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Tag: NGF

  • APC, NGF commiserate with Jonathan over sister’s death

    APC, NGF commiserate with Jonathan over sister’s death

    THE All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have commiserated with President Goodluck Jonathan on the death of his sister, Mrs. Nancy Jonathan-Olei.

    The APC urged Jonathan to take solace in God for the unquantifiable loss.

    In a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the “loss of a loved one is always an unfathomable tragedy, which is compounded when such death occurs at an unripe age.”

    “We pray that God will grant repose to the soul of the departed, comfort the President and his entire family and give them the strength to bear their loss.

    “We also wish the immediate family of the deceased God’s succour in their moment of darkness,” it said.

    The Chairman of the NGF and Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi sympathised with Jonathan in a condolence statement by his Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, yesterday.

    The statement said: “We understand the pain and grief of losing a loved one. The pain of an untimely death is immeasurable, and we pray that God grant Mr. President and the entire family of the bereaved the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

    “We appreciate that her demise is a huge lose to the bereaved family. Unfortunately, death is an inevitable constant to all mortals.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. President and the family of the bereaved in their moment of grief. We also pray that the soul of the deceased rest in the bosom of the Almighty.”

     

  • Governors Forum to draw up retirement benefits

    Governors Forum to draw up retirement benefits

    The Amaechi-led Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) plans to make objective recommendation for governors’ retirement benefits.

    This is part of the resolutions adopted at the fourth Retreat of the Forum in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    Amaechi,  who read the communiqué at the end of the retreat which had health and youth unemployment and transition – life after office prospects and challenges as its major focus, said the governors would henceforth pay attention to good governance and service delivery in the remaining period of their tenure. They said:”We restate our perception of our positions as time-limited public service and our determination to leave behind legacy projects, which we and our states can be justifiably proud.

    “We will use our position in the National Economic Council (NEC) to press for low interest rates and enforcement of import policies and collection of customs’ duties. We will also adopt investment for poverty-reducing employment strategies, especially by emphasising policies that would generate employment at the local level.”

    On youth unemployment, the governors said provision would be made for and support all the infrastructure necessary for speedy Internet connections, including broadband, for the youths in particular and other Nigerians to participate massively in the wealth to be made from the knowledge-based economy.

    The retreat was attended by   Governors  Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Umaru Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Kassim Shettima of Borno State, who was represented by his deputy, Zanna Umaru Mustapha.

     

  • ‘Split in NGF affecting polio eradication programme’

    The crack in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) may affect the country’s efforts at eradicating polio by 2014, an expert in that field has said.

    Besides, the governors are focusing more on the 2015 general elections to the detriment of the polio eradication campaign.

    The Chairman Experts Review Committee (ERC) on Polio Routine Immunization in Nigeria, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, made the assertion on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of the 27th meeting of stakeholders on polio management and eradication in the country.

    The meeting holds every six months to review the progress, the challenges and also assess the risk in polio eradication programme.

    The erudite professor of Virology noted that the commitment of the governors to the polio eradication campaign has waned seriously since the split.

    Prof .Oyewale, who was responding to questions from journalists said: “I think what we saw in 2013 was because the governors were very well committed to the project.

    “I think the commitment has waned; let’s be frank with each other. They’ve diverted their attention.

    “You know all that happened with all the split in the Governors’ Forum. That has affected eradication. Unfortunately, we’ll not see the effect of this, until say next year.”

    He explained that the vigour and the level of commitment put in by the governors now cannot be compared; stressing “the performance of what they did in 2012 was brought into 2013 to what it is. If you didn’t do well in 2013, we might begin to see. I think we are still seeing the effects of their commitments in 2012 and 2013. And, that is why we are not having polio now.

    ” However, remember, we are not in the high season yet. Come the raining season, especially in May, June, July, if we overcome that, then, we’ll know that we are off the problem. But, what we do now, between now and the end of the year will determine whether we’ll eradicate polio at the right time,” he stated.

     

  • Why we made Jang NGF ‘Chairman’, by Suswam

    Why we made Jang NGF ‘Chairman’, by Suswam

    Why was Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang made the factional Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF)? Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam has provided the answer.

    “Quality leadership, experience, wisdom and fear of God were the qualities we saw in Gov Jang that we made him the chairman Nigeria Governor’s forum,” he said.

    Suswam spoke during the reception that climaxed the week-long activities marking Jang’s 70th birthday held at Du, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    According to Suswam, who chaired the reception, “Jang possesses unequalled leadership quality and strong desires for socio-economic development. Jang has exhibited and proven these qualities at any given opportunity to do so.

    “Most of the social infrastructures we enjoy today in Benue State are the handwork of Jang when he served as military administrator.

    “Jang has also proven these qualities in his home state where he is still a governor today. Massive road construction, agricultural revolution, youth empowerment, to mention a few.

    “Plateau State has, indeed, been transformed under Jang despite the security challenges the state went through in the last seven years.

    “These are some of the qualities we saw in him, that given the leadership problems confronting us at the Forum then, we said we need his kind of leadership qualities to lift up the forum.

    “That was the simple reason we made him our chairman at the forum, and trust him he has not disappointed us so far.”

    Suswam called on residents to support the governor so as to complete all the ongoing projects before his tenure ends next year.

     

  • Obasanjo to inaugurate Amaechi’s projects in Port Harcourt

    Obasanjo to inaugurate Amaechi’s projects in Port Harcourt

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his supporters will on Monday host ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who will be in Port Harcourt to inaugurate people-oriented and capital-intensive projects.

    Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), who spoke in the Rivers State capital yesterday, said the inauguration would begin in the rural areas and would continue in the next few months.

    The projects to be inaugurated include roads, model primary and secondary schools, as well as primary health centres, among others, spread across the 23 local governments.

    The governor said he had spoken with former President Obasanjo, who confirmed that he would be in the state on Monday.

     

  • ‘We are blocking executive bills to save democracy’

    ‘We are blocking executive bills to save democracy’

    The Interim National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has explained what prompted the party’s directive to its members at the National Assembly to block executive bills and proposals. He spoke with the Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu and Musa Odoshimokhe.

    Can you shed light on this curious directive to the All Progressives Congress (APC) members, at the National Assembly to block executive bills?

    I’m surprised that you call it a curious directive. Let me give you a background to the position we took. Since February 2012, Rivers State has been a theatre of crisis. The origin of the crisis is that there is no love lost between the first lady and Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the President and the governor on the other hand. Since then, the governor has been undermined in many ways, from being deterred in performing his functions as the governor of the state or the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). Following this crisis, the rule of law has been suspended in the state.

    The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State has become the de facto governor of the state. The situation got worst to the extent that the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu stop taking directives from the governor. And very recently, when about 13,000 teachers who were supposed to receive their certificates and letters of employment at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt but they were dispersed by the police with tear gas. Other occasions were when ex-militants backed by the Commissioner of Police disrupted peaceful rallies in the state. The Ogba Local Government in Rivers State which was lawfully dissolved has become a subject of disputation with the power that be. The Police Commissioner prevented the governor from accessing his house, insisting that he must pass through a particular road.

    Things became worst when Amaechi crossed over from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. Since then, every rally organised by the state government is either disrupted or dispersed with rubber bullets or tear gas. At every point, we have not been quiet in drawing the Federal Government attention to the ugly developments, even when Governor Amaechi was with the PDP, we drew government attention to it. We have maintained that this situation will not ensure the rule of law. After Amaechi became a member of APC, the persecution escalated.

    We have done everything possible to let the ruling government know that what is happening was not in the interest of democracy and we have noted all the anomalies which they have carried out against the people and our members. We made it clear to the President that the CP Mbu could not have been behaving the way he behaves if he does not have the support of the President. Let me say that out of the 36 governors and their CP in the country, it is only Mr. Mbu that behaves in this manner. We have warned that this impunity has repercussion for stability in the country. It will get to a point when the people will say they can’t take this anymore.

    The situation in Rivers State today is that everyday things are getting more difficult, people are being molested. We have drawn government attention to the situation and since government appears not to be paying the desired attention to the lives of the people, who are being molested in Rivers State, we would ask our members to stop cooperating with Mr. President until he ensures that normalcy gets back to Rivers State. Now, what we call filibustering is a normal and accepted norm in democracy.

    But critics say that with the directive, the APC is planning to cripple government. What’s your view?

    People accused us that we want to shut down government, oh yes. Because we don’t want this government to shut down the country, people have argued whether the steps we have taken is not going to hurt Nigerians more, but we say no. Government is about people, if there is no peace and stability, what is happening in Rivers State might escalate to other states. And if that is the case, what will be the importance of any budget? So, why are we putting the budget over and above the life of the average citizen in Rivers State? People called to tell us that our position is ante-people but we say no. Any government that does not believe in fairness, justice and equity is anti-people. Any government that cannot protect its entire people is anti-people. Any government that does not respect the rule of law is anti-people. So, what we are doing is a patriotic service to Nigeria.

    Apart from this measure to shut down the country, which other measures have you thought of?

    No, we are not shutting the country but the government. We have said if you don’t do this, we will do this. And people now think that the President is right, to continue the reign of impunity in Rivers State, with a total anarchy over the land? We are not just saying there will not be cooperation; it is premised on what happens in Rivers State. If Mr. President today has the political will to stop what is happening in Rivers State there will be no reason to filibuster.

    Apart from the non-cooperation with government, the APC has also adopted measure that would have achieved the same purpose…

    Governor Amaechi wrote letters to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on what happens in Rivers State. Several meetings have been held between concerned groups with Mr. President on this purpose. What else could Amaechi have done? Everyday people are being harassed, everyday our rallies are being prevented, do they want to kill our party and expect us to fold our arms? Today, if the average person in Rivers State realises that he cannot be in APC without being molested, he will go and join another party. And you want us to fold our arms? If anybody has a better alternative, he should tell us and we are going to try it. So, why has it become so difficult for Mr. President to stop what is going on in Rivers State? Why has it become difficult to stop the reign of impunity in the state?

    In view of what is happening between the APC and PDP, does the likelihood exist that there will be governance this year?

    If the President continues with the reign of impunity in Rivers State, we are afraid we will not cooperate with him. We have never asked our members not to cooperate with him because we just wanted it. What we are saying is that Rivers State is part of Nigeria and our constitution allows the people to belong to the political parties of their choice. You don’t use tax payers money to destroy others and protect your own interest. Nigerians should please open their eyes and see what is going on.

    Some had thought that APC should go to court?

    You know how many cases are in court already over this matter? One of the claims used by the Police Service Commission, for not redeploying CP Mbu is that the governor has already taken the matter to court. The governor has even gone beyond that. He has written about 23 letters to the NHRC explaining what is happening in the state. So, if anybody has a better option, we will take it.

    What is the response of the APC caucus to this directive?

    The statement I received from Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila which I can read to you, he reiterated the position of the party through his response. He said filibustering and non cooperation with government is normal in democracy. He said: “APC represents good governance, with respect to the directives given by the party’s NEC, urging the APC National Assembly members to block all legislative proposals from the executive. I wish to assure you that the progressive lawmakers stand for good governance in Nigeria. The progressive lawmakers will not truncate the hard earned democracy; we will ensure good governance in Nigeria. Government shut down or filibustering is not new in the world.”

    People have been talking about the passage of the budget. The one that was passed last year, what has happened to it? There has not been any good solution and development. The reason is simply because of this corruption, inequity and injustice. That is why the country is where it is today.

    So, what condition is APC now giving?

    What we are saying is that the government should abrogate the reign of impunity in Rivers State. The Commissioner of Police has constituted itself as the law and instead of protecting the people he uses force and tear gas to make life difficult for them.

    You have heard from Gbajabiamila, what about George Akume?

    He was at the party meeting where the decision was taken.

    People are saying you are heating the polity. Do you agree?

    That is on the contrary, when they started using tear gas to disperse over 13,000 people who came to receive their letters of appointment at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, what happened? When the Commissioner of Police undermines the constitution and confronts the governor of Rivers State, we are heating the polity. When the police decided to go and stop a peaceful rally with tear gas, we are overheating the polity.

    However, some political parties like APC now say ‘please let observe the rule of law’. However, we don’t have the police, the army but we will rely on the constitution to do so, from the power the constitution has given us. That is, if government does not stop what it is doing then we will not cooperate with it. So, filibustering can be used anytime in democracy.

    It always amuses us that anytime you go to the constitution, to invoke or to challenge what is not right, then you are over heating the polity. When we said the President should be impeached, they say we are over heating the polity. But we did not invent the impeachment clause? Any clause in the constitution which APC invokes, they would say we are overheating the polity.

    This is not the first time that the National Assembly will refuse to cooperate with the President, even on other issues that are not as grievous as this one. Why is it that the President normally has National Assembly liaison officers? Is it not to make sure that there is cooperation between the President and the National Assembly? This is not because there could be lack of cooperation. I don’t know whether we are the only one seeing this? All these people, who are attacking us, Labour Party, Afenifere, what has any of them done? What have they said to this reign of impunity in Rivers State? What did they say or how did they feel when some 13,000 teachers were tear-gassed in the process of receiving their letters of appointment. You can imagine what 13,000 jobs would mean in a state like Rivers. There is no state that would create 13,000 jobs that would not make impact on the economy of the state. What was Labour Party’s position? When Senator Magnus Abe was shut, what did they say? When Commissioner of Police prevented the governor from accessing his residence, what did they say? When five lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly tried to impeach the governor, what did they say? When five people try to overpower 22 people and impeached the Speaker, where were they? I can say it with all sense of humility that this rabble rousing drama, with the plan to sway emotion will not help this country. That is why we are where we are today. Our party will continue to have the courage to speak out.

    Following all these developments what are now your fear for 2015?

    Precisely, what we are saying is that if this reign of impunity is allowed to go on in Rivers State, all you need to do to truncate democracy, is to post police men like CP Mbu to other states. And that will be the end of democracy. Don’t forget that if what is happening in Rivers State today happens simultaneously across the country, it will not be easy to curtail. The luck we have is that this thing is confined to Rivers State. So, we don’t want it to spread to other states. The way we are going, will they even allow people to come and vote freely in 2015? We must not forget one thing; this is democracy, that as long as the method we are using is constitutional and legal no amount of shouting or abuse will deter us. All that we have done is to use constitutional means to get what we want. What do we want? Why are we trying to shut down government? To protect the people of Rivers State, to make sure that the rule of law is returned. What is government all about? Is it not about the rule of law and democracy? They are the one using ex-militants backed by the police, to stop peaceful rallies. So, look at it from the balance, who is overheating the polity?

    Adamu Mu’azu’s reconciliation is likely going to return the defectors to the PDP fold, do you share this fear?

    I think all the governors have responded. They are not going back to PDP. I know Senator Bukola Saraki is not going back. I know Aliu Wamakko said it, I know Amaechi said it. There is no proof that these people are going back. We have an exhaustive exco meeting of our party, there were 11 governors who attended. All the governors or their deputies were either present except for Osun State and the discussion was re-assuring.

    How is the reconciliation of APC in Sokoto and Kano?

    We believe that it is going on very well. We can see positive development on the part of the gladiators. We are leaving no stone unturned. They are all responding favourably to the reconciliation talk and we are making progress.

     

    How is the party resolving the one in Ogun State?

    At a meeting yesterday, former Governor Osoba and the governor were there. The governor stood up to inform the whole House the situation was under control. If there was political problem, it has to be resolved in the interest of the party. Governor Ibikunle Amosun was acknowledged as the leader of the party but he has to be in good stead with his leader, Chief Segun Osoba.

     

  • Governors fault Presidency over NEC cancellation

    Governors fault Presidency over NEC cancellation

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Rotimi Amaechi , on Thursday faulted the Presidency’s frequent cancellation of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting without valid reasons.

    That was part of the resolutions of the meeting which started on Wednesday and ended in the early hours of Thursday at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.

    The governors said that cancellation of such meetings, which would allow issues of urgent and utmost national importance to be discussed, is embarrassing to state governors.

    As the NEC meeting was earlier scheduled to hold on Thursday, the governors moved to Abuja to plot strategies and their positions to be presented to NEC only to be informed that the meeting has been postponed.

    They also pointed out that they were not able to contribute their input to the 2014 budget before the National Assembly due to the frequent cancellation of the meeting.

    Reading the communiqué, Amaechi said: “It has become embarrassing that governors are invited to Abuja for NEC meetings only to be told of their cancellation after their arrival without any tangible reason, yet there are issues of urgent and utmost national importance that ought to have been addressed at such meetings.

    “Consequently, we have a 2014 national budget without input from the states resulting in a lack of sense of ownership of the budget process.”

    The forum also reiterated its stance on the allegedly missing $48.9 billion from the account of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) even as the governor of the Central Bank of NIgeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who initially raised the allegation has since recanted.

    “In furtherance of the issues raised above, the forum reiterates that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the Ministry of Finance should brief the governors formally on the non-remittance of $49.8bn into the Federation Account.”

    “In the absence of NEC meetings, the platform for resolving these issues becomes non-existent,” he added.

     

  • Federation calls for inclusion of golf in National Sports Festival

    Federation calls for inclusion of golf in National Sports Festival

    The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) on Tuesday urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to include the sport in the forthcoming 19th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Calabar.

    The federation’s Secretary, Clement Iyaluegbeghe, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. The National Sports Festival, tagged “Paradise Games”, will hold from November 23 to December 7. He said that golf being an Olympic sport should be given due consideration.

    “Golf is an optional sport in the National Sports Festival, and there is nothing we can do about that; it is only the NSC that can change the status. But, now that golf is an Olympic sport, we are hopeful that it will be given an appreciable consideration,’’ Iyaluegbeghe said.

    The secretary said amateur golfers were on the federation’s priority list in its bid to develop the sport at the grassroots.

    “Our duty is to develop golf at the amateur level. Our programme for the year shows that we have a lot to do in terms of the development of amateur golfers. We have to prepare them for the Africa Junior Play which will take place in Botswana sometime in May,’’ Iyaluegbeghe said.

     

  • Anti-Amaechi militants ‘got N50,000, AK-47’

    Anti-Amaechi militants ‘got N50,000, AK-47’

    The rampaging militants, who disrupted the pro-Rotimi Amaechi’s Save Rivers Movement (SRM) rally on Sunday at Bori, Rivers State, each got N50,000. They were given AK-47 assault rifles by politicians, it was learnt yesterday.

    Impeccable sources in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni land and the seat of Khana Local Government Area, yesterday indicated that the militants decided to wear masks, since they were mobilised from the area by desperate anti-Amaechi politicians.

    The sources also revealed that brand new AK-47 rifles, with each costing almost N500,000 were given to the militants, who were familiar with the terrain.

    It was also gathered that the militants, mostly youths between 20 and 35 years, were assured of more “operations,” with the intention of making Rivers state ungovernable and Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to completely lose focus.

    An ally of Amaechi, also yesterday, raised the alarm that some ex-Niger Delta militants had concluded arrangements to commence massive protests in Port Harcourt today, to pave the way for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state.

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers council, condemned Sunday’s militants’ attack on journalists, especially those from the Channels Television, who were in Bori for the live transmission of the SRM’s rally lost valuable items.Their vehicles, including the Outside Broadcasting (OB) van, were vandalised.

    The Council of Orashi Ethnic Nationality in Rivers state also demanded an apology from Amaechi and the people of Ikwerre ethnic nationality, for recommending the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, to President Goodluck Jonathan as a minister. Amaechi and Wike are Ikwerre.

    The NGF chairman’s ally, who is a top Rivers government official, but would not want to be named, also confirmed in an interview in Port Harcourt yesterday that the protesting ex-militants intended to lock down the Rivers state capital and besiege government offices, for President Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the Niger Delta state and force Amaechi out.

    The Rivers governor’s associate said Wike and his supporters, in collaboration with the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, were behind the plot to cause a breakdown of law and order with the use of the ex-militants, to be coordinated by some “ex-Generals” (former warlords).

    It was also learnt that part of the plot was that immediately after the declaration of the state of emergency, a retired soldier from Rivers state would be made a military administrator and the Presidency would make it difficult for Amaechi to return as governor.

    The appointment by President Jonathan, for the first time, of a Rivers indigene, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Bipiduonyeofori Minimah, as the Chief of Army Staff, according to the source, was part of the plan by the Presidency and the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to take over Rivers state in 2015 at all costs.

    The associate of the NGF chairman said: “The anti-Amaechi protests in Port Harcourt may escalate into fiery street battles, between the anti-Amaechi demonstrators and the teeming supporters of the Rivers Governor.”

    The NUJ, Rivers council, yesterday in a communiqué issued at the end of its emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, following incessant attacks on journalists in the state, and signed by the Chairman, Opaka Dokubo, and the Secretary, Stanley Job Stanley, described the ugly situations as unacceptable.

    Rivers NUJ said: “Journalists are professionals carrying out their duties, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other International Charters, of which Nigeria is a signatory. Journalists are not interested parties in the political crisis, currently rocking Rivers State.

    “We condemn the attack on journalists working for Channels Television on Sunday, January 19, 2014, at Bori, during the botched SRM rally. We recall similar attacks on journalists working for TV Continental (TVC), The Sun newspaper, Rivers State Television (RSTV), and Rhythm 93.7 FM, Port Harcourt, among others.

    “We find this situation unacceptable and urge political parties, groups and their followers to engage in their activities and leave journalists alone to practise their chosen profession. We also condemn a situation where policemen and other security agents attack journalists or even standby and watch, while journalists are being attacked by hoodlums.

    “We call on the police and other security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians in Rivers State, irrespective of their political affiliations. We also call on the police and other security agencies to ensure the protection of journalists operating in the state, in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.”

    The NUJ, Rivers council, also warned that should the incessant attacks on journalists in Rivers state continue, it would take appropriate steps, including the withdrawal of the services of its members.

    While demanding an apology from Amaechi for recommending Wike as a minister, the council of Orashi ethnic nationality, through its Director, Media and Publicity, Ndu Nwobosi, declared that the ex-Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt (Wike) was not only a cog in Rivers wheel of progress, but a selfish and mischievous person.

    The Orashi group noted that the quest for power by Wike, the Director-General of Amaechi Campaign Organisation in 2011 and two-term Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers state, had turned him into a vessel for the destruction of the people and hijacking of their resources.

    The council of Orashi ethnic nationality said: “We wish to advise the people of Ikwerre to request the removal of Wike as a minister, to save the Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality from further embarrassment. With the turn of events, Rivers people would have been comfortable without an Ikwerre minister.

    “Against the warning of President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Amaechi insisted that Wike must be made a minister. The option left for the Rivers State Governor is to apologise to the Rivers people, for the trauma his action has caused.

     

  • NGF seeks probe of ‘missing’ $49.8b

    NGF seeks probe of ‘missing’ $49.8b

    The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday urged the National Assembly to hire a reputable international audit firm to probe the alleged missing $49.8 billion (N8.5 trillion).

    Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Lamido Sanusi Lamido recently alerted the nation to the missing money. But the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, disagreed.

    Reading the communique at the end of the forum’s meeting in Abuja, Amaechi noted that the declining revenue accruable to the government was not unconnected with financial diversions.

    He said: “… on the missing $49.8 billion (N8.5 trillion) or equivalent of two years national budget, there is no evidence that this amount was paid into the Federation Account or duly appropriated.

    “We call on the National Assembly to institute a comprehensive independent forensic audit by an international reputable firm. We fear that the recent decline of state revenues is not unconnected with the financial diversion.”

    The governor stressed that the Federal Government breached the Fiscal Responsibility Act by failing to consult with states before forwarding it to the National Assembly.

    He said the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting had not held in the last four months.

    Amaechi said: “In clear breach of Section 11, Part II of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, which requires the Federal Government to hold consultations with states before the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) is laid before the National Assembly, consultation with states on the MTEF and Fiscal Strategy Paper (2014-2016) did not hold.”

    “The NEC meeting, where issues of this nature would have been discussed, last held four months ago.”

    The NGF chairman decried the violence and killings in Borno State and the attack on the father of the Kano State governor.

    On last Sunday’s attacks in River State, the governor said: “We condemn the flagrant violation of the rights of citizens to assemble in Rivers State by the police; the excessive use of force against unarmed citizens and the shooting of Senator Magnus Abe.”

    The forum chairman decried the precarious state of the nation’s polity and finances.

    He said: “The financial irregularities relating to public accounting; the lack of compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, and security breaches are not unconnected with the refusal of the Federal Government to convene meetings of statutory institutions created in the Constitution, such as the National Economic Council (NEC), the Council of State, the Nigeria Police Council and meetings of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

    “We urge a return to the path of constitutionalism,” the governors said

    Governors at the meeting were from Rivers, Edo, Imo, Adamawa, Ekiti, Lagos, Nasarawa (deputy), Kwara (deputy), Zamfara (deputy), Kano (deputy), Jigawa (deputy).