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Tag: STATE

  • Stop pilfering LGs’ funds, Obasanjo tells state govts

    Former President  Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday accused state governors of routinely stealing the money meant for the Local Governments in the country and in the process, rendered them incapable of performing even the basic rudimentary functions for their people.
    Obasanjo disclosed that the state governors allegedly pilfer Local Governments’ funds through the nebulous “joint account,” adding that this informed why they have remained antagonistic to the agitation for Local Government (LG) autonomy.
    The ex – President who spoke when members of a Non-Governmental Organisation, Friends of Democracy (FoD) visited him  at his new residence within the  Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the state capital,  lamented that many of the third tier of government could not perform their statutory functions because they have been “incapacitated financially” by the  state governments.
    The group  were in Obasanjo’s home to seek his  support for the Local Government Autonomy Bill which had been passed by the  National Assembly, but still requires the nod of not less than 24 State Houses of Assembly to sail through successfully.
    According to Obasanjo, some of the state governments take from the joint account without contributing to it.
    The elder statesman recalled that the LG Reforms carried out in 1976  was meant to give the third tier of government air of freedom and not be an appendage of the state governments.
    According to him, the  state governments which enjoys  autonomy,  are opposed to the agitation for measures  granting autonomy to councils in Nigeria.
    He urged  the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to persevere in the demand for the autonomy in the interest of the people at the grassroots.
     “When in 1976, we brought in Local Government Reforms, it was meant to be a third tier of the government and not meant to be subjected to the whims and caprices of any other government. Just the same way that the state government is autonomous from the Federal Government.
    “Local Government is meant to be autonomous from the State Government, but from what we know, by design, most states have incapacitated the Local Governments. They have virtually stolen the Local Governments’ money in what they called Joint Account. They were to contribute 10 percent but they never contributed anything.
    “So, what we have across the country are Local Government Areas that have functions, but cannot perform the functions. They have staff but most of them cannot pay the staff, and we keep getting excuses upon excuses.
    “And I see no reason if the Federal Government allows the states to enjoy their autonomy except in the case of state of emergency.
    “The Bill passed by the National Assembly which requires 24 State Houses of Assembly and like I am told only 9 States have signed it.
    “I am proud of those states because they are what you will call progressive states that really believe in democracy.
    “My own state (Ogun) is one of them. I will say kudos to Ogun State. In the South-South, only Bayelsa and Cross River States have signed it. Kudos to those two states. In the North-East, it’s only Bauchi. In the North-West, it’s only Sokoto. In the North-Central, we have four states, Kwara, Niger, Plateau and Benue. I will say kudos to the executives and the legislature of those states.
    “But we must say those state executives and the legislatures that have prevented the bill from being passed, they must be taken as the enemy of the people and they should be treated as such. Because if you enjoy autonomy from the Federal Government why don’t you want Local Government to enjoy autonomy?
    “Again, I will say leadership of NLC and NULGE who have always fought for the interest of the people should know that the interest of the people at the local government will be best served if the LG has autonomy which is meant that they should have.”

  • State: it’s political witch-hunt

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said no official of the government will appear before the EFCC over its investigation until the Court of Appeal sets aside the 2007 judgment barring the commission from investigating the state.

    In a statement yesterday, the governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu quoted Wike as describing the EFCC’s action as a “political witch-hunt”.

    “We are  not afraid of their probe and they have no power to probe  us,” Wike said, adding:

    “No government official will appear before the EFCC until they set aside the court judgment of Rivers State Government against them in 2007. We cannot be intimidated.

    “They filed for leave to appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal. Until they  set aside the judgment, we will  not come.“

    Wike said the “media trial” by the EFCC would amount to nothing, pointing out that the government was aware of the move before it even started.

    “We are aware of their tricks. They should not bother engaging in media trial because it will not work. This is mere political witch-hunt.

    “They must obey the court of law. We have filed another action against the EFCC.  Because they have been served, they are telling the press that they have started investigating Rivers State Government.

    “This media war by the EFCC  will not work. We stand on the rule of law.”

    Also yesterday, the state government, in another statement, called on the EFCC to leave the state alone to concentrate on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

    The Commissioner for Information and Communications Mr.  Emma Okah, said  the Rivers State Government is not answerable to the EFCC until the court says so.

    In 2007, the State took the EFCC to court over interferences with the State’s finances and the court restrained the EFCC from probing the accounts of Rivers State as the State was accountable only to the House of Assembly. The injunction is yet to be set aside.

    “We plead the injunction and advise the Commission to respect the laws of the land as anything short of this is equal to political blackmail,” the statement added.

    The government said it “is not against the fight against corruption but insists that such fight must be within the ambit of the law and not as a tool of political witch hunt”.

  • Ekiti 2018: State of the race

    The die is cast for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled to hold next Saturday, 14th July, 2018. Correspondent, Odunayo Ogunmola, in this report, examines the state of the race, local government by local government and reports on other dynamics that will shape the contest.

    THE attention of the world will be focused on Ekiti State on 14th July, 2018 as the people of the state go to the polls to elect a new governor.

    The tenure of the outgoing governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), expires on 15th October, 2018, since he took the oath of office on 16th October, 2014.

    In the last governorship poll, conducted on 21st June, 2014, Fayose of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defeated the then incumbent governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Fayose, who is constitutionally barred from seeking another term, has he taken oath of office two times (2003 and 2014), hopes to hand over to his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

    Olusola emerged as the PDP candidate at a primary election conducted on 8th May, 2018 and has been handed the party’s flag at a mega rally held on 5th July, 2018.

    On the other hand, Fayemi defeated a strong field of 33 aspirants to emerge as the APC candidate at a keenly contested primary held on 12th May, 2018.

    The former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, who is taking a second shot at the governorship seat, lost in the 2014 poll.

    Will Fayose succeed in installing a successor, a feat no outgoing governor had managed to achieve since return to democracy in 1999?

    Will Fayemi, on the other hand, stop Fayose from achieving the record by staging his own comeback to power?

    It must be stated that the two major political parties, the ruling PDP and the main opposition APC have the capacity to win the coveted governorship crown.

    They have the reach, presence, structures, resources, manpower and members in all the 16 local government areas of the state.

    Some analysts said the other political parties are there just to make up the number as some of them sprang up few months to the election while others were merely used as platforms to contest by aspirants who failed in other parties.

    While the PDP enjoys power of incumbency at the state level, the APC which is angling to force its way into the Government House again, is enjoying the backing of the Federal Government seemingly determined to add Ekiti to the number of states it controls.

    Ekiti State is divided into three senatorial districts: Ekiti North, Ekiti Central and Ekiti South and 16 local government areas.

    Ekiti North and Ekiti Central have five local government areas each while Ekiti South has six local government areas.

    The local government areas in Ekiti North are Moba (11 wards), Ido/Osi, (11 wards) Ilejemeje (10 wards), Oye (12 wards) and Ikole (12wards).

    Ado (13 wards), Irepodun/Ifelodun (11 wards), Ekiti West (11 wards), Ijero (12 wards) and Efon (10 wards) are in Ekiti Central. Ekiti South is made up of Ekiti Southwest (11 wards), Ikere (11 wards), Ise/Orun (10 wards), Emure (10 wards), Gbonyin (10 wards) and Ekiti East (12 wards).

    Votes are up for grabs in total number of 177 wards and 2,195 polling units. Total number of registered voters in the state is 913,334.

    Out of the 913, 334 voters who had registered, 630,000 had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as of Wednesday, July 4.

    The electorate in Ekiti State are highly unpredictable in terms of voting pattern as factors that determine who wins include candidates’ personality and acceptability, party strength, support of critical segments of the population, policies of the government in power, manifestos of the parties seeking to upstage it and of course, parties’ financial war chest.

    Although the issue of zoning cropped up in the run-up to the party primaries, the Ekiti electorates always look for candidates that are charismatic and have mass appeal.

    It appears the trend is changing in favour of APC and Fayemi owing to many factors; chief of which is low morale among workers who are enduring unprecedented suffering in the history of the state.

    Core civil servants and secondary school teachers are owed four month arrears, local government workers and primary school teachers seven months and workers in government tertiary institutions seven months.

    Pensioners are owed eight month arrears of monthly benefits while the present government had not paid any gratuity since it came to power in 2014.

    The issue of how financial reliefs from the Federal Government in terms of two tranches of bailout funds, Paris Club refund and Budget Support Fund were expended still left many wondering why the arrears had not been cleared.

    A good number of workers and retirees died over hardship occasioned by the non-payment of their entitlements since the PDP government came to power.

    A civil servant recently described owing workers arrears deep into election period a “political suicide and poisoned chalice” which any reasonable government hoping to retain power must avoid.

    Another factor working in favour of the APC is the support it will enjoy from the Federal Government in terms of deployment of instruments of coercion, resources and personnel.

    Many believe that support from the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency played a pivotal role in swinging victory in Fayose’s favour in 2014.

    Political pundits believe that the support enjoyed from the Presidency by the PDP in 2014 will be enjoyed by the APC in 2018.

    Massive defections of prominent members and leaders that have been hitting the PDP, including serving members of the National Assembly, continued very close to the election.

    Defection of key PDP members from Ado and Ikere to the APC is not a good omen for the ruling party in the state while other senior PDP members had left for other parties, leaving PDP emaciated.

    But it seems APC should not go to sleep believing all is done and dusted as the PDP cannot be underestimated, given Fayose’s political sagacity.

    Despite the loss of many party members and supporters to the opposition, Fayose and by extension, Olusola, still enjoys support of some segment of the population like artisans, commercial motorcycle association, a section of the drivers’ unions.

    WHO’S AHEAD?

    The two major parties, the ruling PDP and the opposition APC have structures in all the wards and local government areas. They have some party chieftains they are relying upon in their respective localities to swing victory in their favour on July 14. However, it must be noted that the projections below are subject to changes in the dynamics of politics as the game is highly unpredictable.

    ADO

    Personalities expected to work for PDP victory at the poll include former Ado Local Government Chairman and deputy governorship candidate, Mr. Deji Ogunsakin, current council chairman, Mr. Clement Bamisile; House of Assembly member representing Ado 1, Mr. Musa Arogundade; Assembly member representing Ado 2, Mr. Tope Fasanmi; SUBEB Chairman, Senator Bode Ola; and two former council chairmen, Mrs. Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko and Mr. Taye Fasuba.

    APC gladiators in the state capital include deputy governorship candidate, former council chairman, former commissioner and now deputy governorship candidate, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi; former deputy governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; former National Assembly member, Senator Babafemi Ojudu; former commissioner, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu; oil magnate, Chief Remi Oguntuase; former presidential aide, Mr. Bodunde Adeyanju; former NULGE President, Chief Oluyemi Esan; two former Assembly members, Mr. Tope Olanipekun and Mr. Edu Mayokun, former Sports Council Chairman, Mr. Ade Adetola; two former LG secretaries, Mr. Fatai Adeyemi and Mr. Odunayo Talabi, who had just joined from PDP.

    The votes of Ado are unpredictable and they can go either way owing to the fact that it is a densely populated city with non-indigenes outnumbering indigenes.

    Verdict: battle ground

     

    IKERE

    Some PDP chieftains in Ikere include the deputy governor and PDP flag bearer, Olusola; House of Assembly member representing Ikere 1, Mr. Wale Ayeni; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Olayinka Ogundayomi; current Ikere LG chairman, Mr. Aderemi Ayeni; former LG chairman, Mr. Ola Alonge.

    Ikere is the hometown of the PDP governorship candidate and naturally he should win his base. But there are concerns about division in the town, which could affect Olusola. The town has three other governorship candidates among who are two former governors vying on the platform of other parties. They are Chief Adebisi Omoyeni of Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN) and Chief Abiodun Aluko of Accord. Two of them left PDP over the

    crisis that trailed the alleged imposition of Olusola by Fayose before the primary was conducted. A young candidate, Mr. Tosin Ajibare of Independent Democrats (ID) is also vying for governorship. The votes to be raked in by other aspirants who have their supporters in the

    town could whittle down Olusola’s votes and this may work in favour of APC which is making inroads in the community. APC ‘warriors’ in Ikere include five governorship aspirants: Dr. Wole Oluyede, Chief Sesan

    Fatoba, Mr. Kola Alabi, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye and Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua.

    Others include former old Ondo State Governor, Bamidele Olumilua and new entrant to APC and House of Assembly member representing, Mr. Sunday Akinniyi.

    Verdict: PDP

     

    IDO/OSI

    PDP has won consistently in this council area since 1999 but the winning streak appears to be under threat for the first time in 19 years. This is because many of those who made it happen for PDP in the past had quit the party. They include former Governor Segun Oni, former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, who has moved to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Other former PDP members now in APC camp include former council chairman, Mr. Yomi Ayorinde; former Director General of Micro Credit Agency, Mr. Cyril Fasuyi. APC chieftains in the area include former House of Assembly Deputy

    Speaker, Chief Adetunji Orisalade; former SUBEB Chairman, Prince Akintade Olayisade and former council chairman, Pastor Gbenga Agbeyo.

    The PDP gladiators in the area include Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Modupe Alade; House of Representatives member for Ido/Osi/Moba/Ilejemeje Federal Constituency, Mr. Thaddeus Aina; House

    of Assembly member for Ido/Osi 1; Mr. Jacob Olayode; House of Assembly member for Ido/Osi 2, Mr. Abiola Jeje and Commissioner for Works, Mrs. Funmilayo Ogun.

    Verdict: APC

     

    MOBA

    This local government used to be a progressives stronghold but it went to the PDP in the 2014 election. It will be a straight fight this time around. Olusola is depending on House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Kola Oluwawole; House of Assembly member for Moba 2, Mr. Badejo Anifowose and Commissioner for Information, Mr. Lanre Ogunsuyi. Resisting PDP challenge are APC chieftains including former Assembly member Mr. Olajide Olaniyi; former Moba LG chairman, Mr. David Olusoga; former Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters, Mr. Ibrahim Olanrewaju and a veteran politician, Chief Michael Atejioye.

    Verdict: APC

     

    ILEJEMEJE

    PDP chieftains in this area include the Senator representing Ekiti North, Duro Faseyi, House of Assembly member for Ilejemeje, Mrs. Cecilia Dada and LG Chairman, Mr. Ebenezer Oladipupo. On the APC side are Afenifere chieftain and Second Republic Senator, Chief Ayo Fasanmi; former Assembly member, Mr. Segun Erinle; former LG Chairman, Prince Adegoroye Bamigboye and former commissioner, Mr. Folorunso Olabode.

    Verdict: APC

     

    EKITI EAST

    PDP top notchers are Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi; House of Assembly member for Ekiti East 1, Mr. Ojo Ade Fajana; Assembly member for Ekiti East 2, Mr. Dare Pelemo; former Assembly member, Mr. Dele Ajibola and Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Taelolu Otitoju.

    APC chieftains working to deliver the area to their party include former Speaker, Mr. Femi Bamisile; former commissioner, Mr. Apalara Wole-Adewumi; former Assembly member/council chairman, Mr. Rotimi Ajidara; former Assembly members, Mr. Akinloye Akinyemi and Mr. Gbenga Falaye.

    Verdict: Battleground

     

    EKITI WEST

    This local government is up for grabs and can go either way. Leading the fight for PDP is House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Mr. Sina Animasaun; former Deputy Speaker, Mr. Olusegun Adewumi; Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Kehinde Odebunmi; current LG chairman, Mr. Francis Ayodele and his predecessor, Mr. Kolawole Omotunde.

    APC bigwigs expected to be on the field for their party include State Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe; former Assembly member, Mr. Gbenga Odebunmi; former Assembly member, Mr. Kayode Fasakin; former LG Chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Akingbolu and former Attorney General, Mr. Wale Fapohunda.

    Verdict: APC

     

    EKITI SOUTHWEST

    APC received many PDP members into its fold which may be the deciding factor. Fayemi’s foot soldiers in this council area include former Chief of Staff, Yemi Adaramodu; former Assembly member, Tope Agidi; former LG chairman, Mr. Genge Kola; another former LG chairman, Dr. Azeez Olaniyan; former Commissioner, Chief Oluwole Ariyo; former Assembly member, Mr. Amire Kolade; former Special Assistant (Media) to Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yemisi Ayokunle, former ministerial aide, Mr. Makinde Araoye and Mr. Yemi Alatise.

    On the PDP side are current LG chairman, Mr. Lanre Omolase; House of Assembly member for Ekiti Southwest 1; Mr. Wale Onigiobi; Assembly member for Ekiti West 2, Mr. Michael Adedeji; Commissioner for Education, Mr. Jide Egunjobi and Alhaji Gani Bankole.

    Verdict: APC

     

    IKOLE

    Former Deputy Governor, Chief Paul Alabi; House of Representatives member, Mr. Kehinde Agboola leads Fayose’s foot soldiers which include House of Assembly member for Ikole 2, Mrs. Titi Owolabi; current LG Chairman, Mrs. Abiola Olukayode and Commissioner for Public Utilities, Chief Tunde Ogunleye.

    APC stalwarts expected to make difference include House of Assembly Minority Leader, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan; former Assembly member, Chief Adebayo Morakinyo; former Civil Service Commission Chairman, Alhaji Afolabi Ogunlayi; former Special Adviser, Chief Biodun Akin Fasae; former Pension Board Commissioner, Chief Segun Ajibulu, Mrs. Moji Fafure and Mr. Samuel Abejide.

    Verdict: APC

     

    IREPODUN/IFELODUN

    This is local government area is the home base of Governor Ayo Fayose and former Governor Adeniyi Adebayo. Fayose will do everything possible to win while Adebayo and his troops will also want to win it for their party. Backing Fayose is his Chief of Staff, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, Assembly member for Irepodun/Ifelodun 1, Mr. Posi Omodara; Assembly member for Irepodun/Ifelodun 2, Mr. Sanya Aladeyelu; current LG chairman, Mr. Dapo Olagunju and former envoy, Amb. Toye Olofintuyi.

    Following Adebayo into the battle are former House of Representatives member, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele; Ambassador to Hungary, Dr. Eniola Ajayi; former LG chairman, Mr. Toba Adaramola; former Assembly member, Mr. Ayodeji Odu; APC Publicity Secretary, Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun; the Jamiu brothers, Mojeed and Hakeem.

    Verdict: Battleground

     

    IJERO

    This is a PDP zone but defection of many members has weakened the party. Former Assembly Majority Leader, Mr. Lai Oke and Mrs. Yemisi Afolabi are leading the PDP fight. But APC members determined to win the area include former Assembly Chief Whip, Mrs. Omowumi Ogunlola; former governorship aspirant, Mr. Kayode Ojo; former Commissioner, Mr. Dapo Kolawole, Chief Femi Oyebanjo and former LG Chairman, Mr. Ojo Atibioke.

    Verdict: APC

     

    EFON

    Fayose’s henchmen are led by Director General of Kolapo Olusola Campaign Organisation, Chief Bisi Kolawole; current House of Assembly member, Mr. Afolabi Akanni and former LG chairman, Chief Idowu Akinyele. Working to deliver for APC are former Executive Secretary of PPPRA/PTDF, Dr. Oluwole Oluleye; former Deputy Speaker, Mr. Oladapo Karonwi; former Assembly member, Mr. Folorunso Ogundele; former Commissioner, Prof. Adio Folayan; former governorship aspirant, Mr. Victor Kolade, serving House of Reps member who recently defected from PDP, Mr. Olamide Oni and former Commissioner, Mrs. Ronke Okusanya.

    Verdict: APC

     

    EMURE

    Party chieftains of note have defected from the PDP leaving the current Attorney General, Mr. Kolapo Kolade as the arrowhead of Fayose’s army. But the APC parades tested politicians like former Assembly member, Mr. Febisola Adewale; another former Assembly member, Mr. Boluwade Kehinde; former Commissioners, Chief Dele Okeya and Mr. Debo Ajayi.

    Verdict: APC

     

    ISE/ORUN

    This has been a PDP stronghold since 1999 but the trend is expected to change in the forthcoming poll. Former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Afolabi Ojuawo, former Attorney General, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi and current Assembly member, Mr. Adeniran Alagbada led key PDP members and leaders to APC leaving their former party highly weakened to mount a serious challenge. They will work with other APC chieftains they met in the party including Mr. Femi Ajayi and Mrs. Remi Ajayi to deliver the council area to APC.

    Verdict: APC

     

    GBONYIN

    The PDP troops are led by former Acting Governor/Speaker, Mr. Olatunji  Odeyemi; House of Reps member representing Gbonyin/Emure/Ekiti East, Mr. Akin Awodumila; current SUBEB Commissioner, Mrs. Sade Akinrinmola; current LG Chairman, Mr. Tope Ogidi and current Assembly member, Mr. Ayodele Fajemilehin. It remains to be seen whether they will be able to withstand the firepower of APC chieftains including former Senate Minority Whip, Senator Gbenga Aluko; former House of Reps member and Deputy Director General of Fayemi Campaign, Mr. Bamidele Faparusi; former governorship aspirant, Dr. Makanjuola Owolabi; former House of Reps member, Chief Aderemi Ajayi; former PDP state chairman, Chief Ropo Adesanya; former Commissioner, Mr. Paul Omotoso and former LG chairmen, Mr Femi Awe and Mr. Paul Abegunde; former Local Government Service Commissioner, Folu Ibirinde and Fayemi campaign spokesman, Mr. Wole Olujobi.

    Verdict: APC

     

    OYE

    This is Fayemi’s home base and he will be complemented by party stalwarts such as Senator Ayo Arise, former House of Reps member, Mr. Bimbo Daramola; former Assembly member, Mr. Sunday Adunmo; former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Gani Owolabi; former Assembly member for Oye 1, Mr. Ade Ajayi; former governorship aspirant, Dr (Mrs.) Mojisola Yaya-Kolade; senatorial aspirant, Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu and former Oye Council chairman, Mr. Bamitale Oguntoyinbo.

    The PDP gladiators are led by the House of Assembly member representing Oye 1, Dr. Samuel Omotoso; his counterpart in Oye 2, Mr. Tunji Akinyele; Oye LG Chairman, Mr. Sunday Alonge.

    Verdict: APC

  • Expert blames federal, state, local govts for PRA 2014 non-compliance

    Governments at the Federal,  state and local level have remained a problem to the successful administration of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), a pension expert, Ivor Takor, has said.

    Takor, a lawyer and Executive Director, Centre for Pension Right Advocacy, said several acts of noncompliance with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2014 call for the Civil Society, which include the labour movement, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Industrial Unions to take action against the government.

    He noted that while Lagos, Kaduna, Edo and a few other states must be singled out for commendation for implementing the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), many other states are yet to comply with the law.

    He stressed that Lagos stood out as the face of the CPS even better than the Federal Government, adding that the CPS is running smoothly in the private sector as workers who retire from the sector are paid as and when they retire.

    Takor said: “The challenge of the scheme is in the public sector; federal and states, where workers for some years now are not being paid as and when they retired. The crisis facing Federal Government retirees emanated from the fact that the Federal Government has not been funding the Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund Account in the Central Bank of Nigeria as it ought to. The bulk of retirement benefits of employees, who were in employment before the reform in 2004, is in the accrued rights. For example, benefits from date of their first employment, up to June 2004, the date of the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme.

    “The second issue militating against employees in the federal public service is that of delays in the remittance of contributions into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of employees and implementing the new rates of contribution of 12 per cent and 8 per cent for the employer and employee respectively, which came into effect from June 2014. These are acts of noncompliance with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2014.

    “As at the last count, only about 10 state governments have either enacted pension laws or are at various stages of enacting pension laws for their employees. More disturbing is the fact that even those that have enacted their own pension laws, thereby keying into the CPS, operate the schemes in default of their own laws. Is anyone, therefore, surprise that most states government are owning their workers’ pensions for upward of 2 to 3 years, while those that pay, pay what they like not based on any law?

    “Lagos, Kaduna, Edo and a few other states must be singled out for commendation for keying into and implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme. Without any fear of contradiction, Lagos State stands out as the face of the Contributory Pension Scheme even above the Federal government.”

    “I call on the Civil Society, which include the labour movement, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Industrial Unions, to have a major role to play as they remain the voice of the voiceless of this nation. The movement therefore, has to organise and mobilise the full potentials of its vast membership to stand united against the deliberate pauperisation of workers and their families by the predatory political ruling class and the vested interest of unregulated capital by ensuring that the pension rights of workers in the public and private sectors are protected.

     

  • State police can curb insecurity, lawyers

    Lawyers have advocated that states should be allowed to set up and operate their own police force, saying it was the only panacea to the prevailing insecurity in the land.

    The lawyers under the aegis of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Eket Branch said collaboration between Federal and State police would rid the country of needless bloodshed.

    Prof. Ernest Ojukwu (SAN) gave the remarks in his keynote address titled: ‘Prevailing Security Challenges in Nigeria: Is state police the answer?’ during the 2018 Bar Week.

    According to Ojukwu, personnel of state police are likely to do better intelligence gathering and rapid response actions because they know the terrain, speak the local languages and probably know the criminals.

    “Implementation of criminal reforms of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act will be difficult or impossible without a state controlled police,” he said.

    Read Also: State police can curb insecurity, lawyers

    Ojukwu said that state police would enhance the federal system of government, adding that a state police should not be watered down by the little challenges its implementation may pose.

    “The challenges is how to fashion out a good model for the implementation of the state police model.

    “The 2014 National Conference has proposed a workable model and this model must be critically reviewed to get the best.

    “All states must be allowed to take their destiny in their hands and this is the best way for state to blossom,” he said.

    Ojukwu added that the courts should be alive to their responsibility of safeguarding the Constitution and all citizens must be ready to abide by these constitutional provisions.

    According to him, this will reduce conflicts on constitutional issues.

    Also speaking, Barrister Emeka Obegolu, in a keynote address, entitled ‘Democratic Rule in Nigeria 1999-2018: Lessons and Challenges’, said that democracy works when holders of Executive or Presidential powers respect the decisions of courts.

    He said the objective of the paper was to appraise democratic rule in Nigeria from 1999 to 2018, examination it’s benefits as well as challenges and proffer suggestions for a better democratic Nigeria.

    Obegolu listed the challenges faced by democratic government as lack of enthronement and respect for rule of law, challenges in the conduct of free and fair elections, non-abiding to the rule of separation of power and corruption.

    “On the corollary, the weakest link of the sort of distorted democracy that is practiced in Nigeria is the lack of obedience and compliance with court judgements and orders,

    “Perhaps, due to the absence of strong institutional mechanisms for compelling the executive arm of government to play by the rule of the democratic norms.”

    Justice Abraham, the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom, said the theme of the Bar week, ‘Law, Politics and National Development: The Role of Lawyers’ , was apt and most appropriate in view of the challenging times the people are passing through as a nation.

    He said that the growing threat to the fundamental existence of the country often calls for a radical and pragmatic intervention by our judicial process.

    Also speaking, Udoh Imeh, Chairman, NBA Eket Branch, said Eket Bar has produced the number two lawyer in the country, adding that a member of the General Council of the Bar and several members in different National Committee.

  • State to fund students’ loans from IGR

    Bayelsa State government will use part of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund the Students Tertiary Education Loan Board, Governor Seriake Dickson has said.

    He signed the bill establishing the Students Tertiary Education Loan Board into law.

    Dickson said the board, designed to provide access to tertiary education, would be inaugurated in two weeks.

    He said a percentage of the monthly internally generated revenue would be committed to fund the board.

    The governor said funding the board would be similar to the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund.

    The education fund was established by law to guarantee the arrangement for free education at primary and secondary school levels.

    Dickson noted that the board was established to ensure that no qualified youth is deprived schooling because of lack of funds.

    “We have taken care of the issue of access in another way that I have not heard done in any state.

    “We’ve established the Bayelsa State Student Tertiary Education Loan Board Law. I have signed that bill into law, and in the next one or two weeks I will set up that board.

    “Just as we dedicated five per cent of the internally generated revenue to the Education Development Trust Fund, the Bayelsa State government will every month allocate an amount that I will announce for the funding of the Student Loan Board.

    “Once you have the basic qualifications that will enable you gain admission into the university, either in the University of Africa, Toru Orua or in our state-owned Niger Delta University or any other university in Nigeria, you will not be left behind.

    “As a responsible government, because we know all fingers are not equal and we do not want any child to be left behind, we are establishing the Students Loan Board. The loan the board will give will be paid to the universities,” he said.

    On the repayment, the governor said beneficiaries would repay within 10 to 20 years of graduation after they begin work.

    He added that the board, which will be empowered to formulate policies, would pay for the cost of university education, especially fees.

    “I expect the university to cooperate with the board so that when the students graduate, when they begin work, they can repay within 10 to 20 years without feeling it. That is the standard across the world,” Dickson said.

  • Edo Govt. reinstates commitment to attract investors

     

     

    The state Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, stated this at a one-day investment promotion workshop with the theme “Investment promotion in Edo state as a tool for enhancing economic growth.”

    Shaibu said that the workshop was to examine ways to attract potential investors to the state and to provide ease of doing business in the state.

    He said the one-day deliberation among the resource persons and other participants would proffer solutions to the challenges that confronted investors when trying to set up businesses in the state.

    The deputy governor said that development strategy had shown that the state was focused on achieving millage in the areas of agriculture, solid minerals, power, culture, tourism and housing among others.

    Read also:staging.thenationonlineng.net/edo-committed-attaining-self-sustenance-igr-shaibu/

     

    He assured investors that the state government had new security architecture in place being implemented ”to give total security coverage to all.”

    Shaibu further assured that the state government had embarked on massive construction of access roads in the state with particular importance to roads leading to industrial sites.

    In his presentation, one of the resource persons, Kenny Aliu, said that investment in the state would among others, creation jobs opportunities, especially the unemployed.

    (NAN)

  • Bello reinstates state, council excos

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has reversed the dissolution of the state executive, less than 30 minutes after dissolving it.

    While it was being anticipated that the governor would dissolve his executives on Saturday, he formally sacked the commissioners and 21 local government administrators.

    He directed all affected officials to hand over keys to their official vehicles to the Secretary to State Government, Mrs. Folashade Arike.

    However, less than 30 minutes afterwards, the governor made a reversal, saying all members will continue to work with him. He directed them to maintain status quo.

    Bello announced the return to office for all commissioners and administrators just before the end of the meeting at the Glass House, Government House.

    He, however, demanded better performance and better relationship between the appointees and the people.

    But Bello’s media aide, Kingsly Fanwo, said the governor did nothing of the sort.

    He said: “Neither happened; he only urged government officials to continue to support the laudable programs and policies of his administration.”

  • State police: This time, FG’s right

    Sir: The federal government has made concerted efforts to curb insecurity which has recently reared its ugly face in the country. However the efforts seem not to have yielded appreciable results yet. When certain solutions fail to abort a problem, the right thing to do is to apply alternative solutions to the said problem until positive results are achieved. Perhaps this is the reason why the federal government eventually endorsed the establishment of state police as one of the measures to eliminate insecurity in Nigeria or drastically reduce it.

    The federal government needs to be commended for this new development, although it is coming too late.

    There have been several debates on the establishment of the state police for some years now. While a school of thought had for a long time advocated for the creation of state police because of its numerous security benefits, another group submitted that such system will empower governors to intimidate or harass their perceived enemies.

    I have always seen such excuse as being flimsy and unprogressive. I have always argued that since the president does not have powers to unjustly use the federal police to oppress perceived enemies, the governors do not and will not have such powers either. After all, the constitution will be binding on the state controlled police force and any man whose fundamental human right is trampled upon will also have the legal right to seek redress in courts.

    One of the factors that have hampered the efforts of the federal police from successfully curbing insecurity in Nigeria has been the inadequacy of the number of personnel saddled with the responsibility of securing the lives of the people. Some publications have it that the strength of the Nigeria police is 370,000 personnel. This figure is grossly inadequate to cover Nigeria, a very large country with a population of over 170 million people.

    Out of this figure, some police personnel are attached to the following classes of people: Nigeria’s 109 senators, 360 House of of representative members, members of houses of assembly in the 36 states, the 36 governors, ministers, DGs, commissioners in the 36 states, traditional rulers, judicial officers, banks, private firms, politicians and other wealthy Nigerians. The establishment of the state police will address this issue of shortage of manpower. Certainly, the recruitment of police personnel by the governments of the 36 states will increase the number of police personnel in the country. Funding will not be a problem, after all some state governments have been supporting the federal police financially. The security votes being enjoyed by state governors can also be spent on them.

    Another factor that has militated against the federal police force in the areas of curbing crime is the fact that the personnel are posted to terrain that are strange to them. With state police, most of the personnel will be   from their states and will be expected to understand the terrain where they work. It is also possible or easier for such personnel to identify those who are criminals in their areas of operation.

    The claim that the governors will misuse the state police does not hold water. That it was tested some years ago but failed is not an excuse. Nigeria is growing and Nigerians are now better informed. As it is with every new development, the establishment of the state police may not be smooth or sweet at the beginning but as years roll by, the system will experience great improvement and Nigeria will be better for it.

     

    • Besiru Enakhimion,

    benakhimion@yahoo.com

  • Governors and state police

    Sir: It is the constitutional duty of federal government to provide maximum security and to also ensure the protection of lives and properties of the people they govern.  Any (central) government that fails to provide security can be regarded as a failed government and it is a way leading to a state of nature or stateless society. Based on 1999 constitution, the provision of security is under the exclusive list. That is to say it is only the federal government that is charged with the responsibility of providing security. The governors are the chief security officers of their respective states.

    Nigeria is a large country with a huge population of more than one 180 million. That is why some people are of the view that the states should be allowed to have their own police, because according to these agitators, the work is too much for the federal government to handle it alone. Of course, it is a huge responsibility.

    But can our governors handle it objectively and effectively, free from political intervention? Why will governors quickly agree with the idea but always reject the autonomy for local governments? Are State Independent Electoral Commissions free of political influences?

    These are some of the questions we need to ask ourselves before we agree with the idea of establishing state police in Nigeria.

    Governors are constitutionally allowed to have their own electoral bodies charged with the responsibility of conducting local government elections in their respective states, but what we are seeing today in Nigeria since from 1999 is that these state electoral bodies are not transparent and they are being manipulated by governors where a ruling party of a state wins all the local government elections. Already, some people are of the view that this constitutional duty of state electoral bodies be transferred to INEC.

    Now, with these well known facts, why is it that some people are agitating for state police?

    Don’t they think that it will also be manipulated by governors to persecute and punish their political rivals? Do the states have the financial strength to maintain state police?

    The solution to the security problem is for the federal government to continue with this present arrangement of maintaining the entire security agencies. But the police should be upgraded to meet the global standards and more police officers recruited considering our population. Modern and sophisticated weapons should be provided for them, their salary and welfare improved.

    If states are allowed to have their own police, the security situation will be compounded, with corruption further institutionalised in the event that the governors are unable to effectively fund them.

    The governors will definitely use them to deal with political opponents and this will make them demigods which is not good for our democracy. Not only that, the ethno-religious conflicts will escalate leading to the further polarisation of the country.

     

    • Hasheem B Ahmad,

    hashimbahmad@gmail.com