Femi Gbajabiamila, the former House Speaker who now serves as President Bola Tinubu’s chief of staff, has formally resigned from the 10th House of Representatives as a representative of the Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in Lagos State.
He submitted his letter of resignation to Tajudeen Abass, the new Speaker, on Wednesday while the House was in session.
Before Gbajabiamila bowed in front of the new Speaker and the other MPs, Abass read the members the resignation letter from the previous Speaker.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas vacated the position after he resigned, and the Independent National Electoral Commission was ordered to hold a bye-election to fill it.
The former speaker of the 9th House officially presented his letter of resignation to the new Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives Hon. Abbas at the plenary session.
In the letter read by the Speaker, Gbajabiamila informed the House of his appointment as Chief of Staff to the President and the need to exit the House to serve.
He thanked members of the House for their support throughout his stay in the House, especially in the last four years when he served as Speaker.
Gbajabiamila said: “It is with mixed feelings that I want to, at this time, at this moment and at this hour and this minute present to this House, my letter of resignation from this House”.
The Senate recessed on Wednesday until July 4 so that its Committee on Welfare could finalize the distribution of funds, offices, and interests to senators.
The interests will encompass, among other things, office space, transportation, and lodging.
In a press conference at the National Assembly, Senator Ahmed Ningi (APC Bauchi Central) stated that the Red Chamber likewise commended the House of Representatives on its rancor-free election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively.
Senator Ningi also said that the Upper Chamber sent “communications to international bodies like the EU, AU, and the other legislative National bodies” during the occasion of the private meeting.
He said that the lawmakers had planned an early resumption after a two week break but for the pending Sallah holiday.
The Lawmaker further revealed the resolve of the 10th Assembly to safe the country from implosion, adding “This nation was crashing some few months back but with what is happening right now especially with the inauguration of the National Assembly, I am very positive that we are going to save this country, this country will benefit from our experiences and with the faces I have seen in the Senate in particular no doubt in my mind that the Senate will be an entirely different Senate this time around.”
“I have been out of the National Assembly for eight years. I was also here for 16 years.
“We have come a long way and I believe without you this democracy which I personified by the National Assembly would not have been here for the last 24 years.
“That it has attained 24 years. It is as a result of your work. You have been there and you have also been accused just like each and every member of the parliament.
You have been accused of corruption, indolence, you have been accused of so many things, that members of the National Assembly have been accused and this work has to be done.”
This is as he dismissed concerns of a rancorous executive and legislative relations, as he maintained “We are not going to be confrontational as we have never been, but we are not going to be laid back legislators to make sure we understand some things, we make sure they understand our powers to make sure that we understand our limitations.
“We will outrightly inform the executive of our powers under the constitution, under the House rules and under the legislative matters privileges.
We are not going to be caged. I am very happy this afternoon that the first thing that the Senate President did was to call for an executive session with very exhaustive deliberations and I am happy he has started on a very clean slate.”
On the resolve of the 10th Assembly to be different from its predecessor, the Bauchi lawmaker pointed out, “I can see that he is ready for this job and we have assured him that once he gives us our respect, we are going to accord him our full loyalty.
“And we also cautioned him that inspite of whatever happened, the Senate is the institution that made him Senate President and the Chairman of the National Assembly.
“Because he is a ranking Senator he understands that on behalf of the people of this country over the years things have not been done so well.
That time will give us another opportunity to redo what we have not been able to do in the last couple of years.”
The experienced legislature urged for media to place the country on the path of development, as he underscored that “want to call on the media in particular to remain steadfast in what they are doing, we don’t have any other country other than Nigeria.
“I know we have challenges of tribal sentiments, religious sentiments, regional sentiments; they all interplay within the Nigerian body politics but at the end of the day we bear the consequences.
“We have tested insecurity and it is not a respecter of anybody from the executive to the legislature and to the common man and even the Nigerian security forces have been confronted by this insecurity and there is the issue of poverty and anger in the polity.
“Therefore if we don’t put Nigeria first which is easier said than done. We must make sure that this country is pushed forward, we must make sure that we add value.
As you write your report, encourage members of the National Assembly when they need encouragement and also call the attention of the National Assembly members when you have noticed their limitations.
“You must also read the constitution yourself, read the House rules, understand our powers, what we can do and what we cannot do and then help us call the executive to order when the need arises.
Try to encourage us to do what is right all the time.”
On the outcome of the minority caucus meeting, he explained, “the election has come and gone. I adjudged it free and fair inspite of any insinuation whether somebody is coerced or not.
“I don’t believe in that. I don’t believe a Senator will be made to do what he does not want to do.
“It was a free election. It was open and it was keenly contested. Having said that, initially we had our own terms of agreement with the various Senate presidential aspirants.
“We wrote to all of them unfortunately time was not on our side to have gotten a reply from them but for me it doest matter who gets what it all depends on the leadership, the presiding officers, you can decide not to have not to give me any committee but there will be a time when you will need me and that has been the tradition of the National Assembly.
“It is always give and take. We are 50 members of the opposition, the ruling party has 59, we are watching. It is also important to understand that the principal officers are also members of the Senate Committee.
“The intention then was for them to take care of the minority interest, you know they are limited because while they are having six and seven with the Senate president we are having four, so if there is any vote you know where it will go.
“But that is not the issue, the issue is the presiding officer, listening to what he said to carry people along with honesty and transparency.
If you don’t carry me along now that means you don’t need me and if tomorrow you need me you will be reminded when did you change your mind?”
While fielding questions on the minority position, he stressed that it “usually is not subjected to an election, and I am not here to speak for the minority because there is a minority caucus leader, Senator Aliero.
“When you come to speak about the minority they have two positions which will be slashed between the minority rank and consequently when these positions are spliced then each party will now go and do the needful in providing these names.
“I am free. If I am called upon to do it I will gladly accept that, If not the senate chair is enough for me.
Whatever rate I don’t need to hold any position. I will function in this Senate one way or the other,” he emphasized.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the indefinite suspension of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AbdulRasheed Bawa
The suspension was to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.
The President directs Bawa to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the Commission, who will oversee the affairs of the Office of the Chairman of the Commission pending the conclusion of the investigation
Anger As Over 300 Fishermen Are Sacked By Oil Spill In Rivers Community
The business climate is tense as a result of the oil leak in the Aleto community of the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, which left over 300 fishermen stranded and destroyed farmlands.
According to the victims, the river is a significant source of income for the 300 registered fishermen in the area.
They stated that the spill was discovered on Sunday and that no efforts have been made to stop it from spilling into the River ever since. They also stated that several residents had left their settlements due to the foul smell the spill had generated.
The fishermen were upset that their source of income had been lost because they can no longer provide for their families.
One of the victims simply identified as Wuwu said he has been fishing in the River for over ten years, saying, “On Monday I came to check my net, but I saw that the River was black and spoiled. I couldn’t even find my net.
His words: “There were no fish because the water is very bad (polluted). I don’t know where to start from because this is the only thing I have been doing to take care of my family.
“If there is anything the company (Shell) can do to help us let them do. But they should clean this place first.”
Another fisherman said, “Me and some of my brothers around 11am on Monday, when we came to check, we saw that the River was covered with crude oil. Our net and the boat we used in fishing have been damaged by the crude oil.”
Speaking to newsmen, a Surveillance Officer representing the Pipeline Infrastructure, Osaro Prosperous said the ordour from the spill poses a potential health hazard.
“As you are here now you are perceiving the smell of the petroleum products which is very hazardous to human health. We want this oil spill to stop immediately because this has been happening.
“A similar thing occurred here last year. Shell or the NNPC must take proper measure to stop this thing once and for all.”
The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Obari-Ollormate Ollor who visited the site of the spill said preliminary observation showed that the incident was caused by equipment failure.
While accusing Shell of insensitivity since the incident occurred, Ollor said the people will await the oil giant to visit the facility so that the Eleme people are not accused of sabotage, even as he called for calm from the youths.
“We have discussed on the telephone with the people who are managers of their pipeline in Shell. They are not here yet. However when they come for this visit it is ascertained by them. We will look at it together and agree on a document that this is what has happened here. Our people are aggrieved as I speak to you.
“The youths are angry. Those who would have cones for fishing today are all stranded. They don’t have anything to do, you can see they are all hanging around because fishing is what they do to survive.”
Continuing, the LG chairman said “All the activities that go on around this River have been halted because of this pollution. It is a great loss and a bad day for the Eleme people.
“But as a government representative I will calm frayed nerves to make sure that everybody cooperates with the company because it was not a planned incident.”
When contacted, a spokesman of SPDC, Michael Adande said the cause of the spill had not been ascertained, saying, “AS we speak a Joint Investigation Visit to the area led by the government is on.
“Once that is ready, we will know what caused it and how to go from there.
On Wednesday, the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, or NOGASA, said that its members lacked the funds to pay differentials because the price of a petrol tanker had unexpectedly increased to N25 million from N7 million prior to the elimination of fuel subsidies.
In spite of the group’s unwavering support for the elimination of subsidies, Mr. Bennett Korie, National President of NOGASA, stressed that it is important to take into account the challenges posed by the removal when speaking to journalists at a global news conference in Abuja.
He expressed regret at the high interest rates on bank loans, which sometimes reach 30%, and he questioned where marketers would get money to continue the distribution of Petroleum products across the country.
He urged the Federal Government to pay marketers their outstanding of the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) to boost their Capita and enable them stay in business.
According to him: “We are 100 percent in support of subsidy removal, but you know that everybody is talking about subsidy removal but they don’t talk about the problem behind the subsidy removal. It is good to remove subsidy but there are things that people don’t know, for instance, some of the marketers don’t have the money to pay differentials.
“This is because in less than an hour that Mr. President announced the removal of subsidy, the price changed and that affected a lot of marketers. We are talking about millions of naira. Before the removal, a tanker of fuel was selling for about seven million, but in less than an hour, it went up to 25 million naira, where is the money. As we speak, marketers are rioting in Port Harcourt and Warri. There are crisis there, they are not happy. Where are they going to get this money, from the bank, banks are giving loans at 30 percent, so where is this money going to come from, that is a fresh problem that no body is talking about. Subsidy was removed without considering some of these problems, at same time, Before now, we have this PEF. but they are not paying the marketers. There is no money, where do we get the money? Therefore, I want to use this opportunity to appeal to government to please pay marketers their PEF, so that they will continue in business, if it is not paid, we would not get fuel to sell.
“It is important for Nigerians to know that marketers do not have this money to pay, even though we support the removal, we have no choice. Because there is every need to pay this PEF, very very important” he said.
Korie also appealed to the government to expedite actions on repairing roads, adding that merketers are loosing a lot of products due to bad roads.
“Again, the issue of roads, is another big problem that we are facing. Last year, I spoke about this road, today, the problem is still there. I am not saying that government is not trying, they are trying, there is no doubt about that, but some of these roads are very bad, we are losing products. So, if you remove subsidy, use that money to fix the road, it is important, not just to remove subsidy, also make it is easy for us to do this business. Pay the PEF, fix the road and again, the issue of interest in the bank, we are talking about 28 or 30 percent to borrow money from bank, it means we are working for the banks, the marketers are working for the banks, where are they going to get the 13 million naira differential to pay NNPC. I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to NNPC to note the marketers paid three months upfront for the products, before this subsidy removal.
“Now you are telling the marketer to come and pay the difference. Where are they going to get that money, be fair to marketers. Allow us to load our products at the price we paid before the removal of subsidy, because we are expected to load when we pay. Now we paid upfront, so, allow us to load our products at the old price.
“Removing subsidy is not the problem but it will suffer us, we are the traders, we are the one bringing the product to the stations, give us that chance to load our products.
“I also appeals to my fellow marketers to consider, they are considering because.. NNPC Ltd today is a private company, they are like us, but we know that it is government that floated it, however, they should also understand that we are also business men, they should consider that because it is very important, to allow marketers to load their product at old price. I am also harmering on the issue of diesel cost, If the diesel is high, expect the PMS to be high. The only way out is to give priority to diesel, because that is what everybody use for industry, construction companies, etc. Even the transport, you cannot use PMS to load any product, it is diesel that you use, so priority should be given to diesel. Tell CBN to give priority to diesel importation not just PMS, it is very important because when it is cheap, it will also make the PMS to go down. We want the price of PMS to go down, that price is not fair to Nigerians, of course, I am a Nigerian, the price is high. If we want to lower the price, we must bring down the price of diesel, it will also help the economy, not just subsidy removal, we need to consider this area too, very important” he stated.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered Internet service providers (ISPs) and mobile network operators (MNOs) in the nation to abide by the regulatory frameworks it has put in place to ensure the security and safety of their networks for telecom customers.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Commission, delivered the opening remarks at the recent Nigeria DigitalSense Forum 2023, which has as its theme “Internet Governance for Development.”
This was said in a statement released by Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, on Wednesday.
Speaking to attendees, Danbatta said that said one of the regulatory framework put in place by the Commission is the Internet Code of Practice (ICP for telecom industry), which is essentially to protect the right of Internet users to an open Internet and provide clear guidelines to Internet Access Service Providers on the use of traffic management practices.
He said the Internet Code also outlines the obligations of Internet Access Service Providers in relation to the protection of consumers’ personal data as well as lists the obligations of Internet Access Service Providers in the handling of offensive and potentially-harmful content, and the protection of minors and vulnerable audiences online, among others.
Through upholding the tenets of Internet Governance Code, Danbatta said the Commission, in collaboration with other stakeholders can make networks safe and get telecom consumers protected online.
Speaking on the theme of the event: “5G: Data Governance, Safety and Security in Nigeria”, Danbatta said building robust legal and regulatory frameworks is a crucial requirement for effective data governance in Nigeria and that the ICP provides the framework in this regard.
The EVC, however, underscored the need for telecom licensees, especially the MNOs and ISPs, to adhere strictly to industry frameworks that seek to enthrone effective governance in Internet delivery services.
Represented by the NCC’s Head, New Media and Information Security, Dr. Chidi Diugwu, the EVC said with the emergence of new technologies such as the Fifth Generation (5G), currently being deployed in Nigeria, the need has come to pay greater attention to the issue privacy, data integrity and online trust across telecom networks.
“As we embrace the transformative potential of newer technologies such as 5G, we must prioritise safety concerns because the amount and speed of data generated using 5G technology is unprecedented.
“As such, we need to always prioritise consumer privacy, transparency, and ethical data use; and this can be achieved by cultivating trust and handling data responsibly, and by doing so, we can unlock the full potential of 5G technology and promote innovation in Nigeria,” he said.
While emphasising that the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 requests NCC’s licensees to prevent their network facilities or services from being used in for the commission of any offence under any law in operation in Nigeria, Danbatta said “In this regard, licensees are required to collaborate with the Commission by complying with their legal and regulatory obligations towards ensuring effective Internet governance in Nigeria.”
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Director-General and other Federal Government of Nigeria Agencies were invited to brief the House of Representatives on Tuesday regarding the procedures in place to manage the socioeconomic effects of flood disasters on the residents of flood-prone areas.
urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to communicate with the appropriate Federal Government of Nigeria agencies to ensure that Nigerians are relocated from the areas that are most susceptible to flooding.
The House passed the resolutions in response to a motion of urgent public significance introduced by Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, a former speaker of the House.
The motion which is titled: “Need to Commence Active Measures to Mitigate the Probable Devastation of a Severe Flood Season and prepare Palliative Intervention to Prevent the worst Socio-Economic Consequences for Nigerians in the Affected Areas”.
In moving the motion, Mr Gbajabiamila noted that a large portion of the country from North to South, East to West is prone to annual destructive flooding incidents which recurring events have, in recent years, increased significantly in severity and the extent of the devastation of lives and property.
He also noted that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in January this year released the seasonal climate prediction with a forecast of early onset of rain across the country and heavy rains throughout the season, the prediction of an early rainy season has already come to pass, there is every reason to expect the forecast of a heavy rainy season will also come to fruition.
“Concerned that the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook prepared by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency shows that 178 (One Hundred and Seventy-Eight) Local Government Areas in 32 (thirty-two) States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory fall within the highly probable flood risk areas
According to Gbajabiamila, “Nigeria is yet to recover from the 2022 flood, which affected more than 4 million Nigerians, displaced over two million people, caused the death of six hundred and sixty-five (665) people, damaged about three hundred and fifty-five thousand nine hundred and eighty-six (355,986) houses and homesteads and destroyed an estimated total of nine hundred and forty-four thousand, nine hundred and eighty-nine thousand (944,989) hectares of farmland
He said that the experience of the 2022 flood caused the Federal Government of Nigeria to constitute a Presidential Committee to develop a comprehensive Plan of Action for Preventing Flood Disasters in Nigeria, the Action Plan proposes structural and non-structural measures, land and water management systems and better coordination amongst stakeholders across the Federal and State Governments to ensure effective flood management in Nigeria.
“Convinced that with sufficient preparation and collaboration between the Federal and State Governments, we can mitigate the loss of life and the socio-economic hardships caused by these recurring flooding events.
“Also cognizant of the need for the Federal Government and the State Governments to commence active measures to mitigate the probable devastation of a Severe Flood Season and prepare palliative and intervention measures to prevent the worst Socio-economic consequences for Nigerians in the affected.
Also adopting amendment to the motion, the House called for the implementation of the Presidential Committee on Management of Floods and Disasters in Nigeria.
“The House urged NEMA to ensure the Federal Government of Nigeria stockpiles sufficient quantities of temporary shelter materials, food and nutrition items and medicine to support people in flood-prone areas.
“The House also resolved to encourage communication between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the state governments to ensure effective collaboration to prevent the worst outcomes in flood-prone areas.
The Western Nigeria Security Network (NSNW), also known as Amotekun Corps, has apprehended and paraded one of the gunmen who raided a community in Akure and kidnapped two people.
The suspect was apprehended shortly after the five gunmen abducted two residents of the neighborhood, according to the commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, who made the announcement at the command headquarters of the formation on Wednesday in Alagbaka, Akure, the capital of Ondo State.
Just yesterday, he claimed, “we received a distress call from a community in Akure reporting that two of its members had been taken away. Within minutes, we arrived, sealed off the area, freed them, and detained one of the kidnappers who admitted that other four gun-wielding members have fled to the southern part of the country.”
The commander, who doubles as the Special Adviser (Security Matters) to the governor, said the 16 abducted passengers in Akoko axis of the state last week, who were rescued was a great feat.
He explained that the abductees were rescued without any ransom paid by their families, while their personal effects ransacked by the abductors were recovered also.
Akogun Adeleye said: “We had a very serious kidnap issue involving about 18 people in Ose and Arimogija axis and we were also able to apprehend some of the culprits who have been identified.
“There was a joint operation involving men of the 32 Artillery Brigade, the Nigeria Police, the NSCDC and the Amotekun Corps.
“This involves an 18-passenger bus and, to the glory of God, we were also able, without payment of any ransom, to secure the release of 16 victims. Most of their properties that were littered were put together and delivered to them and have since reunited with their families.”
Parading 16 other crime suspects for varying crimes including armed robberry, kidnapping, cultism and a syndicate specialising in snatching and dismantling motorcycles among others.
The Amotekun Corps Commander said: “Today, we have 17 criminals or suspected criminals and we have begun investigation to ascertain criminal offences in which they have committed.
“Findings have shown that there has been decline in criminal activities, especially those that have to do with neighborhood criminal activities like house-breaking, stealing among others within the state in the last one month.
“We have an unusual increase of influx of herdsmen into our communities and most of the time, it goes with kidnapping.
“We also have some suspected armed robbers and cultists and we have a group that specializes in dismantling stolen Okada and sell to another group resident in Osogbo.
“In collaboration with the Amotekun Corps in Osun State, we were able to arrest the kingpin who took us to the receiver in Akure.
“I want to thank members of the public for feeding us with timely information and we assure, that informations given before and now will continue to be treated in the strictest confidence.”
The Amotekun chief applauded the people of the state for their supports for the security agencies and determination to join them in the fight against crimes and criminals.
He said: “This is why we say Ondo State is not a place where criminals and criminal activities can thrive.
“To the criminals, exit Ondo State, there is no hiding place for you here.”
Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has urged Nigerians from all walks of life to work as a team with the government to advance the nation.
The SGF gave the task at a reception hosted by Prince Yahaya Audu, Group President, CEO of Zayo Sigma on Tuesday in Abuja in honor of him and his wife, Mrs. Regina Akume, who was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Gboko / Tarkaa federal Constituency of Benue state.
Akume noted that with one voice , one determination and one sense of purpose, the ugly narrative of the nation would be surmounted for greater productivity which will translate to the dividend of Democracy to the people.
Represented by his son, Dr.Micheal Aondohemba Akume, he said, his father possessed needed experience and capacity and with the president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the nation is on a better position to social and economic recovery.
He added that his father, who is humility personified, is reputed to have penchant for teamwork and dedication to service delivery, adding that he has been an advocate of the unity of the country.
Akume, who commended president Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for considering him worthy for the appointment as Secretary to the federation , pledged not to let the nation down .
He disclosed that the appointment which is the first to the people of the Middle Belt Geo political zone of the country, would be jealousy protected by offering the best service to the citizenry that will transform the country.
Akume a former Governor, three terms senator and a minister, could use team work to wrestle power from the PDP, was optimistic of offering his best to the country.
He congratulated the entire people of Benue state, APC officials and Stakeholders who worked tirelessly to bring about the desired result of overwhelming votes for the APC in Benue state.
Akume thanked the Organiser of the inauguration Dinner in his honour and all elected National Assembly members from the state, saying Prince Yahaya Audu, although not from Benue state , but have been a long time reliable and dependable family friend.
In an open remark, the chairman of the occasion, Former Deputy Governor of the state , chief Steven Lawani, applauded president Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment, described it as a huge opportunity for service, which , he said , Akume possess the wherewithal to make a difference in his government.
He charged the two Senators and nine House of representatives members elected on the platform of the APC to remain a collective voice for issues that concerns the people of Benue state.
He advise them to consider their election as an opportunity to serve rather than personal advantage and to work in synergy to deliver the perks of democracy to the state.
The wife of the SGF, Hon Regina Akume , explained that the feat achieved by the Benue APC Who won two senate seats out of three and nine House of Representatives Members out of ten could only achieve the result through team work and the collective APC performance in the state.
She assured the people that the legislators are poised to make laws that will bring development to the state and the country.
Also, the organiser, Prince Yahaya Audu disclosed that the wife of the SGF has been a mother to him , a reason why he decided to package the event as his contribution to the success story of the family.
He commended the president for the appointment, described it as a triumph for hard work and commitment to ideals.
Elder statesman and president of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, has bemoaned the extent of poverty in the Niger Delta region and emphasized that if the region’s 13 percent derivation had been properly managed, militancy in the area would have been reduced.
On Wednesday, Clark criticized former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for failing to account for the 13 percent derivation he received while serving as governor and complained that Niger Delta governors are now wealthier than the Niger Delta states.
According to him, “The 13 percent derivation was something that was raised at the Constituent Assembly, chaired by the former Justice of the Supreme Court. People like Late General Shehu Yar Adua and others felt that there was need to compensate the people that produce the oil and we were around lobbying and the 13 percent was granted under section 1622 of the constitution which provided for at least 13 percent of the federation account to be given to the oil producing communities for their development.
“If that money was properly spent our boys won’t be agitating. There will be no more militancy in the creeks. We have been facing the federal government and not the governors who have been stealing the money. At the 2014 National confab we asked for an increase to 25 percent, and to 50 percent after five years. They told us that they would give us 18 percent but that we should go home and see what our governors were doing with the 13 percent.
“That is why we decided to ask the governors what they are doing with the money. I remember that in 2015 New Niger Avengers gave a warning to the federal government that they would attack oil pipelines if the derivation money is not used in developing their area. I intervened and appealed to them that I would talk to the governors.
“Recently the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike revealed in one of his press conferences that a certain amount of money was paid to them by President Buhari under the 13 percent derivation and that Delta State got over N250 billion.
“That annoyed Okowa and he criticised Wike for interfering in their matter. So, I wrote a letter to Okowa to account for the money that he has been collecting. He answered and said that they spent N5 billion in paying pensioners in Delta State. How does that come under 13 percent? Are they oil producing pensioners? He is spending the money on building a university in his own village.
“I engaged a lawyer who went to obtain a certified true copy of all the amount that they paid since 2007. I got a letter from the Accountant General’s office. He stated all what every oil producing state was paid. The one paid to Delta State amounted to N1 trillion, while about N766 billion was received under Okowa.
“We cannot be criticizing the federal government every time for taking our money when those at home who receive the money refuse to account for the receipts. Their monthly allocations are higher than every other state, in addition to the 13 percent derivation,” Clark said.
