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Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • Equality for geopolitical zones, impossible – El-Rufai

    Equality for geopolitical zones, impossible – El-Rufai

    Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee of True Federalism and Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai said on Wednesday that demanding equal states for all the geopolitical zones in the country is a form of injustice to others as it will amount to trying to make “the unequal equal”.

    The governor also said that it will be difficult for states agitating for resource control to achieve 100 percent control resources in their states since states in the country without oil are more in the National Assembly than those with oil and therefore are likely to vote against such agitation.

    Speaking at an interactive session with Nigerian Youth in Abuja, EL-Rufai said he was prepared to open the books for those willing to audit his security votes, pointing out that he has never touched his security votes as the money was being controlled by the Secretary to the state government, while everyone who benefits from the votes signs for what they collect.

    Gov El-Rufai, who was responding to questions and suggestions raised by some of the youths present at the event, said rather that than make suggestions that will not stand the test of time, the youths should find a way of engaging the process after learning from history.

    He said: “there is absolutely no way in the Nigeria of today that a state that has oil will have 100 percent of the revenue. That is not possible because to get that document through, you have to pass it through the National Assembly and in the National Assembly, there are more states that have no oil than those that have oil and so, they will vote it down.

    “So, you better start proposing something that works for the entire country and not just you. Otherwise, it will not help. The greatest injustice you can do is to try to make the unequal equal or the equal unequal.

    “You cannot come here and say we should create nine states in each zone. Nigeria is not equal in terms of land mass, population, resources etc. so, you can’t do that. It is injustice trying to make the unequal equal because there is nowhere in the world.”

    He said further that those agitating for the scrapping of the Senate should be realized that no member of the Senate will vote to scrap the chamber, saying”Whatever you learn with some knowledge of history is incomplete.

    “Unfortunately, in this country, history is no a subject in our schools. We started with a parliamentary system of government with the Queen as our leader, then we became Republic in 1963. You should not trace history without learning from the mistakes of the past or make recommendations without some sense of history.

    “When you make a recommendation that you want to abolish the Senate, you should know that the Senate cannot be abolished unless the Senate vote to abolish the Senate. Who is going to vote to make himself unemployed?

    “We have a political process and so, we are not overthrowing the government and starting afresh. So, we have to work with what we have in a sensible and pragmatic manner and reform what needs to be reformed.

    “When you say create states on the one hand and on the other hand you say the cost of governance is too high, are you jot contradicting yourself? For every state you create, you are adding the budget of the country. So, you cannot be saying that the cost of governance is too high and yet ask for more states.

    “Let us put some political reality in what we do. What we are doing now may end up being amendments to the constitution. You amend the constitution by getting a bill passed by two-thirds of the National Assembly. After they have passed it, you must get 24 states houses of assembly to say they agree. So, when you make a recommendation, think of how to get it pass through the National Assembly and 24 states.

    “The President, the Senate, the House of Representatives exist and there are 36 state governors and you cannot wish them away. We may be too old to run, but we are here and you must learn to deal with us. Some of us are good and some are bad.

    “One thing about this debate on restructuring is that everyone tends to think in isolation from the rest of us. Every interest group, every ethnic group, every state is thinking about themselves. I have oil and so, I must have resource control or I don’t have oil and I must get Some of it.

    “We must think for once what will be of interest to the country. We must think of what will be of interest to Nigeria because what will work in one part of the country may not work in another. If we don’t think first of what is of interest to all of us before the individuals, we will only have series of conflicting argument without consensus.

    “The Not too young to run bill has been passed by the National Assembly and is not before the state Assemblies. It is likely to face bigger opposition in the state assemblies because that is where the age is lowered and so, they are likely to see you as competitors.

    “The independent candidate bill has also been passed and probably it will sail through. Many of us in the system know that one of the biggest problems is not the constitution or legislature, but the way candidates emerge. The process leading to the emergence of a candidate for election is the biggest problem we have in Nigeria.”

    Speaking on security vote and its legality, the governor said there was a lot of misconception about security votes, saying security votes was not unconstitutional.

    Gov El-Rufai said “Go and read your constitution. The state House of Assembly has the power to appropriate anything and security vote is a line charge in the budget and so. It is not illegal. But it is how it is used that has issues.

    “I know of a former governor who used to collect N1.5 billion in cash as security votes and come to Abuja. It has been a subject of abuse and that is not how it should be. The idea of security vote is for the governor to have discretionary funds to deal with emergency situations because you don’t know when you will have security challenges and you need money to able to respond to these challenges.

    “Sometimes, you need money to pay for information and sometimes, you can’t imagine the type of people you pay as an informant because armed robbers patronize a lot of places and you need to know what they are planning next. Another use of security vote is to support security agents in the states.

    “The Federal government has the police and pay their salaries. But apart from the salaries that the federal government pY to the police. They do nothing else. If you see policemen with vehicles and other equipment today, they are probably bought by the state government.

    “In Kaduna state, we have bought 107 vehicles for the police within my first year in office because we realized that if they move around, they cannot get the job done. Every month, we pay the police and other security agents certain amount of money for fuel, otherwise, you won’t be able to drive on the Abuja/Kaduna road.

    “That is what security votes is used for and not money meant for the governor’s pocket. I have never taken one kobo from the security votes of Kaduna state, I have never seen it because the Secretary to the State Government controls that money and signs for it.

    “we insist that whoever is a beneficiary of security vote in Kaduna state signs for it. So, today if you want to audit my security votes, I will open my books for you because everyone that collects from it signs for it.

    “However, I can tell you whether that is how security votes are used by other states. I don’t want touch to go with the impression that security vote is a slush fund for government. That is not true, but it can be abused. That does not mean that is the original intention.”

  • Chieftains move to unite APC in Delta

    Leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State  have agreed to reconcile, unite and work for the success of the party in 2019.

    The leaders made the resolution at a unity meeting hosted by Chief Hyacinth Enuha, an APC chieftain and leader of Consolidated Dynamic APC (CDA), a pressure group, at his country home in Ogwashi Uku.

    Those at the parley include APC 2015 governorship candidate, who is also the leader of the Mainstream Delta APC (MDA), Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, ex-Speaker of the House of Assembly Victor Ochei, former Chairman of defunct Action Congress  of Nigeria (ACN) Chief Adolo Okotie Eboh and Dr. Cairo Ojougbo, ex-deputy chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who recently led a faction of the party to APC.

    The leadership of the party expressed concern at  the continued absence of Chief Great Ogboru, leader of Light of APC pressure group and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, from the party’s activities and meetings,  even when they were invited.

    At the constitution of the state APC caucus in Asaba, Ogboru and Omo-Agege were absent. At a recent state caucus meeting, hosted by Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and the defection of Dr.  Ojougbo and his group to the party, the duo were also absent, fuelling speculations that they may have  other plans.

    A statement by Chief Enuha said the leaders discussed the state of APC and how to form a greater bond among leaders.

    The statement said: “Those present agreed to form a working alliance for greater unity of the party and to keep the alliance open for those not present, to join in future.

    “The meeting agreed that unity of the party’s leaders presents the best opportunity for APC to take government in 2019.

    “They also resolved to continue to support and enhance the capacity of the state exco, led by Prophet Jones Ode Erhue, in the fight to rescue Delta State from PDP.

    “It was agreed that a unity  general meeting of MDA, CDA, supporters of Ochei and Chief Adolo should be convened on October 21, to be hosted by Olorogun Emerhor, in a further bid to unite followers.

  • Restructuring: Only N/Assembly has the power – Dogara

    Restructuring: Only N/Assembly has the power – Dogara

    …APC True Federalism’s report ready October Ending- El-Rufai

     

    Only the National Assembly has the power to restructure the country, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara said Tuesday.

    According to Dogara the Legislature is the only institution mandated to enact laws for the country and the President as the head of the Executive is to implement the laws made by the National Assembly.

    Dogara who spoke during a courtesy call by the Nasir El-Rufai led All Progressives Congress, APC Committee on True Federalism said that in spite of the powers of the President,

    This was as El- Rufai disclosed that his committee’s report would be submitted to the party by the end of October.

    El- Rufai told the House Leadership that their visit is to brief the House on the details of their assignment.

    The Speaker said in line with the powers conferred on it by the constitution, the House has gone ahead to constitute a Committee to address the issue of political agitations in the country.

    The committee, he said, is non- partisan and necessary to douse tension in the country and in line with the statements of the President that only the National Assembly has a solution to the agitations of the people across the country.

    His words: “When the President talked about the National Assembly being the proper forum for this discussion, so many people objected to that. Even some senior advocates who think that the President could just sit and restructure the country.  But I know the President uses green pen not a red pen that I use.  I don’t know whether by any stroke of imagination or margin a green pen can actually restructure Nigeria.

    “If that is the case it is a very simple thing that can be done, but unfortunately, most of the things that we talked about, most of the issues that are being raised are there in the foundational document of this country, the grand norm which is the Constitution.

    “And even going by elementary description of the departments of governments,  the Executive cannot make laws, they cannot tinker with the provision of the Constitution.  It is the National Assembly that must do that.

    “I guess even if the President has powers, his powers would just amount to recommendations in the form of an executive bill which he can send to the National Assembly for constitutional alteration or amendment in other to address the fundamental basis of some of these agitations.

    ” I concur with him totally that this is the right forum where the outcomes of those debates would be channeled for processing and for action. I know that we won’t let this country down when it comes to performing our responsibilities because this is the institution that represents the people.”

    The Chairman of APC Committee, El-Rufai in his remarks noted that restructuring was part of the APC manifesto adding that there were unbalances in the federation structurally and politically.

    While agreeing that the House did the right thing by nominating members into the committee on political agitations, he said the Senate is expected to do same and that the Senate President had been written by his committee in that regard.

    Submissions, he said, had already been made to the State Houses of Assembly and that other steps had been taken in a bid to achieve success in the committee’s assignment.

    His words: “We are here as the APC committee on federalism to pay you a courtesy call and give you a brief background on the assignment the party has entrusted on us.

    “The APC in its manifesto made very firm commitment towards devolution of power true federalism which is variously referred to restructuring as so on. However, because of other challenges, the administration had to deal with on assumption of office, the expeditious implementation of some of these commitments has not occurred.

    “I am proud to say that the National Assembly led by APC went ahead with the constitutional amendment to make our federation be better balanced. We all recognized there is some imbalance in our federation. This is why our party is committed to do something about it. However, it is better late than never.

    “We have already taken steps which are now before the State Houses of Assembly. We believe in the history of Nigeria, there has never been a comprehensive discussion on what is before us: federalism, restructuring and so on. We also believe even the debate and discussions in previous national conference has excluded key stakeholders particularly our young people that account for 80% of our population.

    “We believe ultimately that as a democratic government, the voice of the people is the voice of God and we must listen to them. We must not presume just because we are elected, just because we are leaders that we know what the country needs.

    “As articulated by our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari whatever discussion we have about federalism, restructuring will have no value unless the national assembly enacts whatever the people of Nigeria say they want. So, this hallowed chambers give all the power to make federalism work better.

    “The purpose of our committee is to merely collect and collate the views of Nigerians particularly young people and other vulnerable people and present to the party”, El-Rufai.

    “The Confab report of 2014  as well as the one of 2005 are some of the documents that were looking at in the committee. We plan to submit our report at the end of October. Our report would be to the party, but of course, since National Assembly members are in the committee, they’ll also have copies,” El- Rufai said.

  • Buhari must sack non-performing South-East ministers – Anyanwu

    Buhari must sack non-performing South-East ministers – Anyanwu

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Nduka Anyanwu has said that bad governance by past and present governors of the South-East, as well as the inability of serving Federal Ministers to deliver on their promises, was largely responsible for the current agitation for secession by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Anyanwu who is a serving ex-officio of the party told newsmen in Abuja that President Muhammadu Buhari must move immediately to sack all non performing Ministers from the region if he hopes to win the votes of the people of the south-East especially for their inability to bring under control, the agitation by the proscribed IPOB.

    The APC chieftain specifically demanded the immediate sack of the Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelama, adding that apart from being imposed on the Abia state chapter, the Minister has refused to visit the state party secretariat since his appointment, which is a clear indication of his lack of interest in the affairs of the party.

    He said: “Abians are very likeable people that will vote Buhari for 2019 if he comes out and which we are going to ask Buhari to come out. Nigerians need Buhari. Buhari is the best thing that has happened to this country but the issue is that few people that are working for him now in South-East are not really taking care of that zone, they are not doing much. 

    “Like in my state, my minister is not close to any of us, he is demarketing Buhari in the state. Is he the minister for only Abuja? I don’t think he has visited the state secretariat, I don’t think he has electoral value in his ward, what are we talking? I am asking President Buhari to reshuffle the cabinet and let them bring in somebody. 

    “When this IPOB agitation started, I was expecting the Minister of Trade and Investment, because he is the one representing us at the cabinet, to see how he would have parley with all these boys that are agitating but till today, that man has never spoken out anything, which is very bad. 

    “If you want to appoint a Minister, you must look for somebody who is ready to work for you, not somebody who would go and speak only grammar. Politics is not a child’s play, it is a very serious business. I am saying that we need an experienced politician. There are lots of us that are highly educated in Abia State who can do the job better than him. 

    “We are saying this because of the issues of agitations in South-East. I am asking them to begin to look inwardly, to look at the really core party people who worked for Buhari in the South-East. 

    “The one that is representing us now is not working in Abia State, we don’t know him, he’s not part of us. All the time we were campaigning, using our money to do sorts of things, they called us all sorts of names, he was not there with us, why being the Minister of Trade and Investment? 

    “The terrain of things in Abia State now, we need a very experienced person who will be able to reach all parties to bring things together. I am saying that we want Abia State to be the APC State by 2019 but with the way things are going now, if we don’t make changes quickly now, we won’t get there.” 

    He called on the Biafra agitators to blame successive governments in the South-East including the present Abia state government and not President Buhari for the backwardness in Abia state, the APC chieftain saying: “the issue now is that since 1999 in South-east especially in my state, Abia State, I can tell you that things are not really working. 

    “If I were Nnamdi Kanu, he would have begun to agitate within the people that have ruled that state since 1999 and begin to ask questions, what have you people done? Can you give us account of stewardship since 1999? You can see in Abia State that all the infrastructures have so dilapidated. You can see poverty is visible. If you visit there at night, is like a goat stand, nothing is working. 

    “I can tell you, I stand to be corrected, 85% of the youths are not working, they are jobless. Why do they agitate? They say idle hand is devil’s workshop because these youths are not doing anything, they are all vulnerable, that is why Nnamdi was able to peneterate them and begin to tell them what to do because they don’t have future and they are looking at the whole thing that nothing is working. 

    “I can tell you that Government house in Abia state is like three-bedroomed flat. What are we talking about? All the elders in Abia state are not speaking because of what they are getting from the governor. This is the right time for EFCC and ICPC to visit Abia state and begin to ask questions. What is going on? and if they don’t go to the root of this matter, IPOB is not working today, tomorrow, another one will come out continuously because poverty is visible in Abia state. 

    “For the past two years now, I can tell you that I have not seen any project going on in Abia state apart from the ones working on by the federal government. Nothing is going on, they are busy parading themselves and at the end of the month, they will just sit down at the government house and share the money and it ends there, nobody is speaking; Abians are not speaking; nobody is talking; everybody is afraid.”

  • 2019: Global affairs analyst nudges Tinubu to declare for presidency

    2019: Global affairs analyst nudges Tinubu to declare for presidency

    A Global Affairs Analyst, Ayoola Lawal has called on the National leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step forward to join the race in becoming the next President of Nigeria in 2019.
    Lawal noted that Asiwaju Tinubu can compete for the position if President Muhammadu Buhari is not interested in running in 2019.
    According to him, the outcome of the last meeting by the South-West leaders of the APC in Ibadan, Oyo state capital indicates that APC  is still on course and zoning of the highest office of the land is not yet on the party’s plate.
    “The South-West leaders pride the party in its ideology of choosing a party flagbearer on the pure merit of winning the majority votes according to the party arrangement.
    “Based on the reiteration that the presidency on the platform of the APC is not yet zoned which makes it open to any citizen of Nigeria that meets the criteria of the party irrespective of the region or zone he or she belongs,” he said.
    The Global Affairs Analyst observed that the non-zoning system produced President Buhari in December 2014, when he emerged as the presidential candidate of the APC for the March 2015 general elections amongst other candidates from different zones of the country.
    He further said: “As a global affairs analyst, an unrepentant advocate of good governance, and a patriotic socialist that is studying and following the activities of political leaders and underdogs across the globe especially Nigeria, I personally call upon the National leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step forward to join the race in becoming the next President of the most populated black nation on earth in 2019 if Mr. President is not interested and, if Asiwaju still has the ambition.
    “If I may recall, Asiwaju Tinubu boldly and pleasantly expressed his wish and dream time and again of becoming the president of Nigeria during the presidential party rallies that I was opportune to attend in 2015.
    “However, he categorically stated the reasons for not joining the presidential race then which were constructively convincing and purely patriotic, that he needed to walk the path of history of the great nations that supported, elected and trusted their generals and old men with experience to rescue them in their nation’s darkest times.
    “Then, nobody could refute that Nigeria was in an unchartered water, in an auto-pilot state economically and security wise with ruthless corruption across the board, Boko Haram onslaught without hope in sight and Nigeria was heading for the rock.
    “Indeed, Nigeria was in her dark time in the tight grasp of 16-year misrule from the People Democratic Party (PDP). Now, the coast is quite clearer for Nigeria, the war is won, and Nigeria is on the course to regain her past glory and join the league of lion nation again.
    “Thank God for the APC-led administration of president Buhari and aided by a ceaseless demand of good governance by Nigerians. I will implore other young patriots to step up and give political leadership a shot for the sake of our generation and the future of our nation.
    “As I am imploring more younger and competent patriots both in Nigeria and Diaspora to engage in active politics, it is high time the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Tinubu, slept over his ambition again, take the bull by the horn and ready to take the baton from our great leader, president Buhari to continue the master plan of APC in leading Nigeria to her dreamland.”
    Lawal stressed that besides the facts that Asiwuju Tinubu has proven himself as a savvy entrepreneur, center-left political genius that understands the value of a rock-solid political platform and what it takes to unify people across board irrespective of tribe, political belief, education and social class and networks, he is also an astute leader with eye and heart for identifying potentials both in human and material and finally inspiring them for the best of his society and humanity.
    “I would have called for the continuity of President Muhammad Buhari as the president of Nigeria till 2023 because of what he stands for, but in all fairness, my hero, president Mr. Buhari has given is best to Nigeria even in his challenging state of health, so well in as promised in his election campaigns.
    “It is time for him to go back to Daura to savor his successes, take care of his challenging health, spend more time with his families and loved ones, and be a mentor to Asiwaju in his next herculean tasks as the next president of Nigeria and Nigeria to take great care of him and other old citizens,” he summed.
  • ‘Okowa running Delta state without budget’

    ‘Okowa running Delta state without budget’

    The former Deputy National Chairman of Alimodu Sheriff-led faction of the People Democratic Party (PDP) who recently joined the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh has accused the Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa of massive corruption and running a government without a formal budget passed by the state House of Assembly as required by law.

    Ojougoh said in a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari that the Appropriation Committee of the State House of Assembly has not sited the state budget since the beginning of the year, adding that the Speaker of the House, merely signed the last page of the supposed budget without any form of estimate and submitted same to the governor who affixes figures as he wishes.

    While asking the President to order the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Delta state government over alleged “blank 2017 budget and appropriation” for the state, challenged members of the state Assembly especially members of the Appropriation committee to show the World copy of the 2017 appropriation which they passed into law.

    He alleged that ten members of the Delta State House of Assembly informed him in confidence “of the high level of fraud that is currently ongoing in their legislative House.” 

    The letter reads: “Mr President, it is with heavy heart distress and grief that I write you this letter, Mr President; I am an Indigene of Agbor, Ika South L.G.A of Delta State, former member of the House of Representatives, former Presidential Liaison Officer to the Senate and SSA to the President, former National Vice Chairman South-South of the PDP and immediate past National Deputy Chairman of the PDP. 

    “This is to bring to your notice the hydra-headed corruption and malignant impunity that is currently dancing and celebrating in the Delta State House of Assembly.

    “Mr President, ten (10) members of the Delta State House of Assembly informed me (in strict confidence; that their names and families be protected) of the high level of fraud that is currently ongoing in their legislative House where they ply their trade as Lawmakers. According to them, they were emboldened when they learnt that I had left the PDP on 16th September 2017 and they felt the urgent need to now confide in me that I have left the PDP.

    “The very important issue at hand is that the members confessed to me that up till 3rd day of October they have not seen, sighted or read a copy of the Delta State 2017 budget.

    “The Hon. Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Sherrif Oborevwori signed only the last page of the budget and returned same to the Government; the Government then fills in the blank arbitrarily and apportions appropriation at will.

    “The Chairman of the Appropriation Committee of the Delta State House of Assembly and the entire members have not sighted the budget break down and estimates as the conventional practice, the actions of the Speaker with the active connivance of the Government amounts to the issuance of a blank 2017 budget and appropriation for Delta State.

    “Mr President, I dare any member of the Delta State House of Assembly to produce a copy of the approved budget estimate signed by the Chairman Appropriation Committee, the Clark and the Speaker, let any member display same on any website.

    “Mr President, I had the opportunity to speak with Prof. Sam Oyovbaire on issues of impunity and corruption in Delta State. For your information Prof. Sam Oyovbaire presented Dr Okowa to the Urhobo nation and Okowa was accepted by the Urhobos due to the person of Prof. Sam Oyovbaire.

    “I told Prof. Sam Oyovbaire that he has a name and integrity to protect, that he should disassociate himself from the mess going on in Delta State.   

    “I therefore in all humility call on Mr. President who is credited by the International Committee not to own a single house and bank account outside Nigeria, who won the presidential general election against an incumbent President due to your anti-corruption credentials to kindly deploy your good offices to cause a thorough investigation into the fraud currently in Delta State through the Blank Budget and appropriations issued by the Delta State House of Assembly by the anti-graft agencies.

    “Mr President, I am 58 years old, a soldier of truth, if I cannot stand to defend my people on matters of this nature and injustice, then I will not be fair to my God and conscience. It is most excruciating and painful that our hard earned State resources are being stolen in broad daylight.

    “Mr President, I humbly on behalf of the good people of Delta State plead and solicit of you to passionately cause and direct the relevant Government Agencies to investigate the above allegation against the Delta State House of Assembly.

    “I want to assure you, as the 2019 general election draws near, that over two (2) million votes are at stake in Delta State, your reward for addressing the fraud in Delta State shall be total unequivocal support for you and your Government and your Great Party the APC. Mr President, Delta State is dying. Kingly direct the EFCC, DSS, ICPC and Code of Conduct to investigate.”

  • Kebbi: PDP’s lingering litigation, leaders’ differences

    Kebbi: PDP’s lingering litigation, leaders’ differences

    In 2015 general elections, Kebbi People massively decided to elect All Progressives Congress (APC) from top to bottom, reposing the much-needed confidence in the ability and manifestoes of Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu to lead in the capacity of the Governor of Kebbi State for the next four years.

    Since then his election has been subject to series of litigations several condemnations,  rejection and divisions within the ranks of the opposition party in the state.

    The matter is still subject to litigation at a court of law hence could not comment further as not to be preemptive.
    Part of campaign promises then was improvement of educational standards,  agricultural revival,  quality healthcare delivery, sustainable economic empowerment and jobs creation.

    Two years after, the Atiku Bagudu led administration has shown it’s commitment to translating the promises into reality.
    The return of Rice Pyramids,  the Mobilisation of over 200 Thousand Farmers into Anchor Borrowers Program, attracting a Private Sector driven Multi-Billion Naira investment from WACOT,  Initiating the popular LASKEB agricultural partnership that gave birth to Lake Rice as well as expanding the horizon of Kebbi commodities to cover enviable Lagos Markets are by no means easy.

    By 2015, available statistical records indicated that annual rice production in Kebbi State was a mere 400,000 metric tonnes but with strategic planning,  diversification drive and commitment by the Atiku Bagudu led administration, Kebbi State today produces over two million metric tonnes of Rice: the feat which was  acknowledged by President Muhammadu Buhari nationwide broadcast  during the 57th  independent  anniversary day.

    Arguably, the euphoria that greeted the arrival of Lake Rice in the Country fingered Kebbi State as the latest hub of rice, impliedly responding to the country’s needs and aspirations for import substitution, foreign exchange earnings and food security.

    It may also interest one to know that Kebbi State currently attracts internal investments from the Sister States more than others as Lagos alone invests more than two billion annually in rice and livestock supply as part of the LASKEB partnership arrangements/agreement

    Similarly whoever lives in Kebbi observes the daily movements of trucks loads of rice and other commodities from all parts of the State heading to other States,  the neighbouring West and Central African Countries as a result of massive production by Kebbi farmers, this is in addition to the local demand running into hundreds of thousands from the two leading Rice Mills, The Labana and WACOT based in Birnin Kebbi and Argungu respectively.

    The same period under review saw the revival of power supply in a deliberate effort done to ensure its constant supply to aid small and medium services,  cater for daily needs of households, commodity processors,  fabricators and all manner of electricity users in major parts of the State.  This credit too, goes to the decisiveness of the Atiku Bagudu led administration.

    Other notable attributes of the State under the present leadership include : enjoying peace at all times, regular and prompt payments of salaries to workers,  training and retraining of workers, implementation of promotions to workers as well as creating sustainable peacebuilding mechanism through the engagement of traditional rulers, religious and leaders of thought in the scheme of governance.

    In furtherance to implementing campaign promises to the electorates. Over 200 Primary and Junior Secondary Schools across the State have been rehabilitated, while others have new classrooms, offices and laboratory blocks with ultramodern instructional materials to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

    Tuition fees and other scholarship payments are done as and when due for all Kebbi State students within and outside the Country

    Healthcare delivery too received similar attention with the upcoming take off the 200-bed capacity ultra modern Specialist Hospital fully equipped by this administration.  Already it hosted two successful medical outreach programs manned by Professionals and Consultants from the United States of America and Nigerian Doctors. Similar outreach is being planned this October. All these are essentially done to ease access,  provide affordability and bring such rare healthcare services close to the people of the State free of charge: which hitherto are not only costly,  inaccessible but beyond the reach of common man.

    Pregnant Women and those on antenatal Care as well as Children are well catered for with free medication in all the 225 wards of the State.

    The State Capital and major Towns are not left out in the developmental drive,  as Roads, Drainages, Street Lights are being laid and erected across their streets. Within the state capital.

    Accomplishing these laudable tasks and several others missed out here is not only herculean, tasking but teething considering the State of the Nation’s income that largely depends on oil sector with dwindling and meagre internally generated revenue.

    Several persons are of the opinion that the lingering Court case instituted by the PDP Candidate in the 2015 General Elections is not only diversionary but also a big disservice to the State.Arguably, it is distracting the wheel of progress, further creating confusion among people of the State and creating animosity among political class as most of them see it as personal vendetta, avenue of settling scores and ranting of a  loser  while other top  political

    Arguably, it is distracting the wheel of progress, further creating confusion among people of the State and creating animosity among political class as most of them see it as personal vendetta, avenue of settling scores and ranting of a  loser  while other top  political class see the court case as a welcome development where justice they say must  prevail especially when 2019 has started loading preparatory for a rematch.

    Kebbi electorates as at today remain divided in their opinion some awaiting the arrival of yet another opportunity to reelect  GovernorAtiku Bagudu, while other electorates are strongly awaiting with key interests to hear the outcome of the court case.

  • Oyegun, Nnamani speak on how to end marginalisation

    Oyegun, Nnamani speak on how to end marginalisation

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun and former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani said on Thursday that the cry of marginalization spreading across the country, particularly in the south-east can only end when states in the zone join the ruling party at the national level.

    Speaking at a reconciliation meeting between aspirants that contested the party primary for the governorship ticket in Anambra state, Oyegun said: “Until we manage to bring few states into the mainstream of Progressives politics, we may not see the end of this continued cry of marginalization.”

    Senator Nnamani who also spoke at the meeting collaborated Oyegun’s comment when he said: “unless you go into the ruling party and make meaningful contributions, you will then have the moral standing to ask why don’t we have this or that.”

    While commending the aspirants for attending the meeting which was boycotted by Senator Andy Uba who lost the governorship primary, Oyegun informed them of the need to unite to be able to displace an incumbent governor.

    He said: “I thank you all for answering our call. We have an incumbent governor in Anambra state. We have all been through the most exciting period of campaigning for the primaries, which is over now and we have by divine mercy a candidate. But a tree does not make a forest. 

    “We are in politics and we recognize that each and every one of those who aspired for the office of the governor of Anambra state has a constituency. Each and everyone has something very significant to contribute if we are to have the hope of winning the governorship seat in Anambra from an incumbent. 

    “It is very important, essential and vital that we manage to hammer together not just a patchwork of peace or make-believe kind of camaraderie, but a very serious unity of purpose between all those who aspired for that office to act as a serious guarantee that we are indeed also serious in winning the Anambra governorship seat. 

    “That is why I called you today and the elder statesmen to join us and act as guarantors of whatever we agreed to do today. I welcome you most wholeheartedly and it is my hope and expectation that by the time we leave here, we will have one single fighting force of 12 persons that will make us proud as governor of Anambra state.

    “The state is very significant to us as it is the gateway to the South East. It is important that we do everything we can fair and square to bring Anambra State into the fold of the Progressives for a lot of reason. Until we manage to bring few states into the mainstream of Progressives politics, we may not see the end of this continued cry of marginalization. 

    “It is important that we work and work very hard to win Anambra being a critical state in the South East. It is not going to be a small political struggle. We must work hard with the unity of purpose to breakthrough to the South East in a major way to win Anambra.”

    Collaborating Oyegun’s statement, former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani said: “Our national chairman has summarized the purpose of this meeting and he has torched on very critical issues pertaining to the aspirations of the party to make very strong inroads into the South East.

    “I totally agree with him especially on the issue of marginalization that you cannot stay under the rain when it is pouring heavily and start crying because nobody will observe.

    “Unless you go into the ruling party and make meaningful contributions, you will then have the moral standing to ask why don’t we have this or that. I will like to congratulate Mr chairman for initiating this peace move and bringing together those that aspired to govern the state.

    “It requires courage to offer ourselves for service. It is not everybody that has that courage to contest an election. It is like wrestling when the umpire signals, it is not every able-bodied person who throw-in the towel would like to contest. I congratulate each and every one of you and hope you harken your what the National chairman had to say. 

    “I spoke out of the experience, observation and interest. We have people who have gone through the crisply of planning in Nigeria’s electoral planning. The chairman talked about unity of purpose but I want to add that we need unity of action,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the former aspirants, one of them, Bart Nwibe said they have been looking forward to the meeting, expressing co five central that at the end, they will be able to build the necessary synergy to help deliver our party in Anambra state. 

    He said: “I am sure that we all willing to do our very best. But I also think that our party both at this level and the executive will do the needful so that we will be empowered enough to return and deliver Anambra state and by extension South East into the APC. 

    “We are optimistic that we will do our very best. We are on the ground and if we do the needful, there is no reason why we cannot win our state. We have a candidate who is a very young fellow and I am certain he will bring certain kind of freshness. But I think our party and the presidency will have to step in to help us achieve this”.

  • Why Adeniran is the right man to lead PDP — DG

    Why Adeniran is the right man to lead PDP — DG

    The Director-General of Prof. Tunde Adeniran Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, has said that the declaration of the former minister for the national chairmanship position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), opens another chapter for the party to regain its prominent place in the democratic affairs of the country.
    Gabam, former chief of staff in Bauchi state, who affirmed that Prof. Adeniran’s candidature is based on his proven and unblemished track records, in an interview said: “Our campaign is simply based on character, consistency from someone who wants to vie for the chairmanship position. We are supporting Prof. Adeniran because right from 1998, he has never wavered; he remains consistent with the party.
    “Secondly, we have checked his track records in various spheres of life- he has served as an ambassador, a minister, he was at the United Nations, he is a professor of repute and in all these, there is nothing incriminatory about him. He maintained a very disciplined and humble background, very dedicated and committed personality.”
    He added that these attributes and more are what have made major players in the party to back the former ambassador to Germany, adding that the PDP can’t afford to elect someone of questionable character to lead the party.
    His words: “It is a major paradigm shift. We don’t want to bring in a chairman that will be coerced, picked up tomorrow by security agencies under the whatsoever guise of intimidation or investigation to bring down the morale of the party. We want someone with a clean record, someone with the outstanding international record- someone that can speak freely on the world stage and will be respected. These are the reasons why we stood by him among other aspirants that have shown interests from the South-West and Southern Nigeria in general.”
    Gabam disclosed that Prof. Adeniran is poised to clinch the chairmanship position at the National Convention of the PDP billed for December 9.
    “His chances of winning at the convention are absolutely bright. The shakers and movers of the PDP were at his declaration and the attributes that were read about him were outstanding. He has an advantage over others. We are going for quality, decency, service, responsibility and sense of direction and someone who understands clearly the vision and mission of the founding fathers of the party,” he said.
    Recall that on Wednesday, at the Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, while declaring public his intention to contest the office of national chairman in the party’s forthcoming convention, Prof. Adeniran said a transparent and credible convention would guarantee the survival of the party for years to come.
    He pledged to re-affirm and entrench the founding principles of the party and rejuvenate it to its original state of strength, devoid of impunity, imposition and subversion of the will of the people among others.
    Adeniran said it would be “uncharitable and a despicable fallacy” for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to rubbish the achievements of the PDP administration in 16 years, especially when one considered the massive challenges the PDP inherited from long years of military rule.
  • Ahmed advocates equitable redistribution of resources

    Ahmed advocates equitable redistribution of resources

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has called for special focus on political economy in the quest for true federalism, to ensure class elevation and egalitarianism.

    The governor, who spoke yesterday in Ilorin at All Progressives Congress’s (APC’s) Northcentral Zonal Public Meeting on True Federalism, said the core of the present agitation for true federalism or restructuring was a drive towards redistributing resources in an equitable manner.

    He said: “This dialogue should explore ways of ensuring the greatest good for the greatest number of our people. That, to me, is what we must address our minds to within the context of our federation or any other structure we may come up with.”

    Ahmed said any structure that meets the economic and political aspiration of majority of citizens will be welcomed.

    “The nationwide dialogue by APC on true federalism”, he said, “connects with its expressed commitment to making governance more meaningful to the people by changing the way people are governed, especially in terms of access to and allocation of resources.”

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the APC set up the committee on true federalism to aggregate views on how the nation should be governed.

    Aregbesola, a member of the committee, said the party made efforts of robust discussion in moving the country forward, rather than imposing on Nigerians.

    Niger State Governor Sani Bello said the state had garnered the opinions of its stakeholders and resolved to committing to issues of national development.

    Bello, represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Mr. Solomon Nyaze, said the state did not support division of the country, but wanted policies that would promote national unity and devolution of power.