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INEC Nominee: Buhari Nominates Another APC Member 7 Months After Onochie’s Rejection

By
Roland Edet
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Presiden Muhammadu Buhari has been accused of nominating Prof. Rhoda H. Gumus, an alleged card carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as INEC National Commissioner for Bayelsa State.

This is coming approximately seven months after the National Assembly declined to confirm a similar nomination.

President Buhari had in 2020 nominated his Personal Assistant on New Media, Lauretta Onochie, who however was rejected by the Senate following public outcry.

In a petition to the leadership of the National Assembly, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) alleged that the nomination of Prof. Gumus was in breach of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.

It also explained “that one of the factors that have compromised the credibility of elections in Nigeria is said to be the lack of structural independence of INEC. This was one of the main issues taken up by the Electoral Reform Committee in 2007.

It would recall that among the recommendations that the Committee made was the necessity for guaranteeing the independence of INEC, both through the way that the Commission is funded and through the appointment process for its members.

“Beyond this, Prof. Gumus’ confirmation by this 9th Senate will be a violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Constitution specifically declares that appointees to the electoral body must be non-partisan and also not a card-carrying member of any political party.

Specifically, Section 14(2a) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended states that “a member of the commission shall be non-partisan and a person of unquestionable integrity.

“And Section 14(3b) of the same Schedule states that “there shall be for each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, a Resident Electoral Commissioner who shall be a person of unquestionable integrity and shall not be a member of any political party.” This, however, directly applies to members appointed as Resident Electoral Commissioners.

“While preceding paragraphs empowers the president to make appointments and the Senate to make confirmations, 3b, demands that the integrity of an appointee must not be in question.

“More so, Section 152 of the Electoral Act, provides that; “No person holding an elective office to which this act relates or a registered member of a Political Party shall be eligible for or be appointed to carry out duties of a returning officer, an electoral officer, presiding officer or Poll Clerk.

The interpretation of these Sections of the law raises questions as to whether it was considered before the nomination of Prof. Gumu was made. As a card carrying member of the ruling party or any other party for that matter, Prof Rhoda H. Gumus is unfit for the position she is nominated for, a role reserved for an unbiased umpire.”

While stating that the confirmation of Gumus “will set the stage for a very huge political crisis, which is capable of derailing the country’s democratic process,” HURIWA disclosed that if the National Assembly confirms the nominee, “it will constitute a direct violence against the relevant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the independency of INEC, the Senate is hereby called upon to reject this nomination.”

“Let it be on record that we are neither in any way against the person of Prof. Rhoda Gumus nor questioning her integrity. Rather our concern is for the Senate to ensure that any such appointment capable of derogating from the impartiality of INEC is never made. As such, the senate should see it as a concern that when constituting an umpire for elections, anything that can diminish public confidence in INEC must be avoided.

“Consequently, the Senate, if it’s really made up of democrats, is called upon to reject this nomination or we will be left with no other option but to rally Nigerians to pour out on the streets to protest this brazen illegality to demolish constitutional democracy through insider political compromises.

“Additionally, we are calling on the Nigerian Senate to investigate all of the other nominations by the President especially as there are concerns that some of these nominations may have been by self-serving interests.

“We insist that it is never late to deal with any electoral commissioner who presents a likelihood of bias as it is important for Nigeria that the composition of INEC is transparently non-partisan and independent of partisan political manipulation,” the human writers group stated.

Senate Hints On Decline In FIRS Revenue, Says Service Lost N840m In One Year

By
Roland Edet
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The Senate has revealed a decline of revenue from N216.65bn in 2021 to N215.81 billion in 2022 as projected Cost of Collection by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

This followed the Senate’s consideration of a report by the Committee on Finance during plenary.

Deliberating on the FIRS budget for the fiscal year, 2022, the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly approved the sum of N215,811,290,243 billion naira as budget for the Service,

In his presentation, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Lagos West), in his presentation, said out of the amount approved, N119,684,218,735 was for Personnel Cost; N60,160,518,057 for Overhead Cost; and N35,966,553,451 for Capital Cost.

He, however, explained that the difference represents a Cost of Collection (CoC) decrease of N840 million on the overall projected non-oil revenue.

Adeola disclosed that personnel cost was based on staff strength on the payroll including social benefits such as NHIS, Pension contribution among others, and anticipated performance bonus for the year.

He attributed the increase in overhead projection to the need for more robust operational activities which has a direct relationship with overhead budget lines such as electricity tariff, generator fuel cost, legal services due to tax disputes, local travels and transport and critical ones that relate directly to tax collection and administration.

The lawmaker added that capital cost estimates reported include on-going and new projects which are to be executed during the 2022 financial year.

“These are a result of expected completion of projects, payment of retention on completed projects and some new projects for effective revenue drive”, he said.

Giving a review of the 2021 Budget Performance of the FIRS, Adeola said, “the Service collected N4.53 trillion as at 31st October, 2021 out of the total projected revenue target of N7.61 trillion which represents 60 percent achievement.

“The performance based on the target for the period of N6.34 trillion represents 71 percent achievement.

“The Non-Oil component of the tax collected stands at N3.5 trillion and represents 63% achievement of total non-oil revenue target of N5.6 trillion.”

Reps Condemn Military Coups In West African Sub-Region

By
Roland Edet
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0

The House of Representatives has strongly condemned the rising cases of military intervention in politics in the West African sub-region.

Consequently, the House urged the Federal Government to strongly condemn the coups, impose strong sanctions, and mobilise other nations and stakeholders to impose “very extensive” sanctions.

The House further urged Civil Society Organisations across the sub-region and internationally “to condemn coups, support civil society, political parties, and parliaments to work for the immediate restoration of democratic order in the affected Nations.

It also called on the United Nations and its agencies as well as the international community to impose total sanctions on those countries where coups d’état have taken place in West Africa Sub- Region

This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) on matter of urgent public importance at plenary on Wednesday.

Moving the motion, Hon. Ihonvbere noted with high grave concern the emerging trend of military coups in the West African sub-region, the most recent coup in Burkina Faso being part of a resurgence of ‘’a Coup Culture’’ in West Africa;

He further noted that “for the fourth time in only six months, violence had facilitated the transfer of power in West Africa with Guinea, Mali, (twice in the past seventeen months) and Chad seeing new leaders emerge from their respective militaries, and Burkina Faso a few days ago, witnessed the overthrow of President Roch Kabore.”

According to the him, “this illegal takeover of power from democratically elected government violates several national constitutions, international conventions and protocols established by multilateral organizations, donors and development partners.”

He pointed out that since Nigeria, the traditional power house in the sub-region transited from military to civilian in 1999, there had been a strong sense that the days of military coups were effectively over, but with this emerging trend, that positive trajectory was now being reversed with the rather quick successive coups in the aforementioned countries.

He argued: “Coups subvert political processes, promotes tensions and violence, suffocates democratic spaces, suppresses basic freedoms, contains civil society and promotes corrupt undemocratic governance.”

“If the trend is not immediately and firmly checked, it could erode the democratic achievements made thus far, distort the emerging culture of constitutionalism, and promote opportunistic and undemocratic actors in the region, and by extension the continent,” the Professor of political science cautioned.

While contributing to the debate, Hon. Muhammed Monguno who condemned the coup trend urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to use its power to ensure that democracy returns to Burkina Faso and other affected West African States.

Other contributors such as the House minority leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta) and Hon. Herman Hembe (APC, Benue) who also condemned the coup charged African leaders to always keep to their campaign promises whereby their countries would be developed instead of running to other developed countries like the United Arab Emirates, UAE, to invest leaving their counties under-developed

The motion was unanimously adopted when when it was put to voice vote by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.

APC Hasn’t Zoned Presidential Ticket, Others, Says Gov Buni

By
Ola Akinola
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The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, (CECPC), Governor Mai Mala Buni has denied zoning the party’s presidential ticket, party offices and other elective offices to be contested for in the 2023 general election to any Political zone of the country.

Recall that an unsigned document stating the contrary circulated last night suggesting that the party has zoned the positions, a claim the party has now renounced.

Director General Press and Media Affairs of the governor , Mamma Mohammed stated in a statement that the party was yet to zone any office saying that the fake news that formed a major news in some platforms was a figment of imagination of the crafters.

The statement reads: ‘His Excellency has in clear and unambiguous terms denied the said list, saying, it is false, baseless, unfounded, misleading and has nothing to do with him.

“The Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee, said the party has not taken any decision at any fora on anything relating to zoning of offices.

“The publication is just a figment of the author’s imagination that has nothing to do with the Chairman and the party.

“The public is hereby urged to disregard the purported list as it is misleading and completely false.

“Governor Buni urged the press to resist unverified stories and rumours, and to always verify all issues related to the party assuring that the doors of the party are always open”.

Meanwhile, a source within the party hinted that the current Caretaker Committee is not thinking of zoning the presidential ticket as there was an unwritten understanding among the Governors that that the zoning of elective offices would be handled by the incoming National Working Committee (2023)

Whereas the CECPC would concern itselfzone the various party Offices ahead of 26 February National Convention of the party, our source said the party the presidential ticket would be the responsibility of the incoming APC National Working Committee.

2023: Rochas Informs Senate Of His Intention To Join Presidential Race

By
Roland Edet
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Former governor of Imo state, Senator Owelle Rochas Okorocha, on Wednesday wrote to the Senate of his intention to join the presidential race.

The lawmaker, sought the prayer of his colleagues, said he will address press conference to tell the nation of his intention.

He who represents Imo West senatorial district in the 9th Senate, described the qualities of the person to run the affairs of the nation.

The letter, which was read on the floor of the upper chamber of the National Assembly by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, who presided over the plenary, said the country needs a detribalized Nigerian who can unite the nation.

The letter titled, “Nigerian President 2023 World Press Conference,” reads, “as you are aware, the Independent National Electoral Commission has announced the time table for the conduct of 2023 general election, including that of the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“With elections drawing nearer as the days go by, our citizens are concerned about the quality of persons to run the affairs of our nation, one who can address some of their major concern which includes:

“A detribalized Nigerian who can unite our country.

“A leader with a compassionate heart, who will care for the poor and downtrodden and the masses of our country.

“A visionary leader who can create wealth for our teaming populace thereby, addressing the issues of poverty, insecurity and youth restiveness.

“It is as a result of these concerns that I wish to hold a world press conference on my intention to run for the office of the President of our dear Nation.

“I therefore wish to solicit for your prayers as I make known my intention.”

Ohuabunwa Canvasses For South East President

By
Ola Akinola
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0

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), presidential aspirant on Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa has canvassed for South East President.

Ohuabunwa, who recently declared his intention to join the presidential race, said that Southeast should be allowed to produce the next president of Nigeria, for fairness and equity.

The presidential aspirant, who argued that South East has not produced a President since the nation transmuted to democracy in 1999, pointed out that the country can only advance to political sophistication after each segment of the country has had a bite at the Presidency.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja Ohuabunwa said that at the end of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, the way should be paved for South, adding that the office should naturally go to the South East that has not had a taste of it.

According to him: “We believe that as a country with federating units, a country built by a lot of ethnic nationalities, before they were predominantly three: Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba but now we know that they are more than three.

“In 1989, we decided to dissolve into six geopolitical zones and we have seen party’s especially PDP put in their constitution that power should rotate between North and South to enthrone inclusiveness, equity, and fairness and that is what we have practiced for a while, it goes North it goes South.”

He said President Buhari is a Northerner, adding that everybody is saying that the power should come South.

Speaking further, he said looking at the geopolitical zones that constitute the South, Southwest, Southeast and Southsouth, it is Southeast that has not had it among the southern states.

“That is why every man of conscience and equity is saying power should shift to Southeast.

“My thinking is that by the time everyone has had a chance, our political sophistication must have been proved. By that time we would have had Presidents that would have run this country as a country, and not a country where they will be blinded to other people’s needs. Our country is a country of bio diversity and diverse ethnic nation It is like a rainbow nation.”

The Presidential hopeful who is a pharmacist for over three decades and the chief executive officer of Neimeth Pharmaceutical, said that he has occupied top management positions and was a board member of several federal government establishments, which gives him the requisite experience for the plum position.

Petrol Scarcity: NNPC Assures Of Sufficient Supply

By
Mosali Edunosa
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Scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS), popular known as petrol has hit the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and it’s environs with majority of filling stations closing up for business since Monday.

Our correspondent reports that most of the filling Stations observed were under lock and key with long queues on the few ones that opened for business.

We gathered that, the situation extended to nearby suburbs such Mararaba, in neighbouring Narasawa state, as well as Suleija in Niger state creating unexpected hardship for commuters as well as motorists in the affected zones.

Some of the passengers who spoke to our Correspondent, along Masalachi junction, in Central Area, decried the development saying apart from the increased costs of transportation, movements from one point to another have become very difficult.

“This is uncalled for at this point in time when people are still trying to recover from the yuletide expenditure. Government should not let this continue beyond today” said a commuter, who simply identified himself as Ayomide.

However, NNPC has assured the public that the Company has sufficient PMS stock to meet the needs of Nigerians.

According to a statement by Garba Deen Muhammad, Group General Manager,
Group Public Affairs Division, there is enough stock for everyone, hence there is no need for panic buying of the product.

“The NNPC Ltd. wishes to assure the public that the Company has sufficient PMS stock to meet the needs of Nigerians. The public is therefore, advised not to engage in panic buying of petrol; and to ignore all rumours that may suggest otherwise.

“In line with the existing laws of the land, NNPC Ltd. is deeply committed to ensuring energy security for the country” he said.

FCT Minister Seeks Religious Leaders Support To Rid Society of Menace Of Drug Abuse

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , Malam Muhammad Musa Bello on Wednesday appealed to religious leaders to support the efforts of government to rid the society of the menace of drug abuse, especially among the youths.

He added that, a lot of the reports have indicated that many criminal issues relating to kidnapping, banditry, rape and murder have their roots in drug abuse.

Bello therefore urged religious leaders to encourage the adoption of core family values among their members, noting that the problem of drug abuse and its attendant effects would be better solved at the community level when they are adequately addressed at the family level.

Bello made this known when a delegation led by the Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba paid him a courtesy visit in his office, in Abuja.

According to him, “With respect to the issue of insecurity, as you know, we are in a situation whereby only the negative gets reported. But I’m privy to a lot of information that quite frankly I will tell you and I’ve said it elsewhere before, for every incident that you read in the newspapers, either kidnapping, murder, banditry or rape, more than 10 cases had been prevented and thwarted and criminals arrested by the relevant security agencies”.

The Minister also charged religious leaders to continue to support the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He, however,has called on religious leaders to continue to promote peace unity and overall harmony in the country through their actions and communications to members of their flock.

According to the Minister, “It is very important that those of you that God Almighty has bestowed upon leadership, to use your position through  your actions and your communication to your flock to really work towards unity and overall harmony because these will keep us going as a country.”

He commended religious leaders for their prayers and support, during the difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic also thanked them for their understanding when places of worship in the FCT were closed as part of efforts to curtail the spread of the disease.

While acknowledging that the country is passing through difficult phases in its journey to nationhood, Malam Bello assured that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari was doing its best to tackle the challenges at hand.

Earlier in his remarks, The Most Rev. (Dr) Henry Ndukuba, commended the FCT Minister for creating an environment and atmosphere for peaceful coexistence in the FCT and for political, economic, socio-political and religious activities to thrive in the nation’s capital.

Rev. Ndakuba also expressed satisfaction with the people-oriented programmes of the current FCT Administration, noting that the religious communities have keyed into its  programme of health on the National Health Insurance Scheme and attempts being made to develop the youthful population and entrench social development for the populace.

The Primate assured the Minister of the prayers and support of not only of the Anglican Church but the whole Christian community and Nigerians in general.

He said, “We love what God is doing through you and the President of our nation, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR. Our prayer is that God will continue to grant you success to really see that our nation progresses in spite of the challenges because we are one of those that believe that whatever may be challenges before us today, it’s only a passing phase.”

Also present at the ecent were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Director, Department of Human Resources Management, Dr Bashir Muhammad, The Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, Wife of the Primate, Mrs Angela Ndukuba, senior officials of the church and of the FCTA.

Teachers Indefinite Strike: Area Councils To Be Blamed

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

…Says FCT Is Not Owing Teachers Salaries, FCT-UBEB

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC) has said that the Area Councils Chairmen should be blamed for the indefinite strike embarked upon by the primary schools’ teachers.

Saying, the FCT Administration is not owing teachers’ salaries .

Dr. Alhassan Sule, Executive Chairman, FCT UBE Board who made this known in a press briefing to clarify the strike issue said they were surprised to receive a letter from the NUT Secretariat with the information that they gave a directive to all teachers in the primary schools not to resume on Wednesday.

He said that the FCT administration has been doing its best for FCT teachers, that in December all teachers that are under the payroll of the FCT administration were paid, that they are not owing any teacher salary.

According to him, “At the local government level, they were able to implement promotions, but the issue of arrears became a problem.

“I could remember that in December NUT and the local government had an agreement to suspend their strike based on the agreement that they are going to have a round table to discuss the template on how they are going to implement the arrears.

“I believe that what the area council did by not inviting the NUT to a round table discussion is one of the reasons that they decided to go back to strike.

“They are not talking of the arrears now, but that they should come together and get a workable template on how they are going to decrease all the outstanding arrears date back to 2015, 2016 till date in the local government arrears,” he explained.

Sule, however, stressed that as well as FCT teachers’ welfare is concerned, the FCT administration does not play with it. “They have paid all promotion arrears as far as FCT education is concerned. But that of local government has to do with friction between the LEA secretaries and their chairmen when it has to do with the employment of teachers.”

He however commended the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, for her roles in ensuring that the arrears are paid.

Meanwhile, the FCT NUT Chairman, Comrade Stephen Knabayi, while speaking during the briefing, said as far as NUT is concerned, the payment of teachers’ salaries in LEA schools, FCT has been prompt and regular. We do not have any issue with that as far as NUT is concerned.

“We have been part of the meeting and members of JAAC where allocations come from the federation account and shared accordingly, where the issue of teachers salaries is made a frontline charge. Also, there is never a time when salaries are held by the six area councils.

“But presently, we have directed that schools should be shut down in the six area councils with effect from today Wednesday. That has to do with the outstanding arrears and the none payment of the arrears of the new national minimum wage, and some months of annual increment in some LEAs,” he said.

UNICEF Begins First Ever U-Report Challenge to Boost COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Africa

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0
UNICEF logo
UNICEF logo

‘Be the hero your community needs!’ say Nigeria and South Africa Celebrities, also U-Report supporters, Kate Henshaw , Maps Maponyane

Week after COVAX delivered its billionth dose in Rwanda, UNICEF begins the first ever U-Report Challenge calling on all 13.3 million U-Reporters in Africa to help get vaccines to the unvaccinated.

A statement made available to newsmen by UNICEF Communication Officer/ Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships, Anike Alli-Hakeem on Wednesday in Abuja, Through improving access and confidence in COVID-19 vaccines, the #GiveitaShot challenge aims to activate young people in motivating those eligible in their community to get vaccinated.

The statement reads: “Through improving access and confidence in COVID-19 vaccines, the #GiveitaShot challenge aims to activate young people in motivating those eligible in their community to get vaccinated.

‘Covid-19 information and advocacy messages have been packaged and disseminated via SMS, Facebook Messenger and other communication channels.

“With an initial focus on six countries on the continent (Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe), the U-Report #GiveitaShot challenge will be rolled-out for eight weeks. Weekly messages will be sent on U-Report to encourage young people to learn about COVID-19 vaccines. They will be engaged in community actions (both online and offline)”.

Nigeria and South Africa celebrities, also U-Report supporters, Kate Henshaw and Maps Maponyane are teaming up with UNICEF on this initiative.

“Africa has been battling COVID-19 for two years now,” Kate Henshaw said. “At a time of Omicron, it is more important than ever to get vaccines to the unvaccinated.”

“If we want to combat misinformation, it is key to mobilize the continent’s U-Reporters and provide much-needed information on Covid-19 vaccines to save people’s lives”, Maps Maponyane added.

It is estimated that about 10 per cent of the adult population on the African continent is vaccinated.

U-Report is a messaging tool that empowers young people around the world to engage with and speak out on issues that matter to them. Today, U-Report is active in 88 countries worldwide, with 19.3 million U-Reporters all over the world, and works with SMS, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Telegram, and Whatsapp. 

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