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Festus Keyamo And His Erratic Vituperations

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By Dele Momodu

I have just read Festus Keyamo’s response to my critique of the APC Manifesto of lies. I’m not surprised that all he could do was yell as usual without examining or practically addressing the content of my article. Unfortunately, he picked on a wrong customer.

Let me take a few minutes to educate this young friend of mine who has since become a shadow of his old self since he was offered an appointment, that makes him look so incompetent, by President Muhammadu Buhari. Any self-respecting soul would have since resigned but Festus Keyamo was not at home the day shame came visiting. The Ministry in which he’s a mere figurehead is in total shambles and only a Bola Tinubu would have given the job of a spokesperson to such a certified nuisance.

What did Festus say I did wrong? He quoted copiously from an article I wrote about two years ago, which the Tinubu media teams have been using to campaign endlessly, because they have no stronger voice of their own. I’m indeed flattered.

There is no doubt that I love Tinubu the Man but I disagree vehemently with Tinubu the Politician. This is not the first time I will say it publicly. Since I now have the opportunity of presenting the bones of my disagreement with Tinubu, courtesy of Festus Keyamo, I will lay them bare.

Tinubu has declined in the last few years. I used to see him as a man of his people but no supposed generalissimo would ever abandon his people in the days of trouble and tribulation. None of the people around him could tell him the truth for pecuniary reasons. He knows it himself but he desperately wants to be President of Nigeria, by fire by force, after he has lost most of his formidable foot soldiers, and now relying on outsiders to activate and actualize his lifelong ambition for him, which is his legitimate right. But Nigerians have the right to scrutinise his action plans.

When he was Governor, I supported him from the distance while he surrounded himself with some people who pretended to love him. When he was busy distributing land to journalists in Lagos, I refused to collect my papers because I love my freedom, the reason I was able to tell him truth regularly.

When he was to be impeached for some infractions, and many of his so-called loyalists were washing off their hands clean, like the Biblical Pontius Pilate, my very dear friend, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, stood by him like the Rock of Gibraltar. But how did he repay Tokunbo who took all the bullets? This shameless Festus Keyamo was one of those who wanted to run Tinubu out of town. Nduka Obaigbena and I had to step in at some point before he could consider Tokunbo for anything.

Tokunbo had wanted to be the Governor of Lagos State and Tinubu goaded him on and allowed him to waste his resources. It was when I got Chief Harry Akande to give Tokunbo the ANPP Governorship ticket for Lagos  State that Tinubu suddenly realised he had offended his “suicide bomber!”

During his battle to stop Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki from becoming the Senate President, we all saw how the younger politician outsmarted him.

I had warned him to leave the gentleman alone because no one should play God, but he went ahead until the gentleman floored him effortlessly. During his egoistic battle against Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, I wrote an article asking him not to try it because their marriage was consummated in heaven. Somehow, he backtracked.

In spite of him, Fashola continues to remain relevant in Nigerian politics.

Again, when he continued his tradition of “hire-and-fire” and started plotting against Governor Akinwumi Ambode, I buried my love for Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to speak up against the injustice of removing a great technocrat who was doing well in Lagos.

The President of Nigeria, the Vice President, the Governors’ Forum and many distinguished Nigerians begged him to no avail. He must have his way always. The same personalities are now the people he needs and wants to make him President. Nigeria is looking for a President, with compassion and competence, not an Emperor!

Tinubu is a man who loves to bait the Masquerade with a goat but will never release the rope. That’s why he kept losing his best friends like Musiliu Obanikoro, Ambode, Muiz Banire, Opeyemi Bamidele, Rauf Aregbesola, Fuad Oki, Yemi Osinbajo, Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya Babafemi Ojudu, Rahman Owokoniran, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, Aminu Tambuwal, Yakubu Dogara, Nasir El Rufai, Babachir Lawal, Rotimi Akeredolu, Kayode Fayemi, Aro Lambo, Adeseye Ogunlewe, Jimi Agbaje, Ibikunle Amosun, Femi Pedro, Gbenga Daniel, Kofo Akerele Bucknor. Remi Adikwu Bakare, Tunji Abayomi, Tokunbo Ajasin, Mulikat Akande. Chief Dapo Sarumi, Adeniran Ogunsanya Amos Akingba, Bolaji Akinyemi, Mojisola Akinfenwa, John Oyegun, Godwin Obaseki, Yinka Odumakin, Papa Ayo Adebanjo, Papa Abraham Adesanya, Dupe Adelaja, Toyin Fagbayi, Papa Olanihun Ajayi, Babafemi Ojudu, Prince Dipo Eludoyin, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who seems to be aloof to Tinubu’s campaign, and so many others, even if some of them have since reconciled due to political expediency. Tinubu personally decimated the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, after enjoying their massive support when we came back from exile in 1998.

For me, his biggest sin is the fact that he went funereally quiet when APC became a totally hopeless case, just because he’s hoping to inherit Buhari’s structures.

Lastly, I hope he would have the energy to make himself available for a rigorous scrutiny of his Manifesto. He wants to renew what actually? He wants to turn Nigeria into another Lagos? Many of those who love him genuinely know that the demystification process has started. They wished he had not subjected himself to this agony and anguish. But they can only say so in hushed whispers. Nigerians deserve better.

I have been actively involved in politics. I hope Keyamo does not delude himself that I cannot make my own choices. I certainly have, and done so openly boldly. Atiku Abubakar is my choice. He is not a pretender to the throne. He has pursued his dreams with grace, good comportment, self-discipline and uncommon equanimity.

Festus and his gang keep quoting a 2019 article that I wrote. They should go and frame my other writings too. As for that political neophyte called Keyamo, he still has a lot to learn while trying hard to be a lap-dog. He should be reminded that he is still a Minister of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, paid at tax-payer’s expense. He should learn to moderate his undue exuberance.

I could go on ad infinitum but let’s cool temper for now.


Chief Momodu is the Director of Strategic Communications, ATIKU/OKOWA Presidential Campaign Council

Metuh, Ex-PDP Spokesman, Resigns From Party

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Olisa Metuh

By Ayodele Oni

As realignment, ahead of next year’s election within political parties continues, a former national publicity secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has announced his resignation from the party.

Metuh claimed that for now, he would be involved in non-partisan politics.

This was contained in a letter, dated 25, October, 2022 and addressed to the PDP national chairman, Dr Iyochia Ayu.

He also said he has submitted his resignation letter to the ward chairman of the party in his home State of Anambra.

The former PDP spokesman said he decided to resign from party politics based on his belief that he will contribute more to democracy and good governance in Nigeria by being non partisan.

Part of the letter reads “During my three weeks trip for medical and personal reasons, I came to the realization that I can no longer play partisan politics in Nigeria.

“The reason for this decision is that from my experience and the nature of politics and development in Nigeria, I believe that I will contribute more to Democracy and good governance in Nigeria by being non-partisan.

“Being Non-Partisan gives me the status to work for the strategic interest and well-being of the Nigerian people without the hinderance of partisanship.

“In that regard, I write respectfully, to formally inform you of my resignation from the PDP and cessation of partisan politics.

“I have duly enjoyed my membership of the PDP and remain proud of being the longest elected member of the National Executive Committee, one who won election to serve in several national positions at six consecutive National Conventions of the Party.

“I will cherish the values and ideals learnt from the founding fathers at the inception of our nascent democracy.

“Any future participation in politics will only be limited to non-partisan involvements in areas of sustaining and deepening democracy and governance in Nigerian and at the global level.

“I pray you continue to insist on issue-based engagement in our political space as the country cannot afford the bitterness and divisions that may arise otherwise.

“In line with the constitution of the PDP, I have forwarded a copy of my resignation to my ward Chairman. May God bless us all.”

Breaking: CBN: Buhari Approves New Naira Notes

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Godwin-Emefiele New

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the redesigning of three naira notes, the CBN said.

Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor disclosed this on Wednesday, saying the notes to be affected are the N200, N500 and N1000 notes.

The new notes will come into circulation by December 1, Emefiele said.

The apex bank.has also suspended bank charges on cash deposit with immediate effect.

“Bank charges for cash deposit are suspended with immediate effect” the CBN Governor said.

More details later………

INEC Clears 93.5 Million Voters For 2023 General Elections, Sanctions 23 Workers For Fraud

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By Ayodele Oni

As preparations for 2023 general election by the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) climaxes, the commission has disclosed that over 93.5 million Nigerians as eligible to participate in the exercise as voters.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja, during the third quarterly meeting with political parties.

According to him, 12.29 million Nigerians successfully completed their registrations as new voters in the just concluded Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

Yakubu added that after a rigorous clean up of the data using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), over 2.78 million were identified and removed as ineligible registrants.

He said the commission has identified 23 of its registration officers for severe sanctions having attempted to engage in multiple registration of Nigerians.

Yakubu’s disclosures came as the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) passed a vote of confidence on him for his innovations to reshape the electoral process.

The political parties specifically hailed the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System BVAS and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal in the recently concluded elections in the country and for next year’s general election.

The INEC Chairman declared that the decision to deploy BVAS and IReV for the forthcoming polls was cast in stone.

He said only last week, INEC commenced the training of master trainers on election technology to ensure a seamless process, adding that from Thursday, INEC will commence the same training at zonal levels and subsequently train all its ad hoc staff for the 176,846 polling units nationwide.

“On this note, let me once again reassure Nigerians that there is no going back on the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System BVAS for voter accreditation. There is no going back on the transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal IReV in real-time on Election Day.

“There will be no Incident Form that enables ineligible persons to vote using other people’s Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) during elections. We are committed to ensuring that the 2023 General Election is transparent and credible, reflecting the will of the Nigerian people.”

The INEC boss further announced that in the next few days, the Commission will print 9,352,228 pages of the register, while the hard copy will be displayed for each of the 8,809 Registration Areas (Wards) and 774 Local Government Areas nationwide.

Also, the entire register will be published on INEC’s website for claims and objections as required by law.

“The display of the physical register will take place at the designated centers from Saturday 12th – Friday 25thNovember 2022. Further details, including the procedure for filing claims and objections, will be released by the Commission next week.

“I would like to appeal to all Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the display to scrutinize the list and help us to clean it up further so that the final register of voters for the 2023 General Election can be compiled and published.

“The Commission is also working hard to ensure the completion of printing of remaining PVCs for new voters as well as those that applied to transfer or the replacement of their lost or damaged cards.

“In the coming days, we will also inform Nigerians of the detailed plan to ensure a seamless collection of the PVCs. We are aware that Nigerians expect an improvement in the procedure for PVC collection.

“Since the end of the CVR in July this year, we have been working to ensure that citizens have a pleasant experience when they come to collect their cards.”

Planned Wage Review: NLC Kicks, Says Increase In Wages Of Political Office Holders Meant To Test Will Of Nigerian Workers – NLC

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Ayuba Wabba

By Ayodele Oni

The planned increment in wages for select government officials, as announced by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission  (RMAFC) is meant to instigate crisis that would be difficult to manage, the organized labour has cautioned.

The organized labour insisted that political office holders are currently earning higher than every class of workers in the country and do not deserve an increment in wages.

The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, reacting to the planned wage increase, said in Abuja that the only category of people who should enjoy an upward review of salaries are workers.

RMAFC had on Tuesday announced a possible wage increase for some categories of workers including political office holders and judicial officers.

According to the labour leader, 2009 was the last time salaries of judges, medical doctors, health workers and university workers were reviewed with more than 100 per cent alongside that of political office holders by the commission.

“Well, first and foremost, it is abnormal because they are already earning higher than any civil servant or workers in the country. And I can tell you that since 2009, there has not been a general review of salaries in the civil service.

“Let me share with you, since 2009, our judicial officials, including our revered judges, their salaries have been static since 2009 till date. It is even laughable. No country can prosper in such a situation.

“That is why at our last meeting two days ago, we had demanded that the issue of review of salaries, that is; wage increase, which is different from minimum wage, should take place.

“Nigerians should know that there is a difference between wage review and minimum wage. Minimum wage is just adjusting the minimum but wage review means wages because of challenges in the economy, the value of our currency, the issue of inflation and the issue of purchasing power of workers. These are factors that necessitate salary review.

“As I speak to you, most of the countries of the world, because of challenges in the economy and cost of living, have actually reviewed the salaries of their workers, which is different from minimum wage. I can give you that of Ghana and South Africa. They did that recently with a 15% salary increase.

“What Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Responsibility Commission (RMFRC) is about to do is abnormal because we already have a situation where special advisers are collecting higher salaries than judges of our Court of Appeal. That’s why you will find recently that some advocates have gone to courts, seeking judges’ salaries review.

“Our judges are the least paid jurists in the world now because of the value of our currency. It is the same thing with our medical doctors and health workers. If you convert their salaries now using the current exchange rate, it is so ridiculous.

“I think they should be mindful of all of these so that they don’t instigate a problem that those who are earning higher will continue to earn higher while they do less. But workers that actually do the work including professionals like medical doctors and our judges will be collecting ridiculous pay.

“I, hereby, give the warning that they should not actually test the will of Nigerian workers. If they do that, then, definitely they have instigated a crisis they may not have to end it.”

The NLC president demanded that the governors across 36 states make public how they spend over N500 million they “receive every month as security votes.”

“Secondly, those people whom the commission wants to increase their salaries control security votes. In most cases, those security votes are unaccounted for.

“Among the states who receive the least security votes get not less than N500 million every month. There are states that get about N1.3 billion as security votes every month.

“Those are monies you don’t budget for, and in most cases, they can’t account for them. Basically, we also know that the salaries of political officeholders are shrouded in secrecy. What you see on paper is different from what they earn, especially members of the National Assembly and those classes of people mentioned above.

“Can you even compare the wage of the highest paid professor who is not taking up to N500,000 in Nigeria with the political office holders earning N1 million and above?

“Where is the equity there? This is the reality! So, I repeat, they should not instigate a crisis that basically will be difficult to manage because they are currently earning higher than every class.”

India 2022: Gallant Flamingoes Lose To Colombia

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Nigeria Flamingoes at Indian U17 World Cup

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Female Under-17 Football Team, the Flamingoes have lost their Semi Final match. The team lost 6-5, via penalties, to Colombia.

After a deadlocked 90 minutes with both sides unable to find the back of the net, the game went into penalties with Omamuzo Edafe and Shakirat Folorunsho losing their spot kicks to give the South Americans side victory.

The Colombians qualified for their first ever Under-17 Female World Cup at the expense of Nigeria who is seeking its first Finals at the tournament.

Nigeria squandered a glorious opportunity to be at the finals as Edafe missed the spot kick that could have secured the final ticket to take the game to sudden death in which Folorunsho lost hers.

The entire duration of the match saw the Flamingoes at the back foot, defending while the Colombians were piling pressure on the African champions who were soaking the pressure.

Coach Bankole Olowookere made a tactical change in his starting line up leaving out Opeyemi Ajakaye, replacing her with Edidiong Etim.

This never metamorphosed into any thing positive as the Flamingoes had just one shot on target throughout the entire duration of the match.

With the semi final lost, Nigeria will play the loser on the second semi finals between Spain and Germany in the Third Place Match slated for Sunday October 30th, 2022.

Obi-Datti Media Office Frowns At Use Of NAF Jet For APC Campaigns

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Sen Oluremi Tinubu and Vice Presidential candidate Hajiya Nana Shettima arrived Makurdi, Capital of Benue State

The APC Presidential Women Campaign Team led by the wife of the APC Presidential candidate Sen Oluremi Tinubu and Vice Presidential candidate Hajiya Nana Shettima arrived Makurdi, Capital of Benue State to commiserate with flood victims.

Since their husbands – Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC Presidential candidate and Kashim Shettima have ruled themselves unsympathetic enough to embark on the Humanitarian Tour,  it is left to their wives to cover their shame.

Coming almost one week after Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi suspended his campaign to kickstart the first ever Humanitarian Tour by any of the Presidential candidates, it’s a reminder that good things are worthy to be copied.

But what is disturbing is that both Tinubu and Shettima’s wives are campaigning with Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) aircraft under the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew.

This is another waste of public funds for pursuit of partisan political interests and open exposure of our men and women in uniform to undue political influences.

The Obi-Datti campaign organisation calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the Presidential Air Fleet from using NAF operated aircraft for campaign activities. These NAF aircrafts are maintained with scarce resources and in this case, the federal government is using borrowed money to fund the campaign activities of the APC Presidential candidate. No aircraft in the inventory of NAF or any of the agencies of the Federal government should be involved in partisan political trips or activities.

This must stop. Henceforth, The Presidency, which controls the PAF office should live up to its responsibilities and ensure that these aircraft are used only for enhancing governance and not openly supporting a particular Presidential candidate and party.

I Stand With Wike, Unaware Of Inclusion In Ondo PDP Presidential Campaign List – Fmr Gov Mimiko

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By Ayodele Oni

Former Governor of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko belongs to the group that is clamouring for resignation of the national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Iyorcha Ayu, to pave way for a southerner.

The group, being championed by River state Governor, Nyesome Wike is insisting that Ayu’s resignation is a precondition to support the presidential ambition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Members of the group that were nominated as part of the campaign team of Atiku have either rejected it outrightly or boycotted programmes of the team.

List of campaign members of Ondo state was released on Tuesday with Dr Mimiko as a member and this has generated reactions from the political group of the former Governor.

The former Governor has however reacted to his inclusion in the presidential campaign team, saying he was not consulted before his nomination.

A statement on Wednesday by his media aide, John Paul Akinduro  stated that “Dr Olusegun Mimiko has been inundated with calls and messages from the general public, and his political friends and concerned individuals around the nation; and in particular, his teeming supporters across the length and breadth of Ondo State.

“They are seeking clarity on a fake news making the rounds since yesterday that he had ditched Governors Nyesom Wike, Seyi Makinde and their colleagues governors, and abandoned the agitation for regional equity within the PDP; and in particular, making a party member of southern extraction its the national chairman before the 2023 election.

“The report and the list that triggered it, are fake and a deliberate attempt to muddle things up and smear Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

“It must be stated with emphasis that Dr. Mimiko was neither consulted by anyone nor consented to his inclusion in any Ondo state PDP Presidential Campaign Council list.

“For the avoidance of doubt and to set the record straight, Dr Mimiko is unwavering in his commitment to the principle of equity, fairness and justice through which he believes a credible push for a PDP victory is possible.

“He fully subscribes to the agitation by his colleagues and other stakeholders in PDP and the generality of Nigerians that the PDP structure must reflect Nigeria’s diversity, if it genuinely wants to unify a visibly divided country.”

Fire Guts WAEC Headquarters; Many Feared Trapped

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WAEC Yaba Office

By Akinwale Kasali

There is pandemonium at the National Headquarters of the West African Examination Council, WAEC, as Fire has gutted the 12-Storey Building located in Yaba, Lagos.

The early morning fire outbreak led to hundreds of people  scampering for safety.

Many people are feared trapped in the building as the fire rages.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. However, emergency responders are at the scene and the fire was being put off.

Firefighters from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) have arrived the scene of the incident to extinguish the fire as of the time of filing this report.

A staff of the Council believed to have been trapped in between some floors was observed attempting to jump through the window of the 12-floor in a bid to escape being suffocated.

NNPC, CBN Workers Earn More Than CJN; RMAFC Says Salary Review Due For Political Office Holders, Judges

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By Ayodele Oni

After waiting for almost 15 years, it is hope rekindled for political office holders and judicial officers as Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) announced possible increase in their remuneration.

The commission raised the hope that it has concluded arrangements to start the process of reviewing the packages for political, public and judicial office holders in the country.

Chairman of the Commission, Mohammed Bello Shehu, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, (NGF) Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State in his office in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Tuesday,  Mohammed Bello pointed out that pursuant to the functions of RMAFC in paragraph 32(D) of part 1 to the third schedule of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, empowers the commission to determine the remuneration appropriate to political, Public and Judicial office holders in the country.

He revealed that the last time the review was carried out was 2008, which makes it even overdue for review.

The RMAFC boss lamented what he described as the poor remuneration of public, political and judicial office holders which has exposed them to corrupt tendencies.

“The salary of members of the House is even worse, but because they claim they are independent they packaged all sorts of allowances.

“There is a need for that review. I have seen a magistrate that earns N150,000 a month. That is a magistrate, somebody who passes judgement.

“Ask around, it will shock you, they are all over Nigeria, they don’t have housing, they don’t have transportation, they have very difficult conditions of service.

“I think it’s about time this is reviewed for national good because we have to be able to take care of judicial officers apart from the ministers and permanent secretaries.”

He reiterated that the review is long overdue saying “We have a middle level worker in NNPC, in CBN who earns more that a judge, that’s the reality. In some places like the NCC, no one even knows. Anybody working in NCC will never disclose their salary to you.

“The salary of a serving minister is N500,000, housing allowance is 200 percent of the basic. I know of a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, when he left, his gratuity was N500 million. That is a life time pension”.

The RMAFC boss promised to produce a fair and credible remuneration for the affected officers.

Those whose remuneration will be affected and earn: The President N14,058,820 per annum (p.a.); the Vice President N12,126,290p.a.; Ministers, SGF, HoS, Chairmen of Constitutional bodies N7,801,640:00 p.a.; Ministers of State and members of Constitutional bodies N7,536,683 p.a.; Special Advisers including speech writers N7,091,493p.a. Special Advisers including speech writers N7,091,493p.a.

“These figures are the annual basic salaries of these office holders excluding their entitled allowances like accommodation, furniture, duty tour allowance, estacode, medicals, severance gratuity, leave and motor vehicle loan.”

The annual basic salary and regular allowances like vehicle fueling and maintenance, Special assistant, Personal assistant, domestic staff, entertainment, utility, security, monitoring and newspapers for Director-General/Auditor General, Permanent Secretaries, Accountant General/Executive Secretaries/Chief Executives of Parastatals, Agencies and Government Companies, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners is N7,414,580:25.

The annual basic salary and regular allowances of the Chief Justice of Nigeria is N6,727,944:99; Justices of the Supreme Court/President, Court of Appeal is N10,899,284; The Senate President N8,694,848:75; Deputy Senate President N8,082,083:65; Senator N12,766,320:00; Speaker House of Representatives N4,954,220:00; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives N4,574,068:50; Members, House of Representatives N9,529,038:06; State Governors N7,782,967:50 and Deputy Governors.

In his speech, Governor Tambuwal congratulated Bello Shehu on his new appointment as RMAFC Chairman while pointing out that the commission, as one of the constitutional bodies in the country, has been underfunded over the years.

This, he said, has made it difficult for the Commission to function properly in monitoring all the revenue accruals into and from the revenue account noting that the Commission should rather be funded on a first line charge.

“This will possibly help the commission go into digital monitoring and tracking of all accruable revenues into the Federation account thereby increasing revenues for sharing among the three tiers of government.”

Governor Tambuwal further lauded the readiness of RMAFC to commence the process for the review of remuneration exercise, while pointing out that the salaries of judges in the country, particularly is one of the least in Public service.