The Nation Newspaper

Tag: exclusion

  • Sowore kicks over exclusion from presidential debate

    presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore has protested against his non-inclusion in the planned presidential debate being organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG).

    Sowore spoke yesterday with aviation correspondents at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, after on his arrival from the United States (U.S.) aboard a Delta Airline flight.

    He said his exclusion from the debate being organised in collaboration with the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (NBC) was unfair.

    Sowore, who is the publisher of online media platform Sahara Reporters, maintained that he was ready for debates on the forthcoming presidential election.

    According to him, he will, alongside his supporters, , continue to pressure the organisers until they include his name among the participants in the debate.

    He emphasised that he was the most prepared and popular of all the candidates, wondering why his name would be excluded in list.

    Sowore said: “The beginning of the electoral fraud was the non-inclusion of my name among the presidential debaters.

    “We won’t allow this to deter us because for us, the debate has commenced. Apart from using Nigerian media, there are some other media where issues are already being discussed.”

    He also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to give assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2018 as passed by the National Assembly.

    According to him, the amended law will improve transparency in the 2019 elections.

  • ASUU’s demand for exclusion from TSA

    SIR: The 2017-2018 academic calendar of tertiary institutions in Nigeria last week, kicked off in full swing after surviving an initial heckle at the instance of a strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Nonetheless, it is not yet Uhuru for both the federal government and ASUU. The solution to the problem lies in its resolution by the union to suspend strike on a major condition which will rely on full implementation of the agreement they long ago, signed with the government on improvement of tertiary education in Nigeria. By this, ASUU made it clear that it may go on strike again in October on failure by the government to abide by the agreement.

    In fighting for improvement of the tertiary education in Nigeria, ASUU had demanded a full-scale University autonomy, increased funding for universities, payment of backlog of debt, which the federal government owed the schools and most importantly, exemption from Treasury Single Account (TSA) implementation, among others. The government may have agreed on phased implementation of demands by ASUU, a reason the strike by union was short-lived; it nonetheless, it found the issue of exemption from the TSA most objectionable.

    To ASUU, TSA has constituted a bottleneck that has eclipsed the core mandate of the universities on research and breakthroughs. The lecturers are not happy that grants from international and corporate organizations for research by universities, hitherto paid into the accounts of institutions, are now trapped in the centralized TSA accounts, which they argued are not easily assessed. They are pained equally that the universities, of late, have been losing the grants at the expiration of timelines set for usage.

    Logical as the argument against the TSA by ASUU sounds, the federal government seemed not moved and inclined to back down on implementation. The reasons are quite obvious. TSA remains the major plank of the policy by the government for turning the battered economy of Nigeria around and most importantly for taming the instinct for corruption in the government circles.

    If the government is sticking uncompromisingly to TSA, the reason is not far from the breakthrough it has been recording with its implementation. As at March this year, the Federation Account had increased to N7.2 trillion, as avenues for further increase are still wide open. Prior, more than half of this humongous sum would have dissolved into private pockets of corrupt government officials and their cronies.

    Before TSA, officials of government were stealing uncontrollably from the government. The case was worse when the government had it tough to determine its cash position at every given time. For instance, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under the immediate past government was operating more than 47 different accounts said to be directly accessed by few officials in government’s name.

    In all, the government of President Buhari with full implementation of TSA had to close down over 20,000 bank accounts illegally operated by MDAs, as the federation account was getting leaner by the day. All along, domestic debt and borrowing, which kept mounting, were never aligned and used for the purposes they were obtained. The incongruities in the manner the national treasury was being managed precipitated the recession that gripped Nigeria from 2015 up till the first quarter of this year.

    It presupposes therefore, that a government that battled fiercely to save the Nigerian economy from total collapse, pulling the country out of a gripping recession all the same, with TSA as a major tool, will not relax grip on the implementation by any means. This is a message that should not be lost on ASUU.

    The Professor Biodun Ogunyemi led ASUU had demonstrated uncommon sense of understanding and empathy for the government of President Buhari and Nigerians in general by calling off the strike early enough. The impression now is that both the government and ASUU are on synergy to save the education sector in Nigeria, in national interest. It is in this spirit that more Nigerians expect ASUU to put on a thinking cap to devise fresh ideas for universities to access international grants for research and development, while refraining from the urge to compel tertiary institutions’ exit from TSA.  ASUU should assist the implementation of TSA rather than be noted with deliberate intent to subvert it.

     

    • Idowu Samuel,

    Abuja.

  • NUPENG decries exclusion from business roundtable

    NUPENG decries exclusion from business roundtable

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has berated the National Assembly for not inviting it and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to its National Assembly Business Environment roundtable in Abuja.

    In a statement by its President, Igwe Achese, the workers said they were shocked by Senate President Bukola Saraki’s statement that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would be laid before each chamber of the National Assembly this week.

    Achese said: “NUPENG faults the presentation of the harmonised version of the PIB, when it has continued to call for a stakeholders’ meeting where the grey areas should be ironed out.”

    He added that NUPENG was disappointed that the NASS leadership did not invite NUPENG and PENGASSAN to the National Assembly Business Environment round table, when the bodies are major stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.

    According to Achese, it was better to hear the bitter truth on the happenings in the oil and gas industry from the workers, who produce the hydrocarbon, rather than the rhetorics and semantics witnessed at the round table.

    He said: “NUPENG believes that the non-invitation of the unions to the round table was a slight and must be condemned. The union calls on the NASS to always carry everybody along, especially the unions in the oil and gas industry, when organising such programmes.”

  • Ondo PRP sues ODIEC over exclusion

    The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has sued the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) over its exclusion from the April 23 local government election.

    The party in its originating summons filed at the High Court, Akure, the state capital, is seeking whether the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division delivered by Justice A.A Ademola on December 17,last year, is binding on all authorities, including ODIEC and others.

    It sought a declaration that ODIEC and other authorities are bound to deal with PRP as a registered party pursuant to the December 17 judgment by Justice Ademola.

    The PRP also prayed for a declaration that the ODIEC has no discretionary power to exclude its nominated candidates from participating in the local government election.

    It pleaded for an order directing ODIEC to recognise the PRP as a registered political party.

    Other defendants include the ODIEC Chairman, Prof Olugbenga Ige with the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede(SAN).

    No date has been fixed for hearing.

  • AFRICAN GAMES 2015: NRFF sad over last minute exclusion

    AFRICAN GAMES 2015: NRFF sad over last minute exclusion

    The President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Sir Edward Pam Fom has expressed surprise at the last minute removal of the sport from events to feature at the 2015 Africa Games scheduled for Congo next year. Having already qualified for the games at the qualifiers in  Togo, Pam Fom wondered why the organisers allowed participating teams to waste their time and resources to prepare and play the qualifiers when there was no concrete plan for the sport which is fast becoming popular in Africa.

    In the same vein, the federation’s Vice President and Technical Director, Fasimoye Olatunji, described the exclusion of the sport from the 50th edition of the AAG as a devastating blow for the federation after their 2012 Commonwealth games exclusion on the insistence of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Olympics Commission despite their qualification.

    Fasimoye said the federation saw the AAG participation as a proper avenue to prepare for the 2016 Olympics games qualifiers in South Africa later this year and also as a launch pad for the Black Stallions on the international scene.

    He  appealed to all stakeholders who were looking out for the national team‘s participation at the games never to give up over what he described as a “minor setback” in the wheel of progress of the sport in Nigeria promising that nothing will stop the federation from repositioning Rugby in the country.

  • EAGLES’ INVITATION LATEST: Keshi denies Uche’s exclusion

    EAGLES’ INVITATION LATEST: Keshi denies Uche’s exclusion

    • Blasts media for false report
    • Team’s camp bubbles in Khartoum

    Super Eagles Coach,  Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was livid with rage when he read reports credited to him that he has shut the Super Eagles door permanently against Villareal of Spain striker, Ikechukwu Uche.

    Clarifying what he said at Wednesday’s media parley in Abuja, Keshi said for the umpteenth time what he said was that he will not beg Uche to play for Nigeria, especially when there are other players who are willing and ready to play for the Super Eagles. “I don’t know where they got that portion of their reports from, but I never said Uche won’t play as long as I remain coach of the team. In the near future if he changes his mind and indicates interest to play he will be considered on merit.”

    He urged the media not to sensationalise the Ike Uche issue as it will not help resolve anything. “We have to help all our players grow so that we can all build a strong national team and the media is a partner in this regard. He said he does not have anything personal against the Villareal striker but will not force to play for Nigeria against his will.

    The Super Eagles arrived Khartoum, the Sudanese capital early on Friday  at about 6am local time (4am in Nigeria) aboard Sudan Airways for the crucial Nations Cup qualifier game against the Sudanese national team. Reception from the Sudan Immigration was smooth while a handful of Nigerians were outside cheering the team. After airport formalities, the team was driven to nearby Grand Holiday Inn, where it will stay for two nights.

    NFF Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi led the team to Sudan, with NFF Director, Technical , Emmanuel Ikpeme and other secretariat staff in tow.

    Also visible on the entourage was the President General of the Nigeria and Other Sports Supporters Club, Rauf Ladipo. He came as usual with his team to cheer the Eagles to victory and he started doing that right from the airport.

    Today’s match is scheduled for 8pm local time and 6pm Nigeria time and the Eagles had a feel of the Khartoum Stadium on Friday evening.

  • ‘PDP should stop politics of exclusion’

    ‘PDP should stop politics of exclusion’

    Mr Ahamdi Nweke Emmanuel, former governorship aspirant and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, in this interview with journalists in Aba, bares his mind on why the Ukwa Ngwa zone should produce the state’s next governor. Sunny Nwankwo, was there. Excerpts: 

    2015 election is around the corner and Ukwa Ngwa is being touted to take the governorship slot in 2015. What is your take on it?

    Of course, it is right to cede the governorship position to the Ukwa Ngwa area. That had been the position of the governor ever since; right from the declaration and pronouncement he made in April and openly at the Abia Poly pavilion during the reception by the Abia south politicians. He has been repeatedly on record said that he is an advocate of zoning based on the Abia charter of equity and I believe him when he says that.

     Is it really the turn of Ukwa Ngwa to produce the next governor?

    I do not see any contention or confusion whatsoever in the issue of Abia charter of equity or where power should be ceded to at this time.

    The Abia charter of equity as it stands now for all intents and purposes rotates power between the political blocs which is the Old Umuahia; what we now know as Old Bende and Old Aba zone which now know to be Ukwa Ngwa.

    There was of course the issue before Afipko, Ohaozara and the rest of them were ceded to the now Ebonyi state, that there could have been some argument. Isiukwuato on its own is only one local government and could not possibly have become a province.

    So, those who are arguing that I think is part of plot by some people to rewrite what should be done in Abia state and I said that these are people who have no good intention for Abians. Power should be revolved between Old Bende and the Ukwa Ngwa. That is what all have to believed and that is what Abia charter of equity stands for. And of course that is why his Excellency in all his pronouncements previously has said that power should go to Ukwa Ngwa.

    Recently, a prominent son of Ngwa within the Abia Central Senatorial zone made a statement which was published in one of the national dailies saying that the governorship position is going to Abia south and not Ukwa Ngwa. By implication Isiala north and south including Osisioma are “excluded” from contesting the guber race if the person’s statement was anything to go by. Do you subscribe to such individual’s position?

    The pronouncement which you referred to was said to have been made by Elder Adaelu. He has said that he didn’t make those comments and I believe him because I do not believe that someone like him would come out to say [something that may lead to the] disenfranchise of three major local governments (Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma).

    In fact, Elder Adaelu has been with us in the fight, indeed in the forefront of our fight for ceding power to the Ukwa Ngwa people. How and when did he suddenly come out to say that it has become Abia south? That would also be disenfranchising himself because his own local government would be one of those local governments that would be excluded.

    If he did say that and I doubt that he did, what has been promised, why on earth did he say a thing like that? I don’t believe that Elder Adaelu would say anything like that because it would reduce him and his influence within the Ukwa Ngwa area if by any chance he has sold out the very people he is one of the recognized leaders.

    We learnt that Isiala Ngwa is the head of Ngwa land and by virtue of that, if something is coming to Ngwa land for the first time they are supposed to be the people that would benefit first. But from what was reported to have been said by Elder Adaelu, it’s like trying to give that which belong to the first son to somebody else. How do you see that? Yes! We are talking of the governorship of Abia state. I have heard that argument been proffered because Isiala Ngwa north and south are the first born, they should take the plump position before others. That is a very parochial view. That is not the basis upon which I am saying that the rest of Ukwa Ngwa people should be included. We are opening up the contest within the entire Ukwa Ngwa land and let the best of our people win. Who are they afraid of? If their competent people from Ukwa East, Aba North and South, Obingwa, Ugwunagbor, Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North and South, who is to say that one of them would not emerge? Whose interest is being served by excluding these three local governments (Isiala north and south and Osisioma)? That is the question one should ask. Elder Adaelu has been one of the advocates of the Ukwa Ngwa governorship whom we fought against the previous administration when we all supported Enyinnaya Abaribe. We all fought including elder Adaelu on the basis of Ukwa Ngwa. When did he suddenly change? Some people are arguing that the governor said that he is a product of rotation and therefore Abia central has gone, as a matter of fact, the governor is not a product of rotation at all. If anything, the governor’s emergence as the governor messed up rotation based on Abia charter of equity. Abia charter of equity rotates power between the old Bende and Ukwa Ngwa. The current tenure of the governor has made it two times to old Bende when Ukwa Ngwa hasn’t had slot at all. When he (Governor Orji) contested, it wasn’t that we are giving it to the Abia central that was never the argument.

    On what argument did you people allow the governor to run? There was a lot of acrimony within the PDP, Peoples Democratic Party when he came back on his second tenure and that was seen as the way of ensuring that everyone comes back together within the fold and have a sitting governor who wasn’t going to re-contest fresh election coming in to go for the second time. When he went for the first, he wasn’t a PDP governor. The zoning if it was then done was PPA, Progressive Peoples Alliance (his former party). So to argue that PDP was zoning power based on senatorial districts, nothing could be farther from the truth than that. His Excellency, Governor T.A Orji is not a product of PDP or any other party’s rotation of power on senatorial districts. As at the time he was contesting, I contested the very first tenure he went for in 2007 election. everyone one had agreed it was Ukwa Ngwa agitation, everyone had agreed it was going to the Ukwa area as at then but it didn’t stop our brothers including Isiukwuato of course from contesting the election as at that time.

    At what point did you think that Ngwa people missed producing an Ngwa governor as at then?

    I know that PDP then as a party actually supported an Ukwa Ngwa candidate even though an Ukwa Ngwa person didn’t emerge. That’s the whole thing about these suggestions that are being made. It is good to make them and follow them through but anything can happen. This is politics, it is an election. As at that time, the PDP supported candidate was Okezie Iheanacho Orji. You will remember that who emerged from the PDP even though that the party as a party had suggested Okezie Iheanacho Orji, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu emerged within the PDP. And that is what we are saying, now that everyone; all the stakeholders including the governor as the leader of the party, it is not for him only to decide where it will go. His view is a persuasive direction and it ends as only a persuasive direction. What will play out in the end will be more of the party; the party chairman and other PDP stakeholders will have a final say in that. He is only giving guidance and we believe him when he said that the guidance was going to go to the Ukwa Ngwa.