, both men, I dare say, appear to have fulfilled the conditions precedent for their emergence as Speaker and deputy Speaker.

What other factors do you think would eventually determine how a winner would emerge?

In deed, for the Abass/Kalu ticket, the inclusion of the South East in the equation is a major master stroke. Till date, no other Speakership aspirant has offered the zone anything. Then, of course, the much-hyped G-6 eventually failed to live up to expectation, in terms of providing a credible alternative, leading up to a denouncement. But be that as it may, the outcome of the power-play in the Senate may ultimately influence, one way or another, the final outcome of the race.

Subsidy Removal : Nigerians Must Make Sacrifice For Country- Tinubu

By

James Orji

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June 12, 2023

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The removal of fuel subsidy is one of the sacrifices Nigerians must make for the country to move forward, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said.

The president made the admonition on Monday during his speech to mark the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

President Tinubu on his inauguration as President and Commander-in-chief on May 29, declared that his government has ended the subsidy regime that cost the country a whopping $10 billion last year alone.

“Subsidy is gone”, the president said, noting that there is no provision for it in the 2023 Budget, in reference to his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to stop paying petroleum marketers subsidy by the end of June this year.

The president’s decision to end subsidy was received with mixed feelings by Nigerians, some said such will bring more hardship to the people while others welcome it as the right way to go in order to save funds for critical infrastructure.

Speaking today in a national broadcast, President Tinubu said he will ensure that the sacrifice Nigerians have to pay over the removal of subsidy, will not be in vain.

He said whatever is saved from the bogus subsidy will be used to provide critical infrastructure such as good roads, better medical care, quality and qualitative education, and other things to make the life of Nigerians better.

“I have asked you, my compatriots, to pay a little sacrifice” for the government to be able to turn the country around, the president said.

Meanwhile, some Nigerians who reacted to the president’s speech said government officials must also be ready to make sacrifices like other Nigerians, adding that past governments lived ostentatious lifestyles at the expense of Nigerians.

While speaking on the removal of fuel subsidy last week, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and a rights activist, noted that a large part of the nation’s resources is used to subsidise those in power while other Nigerians are made to pay for the bogus lifestyles of government officials.

June 12: Tinubu Urges Nigerians To Defend Democracy

By

James Orji

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June 12, 2023

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians not to take democracy for granted. The president spoke on the commemoration of Democracy Day celebrations.

The occasion is marked yearly to remember the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election won by the late Moshood Kashimaro Abiola.

“We must not take democracy for granted, we must guard it jealously,” the president said on Monday.

The president who said democracy is better than military rule, noted that Nigerians who experienced military rule can differentiate between freedom and dictatorship.

Recall that former military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election won by Abiola on the basis that some prominent Nigerians did not want the winner of the historic election to rule.

Abiola later died in detention on July 7, 1998.

Based on popular demand from not a few Nigerians, former President Muhammadu Buhari, on June 6, 2018, declared June 12 Democracy Day, and also conferred on the late MKO the highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR.

“For the past 18 years, Nigerians have been celebrating May 29, as Democracy Day. That was the date when, for the second time in our history, an elected civilian administration took over from a military government. The first time this happened was on October 21, 1979,” Buhari said.

“But in the view of Nigerians, as shared by this administration, June 12, 1993 was far more symbolic of democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29 or even the October 1.

“June 12, 1993 was the day when Nigerians in millions expressed their democratic will in what was undisputedly the freest, fairest and most peaceful elections since our independence.

“The fact that the outcome of that election was not upheld by the then military government does not distract from the democratic credentials of that process.

“Accordingly, after due consultations, the Federal, Government has decided that henceforth, June 12 will be celebrated as Democracy Day.

“Therefore, the government has decided to award posthumously the highest honour of the land, GCFR, to the late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 cancelled elections,” the ex-president noted.

Anti-Corruption War Spreads As NCS Probes Officials Over Fuel Diversion

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Ayodele Oni

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June 11, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

There are indications that some officers of the Nigeria Custom Service, (NCS) are being investigated over allegation bordering on smuggling.

Coming few days after the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, was suspended over similar allegation, the affected officials are said to be involved in smuggling of fuel to neighbouring countries.

It is also seen as part of the war by President Bola Tinubu to restore accountability back to governance, due to perceived failure of the anti corruption war of the immediate past administration.

Allegation of fuel diversion raged during the past administration as substantial litres of petrol meant for consumption in the country were diverted.

Investigation has revealed that since the withdrawal of subsidy on petrol, which has jerked up the pump price to between N500 and N600, the fallout is being felt in those countries.

A video of some okada riders in one of the neighbouring countries went viral in which they were seen protesting Nigeria’s government withdrawal of subsidy.

Speakership: Coast Clear For Abbas As Opponents Step Down

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James Orji

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June 11, 2023

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention on who becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives seems to have paid off following the decision of two top contestants to step down.

At a meeting they attended with the president On Sunday, Aliyu Betara and Yusuf Gagdi agreed not to contest the Speakership election slated for Tuesday, January 13.

The coast, according to analysts now seems to have been cleared for Tajudeen Abass, the endorsed candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The only serious contender now left to contest against Abass is the immediate Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, who has vowed not to step down.

But those watching the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, insist that this is a positive development after weeks of serious horse trading and efforts by the party to put its house in order before election day in less than 72 hours.

Recall that President Tinubu and the APC leadership had endorsed Abbas and Benjamin Kalu as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively.

In the president’s quest to ensure that the APC had a smooth sail in the NASS leadership tussle, President Tinubu, during the week met with lawmakers across party lines.

At the meetings attended by Vice President Kassim Shetima and other APC stalwarts, the president appealed to the lawmakers to accept the party’s choice for NASS leadership.

Uzodinma: My prayers Are With The Okonkwo, Akinmoyode Families

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The Source

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June 11, 2023

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Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has bemoaned the passing of the former Lawmaker representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly , Senator Annie Okonkwo as well as that of the former Commissioner of Police, Imo State, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police(AIG), Isaac Akinmoyode. He described their death as shocking.

While Okonkwo reportedly died in the United States on Thursday from battle with a terminal illness, aged 63, Akinmoyode was said to have died on Monday in Lagos, also battling a terminal sickness. He was aged 60.

A statement on Friday by Oguwike Nwachuku, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Governor Uzodimma said his Principal received with shock, the death of both gentlemen who were personally known to him and said his prayers are with their families.

Governor Uzodinma said with their passing, Anambra State and Ojoto in particular where Okonkwo hailed from, and Lagos State, where Akinmoyode came from, have lost rare gems who would be difficult to replace.

He said Okonkwo’s track records in politics, business and public service as well as Akinmoyode’s meritorious public service in the Police that saw him retiring with the rank of an AIG ought to be emulated.

Governor Uzodinma commiserated with the families of both Okonkwo and Akinmoyode, particularly their widows, the Governments and peoples of Anambra and Lagos States and prayed God, on behalf of the good people of Imo State, to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

At the same time, he prayed God to grant the souls of the deceased a peaceful repose.

Motor Parks Remain No Go Area For NURTW – Ondo Govt Warns

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Ayodele Oni

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June 11, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

As tension is brewing in Ondo state over possible takeover of motor parks by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW), the State Government has warned against planned breach of public peace by the union whose operations have been suspended in the State.

Ondo state had banned the activities of the NURTW at motor parks following unending crisis and arbitrary increase in fares and set up a management committee, still under the chairman of NURTW.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Commander, Amotekun Corps, Akogun Tunji Adeleye said anyone caught fomenting trouble in any park within the State will be picked and treated like a common criminal.

Akogun Adeleye noted that the position of Government on Park Management is resolute, adding that there is no going back.

“The Parks Management Committee was set up to oversee the activities of NURTW in view of the perennial crises occasioned by some of their activities which have become a threat to public peace and safety.

“It is shocking to note that some of the self-acclaimed Committee Members of the State NURTW forcefully opened the Igoba branch Office where any activity, to all intents and purposes, remain part of the operations suspended by Government.

“While arrests are yet to be made, Government cannot allow such brigandage to continue unchecked.

“It is thus in line with the avowed commitment of the current Administration under the able leadership of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, to ensure protection of lives and property that proactive steps would be taken to forestall any further breakdown of law and order.

“In view of this, security agencies have been put on the alert to arrest anyone parading himself as NURTW member in Motor Parks across the State.

“While we urge our people to go about their daily activities as usual, we will resist any attempt by any group, under any guise, to disrupt the fragile peace that we currently enjoy in the State. We shall do this with all vigor.”

Why Early Conduct Of Population Census Is Good For Nigeria – NPC Commissioner

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Ayodele Oni

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June 11, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The National Population Commission, (NPC), has called for an urgent commencement of the process of conducting the 2023 population and Housing Census to enable the country fit into the global data and benchmark.

The exercise, which was fixed to have been conducted last month before the terminal date of the immediate administration, was shifted to yet to be determined state.

The Federal Commissioner, NPC, Diran Iyantan made the call at a parley with Media Executives in Ondo State on the 2023 population and Housing Census in Akure, the Ondo state capital at the weekend.

Iyantan said the sensitivity of the exercise is to move with the train of the time, which heightens the fact that Nigeria is at risk of missing out.

“Not conducting a census soon means that Nigeria, which is the most populous country in Africa, risks being out of scene with the international community census scheme potentially affecting our ability to compare with the global benchmark.”

According to him, the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari said he had discussed with President Bola Tinubu on the need to as a matter of urgency, continue the process of completing of the exercise.

Iyantan, who explained that the census had multidimensional purpose for the development of the country, appealed to the media family to make sure that the process is not delayed.

The purpose of the parley, he stated, was to update the media on the status of operation of the census, pointing that the commission has taken up to 30 different activities it had done for a successful census.

Iyantan, who reeled out several preparatory activities that had been carried out towards the census among many others to include; the Enumeration Area Demarcation, conduct of pre-tests and trial census, recruitment and training of census field staff, procurement and configuration of personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), establishment of ICT infrastructures across the country and logistics support and advocate and publicity activities.

In his goodwill message, the Ondo state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Leke Adegbite who was represented by the Union’s state Treasurer, Fatima Muraina, who said the media have been helping the NPC in the mobilization of citizenry on the census before it was postponed, assured of the media continuous support whenever the NPC is ready to carry out the exercise.

Adegbite said members of the union are always ready to enlighten the people and the public through their media platforms on the need to be part of the exercise.

He urged the commission to also continue to work with the media so that the right and accurate activities of NPC would be reported to the public.

Edo Assembly’s Last Minute Approval Of N3.5 Billion Questionable – APC Chieftain

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Ayodele Oni

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June 11, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Edo state, John Mayaki, has queried the rationale behind last minute approval by the House of Assembly of N3.5B loan for cars, other luxuries to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Mayaki, pointed out that despite controversial session rocked by illegitimacy claim, the legislative arm as a final act, still went ahead to grant such request.

He claimed that the former Speaker, Marcus Onobun, who presided over a divided House in which duly elected members were denied representation, led the approval process, after agreeing with the governor that the state needs to incur a debt of such magnitude to fund fresh cars for incoming legislators and other government functionaries.

“A staggering N2 billion was also earmarked for the procurement of hospital equipment for the Stella Obasanjo Hospital.

“There was no breakdown presented detailing the planned expenses and how the state governor, who requested approval for the loan, arrived at the sum.”

Mayaki, in a statement, denounced the process as a “disgraceful sham that underscores the complicity of the outgoing Assembly in the tragic plunge of the state into debt, unconstitutionality and non-transparency.

“The outgoing Assembly, which will forever carry an asterisk due to its composition deformity, has given its final slap in the face to the Edo people with this outrageous move.”

“Instead of demanding answers from the governor on why the state, under his watch, has slid into general dysfunction and decay despite a rapidly growing debt profile; the Onobun-led Assembly has given a nod to the governor to, in fact, acquire more loans and mortgage the future of the state.”

“More troubling is the fact that the approval was swiftly granted without even a pretension at accountability.

“How did the governor arrive at the N3.5b sum? Should the state government be incurring billions in loans to purchase jeeps for incoming legislators at the time people are struggling to eat three square meals?

“Was the public, whose interest the lawmakers are meant to protect, allowed to determine whether they want an additional debt burden of over 3 billion naira?

“These are important questions of governance the Assembly ought to answer before granting an approval.

“Unfortunately, either due to its complicity or incompetence, no sign exists that any of this was done before Governor Godwin Obaseki was given the imprimatur to continue his loan spree.

“Many have in fact insinuated that loan is merely a send-forth package Obaseki and his merry men have awarded themselves, at the expense of the public.

“The allegation is fueled by the observation that this Assembly has functioned effectively as an extension of the governor’s office, as illustrated by its staging of plenary sessions in an office in the Executive Wing where the governor holds sway.

“What is the implication of this for the future? What kind of Edo State will we bequeath our children? One where the independence of the legislature is a forgotten ideal and elected lawmakers bow at the feet of the governor whom they ought to hold to account?

“A state neck-deep in debts to fund the expensive taste of a few while the majority wallows in poverty? I hope these questions plague the conscience of these men, provided they still have one.”