Bauchi Governor Signs Six Executive Bills Into Law
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has taken significant steps towards effective governance by signing six executive bills into law. Among these bills are measures aimed at renaming the state-owned university, establishing key boards, and promoting children’s access to education. The bills, meticulously examined by the State House of Assembly, signify a collaborative effort between the legislative and executive branches of government. Governor Mohammed lauded this cooperation, emphasizing its vital role in driving socio-economic progress and ensuring the welfare of the people. The renamed Sa’adu Zungur University, Gadau, underscores a commitment to honoring individuals who have made notable contributions to the state. Additionally, the establishment of boards and authorities such as the Bauchi State Farmers/Herders Board and the Bauchi State Rural Access Road Authority (RARA) 2024 reflects a strategic focus on agricultural development and rural infrastructure. Speaker Rt Hon Abubakar Suleiman emphasized the transformative potential of these laws, urging continued support for the administration’s agenda. The harmonious collaboration between the legislature and the executive has been instrumental in shaping Bauchi State’s progress, with infrastructure and development initiatives serving as tangible outcomes.
Off-cycle Elections: INEC Unveils Plans to Distribute Uncollected Voters Cards
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled its comprehensive strategy to ensure the availability of Uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) ahead of the upcoming off-cycle elections later this year. The announcement came during the Commission’s second quarterly meeting with the media held at its headquarters in Abuja. During the meeting, the Chairman of INEC reiterated the Commission’s unwavering commitment to facilitating robust voter participation in the electoral process. As part of this initiative, the Commission disclosed plans to publish the list of uncollected PVCs both in its offices and on its official website in the coming days. This measure aims to streamline the process for voters to locate and collect their cards efficiently. Emphasizing the significance of personal collection, the chairman underscored that no PVCs would be collected by proxy, urging registered voters to retrieve their cards in person. Furthermore, the Commission clarified that the final list of candidates for the upcoming off-cycle elections in Edo has been published following the conclusion of party primaries and the withdrawal/substitution period. Campaign activities by political parties in public commenced on April 24th, 2024, and will conclude 24 hours before the election date as mandated by law. In preparation for the Edo elections, media organizations have been urged to promptly apply for accreditation to cover the event. The Commission stressed the importance of adhering to the designated deadline and meeting accreditation criteria to ensure smooth processing. Addressing outstanding bye-elections, the Commission announced vacancies in four states, including State Assembly and Federal Constituency seats. Dates for bye-elections in these constituencies will be announced once preparations are finalized. Additionally, the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise is set to take place in Edo and Ondo States simultaneously from May 27th to June 5th, 2024. Eligible citizens who are not registered voters will have the opportunity to register, while registered voters can transfer their registration or replace lost/damaged cards. To accommodate the limited time before the elections, the registration will occur at ward levels and state headquarters, totaling 397 walk-in registration centers across the two states. In preparation for the CVR exercise, training for at least 794 officials will commence soon. Detailed information on registration centers and procedures has been made available on the Commission’s website and social media platforms. The chairman emphasized the pivotal role of the media in mobilizing prospective registrants for the CVR exercise, urging early registration to avoid last-minute rushes. Collaboration with the media was also solicited to ensure the success of the registration exercise and subsequent electoral processes, highlighting the importance of voter participation in shaping the democratic process.
Atiku criticizes Tinubu govt’s plan to utilize pension funds for infrastructure projects
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has voiced strong opposition to the Federal Government’s proposal to unlock N20 trillion from the nation’s pension funds and other sources for critical infrastructure projects. Atiku was reacting to recent remarks made by Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. Edun had said the Bola Tinubu-led government will unlock N20 trillion from the nation’s pension funds and other funds to finance critical infrastructure projects across the country. According to Atiku, the lack of transparency surrounding the initiative is alarming, adding that specific details regarding the utilization of pension funds, such as the percentage to be withdrawn, were not disclosed. He said: “He (Edun) provided no useful details, such as the percentage of the funds to be mopped up from the Pension Funds, for example. Even at that, this move must be halted immediately! “It is a misguided initiative that could lead to disastrous consequences on the lives of Nigeria’s hardworking men and women who toiled and saved and who now survive on their pensions having retired from service. “It is another attempt to perpetrate illegality by the Federal Government. The government must be cautioned to act strictly within the provisions of the Pension Reform Act of 2014 (PRA 2014), along with the revised Regulation on Investment of Pension Assets issued by the National Pension Commission (PenCom). “In particular, the Federal Government must not act contrary to the provisions of the extant Regulation on investment limits to wit: Pension Funds can invest no more than 5% of total pension funds’ assets in infrastructure investments. “I note that as of December 2023, total pension funds assets were approximately N18 Trillion, of which 75% of these are investments in FGN Securities. “There is NO free Pension Funds that is more than 5% of the total value of the nation’s pension fund for Mr. Edun to fiddle with. There are no easy ways for Mr. Edun to address the challenges of funding infrastructure development in Nigeria. He can’t cut corners. “He must introduce the necessary reforms to restore investor confidence in the Nigerian economy and to leverage private resources, skills, and technology.”
APC Suspends Jimoh Ibrahim
The All Progressive Congress (APC) has suspended Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, the Lawmaker representing the people of Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State at the National Assembly. He was suspended for anti party activities by some members of the ward executives of the party at Igbotako ward 2, in Okitipupa Local Government of Ondo State. The Executives of the Igbotako Ward II, in a letter after the end of their meeting, suspended the Senator for his actions and activities, which they said, violated the party’s Constitution. They also cited that the suit instituted by Jimoh against the APC, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as his involvement in anti-party activities influenced their decision to suspend the Senator from the party. It would be recalled that after the primary election of the All Progressives Congress which produced Aiyedatiwa as the candidate of the party, Jimoh who is an Aspirant in the contest approached the court, seeking the nullification of the exercise. The letter read, “We, the members of the APC Exceutive Committee of Igbotako Ward (1 in Okitipupa 1 ocal Goverment Arca of Ondo State, convened meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024, during our meeting, We deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members, We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to be in violation of the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities In accordance with Article 21, Section A of APC Constitution”.
2027: How Mega Party Will Emerge – Pat Utomi
A professor of political economics, Pat Utomi, has revealed that the proposed mega party for the 2027 elections in Nigeria would not be like the conventional political party Nigerians are used to. According to him, the party would be based on real issues, values and ideologies that can shape human progress. Speaking on Tuesday during an appearance on Arie TV, Utomi lampooned the current crop of politicians in the country for always ignoring real issues but instead, focus on attacking one another based on religious, ethnic and other grounds. “My first point of call is to create this new tribe and the new tribe is not a political party. It is a movement focused on values that shape human progress. In this, we understand, look, this politician settles against one another by talking about ethnicity, religion, and all of that. “Nobody has become richer because of the ethnic group he comes from or has had a better life because of the religion he comes from. So they use it, and in this age, it’s very easy to play propaganda politics and put people against one another. In the end, everybody loses. “We play a zero-sum game. So let’s accept certain fundamental values: the dignity of the human, human solidarity, and work ethic—all of those things,” he said. Speaking further, the former presidential candidate said people that would be a part of the platform would have ideologies and goals that the citizens can hold them accountable for. He said: “As people begin to walk their talk and live in this domain, you can say to these people that the only way that you can change the world is through a political party. “So we have an initiative to then say, Here is a political platform in development that’s values-driven, that has to have an ideology and goals that people can be held accountable for. All of this must be in place and tested before the people. “It can happen fairly quickly—more than people realize. Look at what happened in Senegal. It can become more challenging, depending on how the young people in Senegal manage it.” According to Utomi, people are fed up with the political class in Nigeria and something must be done to save the country. “I mean, somebody gave me an analysis and said, ‘Nigeria will be in popular insurrection within the next four months,’ the way things are going. Somebody sent me this analysis from Nigeria just two weeks ago, and I’m saying to myself, “we have got to stop our country,” he submitted.
FG To Sue Niger Speaker Over Plans To Marry Off 100 Girls
The Federal Government is set to take legal action against the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, over his plans to sponsor the marriage of 100 girls. Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and filed for an injunction to halt the event scheduled for May 24. The minister emphasized the need to prioritize the girls’ futures and announced plans for the ministry to take responsibility for their education and vocational training. Sarkin-Daji’s proposal has sparked controversy, with critics arguing against the forced marriages, while the speaker maintained he is only funding the weddings. The minister said: “I want to let the honorable Speaker of the House in Niger state know that this is totally unacceptable by the Federal Minister of Women Affairs and by the government. “Because there is something called the Child’s Right Act and I said it from the onset, that is no more business as usual. “These children must be considered, their future must be considered, the future of the children to come out of their marriage must be considered”.
Ondo Guber; Court orders APC, Aiyedatiwa, INEC to open defence
The Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to file their defense in a suit seeking removal of Aiyedatiwa as APC gubernatorial candidate for November election. This is following a claim by the APC that it had written a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, seeking for transfer of the case from Abuja to Ondo State. In the ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that the three defendants must file their respective defence within days allowed by law since the suit is a time bound one. The plaintiff, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, is before the court questioning the conduct of the primary election that produced Aiyedatiwa as APC gubernatorial candidate. When the matter came up, Tuesday, Counsel to the APC, Tayo Oyetibo informed the Court that his client had forwarded a letter to the Chief Judge praying for movement of the case from the Abuja division to Akure division. He however admitted that APC had not received any response to the letter. In response, Justice Ekwo held that there was no letter before him and as such, cannot act on anything not before the court. However, the court held that with or without the letter before him, the defendants must respond to the issues raised by the plaintiff. APC in its letter by Matthew Bukkar SAN, dated May 12, but received in Chief Judge’s Office on May 13, 2024, claimed that the primary election being challenged was conducted in Akure, the Ondo State capital. It explained that it has a functional office in Akure with State Working Committee on ground and that the electoral body also has office in Akure. Besides, APC said that governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa whose candidacy is being challenged is resident in Akure. The party therefore said that Akure division of the Federal High Court is the approximate convenient place for the case to be determined. However, counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Chris Uche SAN was prevented from reacting to the letter on the ground that the said letter was not before the court. After issuing the order, Justice Ekwo fixed May 29 for hearing of the suit with a warning that all processes in respect of the suit must be filed and exchanged by parties. Ibrahim who is representing Ondo South in the Senate, is praying the court to cancel the nomination of Aiyedatiwa as APC candidate on the ground that the April 20 primary election that produced him was unlawful. In the suit instituted on his behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chris Uche, Ibrahim, a governorship aspirant who participated in the primary election alleged that the poll was marred with a lot of irregularities. Among others, the Senator claimed that sections 221, 228 of the 1999 Constitution and that of 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 were grossly violated in the conduct of the disputed primary election by the APC. He alleged that some delegates who could have voted for him at the primary election were not accredited to vote thereby making the primary election liable to be set aside and nullified. He is therefore praying the Court to bar INEC from accepting governor Aiyedatiwa as the APC governorship candidate in the coming November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State. The Senator also sought an order of perpetual injunction prohibiting governor Aiyedatiwa from holding himself out or parading himself as the APC governorship candidate. Similarly, Ibrahim wants the court to set aside the purported primary election and compel the APC to conduct a fresh one in compliance with sections 221, 228 of the 1999 Constitution and that of 84 of the Electoral Act 2022. The aggrieved governorship aspirant prayed the Federal High Court to delist the names of the APC and Aiyedatiwa from the political parties and candidates that would participate in the gubernatorial poll . Plaintiff further requested that APC and governor Aiyedatiwa be stripped of all rights except a fresh primary election is lawfully conducted for the purpose of nominating candidate for the governorship election.
Fubara To Probe Wike, Other Past Administrations In Rivers
Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has hinted of plans to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate how the affairs of governance were conducted in the state before he assumed office on May 29, 2023. Fubara gave the hint on Monday at the swearing-in of Mr Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, as the new Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the State at Government House, Port Harcourt. The governor said he was bringing the Attorney-General on board at a critical time that there were lots of legal matters that needed to be tackled, with bravery and courage. Fubara did not, however, say what will be the scope of his investigation of the past affairs of the state, whether it’s the immediate-past administration of Governor Nyesom Wike or others since 1999. He said, “So, my brother, Dagogo Iboroma, you are going to be the brand new Attorney-General of our dear State. SSG (Secretary to the State Government) give him his letter, he is the Attorney-General. “Why are we bringing you at this very critical time? We have a lot of issues around us. We believe that you are not going to be the one that when they send service to you, you go and file “nolle prosequi” or you go and file one thing that would kill us here. “Let me also say this, you have a big task. We will be setting up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the affairs of governance. So, brace up, I am not going back on it. “Please, defend us. We know that you are going to defend us because your record is clean. You are a gentleman and peaceful. You are not a noise maker. People like you are endowed, and they have the fear of God.”
Pro-Fubara Rivers Assembly confirms Iboroma as commissioner
The Rivers State House of Assembly faction loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara has screened and confirmed a legal luminary, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN as Commissioner-designate. The faction led by Speaker Victor Oko Jumbo loyal To Governor Siminalayi Fubara screened and confirmed Commissioner-nominee, Dagogo Iboroma on Monday at the Chambers Inside Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt. Iboroma is likely to be sworn into office by Governor Fubara as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the office vacated by Professor Zaccheus Adangor SAN, who resigned when he was redeployed to the Ministry to Special Duties,(Governor’s office),two weeks ago. Iboroma was on Sunday invited via a letter signed by Dr.G.M. Gills-West,the Clerk of the House to come for screening as the Commissioner nominee as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council on today 13th May, 2024 at 10:00am at Hallowed Chambers, Rivers State House Of Assembly, Auditorium , Admin Block, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.
Zamfara APC Chairman Sacked
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Zamfara State, Tukur Danfulani, has been sacked by the ward executive of the party in Galadima, Gusau Local Government Area of the state. The ward executive led by its deputy chairman, Garba Bello, and fifteen others on Saturday sacked the state chairman for alleged lack of good leadership, and discrimination against party members who violate the laws of the APC. He was also accused of diverting the activities of the party to some people who were not the leaders of the APC in Zamfara State. Speaking with the journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, the Assistant Youth Leader of Galadima ward, Abuhuraira Ilyasu, said 16 out of 27 executive members of the ward signed for the dismissal of the state chairman “On behalf of the leaders of APC Galadima ward in Gusau local government, we are here today 11th May 2024 to impeach the leadership of APC Chairman in Zamfara State, Honourable Tukur Danfulani due to the bad leadership,” Ilyasu said. “We have the list of all executive members that have signed for the impeachment of the Chairman, we have sixteen members out of 27 excos in Galadima ward.” He called on the party’s national headquarters to take note of their decisions and appoint a caretaker chairman for the party in Zamfara who will lead the APC in the North-West state