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Keyamo Advocates Scrapping Of Office Of Minister Of State, Says It’s Unconstitutional

May 24, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

In an ironic twist, Festus Keyamo, who is serving out his tenure as Minister of State for Labour, has advised the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu to scrap the Office of Minister of State, dismissing it as unconstitutional.

“Mr. President, the concept or designation of “Minister of State” is a constitutional aberration and is practically not working for many so appointed.

“Successive Governments have come and gone and many who were appointed as Ministers of State have not spoken out at a forum such as this because of the risk of sounding ungrateful to the Presidents who appointed them.”

The remarks were contained in a prepared valedictory statement by Keyamo on Wednesday.

He pointed out that all Nominees that appeared before the National Assembly were screened and confirmed as Ministers only for some to be designated as Ministers of state when portfolios were allocated.

Citing constitutional provisions, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria stated that Minister of State is not in the Statute.

“Any appointment under subsection (2) of this section by the President shall be in conformity with the provisions of section 14(3) of this Constitution:- provided that in giving effect to the provisions aforesaid the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each State, who shall be an indigene of such State.”

“In addition to the above, the Ministers-designate appear before the Senate and are grilled and cleared AS MINISTERS, not as Ministers in some instances and Ministers of State in some other instances.

“It is at the point of assignment of portfolios that successive Presidents then reclassified some as “Ministers of State”.

Agreeing that the President has the prerogative to assign portfolios to nominees already screened by the National Assembly, Keyamo pointed out that: “Yes, I concede Mr. President can do that, but not by a designation different from that prescribed by the Constitution.

“Simply put, it is akin to the President assigning responsibilities to the office of the Vice-President and re-designating that office as “Deputy President” under our present Constitution. That is clearly impossible. Why then should that of the Ministers be different?”

According to him, argument that number of offices are reduced to save cost, leading to two Ministers in a Ministry, is no longer tenable.

“Obviously, the argument that two Ministers are cramped into some Ministries in order not to unnecessarily proliferate Ministries and, therefore, save Government’s money is no longer tenable.

“This is because Government does not need any extra infrastructure or more money to maintain all Senior 36 Ministers or even a bit more appointed as is now the custom.

“This is because the present Ministers and Ministers of State have their separate offices, cars, security personnel and personal aides. So, what is the point?”

On the way forward, he called for duplication of the Ministries in such a way that only a Minister will be in charge.

“In my case, whilst the schedule of my colleague had to do more with Labour and Productivity, mine had to do more with Employment.

“The Directorates in my Ministry that were under my office would then be fully under the Minister of Employment, without any double loyalty to the Minister of Labour and Productivity.

“We can also have a Minister of Trade and another Minister of Investment. We can have a Minister of Education (Tertiary) and another Minister of Education (Primary and Secondary).

“We can have a Minister of Mines and another Minister of Steel; we can have a Minister of Works and another Minister of Housing and so on and so forth.

“In all of these, no extra infrastructure is needed to sustain this suggested arrangement. The present infrastructure and present personnel in the Ministries can very well sustain it.

“It will be at no extra cost to government. This is preferable than successive governments continuing with this present unconstitutional arrangement.”

ot a few people have described the Office of the Minister of State as redundant, especially if one is working under a strong personality who is the “senior” Minister.

When Senator Udo Udoma, SAN, was appointed a Minister, and given the portfolio of a Minister of State, he refused to resume, and quietly went back to the Senate.

FEC Holds Valedictory Session, Receives Report On Health Sector Reform

Ayodele Oni

May 24, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The last Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting to be presided over by President Mohammadu Buhari was held on Wednesday.

The valedictory session also received the report of the Presidential health Committee, headed by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbano.

The Presidential Health Reform Committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2021 was for the development and implementation of a Health Sector Reform programme for Nigeria.

Presenting the report, Osinbajo said that the committee proposed, among others, healthcare guarantees for all Nigerians registered on the National Social Register.

“We also took extensive proposals from the committee members and the organisations they represent, including the National Assembly, state Governors, unions in the health sector and the private sector.

“This was followed by a retreat to brainstorm on several policy options, which arose from the submissions.

“Finally, we held meetings in technical sub-committees and in plenary to streamline the contentious issues and agree on a consensus position with the assistance of consultants, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who were engaged to support the committee.’’

The Vice President said the committee’s deliberations had been productive and afforded it the opportunity to set Nigeria on the path to Universal Health Coverage.

According to him, the committee is mindful that investing in health will enable the country to unlock its immense potential and ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of their social status can access quality health services.

Osinbajo further said: “However, we realize that this will require structural reforms, hence the intentional effort to cover the poor and ensure the mobilization of large amounts of private investments.

“One of the first insights that confronted the committee was how the structure of our federation unwittingly contributes to poor health outcomes.

“The report addresses this in three ways–first is the use of the National Accountability Agreement on health performance.”

“It’s Fake News, FEC Not Dissolved, Ministers Still On Duty Posts” – Lai Mohammed

Ayodele Oni

May 24, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Cabinet Ministers are to remain on their duty posts despite the valedictory Federal Executive Council, (FEC) meeting presided over by President Mohammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has disclosed this to State House Correspondents at the end of the valedictory council meeting.

He described the report of the dissolution of FEC by Buhari as fake news.

The Minister said President Buhari directed all Ministers to return to their desks and continue working on their transition assignments.

“I just want to make this clarification. While we were at the chambers there was a false breaking news that the Federal Executive Council has been dissolved. That is not correct.

“As a matter of fact, we have been directed by the President that we should all go back and return to our offices. So it is not true that the Federal Executive Council has been dissolved, it’s is still very much alive.

“We have all been directed to go back to our offices and ensure that we continue to work right to the end of 29 of May. So please ignore the fake news.”

Governor Abiodun Faults Amosun Over Dangote Refinery’s Relocation To Lagos; Amosun Fumes, Debunks Claim

Akinwale Kasali

May 24, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has faulted his predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun, for being the architect of the relocation of the celebrated Dangote Refinery from Ogun State to Lagos State.

The $19bn Dangote refinery which was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, 22nd May, 2023 at Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, was first planned to be cited in Ogun State before the decision was rescinded by Chairman, Dangote Group of Companies, Aliko Dangote.

Abiodun, Chairman, Olokola Free Trade Zone, in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the State during the administration of former Governor Amosun, said he was not part of the moves that frustrated Dangote out of the state

The Governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Tuesday, said he should not be blamed for the loss.

Dangote had initially chosen Ogun State for the site of the refinery, which was inaugurated on Monday, in Lagos, but discussions broke down between Ogun State government and the billionaire businessman, leading to the relocation of the project to Lagos.

In the statement on Tuesday, he said his predecessor, Amosun, should be blamed Ogun lost the opportunity to host the mega refinery.

“Any true born Ogun indigene will sincerely be pained by the huge investment loss, especially when Ogun had been marked as the most suitable natural location for the mega project in Olokola Free Trade Zone, in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state,” the Governor lamented.

Explaining his role, he said, “Governor Abiodun, as the chairman of the committee and a big player in the oil and gas industry himself, did everything possible to make sure the project saw the light of the day.

“The then Governor, perhaps, having a personal axe to grind with the promoter of the refinery project, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, frustrated all the efforts of Governor Abiodun and his Committee.

“The immediate past Chairman, Board of Directors of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, who was then a Commissioner, served as the Secretary of the Committee, which engaged Dangote on the mega project.

“Instead of showing enthusiasm towards hosting the project in the State, the former Governor brazenly opposed and obstructed efforts of the Abiodun-led Committee in ensuring that the OKFTZ came into fruition.”

Abiodun’s statement was in reaction to a former Governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Segun Sowunmi, who blamed the incumbent Governor for the loss of the $19bn Dangote refinery.

Responding to the allegation made by Abiodun, Amosun said, “As Governor, I did my best to the satisfaction and conviction of my conscience. Ogun State was a minority stakeholder in the Olokola Free Trade Zone without the decision making capacity”.

He, however, challenged Governor Abiodun to disclose with facts where he or the administration was remiss and which led to the project been moved away from Ogun State.

Concluding, Amosun said that he would give clarity to the subject of the Olokola Free Trade Zone and the relocation of the Dangote Refinery controversy.

Governor Ortom: “I Have Forgiven President Buhari For Attempting To Twist Events, History

Akinwale Kasali

May 24, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

With less than Five days to the expiration of his tenure as the Executive Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has said that he has forgiven President Muhammadu Buhari for blaming his administration for the incessant killings in the State.

Governor Ortom made this assertion while responding to questions on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’.

It would be recalled Ortom had constantly criticised the Presidency for blaming his administration for the killings in the state.

He described the attempts by the President to blame his Government for the situation as “futile attempts to twist events and history”.

Few days to the expiration of his administration, Buhari had apologised to aggrieved Nigerians, who were not pleased with his Administration to forgive him.

He said, “When you don’t forgive, it means God too will not forgive. Me, as a student of the Bible and as a born-again Christian, I have forgiven President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Ortom expressed optimism for better performance from the administration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, in the state and the nation at large.

“We hope that the incoming administration will provide support, help, security, economic development, and peace for our people.”

“We have suffered for eight years.”

He, however, advised Buhari not to exit Nigeria but stay back to work with Tinubu’s administration to elevate the State and Nation from “bottom to top”

“He doesn’t need to go to the Niger Republic. He should stay here (in Nigeria) with us. All of us should work with the incoming administration and by the grace of God, we shall go from bottom to top,” he added.

Senate President: “Uzodimma Is With His Party’s Choice” – IMSG

The Source

May 24, 2023

Governor Hope Uzodimma is not part of any overt or covert gang up to scuttle the All Progressives Congress choice for the Senate President, the Imo State Government has said.

A story had circulated, Tuesday, on Social Media, to the effect that the Governor was sponsoring incumbent Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, to challenge the Party’s choice, Senator Godswill Akpabio, with Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo), as Lawan’s Deputy.

But, the Imo State Government which debunked the allegation Wednesday said that the Governor could not have been associated with such a plan being a loyal Party man to the core.

The Government said the media reports that tried to link Governor Uzodimma to the mischievous plan of any group to support a Senate President other than the one chosen by the APC was unfounded.

This was contained in a statement issued in Owerri by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba.

The statement explained that “at no time did Uzodimma contemplate working against the choice of APC and the President-elect, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the leadership of the 10th Senate.”

“As a loyal party man, the Governor will stand firmly behind the choice of any person or persons chosen by the APC and the President-elect to lead the 10th Senate, and will in fact work assiduously for their emergence.”

Emelumba said that “the Governor as a loyal Party man would never work against the choices of the Party talkless of supporting another candidate,” adding that “since Uzodimma joined politics over forty (40) years ago, his reputation and integrity as a loyal party man has remained unassailable.”

The Commissioner described the author of the story as a mischief maker seeking to destroy the hard- earned reputation of the Governor.

“Those who know my Governor can attest to the fact that he is principled and disciplined. He is also bold and courageous. He doesn’t speak from both sides of the mouth. He leaves you in no doubt where he stands. And for the issue at hand, he supports the position of APC all the way,” he emphasised.

The Commissioner who cautioned media practitioners against wild speculations and publication of unconfirmed reports noted that “as a man who believes in the supremacy of the party, Uzodimma cannot swim against the people already anointed for those positions.”

Said he: “When once the Party has decided on an issue, Uzodimma will go with the Party. So those involved in this infantile speculations should desist forthwith.”

Senate Presidency: Wike Says “It’s Pay Back Time For Akpabio”; Lawan Denies Interest

Adesina Soyooye

May 24, 2023

By Adesina Soyooye

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has weighed-in on who occupies the office of the Senate President in the 10th Assembly.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, which holds the majority number in the Senate has been engulfed in crisis over who becomes the number three man in the Country.

Both the Party and the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, have endorsed the immediate past Minister of the Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio, for the position. But at least, three other Senators-elect – Orji Kalu, Abdulazeez Yari, Osita Izunaso – are insisting on vying for the office.

A few days ago, Senators-elect from the South-east, met and insisted: “It is the turn of the South-east to produce the Senate President for equity and fairness.” They vowed they would vote for any Senator from the Zone who steps out to contest.

On Tuesday, May 24, the name of the incumbent Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, was thrown in. It was reported that he has decided to run fir same office along with Izunaso as Deputy. One of their sponsors, the report alleged, is Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma. Both Lawan and Uzodinma have dismissed the report as a lie from the pit of hell.

However, on same Tuesday, Wike, the man who holds the golden medal for working against his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party, in every which way, jumped into the fray. He threw his support behind Akpabio and revealed: “Akpabio stood by me to be Governor, now, it is pay back time for him.” He said he would work for Akpabio’s emergence as the Senate President, especially as Akpabio would work smoothly with President-elect, Tinubu to move Nigeria forward.

Governor Wike spoke when Akpabio and Senators-elect under the aegis of Stability Group, a group working for the emergence of Akpabio, visited him. The Group was led by its Director General, Senator Ali Ndume.

In a statement issued by Akpabio’s Campaign Media Office in Abuja, Wike was quoted to have said:

“This is the time for me to support him (Akpabio) because he supported me when I wanted to be the Governor of Rivers State.

“If, truly, we want this country to move forward from where we are today, I see nothing wrong in the ruling party picking who it thinks can work with the President-elect as the Senate President of the 10th Assembly.

“On this Akpabio and Barau project we are together to make sure they win.

“Akpabio supported me during my Governorship ambition. He stood by me all through and ensured that I won. I don’t pay back good with evil.

“This is payback time for him. I will stand by him until he emerges the next Senate President. Our team would soon meet to take a position on your aspiration.

“Don’t be worried or disturbed by the contending forces against your aspiration, it is normal in politics. Power is not given on a platter, you fight for it.

“I am impressed that despite your endorsement by your party and the President-elect, you are still consulting your colleagues. That is the way it should be.

“Let us be fair to this country. If we continue this way, Nigeria will not succeed. Don’t waiver, stay firm, and you will win at the end of the day”.

Not that he was ever going to make any impact, but Akpabio, for whatever it was worth, was one of the Presidential Aspirants in the APC, who stepped down for Tinubu during the Party’s Presidential Primaries.

Ondo: PDP, APC In War Of Words Over Defection Of Members To Ruling Party

Ayodele Oni

May 24, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state are at each other’s throat over defection of some members of opposition to the ruling party few days ago.

The defection of Olumuyiwa Adu former PDP candidate for House of Representatives for Akure north and south and some top notchers from Akoko area had been celebrated by the APC which described PDP as dead in the state.

Reacting, PDP state publicity secretary, Kenedy Peretei said “Ordinarily, one would have ignored such an unguarded and monumental goof, as it may have been due to the influence of alcohol provided by the attention seeking decampees who rolled out drums simply to impress the likes of Adetimehin.

“Perhaps, the APC State Chairman would have been correct, if he said his party has grounded Ondo State in just six years that it has been at the saddle.”

The PDP spokesperson added that the APC, which cannot boast of any achievement in the health sector that has now been comatose, can’t claim its alive to the plight of Ondo residents.

‘Is Ondo State health sector not grounded under the APC led government as doctors and nurses leave the state employment in droves?

“Has the APC government not grounded the free school shuttle buses that used to provide succour for students and their parents? Has the APC government not turned the hitherto clean streets of Akure into huge dump sites?

“Has the state capital that used to be lit up at night not become a ghost of its former self? Has the APC government not grounded economic activities in the cities by failing to provide soft loans to traders and artisans? If Adetimehin was not economical with the truth, he should have admitted that his party has grounded Ondo State, not the PDP”.

Peretei challenged the APC chairman to prove his popularity, and that of his party by winning his polling unit.

“A State Chairman that used to be the butt of every joke within APC circle for serially losing his Polling Unit and Electoral ward can have the audacity to say he has grounded PDP in the state is laughable.

“Adetimehin was formerly registered at Isalu/Jigbokin Ward in Idanre Local Government, where he was always beaten silly during elections. He has now relocated to Ofosu/Onisherere ward where he was beaten again during the last National Assembly elections.

“To assume that, the PDP is grounded in Ondo State is nothing but fool hardiness, the truth is that, APC as a political party has been the architect of Nigeria’s economic and political woes in the last eight years.”

Alex Kalejaye, APC spokesman responds that ” The recent outburst of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State deserves sympathy from all, including the ruling All Progressives Congress, which the opposition party ignorantly attacked. However, there is the need to educate the ailing group, led by Mr. Fatai Adams.

“It is unbelievable that the opposition party could accuse the APC-led government of “grounding the state in six years”. The party further alleged that the ruling party has crippled the health and education sectors.

“We concede the right to mourn to the opposition party, after losing political giants like Dr. Olumuyiwa Adu, and his team, but twisting facts smacks of political frustration.

“The APC wishes to remind the good people of Ondo State that the ruling party inherited a dilapidated economy, six years ago. As at the time, it was impossible to pay salaries for over seven months, and several sectors were in disarray.

“Within six years of dedication, commitment and good governance, the APC-led government has changed the narratives. All the unpaid salaries by the PDP have since been cleared by the administration of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN.

“The thought of employing workers into ministries and departments was alien to the PDP led government, for eight years. The APC government has so far employed thousands of workers, to boost the existing workforce and enhance the effectiveness of various government organs. Unlike in the days of PDP, they are enjoying regular payment of salaries.

“The APC government inherited poorly funded State Universities. The Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, was the worst hit by the criminal neglect by the PDP administration. The institutions are healthy today, with regular funding.

“Ours is the only State in the South West zone without a teaching hospital. The APC-led government has taken the bold step to remedy the situation: building two teaching hospitals simultaneously. The projects are almost completed.

“The state chapter celebrates the arrival of Dr. Olumuyiwa Adu, a lawyer and former formidable candidate of the PDP for Akure South/North Federal Constituency, Hon. Bode Obanla, Dr. Kolawole Joseph, and the entire political family of the late Hon. Omolafe Adedayo (Expensive) into our fold.

“They are enviable political assets any day, and will add value to the the ruling party.

“The Ondo State APC, under the chairmanship of Ade Adetimehin, has built a virile chapter, that is appealing, not only to the active players in the PDP, but other political parties.

“One would have expected the struggling PDP to seek out the magic wand of the Idanre-born political tactician, instead of hurling insults, wailing and kicking.

“We appeal to the PDP to demonstrate maturity in handling the loss. We further assure that our doors will remain open for those willing to join hands with us, in our selfless drive to build a more economically prosperous Sunshine State.”

Work Begins On Akure/Ado Ekiti Road, As FG Mobilizes Contractors, Flag Off Is Thursday

Ayodele Oni

May 24, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The new contractors handling the reconstruction of the Akure-Ado Ekiti road have mobilized to site ahead of the official flag off of the project by the federal government on Thursday.

This will be one of the parting gift of the outgoing Buhari administration to the people of Ondo and Ekiti states that have suffered series of kidnapping, accident and damaged vehicles due to the daoidated condition of the road.

A statement by Ebenezer Adeniyan, an Aide to minister of state for transportation, stated that the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN and the Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, will be on ground to perform the official flag off in Akure.

Adegoroye had paid a ‘Thank You’ visit to the Minister of Works, Fashola, after the new contractors handling the project were presented their letters of award for the contract.

The Federal Executive Council had last month re-awarded the contract to two new contractors for a combined sum of N95.9 billion, so the project could be simultaneously taken off from Akure and Ado Ekiti ends separately to speed up completion.

The contractors, Messers Sam Chase Nig Ltd/Messers Horizon Construction Co Ltd and Kopek Construction Co Ltd were presented their award letters penultimate week and have since submitted the letters of acceptance.

Speaking during his visit to Fashola, Adegoroye, thanked the Works Minister for his efforts so far as both Ministers discussed the mobilization of contractors to site and the flag-off of the project.

According to him, “Honourable Minister, a few days after I assumed office as Minister last year, I was here in your office to make a case for this project which had been abandoned at that time by the former contractor.

“Then, you took your time to explain the issues involved and promised that you would personally monitor the resolution of those issues.

“Today, I am back in your office on behalf of the good people of Ondo and Ekiti States to say ‘Thank You’ for finally resolving all the knotty issues and we can now heave a sigh of relief that the project can finally take off to ease the pain of our people on that road.”

Responding, Fashola, said the Ministry is preparing for the official flag-off of the project as mobilization funds have been released to the contractors who have promised to do a good job and in good time.

Fashola said: “I also need to thank you Honourable Minister for the role you have played for us to get here.

“You have demonstrated your love for your people with your relentless efforts to see that this is done and I am happy that your efforts have not gone to waste.”

Speaking after the visit, Adegoroye also commended the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for the role he has played over the years, as well as the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji and his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for their efforts.

Paris Club Refund: FG Stops Deductions From States Allocation As NGF Gets New Chairman

Ayodele Oni

May 24, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Kwara State, Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is now the new Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, (NGF).

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is the new Vice Chairman

Abdulrazaq emerged by consensus at a closed-door meeting of the Governors which was held in Abuja late Tuesday night.

He succeeds the outgoing Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, who became the Forum’s chairman in 2022.

The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi was the substantive Chairman of the NGF until his second term in office came to an end in 2022, paving the way for Tambuwal who was his deputy to succeed him.

At the late Tuesday’s meeting of the NGF, the governors were told that the Federal Government has agreed to stop deductions from the state governments’ accounts in order to meet the Local Government Councils London/Paris Club obligations.

The immediate past Chairman of the forum, Aminu Tambuwal, disclosed this while briefing governors across the 36 states in a meeting held in Abuja Tuesday night.

He said the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, has also ensured a refund of the previous deductions from the respective states’ accounts.

Tambuwal said, “The Minister of Finance has granted the request of our forum to immediately stop further deductions from the accounts of States to meet Local Government Councils London Paris Club obligations and the monies so far deducted be paid back to the states.

“On the leadership of the forum, the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, emerged the new Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum through a consensus, and the Governor of Oyo State Seyi Makinde is now the Vice-Chairman.

“Members expressed satisfaction with the success of the just concluded Induction for new and returning Governors that took place between 14 and 19, May 2023.

The issue of Paris Club obligations and deductions had recently been the major cause of dispute between the Federal and state governments, following some unresolved issues over mode of repayment of the Paris Club fund.

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