The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Ali Ndume says the Nigerian government is now being run by “kleptocrats”.
Ndume made this statement in an interview with Arise Television on Thursday monitored by TVN.
According to him, “The government is also populated by kleptocrats, but unfortunately that is not what the President is up to; he really meant renewed hope, but you can only do that when you have people around you that are on the same type of thinking.”
The lawmaker said he is worried about recent government policies, such as the cyber crime levy, which faced public opposition.
“When the President realized that he had not heard about it, he quickly suspended it.”
He highlighted the significant challenge of hunger and food scarcity, mentioning that inflation has risen to 40 per cent.
“In some places, even with your money, you won’t find the food items you want to buy, which is very dangerous,” Ndume added.
The Borno-born legislator explained that Nigeria has never been included among countries facing severe food crises or food insecurity, but recent UN and World Food Programme figures rank Nigeria as a hotspot.
He berated the limited access to the President, stating that some ministers only meet the President during council meetings and that the President is often the first to leave.
Ndume emphasized the need for the President to harness Nigeria’s natural and human resources, urging him to “get the right people into office” and dominate his government with democrats.
He supported the removal of the fuel subsidy, hoping it would eliminate corruption and allow savings to benefit the people.
He, however, suggested the introduction of food stamps to manage the subsidy issue better.
The senator recounted sending messages to people in the Presidential Villa about public anger, only to receive responses blaming the opposition.
Nigerian Govt now run by kleptocrats – Ndume
Nigerian Govt now run by kleptocrats – Ndume
Jonathan, Akpabio in Rivers for N/Delta stakeholders summit
Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio have arrived in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital for the 2024 Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit.
The duo arrived at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, the venue of the summit in Port Harcourt at noon.
The summit has the theme: “Renewed Hope for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta.”
Details later…
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LG autonomy: Supreme Court judgment, victory for grassroots – Group
The Concerned Citizens of North East, CCNE, has described the Supreme Court judgment mandating the immediate release of funds allocated to Local Government Areas as a monumental victory for the people at the grassroots.
The Secretary-General of CCNE, Babangida Muhammad, said this in a statement on Thursday in Gombe, stressing that the verdict signified a renewed commitment to decentralization and local governance.
The group said the decision enabled the LGAs to receive the financial resources necessary for development and governance to reinforce the principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance.
It added that the apex court’s judgment addressed the longstanding issue of funds misallocation and diversion, which has significantly truncated development efforts at the grassroots level.
“By upholding the constitutional provision that guarantees direct allocation of funds to LGAs, the court has taken a decisive step towards empowering local authorities and fostering sustainable development in the region,” CCNE said.
The group urged local government officials to utilize the funds transparently and efficiently, prioritizing projects that would have a direct and positive impact on the lives of the residents.
“We will continue to advocate for the rights and welfare of the people in our region, and we will monitor the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment and work collaboratively with stakeholders to promote accountability and good governance at all levels in the region,” it said.
LG autonomy: Supreme Court judgment, victory for grassroots – Group
Several feared dead as school building collapses in Plateau
A two-storey school building in Plateau State has collapsed leaving many students and teachers trapped with many of them feared dead.
It was learnt that the school, Saint Academy located at the Busa Buji community in Jos North Local Government Area of the state collapsed on Friday morning around 8:30 am when many of the students and teachers were already in classes.
The news of the collapsed building jolted the community as distraught residents and parents who had their wards in the school were said to have rushed to the institution to ascertain their fate.
When our Correspondent visited the school around, many of the residents were seen wailing while security men and emergency workers were busy trying to pull survivors from the rubble.
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Lagos orders removal of shanties on canal setbacks to prevent flooding
The Lagos State Task Force has initiated the removal of shanties built on canal setbacks across various parts of the state, issuing notices to squatters and illegal occupants.
The move aims to mitigate the frequent flooding experienced during heavy rains in the metropolis.
In a statement on Thursday, spokesperson Gbadeyan Abdulraheem explained, “The notices were served today by the agency’s chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, at locations where squatters had erected shanties and makeshift structures too close to drainage systems, violating physical planning laws requiring a setback of at least 15 feet from canals.”
Akerele emphasized the urgency of the situation, describing the presence of squatters in these areas as a potential hazard exacerbated by unpredictable climate changes worldwide.
He identified specific locations targeted for clearance, including Soluyi Gbaada, Gbagada Bus Stop (Beside Atunrashe Estate), Charlie Boy Bus Stop, and Bajulaiye canal. Akerele noted reports of criminal activities linked to these shanties, such as bag snatching and vandalism, which pose risks to nearby residents and businesses.
Read also: Obaseki sets stage for handover, establishes transition committee
“The removal of these structures will not only mitigate flooding but also help reduce crime in the area,” Akerele assured residents.
Highlighting the unsuitability of shanties in a mega city like Lagos due to environmental concerns and their use by criminals, Akerele reiterated the state government’s commitment to enforcing physical planning laws and maintaining drainage setbacks.
The government’s action follows recent heavy rainfall that caused widespread flooding in early July. Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, attributed the receding floodwaters to the clearing of drainages and removal of encroachments on drainage setbacks.
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Lagos kidnappers: Henry Odenigbo not my friend – Yul Edochie
Controversial actor-cum-preacher, Yul Edochie, has clarified his relationship with movie producer and CEO of Ason-Rich Movie Production, Henry Odenigbo.
A filmmaker and actor, Stanley Nwoko, also known as Stanley Ontop, posted photos of the controversial producer, Odenigbo alleging him(Odenigbo) to be the ‘‘ringleader’’ of the kidnap gang, killed in the shootout by the Lagos State Police Command.
The Lagos state PRO Benjamin Hundeyin had disclosed that the kidnap gang plotted to abduct wealthy individuals in the state although he didn’t disclose the identities of the slain kidnappers.
Reacting to the development on Instagram, Edochie debunked rumours that he was a friend of the deceased.
He explained that the photo of himself (Edochie) and the deceased circulating on social media was taken in June on a movie set, adding that there was nothing more as that was his first time of meeting the man adding that the photo was taken at the request of the late filmmaker.
He said in part: “According to the police, the guy is a kidnapper. I’ve heard stories and noticed that some blogs posted my picture with him, implying he’s my friend. So, I want to state that the guy wasn’t my friend. I’ve been in Nollywood for 19 years, going on 20 years.
“I only saw this guy once when I shot a movie for him a few weeks ago. A director contracted me for a movie and paid me for a job. I even thought it was the director’s movie until I came to the set and met this guy.
“I think he called himself Ason-Rich Henry. He came to me, introduced himself as Ason-Rich Productions, and said his name was Henry.
“We greeted them, I shot the movie, and on the last day of shooting, he came to me and said he was so excited that he finally got to work with me. I think he also played a role in the movie. He asked if he could take a picture with me, and I said okay. We took pictures, and I left for the next set.
“That was the first time I saw him, and I never saw him again. That’s the picture a lot of people are circulating. I understand people are circulating the picture and saying he’s my friend. He is not my friend. I got to know him as a producer, and I don’t know why people are circulating my picture,’’ Edochie said.
Lagos kidnappers: Henry Odenigbo not my friend – Yul Edochie
APC counters Ekpo critics, highlights minister’s achievements
The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has condemned those criticising the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, for under-performance, describing them as idle and woeful assessors.
Recalled that there have been orchestrated but sustained campaigns, write-ups and insinuations in some quarters in the state by some individuals and groups against the minister in the last one year.
But reacting, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, OtoAbasi Udo on Friday, in Uyo, the state capital, the party said such an assessment of the Minister lacks objectivity and merit, adding that they ( assessors) have no empirical evidence to support their claims.
It therefore called on them and their sponsors to look elsewhere and allow the minister to concentrate and deliver on the mandates of his office.
The statement reads in part, “The attention of APC, Akwa Ibom State Chapter has been drawn to a bedlam of idle talks, write-ups, assessments and insinuations as regards the performance so far in office of the Minister of Petroleum Resources (gas)
“The assessment and critical analysis of these idle talks mainly from the quarters of detractors, motivated by the ‘bring him down’ syndrome for reasons best known to them lack in merit and objectivity. They are completely found wanting in any empirical evidence to back up and support their findings.
“To the idle and woeful assessors and their sponsors, the Party advises that they should look elsewhere. The minister should not be distracted as he continues to approach his duties with admiration of our party.”
While noting that the minister has done very well in the last one year by engaging and collaborating with international and local partners in the development and utilisation of abundant gas resources in the country, the party wondered about the parameters used in assessing him.
The statement added, “To start with, the Party would like to ask these woeful assessors of the Minister’s performance these pertinent questions. Are they comparing the record of the present Minister with the records of the previous Ministers in the Ministry? Are they measuring the Hon. Minister’s performance with the template set by who so that their tick-off of items done by the Hon. Minister scores him below the benchmark?
“If they are not up to something sinister, they would have known that this is a virgin Ministry brought into existence by the commendable initiative of the present administration headed by His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to free gas administration from petroleum for more effective management and utilisation of the nation’s gas resources.
“In the President’s wisdom and magnanimity, he assigned Ekperikpe Ekpo to take charge of the new Ministry which puts extra demand on the Minister in terms of nursing a new baby to adulthood.”
Udo noted that the objective and sincere assessment of the Minister by the APC leadership, a platform upon which the present administration came into being and indeed all objective and sincere Nigerians, bestow on the Minister, a scorecard of performance as he keeps hitting the ground running by daily engaging and collaborating with international and local partners in the development and utilisation of the nation’s abundant gas resources for the benefit of all Nigerians, since assumption of office
Court slams N10bn bail bond on Buhari’s ex-Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman
Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has slammed a N10bn bail bond on the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in the N33bn money laundering offences brought against him by the federal government.
The bail bond must be endorsed by a reputable bank in Nigeria, while the ten billion naira would be forfeited to the federal government in case the defendant bolts away from trial.
The Judge issued the order on Friday while delivering a ruling in a bail application filed and argued by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Femi Ate on behalf of the former minister.
In the alternative, the defendant is to produce two sureties in the sum of N10B each who must have properties worth the minimum of N750M within Abuja.
The properties must have registered titles that would be verified by the registrar of the court, along with evidence of three years of tax payments.
Besides, the former minister and his two sureties are to deposit their international travelling passport with the court and shall not travel out of the country without the approval of the court.
Justice Omotosho ordered that the former minister be taken to Kuje prison pending the time he would perfect the bail conditions.
At the time of this report, the former minister, who was visibly ruffled by the bail conditions, was busy, along with his friends, seeking to meet up with the conditions to escape being taken to Kuje prison.
The EFCC, on behalf of the federal government, filed a 12-count money laundering charge against the Mamman and was arraigned on Thursday, July 11 but pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He was alleged to have committed money laundering offences to the tune of N33 billion.
The former minister served under former President Buhari from 2019 to 2021.
Court slams N10bn bail bond on Buhari’s ex-Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman
LG autonomy: S’Court judgment to enhance accountability at grassroots
Human Rights Activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has lauded the Supreme Court’s judgment which gave full financial autonomy to the Local Governments, saying the judgment would promote accountability at the grassroots level.
The judgment by the apex court on Thursday declared it illegal and unconstitutional for state governors to continue to receive or retain funds allocated to the local councils, under State and Local Government Joint Account.
The suit which was filed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) against the 36 state governors, also outlawed the appointment of caretaker committees to administer the LGs by state governors.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s programme, Sunrise Daily on Friday, Falana noted that the state’s electoral commissions were culpable in LG elections such that “only the candidates of the ruling parties would be declared the winners.”
Falana said, “The judgment has to be studied by the governors so that everybody will appreciate that what the Supreme Court has done is to promote public accountability at the grassroots levels.”
“A lot depends on the Nigerian people because right now, it is difficult to talk about the autonomy of the local government. The state’s electoral commissions are manned by appointees of the state governors. And what they have done over the years is to manipulate the local government elections in a way that only the candidates of the ruling parties would be declared the winners.”
The senior advocate added that owing to the apex court’s judgment, the LGs “would be expected to fix some schools, tar some roads, and even pay some workers. So, it is not that state governments will no longer participate in the affairs of the local governments…the state governments should create state economic councils and allow the local government to participate in them, just like they are part of the Federal Economic Council.”
The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees on Thursday commended the judgment in a statement by its National President, Hakeem Ambali.
He said the judgment would benefit the Nigerian masses and the nation as a whole, adding that the LG autonomy would reduce the infrastructural gap, and improve community security, and food security.
LG financial autonomy: Abide by Supreme Court judgement – Kogi CNPP to Gov Ododo
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has urged Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo to abide by the Supreme Court judgement granting financial autonomy to 774 local governments across the Federation.
The Kogi State Chairman of CNPP, Mohammed Kabir Abdullahi, in a statement on Friday, described the judgment of the Supreme Court as a welcome development and long overdue.
Abdullahi disclosed that the local government is an important tier of government which needs rapid development, adding that over the years, they have been at the mercy of the governors across the 36 states.
He argued that the verdict of the Supreme Court signifies victory for democracy, stressing that the judiciary has further proven that they are the last hope of the common man on the street.
The Kogi State CNPP Chairman described Governor Ododo as a democrat who believes in the rule of law, adding that he is optimistic that the governor will not contravene the judgement.
“The recent judgment of the Supreme Court granting financial autonomy to 774 local governments in Nigeria is highly commendable. This is what I will call freedom at last. Over the years, the local governments in Nigeria have been in shambles.
“There is a high level of poverty rate, decayed infrastructure, and underdevelopment across the board. This judgement will not only free up funds for local government areas, it will also promote accountability and good governance.
“We need to promote transparency in the utilisation of public resources at all levels to be able to lift the burden of the common man. It is on this note, CNPP is appealing to the Kogi State Governor to respect the judgement of the Supreme Court.
“He is a beneficiary of the judiciary recently when he won his case at the Court of Appeal, which upheld his election as the duly elected governor of Kogi State. While CNPP congratulates him on his appeal court victory, we are calling on him to do the needful for the prosperity and future of our dear state,” he noted.
He tasked the Governor to, as a matter of urgency, conduct local government elections to enable Kogites to decide who will lead them at the grassroots.
“The Kogi State Government should come up with quick modalities to conduct local government elections. According to the verdict of the Supreme Court, Caretaker Committee Chairmen are illegal and against the democratic setting of Nigeria.
“I am also using this medium to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting this cause, which Nigerians have been yearning for. With what is on the ground, Nigerians should be expecting the best of governance at the grassroots.”
In a landmark judgement on Thursday, the apex court ordered the Federal Government to immediately start the direct payment of local government funds to the latter’s exclusive accounts.
In its lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court scolded the decades-long refusal of the state government on financial autonomy for local governments.
Justice Agim noted that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves. He said only democratically elected local government administrations are entitled to these funds and not caretaker committees.
LG financial autonomy: Abide by Supreme Court judgement – Kogi CNPP to Gov Ododo