The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Governors forum

  • Kogi, labour disagree over unpaid salary

    The Kogi State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has alleged that workers in the state were still owed variants of five months, 10 months, 15-24 months by the state government.

    The state chairman of NLC, Comrade Enuh Edoka, said this on Tuesday in the Government House Lokoja, while presenting the workers’ demands during a protest for the actualization of N30,000 minimum wage.

    He said the workers passed through dire situations owing to irregular payment of salaries.

    According to him: “As we are protesting now, workers are being owed five months, 10 months while some suffered 15-24 months without receiving salaries.”

    He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the N30,000 new minimum wage without delay.

    He appealed to the president not to be distracted by some hiding under the guise of “Nigeria Governors Forum” to thwart the effort of the Federal Government.

    “We hereby reiterate our directive to Nigerian workers to vote out any politician or political party that refuse to pay the new national minimum wage of N30,000.

    “We shall continue to consolidate our efforts to strengthen already existing platforms and structures to give teeth to our firm resolve to remove from power anti-labour governors and political leaders in the forthcoming 2019 general election.

    “We urge government to desist from using the threat of mass sack or the barbaric policy of “no work… no pay” to break our resolve, as this would only calcify our position,” he added.

    Read Also: FG, Labour reach truce on minimum wage

    The Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, asserted that with workers at the local government level, salary payment has not gone below 50 percent.

    He said that the state government will collaborate with organised labour, to ensure that the minimum wage demand is given the maximum attention it deserves.

    The President, National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Kogi chapter, Comrade Tade Adeyemi, disagreed with some of the claims by government, saying workers have been receiving 25- 30 percent salaries in the last six months.

    “I want to on behalf of the entire local government workers, register our displeasure that despite our agreement, that no LGA should receive less than 54 percent, I want to point it to you that, majority of LGA workers are receiving 25-30 perceived salaries”, he said.

  • Claims we’re unwilling to pay N30, 000 wage mischievous- Govs

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has described as mischievous and misleading claims it members are not willing to pay N30, 000 minimum wage.

    It also stated Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) demand for probe of governors on alleged diversion of bailout is a needless attempt to steer the public away from President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to constitute another committee to review the minimum wage gridlock.

    The governors warned Organised Labour not to destroy the conviviality already building-up between them and workers, especially in states where governors are stepping up to the plate with the right decisions.

    In a statement by Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, NGF Head, Media and Public Affairs, the governors said the N22,500 they proposed was arrived at after extensive deliberations among all 36 governors, outlining their financial capacities and liquidity, considering the economic situation of the country and the states’ other obligations to the majority of the people of their various domains.

    He stated the governors were guided by the report of the Tripartite committee set up by the President.

    The statement reads in part: “Governors have collectively made it abundantly clear that they would have been happy to pay workers the N30,000 but times are hard and because of financial constraints and other limitations, many states cannot afford it, for now.

    “The NGF had offered workers a token increment to the sum of N22.500 from the current N18, 000 after the submission of the report of the Tripartite Committee set up by the President and headed by a retired Head of Service Ms. Amma Pepple on October 6th.

    “Governors also emphasised that N22.500 is a “baseline threshold”, meaning that any governor who can pay more than N22,500 is therefore free to go ahead and do so.

    “Let it be known that governors have met the President twice on this matter and presented their books to buttress their point.

    ”The president appears satisfied with the governors’ position, thus the decision to set up a new committee.

    “It is important to add that, there has never been a time in this country, when states have embarked on a more aggressive revenue drive than they are doing today. And this is without exception or prejudice to any state.

    “To put the records straight, governors are not under any obligation, by law, to show their books to the NLC.

    “But they have, in their pursuit of the understanding of the union, done so, not once, but several times over, with a view to letting NLC know that what they are asking for is neither realistic nor sustainable.

    “Yet, NLC remains adamant that its will must be done, or the heavens will fall.”

    They added:  “To therefore insist that states must oblige the NLC its demands, regardless of the economic gloom that stares the nation in the face is most unpatriotic and a deliberate attempt to hold the nation, especially the president, to ransom, this being an election year.

    “At this point it is important to remind the NLC that most governors exhibited a high sense of responsibility and concern for the plight of workers by ensuring that most of them were paid their December salaries ahead of time.

    “Some even received several months’ salary arrears that was owed them and they are happy with their governors.

    “This is not the time for the NLC to destroy the existing conviviality that is already building-up between workers and their governors, especially in those states of the federation where governors are stepping up to the plate with the right decisions.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Paris Club refund: Row over $350m fees for consultants

    The payment for the consultancy service on the Paris-London Club refund has generated a row between the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the consultants, leading to the Accountant-General being ordered to stay action on the matter, reports YUSUF ALLI.

    THE dust over London-Paris Club loans refund to the 36 states is yet to settle following a fresh row over $350million fees being owed consultants.

    Most of the consultants were engaged by state governments to recover excess deductions with respect to the payment of the Paris and London Club debts.

    But despite refund of two tranches to states by the Federal Government, most governors have refused to pay hired consultants for their services.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the payment of the accruing fees to the consultants.

    But the presidential directive was yet to be complied with due to some challenges.

    It was however learnt that the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has directed the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to withhold payment to the consultants.

    Although the states are awaiting final tranche of about $2,689,279,365 of refund from London-Paris Club cash, the consultants are insisting on the payment of their $350million.

    According to a top source, President Muhammadu Buhari has actually approved the final settlement of all debts relating to the Paris Club loans refund.

    It was gathered that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun have also directed that the presidential directive be complied with.

    The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) has allegedly failed to execute the directive because the NGF is still disputing the figure and the list of beneficiary consultants.

    A fact-sheet obtained by THE NATION last night gave insights into correspondences between the Presidency and OAGF.

    In a June 28, 2018 letter, the Chief of Staff (COS) to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the settlement of all claims related to the Paris Club loan reimbursement.

    In the letter, which was copied the Ministers of Finance and Justice; Kyari also sought the legal opinion of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on the issue.

    Malami, on July 11, 2018 (in reaction to the COS’ request for legal opinion) and another letter dated August 20, 2018 (in response to request for legal opinion by the Minister of Finance), identified some 3rd party claimants, who were entitled to be paid various amounts as consultancy/legal fees for the services they rendered to states and Local Governments in relation to the Paris Club refund.

    In the letter titled: “Legal opinion on 3rd party claims,” Malami identified one of the consultants as Honourable Ned Munir Nwoko, who sued the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF)and seven others in suit: FHC/ABJ/CS/148/2017 and claimed that he was engaged by NGF to provide legal/consultancy services on the Paris Club refund.

    Malami said the parties to the suit, including Nwoko and the NGF, entered a consent judgment on May 9, 2017 “to the effect that Hon. Nwoko is entitled to be paid a negotiated percentage on every refund made by the Federal Government to the states.

    “Hon. Ned Munir Nwodo, covered under paragraph 5 of my letter dated 11th July, 2018 has stated that, in view of the unwillingness of the NGF to negotiate and pay him his full entitlement in line with the consent judgment, he is reverting to his initial claim of $71,936,881.36.

    “He is therefore seeking for the payment of the sum of $68,658,192.83 as outstanding sum due to him from NGF.

    “The EFCC investigation report, dated 1st August 2018 equally confirmed that the judgment creditor (Nwoko) was engaged by 14 states to recover excess deduction with respect to the Paris and London Club debts,” Malami said.

    The Justice Minister warned that, since the consultants and other 3rd party claimants have obtained garnishee orders against the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the FG was under obligation to settle these 3rd party creditors before making disbursement to the states and LGs.

    Read also: Bayelsa receives N24.1bn Paris Club refund

    Malami added: ” I wish to reiterate the fact that the payments under consideration are to be made before final payments are made to the state’s and Local Governments to avoid a situation where the Federal Government will be forced to bear any unwarranted liability on this subject matter.”

    In view of Malami’s advice, the ex-Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, in a letter on September 14, 2018 asked the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele to set aside the consultants’ fees, estimated at $350m from the $2,689,279,365 reserved as the final claim to the states and LGs under the Paris loan refund arrangement.

    Part of the letter by Mrs. Adeosun reads: “Please find attached herewith the approval of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, dated 29th August 2018 in respect of the final claim on Paris Club loan reimbursement of over-deductions from allocations of states and Local Governments.

    “I specifically refer you to paragraph 6 which authorized that the final claim of $2,689,279,365 be paid to qualified states, and paragraph 10(x) which recommended that the sum of $350milion be provided for settling legal/consultancy fees, etc.

    “In view of the above, you are requested to credit Escrow Account domiciled with the CBN with the sum of $350million,” Mrs. Adeosun said.

    The CBN Governor, in a September 18, 2018 letter, acknowledged the directive by the Finance Minister, and sought among others, information on the accounts to which the funds should be paid.

    But, in his letter of September 21 to the Attorney-General of the Federation, which he sent through the Finance Minister, the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris attempted to justify why the $350m meant for the payment of legal/consultancy fees is being withheld.

    He sought advice from the Minister of Justice, a request the Minister was yet to provide since the letter was written on September 21.

    Idris, in the letter titled: “Re: Payment of legal/consultancy fees deducted from states’ reimbursement in respect of final claim on Paris Club loan,” referred to a certain counter-directive by the Chairman of the NGF to withhold the $350m.

    Part of the letter reads: “The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is kindly referred to our tri-partite discussion, at the Ministry of Justice on the above subject vide Mr. President’s approval and be informed that the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum has verbally instructed that the payment be kept on hold.

    “In view of Mr. President’s approval and the counter-instruction from the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, kindly advise accordingly.”

    A top source admitted that there is disquiet in government over the lingering row on London-Paris Club loans refund

    The source said: “There is still a problem over the London-Paris Club loans refund over payment of $350million to consultants. Although the President gave approval since June 2018, the matter is stuck between OAGF and the NGF.

    “The governors do not want the consultants paid by OAGF for reasons best known to them. But one or two consultants have court orders mandating the Federal Government to pay the legitimate fees of the consultants.

    “The row borders on pressure from the states on OAGF that they want to pay the consultants directly since they had agreement with them.

    “The fear however is that some of these governors are out to corner the $350million and give pittance to consultants.

    “The only snag in the affairs is whether or not the OAGF should take directive from the Governors instead of the President.”

    When contacted, the Director of Media in OAGF, Mr. Oiseka Johnson said the approvals by the President were being attended to by the AGF.

    He said: “Yes, there are many of such approvals of which action is being taken. What is required here is some level of patience.”

    A separate source said:  “The OAGF had to write to Attorney General of the Federation in view of some emerging developments on the matter.

    “We always comply fully with relevant directives and extent rules guiding public expenditure and payments.

    “As Treasury, we perform our duties ethically and without compromising our professional callings as holders of public trust.”

  • NGF hosts states tax officers

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Monday hosted tax officers from the 36 states of the federation in Abuja.

    The meeting was to introduce them to the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) dashboard, which is an innovation of the Economic department of the NGF.

    At the occasion, the NGF Director General, Mr Okauru, charged the desk officers not to see the exercise as another jamboree but to view it as serious business designed to shore up the revenue base of their various states.

    He said: “I want to start by warmly welcoming every person to Abuja and particularly to the NGF Secretariat building.  This is where we host the thirty-six (36) Governors every time they are in Abuja for NGF meetings or sub-committee sessions.

    “As you probably know, under our constitution, Governors or their deputies are required to attend the National Economic Council (NEC) meetings in Abuja presided over by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria once every month.

    “NEC is the highest economic advisory body in the country. It is important we put this in context because of today’s event.

    “This is not another talk shop. It is a very serious event designed to train Desk Officers on one of our flagship projects: the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Dashboard Initiative. The IGR Dashboard is dedicated to strengthening ongoing reforms targeted at raising the internally generated revenue of States, by actively engaging with the 37 tax authorities in the country, including the FCT.

    “In the past years, we have built a strong relationship with the Executive Chairmen of the State Inland Revenue Bodies/Agencies/Services. We strongly believe that for the IGR Dashboard Initiative to succeed, it is important we maintain another layer of relationship in the space you operate. In my opinion, as Desk Officers, you are functionally the most important part of the implementation puzzle.

    ‘You are a very crucial point of contact on all matters related to the IGR Dashboard. This is an important call in the broader context of our engagement with your State governors in the drive for strong political commitment for IGR reforms.

    Read Also: NGF hosts states tax officers

    Some States have since taken advantage of this initiative. However, beginning from today, you now have a fresh level-playing ground for all States to take advantage of the opportunities the IGR Dashboard provides.

    “We expect some degree of networking among yourselves to facilitate sharing experiences. You also have a unique opportunity to request for technical assistance from the NGF Secretariat and our development partners.

    “The outcome in some states back our conviction that addressing the challenges of tax administration at the sub-national level can be achieved within a short period. The NGF has taken a leading position on this by continuing to play an active role in strengthening institutional and governance systems at the sub-national level, including your Internal Revenue Agencies/Bodies/Services.

    “Our support to States has been through the provision of evidence to influence policy formulation and implementation, the development of knowledge resources to strengthen reforms and the delivery of national platforms for peer learning.

    To contribute to a more coherent reform environment and fast track full domestication of commendable practices across all States and the FCT, the NGF Secretariat also develops GUIDES for implementing reforms based on extensive experience in peer reviewing the 36 States over the last ten (10) years.” he said

    This, he said, has significantly improved the way State governments run and the overall governance climate in the country.

    “In light of your important role, we will today be launching a GUIDE for the IGR Dashboard. We encourage you all to adopt the approaches documented in this GUIDE. They have worked in many States.  This document also provides guidance to our in-house team in building the capacity of revenue officials at the state level. It is the reference tool at different administrative levels in the design, implementation and monitoring of tax reforms.

    “Our doors are open. We are happy to maintain and in fact deepen this relationship. Please take advantage of the presentations and contributions of our facilitators and the opportunity to share useful lessons with your peers.

    I wish you all a fruitful time and even more so the application of the knowledge acquired here in your various states.” he said

  • Governors to Fayose: We’ll miss your invaluable contributions

    … Congratulates Fayemi

    The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) said on Monday it would miss the invaluable contributions of outgoing governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, at its meeting.

    The Forum also congratulated the Ekiti governor- elect, Kayode Fayemi, for his victory at the poll.

    According to a statement signed by the Head of Media at NGF, Abdulrazaque Barkindo, the Chairman of the Forum, Abdulaziz Yari, urged the incoming governor to join hands with the other governors in the country to strengthen the Forum and add value to their deliberations at their monthly meetings.

    The statement reads: “the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, on behalf of the governors of the 36 states of the Federation congratulates Dr. John Kayode Fayemi on his resounding victory in last weekend’s election to become the governor of Ekiti State once again.

    “Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar said elections are usually healthy contests that determine who keeps the mantle of leadership in the state for a certain period of time and not a victor and vanquished affair.

    “Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar said all contestants regardless of their party manifestoes primarily are agents of governance that wish to move the welfare and wellbeing of their people to the next level.

    “He added that since the people of Ekiti have spoken, the governor-elect, who once showed humility and courage and congratulated the outgoing governor four years ago should this time around also be magnanimous in victory by expressing his fervent desire to govern Ekiti for the benefit of all.

    “The NGF Chairman, while wishing the outgoing governor of Ekiti State Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, luck in his new endeavour and stating that the NGF would miss his invaluable contributions at its meetings, also welcomes the incoming governor to the Forum where he is returning as a ranking and experienced member.

    “Governor Yari Abubakar hopes that Fayemi will join hands with the other governors in the country to strengthen the NGF and add value to their deliberations at their monthly meetings.”

     

  • Why we killed tenure elongation for Oyegun, others – Ganduje

    Ahead of another emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which is expected to put an end to the ongoing controversy about tenure elongation for party leaders at all levels, Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said they were against the idea because it will affect the fortunes of the party and portray it as an undemocratic party.

    The Governor said he was not part of the tenure elongation idea and said those of them who were not in support of the idea had managed to convince the governors in favour to jettison the idea and embrace an elective convention where new leaders will emerge.

    Speaking at an interactive session with a selected group of journalists in Abuja, Ganduje also declared his intention to seek reelection as Kano State governor in 2019, adding that the State has concluded plans to drag President Muhammadu Buhari to court if he fails to seek reelection for a second term.

    The governor said the contentious tenure elongation for the party executive will be reversed at the party NEC meeting scheduled for Monday, April 9, 2018 and a committee put in place to conduct congresses to elect leaders at all levels.

    He said that the few APC governors who were campaigning for the tenure elongation which he described as “illegal” have been convinced to see reasons why such should not be.

    Ganduje also revealed that Monday NEC meeting is expected to decide on date and time table for Congresses and convention of the party which will brings in new set of leaders at all levels.

    “Yes, there was controversy on this even though yesterday we  were able to put it at rest. But let me tell you the issues involved, those who are advocating for tenure elongation, they are advocating on the premise that when we hold congresses and convention according to their own perception, there will be a lot of problems and that problem will linger into election period. Well that is a perception, it could be that way and it could be that some people wanted to retain power. Therefore that reason biased.

    “However, I don’t belong to that school of thought. The constitution of our party has made a provision for four years and at the end of it we have to hold congresses and convention. The constitution of Nigeria has also provided for that, so we have no reason whatsoever.

    “If you are saying that there would be some problems, problems are part of ingredients of politics, there is no way you can practice democracy in a developing country without having some problems. There must be problems; there must be divergent views and disagreements. There will never be a time that things will be 100% normal. So even if there is problem, that is part of democracy and we will be able to move forward.

    “So for those who thought they would be able to continue, we said no and so I think Mr. President finally hit the nail on the head, by saying that he is not in favour of any tenure elongation.

    “Tenure elongation is undemocratic, it may lead us to litigation which will not be good for the party and we are happy that we have convinced the few governors that were for the elongation and on Monday we hope to have our NEC meeting where the previous decision will be reversed and by then timetable will be out for congresses at the ward level, congress at local government level, congress at the state level and finally convention at the national level.

    “I think that is the situation and I am happy to say that the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum issued a statement, the chairman of the APC governors Forum also issued a statement and the national chairman of the party Chief John Oyegun made a statement as well to say that all is well.”

    Speaking on his decision to seek second term in office, Ganduje said: “In Kano, people are saying four plus four, that is they are urging me to contest again but I too feel that in order to continue with the good development that we have started, development require some time and the constitution has given four years and another four years in order to consolidate what one has started.

    “I am convinced that I too will seek for second term and people are also urging me to do so. Eventually it will be left to the people to decide whether I am will qualified or not.”

    On why President Buhari must re-contest in 2019, the governor said: “APC governors want Mr. President to continue. I am happy that it is not the president that said he wants to continue, it is the people that are saying continue but Mr. President has not made up his mind yet.

    “When he came to Kano, I told him that any time he decides not to contest we will take him to court, Kano state government will take him to court any time he decides not to contest. So we are waiting for him.

    “In this country we saw presidents who spent billions of Naira for third term, so what is the ruse about a constitutional second term. Some people who spent billions of Naira in order to go for third term, I think it should not be news or something like that.”

    Read Also: Tenure Elongation: APC NWC divided over technical committee

  • UPDATED: No crisis in APC – Governors

    The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum ( NGF ), Abdulaziz Yari, said on Wednesday there is no crisis in the All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    There were claims the governors are divided on the tenure elongation for the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the party’s National Executive Committee ( NE C).

    The Zamfara State governor told State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday that there was no deadlock on the matter.

    He was accompanied to the briefing by Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdullahi Gamduje (Kano) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

    APC Governors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Villa
    APC Governors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House

    Yari said: “Gentlemen of the press, you know yesterday (Tuesday) we left you in the dark after the meeting and today we have seen so many captions that there is disagreement between the governors over the issue of party chairman or about the party leadership.

    “No. We had a meeting with Mr. President yesterday (Tuesday), and we extended the meeting till night and we followed up with the consultations with the President now.

    “We consulted and all the 24 governors of the APC are on the same page with Mr. President that we are going to respect our party constitution. We are going to respect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So therefore, we collectively agreed that we will have congresses at all levels – local, state and national.

    “And the committee set up by the National Secretariat of our party headed by governor of Plateau State is presenting its report later today. The governors are also meeting with the working committee today so that we come up with convention committee names as well as timetable of the election.

    “So, there is no deadlock in our meeting. We have progressed and very soon you will have the names of the convention committee members as well as the timetable.”

    Okorocha added: “I just want to let you know that there is no crisis in the APC at all. And we want to use this opportunity to advise the media operatives to stop spreading rumours of crisis in APC. There is no single crisis in APC.

    “The issue was one of people who believe that we did not have enough time to organize a party congress and run election. Some people felt that it was a good idea but the most important thing is that, if we do that we will be contravening both our party constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is the major issue that we have that they call crisis. We do not have virus.

    “This morning we met with Mr. President to fine-tune issues, one regarding the congress and we have resolved that the congresses at all levels and the chairman of the elongation committee, is also fine-tuning the arrangement in the same line. To this effect, the convention committee will be set out, it will be announced.

    “But let me correct one impression, the issue of congress and convention does not mean that the previous people who have served the party have done badly. And it does not mean that they cannot come back or that they cannot re-contest, that is not it. We are simply saying that their tenure has ended and those who wish to re-contest can re-contest and can be elected into our party structure. So we are all one as family and we are set to go for 2019 elections in victory.”

  • Governors, NASS to interface on state police

    Governors, NASS to interface on state police

     

    The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) is to nominate a team from their members to interface with National Assembly over the creation of State Police.

    State governors and the federal parliament had agreed to allow states to have their police.at the closing of a two-day summit last week on national security organised by the Senate.

    They had supported Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo who stated at the opening of the event that state police was “the way to go.”

    The NGF meeting holding at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja on Wednesday night will raise the team.

    Other issues on the agenda NGF’s meeting was the Recovery of stamp duties and Improving Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through harmonized motor registry/traffic management system by Dimensions Information Technology.

    The meeting which started around 9pm is presided over by the NGF Chairman and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulazeez Yari.

    Read Also:  Governors back state police 

    Those in attendance as at the time of filing this report were, governors of Bauchi, Mohammed Abubakar, Borno, Kashim Shettima, Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu, Kogi, Yahaya Bello, Kwara, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Jigawa, Ibrahim Hassan, Ekiti, Rotimi Akeredolu, Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, Nasarawa, Tanko Al-makura, Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, Edo,  Godwin Obaseki.

    The deputy governors in attendance are Benue, Benson Abounu, Ebonyi, Kelechi Igwe, Enugu, Cecelia Ezeilo, Plateau, Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, Osun, Titi Laoye-Tomori, Rivers, Ipalibo Banigo, Ogun, Yetunde Onanuga, Akwa Ibom, Moses Ekpo Ekiti, Kolapo Olusola, Sokoto, Ahmed Aliyu,  and Lagos, Dr. Oluranti Adebule.

     

  • Governors back creation of state police

    Governors back creation of state police

    State governors on Monday expressed their support for creation of state police as solution to the nation’s security challenges.

    However, they insisted that the implementation of the policy would be in phases to enable states with limited resources to continue with Federal Police pending the time they would be in better position to fund state police.

    Vice President Osinbajo had last week declared that creation of state police is the solution to the multifaceted security challenges in the country

    The governors’ decision was part of the resolutions taken at the just concluded national summit convened by the Senate in Abuja.

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, told journalists at the venue of the summit, that they were in support of state police as suggested by Osinbajo last week.

    Yari, who is also the governor of Zamfara State, noted the 36 governors had given the go ahead for creation of state police since 2014.

    He said: “The first primary responsibility of government anywhere in the world is to ensure that the lives and property of citizens are protected. And there has been so many challenges in Nigeria for the past 10 years ranging from Boko Haram, cattle rustling, armed banditary and militancy in the Niger Delta, dwindling the economy and even threatening the unity of the nation.”

    “The take home from this summit is that the state police is something we have agreed during the constitutional amendment but at a later time when the Forum divided into two, some governors played to the gallery, which is unfortunate.”

    Yari said the governors admitted that the police force as presently constituted is inadequate.

     

     

  • Updated: Governors approved $1bn for entire security architecture – Osinbajo

    Updated: Governors approved $1bn for entire security architecture – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday explained that the $1billion approved by governors across party lines was for the security architecture of the entire country.

    Controversies have trailed the approval of the fund from the Excess Crude Account, at the National Economic Council meeting last Thursday.

    The fund were earlier said to be devoted to fighting insurgency in the North East.

    But Osinbajo made further clarification on the matter when he spoke on Tuesday while declaring open the Retreat of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with Secretaries to the State Governments (SSGs) at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the decision followed a security summit hosted two months ago by the NEC, which was “crucial in understanding and dimensioning the security problems of the country and the weaknesses of our security architecture.”

    He said the security summit examined problems of kidnapping, small arms trafficking, terror activities of Boko Haram in the North East, clashes between herdsmen and farmers and cattle rustling.

    He said: “It was on account of the security summit that the governors at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum subsequently decided that they would vote a certain sum of money, which has become somewhat controversial, the $1billion, to assist the security architecture of the country.

    “It was to assist all of the issues in the states, including policing in the states, community policing, all of the different security challenges that we have.

    “It was after the security summit that the Governors’ Forum met across party lines, again I must add, in order to approve and to accept that this is what needed to be done to shore up our security architecture.”

    Charging the SSGs on collaboration with the SGF, Osinbanjo said little would be achieved if relevant state government agencies do not work with the Federal Government to achieve the country’s developmental objectives.

    He said the role of the SSGs “is clearly central to cascading the action points and conclusions of the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) in their states.”

    He said all policies of the federal government in agriculture are programmes of the states since land belong to the states.