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Tag: governors

  • PDP governors stategise ahead of meeting with Buhari

    PDP governors stategise ahead of meeting with Buhari

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met last night to fine tune strategy ahead of today’s enlarged meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari over the prevailing cash crunch.

    The meeting, which started shortly after 9 pm was still on as at the time of filing this report at 10.55 pm.

    Although details of the meeting remained sketchy, sources close to the governors said they were seeking to harmonise their positions with their counterparts in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    At the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) last Wednesday, the governors resolved to demand payment for the various federal projects executed by the various states but the Federal Government was yet to pay.

    Addressing reporters after the NGF meeting, Chairman of the Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari, said the state governments needed the money to enable them pay the backlog of salaries owed workers in their various states.

    Yari said some of the states were being owed between N10 billion and N50 billion, adding that there would be no reason for the states to seek bailout from the Federal Government if they debts were paid.

    This is coming in the backdrop of President Buhari’s announcement on Monday that the last PDP administration left an empty treasury.

  • PDP governors: no electoral fraud in Rivers, Akwa Ibom

    PDP governors: no electoral fraud in Rivers, Akwa Ibom

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have rejected claims of electoral fraud in the last governorship election in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

    In a statement in Abuja last night and signed by the coordinator of the PDP Governors Forum, Osaro Onaiwu, the governors said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already declared the election in Rivers State as credible.

    The statement said the outcome of the Akwa Ibom governorship election should not be a surprise to anyone, adding that the last PDP governor in the state, Godswill Akpabio “performed tremendously well” and that the people of the state had no reason to change course.

    The Governors’ lamented what they described as the abuse of freedom of speech by certain observer groups that made “spurious allegations” about the elections “to please their sponsors”.

    The statement called on the security agencies to reign in these groups, as, according to the governors, they were  capable of disrupting the peace with their claims and utterances.

    The governors also decried what they described as “the boastings” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take both Akwa Ibom and Rivers states through the tribunal.

  • Governors to Fed Govt: pay your debt

    Governors to Fed Govt: pay your debt

    Governors have told the Federal Government to pay up its debt to states to boost liquidity.

    This decision was taken yesterday at the meeting of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja.

    It was the first meeting of the forum in this post-May 29 dispensation when many new governors were elected.

    Yesterday’s meeting  reviewed the cash crunch in the states –  as a result of which many have been unable to pay salaries for many months.

    The governors may have jettisoned the proposal by All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors  after their meeting on Tuesday night that they expected a bailout from the Federal Government.

    The governors will meet with the President next week, it emerged at the meeting held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

    Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari told reporters that they resolved that the Federal Government should pay for the various federal projects executed by the states.

    “Instead of asking for a bailout, let us look for how the Federal Government can settle that backlog for us so that we can move forward. Nearly all the states are being owed by the Federal Government.

    “Some of the states are being owed about N10 billion, some N20 billion, with a state like Lagos being owed more than N50 billion. So, if we can get that done, then most of the issues can be resolved in earnest,” Yari said.

    Lamenting the poor state of the national economy, the governors observed that the problem of unpaid workers’ salaries was not peculiar to the states, adding that some Federal Government agencies also owed their workers.

    Yari is optimistic that the planned meeting with the President will provide a lasting solution to the cash crunch.

    “We discussed that extensively. And we are trying to see that we find a lasting solution. We are seeing the President to sit down with him. As we are, the Federal Government is also in the same problem because some of its agencies were not paid salaries for six months.

    “So, it’s not only states that are owing. It’s the problem of the entire nation, not only states. We are going to work in synergy and keep our fingers crossed. We will meet with the President so that we can get a lasting solution to this problem,” he added.

    The communique released by the governors after the meeting said the governors ratified Yari’s election as chairman of the Forum for a term of one year, renewable after expiration.

    They also planned a retreat at a future date to discuss how states can become more viable and to identify means of improving governance.

    The Forum pledged to work with the President and support him in the running of the government.

    It also sympathised with states and victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeastern congratulated the Muslim community on the Ramadan.

    Governors at the meeting were Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), who has been elected as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), and Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta).

    Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Umar Ganduje (Kano), Aminu Masari (Katsina), Ifeanyi Ugwanyi (Enugu) were also there.

    There were also Governors Willie Obiano (Anambra), Mohammed Abubakr (Bauchi), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Idris Wada (Kogi).

  • Governors seek bailout for states

    Governors seek bailout for states

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governors last night made a strong case for a bailout for cash-strapped states to enable them pay outstanding workers salaries.

    No fewer than 16 governors met at the Imo State Liaison Office in Abuja for over five hours under the auspices of the Progressives Governors’ Forum.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha is the chair of the Forum.

    The governors in May requested then President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to consider some financial assistance to the states because of their  dwindling allocations caused by falling oil prices.

    Okorocha told reporters last night that the governors were worried about the state of the economy.

    He said: “We the governors of the progressive party met today to review the state of the economy. We also met to review the issues as they affect our great party.

    “We are concerned and worried by the dwindling revenue of the states which today has affected negatively the lives of our people.

    “It has become so serious and urgent actions must be taken for a bail out for the states.

    “Things are not getting better; we sat down to review what steps could be taken. We are calling for overhaul of the system to block all the leakages in our economy.

    “We have realised that what we are going through today is as a result of the poor management of our economy in the recent time.

    “The APC government met a near empty treasury. This has become very worrisome, not ?just for us, but for the entire nation.

    “We have some natural challenges in the country because of the drop in oil price and the issue of oil theft.

    “There are other issues like the crude swap. We have the gas revenues which have never reflected before. We have the mismanagement of oil subsidy. A few years ago, we paid about N200 million. Today, it is about N1.4 trillion. We are worried”.

    He said further the forum decided to intervene in the crisis starring the party in the face as a result of the election of the leadership of the National Assembly.

    He said: “We also have congratulated the leadership of the National Assembly. That is the leaders of the ?National Assembly. We are aware that the process attracted a lot of disagreements here and there. We, the governors of the party have resolved to embark on a peace process to make sure that we return as members of one family we have always been.

    “We have also discussed how to strengthen our party.

    “This is the party that brought change and that change must stand. We will make the party meet the desires of our great members.

    “We are assuring Nigerians that we will remain focused and address some of the issues”.

    Some of the governors at the meeting apart from Okorocha are: Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) Tanko Al Makura (Nasarawa), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina),  Abdullahi Umar Ganduje ( Kano), and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).

  • APC elders to Buhari, governors: cut your allowances

    APC elders to Buhari, governors: cut your allowances

    THE Elders Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the 36 state governors to reduce their security votes and other allowances.

    It advocated a lean cabinet and minimal appointment of officials for the new government to have a clean break from the past that encouraged waste.

    The body also advised the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to reduce the allowances and salaries of political office holders.

    Its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Bayo Orire, said the body applauded the decision of Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai and Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar to reduce their salaries by 50 per cent.

    But the party elders urged them and other state chief executives to reduce their security votes and other allowances.

    Orire added that Ekiti APC Elders Forum is concerned with the failure of many states to pay salaries of civil servants, urging them to devise means to clear arrears owed workers.

    He described the security votes and other allowances of political office holders as “obnoxious, scandalous and unsustainable” in the face of present economic realities.

    He contended that the overheads used to service the executive and legislative arms at the federal level are too high, hence the need to review them downwards to allow Buhari to deliver on his electoral promises.

  • PDP crisis: Governors lay ambush for Jonathan

    PDP crisis: Governors lay ambush for Jonathan

    …threaten to form new party if President inhibits internal democracy
    •How President struck deal with NWC to force Muazu out

    Following the hijack of the structure of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) by President Goodluck Jonathan, outgoing governors have launched a secret counter-plot to checkmate him.

    The governors will challenge Jonathan’s grip on the party after the President’s handover on May 29.

    They said the President should either allow internal democracy or else they may split the PDP by forming a new party.

    Apart from being the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the PDP, Jonathan has also taken over the National Working Committee(NWC) with his trusted ally, Prince Uche Secondus, as the acting National Chairman.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said most outgoing governors and the remaining PDP governors are uncomfortable with the hijack of the party’s structure  by Jonathan.

    “We are all waiting for May 29 when the President would have handed over to the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to talk about the future of the PDP.

    “When the President does not have executive powers to direct the party anyhow, we will all be on the same page and tell ourselves the home truth.

    “So, the governors are also laying ambush for Jonathan to step down from power before striking and drawing a line on how to reshape the PDP. Their demand is simple: The PDP must be reformed through internal democracy.

    “If there is no internal democracy, then the party may split as long as Jonathan sticks to the control of the structure of the party.

    “Nobody has ever owned the PDP and none can own it. Where Jonathan is in total control, we will opt for the realignment of forces in the polity and a new national party will emerge. Then, Jonathan can then become the PDP’s undertaker.

    An outgoing governor said: “On the reformation of the PDP, you should wait till after May 29.”

    There had been speculations that the governors are pushing for either Governor  Sule Lamido of Jigawa State or Governor Ibrahim Shema as the next National Chairman of the party.

    While Lamido was once a National Secretary of the defunct Social Democratic Party(SDP), Shema was a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP.

    But Jonathan’s camp was said to be in favour of young politicians leading the party.

    The FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, and the Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil, are being considered to lead the PDP by the Jonathan group.

    Meanwhile, indications emerged last night that the President struck a deal with members of the National Working Committee(NWC) to force the ex-National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, to resign.

    Part of the deal was a pledge not to sack the NWC alongside Muazu.

    It was gathered that the sealing of the deal made Secondus to declare that NWC members would not resign now.

    A highly-placed party source said: “There was an understanding with the presidency that Muazu would go, but NWC members would remain for strategic reasons. Having fulfilled our own part of the bargain, the President is also keeping to it.

    “This was the context in which Secondus spoke at the Presidential Villa on Thursday when he said NWC members would not resign. It is part of politics; there is nothing we can do.

    “The alternative is for all the NWC members to go in one swoop which will create a big vacuum in the party.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “If the NWC members have their way,  they will want to serve their full term in office before leaving. Or else, the party will be faced with litigations which may threaten its survival.”

     

  • NCC, governors to partner

    NCC, governors to partner

    The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC)  said it will open discussions with in-coming state governors with a view to developing telecoms infrastructure across the country.

    Its Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Eugene Juwah who spoke to reporters in Abuja yesterday lamented that it was sad that most of the governors failed to sign the deal brokered by the National Economic Council (NEC).

    Juwah said the new partnership has become necessary with the new governors for the smooth implementation of the guidelines approved by the NEC for accelerated improvement of telecoms infrastructure in the country.

    The NCC said it was regrettable that most of the out-going governors refused to sign the guidelines approved by the NEC for the development of infrastructures, especially base transmission stations (BTS) and underground cables due to misconceptions on the matter.

    Represented by the Director, Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, he said the NCC alongside other stakeholders in the telecoms industry are prepared to engage the state governments on the issues of multiple taxation, infrastructure outlay, and investments which are capable of boosting the development of the states in various fields of human endeavours.

  • ‘Governor’s court action funny’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has described Governor Ayo Fayose’s court action against his impeachment by 19 members of the House of Assembly as laughable.

    The party expressed surprise that Fayose, who allegedly desecrated the judiciary last September and was said to have sent thugs to beat up judges and tore up court records, could approach the same institution to protect him from his alleged illegal acts.

    The party, in a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun,  was also surprised that the governor could approach a Federal High Court in Abuja for protection over a matter that happened in Ekiti after he (Fayose) lampooned the APC for approaching a court in Jos while seeking protection from the governor’s harassment and attacks.

    The APC said Fayose contradicted himself by challenging the legality of his impeachment proceedings when he earlier claimed that he was not aware of any impeachment move by the lawmakers.

    According to the APC, Fayose was confused on how to handle his cases in court, having desecrated the judiciary and instigating the state judiciary workers to refuse resumption of duties.

    The statement said: “Fayose didn’t allow Ekiti courts to function and he declared the APC State Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, wanted over a phantom murder charge.

    “Chief Awe obtained an injunction against arrest from a Federal High Court in Jos, which the governor referred to as a ‘black market injunction’.

    “He has now run to Abuja to get an injunction to restrain the 19 lawmakers from impeaching him but the court in its wisdom has turned this request down.”

  • North’s governors to citizens: be patriotic

    North’s governors to citizens: be patriotic

    The Chairman, Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, has called on the citizenry to draw lessons from the selfless life style of Jesus Christ and place the country above themselves.

    Aliyu, in an Easter message through his Chief Press Secretary, Israel Ebije in Minna yesterday, said with the collective effort of everyone, the nation would overcome its social and economic challenges.

    He urged politicians to imbibe the maturity witnessed during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, stressing that the beauty of the country’s democracy would be complete if the outcome of April 11 election is peaceful and people-based.

    The statement added: “Let me wish Nigerians a merry Easter celebration. Let me also call on Christians and Muslims to avail themselves in sacrificial duties for the good of Nigeria. We must eschew self, we must view issues from a collective bargain point of view, we must see ourselves first as Nigerians no matter the circumstance, and we must place country first.

    “Many prophecies of doom have been foretold that Nigeria will splinter. I am, therefore, glad that we have overcome a major factor that would have made the prophecy become a reality. We must, however, continue to imbibe the tenets of sacrifice and peace as we conclude elections in April 11.”

    The NSGF chair then expressed optimism that the country will continue to grow politically, socially and economically.

    He urged all to remain committed to the Nigerian project, insisting that ethno-religious cleavages would not take the country to its desired destination.

  • African Central Bank governors meet in Addis Ababa March 29

    African Central Bank governors meet in Addis Ababa March 29

    The Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union Commission will host the second Caucus of African Central Bank Governors, in Addis Ababa in the margins of the eighth Joint Annual Meetings of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration and the ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The Conference will be held on the theme, Implementing Agenda 2063 – Planning, Mobilising and Financing for Development. The meeting will take place on 29 March at the UN Conference Centre.

    The main objectives of the Caucus are to identify concrete follow-up measures to the outcomes of the first Caucus, which was held in Abuja in 2014. They will also look into measures to enhance the role of governors of central banks in the consultations leading up to the Third International Conference on for central banks in Africa.

    The Caucus, which brings together the governors of central banks of a number of African countries, will provide a unique opportunity for governors to engage in structured dialogue on the issues that they would like to see reflected in the outcome document. An action plan will be developed, outlining a road map for the implementation of the proposals of the first Caucus that was held Financing for Development, which will take place in July 2015 whose outcomes are expected to have direct implications in Abuja.