Home Blog Page 1816

National Assembly: APC growing stronger after zoning leadership positions

By
coic
-
0

The All Progressives Congress made the controversial decision to give individual lawmakers the power to zone the leadership positions of the two chambers of the National Assembly. As a result of this decision, the opposition to the decision is growing stronger, and the anointed candidates have started making moves to convince their colleagues to accept the ruling party’s position.

The Senator Godswill Akpabio, who was anointed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, as the President of the Senate in the 10th Senate, had reached out to other aspirants for the position, who are aggrieved by his choice, and reportedly promised them headship of committees of the Senate considered to be “juicy.” Other aspirants for the position are upset about Akpabio’s choice.

 

It was discovered that Akpabio had a meeting with some of the individuals who were against him being appointed to the position.

It is said that the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, who is said to be aware of the plot against him, promised that he would not forget his opponents while sharing committee positions in the next Senate. It is also said that he is aware of the plot against him.

It was also reported that the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, met with Akpabio and discussed the necessity of bringing his fellow senators along with him in the running of the Senate when he takes office. This information was gathered.

Because of the sensitivity of the issues at stake, a source close to Akpabio who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “You know that Akpabio is not new to power play. At a time when someone serving in the Senate for the first time was not permitted to hold a principal officer position, he served as the leader of the minority.

“He works well with others. He is well-versed in the fundamentals, and I am able to disclose to you that he has held conversations with some of the individuals who are openly campaigning against him. They will be given favorable positions on the various committees as a component of the overall strategy.

According to the source, the former governor is scheduled to arrive in Lagos today (Sunday) in order to participate in strategic meetings with the relevant stakeholders.

Tajudeen Abass, the APC’s candidate for the speakership, and Benjamin Kalu, the party’s preferred candidate for the deputy speakership, are subtly putting pressure on state governors elected on the platform of the party to convince fellow lawmakers to support them in the House of Representatives. Both candidates are vying for the positions of speaker and deputy speaker.

On Saturday, Abass and Kalu took their campaign to win the top positions in the Green Chamber to the state of Lagos, where they met with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu alongside members of the Joint Task Team. There, they made an appeal to Governor Sanwo-Olu to sell their candidacy to his fellow governors and to help pacify other disgruntled aspirants, who have rejected their imposition by the ruling party.

In his remarks to the governor, Abass emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony within the House of Representatives and the nation as a whole. He also mentioned that the members-elect who make up his team are organized along party lines.

The lawmaker stated that the recent general elections caused more divisions in the country, and he emphasized that in order for the nation to be healed, the President-elect, whom he described as a unifying leader, needed to have detribalized Nigerians at the helm of affairs in the legislature.

He stated that “Our goal is to make sure that the nation is united in order to face the challenges that are currently facing it.” We take on the responsibility of leading the House with the intention of establishing a positive working relationship between the executive branch and the legislature that is free from animosity.

“In areas where there are bound to be disagreements, we are going to make sure that problems are solved through dialogue. It is of the utmost importance that the House maintain its equilibrium. We will heal the wound, especially the ones that were caused by the various competitors in this race.”

Abass urged Sanwo-Olu to reach out to governors and other aspirants for conversation that would make the election of presiding officers in the National Assembly hassle-free, and he pledged that he would not fail the party or his predecessors. Abass urged Sanwo-Olu to reach out to governors and other aspirants for conversation that would make the election hassle-free.

On his end, Kalu stated that a leadership of the House led by Abass would inspire institutional trust in the tenth National Assembly. He also stated that the decision of the House would reflect the interests of all Nigerians.

Bello Kumo, who represents the Akko Federal Constituency in Gombe State and is the leader of the Joint Task Team, stated that the leadership that is being provided by Abass will not compromise the autonomy of the House.

In addition to this, he pressed Sanwo-Olu to broach the subject of the Abass agenda with the other governors that Sanwo-Olu works with.

In response, the governor stated that the leadership of the 10th National Assembly should reflect the diversity of the country and referred to both chambers as the “people’s houses.”

Sanwo-Olu highlighted the fact that the race to fill the principal positions of the parliament typically involved fierce competition that would pit members against each other. Despite this, he stated that the objective of competing for the presiding seats should be to reflect the interests and aspirations of the people.

The governor, who stated that the cohesiveness of the nation was more important than the ambitions of the candidates for the speakership, urged Abass and his team to refrain from taking any member-elect for granted.

Sanwo-Olu made the following statement: “This race to elect leaders in the House of Representatives should reflect the true federal composition and political diversity of the country.” In this room today, I have witnessed members of various political parties and representatives from all over the country coming together to cooperate as a team in order to elect the Speaker. I strongly encourage you not to stop here; rather, you should continue to delve deeper into your involvement, and you should extend the hand of comradeship to each and every member.

“Despite the fact that you have the backing of the party, I have noticed that you are not resting on your laurels or leaving anything to chance. I applaud this. I strongly encourage you to make sure that your involvement is complete, open, and welcoming to everyone. There are additional candidates who are more than capable of carrying out the same engagement. They are familiar to us, and they are going to be brought into the room so that we can have a conversation with them. When the House is called to order, it is our hope that the position of the party will be taken into consideration and accepted in the Green Chamber.

Shettima meets aspirants

In the meantime, Shettima has indicated that he is willing to negotiate a cease-fire with the other candidates for the position of Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives by meeting with them.

On Friday, Shettima made the pledge during a meeting with the newly elected members of the Joint Task 10th Assembly that took place in his residence in Abuja.

This comes as a result of more than 60 members-elect signing on to support Abbas and Kalu as the consensus candidates for the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker positions ahead of the inauguration of the 10th Assembly on June 5.

Shettima stated, “I met with Aliyu Betara two nights ago, and at the end of the day, there will be no winner and no vanquished. I have also met with Ahmed Wase, and we will continue the engagement.”

“Miriam Onuhoa is a friend of mine, and I will make an effort to reach out to her; my only request to the incoming leadership is that they be just and inclusive.”

Shettima stated that the leadership of the APC was attempting to ensure that there would be fairness in the distribution of the country’s four most powerful positions.

 

Alternate candidates proposed by the opposition

In the meantime, the 10th Assembly: Greater Majority, a coalition of members-elect from political parties that are in the minority in the House of Representatives, will reveal its candidates for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker later this week.

On Saturday, we were informed that several members of the opposition parties had expressed an interest in vying for leadership positions in the organization.

On Saturday, indications emerged that the members of the opposition might consider and adopt a candidate among the aspirants in the ruling APC’s race for the Speaker. This would be an alternative to the members of the opposition running their own candidate.

On May 2, 2023, the coalition made a public announcement stating that, in the end, it planned to try to select candidates from within its own ranks to run for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

As a result, the Greater Majority of the 10th Assembly had established a committee consisting of 11 members with the mission of quickly compiling a short list of candidates, vetting them, and making recommendations for the speakership and deputy speaker positions.

Nicholas Mutu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, serves as the committee’s chairman. Victor Ogene, a member of the Labour Party, serves as the committee’s secretary, and Abdulmumini Jibrin, a member of the New Nigeria People’s Party, serves as the committee’s Deputy Chairman.

Oluwole Oke, Jonathan Gbefwi, Beni Lar, Ali Isa, Alhassan Rurum, Mathew Kuzalio, Salisu Majigiri, Nnabuife Chinwe, Gwacham Maureen, and Idris Salman are some of the other people who have been named.

Ogene disclosed to one of our correspondents on Saturday that the deadline for the declaration of interest by members of the coalition was Saturday night, and that the aspirants would be revealed this week.

He stated that there were originally 11 people on the panel, but that number has since increased to 13 with the addition of a chairman and a secretary. In reality, we are 13 years old. Just a few moments ago (on Saturday), I posted a notice on our WhatsApp platform asking interested speakership and deputy speakership aspirants from our fold to submit themselves for screening. I informed them that they have until midnight to do so, and that after that, by Sunday, we should brief the house on what the position entails. Tonight is the night that we should be wrapping up our discussions with the prospective candidates.

The secretary, on the other hand, did not disclose either the number of candidates who had expressed interest in the positions or the identities of those candidates.

However, sources within the camp of the opposition hinted that the members-elect of the minority might choose to vote for one of the aggrieved aspirants in the APC.

Under the condition of anonymity, a member of the PDP who spoke to one of our correspondents said that cracks had been created in the coalition because some of its arrowheads might be working for the APC camp in the House.

There is a rift between the two of us. Before this coalition was formed, some of us already had candidates picked out to run for office under the banner of the APC. The lawmaker said that now that we are already seeing some of the coordinators with their preferred candidates, it is possible that we will return to where we are coming from.

Ogene confirmed that the coalition may choose one of the aspirants within the APC if the opposition was unable to produce popular candidates who would compete against the candidates of the ruling party.

“Nothing is set in stone,” as the saying goes. Even candidates for the office of president of the APC are attending meetings held by political parties other than their own. So, the issue is one of politics. They are having a conversation with both of us, and we are having a conversation with them. However, this is dependent on the person doing the talking. We have a leadership that is widely acknowledged. Don’t lose sight of the fact that one of the responsibilities of the committee is to interact with APC members who are running for the position of speaker. According to him, this is proceeding in tandem with the search for candidates to fill our own positions.

When Ogene was asked about the possibility that members of the opposition would eventually adopt APC aspirants, he responded by saying, “Why not? We will not go and bring in a Speaker from outside the members-elect if, at the end of the day, those who have indicated interest either withdraw their interests or do not even show up. We will sit down as a caucus as well, evaluate the manifestos and qualifications of each APC aspirant, and ultimately choose one candidate.

It was reported on Wednesday that the disappointed aspirants were banding together in opposition to the candidates that had been chosen by the party in power. Additionally, they have established a group that goes by the name G-7 with the intention of recruiting some of its members to run against Abbas and Kalu.

The leading candidates for the position of speaker, some of whom are already serving in leadership roles in the 9th House, voiced their opposition to the announcement of consensus candidates made by the APC without first consulting with the relevant stakeholders in the chamber.

Unrest also exists within the House as a result of the decision made by the APC to give two of the four presiding positions to the North-West while denying the North-Central region any representation in those roles.

 

 

Members of APC to be punished for sabotaging Tinubu in Anambra

By
coic
-
0

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State promised to retaliate against anyone who worked against the newly elected president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, during the general elections for 2023 that just took place.

This information was provided by the state’s party chairman, Basil Ejidike, who also noted that the APC would reward supporters who helped the president-elect win.

Speaking in Awka on Saturday, Ejidike stressed that the action of the members is one reason the party has not had a significant impact in the state and that a committee would be established to sanction all election saboteurs.

The APC leader also praised the party’s candidates for a range of positions in the previous election.The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State promised to retaliate against anyone who worked against the newly elected president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, during the general elections for 2023 that just took place.

This information was provided by the state’s party chairman, Basil Ejidike, who also noted that the APC would reward supporters who helped the president-elect win.

Speaking in Awka on Saturday, Ejidike stressed that the action of the members is one reason the party has not had a significant impact in the state and that a committee would be established to sanction all election saboteurs.

The APC leader also praised the party’s candidates for a range of positions in the previous election.
He said: “The party frowned at the attitude of many party executives at the various levels, alongside agents, who abdicated from their responsibilities at critical moments of the elections. I assure you that they must not go unpunished.

“On a positive note, the party acknowledges the efforts of those stakeholders who stood with the party and labored for the minimal successes recorded at the last elections. The party also commends our candidates who contested for various positions. We truly admire their zeal and determination in the face of daunting challenges and pledge to reward and carry them along.

“It is common knowledge that most of our stakeholders and members lack the required commitment and sincerity that are characteristics of good party men and women. This has adversely affected our party in no small way, here in Anambra.

“Some of our leaders are culpable in this regard. These unfortunate actions of some of these leaders and stakeholders have entrenched party disloyalty and indiscipline in our chapter. The bad examples set by these disloyal leaders implicitly affect the psyche, actions, and activities of most party members, hence entrenching anti-party feelings and sentiments.

“We must bear in mind that ours is a party with great ideology, objectives, policies, and programme and must be respected by members and leaders.

“We must, therefore, take stringent measures to save our party from extinction. Moving forward, the party has resolved, in line with Article 21.3 of our constitution, to set up a Standing Disciplinary Committee that will try all known actions and anti-party activities perpetuated against the party in the state.”

10th NASS: G7 aspirants choose a consensus candidate to go off against Abass, Kalu of APC

By
coic
-
0

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and seven other candidates for the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly made a commitment on Friday to submit a consensus candidate.

On June 13, 2023, following the president’s announcement, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly will be elected.

While expressing their best wishes, the lawmakers agreed to back one of their own to run for the position while speaking at the formal declaration of the departing Deputy Speaker of the 9th Assembly, Hon. Idris Wase, in Abuja.

The Deputy Speaker and I have been working together since 2007, according to Muktar Betara Aliyu, the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. We are all members of the APC, thus we are building a group, not fighting. However, we must sit down and declare that this is the person we have chosen to lead us. I can tell all of my colleagues, as well as future and former members, that there won’t be any fighting. We will decide to back one of us for Speaker.

Hon. Yusuf Gagdi also spoke, reiterating the group’s commitment to upholding the legislature’s independence and stating that “six of us aspirants are here to support the campaign of our Deputy Speaker.”

The House of Representatives is the house of the Nigerian people, thus the six of us are adamant about defending democracy, he continued. No members of the House leadership will be there when we barricade ourselves inside. God Almighty, may you discern our intentions and select the leader.

Idris Wase, the outgoing deputy speaker of the house, stated that he intended to run for speaker of the new 10th assembly in order to create a strong and really autonomous legislative.

In his 10-point platform, which he released as part of his official declaration to run for Speaker of the 10th Assembly, Hon. Wase included his commitment.

In addition, he pledged to put social welfare programs and plans ahead of security, financial restraint, economic growth, and security.

He declared: “In general, my actions would be driven by an avowed dedication to national unity to create a society where justice rules.

We must build on the achievements made thus far in accordance with national laws and support Nigeria’s international obligations that work to advance the wellbeing of all Nigerian citizens.

The Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State is represented by Hon. Wase, who remembered that the Wase geopolitical zone, where he is from, had not produced the Speaker since the restoration of democracy in 1999.

Adding that it was his turn, he pleaded with the influential people to give the zone over to the police.

Additionally, it should be emphasized that, 24 years after Nigeria’s restoration to democracy in 1999, only the North Central region of the country has failed to produce a Speaker.

“Dear fellow Nigerians, Nigeria is established on the supremacy of the law and the sacredness of the Constitution to ensure that justice reigns and that the nation is kept peaceful.

With your full support and understanding of Nigerians, I hereby offer to run for and serve as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Tenth Assembly, in clear deference to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, in order to advance the long-ago shared journey.

Wase pronounced, “At this point, I shall employ the words of my boss, emilokan emilokan, emilokan.

Other G7 representatives who addressed at the ceremony included the Honorable Princess Mariam Onouha (APC-Imo), the Honorable Sada Soli (Katsina State), and the Honorable Sani Jaji (APC-Zamfara).

 

“Arrest Peter Obi, others if they oppose Tinubu’s inauguration.” LP faction instructs security personnel

By
coic
-
0

On Friday, a group of the Labour Party, led by the temporarily suspended Lamidi Apapa, called on security forces to detain everyone who supported the formation of an interim administration in the nation, including the party’s presidential candidate.

Abayomi Arabambi, the faction’s national publicity secretary, made the announcement while speaking with journalists in Abuja.

He was responding to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court’s decision to exercise jurisdiction over the lawsuit brought by certain party members against the LP national chairman, Julius Abure.

No matter the person’s social standing, he ordered security personnel to detain anyone attempting to obstruct Bola Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29.

Arabambi stated that the faction will select fresh attorneys to handle the issue before the presidential election petition tribunal in Abuja if the LP legal team failed to meet with Apapa in his capacity as the interim national chairman and inform him on the legal proceedings within 48 hours.

“Anyone who calls for interim leadership, including Peter Obi, should be arrested,” he declared. Because no one is above the law of the land, we are requesting that the IGP immediately arrest him and anybody else who makes such a demand.

 

“You cannot declare war on Nigeria while claiming to want to lead the nation. To such, the Labour Party emphatically says “No!” We don’t comprehend Peter Obi’s suggestion that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the incoming president, not be sworn in on May 29. In our opinion, the LP finished behind the PDP in third place in that election.

The irony is that the LP is not contesting the PDP’s second-place finish today, which means we are arguing that the votes given to the PDP are legitimate in the eyes of the law. However, the PDP, which Peter Obi is supporting, contests the legitimacy of the election that produced Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the new president.

The LP responded, “No, the votes you have, we are not challenging it since it is in agreement with what we believe in. The PDP is claiming that it scored the greatest lawful majority votes in the election. Due to their antics, Peter Obi and Julius Abure purposefully left the PDP out and are now contesting the APC’s results.

So, how in the world can he avoid hiding his face in humiliation for leaving out the PDP? Why did he challenge the first individual but not the second?

 

Breaking: Inspector-General of Police issues arrest warrant for Seun Kuti for slapping officer

By
coic
-
0

The Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti, who was seen beating a police officer in uniform in a viral video, has been ordered to be detained right away by the Lagos State Command Commissioner of Police, per an order from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, CFR.

According to sources, the IGP has also mandated a comprehensive and prompt inquiry into the event to ascertain what exactly caused the assault. This was stated in a statement made by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

According on the results of the inquiry, the suspect will be prosecuted, the statement added.

The complete sentence is as follows:

IGP CONDEMNS ACT, ORDERS SEUN KUTI’S IMMEDIATE ARRESTING FOR SERIOUS ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICER

The Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti was seen on film beating a police officer while wearing a uniform. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, CFR, has directed the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, to place Kuti under arrest.

The IGP has also mandated a prompt, thorough inquiry into the underlying and immediate cause(s) of the assault and subsequent prosecution of the suspect.

IGP Usman Alkali Baba warns Nigerians that disrespect for official symbols will not be condoned and that those who commit such heinous crimes will be brought to justice.

Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja: CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra.

13th May, 2023.

Seun Kuti responded to the incident, which generated a lot of buzz on social media, by explaining what happened on his Instastory on Saturday. He said the cop tried to hurt him and his family, but the officer later apologized, and he was pardoned.

Kuti also urged individuals who accused him of doing it for attention to stop and desist in order to save the police officer from losing his job.

Read Also: 10th Assembly: Sanwo-Olu, Abbass Deliver a Sermon on Unity In Diversity of Nigeria

He tried to kill me and my family, in his own words. I can prove it, but I’m not looking for attention. He has expressed regret, and I have decided not to file a complaint. Please take care of your own business and prevent the unfortunate man from losing his job. [sic]

 

10th Assembly: Sanwo-Olu, Abbass Deliver a Sermon on Unity In Diversity of Nigeria

By
coic
-
0

The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has emphasized the importance of the electors for the House of Representatives in the upcoming 10th Assembly working to maintain Nigeria’s unity despite its diversity.

On Saturday, Governor Sanwo-Olu addressed the crowd at Lagos House Marina as he welcomed Tajudeen Abbass, a member-elect of the Federal House of Representatives and candidate for speakership, as well as 35 other electors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The governor urged them to “continue to ensure that you do not take anybody for granted and to continue to ensure that you are concerned about a well-diversified population in the House of Representatives” as they began their engagements.

“Make sure that the leadership and the followership reflect the constituent parts of our nation, reflect the actual political and federal structure that exists in the nation.”

Sanwo-Olu urged the legislators to make sure that their “engagement is total, is transparent, and inclusive,” and he added: “Make sure that everybody that needs to be carried along is carried along. All of the other candidates are more than capable of doing so.

The lawmakers were also urged by Sanwo-Olu to “ensure that your engagements further deepen their engagements and ensure the leadership reflects the yearnings of the people.”

Sanwo-Olu also urged the 360 members-elect to make sure the engagement is thorough, open, and inclusive, claiming that they must do more to support others because the populace would not accept anything less than the best from the 10th Assembly’s leadership.

Speaking during the visit, Abbass, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for speaker and representative of Kaduna State’s Zaria Federal Constituency, said the 10th Assembly is a project of everyone’s unity that aims to unite Nigerians.

 

“That is why we have people elected here from all the parties and people of different denominations,” said Abbas. This is the unity initiative I’m trying to sell to Nigerians.We are aware that Nigeria is presently divided. There has never been more division in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu received his assurance that the leadership of the 10th National Assembly “will ensure that people are detribalised, that they see Nigerians not as a regionalist, or religious fanatics.”
“This is the project, Mr. Governor, that I want to assure you will further unite Nigeria,” said Abbass.We’ll make an effort to treat the diseases that have afflicted us for so long. We owe it to ourselves, and we want to reassure you that we won’t let down the APC or our incoming President.

In order to ensure that there would be no enmity, he pledged that the leadership “will undertake the constructive partnership between the Legislature and the Executive.” We will resolve any disagreements in an adult manner. We won’t use any unethical tactics to work with the Executive.

Abbass said: “We are here for your prayers. Please grant us your prayers and blessings so that we may succeed in our endeavors. We are confident that your prayers and encouragement will help us realize our dream.In addition to winning on June 13, we also need your prayers to stabilize the House and mend the wounds caused, in particular, by the various competitors in this particular race.

We know you are a true Nigerian,” he said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining unity among Nigerians. To make sure that we are working toward the same goals in this particular project, you can get in touch with all the governors and competitors.We appreciate your wonderful hospitality, and we thank you. We contacted you after the 72-hour period had passed because we knew you valued the new Nigeria.

Abbas thanked the Governor for his assistance and assured him that they had made a resolution to establish a dynamic structure, encourage idea-sharing, and maintain neutrality because the sanity of the parliament is non-negotiable.

The governor reiterated Bola Tinubu, the newly elected president, and his support for the House, urging the Speaker-designate and members-elect to continue their meaningful engagements and constructive representation to ensure Nigerians benefit from the benefits of democracy.

Senators-elect are urged to support Tinubu in a letter from Yari

By
coic
-
0

Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State and one of the leading candidates for Senate presidency in the 10th Assembly, congratulated his colleagues on their electoral success.

At the same time, the senator-elect urged them to work together with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the incoming president, and their constituents to spread democracy’s benefits and developments among the general public.

Two days after Yari threatened to ignore the micro-zoning plan adopted by the All Progressives Congress leadership, he made the call in a statement released in Abuja on Saturday by his media office.

Remember that the Senate President position had been micro-zoned by the ruling party to the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godwin Akpabio, while the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Jibrin Barau, received the position.

However, the Zamfara lawmaker, Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Umar Sadiq (Kwara North), and Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, who recently lost his wife, had expressed regret on Thursday that no candidate had been consulted before the party made its choice.

There would be an open rebellion in the chamber, Yari had warned, unless a level playing field was extended to every aspirant, including Northern senators to decide their fate.

 

However, in his message of congratulations on Saturday, the former governor urged his colleague to maintain his integrity and work for Nigerians’ unity.

The senator-elect said he will continue to consult with others about his desire to succeed the current Senate president while rallying support for the president-elect.

“I congratulate you all on your well-deserved victory at the polls. It is a testament to your popularity among your people and the confidence they have in you to deliver democracy dividends to them,” he said in his statement.

As a result, you must avoid disappointing them in any way because your decisions could have an impact on them either directly or indirectly. For Nigeria to advance, we must all work together to change the perception that the nation is divided due to religious, tribal, and ethnic sentiments.

However, I urge you to take advantage of this newfound power by working with Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-elect, to advance the nation’s economic goals and build up its infrastructure. In order to make the country a better place for everyone and to move it closer to the accomplishments of developed nations, you should work to ensure good relations between the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary.

“Please accept the assurances of my utmost respect as I continue to consult on my desire to serve you as your President of the Senate. When choosing the Senate’s president, who is first among equals, now is the time to avoid using religious, tribal, nepotistic, and ethnic prejudices.

 

FG reveals barite processing facility, announces import ban

By
coic
-
0

Through the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the Federal Government has opened a barite processing facility in Cross River State in an effort to restrict barite imports and encourage domestic production.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, mentioned the importance of the barite processing plant’s location in Ugaga, Cross State, when he spoke at the plant’s opening.

 

He began by saying, “I am pleased to address you on this August event, which marks the commissioning of the Barite Processing Plant in Ugaga, Cross River State, South-South, Nigeria.

“The choice of Ugaga, as a location for the barite processing plant, is predicated on its possession of rich deposits of barite among the South-South State and its proximity to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where the processed barites are required for oil exploration in line with local content and value addition policy in Nigeria.”

He claims that because the barite processing facility is situated in Ugaga, small-scale and artisanal barite miners within the region can easily gain access to the facility for their barite processing before further transportation and sales.

Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade, the ministry’s permanent secretary, mentioned in her remarks that the facility would process barite in accordance with the international API standard, making it suitable for export to other regions of the world in order to generate foreign exchange.

The made-in-Nigeria barite was introduced by the Federal Government in October 2021 with the claim that it would allow the nation to avoid paying foreign exchange to import the product.

In oil and gas drilling, barite is used as a weighting material primarily to stop the explosive release of gas and oil during drilling.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Simbi Wabote, made the announcement during the launch in 2021. He stated that starting in 2022, the Nigerian oil and gas industry would not be able to use imported barites.

The barite processing plant’s commissioning was an effort to promote barite made in Nigeria even though the ban has not yet been put into effect.

Investors may start competing for Nigeria’s over 20 million metric tons of barite reserves, according to a report from The PUNCH last year.

According to rumors, the Federal Government was collaborating with TotalEnergies to make investments in the country’s barite reserves.

Additionally, professional organizations like the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists and universities with petroleum engineering programs in Nigerian states with barite reserves were said to be involved in the project.

 

Abuja residents file a lawsuit to stop Tinubu’s inauguration

By
coic
-
0

Residents of Abuja file a lawsuit to stop Tinubu’s inauguration.

As some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have dragged the president-elect Bola Tinubu before the federal high court sitting in Abuja, asking the court to stop his inauguration, there doesn’t appear to be any end in sight to the ongoing controversies surrounding the May 29 swearing-in.

In the lawsuit with the file number FHC/ABJ/CS/578/2023, the plaintiffs requested a court order prohibiting “the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, any other judicial officer and/or any other authority or person from swearing in any candidate in the February 25 presidential election as President or Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, until such time as judicial determination is made with finality or in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution that such candida

Additionally, they request a ruling that “the plaintiffs and other FCT residents have a legal interest and constitutional rights to be heard on the question of whether a President-elect must secure at least 25% of the votes cast, on the first ballot, in the FCT, Abuja.”

“A declaration that no state in the nation may simultaneously serve as the FCT for any proposal, including, in particular, those made in accordance with section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution.

“A declaration that no candidate for president in the country’s election on February 25 may be legitimately declared elected without receiving at least 25% of the votes cast in the FCT, Abuja.

“A declaration that states no candidate in the February 25 presidential election may legitimately take the oath of office as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without first receiving 25% of the votes cast in the FCT, Abuja.

“A declaration that His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, subsists and endures in accordance with the provisions of section 135 (1) (a) of the Constitution following the February 25 presidential election and until a successor is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and sworn in.”

“An order setting aside or suspending any declaration and/or issuance of a Certificate of a Return to any candidate in the country’s February 25 presidential election as having been elected, save and except it is judicially determined with finality that such candidate fulfilled the conditions stated in section 134(2) (b) of the Constitution,” is another option.

The matter named the CJN and the Attorney-General of the Federation as the first and second defendants, respectively.

 

Peter Obi: Mahmood Yakubu Worked For Me Before Becoming INEC Chairman

By
coic
-
0

In the most recent election, Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was a former employee of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate.

 

He gave a speech on Friday in the state of Anambra at the publication of the book “Peter Obi: Many Voices, One Perspective.”

Obi said he was not compelled to be the leader and urged people to always do what is right.

“I spent three years fighting the legal system in Anambra to reclaim my governorship. Many people tried to dissuade me, but I responded that even if it takes the entire four years for us to establish our case and change the system, I will be happy.

“Let’s do what is right, is my position. I always make it clear to people that I won’t give them money to commit crimes. Prof. Mahmood was a member of the committee I chaired, the TETFUND committee. We are familiar with one another, but I have never met him since he became INEC chairman. You’re an umpire, just do what’s right, I told him.

“If you have the chance to act morally but choose not to, eventually everyone will be consumed by anarchy. I’m adamant that we must act morally, ” Obi said.

The former governor of Anambra state has refused to accept defeat since Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC was declared the winner, and he is currently contesting the results of the election at the 2023 presidential election petition tribunal in Abuja.

 

1...1,8151,8161,817...2,856Page 1,816 of 2,856

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

©