Author: The Nation

Two former aides of immediate past Governor of Zamafara state, Dr. Suleiman Shuaini Shinkafi and Anas Abdullahi Kaura, has risen in defense of the former Governor, denying allegations that he looted the state before handing over government. They dismissed the claim by the new governor, saying rather than looting, former Governor Bello Matawalle left about N20 billion and $1.977 million in cash and securities for the state.

The new Governor, Dauda Lawal was quoted as saying Matawalle looted the treasury and the government House before handing over to him. But the former aides who addressed the press in Abuja brandished two pages from the hand over notes to prove their point that the former governor left money and equity for the state.

A portion of the hand over note by former Governor Matawalle states that the former APC government left N20. 579 billion in the state treasury, for the new government. Listed as item 6 of page five of the hand over note, paragraph reads “My administration has strategically managed assets and securities to ensure stability in the overall management of the state economy. To this end, a total sum of 20,579, 155,349.20 and $1,977,000 is lefl behind in the stale coffers as per tables below”

It states that Zamafara state has -N3, 897,339,174.91 with the FAAC, CBN-N3, 800,000,000.00 (CBN investment find pending fulfilment of the release conditions), ACReSAL-N800, 000,000.00, $1, 997,000, Matawalle Cares- N2, 118,790,000 (domicile in three agencies- Ministry of Commerce, CSDA and FADAMA) and Covid 19 fund-N500, 000,000 (health advocacy).

The document also revealed that the state has about 60,083,475.67 unit shares in Access Bank, Dangote Sugar, Ecobank Transnational, Floor Mill PLC, Guarantee Trust Bank, Jazz Bank, Large Africa PLC, Prestige Assurance, Stannic IBTC, Zenith Bank, Nigeria Sovereign Investment and Niger Delta Power Delta Holding presently valued at about N5, 473,126,174.? 29.

• Say he has no power to suspend them

Local government chairmen in Plateau state have declared that the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang has no power to suspend them from office. The state governor had on Thursday announced the suspension of all the 17 local government chairmen claiming the inability to submit accounts for their expenditures. But in a swift reaction on Friday, the council chairmen rejected the suspension saying the governor lacks the constitutional jurisdiction to do so.

The chairmen, who made their position known in a press conference in Jos yesterday, said “Our attention was drawn to a press release issued by Gyang Berry, Special Assistant Media, to the Governor, conveying the purported decision of the Governor of Plateau State, approving with immediate effect the suspension of the 17 Local Government Area structures to pave the way for the investigation being carried out by the Government.

“Having painstakingly gone through the said press release, we make the following preliminary observations: The Governor did not cite any constitutional or statutory support, enabling him to suspend what they described as ‘17 local government area structures,” a phrase which does not lend itself to easy comprehension.

“If we do indeed understand the actions contemplated by the state Assembly, it was a mere resolution, which is advisory to the Governor. In any case, such advice will not override existing legislations establishing the Local Government councils, as enshrined in the constitution, which is domesticated by relevant laws on the same subject matter in Plateau state.

“We have gone through the Plateau State Local Government Council Law and we have found out that there is no part or whole of the law donating such powers to the House of Assembly. The Plateau State House of Assembly is the maker of the Plateau State Local Government Council law. To act in contempt and in utter disregard of the laws made by them is to devalue their functions.”

Northern Nigeria has made a clear demand from the new President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asking him to prioritize security of the region, through revival of the agricultural sector to provide mass employment for the youths, many of whom were being recruited into crime and terrorism.

Speaking with journalists in Kaduna, Director of the famous Arewa House, Kaduna, Dr. Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu, said the region has a strong conviction that if Tinubu can employ and apply his capacity and ability as he did to transform Lagos, the North and the rest of the country will prosper under his administration.

“We must look at the agric value chain in terms of production, processing and marketing. We have land. We have the weather. We have the people. We have everything we need to become the agric hub of the country. Government just needs to build processing factories so we don’t have to transport our farm produce from the North to the South for processing and marketing.

“We need technological-driven agric practices to enable us to produce more than what we can consume internally. From here to Dakar, there is no barrier and that is a huge market for us. So, improvement in agriculture and power are enough to address insecurity in the North because the issue of insecurity is largely aggravated by unemployment”, he said.

Read Also : Abiola’s associate commends Tinubu over subsidy removal

Speaking further, he said, “we also want to extend our congratulatory message to all new governors elected on their respective political party platforms. We pray and hope they will build on the good their predecessors left and also make amends where necessary. A situation whereby a new administration will abandon inherited projects that have gulped good resources will not help us. We pray God will help them to navigate difficult terrain both at the federal and state levels.”

On subsidy removal he said, over time, both the government and economists have been saying subsidy is not sustainable given the global oil regime and our forex capacity.

• Says his membership elapsed when he defaulted on party dues

A High Court in Makurdi, Benue State has affirmed the suspension of Senator Iyorchia Ayu from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and his eventual removal as the party’s National Chairman. Justice Maurice Ikpambese, who gave the judgement today, said that Ayu did not contest that he did not pay his dues up to date. The judge said Ayu’s membership of the PDP elapsed with his failure to pay his membership and subscription dues.

It should be recalled that on March 27, 2023, Justice W. I Kpochi, issued an interim injunction restraining Ayu from parading himself as the national chair of the PDP. The judge issued the order following an ex parte application by a member of the party in Benue State, Terhide Utaan. Delivering judgement on the suit today, Justice Ikpambese, who is also the Chief Judge of Benue State said, “the first defendant’s (Ayu) membership of the second defendant (PDP) elapsed with his failure to pay his membership and subscription fee.

Read Also : Iyorchia Ayu’s exit

“The first defendant (Ayu) did not contest his suspension by the Igyorov Ward Executive, neither did he initiate any suit challenging his suspension. He has left the court with no option than to believe that he has consented to his suspension. The Plaintiff has therefore proven his case. All the questions for determination have been resolved in favour of the plaintiff. He is entitled to all the reliefs sought. I so order.”

As the Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal began sitting, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that, the incumbent Governor and Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Uba Sani, won the March 18, 2023 election fair and square and lawfully returned as the victor.

INEC in its reply to the petition marked KPT/KD/GOV/4/2023 and filed on 6 May 2023, asked the Tribunal to note a major constitutional error in the petition brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the outcome of the poll.

The reply of the Commission contained both its preliminary objection to the petition brought by PDP and its candidate, Mohammed Isa Ashiru and point-by-point response to all the allegations raised by the petitioners, against the conduct of the poll and its final outcome.

Results of polling units being disputed by the petitioners were also analysed in the reply of the electoral body, which also indicated that it would be calling witnesses from its Election Operations and ICT Departments, to prove the integrity of the poll and the votes scored by each of the participating candidates.

In its preliminary objection highlighting the 47-page reply, the electoral body claimed that the constitutional error being signaled, has rendered the judicial challenge mounted by the petitioners, incompetent, and only fit, for dismissal.

Delving into the said constitutional error committed by the petitioners, INEC noted “A ground in an election petition contending that “the respondent was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election” is cognisable only where 2 candidates contest in a run-off under Section 179 (4) of the Constitution of the FRN, 1999.

“By the table drawn in paragraph 7 of the petitioners’ petition, there were 14 candidates that contested the Governorship election conducted by the 1st Respondent (INEC) in Kaduna State on the 18th day of March 2023.

The crisis rocking the Labour Party has deepened with the Vice Chairman, South of the party, Lamidi Apapa filing an appeal against the ruling of a State High Court sitting in Benin City, the Edo State capital which affirmed Julius Abure as national chairman of the party.

A copy of the appeal filed by the Apapa-led faction was shared with reporters by its Acting National Publicity Secretary of the Apapa-led faction, Abayomi Arabambi on Friday in Abuja.

The party is seeking a stay of execution of the Benin High court judgement which affirmed the leadership of Abure as national chairman of the party.

Arabambi insisted that with the appeal, Abure and three other officials remained suspended.

A Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory had restrained Abure and three others from parading themselves as officials of the party.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, also ordered that the originating processes of the court be served on the restrained officials – Abure, the National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim; the National Treasurer, Oluchi Opara; and the National Organising Secretary, Clement Ojukwu.

The three other officials restrained were also replaced by Alh. Saleh Lawal- Acting National Secretary, Rowland Daramola- Acting Treasurer, and Prince Reuben Favour – Acting Organising Secretary.

However, State High Court sitting in Benin City last Friday dismissed the notice of suspension issued against Abure by some party members at the ward level.

The judge, Justice Emmanuel Aihamoje, last Friday, threw out the case for lacking merit.

In his judgement, which lasted for nearly two hours, Aihamoje judged that the party ward executive in Uromi in ward 3 lacked the power under the Labour Party Constitution, particularly Act 13 & 17 and the Electoral Act 2022, as amended to remove the national chairman of the party.

The judge in Suit No: HUC/21/2023, therefore, went ahead to impose perpetual injunction against Lamidi Apapa and his faction from removing or suspending Abure as the national chairman until a new national convention of the party was convened.

The judge stated that the purported ward 3 executive who suspended Abure as the national chairman of the party acted outside the powers vested on it by the Labour Party Constitution.

But briefing reporters on Friday in Abuja, Arabambi said: “We have filled today at the Court of Appeal Benin City, three notices of appeal with a stay of execution granted on the judgment delivered on the 26th of May 2023 where the court order the NWC of our party under Bashiru Lamidi Apapa not to act on the suspension made by ward three executive.

“With the stay of execution from the higher court now, the judgment is now in nullity and of no effect thus the suspension of Julius Abure still subsists with the restraining order of the FCT high court granted on April 5th, 2023.”

• Deputy Speaker position unacceptable to Southeast – Ohanaeze
• Why I won’t run for Senate Presidency, by Lawan

Former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill, yesterday said the 10th Senate would not be a “Rubber Stamp.”

Akpabio spoke to reporters after the Stability Group rooting for him and Senator Barau Jibrin as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively of 10th Senate hosted over 70 Senators-elect to dinner in Abuja.

He said rather than be a rubber stamp, the 10th Senate under his leadership would rather rubber stamp whatever is good for Nigerians and what Nigerians want.

Information pieced together at the venue of the well-attended dinner revealed that it was organised to enable the Senators-elect rub minds and compare notes on the progress so far recorded since it started consultations with relevant party structures, stakeholders, leaders of thought and Senators-elect on the aspirations of Senators Akpabio and Jibrin for the leadership of the 10th Senate.

It was also learnt that attendance at the dinner cut across party lines, a possible sign that members of the group were more than committed to handling issues brought before it in a bipartisan manner for national development and unity.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the session, the preferred choice of the party, Senator Akpabio said the dinner was organised by the leadership of the group for members to further deliberate on how to collaborate with the President Tinubu-led administration for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.

According to him, “today’s meeting is a continuation of the one earlier held at the Frazer Suites. We believe that it is important we continue to bond together because God has put us together for the next four years to work for the benefit of Nigerians in the 10th Senate.”

Read Also :Why we’re rooting for Akpabio as President of 10th Senate – Lado

Speaking further, the former Senate Minority Leader said, “we believe that every Senator, irrespective of his or her political party, is first and foremost a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

On the allegation that the Senate under his leadership would be a rubber stamp, Akpabio said, “the answer is very simple. In America, the Vice President is the presiding officer of the Senate and does that make them a rubber stamp?

“We would look at issues thoroughly and even the Executive would be happy. We will hold robust discussions and public sittings before we come up with any bill for presidential assent towards improving the living standards of Nigerians.”

He stated further that, “the 10th Senate is made up not only of men and women of high integrity but people of diverse experience and they are bringing all these to bear for the benefit of the incumbent administration of President Tinubu.

“We will not be a rubber stamp Senate, rather we will rubber stamp whatever is good for Nigerians and what Nigerians want.

“Things would change in Nigeria for good under this administration and that is our promise to Nigerians. Be rest assured that we shall succeed by the special grace of God.”

On allegation of corruption against him, Akpabio stated that as a politically exposed individual, he was expectant of all those innuendos, saying, “the allegation against me is that when I was governor, I showed love to all and sundry, that I declared free and compulsory education for all Nigerian children who were resident in Akwa Ibom State.

“I am being accused because I love God so much that I assembled the largest choir in the world to sing to God and broke the Guinness Book of world record.

“I was an uncommon performer as a governor, through the execution of landmark projects totalling over 500 that I couldn’t even commission before I left office.

“There is no politically exposed person that people will not throw innuendos at. Allegations would continue to go after politically exposed persons of high calibre. You don’t look at all those, you look at my track records,” he declared.

Earlier, the preferred deputy Senate president, Barau Jibrin, while speaking with newsmen, described the rumour of his joint ticket with Akpabio being jettisoned by President Tinubu as wishful thinking by those who are scared of the joint ticket.

According to him, “the APC is the largest party in Africa. It is a respected party whose words are its bond. There is nothing like the President and the party have backed out of their support for us.

“The APC is a very serious and respected party. The alleged withdrawal of support by the President only exists in the minds of those who are yet to come to terms with the position of the party on the National Assembly leadership is final and sacrosanct.”

Deputy Speaker position unacceptable to Southeast – Ohanaeze

Apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has  kicked against the zoning of principal officers of the National Assembly by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),insisting that allocating the position of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to the Southeast was highly unreflective, disgusting and provocative to the Igbo.

The group urged all the Igbo Lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly to vote according to their discretion irrespective of state, religion or ethnicity.

In a statement issued by the spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Alex Ogbonnia, in Enugu, the group said it had “watched with grave concern the zoning of principal officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

“We have also observed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) zoned the position of the Deputy Speaker to the South East of Nigeria.

“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo states that allocating the position of the Deputy Speaker to the South East is highly unreflective, disgusting and provocative to the Igbo.

“To this end, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR (Ahaejiagamba) directs all the Igbo lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly to vote according to their discretions irrespective of state, religion or ethnicity.”

Why I won’t run for Senate Presidency, by Lawan

Meanwhile, outgoing Senate President Ahmad Lawan has dismissed rumours  that he might  join the race for the position in the 10th Senate.

Lawan, while speaking with journalists after a meeting between the leadership of the National Assembly and President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, said he was not interested in contesting for the position to succeed himself.

The meeting was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila of the House of Representatives.

He stated that he never showed interest in joining the race because he does not wish to become the next senate president. He said after 24 years in the National Assembly, he has the responsibility to help newly elected lawmakers.

 “I don’t really wish to be one. I have played my part and I am happy that we have played our part,” Mr Lawan said in response to a question asked by a journalist. He added that “I have never indicated interest to run.”

On the election of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, he said there was a need to carry everyone along.

He said: “What will inform the emergence will be the national interest, interest of the National Assembly. Therefore, everybody matters in this process.

“We also believe that Mr President, having been a senator himself and his vice president (Kashim Shettima) also having been a senator, this is something that they will always wish and pray for.

“As the chairman of the 9th National Assembly, I find it dutiful and necessary to work with all the major stakeholders especially the leadership of our country, Mr President and to give my necessary opinion and advice on how the new leadership of the National Assembly should emerge and what we need to do to ensure stability and productivity of the National Assembly and to ensure a peaceful atmosphere between the legislature and the executive arm of government.

“We are getting somewhere and my prayer is that we are able to resolve all the outstanding issues by the grace of God. And Mr President is positively disposed to everything being done smoothly,” he said.

There is tension among leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State over whose senatorial district the Speaker of the 10th Assembly in the state would emerge from.

The 10th Assembly would be proclaimed today (Saturday).

This is just as the 9th Assembly under Speaker Bamidele Oloyolegun was officially dissolved at Friday’s valedictory plenary.

There was, however, tension in the state in the early hours of Friday when a letter of resignation by the Speaker surfaced.

Security was quickly beefed at the Assembly premises to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.

The purported resignation letter of the Speaker, which was addressed to the Clerk of the House and written on the letterhead of the Assembly reads, “Please permit me to inform you that I, Rt. Hon. Oleyelogun, Bamidele David, cease to function as Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly. This follows my decision to resign from the position with effect today.

Read Also : l’ve not resigned my position as Ondo Speaker — Oleyelogun

“May I use this medium to express my appreciation to all my colleagues who have been wonderful partners in progress. I must say I enjoyed their enviable and uncommon support for the period I held sway as Speaker. I will extend the same level of support and loyalty to whoever succeeds me as Speaker of this honourable House.”

Speaker Oloyelogun said the ploy was to embarrass the state and himself.

He insisted that he would remain the Speaker until his term expires.

According to him, “The letter in question is not from me. I cannot resign my appointment today that is the last day that we are closing the Assembly. Nothing warranted that.

“The letterhead paper is not my own. They just rushed it. Then the signature is not my own. Even the date on it is not how I used to write dates. I will type it and use my hand to write the date.

“Everything on the letter is not my own, and I cannot resign. I’m still working in my office. Until I step down, that is when I’ll stop doing my official job. I still remain the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly.”

However, the battle on who emerged Speaker in the 10th Assembly is between the four lawmakers that won re-election.

They are Oluwole Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi (Owo 1 APC/ Majority Leader); Oladiji Olamide (Ondo East APC); Ololade Gbegudu (Okitipupa 11, APC); and Abayomi Akinruntan (Ilaje 1, APC).

What would work against Hon Gbegudu and Akinruntan is that they both represent constituencies in Ondo South senatorial district where the next governor is expected to come from.

Hon Oladiji had been touted to be the next Speaker as he hails from Ondo Central where the seat of the Speaker is currently zoned to but argument put against him by some leaders was that the deputy governor slot in 2024 would be zoned to the Ondo Central.

Some APC chieftains who pleaded anonymity said there has been massive support for Hon Ogunmolasuyi as the zone where he hails from, Ondo North, is where the Speaker would be zoned to.

The APC chieftains who spoke separately said they pushed for Ogunmolasuyi to avert crisis next year  after Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu hands over power to somebody from Ondo South.

• FG, states to work together on review

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, noted that the national minimum wage requires a review to reflect realities, emphasising that the improved livelihood for Nigerians remains a top priority of his administration.

The President, who received members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) led by the Chairman, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, at the State House, said the national and sub-national governments will work together on the minimum wage, which already requires “soul searching.’’

According to a statement issued by the Director of Information in the State House, Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye, President Tinubu also said his administration would be working with more people-focused economic policies.

Read Also : Minimum wage needs review, Tinubu tells APC Govs

“We need to do some arithmetic and soul searching on the minimum wage. We will have to take a look at that together, and the revenue. We must strengthen the source and application of our revenue,” he said.

President Tinubu urged the governors to seize the opportunity of being chosen among millions of citizens in their states to make a difference in the lives of the people, adding that he would work for the benefit of Nigerians.

“This meeting is not strange to me, and the content of the meeting is so valuable. The camaraderie is very stimulating. This is about the Nigerian project, not Bola Tinubu,’’ he said.

The President said that the multiple exchange rates will be streamlined, noting that governance was a continuum.

“I have inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. This is the first time you entered the Council Chambers, and it is my first time too for a meeting.

“As progressives and thinkers under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC), you have a role to play in educating our people and making sure we manage ourselves,’’ the President told the governors.

President Tinubu said it was a good and encouraging sign that the APC has a majority in the National Assembly and some Houses of Assembly, which will make it easier to develop policies that will directly impact the economy and the people.

“If we work together, the Nigeria of our dreams is not far away. Rest assured that we will not have multiple exchange rates anymore.  You asked for this meeting, and I had to set aside time to be here.

“We have a political party that we will need to manage, whichever way, we have inherited assets and liabilities, and we cannot complain,’’ he stated.

President Tinubu said he would maintain an open-door policy, willing to entertain issues, deliberate, and collectively find solutions to the challenges facing the country, including security.

“It is in our hands, and I am ready to work and listen at any time,’’ he added.

In his remarks, the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, called on the governors to rally around the President as he tackles the challenges that stagnate the economy, like the oil subsidy and multiple exchange rates.

“Let us rally around the President and not bulge. There are vested interests that may want to resist the subsidy removal. Its removal will free resources for the development of your states,” he added.

Earlier, the governor of Imo State pledged the support of the Progressive Governors to the President, noting that the initial decisions already foretold good intentions for the economy.

“We are here today as members of the APC to fraternize with you as our leader, and congratulate you on your election as President, and Commander-in-Chief.

 “We are using this opportunity to express our support for you at this trying time in our history,’’ he said.

Uzodinma noted that the President had started well by placing the economy and welfare of the people on a priority list with honesty of purpose.

“We are aware of your capacity and excellent track record,’’ the PGF Chairman stated.

The Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, said the development of the national and sub-national economies remains interwoven; assuring that President Tinubu would receive their support to succeed.

Other governors present at the meeting were Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State,  AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos,  Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, and Dikko Radda of Katsina State.

Governors Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Umar Bago of Niger, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Nwifuru Francis Ogbonna of Ebonyi , Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, and Bassey Otu of Cross-River State were also present.

At the meeting, the President announced the appointment of Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff, Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia as Deputy Chief of Staff, and George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.