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Buhari accuses National Assembly of inserting N887bn into budget for 2022

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President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday chastised the National Assembly for omitting key projects from the executive’s 2022 budget estimates and inserting lawmakers’ projects worth N887 billion into the fiscal document before it was signed into law.

He also accused federal lawmakers of intruding too deeply into the executive branch’s operations.

The president had requested that the National Assembly amend the 2022 Appropriation Act, which had been passed by the National Assembly in December of 2021.

The requests were contained in a letter dated February 10, 2022, and were read aloud by Senate President Ahmad Lawan during plenary.

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Buhari in the letter, he also said it was imperative to remove all capital projects that were replicated in the 2022 Appropriation Act.

He lamented that 139 out of the 254 projects in the budget totaling N13.24 billion had been identified for deletion.

The president, therefore, requested the National Assembly to amend the Appropriation Act to provide for capital expenditure in the sum of N106,161,499,052 billion; and N43,870,592,044 billion for recurrent expenditure.

He also requested that an additional provision for N2.557 trillion be appropriated by the National Assembly to fund the petrol subsidy in the 2022 budget framework which was revised to provide fully for PMS subsidy.

Buhari stressed the need to reinstate four capital projects totaling N1.4 billion in the executive proposal for the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

He said N22 billion should be cut from the provision for the Sinking Fund to retire mature loans needed to meet government’s obligations under already Issued Bonds.

Read also:  Hadiza Bala-Usman cleared, removed from NPA, Bello-Koko now substantive MD

Buhari said: “You will agree with me that the inclusion of National Assembly’s expenditures in the Executive Budget negates the principles of separation of Powers and financial autonomy of the Legislature.

“It is therefore necessary to transfer the National Assembly’s expenditures totaling N16.59 billion in the Service Wide Vote to National Assembly Statutory Transfer provision (see Schedule l).

“It is also imperative to reinstate the N22 billion cut from the provision for Sinking Fund to Retire Mature Loans to ensure that government can meet its obligations under already issued bonds as and when they mature.

“The cuts made from provisions for the recurrent spending of Nigeria’s Foreign Missions, which are already constrained, are capable of causing serious embarrassment to the country as they mostly relate to office and residential rentals.

“Similarly, the reductions in provisions for allowances payable to personnel of the Nigerian Navy and Police Formations and Commands could create serious issues for government. It is therefore imperative that these provisions be restored as proposed

“It is also absolutely necessary to remove all capital projects that are replicated in the 2022 Appropriation Act. 139 out of the 254 such projects totaling N13.24 billion have been identified to be deleted from the budget.”

He added: “Some significant and non-mandate projects were introduced in the budgets of the Ministry of Transportation, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation

“There are several other projects that have been included by the National Assembly in the budgets of agencies that are outside their mandate areas.

Read Also:  2023 Presidency: Middle Belt Clergymen fault PFN President for backing Southern candidacy

“The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning has been directed to work with your relevant Committees to comprehensively identify and realign all such misplaced projects.

“It is also necessary to restore the titles / descriptions of 32 projects in the Appropriation Act to the titles contained in the Executive Proposal for the Ministry of Water Resources (see Schedule IV) in furtherance of our efforts to complete and put to use critical agenda projects.

The president also sought the approval of the federal parliament for a fresh request of N150 billion.

“It is equally important to reinstate the N25.81 billion cut from the provision for the Power Sector Reform Programme in order to meet the Federal Government’s commitment under the financing plan agreed with the World Bank.

“Furthermore, there is critical and urgent need to restore the N3 billion cut from the provision made for payment of mostly long outstanding Local Contractors’ Debts and Other Liabilities as part of our strategy to reflate the economy and spur growth.”

The president said the N2.557 trillion fresh requests was to enable the federal government to subsidise petrol from June to December this year.

He said: “Following the suspension of the petrol subsidy removal, the 2022 Budget Framework has been revised to fully provide for PMS subsidy.

Read Also:  Reps Committee grills Fire Service Chief over N1bn Expenditure on Recruitment, Logistics Funds

“An additional provision of N2.557 trillion will be required to fund the petrol subsidy in 2022. Consequently, the Federation account (Main Pool) revenue for the three tiers of government is projected to decline by N2 trillion while FGN’s share from the account is projected to reduce by N1.05 trillion.

“Therefore, the amount available to fund the federal budget is projected to decline by N969.09 billion.”

Reps Committee grills Fire Service Chief over N1bn Expenditure on Recruitment, Logistics Funds

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The Federal Fire Service Commandant General was grilled by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts yesterday.

(FFS) Ibrahim Liman, for spending more than N1 billion on recruitment and logistics without following established financial rules from 2017 to date.

The Office of the Auditor General of the Federation had questioned the Service about spending the money on the said exercise when there was only one recruitment exercise held during the time period in question.

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The FFS boss, who testified before the Committee chaired by Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke (PDP-Osun), was unable to provide satisfactory answers to the Committee members on the issues raised.
The CG also failed to back up his explanations with relevant documents, necessitating the committee to write to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) seeking the account statements and expenditure of the service

Members of the Committee also raised concern that the award of several contracts by the Service which promoted the chairman to direct the FFS boss to produce the nominal role of monies spent within the period under review before the Committee unfailingly

Oke pointed out that since the expenditure records of the service was not clear enough, the BPP should include the name of contractors of FFS and their financial records while appears before the Committee

Also all the Ministers summoned by the Committee over their failure to appear before it over several audit queries against their Ministries, Departments and Agencies did not show up yesterday.

The affected ministries were Works and Housing, Health, Interior, Ministry of Environment

Read Also:  House Expands Probe into Substandard Fuel, Including Lingering Petrol Scarcity

Already the Committee had written to both the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation respectively over the development.

House Expands Probe into Substandard Fuel, Including Lingering Petrol Scarcity

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The House of Representatives’ Committee on Petroleum Downstream has been directed to look into the lingering issue of fuel scarcity.

This, according to the lawmakers, was to see if there was an interim report on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) claim that it has enough fuel despite widespread scarcity.

The lawmakers had mandated the Committee to investigate the release of methanol-blended petroleum in the country on February 10, while adopting a motion sponsored by the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno), with a view to ensuring that culprits are brought to book and making recommendations to avoid reoccurrence.

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The lawmakers had also directed the NNPC Limited to suspend the companies involved in the supply of the bad fuel and as well submit their names to the committee.

The downstream committee was mandated to also ascertain whether the importation, distribution and dispensing of the product in Nigeria till date conformed with international standard.

At the plenary yesterday, Minority leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta) coming under order 8 rule 4, of the House rules, said the existing committee saddled with the responsibility of investigating the issue of adulterated fuel, should as well ascertain if there was an interim report on the claim by the NNPC Limited that it has enough fuel despite lingering scarcity experienced across the country.

He lamented that it was difficult for him to get to work because all the roads were totally blocked by those looking for petrol.

Elumelu said, “I’m coming under this rule for us to discuss the issue of lingering fuel crisis in Nigeria. I agree that NNPC said it has enough but it doesn’t seem to tally with their submission that they’ve enough fuel because there’s still some lingering fuel crisis in the whole of Nigeria.

“It was difficult for me to get here because all the roads are totally blocked by those looking for petrol. There’s already an existing committee saddled with the responsibility of investigating the issue of adulterated fuel, so I’m thinking they should find out if there’s an interim report to that effect with their already existing assignment.”

Corroborating Elumelu’s observation, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila directed the Committee to extend their investigation into the lingering crisis.

Gbajabiamila said, “There’s a nexus between that motion of last week on adulterated fuel and what you have very rightly brought up. The standing committee committee should take note and extend their investigation into this lingering crisis.”

Read Also:  2023 Presidency: Middle Belt Clergymen fault PFN President for backing Southern candidacy

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has called on the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Police to thoroughly investigate circumstances leading to the killing of Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Abubakar Abdulkadir Rano, in Jibia division, Katsina state by terrorists.

The House while condemning the killing of the police officer and others, also directed the DSS and police to investigate similar ones across the country and help families of the deceased. The resolutions of the lawmakers were sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, sponsored by Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum on at the yesterday’s plenary.

Moving the motion, Rurum said the late Rano, in charge of jibia Division was brutally killed by bandits while attempting to rescue a kidnapped woman.

According to him, the police officer had recorded successes in confronting and fighting bandits in the area which helped in reducing attacks on communities. He lamented that since the incident, nothing had been done to investigate the circumstances leading to his killing.

He added that lack of prompt investigation into the killing of police officers killed in similar circumstances was a negative trend which needed to be addressed.

Read Also:  Hadiza Bala-Usman cleared, removed from NPA, Bello-Koko now substantive MD

Adopting the motion, the House observed a minute silence for the late DPO and other police officers who died while serving the nation.

Hadiza Bala-Usman cleared, removed from NPA, Bello-Koko now substantive MD

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The nine-month investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) came to an end yesterday, with all parties involved receiving a win-win outcome.

The former Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman, was cleared of any financial improprieties by an 11-man committee led by the Director of Maritime Services in the Ministry of Transport, Suleiman Auwalu.

Read Also:  2023 Presidency: Middle Belt Clergymen fault PFN President for backing Southern candidacy

At the same time, President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed Mr. Mohammad Bello-appointment Koko’s as the substantive MD of NPA yesterday, implying that the Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, finally got his way in the agency crisis, particularly over allegations of insubordination against the former MD.
Bello-Koko was the executive director, finance & administration of NPA, had been acting managing director until his confirmation to replaced Bala-Usman, who was suspended for alleged financial impropriety and insubordination.

A statement by the ministry, dated February, 15th, 2022, and signed by Eric Ojiekwe, the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, stated that the appointment tookimmediate effect.

The statement read: “The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko as the substantive Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority.

“Prior to this appointment, Mr Koko was the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Authority. This appointment takes immediate effect.”

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The president had on May 5, 2021, approved Bala -Usman’s suspension following a recommendation by Amaechi, who subsequently inaugurated an 11-man investigative panel to probe the NPA over contracts awarded since 2016, when Bala-Usman was made its managing director.

Bala-Usman was initially accused of failing to remit the operating surplus of NPA to the consolidated revenue fund (CFR), an allegation she denied.

Also, Amaechi had during an interview with Arise News Channel, denied knowledge of Bala-Usman’s suspension, stating that she was only asked to “step aside” pending the conclusion of the probe on NPA.

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However, the report of the committee, which handed a no winner, no vanquished verdict, has vindicated everyone, with respect to the issue and thus resting the nine months old investigation.

2023 Presidency: Middle Belt Clergymen fault PFN President for backing Southern candidacy

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A group of clergymen under the auspices of Coalition of Middle Belt Clergy have distanced themselves from what they describe as divisive comments from some clerics.

The coalition in a statement by its convener, Bishop Prince Madaki on Tuesday in Abuja, said it was not part of alleged recent divisive comment credited to National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN) Bishop Francis Wale Oke.

“The Coalition of Middle Belt Clergy unequivocally condemns the statement credited to Bishop Francis Wale Oke as highly unfortunate and unacceptable.

“The bishop spoke for himself and not for or on behalf of the Children of God.

“He did not speak in his capacity as the National President of PFN as that would amount to dragging a theological institution into politics, which would amount to surreptitiously imposing theocracy on the country.

He should not use the name of the Pentecostal fellowship for self gains and purposes or he should resign his spiritual commission to pursue politics full time.”

He further said “the Coalition Middle Belt Clergy is of the view that the 2023 presidency will be decided by Nigerians as guided by God. If the electorates decide on someone from the Middle- Belt which is also known as the North Central geo-political zone that person’s faith will be immaterial to the extent that he can lead God’s people to the promised land.

‘It is therefore wise to use this statement to call on Nigerians especially Christians from the Middle – Belt not to be misled by Bishop Francis Wale Oke and those pushing him into this ungodly adventure.

“Our disappointment stems from the divisive tone of Bishop Oke’s statement, which came at a time that the country needs additional healing from the artificial divisions that the rich and the powerful have sown among citizens.

“In the run-up to the 2015 General Elections, certain influential clerics in this country played the ethno-sectarian card to the extent that Nigerians went for each other’s jugular on the bases of ethnicity and religion.

Those who ran this destructive campaign against Nigeria at that time were desperate to the extent that they hired data analysis firm, Cambridge Analytica, to run a disinformation campaign to the effect that a particular presidential candidate was out to Islamize Nigeria.

The convener further said “our thoughts were that the PFN President would have by now disown the statement outrightly or the very least come out to say that he was misquoted. But there has been nothing of such.

North-Central, not South deserves Presidency, Middle-Belt group cautions Southern presidency agitators

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The Middle Belt Conscience Guard (MBCG) says the region deserves a shot at the presidency at the next elections in return for its numerous contributions to peace and development of the country.

The group noted that the zone has suffered neglect since the return of democracy in 1999, yet to test power at the national level despite its massive role in the emergence of leaders.

Speaking at a press conference today in Abuja, its General Secretary, Elder Omale Ben Amedu, said a power shift to the south would not only be misplaced but a great disservice to the North-Central part of the country.

Judging by competence, capacity and pedigree, Elder Amedu said Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is the most suitable choice to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

Recall that the governor had earlier today met with President Buhari and harped on North-Central presidency for the sake of equity and justice.

Throwing their weight behind the governor, the Middle Belt Conscience Guard said only someone from the region can unite the nation amidst threats of secession from ther other zones.

The group said after a stakeholders meeting, it was concluded that with Governor Bello, Nigeria will be in safe hands.

The Middle-Belt forum, however, distanced itself from individuals and groups from the region canvassing for power shift to the South, noting that they are bereft of ideas.

It, therefore, urged all stakeholders, sons and daughters of the zone to show their support for Bello as he proven to be tailor-made for the job.

Read full statement below:

Ladies and Gentlemen, the leadership of the Middle Belt Conscience Guard, warmly welcome you all to this press conference convoked to highlight the crucial discourse in the country amid the clamour for the region in the country that should produce the next president.

As a body, we are constrained to lend our voice to this debate in the national interest and, given the dynamics involved in such an enterprise, which might have unpleasant consequences if not carefully handled.

As we may be aware, the polity is charged with various agitations, some of appropriate content and some of the unreasonable content. However, what we must not fail to come to terms is the fact that given the geographical spread of the country, and its inherent peculiarities, power shift to the southern part of the country would not only be misplaced, it would be a great disservice to the North Central part of the country.

It must be stated in unequivocal terms that the North Central part of Nigeria, which by nomenclature can still be regarded as the Middle Belt, has been integral to the country’s socio-economic development since the return of democracy in 1999.

It is also on record that the North Central region in Nigeria has always played the beautiful bride during elections. Its commitment to the Nigerian cause has never been in doubt during and after the elections in Nigeria.

It, therefore, beats the imagination for any individual or group from the Middle Belt region to canvass for power shift to the South, while the Middle Belt/North Central has not enjoyed such privilege despite its numerous contributions to the peace and unity of the country without any form of grumblings.

It suffices to add that the history book is replete with instances where the Middle Belt/North Central region held the ace during the elections. In its characteristics manner, it ensured a peaceful process in the overarching interest of the country.
It is our considered view that those Middle Belters that are canvassing for power shift to the South are bereft of ideas because the Middle Belt/North Central boasts of very credible candidates with the capacity to translate our hopes and aspirations into tangible realities.

We also wish to place it on record that the presidential aspiration of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State indeed has the blessings of the Middle Belt region because he is one of us and highly regarded for his exploits, not just in Kogi state but the entire Middle Belt/North Central region.

His pedigree speaks volumes of a man committed to advancing the country’s cause by unifying all regions and ensuring that the country experiences tangible growth and development, which has been his hallmark in his capacity as the Governor of Kogi state.

It would thus amount to betrayal for groups and individuals from the Middle Belt region to agitate for power shift to the South. It is not only preposterous; it goes further to state that those at the vanguard of such agitations are not true sons and daughters of the region.

Consequently, we are appalled at such disposition, which amounts to a lack of strategy and foresight. We are tempted to believe that pecuniary gains might have propelled the agitations.

The fact that the Middle Belt has not enjoyed such benefits since the return of democracy in 1999 makes it more curious why Nigerians should disregard any form of agitation from groups parading themselves as representing the interest of the Middle Belt in the buildup to the general elections in 2023.

Either they have sold their conscience in return for a plate of porridge, or they have elected to heat the polity unnecessarily in the puerile attempt to cast aspersion on the credibility of the array of qualified aspirants from the Middle Belt/North Central region.

The Middle Belt Conscience Guard wishes to use this medium to inform the generality of the public that the agitation for power shift to the South by these perceived groups parading themselves as representing the interest of the Middle Belt is misplaced and should be disregarded in its entirety for lacking in merit and common sense.

This is aside from the fact that It will also amount to a betrayal of the Ebira nation and other minority groups in the north for anyone to begin to canvass for power shift to the south when the Middle Belt people are yet to have their turn as far as this country is concerned.

The Middle Belt Conscience Guard also believe that at this moment, it is only someone from the Middle Belt that will be able to unite the country. With the kind of leadership that Nigerians have confirmed that Governor Yahaya Bello has provided in Kogi State, one can only be assured that Nigeria will be in safe hands.

Thus, our support for the presidential aspiration of Governor Yahaya Bello is unflinching. We hold firmly that given the present circumstances in the country, Governor Yahaya Bello has all it takes to address the myriads of challenges confronting the country at this critical point of our existence.

We also wish to state that this position is hinged on the various high-level stakeholders’ consultation with well-meaning individuals and groups in the Middle Belt region, who were unanimous in their choice of Governor Yahaya Bello as the best candidate from the region to lead Nigeria to the path of sustainable growth and development.

We are also using this medium to warn those parading themselves as representing the interest of the Middle Belt to desist from such enterprise that is aimed at casting the Middle Belt/ North Central region as lacking credible candidates and unrecognized as a stakeholder in the scheme of things in the country.

Our firm position is that the Middle Belt/North Central is deserving of a shot at governance at the national level in return for its numerous contributions to peace and development in Nigeria. And the aspiration of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state indeed presents us with that unique opportunity that we must grab with both hands.

We thank you all for your time and attention. We desire that Governor Yahaya Bello’s aspiration to lead our great country would gather the required momentum in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Thanks, and God Bless Nigeria.

Sen. Godswill Akpabio’s alleged assassination claim deceitful, without merit – GPMI

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The UK-based Global Peace Movement International has dismissed claims that Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of the Niger Delta, hired bandits to assassinate former Petroleum Minister Atuekong Don Etiebet.

The allegations, according to the group’s President General, Dr Mike Uyi, are “paranoid, deceitful, baseless, and mere hallucinations that serve no purpose whatsoever.”

Read Also:  Reactions to Monday’s attack in Osogbo, Aregbesola

Uyi said in a press statement issued in London on Monday that the Hon. Minister is a man of integrity and a well-grounded politician who is loved not only by his people but by the entire country.

Uyi stated that disgruntled politicians are pursuing a man of reputable and respected character in order to smear his reputation.

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“We advice all those paid persons promoting this falsehood to stop in their interest as GPMI will engage in legal battle with anyone found wanting”.

Reactions to Monday’s attack in Osogbo, Aregbesola

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The alleged exchange of gunshots between the security escort of Rauf Aregbesola, former governor of the state and current Minister of Interior, and armed thugs on Monday has sparked reactions.

Ayo Ologun, a journalist and social commentator who was interviewed on a radio current affairs program on Tuesday, stated that the disagreement between the former governor and his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola, revolved around the former’s ego.

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While lamenting the shootings, Ologun emphasized that the former governor had split with his successor and adopted a new candidate because his anointed candidate could not bring violence to the state he intends to govern.

He stated that innocent people were hurt as a result of the shootings that occurred in Osogbo on Monday evening.

The social crusader maintained that the action was uncalled for and it was not what the state needed at this critical time.

According to him, “There are questions to be asked if you use state powers to terrorise the people you seek to govern.”

As to the report of the police declaring that 13 spent cartridges of G-3 and AK-47 assault rifles were recovered from the scene of the shootings after the minister departed, Ologun asked the police to carry out a comprehensive investigation to determine the source of the bullets.

Ologun declared that the situation of buck-passing and disagreement between separate security agencies was not enough proof as the expended shells recovered from the scene of the shooting was enough evidence to nail those behind the shooting.

Meanwhile, in a separate chat with  Ologun noted that “It is unfortunate that at a time like this in the polity of the state, political players are introducing a dimension that is almost becoming alien in the political history of the state.

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“The way at which things stand, one is quickly reminded of the situation pre the advent of the Aregbesola’s administration when he held the state down in perpetual violence against then-incumbent, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

“For political watchers and analysts, it is the same script of then playing out. From the attack on the Oranmiyan house to the diverse claims of assassination here and there.

“In all of this, it is pertinent to call on all political players to play according to the rules in ensuring that the peace of the state is sacredly protected.

“Their politics is not worth the blood of any resident of the state and hence should know that they can’t afford to terrorise the same people they plan to govern. Osun has been relatively peaceful and such virtue should be upheld.”

Waheed Saka, the convener of Dialogue 360, stated that the former Osun governor had crossed the line this time around.

Saka, who revealed that he is a staunch follower of Aregbesola, stated that at this time in the history of the state, there was no need for violence as everyone needed to adopt peace so that all can move forward.

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Jare Ismail Tiamiyu, an Osogbo based media practitioner in his Facebook post stated that “Osun: It’s between Aregbesola and Tinubu. The game is getting interesting!

“I hope all APC guys who attacked us in 2020 and early 2021 when we said there was a crisis between Oyetola and Aregbesola, will apologise to us now.

“It’s a full-blown crisis now.”

Lamina Kamiludeen Omotoyosi, the Founder of the World Institute for Peace, stated that the shooting in Osogbo on Monday by armed men who were in the company of the former governor Rauf Aregbesola was nothing but a misplacement of priority.

Omotoyosi, who recalled that the minister once governed the state for two terms, reminded him that he should know that nothing is sweeter than peace in any given society.

He called on the former governor to apologise to the Osun people as some of them were injured while running for their lives during Monday’s shooting incident.

In his words, “I am not giving any judgement though, but the shooting was huge and caused a lot of panic. It is unfair sir.”

It was recalls that the convoy of Rauf Aregbesola was allegedly attacked by gunmen suspected to be led by one Asiri Eniba who has been linked to the state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

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Also as a result of the shootings, there has been a war of words between the state government and the faction of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State.

While the state government alleged that it has reports of cowards invading Osogbo, the state capital, the APC faction alleged that the attack on the convoy of the minister was intended to kill him.

The Osun State Police Command and the Osun State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have also disagreed as to the origin of the shooting and for whom it was intended.

APC National Convention: Youth, Stakeholders Kick Against Malami’s Involvement With BackDoor List

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Some APC youths, stakeholders, and other party members have demanded that Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, resign immediately over alleged plots to impose candidates on the party.

The group, which goes by the name Concerned APC Youth Forum, claims the AGF has perfected plans to smuggle a list into the party’s national convention on February 26th.

The APC forum said in a press statement issued today in Abuja that Malami is on a mission to sow widespread discontent in the party by imposing candidates, the majority of whom are his allies and cronies.
The group’s convener/president, Comr. Owolabi Abdullahi, therefore, described Malami as an embarrassment to the party and the Buhari administration in all ramifications.

Abdullahi noted that as a matter of urgency, the AGF must desist from his ploy to dictate to members of the APC how to elect and whom to elect at the convention.

In order to save his reputation, the group, however, urged President Buhari to relieve Malami of his duties in the party’s interest should he fail to tender his immediate resignation from office.

Read Also:  APC faction alleges plots to assassinate Aregbesola at Oshogbo Shootout.

Read full statement below:

The recent events in the buildup to the APC national convention slated for February 26th 2022, has indeed called for concern from all stakeholders; hence this press conference convoked to press for the immediate resignation of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami from office with immediate effect.

We are indeed concerned that a high ranking member of the government and the party in the mould of the Justice Minister would elect to undertake acts that are inimical to the ideals of the party, which are clearly outside his purview. Mr Abubakar Malami, in recent times, has been meddlesome in the affairs of the party, using his office to cause intimidation and harassment to the current leadership of the party into submitting to his whims and caprices.

The Concerned APC Youth Forum finds his actions worrisome and an indication that the forthcoming National convention of the party might be in jeopardy due to the unwholesome activities of party members who have elected to make impositions of candidates the new norm at the expense of the array of credible candidates that have signified interest in the leadership positions in the party. We wish to state that the meddlesomeness of the AGF, Abubakar Malami, in the party’s affairs is unbecoming of a public official and the country’s chief law officer, whose conduct ought to be guided by fairness, equity and justice.

But he has indeed displayed an apparent lack of grasp of the issues regarding equity and justice through his actions regarding the forthcoming National Convention of the APC. As concerned stakeholders of the party, we wish to put it on record that the AGF is on a mission to cause gross disaffection in the party through the attempt to impose candidates on the party, most of which are his allies and cronies through which he intends to hijack the party structure in furtherance of his political ambition.

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It is also more worrisome that the AGF, Abubakar Malami, has carried on like the party’s legal adviser at the expense of his responsibilities as the chief law officer of the country, which has caused the government monumental embarrassment in recent times. There are numerous cases where his legal advice to Mr President on critical matters of national concern has caused the government untold embarrassment and to the chagrin of the APC as a party of repute.

A good example is how the AGF, Abubakar Malami, misled the president into signing Executive Order 10 that the Supreme Court has nullified. This is the most unbecoming of the AGF. It is our considered opinion that he is not fit for purpose.

His continued stay in office as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation can no longer be justified. The Concerned APC Youth Forum wishes to inform all stakeholders of the APC that the AGF, Abubakar Malami, is an embarrassment to the party and the APC government in all ramifications. So much so that we are tempted to question his legal qualifications and competence owing to the public ridicule he has brought to the revered Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The AGF, Abubakar Malami, must, as a matter of urgency, desist from his ploy to dictate to members of the APC how to elect and whom to elect at the National Convention of the party. This is on the heels that should he continue in this fashion; there would be a torrent of litigation against the party after the National Convention.

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The APC as a party is known for its strict observance of democratic principles in line with the position of President Muhammadu Buhari, and for the AGF, having a contrary motive and strategy leaves all to the imagination with regards to his professional competence. We are consequently using this medium to call for the immediate resignation from the office of the AGF, Abubakar Malami, as it has been established beyond reasonable doubt that he lacks the moral right to advise Mr President on legal matters and the spirits of the Constitution is at stake with his continued stay in office.

He must be reminded that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation is not an instrument for intimidation and imposition. And as the Chief Law Officer of the country, his public conduct must reflect that of a constitutional purist. We also wish to remind the AGF, Abubakar Malami, that the country is indeed aware of how he has monetized the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation in a most despicable and inglorious manner.

This is unacceptable, and his recent conduct within the party indeed justifies this position where he has positioned himself to be the Alfa and Omega regarding who occupies leadership positions in the party. The Concerned APC Youth Forum wishes to reiterate that democracy is at stake with the continued stay in office of the AGF, Abubakar Malami.

As such, nothing short of his immediate resignation from office would be accepted. Our firm position is that the APC as a party cannot afford the luxury of going into the 2023 general election in a rancorous manner, which would eventually lead to the disintegration of the party, and the consequent electoral defeat come 2023.

We are using this medium to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to act in the party’s interest by relieving the AGF, Abubakar Malami, of his duties should he fail to tender his immediate resignation from office. Mr President must be aware that his hard-earned reputation as an upright and fair leader to all is also at stake with how the AGF, Abubakar Malami, has conducted himself.

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This is indeed a litmus test for the party. We desire that Mr President would act decisively due to the urgency and necessity of the now. We also urge other concerned stakeholders of our great party to keep the faith alive as the shenanigans of the AGF, Abubakar Malami, and his co-travellers won’t see the light of the day.

We thank you all for your kind attention and encourage all to ensure that democracy thrives in our great party. We shall not be a party to any form of unnecessary interference in the democratic processes in the party.

What Afenifere leader, Ayo Adebanjo, said about Primate Ayodele

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Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the acting leader of Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-political organization, has described Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, as a leading prophet in Nigeria.

Primate Ayodele’s annual thanksgiving ceremony was held yesterday at the church’s premises in Lagos, and Adebanjo made a surprise appearance.

Chief Adebanjo revealed that he has known Primate Ayodele for over 40 years, though it has been a while since they last saw him before yesterday.

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“I came to honor my son; I’ve known him for a long time; he began prophesying early in his ministry and has proven to be a rare messenger of God; I haven’t seen him in 20 years.”

I want to wish him more years and success. Primate Ayodele is the number one prophet in Nigeria,” he said.

Reacting to the surprise appearance of Chief Adebanjo, Primate Ayodele expressed heartfelt gratitude to the nonagenarian for coming to celebrate him, while talking about how far their relationship has come.

Going down the memory lane, Primate Ayodele noted that he used to go to Pa Adebanjo’s house to eat at the early stage of his ministry and that he was very instrumental to him and his ministry.

“Baba Adebanjo’s impact in my ministry cannot be underestimated. I remember during the early days of my ministry when I used to go to his house to eat. Whenever I visit him, we talk for hours till the late hours of the night, we were very close and enjoyed a relationship of a father and son.

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“Baba Adebanjo is someone I respect so much for his personality. He is vibrant, intelligent, wise and has all the qualities of a good man. Indeed, He is a definition of a good man,” he said.

“I don’t take his surprise appearance for granted, I pray God strengthens him, give him long life so he can reap the fruit of his labour.”

 

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